World War II Veteran: Michael B. Kaminsky, Canton, CT
- Active Service: September/1944 to July/1946
- Overseas Service: February/1945 to July/1946
- Campaigns: Northern France; Rhineland
- Branch: US Army
- Rank: Private 1st Class
- Unit Assignments: G Company, 222nd Infantry Regiment
- Duties: Combat Infantryman
Tell me a Story.
The first target our regiment secured and held was the Germans at their U-Boat Pens in Saint Nazaire, France. After securing the U-Boat Pens, we joined General Patton’s Third Army in France as replacement troops. Later on, we combined forces with the 42nd Rainbow Division, due to their heavy casualties.
We marched across France, bypassing Paris, because our soiled uniforms rendered us non-presentable for the city. Along the way, I fought three major battles – Strasbourg, (along the Rhine); the Ardennes Forest; and Munich, Germany. We continued our march from France to Germany and on April 29, 1945 at 6:30 a.m., near Munich, Germany, we liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp. The Camp was populated with 30,000 prisoners, many of whom were near starvation. We were told not to give them any food as it could kill them in their emaciated condition. Many German prison guards tried to escape by dressing as prisoners.
We continued to march to Salzburg, Austria where we met with the Russian Army. These troops were determined to press on, but our Captain forced them to halt by firing his pistol along a line in front of them. Each of these Allied Armies then formed outposts facing each other. On May 7, 1945, all hostilities ceased as the Allies declared victory. The war was over.
Here’s the Deal:
For his service in Europe during World War II, Michael Kaminsky received the following commendations: Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal; European Campaign with 2 bronze stars; Occupation Medal (German); WWII Victory Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge.
The experiences shared in Vet Stories are generously provided by Bill Newman, Past Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Avon Post 3272.
