Memorial Commune d’Erezée

This entire wall with plaques is a monument in honor and gratitude to the liberators of the Commune d'Erezée.

Honor – gratitude

On the plaque left on the wall is the following text:
3rd Armored Division
Col. Howze Comd ccr
1.517 Para. Inf. Rgt.
Lt. Col. Boyle Maj. Fraser
75th infantry Division
3.290 Rgt. Lt. Col. Gleszer
2nd Armored Division
66 Rgt. C.H. Capt J. Burt
84th Infantry Division
335 Rgt. Lt. Col. Parker

The inscriptions on the two plaques placed in the middle of the wall:
Corporal John E. Shields from Ripley NY. U.S.A.
belonging to the Co C23rd Arm. Eng. Battalion,
First American Hero killed in action in the
village of Melines on December 21, 1944 at 7 a.m.

Melines, over two hundred
young Americans gave
their lives for our freedom

The place where John Shields was killed, can be seen here:
Memorial stone Corporal Americain John Shields

In front of this wall "Memorial Commune D' Erezée" is a monument with two plaques.

Text on the first plaque:
Third Armored Division
Remembers
France, Belgium & Gemany
June 1944 to May 1945
Battle Stars
Awarded:
Normandy
Northern France
Rhineland
Ardennes
Central Europe

Text on the second plaque:
The men of the 75th Infantry Division, U.S. Army,
are honored by the recognition accorded to them
and all other Allied soldiers who fought in the Ardennes,
December 1944 till January 1945.
We were free and wanted others to be free as well.
May God bless the people of Belgium,
our friends forever.

Presented by the Anti-Tank Company
290th Infantry Regiment – 75th Infantry Division
United States Army
May 1996