PVT Harry G. Reichel
Today we honor and remember PVT Harry G. Reichel of the 101st Airborne Division.
Private (PVT) Harry Gutleap Reichel of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 101st Airborne Division, was born in Linglestown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, to John A. and Mary P. (Geiger) Reichel on November 1, 1917.
He had one brother, Paul A. Reichel. His sister Agnes Pauline Marie died in infancy, only 13 days after she was born. His father John passed way at age 77, on July 12, 1940.
Harry Reichel registered for the draft at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He enlisted into the United States Army at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, on February 25, 1944.
On November 29, 1944, PVT Harry Reichel was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 506th PIR, together with 33 other enlisted men. Then on December 12, 1944, just before the start of the Battle of the Bulge, PVT Reichel was transferred to the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, for unknown reasons.
On January 3rd, around noon, the 501st attacked the German positions in and around the Bois Jacques, to the north of Bastogne, and to the southeast of Foy, while units of the 506th were in positions on the left side of the sector. While circumstances are unknown, PVT Harry Reichel was killed in action while being on the frontline position of his unit that day.Â
PVT Harry Reichel died of a gunshot wound to his chest at age 27, on January 3, 1945.
Another Screaming Eagle had soared to the ultimate height. 🦅
He was initially buried at the temporary facility at Grand Failly, France, in Plot F, Row 7, Grave 165. PVT Reichel was reburied on January 1, 1949, and rests eternally at Shoops Cemetery, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Harry.Â
Lest we forget! 🇺🇸
Sources used for this article are known to the author and available on request.