Original Item - One-of-a-Kind. While on Reconnaissance patrol on the front line at the Anzio beach-head, Sergeant Richard J. Meindl spotted a wounded comrade and, without hesitation, ran through German machine gun and artillery fire to rescue his comrade and carry him to an aid station. For this action, Meindl was awarded the Bronze Star.

Richard J. Meindl was born on May 31st, 1920, in Buffalo, New York. On April 13th, 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, being assigned to the 5th Army’s 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion in Italy. During his time with the 894th, Meindel saw 300 days of combat as a platoon staff sergeant. After returning stateside, Meindl studied as a dental technician apprentice and worked at Voss Dental Lab in Cheektowaga. He retired in 1984 and passed away on April 5th, 1996, after a two-year battle with cancer.

The grouping consists of two frames, the first with Meindl’s dog tags mounted above an enlarged newspaper clipping explaining the actions for which he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal, and Meindl’s 5th Army patch and 5 overseas bars, denoting 2 and a half years overseas. The second frame is smaller and contains the actual color photograph of Meindel featured in the article. The photo is a bit loose and could use some work.

The longer frame measures 7" x 19" and the smaller frame measures 8" x 10”.

The 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion

The 94th Anti Tank Battalion was redesignated the 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 15 December, 1941.  Committed to battle 20 February, 1943, at Kasserine Pass in Tunisia.  Supported capture of Bizerte.  Landed in Italy in late October, 1943, located in the vicinity of Pignataro in the Migniano sector as of December.  Transferred to Anzio beachhead on 25 January, 1944, where the battalion supported mainly British troops.  Entered Rome in June. Crossed Arno River at Pisa in September.  Mired at Porretta Terme late 1944–early 1945.  Entered Genoa on 27 April. Attached to: 1st Armored Division; 34th, 45th, 85th, and 92d Infantry divisions; 10th Mountain Division; British 1st and 5th Infantry divisions; French Expeditionary Corps; Brazilian Expeditionary Force.  History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide.