UNITED STATES ARMY

Freedom Team Salute

Czech Republic

 

F. Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion

 

Military Ball

 

29.11.2008

 

 

 

 

Plzen has many military clubs to whom they have never forgotten the Americans of  General George S. Patton’s , 3rd United States Army, which helped to liberate their country, Czechoslovakia in 1945, from the Nazis .

Club member dressed as American soldiers wearing, original US Army uniforms from World War II.

 

 

To look into their eyes , one can see and feel the warmth that come from their hearts.

Passively with great pride they bring back memories that have been cherished and apart of both the Czechs and Americans military history, from long days past during World War II.

 

2008, marks the 19th year , since the fall of communism in 1990, also known as the

“Velvet  Revolution”.

For many Czech people, it was many years of not knowing about the history of their American liberators, all such information had been hidden for safe keeping or had been destroyed by the communist.

 

But in the minds and hearts of the Czech people they have never forgotten their American liberators, soldiers of the United States Army.

 

 

Alfa Music Club

American Street

Plzen, Czech Republic

 

2nd Ranger Battalion

Czechoslovakia 1945

 

On 6 May 1945, elements of the 2nd Ranger Battalion advanced to and crossed into Czechoslovakia, where other army units of the “Ghosts of Patton’s Third Army”, had met up with the Russian Red army.

Soldiers from the American 3rd US Army liberated many villages and towns throughout Western Bohemia.

 

The last few remaining days of World War II, would take the 2nd Rangers Battalion into the village of Dolni Lukavice and later to the village of Holýšova, which is located in the surrounding villages around the outskirts of Plzen.

 

 

F. Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion

July 1945

 

7th Ranger from the left top row, Ranger John Shobey

 

 

 

Picture taken of, F. Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion in the village of Dolni Lukavice, Czechoslovakia,  sometime during July 1945, sitting in the park.

 

On the 6th of August 1945, the 2nd Rangers Battalion final movement was to the village of Holýšova to where they would stay until their departure back to the United States

From after landing on the beaches of Normandy, Omaha and having participated in  many major offences with only a few days of rest in between.

For the 2nd Ranger Battalion this would be their final combat action with the surrender of the Nazis that was given, ended the war in Europe.

 

With the passing of time and those cherished dreams from long days past.

Some of the Rangers would meet and become friends to some of the newly liberated citizens of Czechoslovakia.

One returning ranger, John Shobey, 2nd Ranger Battalion would return and marry his longtime friend Zdeňku, Kohoutovou that he had met as a young 26 year old soldier in the village of Dolni Lukavice.

 

 

Life Member and European Representative from the Society of the Fifth Division, United States Army, placing an American flag on the grave of Ranger, John, Shobey, 2nd Ranger Battalion  Czechoslovakia 1945.

Ranger Shobey passed away on the 3rd of March, 2003, at the age of 84. he had return back to the village of  Dolni Lukavice, where he was as a 26 year old ranger from the 2nd Ranger Battalion during the liberation of Plzen, Czechoslovakia 1945. Today  known as the Czech Republic.

 

 

 

“We Will” Never Forget

 

 

 

1991, Ranger John, Shobey was honored by the Primátor of Plzen , having his name added to the history book of the City of Plzen.

8 May 1945 , the City of Plzen was liberated by soldier of 97th Infantry , 16th Armour Division and 2nd Infantry Division, all Ghost of General George S. Patton’s Third US Army.

 

 

 

 

United States Army Ambassador, Freedom Team Salute

 

 

F. Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion club of Plzen assisting with the presentation for Freedom Team Salute.

 

 

  US Army Certificate of Appreciation

Freedom Team Salute, United States Army

Is awarded to

Senator, MUDr. Richard Sequens Ph.D.

 

 

In recognition for support to Soldiers of the United States Army for his contributions and sacrifices in preserving the freedom and security of  both Nations, the Czech Republic and the United States.

 

 

Senator, MuDr. Sequens and his lovely wife

 

 

Acknowledgements to:

 

2nd Rangers Battalion club Plzen

 

United States Army Freedom Team Salute

 

Society of the Fifth Division, United States Army

 

Pictures provided by

Zdenek Podhorsky

2nd Rangers Battalion club Plzen

Pavla Lenerová

 

This Website is protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. and International Copyright Laws. (Including, but not limited to text, content, and graphics remain exclusively the property of GJT publications).

These files may not be used without prior written consent of the authors. Copyright © 2002 - 2005 -2006-2008

Neither the United States Army  nor any other component of the Department of  Defense has approved, endorsed, or authorized this product/service/activity.

Notice:

All materials contained in the domain societyofthefifthdivision.com and associated websites with fifthinfantrydivision.com as part of their domain name are covered by one or more portions of US copyright laws. Unauthorized copying or use can be prosecuted under these laws. All rights reserved by The Society of the Fifth Division, U.S. Army and/or the original authors.