A Ceremony in Loosdrecht -- 1949

Some time ago I came across a series of old photos of a military ceremony in my grandmother's hometown, Loosdrecht, Netherlands. Although they were not in attendance, this was a very personal ceremony for Grandma and Grandpa VandenBergh -- the reburial of their son Jasper, born in Albany, and who with his elder brother Jacob, fought as an American soldier during World War II.

Unlike his elder brother, Jasper never came home. He was killed at the Battle of the Bulge and originally buried near there. After the war, the family decided that it would be more appropriate for his remains to be repatriated -- not to America, but to Grandma's hometown of Loosdrecht. In a somber ceremony attended by local dignitaries, members of both Grandma and Grandpa's extended families, and other villagers, Jasper was laid to rest in the Loosdrecht-Rading Cemetery. Mom carefully preserved the photos, along with Jasper's Purple Heart. I thought it appropriate to post the photos today, which is Veterans Day in the United States.

Jasper Vandenbergh was born on July 8, 1916, in Albany New York. He was the fourth child born to Barend Jan (John) Vandenbergh and Elizabeth Daams, both of whom were born in the Netherlands and emmigrated to America in 1911. They became naturalized citizens in 1917. Jasper graduated from local schools in Albany and is listed as working in the packing, filling, labeling, marking and bottling occupations prior to entering the service.

Service Time:

Jasper served in the 101st New York National Guard Anti-Tank Battalion and entered the U.S. Army on January 6, 1941, when the unit was federalized and eventually became the 801st Tank Destroyer Battalion. The unit arrived in England on March 11, 1944, with towed 3" guns. They landed at Utah Beach, in Normandy, three months later on June 13 and participated in the capture of Cherbourg, France. In early August they would see action at Mortain, then enter Belgium later that month and proceed into Germany only weeks later.

Jasper is shown above at the rank of Technician 3rd Grade and wearing the skull patch associated with the 801st TD Battalion.

Late in November 1944, the 801st supported operations in the Hurtgen Forest. They were positioned on the border of the Ardennes when the German offensive began on December 16th. Research by one of his relatives identifies that at the time, the 801st was attached to the 99th Infantry Division and that the 99th held forward positions in a line from Monschau, northwest of Wahlerscheid, to the border village of Lanzerath, southeast of the Elsenborn Ridge, a distance of nearly 19 miles. It was during this period that Jasper, who was serving with Reconniscience Company, was captured and listed as MIA (Missing in Action). It was a year until his family was notified of his death. It was reported that he was captured and shot while trying to escape. The date of his death was identified as December 17, 1944, in Belgium.

Jasper was eerst als onbekende soldaat begraven op de Amerikaanse militaire begraafplaats Henri Chapelle (België). Nadat zijn identiteit was vastgesteld, is hij in 1949 herbegraven op de Algemene begraafplaats te Loosdrecht. De plaats waar zijn moeder vandaan kwam.