Mathew J. Stukel
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Mathew J. Stukel entered the Army July 14, 1943, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Home at entry: Ely, Minnesota.
He served as a Corporal, 90 m.m. gunner, and cook with Battery B of the 601st Antiaircraft Battalion. Shipped to Scotland on March 11, 1944.
Mr. Stukel shared the following: "We set up our guns on the White Cliffs of Dover. We could see the Nazi activity across the Channel. They fired 16 inch guns at our positions each night and we kept knocking down 'buzz bombs'.
"Landed in Normandy on D-plus-nine. Set up and fired every night at Nazi bombers who were dropping mines in the Channel. Witnessed the opening bomber-fighter plane assault on St. Lo.
"Our mission was the Brittany peninsula. When our mission was completed, we headed for Paris. A lot of sniper fire as we set up on the outskirts of Paris and began knocking out buzz bombs. Left Paris in November for Belgium and more buzz bombs.
"Received word that I was a dad! Then came the Battle of the Bulge. I was assigned to roadblock duty, heading a four-man crew on a six on and six off, round the clock, duty for 10 days. Interesting Christmas holiday duty!
"After VE day we were sent from Germany back to Cherbourg. A few Nazi's holding out in the Channel Islands. Back again to Bavaria, then shipped from pillar to post."
Mr. Stukel was discharged on December 7, 1945, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, 312.
