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ROBERT LENELL
HELMET |
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Sgt Robert Lenell, D Company, was seriously
wounded on 27 October 1944. Norb Studelska recalled, " I found my squad
leader, [Sergeant Bob] Lenell, and his foxhole buddy, [Private Jodie L.]
Parsons, the victims of a tree burst above their hole. Lenell had bad
knee wounds and Parsons’ legs were dangling from his upper thighs."
Undoubtedly, the men were quickly evacuated
and in the scramble, Lenell's helmet was left behind. Today it is
on display in Groesbeek, Holland. The helmet is in he
possession of Michel Clements, renowned collector and militaria dealer.
All the photos shown below were
provided by Dutch resident Arthur Rottier.. |
 Display
features the helmet on the manikin of a Lieutenant |
 Lightning
Streaks
were the mark of the 508th 2nd Bn. |
Side View
of the lightning streaks |
Webbing
remains intact |
Personalization
Robert scratched his surname into the helmet liner |
 Amy
Lenell
granddaughter of Robert Lenell (Co D) was hosted on 17 May 2014 by
Arthur Rottier in touring 508th sites of importance in the Beek and
Bemmel area.
The tour took Amy to where her grandfather, a mortar squad leader, was
wounded in Bemmel, near the farm Den Heuvel. On those fields is this
little chapel, erected in 1946. It has had fresh flowers ever
since. |
508th Monument
in Beek was also visited |
Personal Collection
of Michel Clements was the next stop |
 Amy
holds a photo of her grandparents which can be viewed
here. |
 Amy
inspects the interior of her grandfather's helmet |
 Lightning
Bolts
were the 2nd Battalion's insignia |
 Michel
Clements
holds an All American division patch dug up in
the Groesbeek area |
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Kelso Horne
is also featured in Michel's collection |
 Vet
Door
is signed by Amy in memory of her grandfather |
 Day
of Memories
ends with Michel and Amy beaming |
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