Date of Enlistment: January 13, 1943

Rank at time of death: Private Frist Class

Date of Death: June 18, 1944

Place of Internment: Normandy American Cemetery

18th Infantry during WWII:

North African Campaign - The 18th Infantry Regiment went ashore at Oran, Algeria on November 8th, 1942 and was one of the first US Army infantry units to engage in combat against Axis forces. The Regiment helped to secure Tunisia for the Allies.

Invasion of Sicily - The 18th Regiment was part of The Battle of Gela where it endured counterattacks from German and Italian forces. It captured Mount Pellegrino, which overlooked the Tronia defenses, on August 7th, 1943, allowing the Allies to have accurate direction of artilleries.

Both the capture of Tunisia and the invasion of Sicily were done in order to divert Axis forces until the Western Allies were prepared to invade occupied Europe through France.

Invasion of Normandy - The D-Day operation brought together the Allies' land, air, and sea forces in attempt to end the war. Airborne forces parachuted into drop zones in Northern France and were followed by ground troops that landed at five assault beaches. The Regiment was part of the landing forces in the initial onset of Operation Overlord. The combat team was part of the 1st Infantry Division forces that stormed Omaha Beach. Because of confusion, the landing of two of the three 18th infantry battalions was delayed, so the move off the beach was also delayed.

Northwest Europe - From the Invasion of Normandy to the end of World War II, about eleven months, the 18th Infantry took part in continual combat operations.

Private Espenshade was part of the Sicilian and Normandy invasions. He was wounded in the Sicilian Invasion but recovered. Following the Normandy Invasion, he was fatally wounded in France

Right: Troops from the 18th Infantry landing on the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach during the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944.

Left: The extremely damaged flag that flew above LCI(L)-488, which carried elements of the 18th Infantry Regiment during the Normandy Invasion. The damage shows the heavy fire those aboard the craft experienced.

General Equipment: For head protection soldiers wore the steel M1 Helmet. On them, they had a M-1 Garand Rifle (standard issue semi-automatic rifle issued in WWII), a 10 pocket ammo belt, a pistol belt, a M-1 Garand Rifle Sling, a bayonet and scabbard, a T-handled shovel for digging trenches, a first aid pouch, a canteen, dinner rations, a fire control rifle gauge,  and a stop watch. A M-1928 Haver Sack carried all of this gear. For clothing, they had a wool undershirt, trousers, and a jacket as well as a wool knit hat called the "Jeep Cap" and was to be worn under the combat helmet for padding and warmth. The Infantry's uniform had light (saxony) blue piping. The winter service uniform was an olive drab, wool serge, four button, four pocket coat. The summer uniform was a cotton khaki uniform shift with matching trousers. 

Right: Photo of Infantry Uniform

Left: Soldiers from the 89th Infantry Division wearing M1 helmets and ducking for cover as they cross the Rhine River.