Corporal Richard F. Wiegand awarded a Silver Star

Following the battle of Parkers Crossroads at Baraque de Fraiture, on 23 December 1944 the German 2nd SS ‘Das Reich’ Panzer Division continued their advance towards the village of Manhay . For the next two days they advanced against American defences in Manhay and Grandmenil, towards the village of Erezée.

Meanwhile, the US 75th Infantry Division waited in the forests and hills above Grandmenil. Most of the men had not seen combat before and had been given the nickname ‘Diaper Division’. Weeks later, however, they became known as the ‘Bulge Busters’ following their brave actions in the Ardennes area in the Battle of the Bulge.

On Christmas morning, German Panther tanks advanced along Rue d‘Erezée. As they climbed the hilly terrain and entered the forest, they were unaware of the US troops (Company I, K and L) positioned there. The tanks entered the area of Company K, where Corporal Richard Wiegand was positioned with a bazooka. He fired a shot into the rear of the tank which disabled the engine, knocking it out. The Panther was the lead tank and blocked the road, meaning no other tanks were able to advance past it. Wiegand had effectively stopped the Panther tanks.

However, the exact circumstances of what happened next are unclear. Wiegand was killed in action; either from the blast of his bazooka round due to being that close to the tank, or by the German tank crews, still alive, who turned the tank’s machine gun on his position, killing him.

Wiegand was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions here on 25 December 1944. A memorial also stands at the site to commemorate his actions.