The Blue Devils Come Home PT1 - Jeffrey Wisotsky

The Broadway Soldiers! They were kids from New York City drafted to fight a
war thousands of miles from home. Who knew what to expect when these kids,
many of them first-generation Americans, were drafted off the streets of New
York and into the 88th Infantry Division in 1942? Then, through 344
consecutive days of combat against Hitler¹s armies in the mountains and
valleys of Italy, they became the ³Blue Devils,² members of one of the great
fighting units in military history. Intercut with rare period motion
picture and still photography, THE BLUE DEVILS COME HOME introduces some
American heroes for this and all of time. Available for broadcast and DVD
distribution.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• World
• War
• II
• Jeffrey
• Wisotsky
• Tim
• Sullivan
• Charlie
• Shea
• 88th
• Infantry
• Division
• The
• Blue
• Devils
• General
• Mark
• Clark

[tekedelp]

My great uncle PFC Louis E. Winesett, Jr. was with the 88'th Division, 350'th Infantry Regiment, Company L. He died in Italy around April 17th, 1945. He won the Silver Star for his heroic actions helping his fellow troops escape from an area where the enemy had them surrounded.

I would love to know if anyone knows anything about him or has any family members that were in the same Company (L) as him. Anything information would be helpful. My email address is tke448@yahoo.com. Thanks.

[ghendric]

@ghendric He was decorated with a bronze star too.. I tried to post this message with a link to the yahoo group website for the 351st, but it won't post...

[ghendric]

My father was in the 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th, Company E. That group of men are the ones that punched a hole in the German defenses in PO Valley in Italy. He used to tell me stories about the war that I'll always remember. My Dad passed away last year at 89 yrs old. He was a really good man. He wasn't afraid of anything. When I was little, I told him I wanted to grow up and be just like him. I miss him..

[pattipeeb]

My father who is now 85 years old was a heavy machine gunner, Co.M 351st. He was and is still fearless. He was from Mississippi.

[OrigNeedlzSWDetroit]

My grandfather's Bronze Star citation also continues "...when a sniper took a shot at him and he boldly worked his way toward the sniper, exposing himself frequently to draw enemy fire until he had spotted the sniper and shot him with his rifle..." The Germans didn't call them the "Blue Devils" for nothing! PFC Gutierrez was from Windber, PA. He passed away in Sept. 2006 age 82. All the WWII soldiers were great men, we must never let their heroics be forgotten!

[OrigNeedlzSWDetroit]

My grandfather Gabe Gutierrez PVC, 88th Infantry Div., Co. "D" 351st, received the Bronze Star for "Meritous service in combat 19 April 1945 to 2 May 1945 in the Po Valley campaign." Citation reads "...On one occassion he accurrately estimated a dangerous tactical situation and without orders immediately dashed for 200 yds through deadly grazing machine gun fire to lay a telephone wire between the seperated elements of his platoon to restore control and coordination..."

[SpaceLordMother9000]

my grandpa was in the 88th. i love the old stories. earned a bronze star. hes 88, gonna call him now. hero

[dcoopandco]

My father was in the 351st, 88thdiv, company I. They were quite a group.

We should all be proud.

[ghendric]

My father was in the 351st ,88th div, company E. He was in PO Valley and Verona, Italy. He earned a bronze star for his action on April 25, 1945, 3 days after his 25th birthday. He told me a few stories but nothing in too much detail. He carried a BAR. I had no idea that he was in the Blue Devils until after his death 8/1/2009. Amazing bunch of guys. Dad was really special.