Rozenkrantz, David "Rosie"

Date of birth:: October 31st, 1916 (Los Angeles, California, United States)
Date of death:: September 28th, 1944 (south of Heuvelhof-Groesbeek, the Netherlands)
Buried on:: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial
Service number:: 39 018 039
Nationality:: American

Biography

David Rosenkrantz was one of the early members of the 504 PIR. After training at Ft. Benning and Ft. Bragg, the group saw its first action during the invasion of Sicily. The 3rd Battalion was in the first wave to drop into the heavily defended island. Rosenkrantz apparently landed in a remote area and, along with a Corporal Lee Black of Tennessee, captured 200 Italian soldiers.
After recovering from wounds received in Sicily, Rosenkrantz was one of the early members of the 504 PIR. After training at Ft. Benning and Ft. Bragg, the group saw its first action during the invasion of Sicily. The 3rd Battalion was in the first wave to drop into the heavily defended island. Rosenkrantz apparently landed in a remote area and, along with a Corporal Lee Black of Tennessee, captured 200 Italian soldiers.
After recovering from wounds received in Sicily, David rejoined the regiment in time for the invasion of Italy. Troopers from H Company, with a group of Rangers, made the initial landing on 9 September on the Italian coast at Maiori. They quickly advanced inland to seize the Chiunzi Pass and a vital railroad tunnel. They continued on until they captured Naples.
At Anzio, the 3rd Battalion was committed with the British First (Guards) Division in the heaviest fighting. By the time they were relieved, the paratrooper companies were reduced in strength to between 20 and 30 men. Conditions were brutal, but the 504 was stellar, and at Anzio received a nickname from the Germans -- "The Devils in Baggy Pants."
Because the 504 was in England recuperating from heavy battle losses in Italy, they missed the Normandy invasion. They left England in September 1944 to participate in "Operation Market Garden" in Holland. The 82nd was assigned to capture the bridges at the towns of Grave and Nijmegen. Rosenkrantz was killed during a deadly counter attack by an SS Panzer Division during the night of September 28th. His body was never recovered
rejoined the regiment in time for the invasion of Italy. Troopers from H Company, with a group of Rangers, made the initial landing on 9 September on the Italian coast at Maiori. They quickly advanced inland to seize the Chiunzi Pass and a vital railroad tunnel. They continued on until they captured Naples.
At Anzio, the 3rd Battalion was committed with the British First (Guards) Division in the heaviest fighting. By the time they were relieved, the paratrooper companies were reduced in strength to between 20 and 30 men. Conditions were brutal, but the 504 was stellar, and at Anzio received a nickname from the Germans -- "The Devils in Baggy Pants."
Because the 504 was in England recuperating from heavy battle losses in Italy, they missed the Normandy invasion. They left England in September 1944 to participate in "Operation Market Garden" in Holland. The 82nd was assigned to capture the bridges at the towns of Grave and Nijmegen. Rosenkrantz was killed during a deadly counter attack by an SS Panzer Division during the night of September 27th near Heuvelhof, Groesbeek. His body was never recovered.

In 2012 (notification of March 12th, 2012) was made public that the dogtags of David Rosenkrantz shortly after the war were found and by a farmer were tranferred to the U.S. Army. By unknown circomstances the dogtags were misplaced and found back after almost 60 years. They were handed over to his family in 2011. However his remains have not yet been found or identified. His name is added to the Wall of Missing at Margraten.

On March 15th, 2018 it was announced that the remains of Davit Rosenkrantz were identiefied. At the Tablets of the Missing in Margraten a rosary has been placed with his name to denote he is no longer missing in action. Also it became known that his date of death actually was September 28th, 1944.

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