The Angels Of Mercy

The Angels Of Mercy

On 6 June 1944 the 2nd Battalion, 501st PIR was headed to on Drop Zone “D,” the southernmost Drop Zone assigned to the 101st. The Drop Zone was located just outside of the small village of Angoville Au Plain. It was here that two Geronimo Medics would become known as the “Angels of Mercy.” The 501st Paratroopers were dropped in the flooded fields occupied by the German 6th Parachute Regiment on counter-invasion maneuvers and surrounded by dense hedgerows. 20-year-old Corporal Kenneth Moore jumped from C-47 named “Round Trip” and was the last man to exit his aircraft at an estimated 300 feet. His parachute barely opened, and he soon found himself in water upon landing.

Private Robert Wright was the first 101st medic to jump into Normandy and landed about 500 meters away from Angoville. They made their way separately to reassemble in the nearby village, treating casualties along the way. They lost much of their equipment during the drop. They identified the most ideal aid station: the 12th-century church in the center of town. Soon Angoville Au Plain would be enveloped in intense small arms and mortar fire, producing more casualties. Both medics frequently scoured the fields and farmland to locate any other wounded that required treatment, relying only on their Red Cross armband to protect them from hostile action. They either assured the wounded back to the church or used a farm cart for transport the more severely wounded.

The battle for Angoville raged on for three days with the village changing hands multiple times. When the 101st was finally forced to withdraw, PVT Wright and CPL Moore elected to stay to continue their work of tending to the wounded in the church. They treated all who came through the church doors, including the German soldiers who had just attempted to repel the airborne assault. PVT Wright and CPL Moore had only one rule to receive care: weapons had to remain outside of the church.

During their three days of treating casualties as the war raged on outside its walls, Wright and Moore faced numerous challenges. They lacked critical supplies and resupply was nearly impossible.

On the afternoon of June 6th, a mortar round hit the roof of the church causing further casualties. A dud round later came through and cracked the stone floor. The round was picked up and thrown out one of the destroyed windows by Wright. At one point, the church was fired upon by a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on an American tank. Wright and Moore had to signal it to inform the patrol that it was actually an American aid station. Casualties were mounting, and their fatigue was increasing, yet Wright and Moore remained steadfast in their efforts.

At one point, two German soldiers came down from the church tower and surrendered to the two Screaming Eagles. They had unknowingly been there occupying it as an observation post since the airborne assault began and could no longer sustain themselves in hiding.

By June 8th, 1944, the fighting around Angoville-au-Plain finally ceased. Allied forces had the area secured and the push towards Paris continued. Medics Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore saved 80 lives during their time in Angoville, roughly a dozen were German. COL Robert Sink, Commander of the 506th PIR would later establish his Headquarters down the road from the church.

 Friend and foe... Military and civilian... Sadly they lost three patients, including one local girl named Lucienne and two American soldiers. However, the toll could have been much higher had it not been for their heroic and selfless actions. Both PVT Wright and CPL Moore received Silver Stars for their actions during the Battle of Angoville.

Today bullet holes still scar the exterior of the church, damage from the mortar round that hit the roof is still visible and the dud impact on the floor remains. The most emotional testament to what happened there nearly 76 years ago are the bloodstains that still remain on the church pews.

The windows of the church have since been replaced with stained glass honoring these “Angels of Mercy” and the American Paratrooper. After his passing, some of Robert Wright’s ashes were also spread at the church near a marker that was erected in his honor.

The efforts of these “Angels of Mercy,” and the rest of the 101st succeeded in halting and disrupting German and prevented substantial German reinforcements from attacking forces debarking on Utah Beach, helping turn the tide of the Battle of Normandy in favor of Allied forces.

 

 

About the Author:

CPT Darren M. Cinatl, current 82nd Airborne Paratrooper assigned to 2-504 PIR, 1st Brigade Combat Team. He formerly Commanded the United States Army Jumpmaster and Pathfinder Schools while serving as the HHC Commander for the 1-507th PIR, U.S. Army Airborne School from 2017-2018. He frequently returns to Normandy and other WWII battle locations to jump historic drop zones from C-47 Skytrains, honor our veterans and preserve our history.

  • “Transforming in Contact”: Army’s New Changes in Organization and Equipment
    “Transforming in Contact”: Army’s New Changes in Organization and Equipment

    In the dynamic world of modern warfare, no military force can afford to remain static. The rapid pace of technological advancement, evolving threats, and shifting battlefields demand constant adaptation. For the U.S. Army, the concept of “continuous transformation” is not merely a strategy but a necessity, especially for its airborne...

    Read More
  • The Epic Journey of the 517 Parachute Regimental Combat Team
    The Epic Journey of the 517 Parachute Regimental Combat Team

    The origins of the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team (PRCT) trace back to the birth of the 17th Airborne Division on March 15, 1943. This division’s parachute forces included the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, and Company C of the 139th Airborne Engineer Battalion. While...

    Read More
  • From Origins to Excellence: The Early Days of Australian Paras and their Training School Today
    From Origins to Excellence: The Early Days of Australian Paras and their Training School Today

    At the onset of World War II, Australia's small Permanent Army and its militia lacked any capability for parachute operations. However, the early successes of German paratroopers, particularly at Fort Eben Emael in Belgium in 1940, highlighted the strategic value of airborne forces and spurred Australia to develop its own....

    Read More
  • The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret
    The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret

    Blue Air Assault Berets: A Brief Chapter in Military History In the accounts of military tradition, berets have often stood out as symbols of honor and excellence, providing soldiers with an extra element of pride. They adorn soldiers' heads, signifying their commitment to a unique calling. While everyone in the...

    Read More
  • Operation Dragoon: Allied Invasion of Southern France in 1944
    Operation Dragoon: Allied Invasion of Southern France in 1944

    Operation Dragoon, originally codenamed Anvil, was the Allied invasion of Southern France that began on August 15, 1944. It was a critical complement to the D-Day landings in Normandy, aiming to open a second front and facilitate the liberation of France from Nazi occupation. This blog will provide details of...

    Read More
  • Operation Musketeer: The Jump on the Suez Canal
    Operation Musketeer: The Jump on the Suez Canal

    The 1956 Suez Crisis, also known as the Second Arab-Israeli War, was a complex conflict involving multiple nations and interests. At its core, the crisis was a confrontation over control of the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway for global trade and oil transport. Operation Musketeer, a unique joint military operation...

    Read More
  • Reexamining D-Day Airborne Operations
    Reexamining D-Day Airborne Operations

    The Stage is Set for the Most Pivotal Airborne in History As the grand strategy for Operation Overlord took shape, the Trident Conference in Washington in May 1943 became the crucible where its fate was forged. The flanks of Normandy's beaches emerged as the cornerstones of liberation, demanding control to...

    Read More
  • Unmanned Aerial Systems Will Become Integral to Airborne Operations
    Unmanned Aerial Systems Will Become Integral to Airborne Operations

    "Attack your enemy where he is unprepared; appear where you are not expected."  Sun Tzu Airborne Operations Have Changed Integrating Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) into airborne operations has not just reshaped tactical strategies and operational capabilities in modern warfare, but it has also provided a significant strategic advantage. This paradigm...

    Read More
  • Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces – Always First!
    Ukraine’s Air Assault Forces – Always First!

    From Soviet Doctrine to Leading in the Frontline Upon the fall of the Soviet Union, several Airborne Forces of the Soviet Union were integrated into the Ukrainian Ground Forces under the name of the Ukrainian 1st Airmobile Division. For their first 20 years, they became the go-to division in Ukraine's...

    Read More
  • Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.: A Tribute to Valor and Command
    Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.: A Tribute to Valor and Command

    Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr., an exemplar of courage and command, departed this life at 97 years old, bequeathing a heritage of inspiration to countless warriors and citizens. His distinguished service record, adorned with acts of gallantry and altruism, traversed dual conflicts and a multitude of commendable deeds, meriting the top...

    Read More
  • The 82nd Airborne Division Association – The Living Legacy of All-Americans
    The 82nd Airborne Division Association – The Living Legacy of All-Americans

    The 82nd Airborne Division Association – The Living Legacy of All-Americans We want to start out by stating that this is not a paid advertisement for the association nor did they entice us to write about them. As a paying member of the association ourselves, we are just a fan...

    Read More
  • 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers
    160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers

    They were born out of a doomed operation, but their role has become irreplaceable. Their brothers in arms count on them in the most difficult of times while they remain the enemy’s worst nightmare. Battle-proven, always resilient, and lethal, they are highly respected among all the services and have often...

    Read More
  • Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam
    Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam

      Soldiers take cover in a crater during the Vietnam War (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Army) Operation Hump is a legendary operation conducted jointly by Australian and American Airborne forces in Vietnam. The Friendly composition consisted of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, as well as a battalion from...

    Read More
  • Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers
    Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers

    Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers Hear ye, hear ye! Young paratroopers, we believe you deserve some valuable advice because you are at a stage where you need it to shape your military career. Because we care, we reached out to our community to...

    Read More
  • Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened
    Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened

    Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened In the early 1990s, Haiti's democracy was in constant crisis, and the island was being governed by unconstitutional leadership. The regimes kept changing but lacked national and international legitimacy, leading to U.N. sanctions. The United States created a multinational force (MNF) to...

    Read More
  • The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day
    The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day

    They called it "The Iron Rain." On the fateful day of June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Overlord, more than 13,000 paratroopers from the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions leaped into the night sky, their hearts racing, their minds set on one goal: the liberation of Europe from...

    Read More
  • Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq
    Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq

    Transporting you from your favorite reading nook literally into the boots of the 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq, Boots on the Ground by Karl Zinsmeister details the story of the frontline in a way that often isn't covered in the headline news story.  A frontline reporter traveling with the 82nd,...

    Read More
Back to blog