Reserve Unit pays tribute to WW2 battle, veteran

By Shaun P. MillerOctober 21, 2014

Reserve Unit pays tribute to WW2 battle, veteran
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the 2500th Digital Liaison Detachment Reserve Unit salute during the playing of the National Anthem at a ceremony commemorating the World War II at Monte Battaglia. A veteran of the battle, Pvt. 1st Class William Samuel "Sam" Studstill was... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Reserve Unit pays tribute to WW2 battle, veteran
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Members of the 2500th Digital Liaison Detachment based in Longare attended the 70th Anniversary of the World War II battle at Monte Battaglia near Castel Del Rio on Sept. 7. This site, better known as Battle Mountain by the Soldiers of the 88th Infantry Division (Blue Devils), experienced some of the fiercest fighting during Operation Olive along the Gothic Line. On Sept. 27, 1944, members of 2nd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, were given the mission to seize and retain Mount Battaglia in order to keep this key terrain away from Nazi Germany. For seven days, surrounded on three sides, and facing elements of four enemy divisions, the Soldiers of 2nd Bn. repelled countless counterattacks which were preceded by heavy artillery and mortar fire. Each attack was met with fierce fire fights, use of flamethrowers by the enemy, hand-to-hand combat, bayonet charges and grenade duels. However, the men of the 2nd Bn. never gave up their position and at times when ammunition was running low had to resort to throwing rocks at the enemy in order to survive. Although casualties were grave, nearly 50 percent of the regiment, the officers and men of the battalion displayed an indomitable spirit that refused to waver under the fiercest enemy attacks.

During the 70th Anniversary, two Soldiers from the 2500th DLD, Maj. Shaun P. Miller and Capt. Joseph A. Rohman, had the distinct honor of escorting Pvt. 1st Class William Samuel "Sam" Studstill, a veteran of the battle, during the ceremony. Additionally, as Reserve Officers stationed overseas, they were given the honor of representing the U.S., which kept true to the lineage of the 88th Infantry Division. The 88th Inf. Div. was the first organized Reserve Division to go overseas, and also the first to enter combat.

Studstill said,"This is my 4th time to Monte Battaglia. The first time (in 1944) was not so nice. The last three have been wonderful. I want to thank the Italian people from the Santerno Valley, Castel del Rio and Casola Valsenio for everything they have done to preserve the memory of the sacrifices that were made on this mountaintop 70 years ago."