Monument

​​Ligneuville Memorial

Belgium

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​​On 17 December 1944, the village of Ligneuville, in Malmedy municipality, was captured by soldiers of Kampfgruppe Peiper of the German 1st SS ‘Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler’ Panzer Division. Following this, eight American prisoners of war were murdered here. Today, a memorial at the site remembers them.

​​Following a brief battle in the village, 22 men of the 14th Tank Battalion, US 9th Armoured Division were captured by the SS soldiers. They were taken down into the village towards the Hotel du Moulin.

According to accounts, the SS men were angry and looking for retribution following the destruction of two Panther tanks in the village, which were knocked out by US Sherman tanks.

Eight of the group of 22 men were taken to one side of the hotel by two SS Non-Commissioned Officers. Peter Rupp, an American soldier, recalled the incident stating he saw the SS men put a pistol in the mouth of the American men and murder them. The remaining fourteen men were taken into the hotel where angry exchanges took place with the SS soldiers.

Today, a memorial stands in the village street to remember the American men who were here during the German winter offensive in the Ardennes. The memorial specifically remembers with honour the eight murdered American soldiers. Their names are:

John M. Borcina

Gerald R. Carter

Joseph Collins

Michael B. Penny

Casper S. Johnson

Abraham Lincoln

Clifford H. Pitts

Nick C. Sulivan

Address

​​Grand Rue​, Lingneuville, 4960