BG Edmund Searby Memorial Plaque
Details:
In the portico of the building. Plaque
A white inscribed marble plaque attached to the wall.
The plaque remembers Brigadier General Edmund Searby who the Division Artillery Commander o the 80th Infantry "Blue Ridge" Division who was killed during the Battle of Mousson Hill.
On 14 September 1944, Brigadier General Edmund W. Searby was Division Artillery Commander of the U.S. 80th Division, which was involved in the Battle of Mousson Hill. On that day, BG Searby accompanied attacking front line Infantry. Anxious to take this high terrain feature that was vital for artillery observation, he was the first to reach the summit. Acting as forward observer, he directed fire missions which caught German forces by surprise and resulted in the complete destruction of two enemy artillery batteries.
Before infantrymen could consolidate their positions, the Nazis counter-attacked in force, supported by heavy concentrations of artillery and mortar fire. An enemy tank plunged as close as 150 yards from where BG Searby was urging on hard-pressed troops. After a shell stopped the tank, the crew emerged and sprayed troops with automatic fire. Disregarding his own safety, BG Searby retrieved the rifle dropped by a wounded GI and opened fire on the crew. In the ensuing fight, the general was killed.
Burial: Brigadier General Edmund W. Searby is buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Epinal, France.
Source: Military Hall of Honor
A marker at the Mousson Chateau marks the location where BG Searby was KIA.
Monument Text:
The plaque is inscribed in French and reads:
IN MEMORIUM
BRIGADIER GENERAL EDMUND SEARBY
COMMANDANT DE L'ARTILLERIE
DE LA 80EME DIVISION AMERICAINE
TUE EN CE LIEU LE 14 SEPTEMBRE 1944
ET DES SOLDATS DE L'ARMEE PATTON
TOMBES POUR LA MOUSSON
ET DE LA FRANCE
Translation:
IM MEMORY OF
BRIGADIER GENERAL EDMUND SEARBY
80TH INFANTRY DIVSION ARTILLERY COMMANDER
WHO FELL HERE ON SEPTEMBER 14, 1944
AND FOR THE SOLDERIS OF PATTON'S ARMY
WHO FELL FOR MOUSSON AND FRANCE
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
317th Regiment, 80th Infantry Division
318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division
80th Infantry Division
Wars:
WWII
Other images :
