Private First Class Ray Sisco of McAfee was killed in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. (Photo courtesy of Ken Carlsen) (
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First of two parts.
A face from the 1940s is that of a handsome young man, seemingly full of enthusiasm for life. This was Ray Sisco of McAfee. He was also Private First Class Sisco, U.S. Army and he was killed in action.
Memories fade, but great sacrifices - some to which we owe our way of life - remain.
The Sisco family lived in McAfee for a long time.
Many of us who went to Franklin High School remember Hal Sisco, who was the baseball coach after Reg Purdy. He went on to Wallkill Valley High School, where the baseball field is named for him: Harold Sisco Field.
Looking back at our history, it was 80 years ago that a huge battle took place. This was the Battle of the Bulge in Europe during World War II. The Germans had a surprise offensive against the Allies, and the battle raged from Dec. 16, 1944, until Jan. 25, 1945.
It seems that there were a significant number of Sussex County residents who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. One reason is that it was a large battle that included many men.
It also could be that many of those who fought in the battle were young men at the time, 19 or 20 or in that range. This would make them later the fathers of kids my age who were born in the 1950s.
We would hear their stories first hand, and their telling of those friends who did not return.
We remember here Ray Sisco, KIA.
The information for this remembrance is from Ken Carlsen.
In his words, “While I was posted at U.S. Consul General Frankfurt, I investigated the last actions of McAfee’s Ray Sisco who was killed in action 80 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge. I wrote the history for the superintendent for the U.S. American Cemetery Ardennes.”
Here’s the story as told by Carlsen:
Final Days
The following are the final days of Private First Class (PFC) Ray E. Sisco of Vernon Township (McAfee section), New Jersey, and his journey to his final resting spot at American Battlefield Monuments Commission (ABMC) Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré, Belgium.
Arrival to Belgium
PFC Ray E. Sisco’s unit 81st Combat Engineer Battalion, Company B had arrived around Schoenberg, Belgium (50.28949, 6.26535) on/about 11 December 1944. Company B was responsible for clearing the roads in and around Schoenberg with the 423 Infantry Division.
Noon Counterattack
On 16 December 1944 at 0530, the Wehrmacht started to launch their counter-offensive now known as the Battle of the Bulge. In Schoenberg, Belgium, this counter-offensive was known as the Battle of St. Vith. At noon, the 81st Combat Engineer Battalion, Company B counter-attacked from Schoenberg toward Bleialf, Germany. In contrast, the 81st Combat Engineer Battalion, Company B was able to set up a command post in Bleialf. The 81st Combat Engineer Battalion, Company B was eventually isolated on the road north of Bleialf.
More details of the battle in which Sisco lost his life and the journey of his body will be covered next week in this column.
Bill Truran, Sussex County’s historian, may be contacted at billt1425@gmail.com