US Passport of WWII HERO - Battle of Remagen Bridge - Battle of Bulge !

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

At the first view nothing special on this old, obsolete US passport issued 1958. BUT if you take a closer look and do some investigation you find out the bearer was a true WWII HERO fighting in the 395th Infantry Regiment, 99th Division, 1945 in Germany! Reese, Earl Denzil Departed to be with Jesus on February 26, 2005 in Santa Barbara where he lived for seven years. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family members. He was 84 years old. Earl, who was also known by the affectionate AKA Edwin, was the devoted husband of Margery Reese for 63 years. He was the loving father of Barbara Ann Schurmer and wonderful grandparent to four grandchildren whom he loved deeply; Earl Schurmer, Emily Wade, Kristin Wise and Jennifer Branch. He leaves six great-grandchildren, Scott, Samantha and Luke Schurmer, Samuel and James Wise and Ellie Branch. He is preceded in death by his brother, Gordon. Edwin was born in Johnson, Arkansas of humble beginnings. His father was Denzil Grattan Reese and his mother Lelah Reese. The family moved to Oklahoma and then to Los Angeles in 1934. Edwin attended Manual Arts High School where he met Margery, his bride to be. They married June 28, 1941. Barbara was born in 1943. Edwin enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with bravery and distinction in the European Theatre as an infantryman. He was one of the first soldiers to cross the Rhine River on the Remagen Bridge May 3, 1945. He fought in the "Battle of the Bulge." After WWII Edwin was honorably discharged, sailing into New York Harbor. He attended law school at Southwestern School of Law and was admitted to the practice of law in California in 1952. He was admitted to practice before all courts in California, the Federal Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. Edwin conducted a civil litigation practice in the San Fernando Valley and West Los Angeles until his retirement in 1995. He was a Mason, a Shriner and an active member of the Rotary Club. Edwin and his family settled in Sherman Oaks. They were charter members of the Bel Air Presbyterian Church in the 1950's. Edwin became a leader in the church where he served three terms as an Elder. His passion was to teach his Bethel Bible Class which he did for many years. Edwin loved to fish with his son-in-law and grandson. He was a craftsman and loved woodworking. He built a green house and raised orchids for many years which he loved. He also loved to play chess and gin rummy especially with his granddaughters. He was an avid reader and loved studying his bible. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. A Memorial service will be held for Mr. Reese at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 4, 2005 at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland, Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association. Arrangements by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary, Santa Barbara, CA. Published in the Los Angeles Times on March 2, 2005 His passport: 20 pages excellent condition occupation: attorney issued 1958 in New York several visas ( France, UK, Philippines (incl. Clark Airbase APO, 13th Air Force), Japan, China, Switzerland, Belgium and much more...please see pictures His war time: Battle at the Remagen Bridge / Germany On 7 March 1945 an advance unit of the 9th US Armored Division, led by LT Karl H. Timmermann, an American of German descent, reached the last intact bridge, just after the German defenders twice failed in their demolition attempts. The capture of the bridge is known in the annals of the war as the "Miracle of Remagen". General Eisenhower stated that "the bridge is worth its weight in gold". In the days immediately following, the German High Command made desperate attempts to destroy the bridge by bombing and even employing frogmen. Hitler irately convened a court-martial which condemned five officers to death, four of whom were actually executed in the Westerwald Forest. On 17 March 1945 the bridge collapsed. At least 30 American soldiers lost their lives. Battle of Bulge In late 1944, in the wake... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.