WWII Veterans Honored During Ceremony at Arlington Cemetery

On September 14, 2019, the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division hosted a memorial ceremony to honor World War II veterans of the 6th Army Group and 6th Corps, who participated in combat in Italy, Southern France, Germany and Austria. The 3rd Infantry Division was particularly involved in the peaceful liberation of Salzburg in May of 1945. The Austrian Embassy was represented by Political Counselor Günther Salzmann and the Austrian Defense Attaché, Major General Jürgen Ortner.

The ceremony included a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and at the 3rd Infantry Division Monument, and also a remembrance at the grave of Audie Murphy. Murphy, one of the most decorated combat soldiers of WWII, landed in Southern France with the 3rd Infantry Division’s 15th Infantry regiment and received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions there. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on the Salzburg, Austria airfield on June 2, 1945. After the war, Murphy embarked on a successful acting career, making over 40 feature films and a television series, most notably the 1955 movie To Hell and Back.

Before the 3rd Infantry Division Monument.

From left, standing: Major General Brice Haudet, former Defense Attaché of France, Colonel Vasileios Lampropoulos, Defense Attaché of Greece, Lieutenant Colonel Monika Stoy (President of the Out post International, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division) Colonel Paul Elverding, Defense Attaché of The Netherlands, Major General Jügen Ortner, Defense Attaché of Austria, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Stoy (President of the 15th Infantry Regiment Association).

Seated in front: U.S. Army veteran (WWII) Charlie Condron from New York, almost 95 years old, who fought all the way from Northern Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France, Germany, to Salzburg, Austria.

From left, standing: Lieutenant Colonel Monika Stoy, Counselor Günther Salzmann, Major General Jürgen Ortner.

Seated in front: Mr. Charlie Condron

The attendees during the ceremony.

The attendees behind the headstone of Audie Murphy at Arlington National Cemetery.