ASTP training program
August 11, 1943
Despite his humble background Leo was admitted to the prestigious Army
Specialized Training Program (ASTP) in July 1943. This initiative of the US military offered the brightest young men (with an IQ of at least 120), the opportunity to train as engineers, doctors or interpreters. Read the whole story at Overview>
Read the whole story at > Overview >
Emergency Infantryman
February 1944
Due to a shortage of soldiers the army decided to discontinue the program in which Leo was enrolled in Feb '44. 110,000 young ASTP students swapped the university for direct participation in the war. Most were sent to infantry units as a soldier 1st class. Including Leo.
Read the story: Military file >
In the War
Winchester, October 1, 1944
On September 20, 1944 Leo with the 334 Infantry Regiment boarded the USAT Thomas H. Barry in Brooklyn. On Oct 1. They arrived in England and were stationed near Winchester. Between 1 and 4 Nov. 84 Infantry Division landed at ‘Omaha’ Beach traveled to the front..
Read the story: Combat Route (1) >
Operation Clipper
Gulpen, November 9, 1944
On November 9 84 Infantry Division arrived near Gulpen, South Limburg. On Nov 17. the division was moved to the front, just east of the Dutch-German border. They would be deployed during Operation Clipper. Purpose: to break through the Siegfriedlinie.
Read the story: Combat Route (2) >
Leo was killed
Prummern, November 20 1944
On November 20 Leo's company was tasked with taking the German bunkers at Mahogany Hill. The attack of 84 Infantry Division was immediately answered with lethal German machine-gun fire. During this attack Leo Lichten was fatally hit.
Read the whole story > Combat Route (3)
July 1943 (?)
Registration ARC
September 1943
to the UK
July 16, 1944
Landing on Utah Beach
March 15, 1945
Siegfriedlinie
May 1, 1945
Died on pleasure flight
June 19, 1945
Buried in Margraten, Block RR, Row 12 Grave 290
February 18, 1943
Air Evac. Nurse diploma
Jan. 15, 1944
Married
July 26, 1943
Body washed up
March - Augus 1943
Panama
June 1944
To Europa
November 23, 1943
Departure for Europa
January 20, 1944
Arriving in England
June 1944
Landing Omaha Beach
US enters the war
December 11, 1941
Nazi Germany declares war on the US
Turnaround WWII
Februari 2, 1943
Battle of Stalingrad: Red Army defeats Germans
Memories of Leo
Paul Slater
Paul Slater was a childhood friend of Leo's from New
York. Some years ago after an invitation from Frans
Timmermans, he brought his son Leo (named after
Leo Lichten) to visit Leo's grave.
Paul remembered Leo as a very exceptional person: intelligent, sporty, generous and brave.
In an autobiographical poem he wrote about Leo:
“One very special friend, Leo, Was special to all of us: A remarkable intellect, athlete, Comrade. With the US at war he Advised me to be cautious About a decision that I was Contemplating. Urging me via His Maxim, to: 'Let Reason be thy Master and Feeling be thy slave.' Writing. 'Caution, es riecht nach Dem Schlechten, the progress of this [European] War is to be carefully studied.'
Leo, hoping to encourage me
To reply more promptly, wrote:
'My thoughts dancing to the fore
Have left a vacancy
Tormented by a curious awe
That make reply a remedy.' ”
Frans Timmermans
Commissioner, deputy chairman of the European committee and adopter of the grave of Leo Lichten
“Dear Leo, you and your brethren fought to conquer tyranny and bring freedom to Europe, where more than 100,000 American heroes are now buried. You gave your lives in places like Geilenkirchen, Gouvy and Huertgenwald. Thanks to your sacrifice, today Europe is more united, more free, more peaceful than any
time in history. Our countries have been friends and allies ever since you were laid to rest here and your success endures, because exactly 20 years ago we put an end to Europe's old Cold War divide.
Almost all European countries are now free and flourishing. Freedom and democracy are on the rise everywhere, sometimes against daunting odds. Yes, we want to make your sacrifice matter. It was
Oliver Wendell Holmes who said that ‘we (should) not ponder with sad thoughts the passing of our heroes, but rather ponder their legacy – the life they made possible for us by their commitment and pain.’”
Bron: www.government.nl: Speech by Frans Timmermans at Margraten