Foreign Nationals Who Fought for the 7th Armored Division

Foreign Nationals Who Fought for the 7th Armored Division
7th Armored Division Bookmark this page as http://www.7thArmdDiv.org/7ad-foreign.htm
Last updated: October 21, 2024 - What's New? 7th Armd Div Patch

As the 7th Armored Division liberated areas of Europe and passed through liberated areas, foreign nationals who sought to help defeat the Germans volunteered their services, for translation, navigation, and combat. Some of these men were very seriously wounded. This web page, begun March 19, 2007 (long overdue), is intended to identify these men, who were never officially on the rosters of the Division but gave important service.

The arrangement is by the unit that they fought for, preceded by an alphabetical index. The detailed information on an individual is in the section by unit.

As of October 2008, this page is expanded to include those foreign nationals who did not fight as members of the 7th Armored Division but were recognized by the 7th Armored Division for actions specifically aiding the Division.

Alphabetical List (incomplete)

Assigned to 7AD

African
1. Almeb, Pvt. Mohamed - African - Company D/40 Tank
Belgian
1. Schryvers, Cpl. Kenneth H. H. - Belgian Army - 77 Med Bn
2. van Ecchaute, Sgt. Peter - Belgian Military Mission - 434 AFAB HQ
Dutch - See 7AD Dutch Volunteers and Dutch Army Interpreters web page
1. Althuizen, John - Dutch - B/23 AIB
2. (Dutch officer) - Dutch - Division Trains
3. (Dutch Sergeant) - Dutch - Division Trains
4. Ghijsen, Jan - Dutch - HQ Company/38 AIB
5. Jansen, Johannes "Hans" - Dutch - Recon/HQ Company/23 AIB
6. Lollenberg, Martin J. - Dutch - B/48 [not sure if first letter of surname is L]
7. Molenaar, Konraad S. - Dutch Army - Division Headquarters
8. Nysen, Otto - Dutch civilian - Division Trains
9. Peeters, Hendrik - Dutch (Meijel) - unit not yet known
10. Peeters, Herman - Dutch (Meijel) - unit not yet known
11. van der Heyden, Carel - Dutch - HQ/CCB
12. van Leeuwen, Albert - Dutch - 31 Tank
13. van Ratingen, Harry - Dutch - 440 AFAB
14. Verstralen, Theodorus M. - Dutch - Troop A/87 Recon
15. Vogels, Harry - Dutch Army Translator - Div HQ
16. Wampers, Peter - Belgian - D/17 Tank
17. Weijs, Arnold - Dutch - B/23 AIB
18. Wijnbergen, Henk - Dutch - unit not yet known
French - See U. S. 7th Armored Division French Volunteers of the Mission Militaire de Liaison Tactique Francaise web page
1. Bour, Robert - French - Sv/489
2. DeVigoubsky, Capt. Andre - French Army - unit not yet known
3. (Frenchman) - French - Bn HQ/38 AIB (wounded at St. Ail, 6 Sep 1944)
4. Garnier, Michel - French - Sv/489
5. Goldryn, Capt. Alexandre - French Army - unit not yet known
6. Graas, Albert - French - Sv/489
7. Miltat, Capt. (later Maj.) Marcel - French Army - Division Headquarters (G-2)
8. Ochoiski, Gérard - French - Sv/489
9. Simon, Georges - French Mission - unit not yet known
10. Torcheux, Raymond - French Mission - C/33 Armd Engr Bn
11. Villefosse, Lt. Heron - French Mission - unit not yet known

Non-members Recognized by 7AD
(click on links for more information)

French

Listing by Unit
with detailed information

Unit Not Yet Known
- DeVigoubsky, Capt. Andre - French Army
  Awarded Bronze Star Medal in 7AD GO #29 (5 Feb 1945): "for distinguishing himself by meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium and Holland, from 20 August 1944 to 20 November 1944"
- Goldryn, Capt. Alexandre - French Army
  Awarded Bronze Star Medal in 7AD GO #60 (6 Apr 1945): "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in Belgium, on 19 and 20 December 1944"
- Peeters, Hendrik & Herman - Dutch
  Were from Meijel. Both have passed away.
- Simon, Georges - French Mission
  Headed the Association Amicale des Anciens Combattants de la 7me DB USA immediately after the end of the war
- Villefosse, Lt. Heron - French Mission
  Awarded Silver Star in 7AD GO #55 (21 Sep 1944): "for distinguishing himself by gallantry in action in France on 28 August 1944"
- Wijnbergen, Henk - Dutch
  nothing further known
Division Headquarters
- Miltat, Capt. (later Maj.) Marcel - French Army
  - 20 Aug 1944 to 20 Nov 1944 (14 Feb 1945): Awarded Bronze Star Medal in 7AD GO #38 (14 Feb 1945): "for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in France, Belgium and Holland, from 20 August 1944 to 20 November 1944"
  - 15 June 1945: memorandum "Crossing the Seine" sent to him by Lt. Col. Leydecker (G-3 Officer)
  - 14 July 1945: present (identified as French Liaison) at presentation of French Croix de Guerre to Lt. Col. Boylan (87 Rcn) and Lt. Col. Brown (40 Tank)
- Molenaar, Konrad S. - Dutch
  Born at Hoorn. Attended Dutch Naval School until Nazis shut it down in November 1942. Then worked as land surveyor at Weert, until it was liberated 22 September 1944, at which time he joined the Dutch Army and was assigned to US 7th Armored Division. He was an interpreter for Gen. Silvester (7AD Division Commander).Transferred in November 1944 to 7AD G-2 Section's 507th Counter-Intelligence Corps for the duration.
- van der Heyden, Carel - Dutch
  Joined 7AD at Weert, Netherlands, with HQ/48 AIB as Battalion Interpreter for Lt. Col. Richard Chapuis. Fought with them in Meijel than on to Maastricht, St.Vith, Houffalize, Welkenrath, Remagen. At Remagen was assigned to Division Headquarters as interpreter for Gen. Hasbrouck (7AD Division Commander). Remained with 7AD HQ through clearing of the Ruhr Valley, on to Maagdenburg and North to Schwerin. Then left 7AD and was involved in military government.
- Vogels, Harry (Henricus Cornelis Maria) - Dutch Army Interpreter
  The following is from research by his son Frank Vogels:
  - Harry Vogels engaged as a volunteer in the Royal Dutch Army’s “Corps of Interpreters” the 4th of January 1945, and left the 4th of August 1945. He had two serial numbers I02878 (US?) and 221112011 (Dutch-confirmed). He was assigned to US 7th Armored Division as an interpreter. He spoke Dutch, German, English and French.
  - Born 12 Nov 1922 at Tilburg - Died 17 Aug 1996 at Tilburg - During the war, he and his family lived in a village close to Tilburg called Hilvarenbeek, where his address was: Groenendael -Diessenscheweg- Hilvarenbeek- Netherlands. Tilburg was liberated by the 15th Scottish and Dutch Princess Irene Brigades at the end of October 1944. Very quickly, young men presented themselves as volunteers, under the encouragement of Prince Bernard, Chief of the Dutch Forces. Harry's last rank was sergeant.
  - By the end of May 1945, he received the information that on 24 Apr 1944 his brother Theo had passed away in the prison of Siegburg (near Aachen- Germany). Harry was honorably discharged, left the 7th Armored Division and was allowed to go back home. His brother Theo was sentenced to death by a German court for Feindbegünstigung und Verrat which means, favoring the enemy and treason. Theo was an active resistance member during the war. (He helped US and UK pilots to escape from the Netherlands to Antwerp, Brussels, Paris, Spain, Gibraltar etc.) This resistance group was betrayed. Theo disappeared in the Nacht und Nebel system (night and fog).
  - After the war, Harry did not become a member of the Dutch WW2 interpreters Veteran Association.
Combat Command "B"
- Headquarters
  - van der Heyden, Carel - Dutch
    Born in Arnhem, he attended college in Weert, where he joined the Dutch Underground. "Initially my work consisted among many other things in hiding and looking after Jewish people and provided them with food stamps. Later I assisted in helping Allied pilots and bring them to Belgium."
    He joined 7AD at Weert and served 8 months with HQ/CCB as Battalion Interpreter. Interpreted for Lt. Col. Richard Chapuis, Co, 48 AIB. Fought with them in Meijel than on to Maastricht, St.Vith, Houffalize, Welkenrath, Remagen. At Remagen was assigned to Division Headquarters as interpreter for Gen. Hasbrouck (7AD Commanding General). Remained with 7AD through clearing of the Ruhr Valley, on to Maagdenburg and North to Schwerin. Then left 7AD and was involved in military government. Later emigrated to Canada.
Division Trains
- Otto Nysen - Dutch
  On November 25, 1944, while Division Trains was at Passarts, Holland, the Division Trains Journal recorded this: "Otto Nysen, Dutch civilian sent to this Hq by G-2 to act as interpreter for this Hq. He was given G.I. clothes and took up his duties as official interpreter."
- (Dutch officer) - Dutch
  During March 1945, in Germany, the Division Trains Headqaurters After Action Report included this entry: "A military Government section was set up in Division Trains to handle the military government affairs in all towns occupied by Trains units. This section consists of a Dutch officer and a Dutch Sergeant, both of them able to speak the German language. Upon moving in a town, the Burgermeister is appointed, a police force set up, and the civilians instructed as to the regulations concerning curfew, traveling on roads, etc. also all weapons and ammunition are taken up upon entering the town."
- (Dutch Sergeant) - Dutch
  During March 1945, in Germany, the Division Trains Headqaurters After Action Report included this entry: "A military Government section was set up in Division Trains to handle the military government affairs in all towns occupied by Trains units. This section consists of a Dutch officer and a Dutch Sergeant, both of them able to speak the German language. Upon moving in a town, the Burgermeister is appointed, a police force set up, and the civilians instructed as to the regulations concerning curfew, traveling on roads, etc. also all weapons and ammunition are taken up upon entering the town."
17th Tank Battalion
- Company "D"
  - Wampers, Peter - Belgian
    Passed away about 2000. Two sons, one of which had kept Peter's very nice WWII web site going for a few years, though it is now defunct. Peter knew Vernon Files of D/17 well.
23rd Armored Infantry Battalion
- Headquarters Company
  - Reconnaissance Platoon
    - Jansen, Johannes "Hans" - Dutch
      Hans sent me an extended account of his experiences, which I have posted separately. Click here to read it.
      He was living in Venlo during WWII. He was one of the relatively few foreign nationals who stayed with the Division into Germany. He was seriously wounded in combat in Germany. Then at the hospital was mistaken for a German and threatened with being kicked out of the hospital. But a chaplain helped him contact B/23 Capt. Burton Pierce who wrote a letter to the hospital CO explaining Hans' contribution against the Germans.
- Company "B"
  - Althuizen, John - Dutch
    John has told me his story, which I have posted separately. Click here to read it.
    He was from Deurne but had been in hiding from the Germans for 2 years when 7th Armored Division arrived. John served far longer with 7th Armored Division than any other foreign national. He continued with the U. S. Army in Europe long after the war. His total time with the U. S. Army was from October 22, 1944 until November 15, 1946. He then emigrated to the United States, where he has lived ever since.
  - Weijs, Arnold - Dutch
    Arnold Weijs was originally from Driehuis (near Velsen and Ymuiden and just north of Haarlem in the province of Nord-Holland). However he had been in hiding in the area near Deurne and joined B/23 at about the same time as John Althuizen. However, they did not know each other were in B/23 until after the war. The photo shown here is from a larger photo that has John sitting in front of Arnold at Deurne after the war. Arnold was captured at St. Vith. Realizing that the Germans would not look well on a Dutch national fighting in an American uniform, he took the dogtags of a B/23 man who had been killed (I have not yet identified who this man was.) and assumed his identity while he was a prisoner of war. The Germans did finally realize that he was Dutch, but it was apparently late in the war, so that it did not lead to problems for him. Arnold Weijs died in 2007.
31st Tank Battalion
- Company not yet known
  - van Leeuwen, Albert - Dutch
    Details not yet known
33rd Armored Engineer Battalion
- Company C
  - Torcheux, Raymond - French - Pfc in 1st Platoon C/33
    at age 19, joined 7th Armored Division at Chartres, following the fighting in Lèves; wounded 29 Nov 1944 in Geilenkirchen, Germamy; demobilized 31 Jan 1945
    His daughter has provided many documents, which I have posted on a dedicated web page. Click here to read it.
38th Armored Infantry Battalion
- Battalion Headquarters
  - French national
    wounded at St. Ail in same mortar shelling that killed Capt. Johnson (S-2) on 6 Sep 1944
- Headquarters Company
  - Ghijsen, Jan - Dutch
    Passed away in 1981. Son Peter lives in Eindhoven. Jan was called Johnnie by the men. He joined up with 38 AIB in Oct 44 and stayed with 38 AIB until they headed for St. Vith (Dec 44) and was then driven back home to Eindhoven by Lyle Zeutzius of HQ Co/38.
40th Tank Battalion
- Company "D"
  - Almeb, Pvt. Mohamed (Army Serial Number H-1771) - African
    - Although he was African, he was given a US Army Serial Number, which none of the other foreign nationals received. Thus he was apparently actually considered as a member of the U. S. Army. Nothing further is known of him; I would very much like to have more information about him.
    - Awarded Bronze Star Medal in 7AD GO #33 (9 Feb 1945): "Private Mohamed Almeb (Army Serial Number H-1771), Armored, 40th Tank Battalion, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States in Belgium, on 23 December 1944. Entered the military service from Africa."
    - This award was rescinded in 7AD GO #56 (29 Mar 1945). In paragraph 2 of 7AD SO #85 (28 Mar 1945), he was transferred from D/40 to the 3rd Replacement Battalion, though the D/40 Morning Report shows that he did not actually depart D/40 until 1 April 1945.
48th Armored Infantry Battalion
- Company "B"
  - Lollenberg, Martin J. - Dutch [not sure if first letter of surname is L]
    53rd Field Hospital Admissions & Dispositions form for 29 October 1944, page 2, shows him seriously wounded and admitted 23 October 1944. His wound was a penetrating wound to the buttocks. He was transferred 29 October 1944 to a civilian hospital.
77th Armored Medical Battalion
- Schryvers, Cpl. Kenneth H. H. - Belgian Army
  77th Armored Medical Battalion After Action Report for 1 December 1944: "The division at this time obtained the use of one Lieutenant and five non-commissioned officers of the Belgium regular army to act as interpreters. The medical battalion was assigned one of the non-commissioned officers, Corporal Kenneth H.H. Schryvers."
87th Cavalry Reconniassance Squadron (Mechanized)
- Troop "A"
  - Verstralen, Theodorus M. - Dutch
    He was from Rotterdam. He went to Margraten for his safety from the Germans. When 7th Armored Division was bivouaced in the area east of Margraten in November 1944, he joined them as an interpreter for A/87. He spoke four languages: Dutch, French, German and English. He served with A/87 from 22 November 1944 until 13 August 1945.
434th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
- Battalion Headquarters
  - van Ecchaute, Sgt. Peter - Belgian Military Mission
    After Action Report of 434 AFAB (30 November 1944) "Sgt Peter Van Ecchaute, Belgiam Military Mission, was assigned the Battalion by Ninth Army as an interpreter."
440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
- Battalion Headquarters
  - van Ratingen, Harry - Dutch
    He was from Weert.
489th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
- Service Battery - Click here to see PDF file of 7 relevant documents, thanks to Gil Fata, grandson of Michel Garnier.
  - Bour, Robert - French
  - Garnier, Michel - French
  - Graas, Albert - French
  - Ochoiski, Gérard - French

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