Pfc Russell Wester
and Lt. William Glass were killed when shelled
by German artillery in Wullersleben, Germany. The unit diary reads:
"Company B
departed Muhlberg at 0015 on 11 April 1945 and
arrived at Wullersleben, Germany (J345515), at
1400 on 11 April 1945. Weather was cloudy. Roads
were good. Morale was high. Engaged in the
battle at Hill 518, near Gossel, Germany
(J209498). No casualties. Engaged in battle near
Wullersleben, Germany (J345515), at
approximately 1400, on 11 April 1945.
Encountered fire from German 88. Enemy gun
silenced by mortar fire from Company B mortars.
One officer and one enlisted man killed, and
three more enlisted men wounded."
The Nutley Sun
reported on April 27, 1945:
"Pfc. Russell
W. Wester, of 112 Prospect street, was killed in
action April 11 in Germany.
Pfc. Wester is the son of Mrs. Martha Wester of
Prospect street, and the late Mr. Wester, and he
is the brother of Mrs. Charles J. Fruehan of
Chestnut street. He had lived in Nutley since he
was five years old, attending Lincoln School and
graduating from Nutley High school in 1931.
In May 1941, Wester received
his degree of associate engineer in chemical
engineering from the Newark Technical
School.
An Eagle Scout, Wester was
for a time assistant scoutmaster of Troop 7
until his work took him out of the country.
At the time of his induction
in November 1942, he was employed at
Hoffman-La Roche, going there from the
Malinkrodt Chemical Works of Jersey City.
He was enrolled in the Army
Specialized Training Program, or ASTP, at
Carnegie Institute of Technology but within
a few months of the completion of his
training, the unit was dissolved by Act of
Congress and he was transferred into a
chemical mortar battalion.
Seriously interested in
ornithology, he was a member of the
Montclair Bird club. He would always find
time to attend the club’s meetings and when
home on furlough go off on seasonal bird
counts.
A memorial service was held
in Franklin Reformed Church, Rev. Arthur
Roosen-Raad, minister officiated."
Pfc Russell W. Wester is buried at
Margraten American Military Cemetery, Plot B Row
8 Grave 9.
Private First
Class 