Italian history buff visits grave of U.S. soldier killed in WWII

Stars and Stripes ^ | 6/1/08 | Sandra Jontz

[Dawnsblood]

"I was moved by his story, impressed by his bravery," Bambagiotti said on Memorial Day, standing on the lush green lawn among the sea of white headstones that mark the final resting places for 4,202 U.S. soldiers and airmen who perished in Italy fighting in World War II.

The emergence of the Internet prompted Bambagiotti to seek out Lang’s surviving kin. Hundreds of searches, and about three years, netted the professor a clue to Lang’s surviving sister, who had supplied information for a research project by high school students in Avon, S.D.

Bambagiotti drafted a typewritten letter, in not-so-perfect English, summarizing his exploratory path, his fascination with Lang’s story, and his eventual discovery of the soldier’s grave in Florence.

"Since then onwards, each September 14th of every year I put flowers on [his] grave to gratefully acknowledge the sacrifice of this soldier and the liberty he contribute to take me; ‘one for all’ within the over 4,000 other fellow soldiers resting with him thereabouts," Bambagiotti wrote to Lornie McCann.

"I hope you would be pleased to know that somebody still not forget the sacrifice of your brother and is still grateful to him and sorrow for what his family lost."

A family friend received Bambagiotti’s letter of Oct. 21, 2004, and delivered it to McCann.

A month later, she wrote back.

"Robert Hajek brought [your letter] out to our farm. He came in the house — told me to get my glasses & sit down. Then gave me the letter to read. I started reading aloud but started crying so I read to myself," she penned in cursive.

"I can’t tell you how happy I am to know someone there in Florence visits my brother’s grave and puts flowers on his grave."

Each year, he does, without fail.

[Dawnsblood]

I have googled and can find not information on Tech. Sgt. Fred Lang. I am glad to see someone in Italy as kind as Dr Bambagiotti.

[SandRat]

You'll need these.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*sniff*
Thank you!

[kms61]

would have been nice if the article elaborated on what exactly he did.

[SkyDancer]

Also what’s neat is in France the locals are adopting a US/English serviceman’s grave ... Normandy I think ....

[upsdriver]

What a great story! Thanks for posting it!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I’ve been to that memorial cemetary. It’s sobering, to say the least.

[avacado]

My monitor went blurry on me...

[NonValueAdded]

would have been nice if the article elaborated on what exactly he did.

It does, here is how it starts:

There, under the stark, white marble headstone lie the remains of Tech. Sgt. Fred Lang.

The remains of a young man, perhaps 21 years old; the remains of a man whose final moments are those of a hero.

Lang’s is a tale of courage, of selflessness, of endurance — an account of a young soldier who took charge of his fighting men following the death of his commanding officer and platoon sergeant.

A saga that ended — after nearly eight hours of grueling combat on Monte Altuzzo amid the cacophony of war — when a bullet from a German soldier’s gun pierced his head.

Lang died, and was buried, thousands of miles from his home in South Dakota.

Gone, but not forgotten.

"Never forgotten," said World War II history enthusiast Massimo Bambagiotti, who can recount in great detail the story of a soldier whose war actions earned him a Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leave Clusters, and the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest medal for wartime valor.

"What the Americans did to free us Italians, we cannot forget," Bambagiotti said.

Always click through to the actual story, advice I seldom follow myself :)

Rest In Peace, Sgt. Lang.

[upsdriver]

Lang’s is a tale of courage, of selflessness, of endurance — an account of a young soldier who took charge of his fighting men following the death of his commanding officer and platoon sergeant.

A saga that ended — after nearly eight hours of grueling combat on Monte Altuzzo amid the cacophony of war — when a bullet from a German soldier’s gun pierced his head.

This from the rest of the story at the link. What did he do? He perservered, he never gave up, he gave his life.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Lang’s tale of courage and heroism is something that very few Liberals would ever think of doing for their country. A Liberal’s act of patriotism is to destroy our country and aid her enemies.

[freekitty]

Yep, there is no loyalty or strong spirit of being an American with them.

[SkyPilot]

Thanks for the ping.

[ExtremeUnction]

See Story and photos here..

http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/fl.php

[snippy_about_it]

In Memory of U.S. Army Technical Sergeant
Fred Christ Lang
Tyndall, South Dakota
Bon Homme County
October 31, 1919 -- September 14, 1944
Killed in Action near the Appenine Mts. in Italy



Fred Christ Lang was born in Tyndall, South Dakota on October 31, 1919. His parents were Fred and Barbara Lang. Fred had four brothers and six sisters. Tyndall was Fred’s hometown. He went to Tyndall High School and graduated in May of 1939. Fred later was employed at the Hinky Dinky Store in Norfolk, Nebraska. He married Bernice Lang, and they had two children, Tom and Susan.

Fred was sent overseas during the Christmas season of 1943. Fred was then stationed in Italy. He served in the 338th Infantry Regiment of the 85th "Custer" Division on the Fifth army front. Fred fought bravely in the five day Battle of Altuzzo. Fred was a Tech. Sergeant.

Fred died on September 14, 1944, age 24, near the Appenine Mountains in Italy. After the platoon leaders of Sergeant Lang’s company died during the attack, he assumed command of both platoons. He lead the soldiers through an enemy mine field, directed artillery fire and assisted in the wounded. He also exposed himself to heavy fire in order to get more ammunition when it started to run low. While bravely fighting in the Battle of Altuzzo, Tech. Sergeant Fred Christ Lang was shot and killed.

Fred was buried at Plot D, Row 6, Grave 22 in a beautiful national cemetery in Florence, Italy. For gallantry in action with Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark’s Fifth Army, Fred was awarded the Purple Heart with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Silver Star.

We will always remember the service and sacrifice of Tech. Sergeant Fred Christ Lang.

This entry was respectfully submitted on February 1, 2002, by Josh J. DayRider and Lisa M. Vanderlei, students at Avon Schools in Avon, South Dakota. This information for this entry was provided by Mrs. Lornie McCann, Springfield, South Dakota, sister of Tech. Sergeant Fred Christ Lang and Mr. Robert Hajek, Tyndall, South Dakota.

Note: This was cached on google. The link is no longer working.

[snippy_about_it]

see post 15

[Dawnsblood]

Thank you Snippy, that was a wonderful story. Your google-fu is much stronger than mine.

[snippy_about_it]

LOL. Years of practice at the Foxhole.

[billorites]

I've visited U.S. Military Cemeteries in France dating from WWI and WWII and seen how lovingly and respectfully they are cared for, maintained and decorated by the French.

I expect it's the same throughout Europe.

Americans traveling abroad will always encounter people who love, admire and want to be considers friends of the U.S.

[kms61]

thank you.