On June 29, 2021, Ambassador Gaston Stronck bestowed, on behalf of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Henri, the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to WWII veterans Benjamin Berry, T5 Quartermaster Corps, 3rd Army and Jacob Ruser, 4 INFD 12 REG 2 BN MED for their participation in the Battle of the Bulge. The ceremony took place at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Washington DC.
Mr Berry served as a Corporal Technician 5th Grade in the 863 Quartermaster Fumigation and Bath Company which was originally called Company A, 310th Quartermaster Sterilization and Bath Company. He served from 1943-1945 and participated in the Normandy campaign and Battle of Northern France. From Hombourg-Haut in France he moved to Luxembourg, to Eupen in Belgium and Monschau in Germany. Bath and Laundry units, whenever possible, were brought forward in the European Theater of Operations within a few miles only of the front lines.
Mr Ruser served at the 12th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division from November 6, 1944 to December 7, 1944 and participated in the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest in Germany. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 12th Infantry led the transfer to Luxembourg for the defense along the Sauer river. His job was a litter bearer which was to remove seriously wounded soldiers from the battlefield.
The Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was instituted on January 23, 1961 by Grand Duchess Charlotte. It is intended to reward outstanding professional achievement in both the civil and military field.
