Arthur O. Bosley
Biography: Arthur Owen Bosley was born on October 15, 1920 in Clifton, Mesa County, Colorado. He was one of two sons and one daughter born to Cleo Arthur Bosley and Velva Pearl Hockett. He attended grade school in Clifton and graduated from Grand Junction High School.
He entered Mesa College, in Grand Junction, after his graduation. His draft card, dated February 16, 1942, shows he was employed by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey.
Service Time: Arthur entered the Army on December 23, 1942. At some point, he was assigned to the Medical Detachment of the 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion, probably arriving while they were stationed at Camp Bowie, Texas. In March of 1943, they moved to Camp Hood, also in Texas followed by Camp Polk for the Louisiana Maneuvers. After a brief stay at Camp Miles Standish, Massachusetts, they moved to Fort Devens, MA. On February 14, 1944, they boarded a train for Halifax, Nova Scotia, boarding the Ile de France the next day. They landed at Greenock, Scotland on the 22nd.
They boarded transports and landed at Utah Beach, beginning on August 8th, equipped with M10 tank destroyers. They raced across France that same month and participated in the fighting around Metz in September. They then moved to the Peel Marshes in Holland at the end of the month.
Private Arthur O. Bosley was killed in action on October 29, 1944, just north of Heitrak, Netherlands, along the road going to Liesel, after it makes the curve to the west but before it reaches the junction with the road to Hoogebrug. A brief description to the actions leading to his death are in the 7th Armored Divisions General Orders No. 26 (Jan 30, 1945):
“III. POSTHUMOUS AWARD OF SILVER STAR: By direction of the President, and under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended, and circular No. 2, Headquarters First United States Army, 4 January 1945, the Silver Star is posthumously awarded to: Private Arthur O. Bosley (Army Serial Number 37355603), Medical Department, formerly 814th Tank Destroyer Battalion, United States Army, for distinguishing himself by gallantry in action in Holland, from 27 October 1944 to 29 October 1944. Entered the military service from Colorado.”
“Pvt. Arthur O. Bosley (Army serial number 37355604), Medical Department, while serving with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself by gallantry in action in connection with military operations against the enemy from 27 October 1944 to 29 October 1944, in the area of Asten, Holland. During the fierce action in Holland, Pvt. Bosley repeatedly braved death to aid his wounded comrades. When an ammunition half-track was hit and set afire trapping a wounded lieutenant, Pvt. Bosley unhesitatingly went to his rescue. Despite the great danger from the exploding load of shells, he succeeded in moving the officer to safety, saving his life. During the same engagement, Pvt. Bosley moved thru heavy artillery, mortar and small arms fire to evacuate seriously wounded troops. While moving back across the fire-swept field to help still other casualties, Pvt. Bosley was killed when his unarmored 1/4-ton truck sustained a direct hit from an 88-mm gun. His courageous devotion to duty and spirit of self sacrifice, even at the cost of his own life, reflect high credit upon himself and the armed forces.”
Arthur was originally buried overseas but he was re-interred in the Palisade I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Palisade, CO in 1949. We would like to thank him for making the ultimate sacrifice for his country.