Wounded Camden Man Refuses Aid And Saves Lives of Army Buddies
Camden Courier-Post —
Pfc. Tiziani Tells Medical Squads to Assist Other Soldiers
By John Courter
When peace returns to the world there will be many stories about the blood and sweat and sacrifice of American doughboys in France and Germany, but among the best will be the story of the loyalty and devotion a Camden soldier had for his comrades.
It was back in the early days of last October when the armies of the United States were hammering at the gates of Aachen, when our troops were converging on the Nazi city, when the heavy artillery of the enemy was keeping our infantrymen close to the ground, that Pfc. Enrico Tiziani was shot by a German sniper.
Tiziani, who lives at 814 Haddon avenue, was with our forces when they stormed Crucifix Hill on the outskirts of Aachen. The going was hard and the casualties heavy. Tiziani, an assistant machinegunner in the infantry, crept cautiously over the terrain as the order came for an advance. He, like many of his buddies, inched along yard by yard until the large cross signifying Crucifix Hill came into view.
Important Junction
That hill will go down in history as one of the important junctions and deciding points of the battle for Aachen. It was there that many American doughboys fought and died for the cause they knew was right; before a cross that in any other sense would mean peace and security, but instead death and destruction.
It was early in the morning of Oct. 10 that Tiziani, who is 30, silently wormed his way over a foreign countryside in the midst of scores of other American soldiers. His eyes were keen and his ears alert, helping his companions. Then a soldier in front of him fell mortally wounded. Before him, behind him, and on every side the costly cost of war was taking its toll.
But the order for advance had been called, there was no stopping. No pausing, no hesitation, if any, and it was up to Tiziani and the other Americans to keep moving. The medical corps was working constantly among the wounded, giving injections to relieve the intense suffering, going from one man to another.
Caring for Others
Suddenly Tiziani felt severe pain across his spine. He fell in his tracks, became paralyzed from his waist down. The medical men rushed up, but he waved them on and through clenched teeth told them to care for others more seriously wounded. Time and again medical aid was offered him and each time he refused aid until those nearby had been attended first.
Tiziani in his intense suffering waved away the help which would have ended the terrible pain. It was only when his commanding officer came up to him and ordered him removed to the rear that the Camden soldier finally agreed. He was taken back, given first aid and sent to a base hospital.
Tiziani is the son of John and Josephine Tiziani, of 302 Spruce street. He was brought back to this country in the early part of November and transferred to the Percy Jones hospital, Battle Creek, Mich., where he is now a patient. His wife, Helen, is with her husband, staying at an apartment near the hospital.
Previous to his Induction Feb. 14, 1944, Tiziani was employed at the Radio Condenser Co., as a machinist. He trained in camps in Florida prior to going overseas in July, 1944. He attended grade schools in Camden and graduated at Camden High school in 1933.