In St. Maurice’s Church in the small Village of Eschweiler, Luxembourg, is an inscription that reads: “This only son died that other sons might live in love and peace.” That not only pertains to Jesus but also another son who has a poignant connection to this village.  

That other son is U.S. Army Pvt. George Mergenthaler, of Rye, New York, who died at the age of 24 in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He was a member of a mechanized reconnaissance unit of the 28th Infantry Division, which was billeted in Eschweiler. Mergenthaler was fluent in French and German and endeared himself to the residents of the small farming town, located in the Ardennes Forest a few miles east of Bastogne, Belgium. He and his comrades lived with the villagers, sharing meals and helping with chores. Mergenthaler could speak with the villagers and enjoyed playing with the children.  

George Mergenthaler, Rye, New York, was beloved by the people of Eschweiler during WWII.

In December 1944, American troops faced the last-ditch offensive by the Nazis and two days into the surprise attack, German soldiers ambushed Mergenthaler’s unit as it defended Eschweiler. According to reports of that day, Mergenthaler was manning a jeep-mounted .50-caliber machine gun, laying down cover fire to allow his fellow soldiers to escape. The gun jammed and Mergenthaler was killed by the Germans on December 18, 1944. 

After the townspeople discovered Mergenthaler’s body, the local priest, who was devasted by the death of his friend, buried the soldier in the parish cemetery and wrote to Mergenthaler’s parents, Alice and Herman Mergenthaler. Herman’s father, Ottmar, who had immigrated to the U.S. from Germany, was the inventor of the linotype machine and left behind a fortune when he died.  

In November 1947, the Mergenthalers moved their son’s body to the family burial pot in Rochester, New York. After the war, the Mergenthalers donated 4 million francs for the complete restoration of the damaged St. Maurice Church. Their words are on the wall: “May the restoration of this chapel be of solace to all as it gave comfort to our son.”   

The stained-glass panel depicts the Mergenthaler family crest and the Great Seal of the United States. A fresco mural to the right of the main altar portrays Jesus feeding the masses, assisted by an apostle who represents Mergenthaler in a dark purple robe draped over U.S. Army uniform. It is believed to be the only community outside the United States to have a church with a dedication to the memory of an American soldier.  

There is a monument at the spot outside of town where Mergenthaler’s body was found with an inscription that reads: “On this place, 18 Dec. 1944, a valiant American soldier, George Mergenthaler, died for the liberation of the world.” Below that, it says, “My Father, do not fear, I will defend you,” words that are close to what the young soldier said to his friend and local priest, Father Bodson as the America GIs were leaving the town.