During the first week in 1945, the allies launched a counterattack to destroy the German penetration - and the 508^th PIR ended up on the west shore of the Roer River in March. 

It was a brutal campaign that required assaulting the fortified Siegfried Line and breasting the deep snows of the Ardennes and densely forested Hurtgen forest while fighting a desperate German army in bitter cold sun-less days.  As parachutists, our triad lacked winter warfare clothing and equipment, hot food, shelters or transportation.  Close to the last days of the campaign, Oscar Prasse earned a Purple Heart and was evacuated.  

Joe Bressler and Mel Beets continued their patriotic duty of punishing Germans.

Oscar Prasse, Joe Bressler and Mel Beets survived WW II. All of them were decorated. They earned:

·        Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals

·        Combat Infantry Badges

·        Invasion Arrowheads

·        Battle stars

·        Parachute Qualification Badges with stars for combat jumps

·        French and Belgium Fourrageres

·        Joe Bressler and Oscar Prasse were awarded the Orange Lanyard of the Royal Netherlands Army.

·        All three men earned numerous defense medals. 

Upon the cessation of hostilities, the 508^th PIR was assigned occupation duties as security forces and honor guards supporting  General Eisenhower's Headquarters, in Frankfurt, Germany, and the regiment moved to Heddernheim a suburb of Frankfurt. 

Our triad was separated. Oscar was still in the hospital. Joe had the necessary points and was returned to the United States.  Mel Beets moved to Heddernheim, Germany with Hq1. 

Joe Bressler and Mel Beets corresponded over the years and frequently met at 508^th PIR Association and Hq1 reunions – but they had lost track of Oscar Prasse.