Memorial

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Pfc Edward V. Dunne enlisted in New York City, New York on 23 April 1943.

He was one of four brothers who served during WWII. William was a member of the 609th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Joseph flew B-29 bombers off of Guam. Charles was stationed in England loading planes for bomb runs in Europe.

On one of the pictures the brothers pose together: Bernard, Ed, Bill, Joe and Charles.

The son of Carl Wilson, who was a member of the same company, recalled his father's memory of what happened on the tragic day: "
Dad explained they were advancing to the Autobahn trying to take a farm house on a hill. Company A moved out of a hedge row/tree line running up a slight hill toward a farm house one mile east of Honnef. They had gotten about 200 yards out when a 20mm flak gun armed with exploding ammo opened up on them.
He was carrying his tri-pod and a bucket of ammo for his 30 caliber air cool machine gun when dirt started to explode 50 yards or so in front of them. He quickly glanced to his right and saw a red mist and the left arm holding an ammo bucket fall to the ground. He realized that was possibly one of his machine gun squad riflemen.
He saw a huge puff off dirt explode a few yards ahead of him and was knocked flat on his back. His helmet flew off several yards behind him. He had been hit by a ricocheting 20mm round about 2 inches to the left and a little above his naval button.

He lay there for bit of time then realized he needed to get back to the hedgerow. He made it to his helmet then crawled back to medics who began to work on him. He lost consciousness and does not remember anything after that point. He never knew what had happened to his brothers in Company A.

He always believed the winter wear he had on saved his life that day. He said he was wearing winter underwear, regular army fatigues, a belt with five lined up packs of cigarettes, an army jacket, and long wool winter over coat. He remembers that the tobacco in his wound was the most painful thing."