RANGERS Block, Walter E.

[John Robertson]

• SURNAME

Block ​

• FORENAME

Walter E. ​

• UNIT

2 Ranger Bn (HQ) ​

• RANK

Captain ​

• NUMBER

0-483158 ​

• DATE OF DEATH

8th December 1944 ​

• AGE

40​

• GRAVESITE

St Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, Niles, Cook County, Illinois, USA ​

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

from Cook County, Illinois​

born 17.12.1903​

father John G. Niedzwiecki (1881-1955)​

mother Leokadya (nee Bloch) (1881-1963)​

original name Walter Niedzwiecki​

wife Alice (nee Schwartz) (1909-1958)​

son Michael J. Block (1933-2005)​

daughter Joan Block (1936-2016)​

25.07.1942 enlisted​

Silver Star, Bronze Star​

KIA Bergstein, Germany ​

1998 inducted Rangers Hall of Fame​

​

Captain Walter E. Block is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for gallantry in action, courage under fire, and extraordinary medical care in the roughest of conditions.† From the time he joined the 2nd Ranger Battalion in Fort Dix until his death (KIA) in the Huertgen Forest on 8 Dec 1944. CPT Block was distinguished by his enthusiasm, courage under fire, attention to duty, and most of all, his intense concern for the health, well-being and effectiveness of the 2nd Ranger Battalion. He was a physician who never hesitated to go in harm's way to care for a Ranger, a spirit his medics emulated.† At Pointe du Hoc, ignoring intense fire from the enemy, he set up a temporary aid station at the base of the cliff, and directed the care of any wounded whom he could not tend to himself. After the top was gained he did not hesitate to leave the upper aid station to attend wounded in the field, frequently under heavy fire. Among those he treated was COL Rudder who had been hit a second time while at an outpost.† During the battle of Huertgen Forest the battalion suffered losses at Hill 400 equal to, or higher than, on D-Day. During this, a shell burst on the roof of the aid station killing CPT Block while he was tending the wounded and checking on their evacuation.† His gallantry in action, courage and performance in organizing medical-surgical care while under heavy fire at Pointe du Hoc was recognized in the form of a Silver Star. Later, he earned the Bronze Star and, finally, the Purple Heart. ​

SOURCE:​

Ranger Hall of Fame

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