Robert "Bob" Kauffman from Emmaus, Pennsylvania, was born on August 7, 1925.
Bob Kauffman (#33833313) enlisted the service on October 11, 1943 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Bob took some of his training in the States and the UK before he landed in Normandy soon after D-Day (ETO). On going to Europe, Bob was wounded two times, once in France and again in Germany, receiving two Purple Hearts.
Much of the success of the U.S. Army during World War II was due to their well organized system of replacements. As men in the front line units were injured or killed they were replaced by other already trained men, thus keeping each unit continually at near full strength. The U.S. was the only country to do this effectively, a fact which impressed even the Germans.
Bob Kauffman was one such replacement. He landed in Normandy on D-Day+10 (June 16, 1944). A few days later he joined the 3rd Armored Division, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, Company D, 2nd Platoon, 3rd Rifle Squad, when a man in that unit had been killed. He was with that unit only a few weeks when he was wounded on July 10th and sent to a hospital in England. He rejoined his unit at the beginning of September and fought with them for several months until he was wounded again. He later joined them for a third time shortly after the surrender of Germany.
Bob Kauffman is a recipient of the bronze star.
Bob is an amazing man. It is an honor to know him
My signed copy of Bob's book
In memoriam
Robert F. "Bob" Kauffman, 87, died Sunday, June 2, 2013.
Bob was laid to rest on June 6, 2013, the 69th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion
