Not much is known about Sylvio J. Theriault. He joined the army on 10 March 1943.

After training he was attached to 1st platoon, A Company, 295th Engineer Combat Battalion.

Not much is known about Sylvio's time with the 295th.

On 30 December 1944 the battalion was used to hold the line as infantry in the Huertgen Forest just south of Aachen. This was a heavily contested, wooded area where German and American forces battled eachother for months with heavy casualties on both sides.

Late December 1944, the 295th found itself near near Winden, Germany.

295th Engineer Combat Battalion

(picture from "History of the 295th Engineer Combat Battalion" on lct376.org)

The history of the 295th states: "Before dawn on the 30th of December, the 1st platoon, A Co, received orders to put in a minefield. They pulled into Winden, unloaded the mines, and waited for a guide to show the exact location for placing them. The krauts sent over a mortar shell at that moment and made a direct hit on the pile of mines; almost half the platoon was killed."

T5 Sylvio J. Theriault was one of those killed. Also killed were Pfc Joseph J. Bremmer, Pvt Jabez A. Coulter, Pvt William H. Hyde, Pfc Emmit J. Ocipa, S/Sgt William Link, Pvt Paul W. Wallin and Sgt Glenn O. Phalen.

T5 Sylvio Theriault is buried at Margraten American Military Cemetery, Plot C Row 15 Grave 25.

Margraten, The Netherlands

See also:
Pfc Joseph J. Bremmer
Pvt William H. Hyde
S/Sgt William Link
Sgt Glenn O. Phalen

Other casualties of the 295th Engineer Combat Battalion

Sources and Acknowledgements:
295th Engineer Combat Battalion website


Directions to Margraten American Military Cemetery

Posted 13 June 2009


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This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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