Mounted on the right wall beside the entrance of the house.

Plaque

A black rectangular plaque honoring the three soldiers from the Reconnaissance Company of the 32nd Armored Regiment, part of the 3rd Armored Division, who were killed in action on August 13, 1944. The plaque is written in English.

The Falaise Pocket, fought from August 12 to August 21, 1944, was a decisive battle during the final phase of the Normandy Campaign. Allied forces encircled German troops near Falaise in northern France, aiming to trap and destroy the retreating German Army. The US First Army advanced from the south and west, while British, Canadian, and Polish forces pressed from the north. American forces, including the 3rd Armored Division, played a key role in the southern part of the pocket, where reconnaissance units such as the Reconnaissance Company, and 32nd Armored Regiment were tasked with identifying enemy movements and positions.

On August 13, 1944, heavy fighting ensued as the Germans attempted to escape. PFC Gordon, Pvt Bowman, and Pvt Abato were killed near the village of La Pallu. Their deaths occurred during the intense combat in this phase of the battle as the Allies were advancing toward Falaise to complete the encirclement. The terrain around La Pallu, located near the German lines of retreat, saw significant conflict, with reconnaissance units often engaged in dangerous forward positions to gather intelligence.

Source of information: Olivier Wieviorka, Normandy: The Landings to the Liberation of Paris

Source of photo: www.memorialgenweb.org

PFC LAWRENCE S GORDON

PVT JAMES A BOWMAN

PVT ANTHONY J ABATO

RECONNAISSANCE COMPANY

32ND ARMORED REGIMENT

3RD ARMORED DIVISION

US FIRST ARMY

KILLED IN ACTION

AUGUST 13, 1944