COMMEMORATIVE CELEBRATION OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II AND THE LIBERATION OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA 1945 BY THE

UNITED STATES ARMY

Town of Bělá nad Radbuzou - Rúžov

Czech Republic

May 1, 2009

“OPERATION COWBOY”

Trp. A. 42nd Reconnaissance Squadron, 2^nd Cavalry Regiment (MECZ)

Picture courtesy of Don Stivers

Rescue of the Lippizzaner Horses

“Wild Western Cowboy Style”

To which two Troopers would sacrifice their lives during this darning rescue behind enemy lines to the rescue of “Saving the Lippizzaner Horses”.

Society of the Fifth Division, United States Army

Historical archives from the Society of the Fifth Division, United States Army, and records of unit history “Combat After Action Reports”, Headquarters 42D CAV RCN SQ (MECZ), that would lead some 61 years later to recognize the death of the two Troopers involved in the darning rescue.

“Operation Cowboy”.

Pfc. Raymond E. Manz and Tec-5. Owen W. Sutton.

Troopers of the 2^nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment United States Army Ceremonial Honor Guard

A gathering of military enthusiasts, with their original World War II uniforms and “Vehicles of War” that were used during the liberation of Europe.

An annual pilgrimage for many who hold dear with their faithful participation taking part in the many remembrance celebrations that have been held here in the Czech Republic since the fall of communism in 1990.

Vehicles from WW-II participate from many countries within Europe, Belgium, Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic.

LTC. Jones, 2^nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment Commander (Right)

Military members of the United States Army and concerned citizens, veterans and their family members make up this yearly observance to the remembrance of soldiers who have sacrifice their life and to soldiers of the U.S. Army that liberated Czechoslovakia .

(Left) European Representative, Society of the Fifth Division, United States Army

United States Army Ambassador, Freedom Team Salute.

(Middle) Officials from the Town of Bela nad Radbuzou.

(2^nd from right) Col. Miroslav, Lysina, Plzen Regional Military Commander, army of the Czech

(Right) Col. Col. Holachek, Military Attache , Embassy of the United States, Praha.

On 28 April 1945, during a patrol on the outskirts of the horse farm in Houstoun while eliminating a Nazi SS roadblock during the rescue of the Lippizzaner horses.

Ing Libor Picka, Mayor of Bela nad Radbuzou.

Mayor Picka, placing flowers at the site that Pfc. Raymond E. Manz would sacrifice his life in the taking out the roadblock that had been setup to stop the American advance.

Col. Miroslav Lysina, Plzen Regional Military Commander, Army of the Czech Republic, laying wreath for the army of the Czech Republic.

Pfc. Raymond E. Manz, had been tasked with trying to possibly get to a nearby house, occupy it and set up a cross fire using his BAR (Browning automatic rifle). During the course of making his way to reach his objective he would be wounded in the shoulder, but continued on to take up a position where then he brought automatic fire to bear on the enemy positions as directed and, largely through his courageous effort, his platoon successfully eliminated the enemy and reduced the road-block. Upon looking for Pfc. Manz , fellow troopers would find him dead inside the building with a bullet wound to his head, Pfc. Manz was just 16^th days short of his 19^th birthday.

Remnants of the building to where Trooper, Pfc. Raymond E. Manz would give his all, his life.

On 30 April 1945, Pfc. Manz was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism.

Technical Fifth Class Sergeant (TEC/5) Owen W. Sutton (29) would become yet another fatality from Trp. A. 42nd Reconnaissance Squadron. He would die the next day 1 May 1945 in an army field hospital in Germany from wounds that he had received while on patrol near Hostau.

Unit Colors of 2^nd Cavalry Regiment, United States Army

(Left) Society of the Fifth Division, US Army, (Middle) Town officials of Bela nad Radbuzou, Plzen Regional Commander for the army of the Czech Republic and Col. Holachek.

Troopers, from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment

(Left) Col. Holachek, Military Liaison, Embassy of the United States, Praha

(Middle) Col. Miroslav, Lysina , Plzen Regional Military Commander

(Right) European representative for the Society of the Fifth Division, US Army and United States Army Ambassador, Freedom Team Salute.

United States Army Ambassador (FTS) Freedom Team Salute, presenting a mail-in card to

2^nd Lt. Elrod, 2^nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, United States Army

Acknowledgment:

Town of Bělá nad Radbuzou

Town of Hostoun

Army of the Czech Republic

2^nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, United States Army

Czech Veterans Association

United States Army Freedom Team Salute

Society of the Fifth Division, United States Army

2^nd Cavalry Association

Ing. Miroslav Schubert

A heart felt gratitude of thanks to veterans of all wars for their service and unselfish sacrifices for the freedoms that we enjoy around the world today.

A special thanks to the many people and different organizations that have made this recognition reality and the memories of the two Troopers, Tec-5 Owen W. Sutton and Pfc. Raymond E. Manz, who gave their lives, shall never be forgotten.

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