Arnold Schlaich

Sgt. Arnold “Lefty” Schlaich

Arnold Karl Wilhelm Schlaich, nicknamed Lefty, served in the Headquarters Company of the 33rd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. He enlisted in January 1942 and was one of the roughly 400 men of Task Force Hogan encircled at Marcouray during the Battle of the Bulge, in December 1944.

The photograph shown here, in which he wears his beanie, was taken on his arrival at Ringle Farm, Task Force Hogan's rally point after the breakout. On the night of 25–26 December 1944, the men were ordered to disable their vehicles and leave Marcouray on foot, faces blackened, to reach American lines. The relief of having survived a week-long encirclement still shows on their faces.

His service was recognized with two battlefield commissions, the Belgian Fourragère for bravery, the Bronze Star for Valor, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters — three combat wounds —, five campaign battle stars and numerous letters of commendation.

A veteran of the 3rd Armored Division, Arnold had seen the remains of countless victims of the war. It was not something he cared to speak about:

“I have never had much to say, this you know, the war left a deep mark… but I would not have wished anything different. I wanted to get in but really I am no hero, just got noticed for some things, many others did so much more.”Arnold “Lefty” Schlaich

He took silent pride in his record — and above all in the only accolade he ever sought: the respect and love of the men he fought alongside. He recorded his years of service, from January 1942 to September 1949, in a memoir titled Through a Mirror Dimly…