READING VETERAN TO GET MEDAL FROM BRITAIN

For capturing important military documents from a German officer whom he had killed behind the Nazi lines, Alfred W. Raymond (second from left), of 57 Maple St., a parachute veteran, was awarded the Military Medal of the British Army during brief ceremonies in the local army recruiting office yesterday.  The presentation was made by Peter J. Nolan (right) vice consul for great Britain in Philadelphia.  Looking on are Maj. Karl Osenlund (left), Army Reserve Corps director in this area, and Capt. Irvin Kittelsaa of the recruiting office.  Raymond won the British decoration for his bravery on December 7, 1944, during the "Battle of the Bulge", on Hero Hill in Belgium, when his unit of the 82nd Airborne Division was attached to a British Division.  The Reading youth also holds two Bronze Stars from the American Army for feats performed while on patrol behind enemy lines.  (Eagle Staff Photo)

(This article appeared in the "Reading Eagle), date not known.)

 
(courtesy of Irv Shanley)

Consul to Present Award for Valor At Ceremony Here

The British Army, which has been trying for almost two years to give him one of its highest military awards, finally has caught up with Alfred W. Raymond, Reading combat veteran.

Raymond, who lives at 537 Maple St., will receive the British Army's Military Medal next Monday afternoon, in brief ceremonies at the Army Recruiting Office, 500 Penn St.

A former member of the 82nd Airborne Division who twice won the Bronze Star for action against the Nazis. Raymond isn't just sure [obscured].

In the Army from October, 1942, until September, 1945, Raymond made two combat jumps with the 82nd Airborne, one in Normandy and the second in Holland. On patrol in Normandy, he was trapped behind German lines for 12 hours, but got back to the American forces with five Nazi prisoners in tow.  For that, Raymond was awarded the Bronze Star.

Brought Tanks to Rescue

In Holland, during another patrol, his section was pinned down by enemy fire, and he was sent back to his own lines for reinforcements.  He met several American tanks on the way back, climbed atop one of them, and directed their fire into the Nazis, providing cover for the pinned-down American section, who escaped.  Raymond again won the Bronze Star.

The incident during the Bulge followed several weeks later, and since then the British Army has been trying to catch up with the Reading veteran, who is married and has two children.
 

THE MILITARY MEDAL

No. 13132346 Private First Class Alfred W. RAYMOND,, United States Army

   On 27th December 1944, on Heid De Heirlot Hill, Belgium, Private First Class Alfred W. RAYMOND, S-2 Section Leader, distinguished himself by gallant action against the enemy.  Private First Class Alfred W. RAYMOND volunteered to penetrate enemy lines during the hours of darkness to secure identification of hostile units.  Although fired upon all along his route, he made his way through the hostile lines, killed a German soldier and retrieved papers containing important tactical information.  His courage and skill in the performance of this hazardous duty contributed much to the success of his unit in future operations against the enemy.
[The British National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU]

American Dies, Not in Vain,
as Buddies Get Data on Nazis

BY JACK BELL

   With the U. S. 1st Army In Belgium, Feb. 8.--(CDN) -- The attack was due to jump off. What lay ahead?
   "Get some prisoners," ordered the general at corps headquarters.
   The order went "through the channels" to the division general, through regiment, battalion, company and down to the intelligence and reconnaissance platoon where the captain said, "all right, sergeant; get ready."
   Sgt. Alfred Raymond of Reading, Pa., picked up two extra clips of ammunition, stuffed a couple of K rations in his pockets, attached two grenades to his blouse just under his shoulders where he could get them quickly, called a curt "Okay, let's travel," to Cpl. Ted LaFree and a private, and slipped through the forest down a ravine into the dusk.
   Out there, between the armies, it's deadly business. Sentries listen to every sound, guns are cocked and trigger fingers are eager. Jackets must not brush tree branches or shoes tread on infirm sticks. Even breathing is dangerous, for it is no-man's-land where they shoot first and don't even investigate later.
   Raymond, rated the best scout in the 82nd Airborne Division knew what was wanted; he also knew that the trio was on the most dangerous of all missions "Go get prisoners." It means, when troops aren't moving, that you've got to surprise and capture an enemy quietly, to prevent a hail of fire, almost means life instead of death.
   The night was bitterly cold, but they  had to move slowly, often standing for long periods to be sure they weren't detected. When they drew near a machinegun nest, they dropped to their bellies and crawled silently through the snow. Raymond cursed to himself when he saw that the gunners had posted sentries, one directly in front of them. This made flanking out of the question because they could hear the Germans talking in their trenches 10 yards from the sentry. LaFree was on the other side, the private was back 50 yards. Along the path beside Raymond, German soldiers were coming forward. It was a tense moment.

[The Evening Bulletin & Chicago Daily News, Inc. ]