Veterans Day
Our nation has a great sense of pride for her Veterans. These men and women who served the United States of America with honor and an unwavering loyalty deserve a debt of gratitude from each of us for fighting for our freedom and liberty. On November 11, we will observe the 91st celebration of Veterans Day.
Paulding County is home to many distinguished Veterans. One very special gentleman is Bruce E. Estes, a former Light Weapons NCO Tech Sergeant of C Company, 141st Infantry Texas Regiment. Tech Sergeant Bruce Estes is a decorated war hero, earning the Purple Heart, Good Conduct, Distinguished Unit Badge, Bronze Star, European-Middle Eastern Campaign Service Medal, and Victory Medal. His was involved in a WWII battle that was so fierce the U.S. Army places it among its top ten in history.
Sixty-five years ago in the dense forest of the Vosges Mountains in France, Bruce and the 141st regiment found themselves surrounded by Nazis, outnumbered and outgunned. They were trapped by 6,000 German troops under direct orders from Hitler to hold their ground. The press dubbed them as "The Lost Battalion." The 141st were able to fight off one German attack after another. Bruce was 19 years old at the time and says the fighting was only part of the problem; the hunger was the other. They went without food for five days.
After failed attempts to reach the "Lost Battalion," the U.S. Army’s only hope was the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. The 442nd was made up entirely of Japanese Americans, many of whom spent the early part of the war imprisoned in internment camps. Though they were not looked highly upon, in a matter of months, they became the most decorated unit in American military history, earning 21 medals of honor during WWII, and now it was their job to rescue the "Lost Battalion."
It took five grueling days of fighting and loss, but they succeeded. Cameras captured the "Lost Battalion" coming out of the forest, owing their lives to the Japanese American unit who sacrificed dearly to reach them. The 442nd suffered more than 800 casualties during the rescue. Bruce was one of the 141st who sustained injuries during the battle and was EVAC out after the rescue.
The Texas Regiment promised to never forget the 442nd team, and they’ve kept that promise. Recently, Bruce and the remaining members of the 141st had a reunion with the 442nd in Houston, and were honored by the Japanese American Society.
We appreciate the chance to honor Tech Sergeant Bruce Estes and the Japanese American soliders of the 442nd who rescued him and his Regiment. We thank them, our service men and women, and all our Veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice.
God Bless America