The war veteran Robert A. Muthersbaugh, who was among the first American soldiers to arrive in liberated Pilsen, will be celebrating his 100th birthday this coming October. However, the warm welcome received from the inhabitants of Pilsen in May 1945 is still fresh in his memory.
He recalls the level of elation and gratitude of the Pilsen crowds unrivaled by anything else he had encountered on his journey. He only spent a few weeks in Pilsen following its liberation and despite his plans to return to the city in recent years, he has not managed to go back. Nevertheless, envoys from the City of Pilsen came to New York to express thanks on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe when Czech Centre New York organized an exhibition, a reception and a concert.
At the end of the war, Robert Muthersbaugh was 23 years old. A radio operator of the Headquarters Company of the 16th Armored Division, he was in one of the first military vehicles to enter Pilsen as part of General George Patton’s Third Army. He received the Bronze Star Medal which is the fourth-highest ranking award for heroic and meritorious deeds.
A few days ago, the Czech compatriot Martin Plavec visited the veteran who helped liberate Western Bohemia and asked him to share his memories.
Robert A. Muthersbaugh recalls:
“We reached the port of Le Havre in France on February 19, 1945. We quickly moved to Reims and Verdun and then near Mainz in Germany. After that we advanced to Nuremberg where we were supported by the 80th Infantry Division. We then came to Pilsen through Rozvadov, Tachov, Stříbro and Bor. We entered Pilsen around 8:00 am on May 6, 1945. I think that our half-track was among the first to get in. We stayed there until September 1945.”
Photo & Video © Martin Plavec
