Mr. Husted, WWII 82^nd Engineer
My uncle, George Sanders was a member of 82^nd combat Engineers and died in Overloon, Holland on 10/06/44.
We were recently contacted by a Dutch citizen, who has found my uncle's dog tags. After some correspondence, we have concluded that this find is legitimate. The Dutch citizen would like to enshrine these tags in a local museum and would like to know more about my uncle's life.
Is there anyone in your outfit who remembers my uncle and is there any record of how he died?
In addition, my father, Lester C. Sanders was also and engineer, attached to the Airborne. He is now deceased and I am having trouble finding information about his military service. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you very much.
George J. Sanders

Hi George

Finding George Sanders dog tags after all these years...amazing! Perhaps I can help you out here. I was in B Company and did not know George personally but I am forwarding your inquiry to several men who were in that area at the time. As you know George was killed near Overloon Holland.
Several years ago I interviewed Mansel Mauex (Louisana) who was the Lt. in charge of a mine laying assignment. At that time the U.S. 7th Armored Division had been assigned to help the British clear the Germans out the area west of the Rhine River. Companies A& C, of the 82nd, were assigned in support of the Armor. The battle was intense and there was a concern that the Germans might launch a counter attack.
This area was heavily wooded and the armor was taking a beating as they attempted to emerge from the woods. The mine laying party consisted of Lt. Mansel Mauex, T/5 George Sanders, Cp. Harlan Radunz and Sgt. Donald Berger.
Their mission was to lay an anti personnel mine field to slow the enemy down should they attack. These mines used trip wires stretched across openings of paths through the woods. George was connecting a trip wire when the mine exploded. It is not known exactly what went wrong, but Mr Mayeux
surmised that it might have been a faulty mine.
This area was close to the front lines and that explosion alerted the Germans who began laying machine gun and mortar fire. Machine gun fire seriously wounded Sgt. Berger. As Lt. Mayuex and Cpl. Radund were placing Sgt. Berger on to an evacuation jeep anothe barrage hit both men. Sgt. Berger and Cpl Raduz were sent stateside. Lt. Mayuex, after several months of hospitalization returned to the 82nd.
With respect to your Dad.....there were a number of airborne units in the ETO, the 82nd,101st and 17th airborne. These are just 3 that come to mind. There may have been others further south. If you can identify the unit he served with you may find a web site that can be helpful.
I hope this information will be helpful to you.
Ed. Husted, 82^ND Engineers WWII Historian