Walking in the Footsteps of a D-Day Hero

Visiting Hill 191 after 82 years 

Let us share a short story from one of our recent tours to show how you can trace the stories of our forefathers from the Greatest Generation. Philip Page and his son Thomas Nelson Page, an Army Veteran himself, attended our Beaches of Normandy Tour and did a little bypass with the group to visit the site where Nelson’s mother-in-law’s grandfather Staff Sergeant Victor May fought at Hill 192, a key strong point close to Saint Lo, during the breakout from Normandy. (The Cobra Strikes)

Victor May enlisted in the Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas into the 12th Field Artillery Division June 1, 1942. He landed on Omaha Beach on June 9, 1944. Two days later, early on the morning of Sunday, an enemy plane dropped bombs in the vicinity of his unit’s rear echelon. One struck an ammunition truck, setting it and two ammunition trailers afire. The trucks burned fiercely, causing ammunition to explode over a period of an hour, killing four men and injuring five, including Victor. His life was saved when a serviceman's Bible, in his breast pocket, stopped shrapnel from piercing his heart. He received burns on his hands and face and was transferred to England for treatment and recovery. 

The date Victor returned to his unit is unknown. Sadly, on October 20, 1944, a fragment from a German counterbattery fire killed Victor. However, when Victor had his funeral in Texas a fellow soldier told the relatives that Victor was actually killed by friendly fire. The story goes that a few soldiers went out scouting for a location to avoid enemy fire. While out they spotted a German jeep. Victor repaired the jeep and was driving it back to the American campsite. An American soldier, possibly from a plane, saw a German Jeep driving towards the American campsite and opened fire. Victor was killed. He left behind a wife, Elsie, and 2 daughters, Barbara "Bobbie" and Vickie.

Victor earned the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and was recommended for the Croix de Guerre. His remains were returned to the U.S. and was buried at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

Sheri Wies, Victor's granddaughter helped us also to collect information about him. She joined the US Navy when she was 20 to honor his sacrifice. She married a fellow soldier that served for 38 years.
Their oldest daughter was commissioned in the Navy right out of college. She served 4 years on active duty and is still in the Navy Reserve.

Join us on our tours to walk in the footsteps of heroes!