CPL Clarence C. Greeninger
Source: Paul Greeninger, his grandson.
On January 15, 1945, CPL Clarence C. “Connie” Greeninger of Fox Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, led a small patrol together with PFC Dan McBride. That morning, he had told Dan McBride about a premonition he had of dying that day. McBride did not understand Greeninger and said to him, “Don’t bullshit me.” But Greeninger kept insisting he was going to die that day.
The patrol comprised of eight men, and CPL Greeninger and PFC McBride each led a small squad of four men. Every twenty minutes, the two squads switched positions, taking turns being on point in the patrol. The route they took was through a wooded area with some open spots.
During a moment when Greeninger’s squad was on point, McBride heard a German machine gun open fire, but it was so far away that he did not associate it with their patrol. As they were going over a small hill, he momentarily lost sight of Greeninger’s squad.
When McBride walked past the top of the hill, he saw somebody lying on the ground in the snow. When he took a closer look, he suddenly realized it was his good friend Connie Greeninger. It infuriated him so much that he wanted to attack the Germans on his own. One of the patrol members managed to tackle Dan, after which two others joined in, keeping him on the ground until he calmed down.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
Born in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, on July 28, 1924, CPL Greeninger died at the age of 20 on January 15, 1945. He left behind his wife, Irene, and a son, Dennis, who was less than a year old, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Greeninger, and one sister, Dolores.
CPL Greeninger was first buried in the Temporary American Military Cemetery, Grand Failly, France, at Section K, Row 7, Grave 159. He now rests eternally in the Riverside Cemetery in his hometown of Oshkosh. Clarence Greeninger was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal with an Oak Leaf Cluster.
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸
The sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.