The rest of the 63d Infantry Division having staged at Camp Shanks, New York December 28, 1944, finally departed New York on January 5, arriving in Marseille,France January 14, 1945. It assembled at Willerwald, Alsace, in order to re-group on February 2. The Division was thus almost re-united and TF Harris inactivated. Whileattached to the 44th Infantry Division, the First Battalion medics were caught in the middle of a German armored counter-attack led by the German 17th SS PanzergrenadierDivision "Gotz von Berlichingen". Sergeant Mike Jugan, Jr., 33690185, was hit and captured by the enemy (this was January 4, 1945 -ed). He was later recaptured but had to be evacuated because of his condition. This was the Medical Detachment's first battle casualty! On January 4, 1945, the 253d Infantry moved into Sarreguemines, where it was joined a few days later by the Third Battalion. Both would remained stationed there
until February 16, when the Division jumped off for their attack into Germany. During this period, friendly patrols were out and the medics treated their first enemy patient, a recently-made prisoner. January 13, 1945, Technician 4th Grade George A. Booth, 33694607 was hit by a shell fragment while accompanying his Company on a patrol. On February 12, First Battalion received its first medical replacements: Private Sygmund Kiendzierski, 12054918, Private First Class Joseph Lazaretto, 36728832, Private First Class Charles A. Marsch, 77334137, Private Clarence E. Overholt, and Technician 5th Grade Ernest C. Steele, Jr., 38211204.

Germany:
The 253d Infantry Regiment launched its attack on February 16, 1945, and was the first Seventh United States Army unit to enter Germany - the enemy's Fatherland! The Saar River was crossed at Sarreguemines and advanced elements reached Hanweiler and vicinity, Germany. Technician 5th Grade Robert C. Coburn, 31340192, received a direct mortar hit that day and died instantly. He paid the supreme price while aiding a wounded infantryman. Bob Coburn was the Detachment's first casualty in Germany.

The Regiment continued its advance, with one replacement received on February 17. Quite a few medics were wounded and had to be evacuated including: Technician 5th Grade William H. Abbott, Jr., 36767755, Private First Class Lewis E. Baumgardner, 33662333, Private First Class Charles A. Marsch, 77334137, Private Clarence E. Overholt, and Private First Class Gilbert White, 18021505. Private James R. Pope, 34465080, was taken prisoner by the Germans but later recaptured thesame day. The morning of February 18 the enemy counterattacked once more and 4 litter bearers in two separate foxholes were killed. They were: Private Sygmund Kiendzierski, 12054918, Private First Class George F. Metcalf, 15401640, Corporal Maxwell M. Smith, 36875030, and Private First Class George G. Tison, 36977376. These boys had been attached to the Third Battalion Aid Station and were lost to the enemy. They were shot by a German armed with a machine pistol who was spraying the foxholes while advancing and had stood no chance. That same day Private First Class Henry J.McKellar, 34966418, was killed by a mortar fragment during above attack. On February 19, Private First Class Harold I. Anderson, 36686043, was missing in action. He was believed to have been captured, and later this proved to be true. One day later, Private First Class William T. Cantlebary, 35070566, was also killed, having been shot by an enemy sniper. Bill had only joined the Detachment shortly before leaving Camp Van Dom, and was well liked by Officers and men that knew him.

B Plot where Sygmund is buried