On the left side of the monument.

Marker

A rectangular information board commemorating the battles that occurred in Gourbesville between June 6 and 15, 1944. It features a map and images of Private James R. Hattrick, Private First Class R.L. Lewellen, and Major Gordon Kitchin Shifflett who fought in the area. Presented in both French and English, the board was installed in June 2009 by the Association U.S. Normandie “Mémoire et Gratitude.”

Source of photo: www.google.com/maps

English text:

Like many French villages during the German Occupation, Gourbesville had troops garrisoned in houses at various times. The 91st Luftlanding Division's 191st Medical Detachment had set up an Aid Station at the local school. On 6 June 1944 at 0220 hours, Gourbesville saw the night's sky filled with descending paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division. The tail end of an I Company 508th PIR stick dropped into the village proper. The first part of this stick had landed to the west, in the St. Sauveur-le-Vicomte area. 

Local stories have been passed through the generations, and they recount various bits of information of things that happened during those days of war in Gourbesville. In 2006, upon deciding to construct a memorial in honor of the soldiers who died there during the "Battle of Gourbesville" questions arose about the plaque in the churchyard giving particular honor to one named James R. Hattrick. No one knows who made the plaque and placed it there, or why Hattrick was singled out. With recent research, the receipt of U.S. Archives documents, and the retelling of the old stories, the following is what they think occurred. 

"Private James R. Hattrick of the 508th PIR touched down on the grounds of the castle in Gourbesville. (See the illustrated map.) Hattrick, who was the I Company Clerk, hid in a woodpile and started sniping at the Germans. The German Commander was under the impression that it was a local citizen shotting at his men. He summoned Major Delaune and told him that if the sniping did not stop, he would have the Mayor executed. At that moment, Hattrick shot the German Commander. Within a few minutes, the Germans spotted Hattrick's location and opened fire on the woodpile. Hattrick sustained a fatal head wound and was taken to the German Aid station where he died. Hattrick was buried in the Gourbesville churchyard in grave 4 on the northeast side of the church. This information was reported by the German doctor (see the illustrated German Death Certificate). Hattrick's body was retrieved on 28 June 1944 and reburied in the U.S. Military Cemetery Ste. Mire —Eglise No.2 by the 603s Graves Registration Company. He was buried in Plot F. Row 4, grave 67. In 1948, Hattrick's body was sent home for burial in Charlotte, North Carolina. As for the plaque... the best guess is that Major Delaune had it made and placed it there!" 

Private First Class R. B. Lewellen, an I Company rifleman of the 508th PIR, jumped just behind his friend, Private James R. Hattrick. Lewellen touched down in a field by the crossroads on the outskirts of the village, and quickly assembled his rifle. (See the illustrated map.) He spotted three Germans walking in his direction and opened fire, wounding one. The Germans returned fire which shattered the stock of Lewellen's rifle, and as a result, severely damaged his left hand. While trying to escape across the field, he was wounded in the left leg, and was eventually captured. Lewellen was taken to the German Aid Station where the doctor told him he would have to amputatez his left hand. When Lewellen awoke from surgery, his hand was gone and his leg had been treated. Lewellen now had company at the German Aid Station, a Major from the 82nd Airborne. They were moved out together, deeper into the interior of France. Then they were separated. 

Major Gordon K. Smith, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment S-4 (Supply Officer), landed northeast of Gourbesville on the east bank of the Merderet River at 0240 hours. Major Smith was only able to locate one man from his stick, Sergeant Harmon Walters. They set out to cross the river to reach the village of Amfreville. They had overshot drop zone T by more than 3 kilometres. Smith and Walters picked up 8 more men while moving north looking for a suitable river crossing. They found one at la Gare, the train station west of Fresville and 5 Kilimetres to the northwest of Ste.Mere-Eglise. Major Smith's mission was to establish the Regimental Suplly Depot in the Amfreville area. After crossing at la Gare, they left the road and entered an apple orchard where they came under enemy fire. Smith was hit in the right arm and side. Sergeant Harmon and the order paratroopers administered first aid, but were ordered by Major Smith to leave him behind. The Germans captured Smith a short time later. He was taken to the German Aid Station at Gourbesville on a cart by a local farmer. After waking from his surgery, he found that he was in same room with a Corporal from the 508th PIR who had lost a hand. The German doctor spoke flawless English. He explained to Major Smith that he had performed surgery on the Corporal so that it would be easy to attach a prosthetic device to the arm. The doctor further explained to Smith that he had been a POW in Africa, and the Americans had allowed him to treat wounded German POWs. The German had vowed from that time on to treat American prisoners as he had been treated. 

In the following days, the Americans made headway to the North. But, they were stopped at La Fiere causeway by the 91st LuftLanding's 1057th Regiment on the west bank. On 9 June, the 82nd Airborne broke through the German stranglehold on the west end of La Fiere causeway. This set the stage for the 90th Infantry's 357th Infantry Regiment to attack the next morning. At 0545 hours on 10 June, the 357th attacked with the 3rd Battalion, followed by the 2nd Battalion, and the 1st Battalion trailing in reserve. The 357th suffered only light casualties across La Fiere causeway while moving through the 82nd Airborne. The 3rd Battalion was on the right flank of the line, and the 2nd Battalion on the left. The attack stalled outside of Les Landes at 1240 hours when the 2nd Battalion came under heavy fire. At 1530 hours, A Company 1st Battalion was called up in support of 2nd Battalion. The 1st Battalion was called up later to relieve the 2nd Battalion. 

On 11 June 0800 hours, the attack resumed with the 3" Battalion gaining, then losing, 800 yards. At 1800 hours, another attack was launched with C Company making a wide sweep on the left flank. For this attack, E and G Companies were attached to the 3rd Battalion and F was attached to the 1st Battalion. C Company reached the road running through Les Landes, but was stopped. On 12 June at 0900 hours, the attack resumed, but no ground was gained. At 1345 hours, a second attack was launched with two platoons of medium tanks in support. But they failed to gain ground when the 2nd Battalion was stopped.

On 13 June, Colonel John W. Sheehy assumed command of the 357th Infantry Regiment. At 0700 hours, the attack resumed again with the 1st Battalion on the left, the 2nd Battalion on the right, and the 3rd Battalion held in reserve. They reached the Amfreville-Gourbesville road and turned towards the northwest, but the attack halted due to darkness. Early morning 14 June, the first direct assault on Gourbesville was planned. A bombing mission was called fort at 1400 hours, but was delayed, and then cancelled at 1700 hours. A Company of the 315th Engineers was attached to the 3rd Battalion during the afternoon. The attack finally began at 1930 hours, and it reached the town of Gourbesville with the 3rd Battalion in the lead. The Germans counter attacked and the 357th was driven out. 

On 15 June at 0700, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 357th Infantry Regiment were pulled back into the Amfreville area into defensive positions. At 2115 hours, the 3rd Battalion was ordered to renew their attack. At 2315 hours, word was sent back to 90th Division Headquarters that Gourbesville had fallen to the 3rd Battalion of the 357th Infantry Regiment. 

The village of Gourbesville had been liberated.