Erich Bauch, Army Serial Number 6260975, was a member of Battery B, 328 Field Artillery, 85th "Custer" Infantry Division. Sgt. Bauch was First Sergeant of Battery B. His hometown was Mathis, in southern Texas, where German was his 1st language, Spanish his 2nd. As a member of the 328 FA Battalion, Sgt Bauch served approximately 12 months in combat in Italy.

He enlisted in the Army in 1935 so that he was the selected to be part of the original cadre to form the 328 Field Artillery Battalion. As First Sergeant, he was the highest ranking NCO of the battalion. He finally retired from the Army in 1953 after 23 years in service to his country. His grand-daughter, Erica, carries on his tradition in service with the US Air Force.

Erich married Dixie Dale Hart in Alice, TX, on 27 Nov, 1942. He had 3 children, 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren before he died a few years ago.