Training and Deployment: Elmer Blackman started his training at A.P. Hill Military Reservation near Fredericksburg, Virginia. After completing his training at A.P. Hill, Blackman was sent to Camp McCoy in Wisconsin for winter training where the temperatures were often below zero degrees. From there he and the rest of the 76th division were transported to Ottawa National Forest, where the 76th engaged in four military exercises against the 385th Infantry Regiment who were to be the "enemy" troops during each exercise. Once the training was completed, the 76th was moved to Camp Myles Standish in Massachusetts, and from there they boarded the SS Brazil and headed for England. Blackman arrived in England on Decemeber 20, 1944, where he expericend additional training and then he was shipped to Le Havre, France on January 12, 1945.
Mission of the 76th: The 76th Division, commanded by Major General William R. Schmidt, arrived in France on January 12, 1945, and it experienced combat in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. The 76th division was tasked with cutting off the supply routes from the Siegfried line to Alsdorf, Germany. On January 25, 1945, the 76th was sent to Echternach, Luxembourg, to relieve the 87th division. On February 7, the 76th sent out recon patrols to find enemy positions, and later that day they attacked the Siegfried Line in a heavy assault. The assault continued on to the Prum and Nims Rivers (see map above). The assault came to a halt because of heavy enemy opposition. On the 25th of February, they started to cross the rivers, and it took two more days to secure the rivers from German opposition. Blackman was killed in action on the 26th of February while attempting to cross the Nims River. The 76th Division continued their assault until they reached the Mulde River on April 16th. The division then held a defensive posture at that location until V-E Day.