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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

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

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Leo Lichten

Highly trained Cannon Feed

Name: Leo Lichten
Born: May 31, 1925
Deceased: November 20, 1944, 19 years old
Rank & Military
Component:
Private First Class, 334 Infantry Regiment,
84 Infantry Division (‘Railsplitters’)
Cemetery: Block E, Row 7, Grave 13

Leo Lichten from New York was an infantryman in the US 9th
Army. He was a bright young man, and was admitted to a special military training for doctors, engineers and interpreters.

However, when the need came for further fresh troops in mid1944, his education was abruptly interrupted and after a
very short training he was sent
to Europe as an
infantryman.

He died after only three days of fighting near the village of Prummern, along the Siegfried Line. Leo Lichten died at the age of 19.

Army Specialized
Training Program

Despite his humble beginnings,
in August 1943, Leo was accepted
into to the prestigious Army
Specialized Training Program
(ASTP).
This initiative of the US military offered
the brightest young men (with an IQ of at
least 120), the opportunity to train as an engineer, doctor or interpreter. This was of course, in exchange for several years of service in the army.

Unfortunately for Leo and his fellow students, the army decided to stop this program in February '44 because there was a threat of a shortage of soldiers. 110,000 young students on the ASTP programe swapped the university for direct participation in the war. Most of them were sent to infantry units as a soldier 1st class (Private First Class). This is what happened to Leo.