Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Cooper says remember soldiers

Art Cooper, a U.S. Army Veteran and active member of the American Legion, recently found a letter he had written to his wife while stationed in Germany.

Cooper was part of what is described in the letter as a "Red Letter Day" on February 27, 1945.

In a letter received from Cooper's Major General, E.F. Reinhardt, the day was described as follows: "In a drizzling rain and heavy fog the 27 1st and 27 3rd Regiments launched our first Division offensive at 0600 yesterday.

"Gaining some 2000 yards, on an approximately 5 mile front, the Division took 3 German villages on the ridge across the valley from our jumping off place. Incomplete reports revealed that our 27 1st and 27 3rd Regiments had taken 138 prisoners.

"The 2000 yards advance carried the Division through the first belt of pillboxes in this sector of the Siegfried Line.

"Two of the villages were taken by the 27 1st Regiment after sharp house-to-house fighting. The other locality was taken by the 27 3rd Regiment less than 4 hours after the Division launched its offensive.

"Several weak counterattacks by the Nazis later in the day were quickly smothered by our men.

"The jump-off came at 0600. Masses artillery support by our forces opened up on the enemy a half hour later. In the opening phase of the Division's offensive the Nazis countered the attack chiefly with small arms and sporadic artillery fire."

Major Reinhardt went on to say, "Upon completion of our first day of offensive action, I wish to express my heartiest commendation and appreciation to all members of this division and attached units for your superb fighting and spirit in bringing complete success in this initial operation.

"All objectives were taken in accordance with the plan and your success has won the praise of our Corps Commander. Regardless, of duty, everyone of you may feel justify proud of your individual part.

"This operation marked the initiation of offensive action by the division and is a read letter day in our division history. It is but a forerunner of greater success to come. With the courage and fighting spirit which you may have shown in your initial action, I am confident that no enemy can long block your road to final victory.

"I am proud to be your commander."

Cooper sent the letter home to his wife. He wrote her a letter on the back. At the top it reads, "Somewhere in Germany  1945". Copper said, "We weren't allowed to tell where we were located so we just put what country we were in."

In his letter Cooper expressed to his wife how much he missed her and how he would tell her all about what was happening over there, if and when he came home.

Cooper said he thinks about the soldiers fighting in Iraq right now and hopes no one forgets them and what they have done for us.

"Sometimes people forget there are people fighting for our freedom, but for those of us who have been there  we can't forget," said Cooper.

He recently worked on a project with Gurdon Primary School Students to write and send letters to soldiers in Iraq that are from the Gurdon area.

Cooper said, "Just don't forget about the people who are fighting for you, they are brave."