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PONTI SUL MINCIO, Italy (May 1, 2024) - To honor history and heroes, the 173rd Airborne Brigade stood on sacred ground at Ponti sul Mincio to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the Battle of Monte Casale — the final World War II battle on Italian soil.
On April 30, 1945, as the war in Italy neared its conclusion, U.S. Army soldier Richard Carlson joined forces with Italian partisans and the Arditi, Italy’s elite troops, to launch an assault on German positions. Amidst German gunfire, Richard charged forward to neutralize a threatening enemy machine gun post. It was an act of bravery that cost him his life but allowed his comrades to advance.
The Battle of Monte Casale was decisive and contributed significantly to Italy's liberation. Richard’s actions did not go unnoticed. Awarded posthumously the Silver Medal for Military Valor, his story symbolized the sacrifices made by foreign soldiers for Italy.
Each year, as the community of Ponti sul Mincio gathers to remember the Battle of Monte Casale, they pay special homage to Richard Carlson, the American soldier who died far from his home in Minnesota on the rugged slopes of Monte Casale.
A park in Ponti sul Mincio is named after Richard Carlson. His name and story are etched in the hearts of the local people. To Italians, Carlson embodies the bravery, sacrifice, and international solidarity that helped shape their history.
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2024 09:24 |
| Story ID: | 471294 |
| Location: | IT |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 173rd Airborne Brigade Marks 79th Anniversary of WWII’s Last Italian Battle at Monte Casale, by CPT Jennifer French, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
