Sgt. Loyd James Lowman 34114593
Sgt. Loyd James Lowman AKA Lawman 34114593 KIA (In military and other records has his spelling both ways.) He was born on April 8, 1911 the son of Minnie Lowman and Ed Lowman of Hickory, North Carolina. He entered the US Army on June 24, 1941 at the age of 30, at Fort Bragg North Carolina. At the time of his enlistment he was 5 foot 11 inches tall weighed 165 pounds had blue eyes and black hair. He served as a Sgt 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.” 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 the 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 .”
Sgt. Loyd J. Lowman was killed in action on April 7, 1945 while trying to retake and hold Kreßbach Germany. He was killed in action 1 day before his 34th birthday on April 7, 1945. His body was returned to the United States in 1948, and he is interred at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Hickory North Carolina.\
2- North Carolina, Birth Indexes, 1800-2000
3- 1920 United States Federal Census
4- 1930 United States Federal Census
5- 1940 United States Federal Census
6- World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
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
11- Service Record World War I and II Alexander County North Carolina
