134th Infantry Regiment

"All Hell Can't Stop Us"

Pfc. Harry A. Krantz

Pfc Harry A Krantz

Medical Detachment, 134th Infantry Regiment - Aid Man, Company C, 2nd Platoon

Harry A. Krantz was born in Chicago, Illinois, on May 30, 1920. He was drafted and inducted into the U.S. Army on June 28, 1943, entering active service two weeks later on July 12, 1943, at Camp Grant, Illinois. At the time, he was 23 years old, single, and the eldest son of Anton and Mary Krantz. Prior to his induction, he worked as a baker at a commercial bakery in Chicago. Following basic training, he departed for the European Theater of Operations (ETO) on January 2, arriving in England on January 11, 1944.

His first assignment in the ETO was as a cook with Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) in London and later in Versailles, France. Pfc. Krantz continued in this role until October 11, when he was transferred to Tidworth Barracks in southeast Wiltshire, England, where he trained as a Medical Aid Man. Upon completion of this training, he received his final assignment to the 35th Infantry Division.

Pfc. Harry A. Krantz joined the Medical Detachment, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, on Wednesday, December 13, 1944. He was assigned as an Aid Man (combat medic) to the 2nd Platoon, Company C. Although officially part of the Medical Detachment, aid men in World War II traveled with and functioned as integral members of the infantry units to which they were assigned. Their mission was to accompany the infantry, provide immediate medical care, and stabilize the wounded until they could be transported to an Aid Station.

On the morning of his arrival, December 13, 1944, the 35th Infantry Division launched a large-scale offensive. After six days of fierce fighting, a bridgehead into Germany was secured. On December 19, 1944, after 162 consecutive days of combat, the division was ordered to hold and consolidate its positions. During this period, Pfc. Krantz was awarded the Combat Medical Badge. The division moved to Metz, France, on December 23, where the men spent Christmas before being rushed to the Ardennes to participate in the Battle of the Bulge.

According to regimental history, the Battle of the Bulge cost the 134th Infantry Regiment 1,449 battle casualties: 140 killed, 1,011 wounded, and 298 missing. When most units of the 35th Infantry Division withdrew from the Bastogne area and returned to Metz on January 18 - 19, 1945, the 134th Infantry Regiment remained in the Ardennes, continuing operations as Combat Team 134 attached to the 6th Armored Division. Pfc. Krantz was wounded in action on Tuesday, January 23, 1945, near Troine, Luxembourg. He was treated at the 1st Battalion Aid Station at Hachiville but remained on duty. For these wounds, he was awarded the Purple Heart. Two days later, on January 25, 1945, Company C launched an attack from a wooded area across a snow-covered open field toward the German-held town of Weiswampach, Luxembourg, located roughly one to two miles away on slightly elevated ground. As the men of Company C advanced across the field, the enemy opened fire with mortars, small arms, and machine guns, killing twelve and wounding twenty-one. For his actions during this engagement, Pfc. Harry A. Krantz was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism.

Pfc. Krantz remained with the 35th Infantry Division through the end of the war and during occupation duty in Germany. He began his journey home aboard the Queen Mary, arriving in New York Harbor on September 10, 1945. He was assigned “for purpose of recuperation” to Camp Grant, Illinois—the same post where he had entered active service—and was honorably discharged from the Army on November 6, 1945.

A lifelong Chicagoan, after the war he continued to work as a baker until his retirement. Harry A. Krantz passed away on December 13, 1985. He is buried at Windridge Memorial Park and Nature Sanctuary in Cary, IL.

Bronze Star Medal Citation

Private First Class Harry A. Krantz, 36674236, Medical Department, United States Army, for heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States at ****, Belgium on 25 January 1945. When Company C, 134th Infantry, launched an attack over an open field, the enemy employed grazing fire, pinning down Company C and forcing it into a fire fight. Because of the type of enemy fire utilized, it was difficult for medical aid personnel to move about, but Private Krantz, an aid man, with complete disregard for personal safety, moved among the personnel of Company C, administering first aid and, in many instances, carrying wounded to the safety of woods in the rear. Private Krantz' bravery, coolness, devotion to duty and disregard for personal safety, denote him an asset to his unit and a credit to the Medical Department of the Army. Entered military service from Illinois.

General Orders 16, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 9 March 1945

Purple Heart Medal

Wounded in action January 23, 1945
General Orders 11, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 12 February 1945


Pfc Harry A Krantz - 1945	Pfc Harry A Krantz & Lt Joseph E Hein - 1945	Pfc Wesley Y Hasty - Pfc Harry A Krantz & Pfc Robert R Richardson

Pfc Harry A Krantz & S/Sgt Floyd M Sheffield - 1945	Lt Joseph E Hein - 1945	Pfc Harry A Krantz & Pfc Wesley Y Hasty - 1945