Edward J. Geiser 1920-2016

As of 5:30 pm yesterday, April 7, 2016, Mr. Geiser has passed away. He lived a good life and I was extremely honored to have been given the unique chance of hearing his life story and getting the chance to complete a part of his story.
"Mr. Geiser was born on the northside of Cincinnati, Ohio on July 1, 1920 as the youngest of eight children, 5 sisters and 2 brothers. On July 1, 1941, Eddie was drafted into the army. This was the first date picked for the draft and was one of the youngest draftees in the service. On December 1, 1941 he received orders to report.

On January 19, 1942 he reported to Fort Thomas, Kentucky. When he entered the service, he joined the 106th Cavalry, Mechanized, Troop C. He became the company bugler. Because he had experience with GM plant assembly work (he was employed at a GM plant before he left for the service), he became an automotive mechanic and trained in the cavalry motor school.

During the spring of 1943, his outfit was shipped overseas to England, while Eddie was in radio school. Because he was unable to return to his outfit and his friends, he volunteered for the paratroopers. However after his training as a paratrooper, he was found medically unable to jump as a paratrooper because of a whole in his spine. After learning of this, Eddie volunteered for service in the infantry. The unit he would join was Company G, 2nd Battalion, 253rd Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division, 21st Corps, 7th Army. The 7th Army was lead by General Alexander Patch. The 63rd Division was lead by Major General Louis E. Hibbs.

On November 25, 1944, Mr. Geiser departed the United States for Europe and landed in the southern part of France on December 8, 1944. For 125 days, the 63rd Division was in contact with the Germans in France and Germany. The division would be on the front line continuously, except for three days between the Siegfried Line breakthrough and the Rhine crossing. During these days, out of all of the men in his company when he arrived in Europe, Eddie and seven others would be the only remaining original members to last the entire campaign. During his service Mr. Geiser would be a Staff Sergeant and a squad leader

During March 15-21, 1945, the 63rd Division was the first division of the 7th Army to break through the Siegfried Line. On April 9, 1945, the 253rd Regiment would fight in the battle of Stein am Kocher. It was during this battle that Mr. Geiser's actions would earn him the Bronze Star. On April 29/30 1945 Mr. Geiser and his unit discovered and liberated one of the 11 Kaufering concentration camps outside Landsberg, Germany.

The 63rd fought on all the way to Landsberg, Germany, where on April 29 the 253rd and 255th captured the city. Because of his large amount of combat experience, Mr. Geiser was transferred to the 143rd Regiment of the 36th Division. The 36th would become part of the army of occupation in the American sector stationed in Geislingen, Germany. He would serve with the occupation for 8 more months and would return the states in December.

After returning from the service, Eddie became a police officer in his city. After serving as a police officer, Eddie would be the city auditor for 36 years and continued to volunteer for the city after his retirement. He married Edna and would be married to her for 49 years until her death. He had four children and has 10 grandchildren. He was a devour Christian and Catholic who went to Mass everyday. During his service Mr. Geiser received the following badges and honors:
Bronze Star Medal
Combat Infantry Badge
M1 Caliber 30 Rifle Marksmen
Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War Two Victory Medal
European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars"
I will forever be honored to have been given the chance to hear his story and complete a part of it. He lived a special and heroic life. He was a dedicated veteran loyal to the country that he served in the most honorable way. During the time that I knew Eddie, he showed me the enriching power of sharing your story with others.

Thank you to all for your help in finding the information that I needed to find the name of the camp that his unit liberated. Without your help, I would have been lost in my research. Please keep Eddie and his family in your prayers as they mourn his passing and as Eddie enters the Kingdom of Heaven.


Thank You All and Cheers ,
Dave

 

Though we new Mr. Geiser was nearing the end, it is still profoundly sad news to hear that he has passed. My condolences to his family and to you, Dave.

 

Very sad to hear of his passing. Thank you for sharing his story with us. My deepest sympathies. He was true hero.

 

I guess that is one of the hard things about his passing. I always enjoyed getting the chance to talk to him. But I am happy that he passed on an as an honorable and devout man.
My dad told me on the day that he informed me about his decline in health that he told Mr. Geiser that I was thinking of him. When Eddie heard this he smiled a real smile and said "Thank You."
Thank you everyone for all of your kind words. I really do appreciate it.

Cheers to all ,
Dave

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfe4TxvUOiw

 

So sorry to hear this. Kudos to you for telling his story and keeping it alive.

 

Here is Eddie's obituary. I really like this obituary.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cincinnati/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=179564832

 

Here is his stone.

 

Mr. Edward J. Geiser's Memorial Page on Find-a-Grave. :S!