Pielli commemorates 80th anniversary of Battle of the Bulge
Rep. Chris Pielli December 17, 2024 | 11:09 AM
WEST CHESTER, Dec. 17 – State Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester, honored local World War II veterans during a ceremony yesterday at Fort Indiantown Gap to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.
The Battle of the Bulge took place from Dec. 16, 1944, to Jan. 25, 1945, in the Ardennes region of Europe which included parts of France, Belgium and Luxembourg. The Battle of the Bulge has often been called “the Greatest American Battle of the War.” Aside from being the largest U.S. land battle of World War II, and resulting in over 80,000 U.S. casualties, this allied victory was also critical to accelerating the end of the war.
Many Pennsylvania troops took part in this historic battle including members of Pennsylvania’s 28th Infantry Division. These soldiers, vastly outnumbered and facing overwhelming odds, held the line at all costs against relentless German attacks in the earliest hours of the assault. They achieved a hard-fought delay, which slowed the German offensive for four days, enabling the 101st Airborne to make it to Bastogne just before the German Army encircled the city.
Last year, Pielli introduced and the House adopted House Resolution 275, which recognizes Dec. 16 as Battle of the Bulge Day in Pennsylvania. The resolution honored and recognized the many contributions of Pennsylvania troops during the historic battle. Additionally, the resolution requested that the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs create, publish, and present materials about the Battle of the Bulge and the special heroism displayed by Pennsylvania soldiers, airmen, and military units for the 80th Anniversary of the Battle.
Pielli has been working with the West Chester University Department of Geography and Planning to build a database that will map the stories of the Battle of the Bulge. This department’s staff and volunteer students are dedicated to preserving the bravery and sacrifice of our fallen heroes and is currently running a survey to gather the history and memories of the battle from veterans, their descendants, and anyone with information about this historic conflict.
“The many stories of bravery and sacrifice exhibited by our Pennsylvania soldiers, to include our own 28th Infantry Division, has often been untold and underappreciated,” Pielli said. “There never would have been a Battle of Bastogne had it not been for these units giving their all, often wiped out, to provide the allies four crucial days to consolidate and strengthen the western front. As a veteran, I greatly appreciate the sacrifices made in order to preserve our freedoms and way of life. The tens of thousands of men who fought in this battle knew that the mission was going to be difficult, but was also absolutely necessary in defeating the Third Reich and securing peace for the world. We can never do enough for these Veterans, but this commemoration will honor the memory of those who fought for freedom when our world was at its most vulnerable.”