William Diles and Thomas Morgan both served with the 97th Division, 387th Infantry during World War II (WWII). The 97th Division was crucial in the freeing of Flossenburg, the 97th went on to liberate the city of Chev, which was a strong center for the Nazi party, in what is present day Czech Republic. The 387th Infantry was key in the liberation of the city, taking the airport and over 600 prisoners in a brief engagement on April 25, 1945. The war on the western front started to wind down soon after the taking of Cheb with President Eisenhower taking the unconditional surrender of the Germans on May 7, 1945, about a week and a half after Cheb. The war would continue on the Eastern front in Japan with the 97th Division being one of the only infantries to serve in both theaters in the war. Diles of Middleport, Ohio, was inducted into the United States Army on April 16, 1943 to serve with the 88th Glider Infantry. He was later moved to the Army Air Corps and then finally the 97th Division, 287th Infantry, Company I where he served in combat in Germany, Czechoslovakia, and had occupation duty in Japan. Diles was discharged on March 16, 1946. Morgan of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania entered into the United States Army after just his 18th birthday in 1942. Morgan was stationed in many places throughout the United States and kept a well-detailed map of his travels. Soon after joining the army, he was sent overseas where he spent 10 months and twenty-three days according to his discharge record. Morgan's job in the 387th infantry was that of light mortar crewman. He earned many medals and awards. Morgan left the 387th infantry on March 18th 1946. Over the next six decades he would become very active in organizing reunions with his fellow comrades in the United States, the Czech Republic and throughout Europe. He also lobbied for the distribution of medals that he believed he and his comrades and earned while fighting in WWII.
From the guide to the William Diles and Thomas Morgan World War II papers, 1930-2000, (Ohio University)
