WILLIAM "BANKS" GREER DAY

PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA. I Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim October 1,2006 as William "Banks" Greer day.

We will celebrate William "Banks" Greer day Sunday October 1,2006 at Calvary Baptist Church, Dadeville Al. with a special service during our 11:00 Morning Worship Service. There will be proclamations from the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senate of Alabama, Attorney General of Alabama and others. Everyone is invited to attend this special service. Lunch will follow the service.

Banks Greer, a highly decorated world war II veteran, has been a member of Calvary Baptist for 72 years. He served as a member of the United States Army in Company B of the 399th Infantry from 1941 to 1946 and was critically wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945

On 16 December 1944 the Germans started their ARDENNES OFFENSIVE. The 106th Infantry Division, in place on a salient jutting out into Germany were hit with full force. After three days of battle, two of the Regiments, the 422nd and the 423rd were surrounded. The 424th, south of the other two regiments, was able to withdraw and join with the 112th Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division. They formed a Regimental Combat Team and were successful in the oncoming days of January 1945 in helping counter the German attack driving the Germans back through the same area where the 106th had been in position in mid-December 1944. This German Offensive became known in the U.S. Forces journals as The Battle of the Bulge.

Facts about the Battle

· The coldest, snowiest weather “in memory” in the Ardennes Forest on the German/Belgium border.

· Over a million men, 500,000 Germans, 600,000 Americans (more than fought at Gettysburg) and 55,000 British.

· 3 German armies, 10 corps, the equivalent of 29 divisions.

· 3 American armies, 6 corps, the equivalent of 31 divisions.

· The equivalent of 3 British divisions as well as contingents of Belgian, Canadian and French troops.

· 100,000 German casualties, killed, wounded or captured.

· 81,000 American casualties, including 23,554 captured and 19,000 killed.

· 1,400 British casualties 200 killed.

· 800 tanks lost on each side, 1,000 German aircraft.
Days in Combat 163

Banks Greer's Company lost the following during the Battel of the Bulge.

Killed 533
Wounded 3,667
Missing 589
Captured 1
Battle Casualties 4,790
Non-Battle Casualties 7,425
Total Casualties 12,215
Percent of T/O Strength 86.7

William "Banks" Greer recevied the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal,with four bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.

William "Banks" Greer was born in the Jackson Gap Community of Tallapoosa County, Alabama on September 7,1918.
He was married to the former Mary Lillie Sextom for 65 years. They had three daughters, seven grand children, and 11 great grand children.

Truly William "Banks" Greer's life has modeled the words of Jesus when He said, "Greater love hath no man than he be willing to lay down his life for a friend." Banks Greer has demonstrated his willingness to lay down his life for total strangers as he defended our country and the freedom that we too often take for granted. In doing so, he has earned the gratitude of His Church, the people of our state and our nation.