Memorial

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T/Sgt J. C. Hadaway enlisted in Tyler, Texas on 19 November 1942.

In the night the company made another attack against Colditz making it into the outskirts and occupied some buildings. Some of the GI's were cut off from the rest of the company and four men, including two platoon sergeants, had been killed; one of the killed sergeants was Sgt Hadaway.

19:00 - The companies were in position to launch the attack and artillery preparation was laid down.
From the start, I company had a rough time. All the resistance proved to be on the east side of the river, and that part of Colditz was by far the greater part of Colditz. I company was hardly across their Line of Departure when they were met by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire. Panzerfausts were used also by the Germans in the close-in fighting that developed. After the first attempt of attack the company had to withdraw behind the hill.
The railroad bridge, over which they had crossed, was now under fire by the Germans. German soldiers were seen heading over towards the vicinity of this bridge and river bank. Evidently they were trying to get around and encircle the company.
All the assistance possible in form of artillery fire was given to I company but as darkness fell it became evident that the eastern portion of Colditz could not be cleared that night.
In the night the company made another attack against the town making it into the outskirts and occupied some buildings, but the Germans forced them out. Some of the GIs were cut off from the rest of the company. Germans walked among the wounded lay there, to finish them off. Four men, including two platoon sergeants, had been killed; 8 men had been wounded. One of the killed sergeants, Sgt. Hadaway, 26 years old. He was very respected as a fine human comrade by his GIs, who were in their teens.