Conclusion

The Diary ends on May 26, 1944 with the Anzio Beachhead Push just starting the battle which finally ended on June 5, 1944. What moves me most when reading this diary is that George Sellarole, Jr. never
wavered from the task at hand. Destruction was all around. This was one of the bloodiest battles of World War II, leaving 7,000 men Killed in Action and 36,000 thousand wounded on the allied side. The Germans suffered less casualties, with 5,000 dead and 30,500 wounded, although 4,500 were taken prisoner.

I do not know if George Sellarole continued the diary on another small pad or not; this is all I have knowledge of right now as of September 15, 2013.  George still had another year of fighting in Europe to endure. In an album kept by George Sellarole Jr., along with photos which he put together when he got home, George records the rest of his journey in more general terms.

George Sellarole, after Anzio Beachhead, went to Civittavicchio, Italy on June 9, 1944 where they continued the fighting. On August 15, 1944, George was involved with the invasion of Southern France, and had his gun position in the Alps in Contes, France and Suspe, France. On March 16, 1945 he left Nice, France for Germany and on April 7, 1945, arrived
in Hidelburgh Germany, where they took guns away while pulling
guard duty.

George Sellarole records that on May 2, 1945, the war is over in Europe, although Americans celebrate on May 8, 1945, as the official signing of the document which officially ended the war in Europe.

On August 18, 1945, George Sellarole left Hidelburgh, Germany for LaHarve, France.

On September 7, 1945, George Sellarole left LaHarve, France, and arrived on September 15, 1945, docked at Staten Island, U.S.A. He went to camp Kilmer then to Fort Dix.

On September 22, 1945, he was discharged from the Army.
The ship he came home on was called the E. R. Alexandria.

Let us never forget the soldier's sacrifice.

Written by:
Bob Meli
September 15, 2013