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SSGT Manuel [Romo] Gusman, US Army was born July 1, 1921 possibly in
Wharton County, Texas. His parents were Bernardo Gusman [June 21,
1878 – February 22, 1965] and Maria (Roma) Gusman [May 5, 1884 –
June 3, 1960] who were married at Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas
on October 8, 1900. He attended school through the 3rd
grade and worked as a laborer. Manual enlisted in the U.S. Army on
December 2, 1939. He is enumerated on the 1940 census at Fort Sam
Houston, San Antonio, Texas with C Company, 23rd Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. The 23rd
Infantry Regiment was assigned to the 2nd Infantry
Division on September 22, 1917. On March 24, 1943 Manual married a
young lady from Bay City, Lucia Carrio [December 13, 1922 – October
25, 2003} in Bay City. * After training in Northern Ireland and
Wales from October 1943 to June 1944, the 2nd Infantry
Division crossed the channel to land on Omaha Beach on D Day plus 1
(June 7, 1944) near Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. Attacking across the Aure
River on June 10, the division liberated Trévières and proceeded to
assault and secure Hill192, a key enemy strong point on the road to
Saint-Lo. After three weeks of fortifying the position and by order
of Commanding General Walter M. Robertson, the order was given to
take Hill 192. On July 11 under the command of Col. Ralph W. Zwicker,
the 38th, 9th and 23rd Infantry
Regiments began the battle at 5:45am. Using an artillery concept
from WWI (rolling barrage) and with the support of 25,000 rounds of
High Explosive and White Phosphorus smoke ammunition that were fired
by 8 artillery battalions, the hill was taken. The division went on
the defensive until July 26th. After exploiting the
Saint-Lo breakout, the 2nd Division then advanced across
the Vire to take Tinchebray on August 15, 1944. Manual was killed in
action on August 4, 1944 and he was interred in the temporary
battlefield cemetery of St. Laurent (today it is the Normandy
American Cemetery and Memorial). This is the cemetery where Theodore
Roosevelt, Jr. (MOH), who was Killed in Action on July 12, 1944 was
also buried. SSGT Gusman’s remains were repatriated to the United
States in 1948 and he was buried at Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City,
Texas on September 18, 1948. He was survived by his wife, Lucia of
Houston, his parents Bernardo and Maria Gusman two sisters, Gloria
and Mary Gusman of Wharton and three brothers, Jo, Jesse and Tony of
Corpus Christi.
*Lucia
never re-married and lived out her life in Houston, Texas. At her
death on October 25, 2003 at the age of 82, she was interred at the
Houston National Cemetery as the widow of SSGT Manuel Gusman.
St. Laurent Temporary Battlefield Cemetery
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REBURIAL RITES FOR SGT. GUSMAN TO BE SATURDAY
Reburial rites for S/Sgt. Manuel Gusman, killed in France
August 4, 1945, while in active duty, will be held here Saturday
afternoon at 4 o'clock.
The body will arrive here Friday. Services will be held from
the Latin American Presbyterian Church with Rev. Fullerton
officiating. Interment will be in Cedarvale Cemetery. The Frank
Robles Post, American Legion will be conduct[ing] the military
rites.
S/Sgt Gusman is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lucill Gusman of
Houston, two sisters, Misses Gloria and Mary Gusman of Wharton and
Jesse of Corpus Christi.
The Daily Tribune, Thursday, September 16,
1948
SGT. GUSMAN TO BE REBURIED
The body of Sgt. Manuel Gusman, who was killed in France on
August 4th, 1944 arrived today and will be reburied from the
Catholic Church Saturday afternoon at 4:00 o'clock. A Rosary will be
said at Taylor Brothers Funeral Home Friday at 7:30.
Sergeant Gusman is survived by his wife, Lucia Gusman, his
parents Mr. and Mrs. Benard Gusman and three brothers, Jo, Jessie
and Tony, and two sisters Gloria and Mary, all of Corpus Christi.
The Daily Tribune September 17, 1948
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