T/5 Herbert Harry Lemm in Oak Park, Illinois, on September 27, 1921, to William Lemm and Florence Lengert-Lemm and had a sister and three brothers. His family resided at 442 Thomas Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois. After graduating grade school, he attended Proviso Township High School and graduated in 1940. After high school, he worked for the Campbell Soup Company in Chicago.
On February 16, 1942, he registered with Selective Service and named his father as his contact person. He was drafted into the US Army on September 18, 1942, in Chicago, and was issued serial number 36 373 622. It appears he remained at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, or Camp Grant, Illinois, until he was sent to Camp Bowie, Texas, where he trained from October 6, 1942 to December 11, 1942. He was then sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, and arrived there on the 14th. During his time there, he trained as a tank gunner. Being that he had specialized training, he was promoted to Technician Fifth Grade. A Tec 5 was referred to as corporal but had no training in commanding troops. He completed his tank training on April 12, 1943, then was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana, arrived there on April 15th, and became a member of B Company, 745th Tank Battalion. In August 1943, the 745th left Louisiana by train for Camp Shanks, New York.
The 745th boarded the Queen Elizabeth on August 18th and 19th. The ship sailed on the 20th and arrived at Firth of Clyde, Scotland on the 26th. From there, the 745th took a train to Camp Ogbourne, Swindon. England. There the unit trained in making amphibious landings. On April 21, 1944, the 745th was attached to the 1st Infantry Division. At Weymouth, England, the battalion marshalled its forces until it was ordered to moved to embarkation crafts from May 31st to June 2nd. The battalion took part in the D-Day Invasion with B Company landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy, at 3:00 pm on June 6th.
The battalion on July 1st, was supporting the 1st Infantry Division in the vicinity of Caumont, France. They remained in this duty until July 15th when they were relieved by the 735th Tank Battalion and given rest near Mestry, France. On the 19th, B Company was attached to the 18th Infantry Regiment and move to the vicinity of Les Cordiers on the 20th preparing for Operation Cobra. On July 25, 1944, Operation Cobra – the break out from the Normandy Beachhead – began. The 745th Tank Battalion fought its way out of Normandy to the south and west. It was during the break out that Herbert’s tank was near the town of La Chapelle, France, with the mission to destroying the Germans defending the town of Cambernon. As Herbert’s tank approached the outskirts of the town, it was hit in its hull disabling it. The crew members abandoned the tank and sought cover in the ditches along the road. When they regrouped, the other members of the crew discovered Herbert was missing. When they were able to return to the tank, they discovered that he was not in the crew compartment, and he was not found to be in the immediate area of the tank. Another document stated he was seriously wounded and could not escape the tank which burst into flames. Based on available information he was believed to be dead.
Since his body had not been found, Herbert was declared missing in action and his mother was sent a telegram.
MRS FLORENCE LEMM
442 THOMAS AVENUE
FOREST PARK ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE HERBERT H LEMM HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY FIVE JULY IN FRANCE PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
A letter quickly followed.
Mrs. Florence Lemm
422 Thomas Avenue
Forest Park, Illinois
Dear Mrs. Lemm:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Technician Fifth Grade Herbert H. Lemm, 36, 373, 622, Infantry, has been reported missing in action since 25 July 1944 in Europe.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
The War Department declared Herbert dead on March 14, 1945. In a letter dated June 22, 1945, the events of his being listed missing in action were reported to his mother in a letter. The letter came from his tank battalions headquarters. At some point after this, Herbert was found to be non-recoverable and he was declared dead as of July 28, 1944. When the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France, was opened, Pfc. Herbert H. Lemm’s name was placed on the Tablets of the Missing at the cemetery.
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