Fallen at home — the story of Philip W. Weis
This is the story of an American soldier whose ancestors once left Luxembourg. A tragic story that led the 21-year-old to his native land, where his life ended.
Written by John Dekhane, published by Luxtoday team
On a cold winter morning in January 1945, amidst the snow-covered forests of Luxembourg, a young American soldier from Sartell, Minnesota, took his last breath. His name was Philip Weis, a 21-year-old infantryman who had travelled thousands of kilometres to liberate Europe. But in a cruel twist of fate, Philip’s war ended just ten kilometres from the village in Luxembourg that his grandfather had left more than seventy years earlier.
Philip W. Weis was born in 1923, in Sartell, Minnesota, to a family deeply rooted in the community. His parents were respected members of the town, with his father serving as Sartell’s postmaster for 20 years. His grandfather, Nicolas Weis, had emigrated from Insenborn, Luxembourg, in 1871, seeking new opportunities in America. Philip grew up in a world far removed from the struggles of his ancestors, spending his youth in the quiet streets of Sartell. After graduating from Technical High School in 1942, he found work at the De Zurik Shower Company. But when war engulfed the world, Philip didn’t hesitate.
In March 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, determined to fight against tyranny and rescue a world in peril. Initially training as a pilot, he was later reassigned to the infantry. By September 1944, he was sent to Europe as a bazooka gunner in the 328th Infantry Regiment, part of the famed 26th Infantry Division—the “Yankee Division.” What he didn’t yet know was that his journey would lead him back to the land of his ancestors.
By December 1944, World War II was at a critical turning point. Hitler had launched a desperate counteroffensive in the Ardennes, known as the Battle of the Bulge, aiming to split Allied forces and reclaim lost ground. It was one of the deadliest battles of the war—fought in freezing temperatures, with soldiers enduring relentless artillery fire, tank assaults, and bitter hand-to-hand combat.
As part of General Patton’s Third Army, Philip’s division was ordered to push northward from Metz to Bastogne, moving along the Luxembourg border. On Christmas Day, 1944, Philip’s unit stopped in Insenborn—the very village his grandfather had left 73 years earlier. Standing in the place where his family’s history had begun, Philip must have felt an overwhelming mix of emotions. He was not just an American soldier fighting to liberate Europe—he was a grandson returning to his roots, carrying the weight of history on his shoulders.
But the war did not allow time for reflection. The very next day, his regiment pressed forward, engaging in the brutal assault on Wiltz and the infamous battle at Schumannseck—a heavily forested, snow-laden hellscape where American and German forces clashed in a bloody struggle. Sadly, on 6 January 1945, Private First Class Philip Weis was struck by enemy fire and fell on the snow. His comrades came to his rescue, but there was nothing they could do. He died in the snow-covered woods of Luxembourg, giving his life for the freedom of a land his family had once called home.
More than 30 years after his death, a local man named Fernand Weis—who, by coincidence, shared the same last name but was not related—discovered Philip’s dog tags. Though they had never met, Fernand felt a deep connection to the young American soldier. Since 1977, he has visited Philip’s grave at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, honouring a man who gave everything for a country he barely knew but whose history was written in his blood.
Philip’s sacrifice is more than a story of war. It is a tale of heritage, courage, and the quiet strength that binds generations together. He was not just a soldier—he was a son, a brother, a friend, and above all, a hero. His legacy challenges us to live with purpose, integrity, and a commitment to something greater than ourselves. It is not enough to simply remember the past—we must ensure that the values he stood for remain alive in our daily lives. Luxembourg must never forget the sacrifice of those who came from afar to defend its freedom, and it is our solemn duty to keep their memory alive.
