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Samuel Rosenthal Transcript.pdf

Samuel Rosenthal, Sergeant

Sergeant Samuel Rosenthal (March 24, 1915, to March 23, 2016) demonstrated the meaning of “courage under fire” while serving under the constant and harrowing threat of German Luftwaffe air-to-ground attacks from fighter bombers as a Radar Repairman in a Company-sized detachment of the US Army’s 562nd Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion. As such – this military occupation and duty assignment was not only hazardous due to the unit being a potential target for air-to-ground attacks because of their stationary nature of operating within exposed Anti-Aircraft positions - but the training program itself was exceptionally academically rigorous, and thus had a high attrition rate.

Whereas most US Army units took part in one or two campaigns in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during World War II, Sergeant Rosenthal’s unit took part in the Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central European Campaigns. During his combat service – while carrying out the duty of repairing and operating Anti-Aircraft Radar equipment in support of 90 MM Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalions, he suffered a shrapnel wound that earned him a Purple Heart, while also being witness to an explosive enemy ambush that killed a number of other Radar Repairmen.

Sergeant Rosenthal’s total service overseas and stateside lasted from May 5, 1942, to November 3, 1945). For his honorable and faithful service – Sergeant Rosenthal was awarded in addition to the Purple Heart, the World War II Victory Medal, and other decorations for meritorious service.

  • Rosenthal and Unit Moving North as Enemy Retreated, Italy

  • Rosenthal in the Mountains of Northern Italy, Dec., 1944

  • Rosenthal and his Mother, Sophie

  • Rosenthal, on Furlough after Completion of Basic Training at Camp Crowder, MO, visiting his Wife, Erika, on Paulina St, Chicago, Close to their Home

  • Rosenthal Preparing to Leave for Training in Florida, Accompanied by His Wife, Erika. Several Women Accompanied their Husbands to the Train Station. Erika Later Joined Her Husband in Florida.

  • Guarding the Swamps, Camp Thonotosassa, Florida

  • Timeline from Rosenthal's Album

  • Rosenthal at his 100th Birthday Party