© ORT SUD
Square Hyman Josefson
Where? Rue de l'Eglise, L-4732 Pétange
This memorial is dedicated to 2nd. Lt. Hyman Josefson, the first US casualty in Luxembourg during World War II
As part of the recon detatchment of the 5th US armored division, 1st US Army, entering the occupied territories of the grand duchy on 9th of september 1944, 2nd. Lt. Hyman Josefson and the platoon under his command were among the first US units liberating the country from nazi-german occupation; as a border town, Pétange was first along the liberation route.
The retreating german Wehrmacht did not put up a tenacious defense, opting instead to take up positions along the Siegried line of defenses on the German border and only putting up a delaying action in some locations; the pullback was covered by artillery supporting the retreat.
Josefsons platoon came under fire during the liberation, falling victim to the artillery strikes. His sacrifice, the first US combat casualty of World War II on luxembourgish soil, is commemorated in this memorial in Pétange, dedicated not only to Josefson, but also his unit and the liberating army at large.
The memorial site, a small park alongside the road, contains a plaque and stone eternalizing Josefson and his unit, and also put the armored car of his recon platoon on display.
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