Honoring Service: Fallen Veteran Campbell T. Ames, World War II
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Campbell T. Ames was born on March 24, 1917 in Philadelphia PA. He was the only child of George and Francis Ames who resided at 460 Milton Road. His father was an investigator working for the government and his mother was a homemaker. Campbell was a graduate of Milton School and Rye High School class of 1936. In high school he was the drum major and creative in the arts. Campbell was active in the YMCA, theatrical groups and was vice president of the Rye High School Alumni Association.
He was associated with Pratt & Whitney at the outbreak of the war and previously with the Union Carbide Company. Campbell married Christine Vera Parrott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lionel E. Parrott of Hill Street in late January 1944, at Christs Church. The couple took a short wedding trip before he returned to his post in Wisconsin. Campbell would never again see his hometown.
Date of Birth: 24 March 1917
Died On: 12 Sept 1944
Street Address: 460 Milton Road Branch of Service: U.S Army
Campbell enlisted in the US Army on February 10, 1941. Following a training period at Camp Stewart, he served in Newfoundland before going overseas in the spring of 1944. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and was a member of the 115th Regiment of the 29th Infantry Division. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, Company C, from replacement depot to duty on August 15, 1944. His unit was part of the forces attempting to capture the city of Brest in Brittany, France. On the night of September 11, 1944 the 29th Division launched an attack at 11:00 to 24:00 with the 115th and 175th Infantry Regiments. This night attack was of sufficient depth and force that it was able to carry on through the next day. The anti-tank ditch west of the village of St. Pierre was crossed by the 115th Infantry and advances were made on Hill 97 from the north.
On September 12th, the 115th Regiment continued to attack the high ground. The regiment also attacked Fort Montbarey while the 175th regiment attacked Fort Keranroux and Sugar Loaf Hill, which was also fortified. Fort Montbarey, on the left, fell to 2nd Bn. , 115th, Sept. 12, but was retaken by the Germans in a night counter-attack. The attack continued into September 13th, but the Americans did not recapture Fort Montbarey. The two regiments lost 161 men in a day, so the 29th Division commander, General Gerhardt, put the 116th Regiment into line to continue the attack.
Moving up to assist, the 116th pushed within 400 yards of the fort as the 115th shifted to attack the fortress from the rear. After the British 141st RAC Squadron poured flames on the fort from its crocodile tanks, 116th doughs captured Fort Montbarey it, Sept. 16.
Sergeant Campbell T. Ames, Rye High School Graduate Class of 1936, was killed during the fierce see saw fighting September 12, 1944 as the Germans counterattacked his Company, he was 27 years old.
