 Joe Bressler- Private to Private First Class.
Served with distinction in the Hq1 81mm Mortar Platoon from February 1944 to July 1945.
Joe Bressler is a distinguished member of the “Greatest of the Greatest Generation.” He is a modest, compassionate, sincere man always concerned with the welfare of others.
As anticipated, Joe Bressler’s contribution for the album was concerned with the welfare of his comrades. Therefore, his WW II comrades provided information to augment his submission.
Joe Bressler was born November 8, 1921. He was raised and educated in Howard Beach, NY. Joe enlisted in the Army February 12, 1940, and experienced a soldiers’ emotional reaction to the chaos, confusion and patriotism created by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Joe’s pre-WW II Army training and disciplines that included service in Panama were immeasurable advantages on the battlefields of Europe.
In the post-WW II years, these same skills enhanced Joe’s ability to serve his communities in law enforcement and later as an air marshal.
To everyone’s benefit, Joe Bressler joined the Hq1 81mm Mortar Platoon of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (508th PIR) in 1944. The experienced amiable Joe Bressler made many friends in Hq1, and became especially close to Mel Beets from Texas, and Oscar Prasse from Virginia. Joe became the unofficial “leader” of this triad.
It took something as large and violent as the Normandy D-Day invasion to separate the “triad.” Chapter II, Combat Operations - Normandy, contains a synopsis of the awesome ordeal experienced by the painfully injured Joe and his heroic savior Oscar Prasse.
A magnificent tale of unsurpassed camaraderie, bravery and determination demonstrated by two young men who faced overwhelming odds and prevailed.
Mel Beets, the third member of the triad was missing. In Normandy, Mel met up with the group of Hq1 men that eventually ended up occupying | 
