In
his service as a Signal Corps photographer, Bill Heller got to see many of the top personages
of the war. Here are world renowned Generals, infamous characters, and heroes like Lt. Audie
Murphy, who led the Allies to Victory in Europe. The background of medals are those of
S/Sgt Bill Heller, awarded during World War II.
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3rd Division Soldier guarding President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister
Winston Churchill, at Casablanca meeting in 1943.
The 3rd Infantry Division was present at the making
of world History on Thursday, January 21, 1943. On this day president Franklin D.
Roosevelt reviewed troops of the 3rd Infantry and 2nd Armored Divisions on the main
highway leading north from Sale, French Morocco.
He was accompanied by many dignitaries, civil and military, including his secretary,
Stephen T. Early; Harry Hopkins, personal agent and advisor; Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark,
commanding the Fifth Army; Maj.Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., commanding the I Armored Corps;
Maj. Gen Jonathan W. Anderson, commanding the 3rd Infantry Division; Maj. Gen. Ernest
Harmon, commanding the 2nd Armored Division; and Maj. Gen. Manton Eddy, commanding the 9th
Infantry Division.
bh304k.jpg General George S.
Patton flicking off fellow General, or picking his nose. Patton was pictured more than
once, performing Nasal Irrigation.
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"Lt. Col. Lyle Bernard, CO, 30th
Infantry Regiment, a prominent figure in the second daring amphibious
landing behind enemy lines on Sicily's north coast, discusses military
strategy with Lt. Gen. George S. Patton. Near Brolo." 1943. From the NARA
Collection
The
3rds Division's campaign in France was noted by the Provisional Government of the French
Republic on July 27, 1945, (by General Charles de Gaulle, President of the Provisional
Government of the French Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of France) to
wear the "Fourragere in the Colours of the Croix de Guerre" 1939-1945.
The
Third Division had thirty-seven recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor
in World War II, including
Lt. Audie Murphy who was to star in Hollywood motion pictures.
Other awards included the
Distinguished Unit Citation for which the entire Division was awarded for the Colmar
Pocket operation.
Maj Gen John "Iron
Mike" O'Daniel
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Major General
John "Iron Mike O'Daniel
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Generals
O'Daniel, Marshall, and Patch.
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General
Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Hap Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Forces,
discussing the progress of
the Allies, while in Marseilles, France.
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The
Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army,
General George C. Marshall addresses the
3rd Division staff at Remiremont, France.
Generals O'Daniel, Truscott and Devers are seen in the background.
bh176.jpg Captured Nazi Officers
being interrogated by
3rd Division Soldier.
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General
"Iron Mike" O'Daniel briefs General Marshall on the situation, during the
latter's inspection of the division in the Vosges Mountains near Remiremont France,
General Devers Commanding General of the 6th Army Group looks on.
Sixth Army Group commander General Jacob Devers and French First
Army commander General Jean de Lattre de Tasigny greet the citizens of
Colmar, France after the city was liberated from four years of Nazi
control in early February 1945.
Photo courtesy of Denis Toomey
www.dogfacesoldiers.org
General de Lattre de Tassigny decorates Third Division Commander
Gen. John O'Daniel with the Legion d'Honneur, third degree and the Croix
de Guerre with Palm for leading his division in the Colmar Pocket at Feb.
20 ceremonies in Colmar. The Third Division was also awarded a
Presidential Unit Citation for the same action.
Photo courtesy of Denis Toomey
www.dogfacesoldiers.org
Read the
"Watch on
the Rhine"
The
Official Publication of the Society of the 3rd Infantry
Division, United States Army
The photos on this website
are available for commercial or web use. Please contact me for
permission, rights fees, and copies.
rheller@warfoto.com This
website's URL is http://www.warfoto.com