December 17, 1944 — Wereth 11 Memorial Patch

A date that deserves to be remembered — and a story too important to fade.

On December 17, 1944, during the opening days of the Battle of the Bulge, eleven Black American soldiers of the 333rd Field Artillery Battalion were captured near the Belgian village of Wereth after becoming separated from their unit in fierce, freezing combat. A local Belgian family risked their own lives sheltering and feeding them. The soldiers were betrayed and captured by the 1st SS Panzer Division, brutally tortured, and executed. Their bodies were discovered nearly two months later when the area was liberated, and for decades their story remained largely unknown.

The Wereth 11 — Joe Ewing, Daniel West, Arthur Chapman, Walter Davis, Edward Hays, Frederick Houston, Hubert Jackson, Andrew Martin, Milton Oliver, Vernon Smith, and John Wilson — are honored today as symbols of extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and the often-overlooked contributions of Black Americans during World War II.

Crafted to last, made to be worn with pride:

• Premium embroidery with a rich, textured finish
• Merrowed edge for lasting strength
• Raised stitching for a dimensional look
• Sturdy twill backing
• 3.5" x 2.0" — fits jackets, shirts, bags, and caps

Part of the Wereth 11 Collection by Legacy Link Mobile Art Studio, designed by Sydnei Smith Jordan. Add this patch to your collection and help carry their story forward.