25 Apr 1945 -97th MECI RCN - UNIT JOURNAL

Location: Rossback, Czechoslovakia – 0600 1st and 3rd platoon left Markteutheh to relieve elements of 303rd infantry. 0900 COMD GP and 2nd platoon moved to front. 1000 1st and 3rd platoon moved into line against the enemy relieving elements of the 303rd Regiment. 1230 2nd platoon moved into line. 1405 COMD GR moved into new CP AT 1500 troop train and 1 plat light tanks arrive CP. Received message from 3rd platoon that they had been fired upon and requested an ambulance. 1630 CPL Conklin killed by enemy action. Pfc. Harper wounded and Pvt Brady missing on dismounted (?) patrol against the enemy in vicinity of Thonbrunn, Czechoslovakia. 1730 26 Em and 1 OFF ASCND to troop ASALT PLAT. 3 EM and 1 OFF – ARTY observers. Attached to troop.

25 Apr 1945 –Lewis W. Conklin 97th MECI RCN - KIA

Corporal Lewis W. Conklin, on 25 April 1945, near Thonbrunn, Czechoslovakia, Corporal Conklin volunteered to guide a patrol being sent to rescue a wounded man from an area known to be under heavy enemy small arms and rocket fire from concealed positions. As the patrol approached the point where the casualty lay, Corporal Conklin observed an enemy soldier approaching but soon lost contact because of the heavily wooded terrain. In order to locate the enemy position, Corporal Conklin fearlessly and courageously exposed himself to enemy fire and was fired upon and killed after he located the enemy position and endeavored to point it out to his patrol leader.

Lewis W Conklin