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George Marchi

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He was headed for the Battle of the Bulge, but on Christmas Eve 1944, George Marchi didn't even make it safely across the English Channel. His transport, the SS Leopoldville, was torpedoed and he wound up in the frigid water. Part 1 of 2. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (5:45)

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After his ship was torpedoed, George Marchi barely survived the frigid waters of the English Channel. For days, he drifted in and out of consciousness as he recovered. Part 2 of 2. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (7:21)

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Since the 66th Infantry Division had lost so many men in the sinking of the SS Leopoldville, they weren't sent on to the battle raging in the Ardennes. Instead, they were assigned to contain the German troops guarding two impenetrable submarine pens in Brittany. George Marchi recalls that it was dangerous enough for him. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (4:20)

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During occupation duty in Koblenz, George Marchi experienced some delayed psychological effects from his experience during the sinking of the Leopoldville. On the positive side, he was transferred to Vienna where he experienced the reborn arts scene. (4:21)

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George Marchi was saddened by the death of two close friends when his ship was torpedoed, but his duty afterward in France gave him a sense of closeness with the French people. (4:45)

George Mason

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George Mason recalls growing up without a father which led him to drop out of high school to support himself. Once he turned 17, his mother signed his waiver for him to join the service. (3:48)

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Training was essential for George Mason and his division as they faced challenges in the Samoan islands in the Pacific. (4:03)

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George Mason and his division had a long crossing to get to American Samoa in the Pacific. For a 17-year old, these new experiences were challenging but enjoyable. (4:04)

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Being a gunner in his division, George Mason had to react quickly when faced with direct infantry combat. The enemy were nighttime fighters which prompted their division to have to adapt to that type of warfare. (7:51)

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George Mason remembers the Japanese fighters they faced in battle and the distinct smell that you could sense once they came near the division. Because of the difficult island conditions, disease was always a problem for Mason and his fellow soldiers. (4:41)