Categorie: 1946

Name and Rank, Staff Sergeant Chris Mosckou jr .

Unit/Placed in, 704th Bomber Squadron, 446th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Chris was born on Oct. 12, 1921 in Marion County, Indiana.

Father, Chris Mosckou.

Mother, Anna Mosckou.

 

Chris enlisted  the service at Indiana with Serial number, #35370783.

 

Chris Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24  were,

1st Lt.          Pilot                                James C. Blackwood

1st Lt.          Co-Pilot                           Harold W. Turner

1st Lt.          Navigator                         Hugh R. Hunter

S/Sgt.           Engineer                          Herbert R. Shafer

 S/Sgt.           Radio Operator                 Christopher M. Chism

S/Sgt           Ball Turret Gnr.                Chris Mosckou jr.

S/Sgt           Tail Turret Gnr.                Henry A. Popiolek

S/Sgt           Right Waist Gnr.               Carl P. Gochnauer

T/Sgt.          Left Waist Gnr.                 Murray G. Glanzrock

Sgt.              Nose Turret Gnr.               Joseph R. Markus

 

Chris Mosckou jr was a Ball Turret Gunner in the 704th Bomber Squadron.

 

Chris Mosckou jr. was KIA due one of the the Bomb doors, on the mission to Orleans Airfield, France they lost one of the Bomb doors that hit the Tail that made a crash on May 23, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

 

And he is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

 

Thanks to the 446th http://www.446bg.com/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

 

 

The 446th Bomb Group was activated 1 April 1943 at Davis-Monthan AAB, Arizona where initial assembly began. The unit moved to Alamagordo, NM on the 6th June 1943, but immediately moved again to Lowry AAB, Colorado, where the training was completed. The ground unit left on the 18th of October 1943 for Camp Shanks, NY and embarked on the Queen Mary on the 25th of October 1943. They sailed on the 27th of October 1943 and arrived in Clyde on the 2nd of November 1943. The aircraft left Lowry AAB on the 20th of October 1943 for Lincoln AAB, Neb. The aircraft flew via the southern route from Florida, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Dakar, and Marrakash to England. One aircraft was lost on the Puerto Rico leg, and one aircraft was shot down when it strayed off course into France. The group was stationed in Bungay, England, near the North Sea coast, about 90 miles NE of London.

Planes of the 446th led the 8th AF and the 2nd BD on the first heavy bomber mission of D-Day. “Ronnie” is believed to be the first 8th AF B-24 to fly 100 missions. The 706th Bomb Squadron flew 62 consecutive missions and the 707th Bomb Squadron had 68 missions without a loss.

The 446th operated chiefly against strategic objectives on the Continent from December 1943 until April 1945. Targets included U-boat installations at Kiel, the port at Bremen, a chemical plant at Ludwigshafen, ballbearing works at Berlin, aero-engine plants at Rostock, aircraft factories at Munich, marshalling yards at Coblenz, motor works at Ulm, and oil refineries at Hamburg and Magdeburg.

Besides strategic missions, the group often carried out support and interdictory operations. Supported the Normandy invasion in June 1944 by attacking strong points, bridges, airfields, transportation, and other targets in France. Aided ground forces at Caen and St Lo during July by hitting bridges, gun batteries, and enemy troops. Dropped supplies to Allied troops near Nijmegen during the airborne attack on Holland in September. Bombed marshalling yards, bridges, and road junctions during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 through January 1945. Dropped supplies to airborne and ground troops near Wesel during the Allied assault across the Rhine in March 1945. Flew last combat mission on April 25 attacking a bridge near Salzburg.

Mission Statistics:

First Mission: 16 Dec 1943

Last Mission: 25 Apr 1945

Missions: 273

Total Sorties: 7,259

Total Bomb Tonnage: 16,819 Tons

Aircraft Lost: 58

KIA: 450+

MIA: 51

Enemy Aircraft Destroyed: 34, 11 probable

Name and Rank, Sergeant William Melvin Riley.

Unit/Placed in, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division ”The Fighting Blue Devils”.

 

William was born on Aug. 18, 1923 in Caddo County, Oklahoma.

Father, George Hubert Riley.

Mother, Leona Maude (Wilkerson) Riley.

Sister(s), Alberta Bernice and Mary Riley.

 

William enlisted  the service at Oklahoma with serial number, #38399040.

 

William M. Riley was a Sergeant in the 350th Infantry Regiment.

 

William M. Riley was Killed in Action in the fights over the town of Villamagna, Italy, on July 13, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

 

William was first buried at buried/mentioned at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Lazio, Italy.

William was reburied in 1949 at Binger Cemetery, Binger, Caddo County, Oklahoma.

 

Thanks to the http://www.bluedevilassociation.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

 

 

 

The 88th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army in World War I and World War II. It was the first Army of the United States division to be created “from scratch” after the implementation of the draft in 1940.[citation needed] Previous divisions were regular army, reserve or National Guard. Much of the experience in creating it was used in the subsequent expansion of the Army.

By war’s end the 88th Infantry fought its way to the northernmost extreme of Italy. In early May 1945 troops of its 349th Infantry Regiment joined the 103d Infantry Division of the VI Corps of the Seventh Army of the 6th Army Group, which had raced south through Bavaria into Innsbruck, Austria, in Vipiteno in the Italian Alps.

Combat chronicle[edit]

• First Entered combat: Advance party on night of 3–4 January 1944 in support of Monte Cassino attacks. (Delaney, p. 37)
• First Organization Committed to Line: 2nd Battalion, 351st Regiment plus attachments (Delaney, p. 45)
• First combat fatality: 3 January 1944
• Began post war POW Command: 7 June 1945. Responsible for guarding and later repatriating 324,462 German POWs. (Delaney, p. 359)

The 88th Infantry Division was one of the first all draftee divisions to enter the war. Formed at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, the division arrived at Casablanca, French Morocco, 15 December 1943, and moved to Magenta, Algeria, on the 28th for intensive training. It arrived at Naples, Italy, 6 February 1944, and concentrated around Piedimonte d’Alife for combat training. An advance element went into the line before Cassino, 27 February, and the entire unit relieved British elements along the Garigliano River in the Minturno area, 5 March. A period of defensive patrols and training followed.

On 11 May, the 88th drove north to take Spigno, Mount Civita, Itri, Fondi, and Roccagorga, reached Anzio, 29 May, and pursued the enemy into Rome, being the first American unit into the city on 4 June, after a stiff engagement on the outskirts of the city. An element of the 88th is credited with being first to enter the Eternal City. After continuing across the Tiber to Bassanelio the 88th retired for rest and training, 11 June. The Division went into defensive positions near Pomerance, 5 July, and launched an attack toward Volterra on the 8th, taking the town the next day. Laiatico fell on the 11th, Villamagna on the 13th, and the Arno Riverwas crossed on the 20th although the enemy resisted bitterly.

After a period of rest and training, the Division opened its assault on the Gothic Line, 21 September 1944, and advanced rapidly along the Firenzuola-Imola road, taking Mount Battaglia (Casola Valsenio, RA) on the 28th. The enemy counterattacked savagely and heavy fighting continued on the line toward the Po Valley. The strategic positions of Mount Grande and Farnetto were taken, 20 and 22 October. From 26 October 1944 to 12 January 1945, the 88th entered a period of defensive patrolling in the Mount Grande-Mount Cerrere sector and the Mount Fano area. From 24 January to 2 March 1945, the Division defended theLoiano-Livergnano area and after a brief rest returned to the front. The drive to the Po Valley began on 15 April. Monterumici fell on the 17th after an intense barrage and the Po River was crossed, 24 April, as the 88th pursued the enemy toward the Alps. The cities of Verona and Vicenza were captured on the 25th and 28th and the Brenta River was crossed, 30 April. The 88th was driving through the Dolomite Alps towardInnsbruck, Austria where it linked up with the 103rd Infantry Division, when the hostilities ended on 2 May 1945.ref name=Alps/>

The unit was in combat for 344 days and sustained 15,173 casualties (killed, wounded or missing).

Rank and Name, Sergeant Valter Lee Cassel.

Unit/Placed in, 119^th Infantry Regiment, 30^th Infantry Division “Old Hickory”.

 

Valter is born on 2 July 1919 in Wood County, Texas.

Father, Valter Pomrey Cassel.

Mother, Rosa Lee (Cox) Cassel.

Sister(s), Anah, Annis, Tandie Lolita and Sybil Cassel.

Brother(s), Infant?, Herman, Stafford, Alto and Doyle Cassel.

 

Valter enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 20812151.

 

Valter was KIA in the Fights with the Germans near St. Lo on 31 July 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Valter was first buried at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France.

Valter was reburied in 1948 at Shady Grove Cemetery, Winnsboro, Wood County, Texas, USA.

 

Thanks to, https://www.30thinfantry.org/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LX9X-M8L

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Name and Rank, Sergeant Robert Bayne Booker.

Unit/Placed in, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division ”Blue Ridge”.

 

Robert was born on July 10, 1916 in Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

Father, Dooley Onslo Booker.

Mother, Dulsie Amanda (Hathcoat) Booker.

Sister(s), Janice Rea, Myrtle Lee, Elsie Idessia and Lola Maxine Booker.

 

Robert enlisted  the service at Oklahoma at May. 14, 1942 with Serial number #38128405.

 

Robert B. Booker was a Medic in the 317th Infantry Regiment.

 

Robert B. Booker was Killed in Action helping the Soldiers who were wounded in the fights of Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg, on Dec. 26, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European, Middle Eastern, African Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Robert was first buried at Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, Hamm, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

and in 1949 is reburied at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, Oklahoma.

 

Thanks to 351th http://www.mtmestas.com/History Army http://www.history.army.mil/ and AMBC.gov http://www.abmc.gov/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

 

80th Infantry Division

Twenty three years later, on July 15, 1942, the 80th Division was again ordered into active service. Major General Joseph Dorch Patch, the Division Commander, issued General Order No. 1 to reactivate the 80th Division. Initially, soldiers reported to Camp Forrest, Tennessee, named for General Nathan Bedford Forrest, a famous Confederate calvary commander in the Civil War. The Division later moved for training at Camp Phillips, near Salina, Kansas and in the California-Arizona Desert Training Center (known today as Fort Irwin). The 80th Division set sail aboard the SS Queen Mary on July 4, 1944, landing a few days later on July 7 at Greenock, Firth of Clyde, Scotland. The arrival of the 80th Division in England brought the European Theater of Operations total of U.S. Divisions to 22: 14 infantry, 6 armored, and 2 airborne. By the end of the campaign, there would be a total of ?? Divisions in Europe. The Division proceeded south to Northwich, England via trains for additional training. Training included learning how to waterproof equipment for the upcoming channel crossing. The Division crossed the English Channel in LSTs and Liberty Ships landing in Normandy on Utah Beach shortly after noon on August 2, 1944, D-Day + 57 and assembled near St. Jores, France. A few days later on August 8, 1944, the 80th was initiated into battle when it took over the LeMans bridgehead in the XX Corps area. By the end of the war, May 7, 1945, the 80th Division had seen 277 days of combat. It had captured 212,295 enemy soldiers. The 80th Division returned to the United States in January 1946, after spending time in Europe helping to restore and keep peace after the war. The 80th Division had been one of the stalwarts of Patton’s Third Army, but it cost them dearly. During their 277 days of combat, According to reports, the 80th Division’s “bloodiest day” was 8 October 1944.

 

Rank and Name, Sergeant Harold Edward Rogers

Unit/Placed in, 744th Bomber Squadron, 456th Bombardment Group.

 

Sgt Harold E. Rogers was a Seneca Indian from Oklahoma.

 

Harold was born on Aug 19, 1914 in Tiff City, Missouri.

Parents and Siblings, no record.

Spouse, RoMere D. Martin.

 

Harold enlisted in the service in Virginia with serial number: 33224960.

 

Harold‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24  were,

2nd. Lt.        Edward  C. Jones Jr.         Pilot

2nd.Lt.         Vittorio O. Russo               Co-Pilot

2nd.Lt.         Benjamin W. Grant           Navigator

2nd.Lt.         Joseph R. Wall                  Bombardier

M/Sgt.          James T. Sanford.              Nose Gunner

T/Sgt.          Walter J. Rogers               Tail Gunner

T/Sgt.          Ferral E.  Daniel                Ball Turret Gunner

T/Sgt.          Harold E. Rogers.              Engineer/Turret Gunner

S/Sgt.           Joseph F. Miller                 Left Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.           Jack F. Bonifield                Right Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.           Joseph M.L. Michaud          Photographer

 

Harold was KIA in the plane crash, they found his remains on the crash site on Jul. 2, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart and he was already honored with a Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Harold was first buried/Mentioned at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England.

Wall of the Missing.

Harold was reburied in 1949 at Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery

Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma, USA.

 

Thanks to

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website, https://hendrikswebdesign.nl/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

 

Staff Sgt. Harold Rogers, who had been listed as missing since July 2, 1944, has been declared killed in action, according to word received from his wife by Mrs. Maude Jones, 31 A street northeast, a close friend of the couple. The sergeant, who was born and reared in Tiff City, Mo., and attended grade school there, was graduated from Wyandotte high school. He later attended Chilocco Indian school. Enlisting in the service in May, 1942, he went overseas a year later as a tail gunner on a Flying Fortress, attached to the 8th airforce in England. He was accompanied overseas by his dog, “Mister,” half chow and half police hound. Togerther they made 25 missions, once bailing out over the North sea. Rescued, they returned to the United States in May, 1944. At that time they and Mrs. Rogers visited in Miami. Assigned to an airbase as a instructor the veteran was dissatisfied and at his own request was returned to active duty, Mister, left behind, accompanied Mrs. Rogers back to their home in Hollywood, Calif. Sergeant Rogers was assigned this time to the 15th AAF, based in Italy, and was on a mission over enemy-occupied Hungary when attacked by 130‘s (German fighter planes). When the pilot signaled to abandon the crippled plane, he was notified that there were several crew members whose wounds would prevent them making a parachute jump, whereupon he elected to attempt to bring the plane in. The uninjured members of the crew bailed out and a few minutes later the big ship exploded in midair. The 34-year old former Miamian and motion picture actor was among the victims. Mrs. Rogers is the former Romear Darling, a graduate of Haskell Institute. (Miami Daily News-Record, Miami, OK, Sunday, Aug. 5, 1945, p. 1, Col. 7-8)

 

 

 

Body of War Hero Arrives in Miami For Rites, Reburial

 

The body of T/Sgt. Harold E. Rogers, who was killed while serving with the 18th Air force in a mission over Budapest, Hungary, in July, 1944, arrived in Miami Saturday for final rites and reburial. Sergeant Rogers, a resident of Miami during his early school days, was the recipient of the Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart, the latter posthumously. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. RaMere Rogers, Hollywood, Calif., and two brothers, Robert Rogers and Hubert Hardy, whose addresses are not known here. Funeral services will be held at the Cooper Funeral home chapel at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Russell Martin will officiate. Miami’s Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct a graveside service. Chief Watson Whitewing of the Seneca Indian tribe will be in charge of second graveside ceremony at GAR cemetery

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Bernhard Ralph Swart.

Unit/Placed in, 327th Bomber Squadron, 92nd Bomber Group.

 

Bernhard is born on 1 Sep. 1919 in Washington, Pennsylvania.

Father, Samuel Jackson Swart.

Mother, Margaret (Bell) Swart.

Sister(s), Helen May Swart.

Brother(s), Harold W. and Samuel Reed Swart.

 

Bernhard enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # 0-801220.

 

Bernhard‘s crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17  were,

2^nd Lt.          Bernard R. Swart              Pilot

1^st Lt.           Everett C. Brown              Co-Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Jim Good                         Navigator

2^nd Lt.          Walter H.  Verbanic           Bombardier

SSgt.            Kenneth Jodrie                 Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

SSgt.            Emmett Tucker                Radio-Operator/Top turret

Sgt.              George Smith                    Ball Turret Gunner

Sgt.              Roy  C. Davis                    Waist-Gunner/Ball Turret

Sgt.              Robert blohm                  Left waist-Gunner

Sgt.              Wesley McDannel              Tail Gunner

Bernhard was KIA when they were shot by enemy Plane’s and crashed near Bonn on 2 March 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Bernhard was first buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

And in 1950 reburied at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery

Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA.

 

Thanks to,

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/MB3F-TDB

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Rank and Name, Sergeant Ralph Calvin Hughes.

Unit/Placed in, 49th Armored Infantry Regiment, 8th Armored Division “Thundering Herd”.

 

Leonard was born  on Jun.3, 1916 in Haywood County, North Carolina.

Father, Robert Calvin Hughes.

Mother, Celia Magaline (Seay) Hughes.

Sister(s), Alma, Peggy Almina and Wilma Irene Hughes.

Brothers Perry William Hughes, Albert Linell and  A.D.

Wife, Wilma (Rader) and Peggy E. (Davidson).

 

He enlisted the service in North Carolina with service number, #6969289.

 

Ralph C. Hughes was a Sergeant in the 49th Armored Infantry Regiment.

 

Ralph died of wounds (injuries) during the Louisiana maneuvers at  Camp. Polk on Jul. 26, 1944, and he is honored with a Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Ralph is buried at Bon-A-Ventura Cemetery Old West-Canton, Haywood County, North Carolina.

 

Thanks to https://www.sfasu.edu/heritagecenter/6994.asp

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LL7W-Z3F

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

 

In October 1943, the Division moved from garrison to bivouac and conducted extensive field exercises. From February to April 1944 it participated in Louisiana maneuvers which lasted three months. The Division stayed in the field after maneuvers were completed. Shortly after this most privates and Pfc.’s were shipped out and new replacements were received.

The Division ended almost six months of duty in the field as they moved to barracks at South Camp Polk and continued training for combat. In September 1944 it was placed in top priority for overseas movement. It departed for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey in late October 1944. Departure from New York began on 7 November with arrival in England on 18 November 1944.

Construction of Camp Polk began in 1941. Thousands of wooden barracks sprang up quickly to support an Army preparing to do battle on the North African, European and Pacific fronts. Soldiers at Polk participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers, which were designed to test U.S. troops preparing for World War II.

Until 1939, the Army had mostly been an infantry force with supporting artillery, engineer, and cavalry units. Few units had been motorized or mechanized. As U.S. involvement in World War II became more likely, the Army recognized the need to modernize the service. But it also needed large-scale maneuvers to test a fast-growing, inexperienced force. That is where Fort Polk and the Louisiana Maneuvers came in.

The Maneuvers involved half a million soldiers in 19 Army Divisions, and took place over 3,400 square miles (8,800 km2) in August and September 1941.

The troops were divided equal armies of two notional countries: Kotmk (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Kentucky) and Almat (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee). These countries were fighting over navigation rights for the Mississippi River.

The Maneuvers gave Army leadership the chance to test a new doctrine that stressed the need for both mass and mobility. Sixteen armored divisions sprang up during World War II after the lessons learned during the Louisiana Maneuvers were considered. These divisions specialized in moving huge combined-arms mechanized units long distances in combat.

On the defensive front, U.S. doctrine was based on two needs: the ability to defeat Blitzkrieg tactics; and how to deal with large numbers of German tanks attacking relatively narrow areas. As such, the Maneuvers also tested the concept of the tank destroyer.

In this concept, highly mobile guns were held in reserve until friendly forces were attacked by enemy tanks. Then, the tank destroyers would be rapidly deploy to the flanks of the penetration. Tank destroyers employed aggressive, high-speed hit-and-run tactics. The conclusion drawn was that tank destroyer battalions should be raised. Immediately after the war, the battalions were disbanded and the anti-tank role was taken over by the Infantry, Engineer and Armor branches.

German POWs

World War II POW Camp at Fort Polk, LA in 1943

While primarily a training facility, Camp Polk also served as a military prison for Germans captured during World War II. The first prisoners of war (POWs), who began arriving in Louisiana in July 1943, were from the Afrika Korps, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s troops who fought in North Africa. They were housed in a large fenced-in compound in the area now encompassing Honor Field, Fort Polk’s parade ground. Finding themselves captured, transported across the ocean, and imprisoned in the middle of summer was made to hurt their spirits.

The POWs picked cotton, cut rice, and cut lumber. They also helped sandbag the raging Red River in the summer of 1944. Prisoners were not forced to work, and some refused. Those who worked earned scrip for their labor, with which they could buy such necessities as toothpaste or snacks at their own Post Ex Canche.

Thanks to Wikipedia.

Rank and Name, Sergeant David S. Becker.

Unit/Placed in, 563th Bomber Squadron, 388rd Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

 

David was born on 28 April 1925 in Stillwater, Payne County, Colorado.

Father, Edgar Nathan Becvker.

Mother, Marion Helen (Parsons) Becker.

Brother(s), Robert Miron, Gordon Raymond and Richard Dean Becker.

Spouse, Ruth Matilda (Waren) Becker.

 

David enlisted  the service at no record.

 

David S. Becker was a Waist Gunner in the 563th Bomber Squadron.

 

David‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17  were,

2ndLt.          Robert F. Bare                  Pilot

Flight/Officer James D. Westbrook           Co Pilot

Flight/Officer Robert L. Sonnenberg         Navigator

Sgt              George Shants jr               Toggler

Sgt              Vernon F. Hofman             Radio Operator

Sgt              Sam P. Umstead               Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Sgt              Andrew R. Strable             Ball Turret Gunner

Sgt              David S. Becker                Waist Gunner

Sgt              James B. Rorie jr.              Tail  Gunner

S/Sgt           Robert C. Pedersen            Radar Counter Measures

 

A Toggler dropped the bombs.  he flew in place of the bombardier, but he did not use the bomb sight.  He was not a trained bombardier.  He just watched the lead ship in the formation and dropped (or toggled) his bombs when the lead ship started to drop its bombs.

RCM is Radar Counter Measures.  He would try to jam the German gun laying radar by jamming the radar signals using transmitters tuned to the same frequencies being used by the German radar  but transmitting noise.   Sometimes this was called spot jamming.     He may have also dropped the foil strips (called Window or Chaff or “Rope”).   As the war went on it all became more sophisticated.

Eng TTG  is the Flight Engineer who was also typically the Top Turret Gunner.

 

David S. Becker was KIA during a Bomb raid to Kaltenkirchen, (Germany), the plane came in collision with a ME-109 , on April. 7, 1945, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European, Middle Eastern, African Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

David is buried in Colorado at the Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver in Denver County.

 

Thanks to the 388th BG http://www.388bg.info/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KWZ9-T4J

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

 

It was divided into two formations, Task Force Task Force 1 and 2, each consisting of two wings, respectively, 45 and 13 and 93 and 4. 45. Wing lost six bombers, including four by ramming. The tactic proved successful, hit planes usually had no chance of survival. For example, the B-17 42-31366 Snake Eye lost by the impact of the bill, in two parts as the plane broke up Paula Sue number 43-38869.Sonderkommando Elbe also lost two machines with 13 wings, of which one (42-97071 Candys Dandy) exploded on impact, which also resulted in the death of the entire crew. Interestingly, the remains of that fighter quite seriously damaged another two Flying Fortresses, but both returned to base.

– Lt. Robert F. Bare

# 43 – 38869 ” Paula Sue ”

Rammed by LW Fighter

All 9 Crewmen MIA , Later changed to KIA. MACR # 13723

Also Rammed by LW Fighter This Mission

2Lt. Lewis Hickman Jr. Crew 388th BG , 561st Sq.

Notes  43-38869 Delivered: Hunter 30/9/44; Dow Fd 11/10/44; Assigned: 563BS/388BG Knettishall 17/10/44; MIA Parchim, Germany. 7/4/45 Pilot: Bob Bare, Jim Westbrook, Bob Sonnenberg, George Shantz, Sam Hinstead, Vernon Hofmann, Andy Strable, Dave Becker, Jesse Rorie, Bob Pedersen {rcm} (10KIA); Enemy aircraft & hit by debris from aircraft above; crashed Steinhuden Meeres, Ger. PAULA SUE.

Source B-17 Master Log – Dave Osbourne

 

388th Bombardment Group (H) Association Incorporated 8 the Air Force, 3rd Air Division, 45th Combat Wing Station 136, Knettishall England, 1943-1945 333 Total Missions

Rank and Name, Sergeant David Bernhard Rice.

Unit/Placed in, Headquarters Company, Third Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Brigade.

 

David was born on Jul. 31, 1923 at Pelican Lake, Oneida County, Wisconsin

Father, no record.

Mother, no record.

Siblings, no record.

 

David enlisted the service at Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Jan.5 , 1943, with Service #: 36294258.

 

David B. Rice was a Sgt/Tec5 in the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

 

508th Parachute Infantry arrives in Belfast harbor on board USAT James Parker (sailed from New York during night of 27-28 December); lands and boards train in Belfast; travels by rail to Port Stewart; occupies camp near Cromore estate.

 

Sgt David Bernard Rice died non battle at on Sep. 10, 1945, stationed at Frankfort, Germany, and he is honored with the Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European, Middle Eastern, African Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

David was first buried/mentioned at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial Saint-Avold, Departement de la Moselle, Lorraine, France.

But is in February 1949 interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

 

 

Thanks to Dick O’Donnell webmaster of the 508th P.I.R. http://www.508pir.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

 

 

The regiment was activated on 20 October 1942 at Camp Blanding, Florida. Lt. Col. Roy E. Lindquist formed the unit and remained its commander throughout World War II.[1] After extensive training and maneuvers the unit embarked on 19 December 1943 in New York and sailed on 28 December 1943 for Belfast, Northern Ireland, arriving on 8 January 1944. After additional training at Cromore Estate, Portstewart, the unit was moved by ship to Glasgow, Scotland and by train on 13 March 1944 to Wollaton Park, Nottinghamshire, England. A sister Regiment, the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, who were part of the 2nd Airborne Brigade with the 508th, were camped less than 10 miles away at a former Country Hotel called Tollerton Hall, Nottinghamshire.

The unit participated in Operation Overlord, jumping into Normandy at 2:15 a.m. on 6 June 1944. Their immediate objectives were to capture Sainte-Mère-Église, secure crossings at the Merderet River near laFiere and Chef-du-Pont, and establish a defensive line north from Neuville-au-Plain to Breuzeville-au-Plain. There they were to tie in with the 502nd Infantry Regiment. Like most paratroop units in Operation Overlord, they were dropped in the wrong locations and had extraordinary difficulty linking up with each other. During the 6 June assault, a 508th platoon leader, Lt. Robert P. Mathias, would be the first American officer killed by German fire on D-Day.

Portions of the 508th regrouped and remained in contact with German forces until relieved on 7 July when they became the division reserve force. On 13 July, they were transported back to England via two LST’s and returned to their station at Wollaton Park. Of the 2056 troops who participated in the D-Day landings, only 995 returned. The regiment suffered 1061 casualties, of which 307 were killed in action.

For its gallantry and combat action during the first three days of fighting, the unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (later re-designated as the Presidential Unit Citation), quoted in part below:

“      The 508th Parachute Infantry is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy between 6 and 9 June 1944, during the invasion of France. The Regiment landed by parachute shortly after 0200 hours, 6 June 1944. Intense antiaircraft and machine-gun fire was directed against the approaching planes and parachutist drops. Enemy mobile antiairborne landing groups immediately engaged assembled elements of the Regiment and reinforced their opposition with heavily supported reserve units. Elements of the Regiment seized Hill 30, in the wedge between the Merderet and Douve Rivers, and fought vastly superior enemy forces for three days. From this position, they continually threatened German units moving in from the west, as well as the enemy forces opposing the crossing of our troops over the Merderet near La Fiere and Chef-du-Pont.

They likewise denied the enemy opportunity to throw reinforcements to the east where they could oppose the beach landings. The troops on Hill 30 finally broke through to join the airborne troops at the bridgehead west of La Fiere on 9 June 1944. They had repelled continuous attacks from infantry, tanks, mortars, and artillery for more than 60 hours without resupply. Other elements of the 508th Parachute Infantry fought courageously in the bitter fighting west of the Merderet River and in winning the bridgeheads across that river at La Fiere and Chef-du- Pont. The regiment secured its objectives through heroic determination and initiative. Every member performed his duties with exemplary aggressiveness and superior skill. The courage and devotion to duty shown by members of the 508th Parachute Infantry are worthy of emulation and reflect the highest traditions of the Army of the United States.[2]

”

After their success in Normandy, the regiment returned to its billet at Wollaton Park and prepared for its part in Operation Market Garden, jumping on 17 September 1944. The regiment established and maintained a defensive position over 12,000 yards (11,000 m) in length, with German troops on three sides of their position. They seized a key bridge and prevented its destruction. Other units prevented the demolition of theWaal river Bridge at Nijmegen. The regiment additionally seized, occupied, organized and defended the Berg en Dal hill mass, terrain which controlled the Groesbeek-Nijmegen area. They cut Highway K, preventing the movement of enemy reserves, or escape of enemy along this important international route. After being relieved in the Netherlands, they continued fighting the Germans in the longest-running battle on German soil ever fought by the U.S. Army, then crossing the border into Belgium.

The regiment later played a part in the Battle of the Bulge, during which they screened the withdrawal of some 20,000 troops from St. Vith and defended their positions against the German Panzer divisions. They also participated in the assault led by the 2nd Ranger Battalion to capture (successfully) Hill 400. Col. Lindquist relinquished command of the regiment to Lt. Col. Otho Holmes in December, 1945.[1] The unit was inactivated on 25 November 1946.

 

Pvt Rice was promoted to the grade of Tec/5 on 2 February 1945. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal For Heroic Conduct during the Holland Campaign.

They patrolled the wire lines in the Third Battalion to prevent any enemy attempt to tap in on the lines. During his tour, a heavy artillery barrage knocked out all of the lines. Private RICE immediately went to Company “I'”s CP [Command Post] to secure aid. While at this location, the enemy attacked Company “G” with great ferocity. Realizing the importance of reestablishing lines of communication with the company under attack, Private RICE located the wire lines and worked his way to Company “G”’s position through heavy enemy and friendly machine gun fire, repairing the breaks. He administered first aid to the wounded he encountered as he went along. He succeeded in repairing the line and was the first to contact his battalion headquarters and give word of the situation. He remained at his communication until the enemy was repulsed with heavy [illegible]. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and upon the Airborne Forces of the United States Army.

He was also awarded the Bronze Service Arrowhead device for the Holland campaign.

Name and rank, Technician 3rd Grade (Sgt) Bert Engle Walker.

Unit/Placed in, Bombardment Group (Light).

 

We have no information in our records of individual soldiers. Those are kept at the Army Personnel Center in St Louis, MO. Unfortunately, many of the WWII records burnt down in a fire.

 

Bert E. Walker was born  on 13 January 1914 in Adams Burg, De Kalb County, Alabama.

Father, William Bouregard Walker.

Mother, Eliza Clifton (Lindsey) Walker.

Sister(s), Pearl Iona and Mary Sarah Catherine Walker.

Brother(s), Daniel David Walker.

Spouse, Bonny (Holbrook) Walker.

 

 

 

Bert E. Walker was a Serial Engineer/Gunner aboard a B-24 in a Bombardment Group.

 

Bert was Killed in Action when they Crashed Landed on the Airport Bari, Italy, back from a Bomber Mission to Bratislava Oilrefinery in Slovakia, on 1945, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European, Middle Eastern, African Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

And he is buried at Liberty Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Adamsburg, DeKalb County, Alabama.

 

Thanks to,

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LR3V-QGF

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/