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VALMONTONE

Photographer Bill Toomey was at this time earning his Combat Infantry Badge fighting with the 3rd Reconnaissance Troop Battle Patrol. He was present at this action reported by Daniel DeLuce of the Boston Post in Valmontone: "Sgt. John Samples of Johnson City, Illinois rang the bell in the Cathedral of Santa Maria at 0600 on June 2, 1944 as the 3rd Reconnaissance Battle Patrol known as "The Snoop Troop" signaled the taking of Valmontone without firing a shot." Although the fighting the previous day was fierce as the 3rd Division approached the village 20 miles south of Rome on Highway 6, the Germans had retreated during the night. The Third Reconnaissance Troop and the entire 3rd Division turned north to Rome. The 3rd Reconnaissance Troop entered the outskirts of Rome at 8:30 on the morning of June 4.