Memories of the battle for Best.
The battle for the small town Best was one of the fiercest battles during WWII for the paratroopers of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), and Fox company in particular. It was the first clash of the Fox Company troopers with their German opponent on Dutch soil after their combat jump into the Netherlands on September 17, 1944.
The Fox Company men would fight the Germans for at Best for two days.
**Captain “Legs” Johnson**
Fox Company’s commander, Captain LeGrand King “Legs” Johnson was severely wounded during the attack.
Besides losing Legs Johnson, four Fox Company troopers were killed in action at Best on September 18, 1944, and another seven on the next day. Two more troopers would die on September 21, two days after they were wounded: SGT Ted Blazina and SGT Al Mazzeo.
In just two days a staggering total of 13 Fox/502 paratroopers had given their all to win that hellish battle. At Best, Fox Company had lost almost 15 percent of its combat strength.
In just two days a staggering total of 13 Fox/502 paratroopers had given their all to win that hellish battle.
At Best, Fox Company had lost almost 15 percent of its combat strength. Lest we forget!
If you would like to read how Captain LeGrand King “Legs” Johnson looked back on the day he got wounded, and if you want to find out some more details about the fatally wounded paratroopers of Fox Company, please go to:
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