by Ted Connolly
On January 26,2009 at 9:30 a.m. America lost another true American Hero
1st Sgt. Benny Marr like many other young Central Illinois men, found themselves far away from home in the early 1940's. Benny was part of the Eighth Armored Division. If you are fortunate you have known or met one of our American heroes who have stepped forward under fire in theaters of war all over the world and were awarded medals such as the Bronze Star or maybe even the Silver Star, but it is very rare to find a recipient of two Silver Stars. Benny Marr was not only awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, but two Silver Stars. Please continue with the information below...
In
April 1942, the Seventh Armored Infantry Battalion
was activated at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
For two years, it lived through the normal routine of training employed
by the Army in the preparations of units for overseas service. There
were the Maneuvers in Louisiana and Basic Training at Camp Polk
.
To the men, it seemed as though the day would never arrive when they
would be in combat and justify themselves as soldiers.
Finally, on November 1,1944, the 7th A.I.B. arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, secure in the knowledge that the day had finally arrived to take that much awaited, the much worked for, overseas trip. November 7th came, and the men of Company 'A' waved good-bye to the Statue of Liberty, then turned their faces toward new lands and new experiences. Yes, Company A's destiny was now in the hands of God. Eleven days later, on the 18th of November, the Troopship HMT Samaria, carrying the Seventh Armored Infantry Battalion, arrived at Southampton, England, thence to Tidworth where another program in advanced combat tactics was launched.
In January 1945, the 7th A.I.B. left England for Le Havre, France, and
from there, made its memorable march into combat against the enemy...an
initial movement which resulted in glories and honors being heaped upon
it's shoulders as a unit and upon the shoulders of its members as
individuals. The time, ...0400 hours of Sunday Jan. 2lst,l945...the
place, Nennig, Germany. The occasion ...the introduction of 'A' Company
of the 7th A.I.B. into mortal combat against the
enemy. The situation was
most critical as the 11th Panzer Division was making a tremendous threat
against the security of American Troops in that cold, bleak sector of
the Ardennes. Company 'A' was given the mission to spearhead the initial
attack at this "Switch Position" of the Siegfried Line for the
"Thundering Herd".
Men who had read of combat, but who had never actually seen the enemy, were pitted in mortal combat against one of the best and most seasoned of German Divisions. It was tough, and there was no glory there. There is no glory in meeting death face to face. No glory in seeing your buddies drop around you with fatal wounds...no glory in the realization that the next one might be you. It is at times like these that you realize just how very beautiful life really is, and you fight tooth and nail to hang onto that life. For six days it was so. Attack...counterattack...casualties...young faces had very suddenly grown old...and then suddenly, just as it began, it was over. Roll calls were taken, and the story of this brutal six days experience was pieced together. The score for Co. 'A' was that over 65% of its entire personnel were on the casualty lists. Technical Sergeant Richard W. Peters of Co. 'A', is a typical example of the men with whom we fought. He received the Silver Star for gallantry in action in the towns of Nennig and Berg, Germany, during the time of Jan. 21-26,1945. Sergeant Peters was wounded during the second day of combat. Disregarding his injuries, he led his men of the third Platoon in the capture of enemy Pill Boxes west of Berg, where he sustained further shrapnel wounds of both legs. He continued to lead his men in the capture of Berg until he finally collapsed. His leadership, boldness, and devotion to duty were largely responsible for the success of the offensive. Such actions reflect credit upon himself and the Army of the United States. He entered the service from Philipsburg, Penna. General John M. Devine, C.G. was later privileged to bestow a Direct Field Commission of 2nd Lt. upon Dick Peters.
There were many well earned Citations awarded to members of this unit. 7
Silver Stars, 20 Bronze Stars, and more than 100 Purple Hearts, all to
this one Company 'A' that during the five months spent in Action against
the enemy, earned for itself, 3 Battle Stars
,
Three Major Campaigns in just five months!! This is combat record of
which it can be we11 proud. The time has come when Co. 'A' of the 7th
A.I.B. is being dissolved. Her members, loyal to the last man, who have
lived together for so long, who have played together, who have fought
together, realize that their days of being together have come to an end.
These men realize also, that even though the Company is disbanded, it
will live together in their memories and in their hearts. These men whom
they knew so well, who laid down their lives on the Fields of Battle,
will never be forgotten. These men sweated through three Major Campaigns
under the Guidon of this Unit. They may travel to the four corners of
this earth, and may fight under the colors of different organizations,
but they will never, in their hearts, belong to any other than Company
'A' of the Seventh Armored Infantry Battalion.
In years to come, they will think back to the time when 1st Sergeant Benny Marr, holder of the Silver Star for Gallant Action against the enemy in Germany, was the number one Enlisted Man in their Company A.
They will think back and remember the seven Company Commanders under whom they fought in the European Campaigns - six different Officers who were lost to them in, and during the various fortunes of war. And so, to Company 'A' of the Seventh Armored Infantry Battalion, a unit member of the Eighth Armored Division (Thundering Herd), we salute you for "Services Rendered", wherever you may travel, whatever you may encounter, always remember that the blessings of God will be with you at all times.
Respectfully yours,
Cpl. William F.
BOPP, Bugler
Company 'A', 7th A.I.B.,
8th Armored Division
Click Here for more photos from the 8th Armored Division
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G.O. No. 30, Hq. 8th
Armd. Div., 9 May, 1945, Page 2 - Award of Silver Star
Marr, Lester V.
First Sergeant, U.S. Army
Company A, 7th Armored Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division
Date of Action: April 11, 1945
The Silver Star is
presented to Lester V. Marr (36427001), First Sergeant, U.S.
Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 7th Armored
Infantry Battalion, 8th Armored Division, in Germany on 11 April 1945.
First Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Marr and his squad were
pinned down by machine gun and heavy artillery fire. Seeing one of his
men wounded, he ran across an open field and succeeded in evacuating the
man to safety. When his platoon leader was killed he assumed full
command of the platoon and held off strong counterattacks. The order
came for the platoon to be withdrawn and Sergeant Marr
accomplished this without the loss of a man, many of whom were already
wounded. His devotion to duty and bravery under fire were inspiring and
are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service.
Hometown: Chandlerville, Illinois.
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Lester Vernon "Benny" Marr
1923 - 2009
Benny Marr, 85, of Chandlerville, died on January 26 at 9:30 a.m. at St. John's hospital hospice care. He was born Lester Vernon Marr on June 10, 1923 in Prentice, IL, the son of William and Emma Mudd Marr. He married Martha Frances Cowan on September 16, 1943, they had five children. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, 2 sisters, 5 brothers, 1 grandson and 1 granddaughter.
He is survived by his children; Ruthann (Jim) Mibbs of Havana, Marette (Bill) Abbott of Chandlerville, Debbie (Mike) Mibb of Carbondale, Kathy (Delbert) Lierly of Simple, TX and Benny (Michaela) Marr of Jacksonville. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Marr was a highly decorated first sergeant in the United States Army. He served during World war II from 1942 - 1945; where he was rewarded the Purple Heart, 2 silver stars and the bronze star for his brave actions during the battle.
Mr. Marr was a heavy equipment operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 965 of Springfield, IL.
Mr. Marr was an avid trapshooter and enjoyed watching his many grandchildren play sports. He also enjoyed his many trips to his local restaurant; the Pool Hall where he played many hands of poker with his friends.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Cemetery in rural Chandlerville. Michael Mibb will officiate. Following the services, a luncheon will be held at the Legion Hall in Chandlerville.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Hospice in Springfield. Online memorial messages may be left for the family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Lintner-Hurley Funeral Home in Chandlerville is in charge of arrangements.
