On the outside brick wall of the building.

To commemorate the

26^th Infantry Regiment

“Blue Spader”

1st Infantry Division – “big red one”

and their attached units

“A” Company – 634^th Tank Destroyer Battalion

“B” Company – 87^th Chemical Mortar Battalion

“Ce” Company – 745^th Tank Battalion

“B” Battery – 33^rd Field Artillery Battalion

Tthis plaque is dedicated to the officers, noncommissioned officers and enlisted men who fought during the period of 16 November through 5 December 1944 against resolute German resistance in the bitter coldness and darkness of the forest, towns, and sites of Schevenhütte, Franzosenkreuz, Laufenburg Castle, Hill 272, Hill 244, Jüngersdorf, and at this location in Merode where the 2nd Battalion – 26^th Infantry (Co. E and F) lost more than 300 soldiers on November 29 and 30^th, 1944.

May the sacrifice of these brave men be not in vain!

No mission too difficult! No sacrifice to great! Do the first!