2nd Lt. Joseph Webster Gresham (01032084)

Joe Gresham, from Creston, Iowa, was one of the first of the squadron killed in action, a week after arriving in Normandy.

He was one of five officers leading Reconnaissance Troop A.

The After Action report (which rarely named individuals outside of monthly casualty lists) notes that his loss was hard felt by everyone. That entry reveals the intensity of early squadron actions as they moved up the east side of the Cotentin peninsula, supporting VII Corps right flank in the drive to take Cherbourg.

‘On 22 June, the Squadron was attached to the 22nd Infantry Regiment, and at 2100 hours, Troop A, commanded by Captain Brooks O. Norman, was attacked by an estimated company of German infantry. For the next thirty minutes, the entire troop was engaged in repelling the attack. Second Lieutenant Joseph W. Gresham was killed in this engagement. He was the only casualty on our side, and his death was a great loss to the troop. Fifty Germans were killed and two were captured. Company “F”, commanded by Captain John F. Christensen, followed up our advantage with a tank attack westward toward Gonneville. An additional fifty Germans were destroyed in this action.’

[Note: the date of Joe’s death is given as June 23 1944 in the squadron casualty lists and in the official notification to his mother by the Adjutant General’s office]

Two days before his death, Joe had written home to his wife, Frances.

Dear Frances,

Washed & shaved off 5-days dirt & whiskers and felt so good decided I’d write you a fox-hole letter. It’s rough here, Honey. Wish I was there with you. It’s 10:15 pm now, 2:15 pm where you are. Whatcha doin’ - huh?

I’m afraid I’m going to be thoroughly domesticated after the war - a home-body. Sure like to sit down to a good home-cooked meal and not have to run like hell for a foxhole every 3 minutes. Those 88-millimeter shells are mean.

Are the boys all OK? Are you OK? I dreamed of you this morning. It sure made me lonesome for you. Write real often, Honey. We get mail every day here in the front lines. It means a lot to us here to hear from our loved ones.

Must quit now.

Love,
Joe

Joe Gresham’s commanding officer was Capt. Brooks Ogden Norman. He wrote a five-page letter to Joe’s mother:

5 Oct 44

Dear Mrs. Gresham:

I’m very sorry for not being able to write to you sooner. At first I was unable to do so due to Military Censorship regulations. Later I was wounded myself & was returned to England & en route lost Joe’s address. I received your letter of July 26 only yesterday, so I am finally able to write you.

Joe was assigned to my troop here in England. My officers & I were very close, & Joe became one of us in the fullest sense of the word. In the eyes of the members of his platoon he was tops. He became one of our best morale builders. In pre-invasion days, and in combat when things got a little rough, we could always count on him to see something funny in the situation. As you probably know, he had a dry sense of humor that always came through in the pinch.

Joe died as we all wanted to if our number came up - leading his men against the enemy with the battle in full tilt. It was a fine, warm summer day. We had been in contact with the enemy since morning, and about 4 in the afternoon things began to get mighty rough, especially in Joe’s sector. I called him on the radio & told him to consolidate his platoon & form a strong-point. He had just accomplished this when he was hit in the head by a bullet & was killed instantaneously. 

When I was informed of his death I went down to his position & personally retrieved his body. When I stooped over him I found myself crying for the first time in 25 years & the only time while I was in France.

He was buried in the military cemetery just outside of a little town called Ste-Mère-Église. It’s just a short distance from Carentan, so I’m sure you can find it on any map of France.

Joe was a great guy and a fine soldier. I extend my deepest sympathy to both you and your husband.

I’m in England at present but hope to return to my troop before long. I hope you will forgive my tardiness in not writing sooner. I would very much appreciate knowing if you receive this letter. If you would kindly answer, my address is on the envelope. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Brooks O. Norman
Capt., Cav.

P.S.

I just read this over, and I’m afraid I haven’t put it too well. I can remember it all as though it happened yesterday, but I guess words are sort of funny things when they try to explain how death came to a grand guy. I also neglected to mention that I recommended Joe for an award for his work but was unable to find out if it went through.

Brooks Norman

Joseph Webster Gresham was born in Creston, Iowa, June 18 1915. He died, aged 29, on June 23 1944, somewhere between Bretteville and Gonneville, on the Cotentin peninsula of France