The graffiti site and two explanatory panels are about half way up the narrow road.

Staff Sergeant Marshall A Webb served with the Company E, 2^ndBattalion,  339^thInfantry “The Polar Bears”, 85^thInfantry Division.  On March 30, 1944, then Private First Class Webb carved his name into a wall in Tremensuoli – military graffiti - as the 85^thDivision moved into line in and around Tremensuoli against the formidable German “Gustav” defensive line.  Staff Sergeant Webb participated in the 85^thDivision’s “baptism of fire” during Operation Diadem- the attack on the Gustav Line (4^thBattle of Cassino) on May 11, 1944 and the subsequent breaking of the Gustav line.  Staff Sergeant Webb served with the 339^th Infantry for the duration of the war.  In addition to leaving a detailed oral history in 1986, he wrote a poem on May 10^thabout the impending about attack of the Gustav Line from Tremensuoli. He penned over 80 poems during and about his wartime experience.

From the University of Kentucky Library where his papers and an oral history which included the battle of Tremensuoli are located:

“World War II veteran and lifetime resident of Campbellsville, Taylor County, Ky. Born Feb. 24, 1922. Served in the 5th Army, 85th Infantry Division, 339th Infantry Company E. Drafted December 3, 1942 and honorably discharged Oct. 21, 1945. Shipped to Africa in 1944 and left for Italy a few months later. Participated in a major attack in Tremensuoli, Italy on May 11, 1944. Earned a purple heart medal and a bronze star. Married Opal Keen (born October 3, 1928) on February 13, 1947, and had three children, Eva (died March 28, 1994), Marsha, and Roger. Worked as a farm hand (1940-1942) and as a print operator. After the war, Died May 26, 2004. Buried at Green River Memorial Cemetery, Campbellsville, Ky”

To listen to the oral history of Marshall Webb’s World War II experience in the 339^thInfantry, google: Interview with Marshall Webb University of Kentucky. There is also a significant collection of Webb’s World War II remembrances and poems.

A poem Private First Class Webb wrote about the battle of Tremensuoli:

UP FRONT

Somewhere in Italy, on the 11^thof May

We waited for our orders one cool, cloudy day.

As we waited patiently and darkness drew near,

We received our orders ---- To have no fear.

As I looked at my watch, it was just even ten;

At eleven was h-hour, then all hell would begin.

As we stood in the darkness sweating out the time

Waiting to attack the Gustav Line.

The moon was like a searchlight, as we reached no man’s land

I put my trust in God, and he took me by the hand

He’s the one who gave me courage, faith that I wouldn’t mind

Gave me strength to push forward – burst through the Gustav line.

As we struggled to push forward, how the shells whistled and whined

Yet I had my trust in God that the next one wasn’t mine.

As the sweat stood on my forehead, there was lots on my mind.

But now the American doughboys were crossing over that Gustav line.

Then we reached our main objective but just at the break of day

Death in hell struck our company --- all around me my buddies lay.

As I knelt down by my buddy, he knew it was his time,

“Thank God we won our Victory—we hold the Gustav Line.”

You can talk of all your battles and history will tell

But the one fought at Treminsola was sure bloody hell

And when we reach the U.S.A. these thoughts will dwell in mind,

How we fought and fell in Treminsola taking over the Gustav Line.

For more about the Battle of Tremensuoli, the 339^thInfantry, the 85^thDivision and their operations along the Gustav Line in this area, contact the War Museum Gustav Line Garigliano Front in Castelforte.

The Graffiti reads:

M A WEBB

C-VILLE KY

1944 MARCH 30

(There is a heart carved to the right of his name)

Two informational panels provide background on Marshall Webb and websites to see more information (See attached pictures).  

One informational panel includes a poem by Webb written about his service in Italy:

One more river to cross…

Spring is coming in Italy

The grass is turning green

Christmas has come and winter is gone

Ten years to us it has seemed

We now in defense in Italy

But the time will come again

To fight our way into the Po

And bring this thing to an end

We all remember Treminsola

And the days we fought for Rome

The rivers we crossed and the hills we took

But yet we farther from home

We can always remember Salerno

Where buddies fought and fell

as well as the beach Head at Anzio

Where lots of our buddies still dwell.