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PRIVATE HAROLD R. LEVIN
had lived with his parents and sister Eleanor at 1945 West River Road in
Pennsauken NJ. Born January 18, 1924, he was a graduate of Merchantville (NJ) High
School, he had
attended the University of Pennsylvania for one year prior to being
called to service in February of 1943.
Private Levin was chosen for the Advanced Specialized Training Program,
or ASTP, where the Army sent men with some educational background and
aptitude to college for training in fields where a requirement had been
projected. He had spent several months studying engineering at the
University of Georgia when the program was abruptly cancelled due to the
need for replacements in the European Theater of Operations.
Harold Levin was assigned to the 420th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
of the 10th Armored Division. The 10th Armored was transferred to
New York for embarkation to Europe in September of 1944. The 10th
Armored had the distinction of being the first American Armored Division
to sail from The United States directly to the European mainland without
stopping in England. The Division landed at Cherbourg France on
September 23, 1944. Once there, the Division was transferred to a
training area to finalize their training and receive their equipment.
In early November, the
Division moved East and was sent into combat in the Allied assault on
the fortress city of Metz. The 10th Armored launched a two-pronged
offensive, crossing the Moselle River. They met heavy resistance but 2
weeks later, the Division had reached and crossed the Saar river,
establishing several key bridgeheads into Germany.
The 10th Offensive was
halted after the Germans launched their Ardennes Offensive and the 10th
Armored was ordered north to help stop them. Combat Command B, which
included the 420th Field Artillery Battalion linked up with the 101st
Airborne Division at Bastogne. The 420th was one of the units that was
trapped in Bastogne, and took part in the defenses on the northern and
eastern borders of the town. Covering a 360 degree front, with limited
ammunition, the 420th was forced to make its original 1400 rounds last
for five days before being re-supplied, and was under fire from German
artillery, air, and ground forces..
Private Harold R. Levin
was killed in action on December 24th, 1944 during the siege of
Bastogne. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Morris S. Levin,
and his sister.
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