During World War II, the 84th Division was activated on Oct. 15, 1942, at Camp Howze, Texas. The trained stateside before departing for England in September of 1944 and arriving on Oct. 1, for additional training. The division landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France from Nov. 1-4, 1944. They fought in the Netherlands and Germany in November as part of Operation Clipper. They fought at Geilenkirchen and along the Roer Valley in heavy fighting. They later joined in fighting in Wurm and Mullendorf in December and then joined in the fighting in Belgium as part of what became The Battle of the Bulge from December of 1944 to January of 1945.

The 84th Division were responsible for the Roer River area beginning in February. They joined in Operation Grenade and fought at Boisheim and Dulken. They reached the Rhine River in March. They were at the Elbe River in April and liberated two concentration camps at Ahlem and Salzwedel. They were at Balow in May where they joined Soviet troops. After VE-Day on May 8, 1945 they served as occupation forces in Germany. They became a reserve division in January of 1946 when they returned to the U.S. at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. 

PFC Edward B. Simons served with Company B of the 333rd Infantry Regiment of the 84th Division of the U.S. Army during WWII. 

Edward Benjamin Simons was born on Aug. 12, 1923 in Rush Township, Jo Daviess County, Illinois to John and Thelma (Tucker) Simons.

The family moved to Gratiot in Lafayette County, Wisconsin by the time Edward’s first sister Dorothy was born on Nov. 6, 1924.

From the 1930 U.S. census, the “Simmons” family lived in Gratiot Township in Lafayette County. They had two children, Edward B. and Dorothy M. Father John was a farmer working in general farming.

From the 1940 U.S. Census, the Simons family lived in Gratiot Township in the same place they lived in 1935. Additional children included Jack, Ralph, and Gene. Father John was a farmer working on his own account.

Edward graduated from high school in 1941. By the fall of 1941, he was a student at Platteville State Teachers’ College. That fall he served as a sergeant at arms for the National Youth Administration.

On June 30, 1942, Edward Benjamin Simons registered for the WWII draft in Lafayette County. His employer and his next of his kin was his father, John F. Simons.

Edward Simons was inducted into the army at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois in February of 1944.

From the April 23, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal article with photos titled “Officers Win Commissions, Promotions,” the notices included news from Gratiot that “Edward B. Simons, Gratiot, has just completed a course in mechanical engineering at the Lafayette School of Engineering, Easton, Pa., and commissioned a lieutenant, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Simons, have learned. He is stationed at Camp Claybourne, La.”

From the Jan. 18, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Simons, Gratiot, Killed in Belgium,” the news was that “Pfc. Edward Simons was killed in action in Belgium Dec. 26, the war department Tuesday informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Simons, Gratiot.

“He was graduated from Gratiot high school and received a scholarship to Platteville State Teachers college. He entered the army in February 1943. He was to receive his commission at the University of California when the program was discontinued.

“Survivors include his parents; two sisters, Dorothy and Corene, and four brothers, John Jr.; Ralph, Gene, and Donald, all at home.

“Memorial services will be held in the Gratiot Methodist church.”

The Jan. 30, 1945 Wisconsin State Journal article titled “Pfc. Simons Memorial” supplied further information about Simons. The article stated that Simons was “A lifelong Gratiot resident except for three years when he studied in Illinois, he was a member of the Gratiot basketball and baseball teams, winning letters for three years. He won a scholarship to Platteville State Teachers college, and entered the army Feb. 7, 1943. He arrived overseas in October, 1944.” The article also gave the names of his grandparents, “Mrs. Cora Simons and Mr. and Mrs. A. Tucker.”

The Jan. 30, 1945 Monroe Evening Times article “Memorial Services at Gratiot Honor Pfc. Edw. B. Simons,” additional information provided was “Edward B. Simons was born to Mr. and Mrs. John F. Simons Aug. 12, 1923 in Rush, Ill. He spent most of his life in or around Gratiot, with the exception of a few years. In 1940, he and his parents moved to Gratiot and he attended the Gratiot high school with the class of 1941. He worked for John Bussman for that summer and entered the Platteville Normal college in September. He suffered a foot injury while sawing wood at his home between semesters, and was unable to resume his studies. ‘Ed’ was employed with the C. H. Engebretson Trucking Co. until he entered the service in February, 1943. Pfc. Simons was shipped across in September, 1944. His last letter home was written on Christmas day, and was killed in Belgium Dec. 26, 1944.” 

In the March 10, 1949 The Capital Times article “Bodies of 2 War Buddies Among Those Returned,” there was a list of soldiers being repatriated and reburied in US cemeteries which included PFC. Edward B. Simons.

On March 25, 1949 Wisconsin State Journal, an article titled “Pfc. Simons Rites Set for Today,” provided the information that Simons was “killed in action in Germany Dec. 26, 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge,” with information about his funeral services. Additional information about his life that he was “born at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Tucker, in Rush township, Ill….” Pfc. Simons came to this area with his parents and resided here since, except for 2 years spent at Stockton, Ill., where he started high school.” The obituary goes on to say that “He received basic training at Camp McCain, Miss., and was sent to Clemson college, S.C. and to LaFayette college, Easton, Pa. under the Army Specialized Training program (ASTP).

After the disbanding of the ASTP in March 1944, he was assigned to the 84th Infantry division at Camp Claybourne, La.”

Pfc. Edward B. Simons was killed in action on December 6, 1944 in Belgium. He was repatriated and reburied in Gratiot Methodist Episcopal Cemetery in Gratiot, Lafayette County, Wisconsin in March of 1949. He is listed on the National WWII Memorial Registry Honor Roll for Lafayette County, Wisconsin. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.

Thank you, Private First Class Edward Benjamin Simons, for your service to and sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.