Private First Class Joseph J. Beras 32729903

Private First Class Joseph J. Beras 32729903 US Army KIA. He was born on April 1, 1922 the son of Agnes Beras, and Martin Beras, he also had 2 brothers and a sister, and he was a Catholic. Before the war he lived at 372 Military Rd Buffalo New York and worked for Morrison Stell in Buffalo New York. He entered the US Army on December 31, 1942 at the age of 20. At the time of his enlistment he was 5 foot 8 inches tall weighed 140 pounds had Brown eyes and Brown hair. Joseph served as a PFC in 3rd Platoon Company C, 753rd Tank Battalion. It is unknown when he joined the 753rd but the 753rd “during its two-plus years in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of Operations, the battalion participated in six campaigns across Italy, France, and Germany, including three major combat landings from the sea. Over the course of its combat experience, the battalion, or subordinate elements thereof, supported two U.S. armies, six U.S. corps, two Allied corps, a remarkable sixteen different divisions (to include 5 Allied), and two U.S. armored groups.” During this time he earned his first Purple Heart Medal. From April 2 – 12 1945 C Company was supporting the 63rd Infantry Division on the advance between the Jagst and Kocher Rivers. On April 6, 1945 the 253rd Infantry took the town of Kreßbach Germany, during this action First Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr.,  earned the Medal of Honor. That night the 253rd Infantry and C Company, 753rd tank Bn was forced out of the town. On the cold rainy afternoon of April  7, 1945, 3rd Platoon Company C, 753rd Tank battalion, was supporting first platoon aka "Forty Thieves", C Company, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. The enemy panzerfaust teams, supported by automatic weapons, destroyed one assault gun, and one tank. The tank that was on the far side of the field and closest to Kreßbach Germany was fired upon and disabled by a panzerfaust; from the two vehicle that were destroyed three of the crew men were killed Sgt. Loyd James Lowman 34114593, CPL Archie G. Brunt 37101892, PFC Joseph J. Beras 32729903, and three were wounded in the engagement. The remainder of 3rd platoon withdrew slightly. Three men from each tank dismounted and kept the enemy off with hand grenades until the battle abated. It is important to note that General Anthony F. Daskevich O-1692601 who served as a Lt. in 3rd Platoon Company C, 753rd Tank battalion states that; “I must say that the battle for Kreßbach was the toughest and the longest I had ever encountered. I was a veteran of Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany and I had been in many battles, but none could compare with what we went through in trying to take Kreßbach .” He was Killed in action 6 days after his 23rd Birthday.

Private First Class Joseph J. Beras 32729903 US Army KIA. He was born on April 1, 1922 the son of Agnes Beras, and Martin Beras, he also had 2 brothers and a sister, and he was a Catholic. Before the war he lived at 372 Military Rd Buffalo New York and worked for Morrison Stell in Buffalo New York. He entered the US Army on December 31, 1942 at the age of 20. At the time of his enlistment he was 5 foot 8 inches tall weighed 140 pounds had Brown eyes and Brown hair.

Joseph served as a PFC in 3rd Platoon Company C, 753rd Tank Battalion. It is unknown when he joined the 753rd but the 753rd “during its two-plus years in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of Operations, the battalion participated in six campaigns across Italy, France, and Germany, including three major combat landings from the sea. Over the course of its combat experience, the battalion, or subordinate elements thereof, supported two U.S. armies, six U.S. corps, two Allied corps, a remarkable sixteen different divisions (to include 5 Allied), and two U.S. armored groups.” During this time he earned his first Purple Heart Medal. From April 2 – 12 1945 C Company was supporting the 63rd Infantry Division on the advance between the Jagst and Kocher Rivers. On April 6, 1945 the 253rd Infantry took the town of Kreßbach Germany, during this action First Lieutenant James E. Robinson, Jr.,  earned the Medal of Honor. That night the 253rd Infantry and C Company, 753rd tank Bn was forced out of the town.

On the cold rainy afternoon of April  7, 1945, 3rd Platoon Company C, 753rd Tank battalion, was supporting first platoon aka “Forty Thieves”, C Company, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division. The enemy panzerfaust teams, supported by automatic weapons, destroyed one assault gun, and one tank. The tank that was on the far side of the field and closest to Kreßbach Germany was fired upon and disabled by a panzerfaust; from the two vehicle that were destroyed three of the crew men were killed Sgt. Loyd James Lowman 34114593, CPL Archie G. Brunt 37101892, PFC Joseph J. Beras 32729903, and three were wounded in the engagement. The remainder of 3rd platoon withdrew slightly. Three men from each tank dismounted and kept the enemy off with hand grenades until the battle abated. It is important to note that General Anthony F. Daskevich O-1692601 who served as a Lt. in 3rd Platoon Company C, 753rd Tank battalion states that; “I must say that the battle for Kreßbach was the toughest and the longest I had ever encountered. I was a veteran of Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany and I had been in many battles, but none could compare with what we went through in trying to take Kreßbach .” He was Killed in action 6 days after his 23rd Birthday.

1- U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970

2- U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947

3- the New York, U.S., State Census, 1925

4- in the 1930 United States Federal Census

5- in the 1940 United States Federal Census

6- U.S., Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945

7- Froberg Where the hell is hiltonfingen

8 – Charles L. McNeill, Headquarters 753rd Tank Battalion, “Historical Data,” memorandum for Armored Officer, 12th Army Group, 5 June 1945,

9- The 63rd Infantry Division Chronicles June 1943 to September 1945

10- 63rd Division Records