Sandweiler, Luxembourg — Western Europe
U.S. Fifth Armored Division Memorial
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 5, 2025
1. U.S. Fifth Armored Division Memorial Marker
In honor of the valiant 5th U.S. Armored Division who liberated our country on September 10th 1944, and in memory of Sgt Joseph L. Passet and Sgt Jesse Mittiga, the first U.S. soldiers killed on the soil of Sandweiler.
Erected 1994.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is September 10, 1944.
Location. 49° 37.038′ N, 6° 12.811′ E. Memorial is in Sandweiler, Luxembourg. It is at the intersection of Rue de la Chapelle and Rue de Luxembourg, on the right when traveling east on Rue de la Chapelle. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Rue de la Chapelle 14, Sandweiler, Luxembourg 5213, Luxembourg. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Liberatioun 1944 / Liberation 1944 (a few steps from this marker); Kapell um Kapellebierg / Chapel on Kapellebierg (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Haaptstrooss / Main Street (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Military Operations in Western Europe (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); Monument National de la Solidaritι Luxembourgeoise / National Monument of Luxembourg Solidarity
this page online
Also see . . .
1. 5th Armored Division (Sons of Liberty Museum). Excerpt:
The Victory Division went into combat in August 1944. For the first time in the history of armored warfare a full armored division was to be sent driving through enemy territory in a spectacular 300-mile mission to disrupt and trap enemy forces...(Submitted on February 9, 2025.)
Speeding onward, the 5th Armored spearheaded the drive that liberated Luxembourg. On September 11, 1944, elements of the Victory Division crossed the Our River into Germany, and thus earned the distinction of being among the first Americans to fight on German soil
2. Passet Joseph L. (American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.). Excerpt:
He served in the 34th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division as a Staff Sergeant during World War II. SSGT passet was killed in an ambush on September 10, 1944, at the age of 26, in Sandweiler, Luxembourg during the town's liberation. He was the first American(Submitted on February 9, 2025.)who was killed in Sandweiler. He is now buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 5, 20252. U.S. Fifth Armored Division Memorial - wide view
3. Mittiga Jesse (American War Memorials Overseas, Inc.). Excerpt:
He served in the 34th Tank Battalion, 5th Armored Division as a Sergeant during World War II. SGT Mittiga was killed in an ambush on September 10, 1944, in Sandweiler, Luxembourg during the town's liberation. He is now buried in the Standing Rock Cemetery, Kent, Portage County, Ohio, USA.(Submitted on February 9, 2025.)
circa 1944
3. Sgts. Passet and Mittiga (photo from adjacent marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 9, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on February 10, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
