WILKES-BARRE — In the tiny hamlet of Dahl, Luxemburg, Dave Nagle said the residents still revere local World War II hero, Day Turner of Nescopeck.
Nagle and his wife, Karen Monko Nagle, own Sea The World Travel in Luzerne, and they take groups to Normandy to tour World War II battle areas of Europe.
The idea is to honor veterans from our area,” Nagle said. “Especially veterans who served with the 101st Airborne and 28th Infantry Division.”
Nagle said Turner, a Staff Sergeant of the 319th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, earned a Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts to thwart the fanatical efforts of the Germans to retake the village of Dahl in January 1945.
“Day and his 9-man squad repelled attack after attack, finally making a final stand at a small farmhouse on the outskirts of town where his depleted squad resorted to hand-to-hand combat to hold their position,” Nagle said. “And hold it they did, for at the end of this epic 4-hour battle, his squad — now numbering just three — took 25 prisoners, counted 11 enemy killed in action and countless others wounded.”
Sgt. Turner is buried at Luxembourg American Cemetery. The Medal of Honor winner is a true hero who survived the intense battle of Dahl of Jan. 8, 1945, and later was killed in action on Feb. 8, 1945.
Nagle said on a cold blustery April afternoon this year, members of a Battlefields of Europe Tour Group, sponsored by Sea The World Travel, learned just how revered Day Turner really is.
While walking down a meandering lane to Turner’s memorial at the farmhouse in Dahl, Nagle said they encountered Monique Logtenberg-Leners, a local resident walking her dog in the elements.
“She, in her labored but more than acceptable English, asked if she could accompany them to the memorial a short distance away,” Nagle said. “When we arrived, she explained that the farmhouse was actually that of her family and has been for generations. She then told a story they we will always remember.”
Nagle said the woman told them that on the night of Jan. 7, Dahl received heavy bombing and there were few options for the villagers to seek shelter. Her grandparents and mother, Lucie, then only 4 years old, sought refuge in the basement of their farmhouse having no idea of what was to happen the following day.
From the basement they dared not leave, they heard explosion after explosion and the cries of soldiers for hours on end just a story above them. When it was over, they climbed the stairs to find the Americans had held their position with the horrors of war everywhere in their home.
Nagle said Lucie Leners would always remember the bravery and sacrifice of the American soldiers that day. She would spend a lifetime welcoming each and every touring veteran with a smile and open arms. Often times she would prepare and serve a meal to visiting veterans, numbering up to 100 at times, in her barn — doing so alone and asking nothing in return.
“She believed those veterans had already given her more than she could ever ask,” Nagle said.
During the course of their conversation with Monique, Nagle said the group informed her that Day Turner was originally from their area.
Karen Monko Nagle explained it best.
“Monique asked, ‘Are you from Wilkes-Barre?’ I stood there thinking her English was a little off and asked her to repeat the question, and Monique asked again, ‘Are you from Wilkes-Barre?’ My ears didn’t deceive me, I responded enthusiastically that I was born and raised there. Monique then said, ‘Please wait one moment for me so I can go in my house.’”
Nagle said when she returned, she presented to the group a page from the Times Leader of 1992. The story addressed the dedication of the Day Turner mural at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Plains Township and it showed a picture of her mother and sister. The bonding of a lifetime was made. Every traveler wanted a picture of them with Monique and her treasured piece of history.
Monique told them her mother passed away a few years ago, but the Leners’ family adoration for Americans will go on.
Nagle said that recently, Monique’s son’s teacher told his class that they were to do a project on something that was very important and meaningful to them. Monique’s son asked his teacher, “Can I do my project on Day Turner?” His teacher responded with an enthusiastic yes.
He will be a fourth generation Leners family member recognizing the sacrifice of Day Turner and the American troops during that cold January 1945.
With a broad smile Monique told the group, “Americans will always be welcome here. We will never forget.”
Nagle said for 14 travelers from Northeastern Pennsylvania and a long-time battlefield guide from the Netherlands, this was a chance encounter they will never forget.
“We want people of our area to feel proud of our area and the veterans who served,” Nagle said. “We want to honor them and their families.”
Many veterans honored
Nagle said his trips have focused on the Band of Brothers — three of which are from Luzerne County — and the 28th Infantry Division (the PA National Guard).
“We honored many soldiers from our area that practically no one knows of,” Nagle said. “To us, their stories need to be told. I can tell you our group found it very heartwarming to know of their heritage.”
At the Coleville Cemetery — the American military cemetery in Normandy — Nagle said three local soldiers are interred: Richard O’Malley, Kingston; Harold Lonzer, Hazleton; and Emil “Bish” Potzer, Plymouth.
At Normandy, Nagle’s group visited the Omaha Beach Museum and then Point du Hoc, where the U.S. Rangers stormed the cliffs. Nagle said a visit to Normandy is not complete without a stop at the Colleville Sur Mer American Cemetery.
“We placed flags at the graves of Richard O’Malley of Kingston, Emil (Bish) Potzer of Plymouth and place a penny at the grave of Harold Lonzer of Hazleton. Colin provides our prepared readings of these heroes exploits and it is quite difficult to control our emotions.
At Bastogne the group visited Ed Cawley’s grave, where a synopsis of his story is told and a flag is placed at his headstone. We also place flags at the graves of two other Luzerne County heroes, Anthony Krogulski of Ashley, and Joseph Valousky of Pittston.
Nagle said the April trip had many highlights, such as:
• Meeting Monique Leners in Dahl, whose family story touched all. Nagle said seeing her bring out her copy of a 30-year-old Times Leader newspaper was amazing.
• Omaha Beach at sunrise. Nagle said the group were the only people on the beach at this time and seeing the sunrise there was awe inspiring. He said hearing what those Americans went through there was beyond humbling.
• The Snows at Bois Jacques. Almost every Battle of the Bulge film and documentary references the foxholes of the Bois Jacques. Nagle said the group experienced them first-hand in a heavy snowfall, just as it occurred in 1944. No other visitors were there. “It was surreal,” he said.
Soldiers Honored
• Major Richard O’Malley Kingston — Flag at Colleville- 4th Infantry Division. Landed on Utah Beach DDay under heavy fire…considered the best combat leader in the Army by Teddy Roosevelt Jr…. known as the “Iron Major”… killed leading his men in the liberation of Sainteny…Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart…plaque erected near Sainteny recognizing his heroics.. daughter gave a heart warming speech at its dedication.
• 1st Lieutenant Emil “Bish” Potzer Plymouth — Flag at Colleville-90th Infantry Division. Earned a degree from Rutgers…varsity football and baseball player…landed on Omaha Beach after DDay…was killed 9 days after the invasion in the bocage of Normandy.
• PFC Harold Lonzer Hazleton — Penny at Colleville-83rd Infantry Division. Entered the service at 36 years old…was a clerk with PPL…was killed as his unit attacked Germans in hedgerows on July 7, 1944, after arriving at Omaha Beach on June 20th…. His unit was attacked the Germans every day for 23 straight days.
• PFC Elmer Dula Hanover Green — Flag at Luxembourg American Cemetery – 28th ID 110 Reg. Went overseas Aug. 10, 1943… Saw action in France, Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg…killed during the Battle of the Bulge… worked for Glen Alden Coal Company.
• Sgt. Edward Cawley Forty Fort — Flag and Ceremony at Margraten – 29th Infantry Division. One of 5 brothers to fight in the war, only one who didn’t come home…the 116th IR was part of the first wave on bloody Omaha Beach…Ed joined them later…on Nov. 29, was part of one of the largest offenses of the war.. during intense fighting Ed was KIA near the towns of Koslar-Julich, Germany… he was a true leader of men who was highly decorated..
• PFC Anthony Krogulski Ashley — Flag at Margraten-29th Infantry Division. Served in different IR (115) with Ed Cawley…Enlisted 2/24/1944… received a Silver Star for capturing 80 German prisoners during intense fighting during September 13-16, 1944… His dedication is incredible as it details his undaunted bravery and courage in leading his troops.. he died Nov. 19, during the same offensive that took the life of Ed Cawley.
• Sgt. Joseph Valousky Pittston — Flag at Margraten – 29th Infantry Division. Landed on Omaha Beach with initial waves and was seriously injured in action June 18th… Returned to active service and was mortally wounded near Julich, Germany where Ed Cawley also lost his life… had worked for the Lehigh Valley RR in Pittston.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.