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The 36th Division Archive
Lieutenant Robert L. Nies
Battalion Transportation Officer
2nd Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment
Robert L. Nies was born in 1919 in the bustling suburbs of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The second oldest of five siblings, Nies’ family found support through his father’s job as a molder for the local mine car equipment company supplying many of the mines in Pennsylvania’s coalfields. Leaving school in 1937, Nies followed his father’s footsteps and took up a similar career as a rivet bucker and utility repairman on the steel car erection line of the Bethlehem Steel Company. His primary task was to oversee the construction of new railroad cars for coal company trains. It was dangerous work, but taught him a deep sense of responsibility as he oversaw the safety and efficiency of other men under him.
In December 1941 the United States broke out into war. Robert’s brother, Albert, was the first of their family to join up, becoming a gunner in the Army Air Corps. Robert decided to follow soon after, officially enlisting on June 12, 1942. He was sent to basic training at Camp Blanding Florida and while there received terrible news about his brother. A B-17 crewman of the 43rd Bomb Group, 5th Air Force, the Nies family first heard that Albert was decorated with the Silver Star that November for a heroic mission to sink a Japanese cruiser while braving a rainstorm, fighting off waves of Japanese fighters, and shooting down three. Less than a month later, however, tragedy had struck when Albert’s bomber was lost during a night mission near Buna. A severe storm separated them from their group and some unknown major failure occurred. The crew was last seen signaling “SOS” to their formation before the other aviators watched their bomber crash near the coast of New Guinea. It was later in the month that Robert and his family were notified that Albert was officially missing in action, presumed dead. It was with this tragic knowledge that Nies joined the 36th Division, likely with a new fire to get into the fight and enter the war.
Nies, now a corporal, was assigned to the communications section of G Company, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division on January 25, 1943. An official T-Patcher, he traveled overseas with the division in April to North Africa where he remained in his role as the division underwent continued training for combat duty. In July he was bumped to sergeant, the rank he held when the 36th Division became the first American unit on mainland Europe during the Salerno Invasion.
Surviving the initial assault on Italy, Nies fought with G Company through harrowing Italian battles until October 4, 1943 when he was promoted to staff sergeant and bumped to the position of battalion sergeant major in HQ Company of the 2nd Battalion. It was in this role that he continued to oversee the communications infrastructure of the entire battalion, ensuring its success through San Pietro, Monte Sammucro, and on to Monte Cassino. In January 1944 his prowess earned him another bump, this time back to G Company as their First Sergeant, where he led them across the bloody Rapido River only to see his old company devastated against the German onslaught. Retiring to reserve positions, his leadership helped keep the company together as it recovered from the January massacre.
In May 1944, the 36th Division moved to the beachhead of Anzio to help drive against German forces south of Rome. As the division began its push, Nies, a staple of his battalion, was honored with a battlefield commission, retiring as an enlisted man and rejoining the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant back in the HQ Company of 2nd Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment. At this time his new, and longstanding, assignment was to serve as the battalion transportation officer. In this capacity he was responsible for supervising the operation, inspection, maintenance, and deployment of all battalion motor vehicles. In addition, he was to maintain the training of the battalion in joint-arms operations with mounted units and to control the tactical use of vehicles in battalion movements. It was a critical role which Nies took in stride.
As the division pushed through Velletri, Nies’ supervision of the mounted convoy led the battalion through Rome and northward to continue driving the Germans up the Italian subcontinent. By late June the 36th was notified of its pending removal from the line, bringing them back to Naples for a brief rest. In July, however, the battalion joined the rest of the division in amphibious training before boarding a series of ships in August, heading to their as-yet-unknown location: Southern France.
On August 15, 1944, Nies and the 2nd Battalion landed on Camel Green Beach at la Dramont, just east of the city of Saint Raphael. A less hectic landing than Salerno, Nies likely found himself one of the busiest officers in the entire battalion as the Germans soon fell into a full retreat, first to Montelimar and then far north towards the Vosges Mountains. The 2nd Battalion joined the division in weeks of rapid motor marches, sometimes well-over a hundred miles a day, interspersed with bouts of brief combat. Responsible for the vehicles that kept them on the move, Nies’ job was to keep the pace and make sure teh drive got done.
By October the 36th Division found itself locked into battle with German troops in the Vosges, a region of steep and heavily forested hills that at times appeared as intimidating as small mountains. One of his major operations in this sector was the assault on Bruyeres and on towards Biffontaine. Kicking off on October 15, the 143rd was working hand-in-hand with a newly attached unit, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a segregated unit of Japanese Americans which had distinguished themselves in Italy. Together, the 143rd and 442nd made a coordinated push into Bruyeres against stiff German resistance. Nies’ battalion, however, was in division reserve during the majority of the attack, only joining the fight on October 20 when they drove to Lepanges for a planned assault against some large hills nearby. As transport officer, Nies’ primary role in the battle was to oversee the armor support of Shermans from the 753rd Tank Battalion working alongside the 2nd Battalion.
The attack proved successful as the two regiments continued driving towards Biffontaine, the 2nd Battalion taking the brunt of the regimental advance into line after line of German defenses as the wet and foggy October weather turned the battlefield into an artillery-ladened soup. After several days of tough fighting word came that the 442nd had taken Biffontaine, the primary objective. Nies’ battalion quickly moved towards the city where they would relieve some of the 442nd men in holding the town as troops from the 141st Infantry Regiment began to lead the attack alongside the 442nd. It was the days following this assault when the “lost battalion,” 1st Battalion, of the 141st Infantry was cut off and surrounded by German troops, only to be rescued after days of valiant assaults by the 442nd. During the operation Nies’ battalion played an important part in securing the flanks as the 442nd underwent its mission.
November was less stagnant than the prior month as the 36th Division began working its way through the Vosges, eventually breaking out onto the Alsatian plain by the end of the month. While the 142nd Infantry were the first to do so, near St. Hippolyte, Nies’ 2nd Battalion eventually broke through countless German roadblocks and defenses to reach the Alsatian village of Chatenois. The first days of December demonstrated that the Germans were not so ready to give up Alsace as the 2nd Battalion coordinated with 3rd Battalion of the 142nd and two battalions of the 103rd Infantry Division to assault the key town of Selestat, a large German supply hub connecting Strasbourg and Colmar. Nies helped lead their battalion attacking the western edge of the city, supporting the bloody house-to-house fighting that took place with ambulances, jeeps, tanks, and more. The town was soon liberated, however, and the broader campaign for Alsace began in earnest as the 143rd moved toward Ribeauville.
December saw the battalion engaged in battle across the small towns dotting Alsace as German forces tried again and again to break the division line and force the Americans back toward the mountains. A major German counterassault, Operation Habicht, pushed hard against the 143rd and 141st to break their hold near Colmar. Nies’ battalion was critical in holding the area and, after numerous days of hard fighting, the Germans had been pushed back. By the end of the month the division was given a much needed rest, allowing the T-Patchers to recoup and prepare themselves for future campaigns.
By early January the 143rd was sent northward alongside the rest of the division to support the line south of Bitche. With the 100th Division engaged in a bitter struggle over the city, the various units of the 36th worked to shore up the defenses to the south in case the Germans attempted to flank around and break through the 7th Army front. For the most part this consisted of back and forth patrolling and probing of potential enemy areas. Occasional counterattacks and assaults teased larger engagements which never developed. Around January 18 the 143rd moved to the area near Bischwiller and Rohrwiller. What was first thought to be enemy probing had turned into a full-scale attack on the American lines and fear of a potential breakthrough riddled the 36th Division ranks.
Nies motored his men down to a set of woods near Herrlisheim and, the day after digging in, were attacked by over 150 German troops. The 2nd Battalion defenses came just in time, fighting off the enemy with machine guns, artillery, and tanks. After a two day respite, on the morning of January 21, the Germans sent infantry and tanks to infiltrate the 2nd Battalion line, causing a hard fight in what became known as the “Bowdon Woods.” Nies and his troops fought hard and succeeded in beating off the assault by capturing 163 enemy troops, killing over sixty, and taking numerous critical documents from German officers. Relieved by the 142nd the next day, the rest of the month was spent training and relieving part of the 142nd as the anticipation for a broader German attack remained salient.
As February opened plans for a new attack appeared, one which would demonstrate the heroism and devotion of Lieutenant Nies. As the 143rd continued sitting along the line running from Geudertheim to Bischwiller, a plot was hatched to drive the Germans away from the major bridgehead nearby through a night attack on the evening of February 2-3. While 1st Battalion attacked Rohrwiller, the 2nd Battalion would launch off to their right and seize an important road and rail junction just west of the city. At 1900 the attack began to a bit of chaos as the regiment found all of the fields flooded by a quick thaw of the snow. Even so, Nies assumed his duties to ensure all vehicles were in place. The following description comes from the battalion wire chief and relates the courage exhibited by Nies on that day:
The 2nd Battalion had the mission of attacking and securing Herrlisheim, France. Lt. Nies, the transportation officer, was in charge of three [M29] Weasels, one of which was loaded with wire, the others pulling sleds behind them which were loaded with portable bridges. The men and Weasels started out at 1900 on 3 February and reached the canal approximately 2 miles from the line of departure and a foot bridge was set up. One Weasel was lost attempting to cross the canal before the bridge went up, the other Weasel returned to Service Company, and the remaining Weasel, which was laying wire from the rear CP forward, was stopped because of lack of a bridge strong enough to permit it to cross the canal. Loading the wire on their backs, the wiremen carried the wire across the footbridge, which because of the darkness and snow, was very treacherous. The Colonel advanced with the leading elements and left Lt. Nies alone to guide S/Sgt [John] Moriarty, the battalion wire chief, and his men to the forward CP. The Colonel took two men with him to act as guides and return to Lt. Nies to guide him and his party. After waiting fifteen minutes under terrific enemy small arms, artillery, and mortar fire, Lt. Nies decided to go ahead on his own with his party to find the Colonel. Totally unfamiliar with the terrain ahead, under enemy fire of all types, Lt. Nies and his party went doggedly ahead. At some points the men had to go into icy water waist deep carrying their equipment over their heads. Finally, after ten hours of heartbreaking labors and difficulties, the party came to the house where the Colonel had set up his advance CP. Through Lt. Nies’ inspiring leadership and calmness under fire, the vital communications were established at a critical time resulting in the uninterrupted flow of communication, a factor which played a vital role in the success of this operation. Lt. Nies’ devotion to duty, gallant action, inspiring leadership, and ability to overcome extremely dangerous hazards reflects the greatest credit upon himself, his men, and his organization, and is exemplary of the finest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.
For his heroism and gallantry ensuring the battalion could maintain its assault, in spite of losing all vehicles that could help him in the task, Lt. Nies was put in for the Bronze Star Medal less than three days later after his actions had successfully aided the battalion. The prior description came from Staff Sergeant Moriarty and was the initial draft of Nies’ citation describing exactly how he was able to support his unit in the attack. On March 9, roughly a month later, he was awarded the medal although his citation had been condensed:
Robert L. Nies, 01683445, First Lieutenant, 143rd Infantry Regiment, for heroic achievement in combat on 3 February 1945 in France. Lieutenant Nies, transportation officer for the 2nd Battalion, was in charge of three amphibious jeeps carrying material for setting up communications with the forward command post during a night attack. When the jeeps were unable to cross a canal, Lieutenant Nies and his men shouldered their load and crossed a foot bridge. Although in complete darkness and unfamiliar terrain, and constantly under heavy enemy small arms, mortar, and artillery fire, they pressed forward. After ten hours of severe hardship, often in water waist deep, they reached the forward command post. Through Lieutenant Nies’ inspiring leadership and calmness under fire, vital communications were established at a critical time. Entered the service from Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
A bit more concise, the decoration still encapsulated the tremendous dedication to duty that Lieutenant Nies showed throughout his time in combat.
By the time he was awarded the medal the battalion was preparing to cross the Moder River and begin the division’s drive to break the Siegfried Line. His commanding officer continued to sing his praises while conducting a review of his performance in operations thus far, describing him as:
A quiet, efficient officer who expresses himself clearly and briefly. Very methodical by nature and meticulous in executing even minor tasks. When given a task, it is carried through with such great confidence that he imposes his will upon all his men.
He was considered excellent or superior in all areas of evaluation and one of the best officers the battalion had to offer. Nies was a true example of leading from the front by example.
As the 36th Division crossed into German towards the end of March, Nies’ duties as transport officer once again became critical as they drove inward dozens and even hundreds of miles a day. Quickly, however, the division was taken from combat and put into a reserve capacity, organizing policing duties for the many occupied German cities the 7th Army was leaving behind. During this time Nies was switched to the battalion supply officer to upkeep the men while they enjoyed the leisurely assignment minus a brief week of action to finish the war.
With the war ending on May 8, 1945, Nies and his men could finally enjoy the fruits of their labors. Nies’ efficiency, however, led him to service in a brief stint with the 12th Armored Division as a transportation officer before returning back to the 36th in July. A final duty report was then filled out, once again showing the consistent and steadfast nature of Nies’ military service. He was
[a]n officer who is loyal and diligent in his attention to duty. He is interested in the efficiency of the organization and will work just as hard as is necessary to accomplish this aim. He analyzes his work and keeps well ahead of requirements.
By the fall of 1945, as many of the long-serving division troops were receiving calls to go home, Nies joined them. Arriving back in the United States that November, he was quickly discharged and returned home to Johnstown to his wife.
A decorated and intrepid member of the 36th Division, Nies demonstrated the valor of the common soldier during WWII. From the lowest ranks of enlisted to a battlefield commission and a Bronze Star, he worked hard to ensure the success of his unit and the wellbeing of his comrades. He continued his career as a rivet bucker and manager for the Bethlehem Steel Factory working to make train cars before retiring and passing away in 1999.