We wish to give special thanks to Robert Lynn Day for sharing this photo, memory and following information of his Grandfather, James B. Ratliff who served under General George Patton and was at the liberation of some of the Nazi concentration camps.

Jim Ratliff was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 10, 1943 and began active service June 24, 1943 as a Tech 4 of the 576th Engineer Maintenance Company. He served under General Patton of the 3rd U.S. Army and was in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. there are many different opinions of General Patton, but Jim respected him for the fact that he would not send his men anywhere that he would not go himself.

Jim was with the division that liberated the Buchenwald Concentration Camp close to Weimer, Germany on April 11, 1945. They liberated 21,000 prisoners – among them 4,000 Jews and 1,000 children and youths. The camp had held as many as 80,000 prisoners in late March, 1945. The Germans had started evacuating the camp April 6, 1945 and thousands died in the evacuation. Prisoners were in terrible condition – most near death from starvation and extreme conditions.

One of the worst atrocities that Jim saw during the war was one of the concentration camps they came upon that had been burned out when they knew that the Americans were advancing. Charred children’s bodies were still hanging on the fence where they had tried to climb out and were burned.

Although Jim was lucky not to be wounded seriously, he did have a large shell explode close to him which broke an ear drum causing loss of hearing after that. He received the American Theater of Operations Service ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Service ribbon, Good Conduct medal and the Victory medal.

Jim suffered through a broken marriage upon his return and discharge October 29, 1945 and relived the atrocities of that war every day, as many soldiers do.

We thank Jim Ratliff for his service. The Ratliff family is proud that he served his country in time of need and did it well.

Please share your family photos of those who served, so we may feature and honor them on this page.

God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

Jenny La Sala

www.facebook.com/ComesASoldierswhisper
www.ComesASoldiersWhisper.com

#FamiliesServeToo #SupportOurTroops #HonorThem