The memorial to US Army soldiers in Bělá nad Radbuzou depicts a young man lying on the ground. Its pedestal bears a relief with a motif of running horses suggesting a herd of Lipizzans and the words “Operation Cowboy.” Two American soldiers died during this operation at the end of World War II. Their names are listed on the plaque.
The sleeves of the American cavalrymen bore this slogan on that day almost eighty years ago. These were the soldiers of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment who came to Bělá nad Radbuzou at the end of March and start of April 1945 to follow their orders. This battle was a singular event, unparalleled during their operations in the European theater. The soldiers liberated prisoners of war while also rescuing several hundred rare horses.
In the spirit of their slogan, they came into battle excellently trained. PFC Raymond E. Manz and Technician 5th Grade Owen W. Sutton carried this slogan in their hearts, and this monument bears their names in eternal memory. They were ready to both fight and lay down their lives for the liberty of subjugated nations—and Europe’s liberation from the fascist foe. During this operation, they died on the forest trail leading along the green tourist markers in the direction of Karlova Huť, Valdorf and Pleš towards the border crossing into Bavaria.
The fateful five-hour battle raged on April 30, 1945 at the edge of the now-defunct village of Rosendorf (Růžov). PFC Manz was killed during the events, and Technician 5th Grade Sutton died the next day to serious wounds. At the request of the families, these fallen American soldiers’ remains were transported to their birthplaces and buried with dignity at graveyards in Toledo, Ohio and Kinston, North Carolina.
On April 28, 2006, a memorial plaque was unveiled nearby the battleground. It is located on the ruins of a farm building’s foundations. More detailed information is provided in the text on the information plaque near the memorial.
MĚSTO BĚLÁ NAD RADBUZOU VĚNUJE PADLÝM, NA VĚČNOU PAMÁTKU / SVOBODNÍK RAYMOND E. MANZ / *16. KVĚTNA 1925, +30. DUBNA 1945 / PADL V BOJI – TOLEDO, OHIO, USA / TECHNIK 5. TŘÍDY OWEN W. SUTTON / *8. PROSINCE 1916, +1. KVĚTNA 1945 / ZEMŘEL NA NÁSLEDKY ZRANĚNÍ V BOJI / KINSTON, SEVERNÍ KAROLÍNA, USA / IN MEMORY / PFC RAYMOND E. MANZ / DOB 16. MAY 1925, KIA 30. APRIL 1945 / TOLEDO, OHIO, U.S.A. / T/5 OWEN W. SUTTON / DOB 8. DECEMBER 1916, DOW 1. MAY 1945 / KINSTON, NORTH, CAROLINA, U.S.A.
The Paths of Liberation—The Pilsen Region