Please join us in wishing Louis Graziano a most Happy 102nd Birthday.
Born on February 6, 1923 Louis Graziano, of Thomson Georgia, completed his military training at multiple bases across the country, starting in Fort Niagara and finishing in Fort Dix. He deployed to England, where he led a group of 35 soldiers working in facility operations.
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs: “Graziano was then part of the third wave of the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach. He drove a gasoline truck onto the beach and scaled a cliff while dodging German fire. After he maneuvered his way to the other side of the beach, he signaled the Navy, who eliminated groups of enemy shooters.”
“Six months after D-Day, Graziano fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Graziano and his Captain went to find General Patton’s troops who were needed in Bastogne, but got lost. They located the soldiers, but Graziano suffered from severe frostbite in both of his feet and went to the infirmary where he nearly lost them.” – US Department of Veterans Affairs/VAntage
“Graziano went to France, where he became utilities foreman in the 102nd Infantry Field Artillery Battalion, Special Headquarters Command in Reims. As foreman, he was in charge of all American occupied buildings in Reims, including the Little Red Schoolhouse where the British, French, Russians and Germans signed surrender documents. Graziano was in the room and took the Germans up to then General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s office. Graziano is believed to be the last living witness of the signing of the German World War II surrender.” – US Department of Veterans Affairs/VAntage
“After the surrender, Graziano was in France waiting for discharge when he met Women’s Army Corps Staff Sergeant Eula “Bobbie” Shaneyfelt. They married in a Reims courthouse in October 1945. In 1946, Graziano completed his military service with the rank of Master Sergeant and returned to New York with Bobbie. The couple had five children and eventually moved to Atlanta. They later moved to Thomson, Georgia, where Graziano opened his own hair salon in 1971. Graziano and Bobbie were married for 62 years until she passed away in 2007 – US Department of Veterans Affairs/VAntage
The White House honored Louis in 2019 when he wrote a memoir, “A Patriots Memoirs of World War Two.” On September 17, 2021 Louis Graziano was presented with the Legion of Honor, France’s highest decoration. It is given to French citizens and foreign nationals who have served the country and its ideals.
Happy Birthday Louis – You are and have always been a member of the Greatest Generation. Cheers!!
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