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PFC Harland M. Muller

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Birth	:	27 Jun 1924 Lyman, Cass County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	4 Jan 1945 Belgium
Burial	:	Minidoka Acequia Rupert Cemetery, Rupert, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.6838989, -113.6639023
Description	:	From the Muller History, on line research and family records. Harland Max Muller was the fourth child of Ellis and Esther Muller. He was born June 27, 1924 (on his Father’s Birthday) at his parent’s farm home. He attended country school and graduated from Griswold High School in 1942. He joined the US Army in April 1943 during WWII after hearing of his brother Newton’s death at Guadalcanal. He received his Army training at Camp Mackall, North Carolina and Camp Forest, Tennessee. Upon completion of his basic infantry training, he volunteered for training with the Airborne... Read More	From the Muller History, on line research and family records. Harland Max Muller was the fourth child of Ellis and Esther Muller. He was born June 27, 1924 (on his Father’s Birthday) at his parent’s farm home. He attended country school and graduated from Griswold High School in 1942. He joined the US Army in April 1943 during WWII after hearing of his brother Newton’s death at Guadalcanal. He received his Army training at Camp Mackall, North Carolina and Camp Forest, Tennessee. Upon completion of his basic infantry training, he volunteered for training with the Airborne Command and was assigned to the 17th Airborne Division. He graduated from the airborne school on January 17, 1944. I reviewed a letter provided by his sister, Virginia Muller Steffen, which was written by Harland somewhere in France on New Year’s Eve in 1944, just days before his untimely death. Additional research will show how I believe he went to battle and was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge. I found an After Action Report that the soldiers could state they were somewhere in France when writing their letters to their families. Harland’s regiment, the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment flew from Ramsbury Field, England and landed close to Camp Mourmelon, France from 24 to 27 December, 1944. Reims, France is probably where Harland wrote his letter home to his Mother. See the map in the photo section of this memorial. My research indicates in the first few days of January 1945, the unit was transported by ground vehicles to the battle area. Harland lost his life at or near Milliomont, Belgium on January 4, 1945. He was probably hit by shrapnel from some type of artillery shell. The “Airburst” description was described as an artillery shell with a timer on it which explodes in the air, throwing shrapnel towards the earth. The 17th Airborne (Harland’s unit) was a green unit and this January 4th day would be their first day of combat. The battle would be fought along a ridge line that followed the Bastogne-Marche Highway, an area about 10 miles west of the town of Bastogne. Harland M. Muller would be killed in action on this 4th day of January, 1945. He was buried on January 17, 1945 at Grand Failly, France at 0900 hours. His grave was marked with a Cross. He was buried between two others from the 17th Airborne. On April 8, 1945, Memorial Services were held at St. John's Church just South of Lyman, Iowa for both Harland and his brother Newton. His parents placed a stone as shown in this Memorial in the St. John's cemetery. Harland’s remains were returned to the United States and were accompanied by US Army escort to Atlantic, Iowa on December 8, 1948. The Memorial Service was Wednesday, December 8, 1948 at Two Thirty at St. John’s Evangelical and Reformed Church, Noble Township. A Remembrance card from St. John’s Church which is IN MEMORY OF HARLAND M. MULLER may be found in the photo section of this memorial. I found an additional memorial for the 17th Airborne Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. Harland’s name is located in the third group of names. See photo. ------------------------------------------------------------ History of the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment: The 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) was constituted on 16 December 1942 in the Army of the United States. It was activated 15 April, 1943 at Camp Mackall, North Carolina under the command of Colonel James R Pierce who graduated West Point in 1922 along with General Maxwell Taylor, the commander of the 101st Airborne Division. The 194th GIR was immediately assigned to the 17th Airborne Division. They moved to the Tennessee Maneuver Area, 7 February, 1944 then transferred to Camp Forrest, Tennessee 24 March 1944. Staged at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts 14 August 1944. Departed the Boston Port of Embarkation 20 August 1944 and arrived in England on 28 August 1944. (I assume Harland was with this group). When the 194th GIR arrived in England, the regiment was immediately shuttled to Camp Chisledon, the 17th Airborne Division staging area, on August 28, 1944. Flight and tactical training continued and night maneuvers were added to the training schedule. Battle of the Bulge-The Ardennes Offensive: Suddenly, on December 16, 1944, the Germans launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest which caught the Allies completely by surprise. The 17th was still in England. But the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were in Sissones, France and were rushed by truck to contain the bulge in the Allied lines. {Between December 17 and 23, the Germans halted near St. Vith by the 82nd Airborne and Bastogne by a roadblock, defended by the U.S. 7th Armoured Division and the 101st Airborne Division.} To help reinforce the siege at Bastogne the entire 17th Airborne Division was finally committed to combat in the European Theater of Operations. From this information we can track Harland’s movements from the US to England, France and finally Belgium. More can found on line. HARLAND was a Great American! The old Muller history states Harland was a Glider Pilot but I found nothing to substantiate that. He was a Private First Class in the Glider Infantry and died as stated earlier. The old history is also incorrect on the date of return of his remains. Sometimes dates are not in agreement and the best substantiated date is used. By: Bud Sunderman

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is PFC Harland M. Muller's memorial?
PFC Harland M. Muller's memorial is located at: Minidoka Acequia Rupert Cemetery, Rupert, Minidoka County, USA.
When did PFC Harland M. Muller death?
PFC Harland M. Muller death on 4 Jan 1945 in Belgium
Where are the coordinates of the PFC Harland M. Muller's memorial?
Latitude: 42.6838989
Longitude: -113.6639023

Family Members:

Parent

Ellis Muller

(1894 - 1970)

Esther Ida Schuler Muller

(1897 - 1993)

Siblings

PO Newton Bruce Muller

(1917 - 1943)

Everett Ellis “Ev” Muller

(1919 - 2008)

Wayne Leroy Muller

(1921 - 1923)

Kenneth C. Muller

(1925 - 1985)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Minidoka Acequia Rupert Cemetery
Rupert, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6838989, -113.6639023

2. Paul Cemetery
Paul, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6366997, -113.7761002

3. Jackson Cemetery
Jackson, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6419000, -113.5406000

4. Trinity Lutheran Church Graveyard
Adelaide, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8060750, -113.7445090

5. Adelaide Congregational Cemetery
Adelaide, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8061000, -113.7446000

6. Eldon Gerald Nelson Gravesite
Acequia, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6747160, -113.4782580

7. Minidoka Cemetery
Minidoka, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7535000, -113.4859000

8. Riverside Cemetery
Heyburn, Minidoka County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5481090, -113.7569690

9. Declo Cemetery
Declo, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5257988, -113.6327972

10. Pleasant View Cemetery
Burley, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5303001, -113.7727966

11. Gem Memorial Gardens
Burley, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5210500, -113.7912750

12. Farmers Corner Burials
Burley, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5046000, -113.8178000

13. View Cemetery
Burley, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4436590, -113.6567400

14. Pella Cemetery
Burley, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4756012, -113.8619003

15. Albion City Cemetery
Albion, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4158000, -113.5895000

16. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Albion, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4146996, -113.5871964

17. Pioneer Cemetery
Albion, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3908300, -113.5605900

18. Milner Cemetery
Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5186000, -114.0104000

19. Albion Mormon Cemetery
Albion, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3830000, -113.5895000

20. Willow Creek Cemetery
Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3557800, -113.7283800

21. Hazelton Cemetery
Hazelton, Jerome County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5990000, -114.1290000

22. Raft River Cemetery
Raft River, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5094300, -113.2143800

23. Island Cemetery
Oakley, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3164000, -113.8994000

24. Durfee Family Cemetery
Almo, Cassia County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2793800, -113.5274900