Have you seen the signs along Rt. 165? Did you know PFC. Thurman B. Ellis? Do you want to know more about Jarrettsville resident PFC. Thurman B. Ellis?

Thurman Bay Ellis from Jarrettsville, Maryland served with distinction in WWII. A Private First Class in the United States Army he was inducted into the service in February 1943 and received his basic training at Camp McCain, Mississippi. He was assigned to the US Army Rangers Company C 1st Ranger Battalion which was part of a composite force of the 6615th Ranger Force (Provisional) with the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Ranger Battalions, 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion, and the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, commanded by Colonel William O. Darby. These soldiers, often referred to as Darby's Rangers, participated in the invasion of Italy.

One of many battles in which PFC. Ellis fought was the Battle of Cisterna which took place between January 30-February 2, 1944. On 22 January 1944, the Allies launched Operation Shingle the amphibious landing of Anzio by U.S. and British troops. Prior to the battle of Cisterna, the Allies had landed on the beachhead at Anzio, some thirty miles southwest of Rome. Their objectives were to turn the flank of the formidable Gustav Line and to reach the key town of Cassino. Both were necessary operations to break the German's grip on Rome. The Rangers marched to Cisterna at night to reach the fortress-like monastery of Monte Cassino, a German stronghold. They had almost made it to the base of the cliff when the morning fog lifted, and they found themselves surrounded. While some accounts vary, most reports state the ensuing battle resulted in the deaths of 311 Rangers and 450 soldiers taken prisoner. This represented just over 99 percent of an original force numbering 767 men. Only six Ranger survivors and one member of the 3rd Recon Troop evaded capture and made it back to American lines. PFC. Ellis was one of six.

The battle began on 31 January and with a two-pronged attack. The main attack, by the British 1st Infantry Division was to advance toward Campoleone. In a secondary simultaneous attack, a Ranger force was to infiltrate Cisterna and clear the Conca - Cisterna Road. The Rangers moved out under cover of darkness at 0130 on the night of January 30-31. Moving in column formation along a drainage ditch, they approached the German positions, bypassing several and choosing not to engage until they reached open ground. Around 0630 as the morning fog lifted the Ranger Battalion came under heavy fire. They were assaulted by elements of the enemy's Hermann Goring Panzer Division and the 715th Infantry Division supported by at least seventeen tanks. For the next 12 hours, the Rangers fought for their lives. Surrounded by German soldiers, PFC. Ellis and others sought cover wherever they could, seeking shelter from a heavy barrage of artillery fire. Snipers from buildings and hedgerows took an American toll when soldiers emerged from hiding places. As the Germans crept closer the Sergeant commanding about twenty men, including PFC. Ellis, ordered their radios and document destroyed, for the men to break up singularly and make their own way back to American lines. PFC. Ellis and another soldier made their way back to the canals and ditches they had used earlier in the day to get to Cisterna. The ditches were full of water and Ellis had to crawl over the bodies of comrades who died. As they cleared the ditches, they ran for the American lines being sniped at along the way. They were nearly to the American lines when they came under fire from a German machine gun nest hidden in a haystack blocking their way. PFC. Ellis saw a German officer motioning to the gunners. He knew they would be captured or killed. PFC. Ellis opened fire killing the officer.

When the main American attack took place several hours later, initial gains were made; however, overall efforts to relieve the trapped Rangers at Cisterna ended in failure. The town remained in German hands until the end of May. In the days after the battle PFC. Ellis transferred to the 4th Ranger Battalion. Research reports the 4th Ranger Battalion helped turn back the German counterattack of 4 February, and on 19 February, those Rangers still surviving including PFC. Ellis were given the choice of joining any other outfit. He selected the U.S. Canadian paratroopers First Special Service, also known as the Black Devils, a commando-like unit trained to effectuate small raids on the enemy where they would get in quickly inflict damage and get out.

In October 1944, PFC. Ellis received the CIB (Combat Infantryman's Badge) for actions in Cisterna. During his military career he also received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart and the European Theater Medal with eight stars.

In 1979, 35 years after battle and liberation of Cisterna the Italian government thanked the six surviving soldiers by bringing them back to Cisterna to honor their service and sacrifice. Banquets and parades were held in their honor. They were each awarded a medal by the people of Cisterna. And more recently under Public Law 117-132 enacted on June 7, 2022, the U.S. Army Rangers will soon receive a Congressional Gold Medal awarded collectively to the United States Army Rangers Veterans for their extraordinary service in WWII and more specifically for their actions in Dieppe, France, North Africa, and Italy.

Ellis returned after the war to his Jarrettsville home and to his job at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Prior to his enlistment Ellis worked at the Edgewood Arsenal. He retired in 1977. He is married to Wilhelmina (Hopkins) Ellis. They had one son, Thurman Bay Ellis, Jr. who sadly passed away in 2018. His military medals hung in a frame on his living room wall, but he rarely ever spoke of the terrifying ordeal and the friends lost at the Battle of Cisterna. Thurman Ellis lived by the Ranger motto - Rangers Lead the Way.

After his service to his country, Thurman proudly served our community for more than 50 years as a Firefighter and EMS clinician. Thurman joined the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company in 1955 and served in the following offices:

1961 EMS Engineer
1962 - 1963 EMS LT
1964 - 1972 EMS Captain
1973 – 1975, 1977 – 1979 Vice President
1980 – 1983 President of the Company
1989 – 1991 Served as a Director
1993 – 1995 EMS Captain
1997 Bestowed the title of EMS Captain Emeritus

He worked tirelessly helping others, responding to fire calls, and rendering first aid to critically ill patients. He became well-known in the community for his volunteer work, especially for the hundreds of CPR classes he taught to 1st Responders and citizens alike. He served his community proudly until his passing on Nov 30, 2010.

The members of the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank the family for allowing us to participate in an incredible event to honor a local hero.