Son of Henry Lee Arant, Company A, 701st TD Battalion, who died on 16 August 1991.

MY GRAND FATHER WAS PFC EARL ZIMMER 692nd TD Recon I was wondering if any body would have any pictures,or stories about him,he passed away in 1977,and I wish I knew more about him.

My Dad was T5 Joseph A. Giorno Co. B 658th TD/Amphtrac Bn.

My dad served with 825 th.

My dad Edward G. Masi was in the 893rd td batt. He was a proud vet all his life.He talked later in life about his time at war. We still have all his stuff and some pics. he was a pow also and liberated by the Russians. I will add stuff to this site soon.

My father Peter Cepuran was with the 658th Amphibious Tractor Battalion. He too kept in contact with a few of his buddies through Christmas cards and an occasional note. He even attended a few small group reunions when they were close enough to go. I have a few group shots and one with wives in attendance. My dad never said much about his service. Now I feel the pull to learn as much as I can about his experience! Thank you for this site!

My father served in the 817th TD 3rd recon. He didn't talk much about it, but said there were a bunch of great guys.

Reading in your list of honered Heros I saw your listing of Wayne Tennant who was my father in laws Company commander with the 705 TD battalion Company C. I talked to Mr Tennant several years ago on the phone and he told me he remembered my father in law. He told me that he [Mr Tennant] was wounded during the Battle for Bastogne . He helped my wife to understand more of what went on during that battle that her father was in.

Wonderful information. I visit here often and find the information very helpful. Thank you so much for having such a great site. Another site I visit often is U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs. It’s a great site to learn about benefits for veterans, spouses, and dependents. I’ve learned so much from U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs that I started teaching classes around town to veterans groups, teaching them how to gather the right information for benefits, how to get an increase in benefits, who they need to talk to in the VA, and I make sure they visit U.S. Veteran Compensation Programs (http://www.veteranprograms.com) to get free stuff.

Danny Petroski
Navy Veteran

My Father was James H. Adkins. He served with the 818th Tank Destroyer Battalion Company A. I've tried repeatedly to obtain information on his service records but continue to hit a stone wall. Anyone remembering my Dad, Please contact me at my e-mail.

Hi, my name is Troy Reid. I thank all the heroes of the Black Panthers tank Destroyers. My uncle Sargent James B Robinson served in the North Africa, Italy, And Europe theater. I think he was in the 601. Is there anyone who can help me find out. All his brothers and sisters are passed. My brother has his patch all other info is lost but a letter. he wrote his mother and said. Have seen fighting in France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany. All they send at us are old men and young boy`s. hope to be home soon. All you BRAVE SOLDGERS are TRUE HEROES.. Hope some one can help. I`m also a Navy vet. Thank you.

Thanks for your nice site remembering those who served with the Tank Destroyers. My dad Stephen M. Latza served with the 806 TD at Camp Shelby and served at Camp Hood. He entered the service at the late age of 33 years old went to the Philippines He passed away in 2002 at the age of 93. He was proud of his WWII service.

Thanks for the history of the 807th TDs. My father, SSgt. Donald R. Cover, Was in the Battalion from its inception until it was disbanded. He was a proud member of Company A serving toward the end of the war as a platoon leader. He was best friends with Don Gaffey, Aurie Ault, and Midge Valente. May they all have Faie Winds and Following Seas, and may they rest forever on Fiddlers Green.

Dear friends,
I'm a Brazilian Army Veteran and studying the 1st Brazilian Infantry Division Italian Campaign documents I came to learn about the 894th fighting alongside our men during the war. Congratulations on a tremendous resource and well put website. All the best my friends. BRASIL

First of all, thank you for this website it is a very honorable salute to the 607 T.D
My father was Stanley C. Lee a SSgt. in the 607th Co. C. Very interesting on the campaigns they engaged in. Like many of the men that served in WWII he never talked about what he saw or what he did. This site gives me an insight of what those soldiers went through.
Thanks again for the website.
Raymond Lee

My Father was Fred J Pohl he was in Co "A" 672nd AMTRAC Bn he was in the Los Banos Raid in the Phillipines back on 23 February 1945 These guys did a very awesome job rescuirng Internees at Los Banos I saw the program on the History Channel "Rescue At Dawn The Raid On Los Bano's

Thank you for this information, I googled my Father's name and found more information than I had remembered about him.He past away when I was only 5..
Thanks
Ann

toutes mes félicitations,votre site c'est enrichi énormément depuis votre début,un plaisir a lire,trés enrichissant en documents,une question pourquoi mes 3 soldats (hellums,owens,harris) du 773TD sont restés oubliés de tous pendant 66 ans avant que je les retrouve???

Ms. Joan Wren can you please contact me. My grandfather was also in Company B 602 Tank Destroyer Battalion and also went to all the reunions.

My dad was in the 804th tank destroyers, his name was John Donaldson, from Mulhall, Oklahoma. He attended the reunions as long as his health permitted, and passed November 13, 2005. He didn't talk much about the war, other than some funny stories, unless he was with other comrades in arms, and I would sometimes be in the audience, just sitting in a corner and listening. Then, I learned of the horrors of war. I salute all the brave men who fought that war so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today, even though those freedoms are being stripped silently away a little at a time. Oh, how we need men like them today!

My wives dad was Melvin Clendennen who was a Sgt in the c company third platoon of the 705th TD , He served with them at Bastogne in 1944. This is such a great site ,Thank you

Researching my dad's military history..his name was Homer Glen Rackley. He was a Ssgt. in the 636td recon devision.

Hi I am currently trying to research my dad's military days. His name was Albert Oldaker ,he was in Co B 635th TD . He never talked much about his service so other than his discharge record and 1 picture of him in uniform, I have nothing to go on.

My dad ,James J Boyle
Was with the 802 in France
He won a silver star and my respect for him as a man grows every day , even with him gone 10 years
If anyone knows him or has family I would love to hear from anyone
By far the Greatest generation ,not even close

My Dad was with 692th B co. Don Crawford probably no one left that would remember him but if their is it would be great to here a story about him I have heard several from him . Dad pasted away 2013 just 3 weeks short of 96 . I plan tour Germany and 692 th route spring of 2017 does any one have any info or source for such tours . I have maps of 692 th campaign but they are fairly general . Thank you all Veterans , Happy Veterans Day

I just wanted to say THANK YOU so much for this wonderful website!I filled out the online form to honor my father,1st Lieutenant Stirling L.Beath of the 644th TD Battalion.This is the best "TD" website on the entire internet!

My Dad was in the 629th TD BN. Assigned to CO. B on January 7, 1945. at Chene-al-Pierre, Belgium. He's still alive and currently 92 years old. He was known as "little Mike" (5' 1''...hence, in a Tank). His Name: Michael Woloszynowicz...Later changed to Michael Waring.

-- We are the sons of Dominec Padula (Feb 1919 to May 2008) who was with the 629th TD Bn. His service, along with so many others, defines the heart of "The Greatest Generation" who fought to free the oppressed and safeguard the homeland. In a couple of days (10/23/2015), the bridge over the main line of Norfolk Southern Railroad in Dad's hometown of Bellwood, PA will be officially dedicated to him by the State of Pennsylvania.

Thank you for the opportunity to honor my dad, Cpl Robert Lawrence Downs, Co. A, 605 TD with an entry for him. This is a very interesting site.

My uncle, Sgt. Warren D. Burgess was with the 703rd Tank Destroyer battalion, KIA 2 August 1944 in a Tank Battle with German Panthers. A photo of one of four Panthers destroyed is on the internet. Has the body of a KIA American hero laying in front. Additional details and a photo of Uncle Warren Burgesd is available at Findagrave.com. Warren Burgess, Antioch Cemetery, Panola County, Texas. Amazingly his ID braclet was founf at the battle site by a local French citizen and teturned to out family last week. 71 years after his death. Details included at the Findagrave.com info for Uncle Warren Burgess.

Monroe G. Harmes, my grandfather proudly served in the 817th Tank Battalion. I see him listed in the headquarters roster list on the first page. But not in the photo on file roster? I also have information relating to 1st Army 8th Division, and 3rd Army 104th Division.
I am trying to research as much as I can and am in need of assistance. Could someone please help me out? I am not sure exactly what the info I have means. My father says that Monroe was wounded in battle at least one occasion.
Thank you,
Austin Harmes

Hello, was happy to find your site. My dad, Lawrence J. Strehle Sr. was with the 804th TD Battalion and was in Europe 25 August, 1944 through 20 July, 1945. Dad was injured during the Bulge when they were hit and he saw his best friend on fire. He spent 2 weeks in a field hospital in Belgium with a concussion and some small shrapnel wounds in his arm.

Dad went back into battle and also help liberate Buchenwald and another camp. We found photos 2 years ago on his dining room table that he found while liberating Buchenwald,there are 6 photos of naked bodies stacked in ditches.
Dad spent 5 months at Brooke Convalescent Hospital in Texas for "nervousness".

He is 91 now and in May moved into a room with my 92 year old mom, she has been there for 4 years.

They met when my dad was stationed at Camp Breckinridge in Morganfield, Kentucky in 1943. My mom was from there and they have lived in Morganfield since 1952. My father started a museum in our town and it is in an Officers Club located at Camp Breckinridge. We had German POW's there and 2 of them painted murals throughout the building while they were there during the war.
I will share this site with my dad, he will love it!

Thank you,
Joan Strehle williams

Greetings,

My great uncle John Keleman, was in the 601st from the beginning of the war through Italy and further on. I was wondering if anyone knew a place where i could possibly find a 601st unit patch, the "black Y" logo. I am trying to put together a family memorium for him and I feel this patch would be a great centerpiece. He was a great, gentle, man. and it would be an honor to our family to have one of those patches just to know he was part of something as great as the war. Any suggestions would be great ly appreciated, please email me with any information. wgps@iup.edu

I have letters that my dad sent to my mom during WWII. He was in the 894th TDBN, HQ Co. in N. Africa and Italy. I am doing research and would like to find out more information about his unit and hear from anyone who may still be living or their relatives.

My father was in Recon Company 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion in the pacific campaign.

My uncle, Frank Cangelosi served in the 893 Tank Destroyer Unit; he was a cook. He was originally from Astoria, NY; he had a book that he loved to share with us. It was an Army issue "How to cook for 100 Men". He told us great stories of his service in Europe; putting German POWs to work peeling potatoes; getting ice from frozen lakes. He went to many reunions. If anyone recognizes his name, drop me a line.

My father, Peter P. Priola, was in the 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion.

My father, Manuel J. Martinez, was in the 804th Tank Destroyer Outfit. I have a reprint of the Stars and Strips dated December 19, 1944. The title is "804th Tank Destroyer Outfit Proves Versatility in Combat. I know very little about what he actually did during his time in the army. He never spoke about it. I am happy to see that there is a website devoted to the 804th.

From the Valley City (North Dakota) Times-Record: September 4, 1943
Jeep Also Carries The Mail
Another first for the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion, stationed at Valley City during the harvest season, was the first recorded delivery of mail on rural mail route by an army jeep.
The test trip, looking forward to post war use of jeeps for rural mail delivery service, was successfully carried out last week at the request of the Rural Letter Carriers of the United States through the Valley City post office.
The battalion commander, in full cooperation, furnished Corporal James A. Burk, above, of Shippensburg, PA. Seated with him is rural carrier Odell G. Amundson of Valley City. The report of corporal Burk was simply, “Mission completed.” When asked for his opinion, Mr. Amundson answered cryptically, “Jeep-ers.”

September 7, 1943
Rose Busche of VC is Crowned Wheat Queen
The nation’s first wheat queen was crowned here Saturday night when the gala event was performed by the men of company C. of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion stationed here. From a bevy of 14 beauties Miss Rose Busche of Valley City was chosen the outstanding one by the men of the company to be crowned.
Following the crowning ceremony the queen was escorted to the dance floor of the auditorium by Col. Canlett and Sgt. Powers and she was introduced to the guests present.
Miss Rose Busche is the daughter of Mrs. Mildred Busche. Miss Busche who had been working in an air-craft factory at Burbank, Calif., recently returned to the city. She also has two sisters who are employed in aircraft factories and has two brothers who are with the armed forces. One of her brothers, Melvin G. Busche was killed in action early this year.

Sept 10, 1943
Queen To Help
Barnes County’s Wheat Queen is going to help in the war bond sale! When the Tank Destroer Battalion of some 800 men parade in Valley City next Friday afternoon, Sept 17, Miss Rose Busche of Valley City will have a featured spot in the parade. Arrangement for her appearance have been made today by Col. Canlett and Secretary Tom Hutchinson. The pulchritudinous Rose will be garbed in her dress of wheat straw which she ware at the coronation last Saturday night. Col. Canlett can tell you how the dress is made as he was stationed on the Hawaiian Islands on two different occasions and made some interesting observations on the subject of Hula Skirts. Anyhow, Rose makes and eyeful in her dress.

From the Valley City (North Dakota) Times-Record August 31, 1943
Tank Destroyers Balloting on Girls They Would Like to Go Shocking With

September 1, 1943
Girls from all parts of the county entering contest
Hollywood atmosphere, complete with microphones and the flashing of press photographers lights, will prevail at the municipal auditorium Saturday, when the men of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion, crown the Barnes County Wheat Queen.
Girls from all parts of the county are entered in the contest, according to a partial list released today, which includes, Arlene Kjolseth, Sanborn; Ruth McFadgen, Rogers; Charlotte Larsen, Valley City; Olive Picullel, Valley City; Dolores Dehn, Enderlin; Geneva Colville, Rogers; Beverly Colville, Rogers; Grace Hannig Oriska; Eleanore Vandrovec, Rogers; and Mabel Pelzman, Valley City; Arlene Adcock, Cuba; Leotta Batesole, Leal; Rose Busche, Valley City.
Photographs of the girls entered in the contest will be displayed where the soldier farmers have temporary headquarters, and all the men will have ample opportunity to select their favorite. Balloting will close shortly before the crowing ceremony Saturday.

September 2, 1943
Phil Mark
Gentlemen:
With the town full of soldiers, anyone might think that they might get out of line, but not the Army- They’re gentlemen! The streets have been full of ‘em ever since their arrival. They have hob-nobbed with civilians, been friendly and respectful. Said Chief of Police Harold Stenshoel: “If they shocked as good as they behaved, they did a lot of shocking.” A real tribute to their behavior.

Farewell
Before the army moves out of the North Dakota grain fields, they are scheduled to appear in one grand spectacle-a giant parade. Plans are still in the tentative form but we understand that some 800 men will be assembled in Valley City from the surrounding territory on Saturday, September 11. This will be the greatest military gathering Valley City has seen , and should attract thousands of spectators. It will be a grand farewell gesture by the army to their North Dakota hosts of the past few weeks.

From the Valley City (North Dakota) Times-Record August 19, 1943
Troops Shock 1,078 Acres of Grain in First Day of Work Here

August 20, 1943
Phil Mark
That Shocking Chore
To the soldiers it’s a lark. To the Mississippi farm workers it’s a new adventure and a chance to earn some money. To labor officials it’s a big headache. To the farmers it’s the same old grind with new faces to contend with. The reaction of some of the farmers is peculiar. Take the case of a farmer living south of Eckelson: After two southern lads had put in a full day, the farmer drove them as far as No. 10. After docking them a half-hour, pointed them in the direction of Valley City and let ‘em hoof it. That was nice northern hospitality. Bet those boys think the Civil War isn’t over yet. We hope that is an exception, however. Another farmer was in Tower City and told the labor office he was very please with his four men. “When you get two more, send them out,” he said. That’s the way it should be, and if the Mississippi boys and the army appear a little unfamiliar with these new surroundings, just be a little patient. They’ll come through.

We are funny
The dialect of the cotton and sugar cane boys may be amusing but did you ever stop and consider some of our own words and phrases, asks a newcomer to the city. For instance, a majority say “Yah” instead of “Yes,” he says. The one that knocks them over, however, is “That’s for sure.” To be more emphatic we then say, “That’s for dam sure,” he adds. And for even greater emphasis we say, “That’s for certain.” Ouch!

August 21, 1943
Soldiers Doing Outstanding Job
One group still talking about Ice Cream and Fried Chicken Served.

August 24, 1943
Wheat Queen?
Soldiers may pick one here
“How about a Wheat Queen for Barnes County?” This question has been put to the Civic and Commerce association by Col. Canlet, who is in charge of the Battalion of soldiers stationed here. Col. Canlet was quite sure that the boys in the company here would be delighted in the selection of such a queen and plans are now being considered by the entertainment committee of the Civic and Commerce association for such an event before the soldiers leave.

August 27, 1943
Soldiers making plans to select own wheat queen

Something new’s been added to the Valley City and Barnes County harvest this year, and the addition is strictly G.I.
The county, which boasts enough pretty farmeretts to warm the heart or quicken the pulse of any soldier boy, will have its own Wheat Queen, and the men of C. Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion will do the choosing.
The company, stationed here with headquarters in the Armory here during the harvest labor emergency, will play hosts to the local belles and beauties at a dance tomorrow night , when the plans for the Wheat Queen contest will be announced.
They plan to ask the girls to submit pictures, complete with names and addresses, from which a committee of officers attached to the company will select a representative group of candidates for the title.
Then the men of the company, who throughout week got out in crews to shock wheat and other grains, will be given a chance to vote for their favorite on a percentage basis. The crew which turns in the best production rate in the daily tallies will be given the most votes. The men in each crew will have a chance to cast their share of the crew’s votes individually, or the whole crew may elect to swing its votes behind one candidate.
C. Company put on its first dance last Saturday and the happy G.I.’s were agreeably surprised to find and approximate ration of four girls to each soldier- almost exactly the reverse of the situation which obtains at their home station, Camp Phillips Kansas.

From the Valley City, (North Dakota) Times-Record August 17, 1943
296 Troops and 221 Mississippi Farm Workers Invade Valley City.
Men for Barnes County Harvest Fields Housed in Armory and City Hall.
Valley City was invaded yesterday afternoon but only by the army and 221 southern farm laborers from Mississippi. The long awaited farm help has arrived and everyone seemed happy over the deal except local labor leaders who worked far into the night calling and placing the laborers with Barnes County farmers.
The Army is composed of men from the 817th Tank Destroyers, came here from Camp Phillips, Kansas.

My dad was in the 817th Tank Destroyers. Arthur F. Grabowski.

I ran across this site after learning my uncle, Edward Russell Birch was KIA Dec 1944 while serving with the 807th and is buried at Lorraine in France.

My dad, Alvin Cornelison< a motorcycle messenger in wwII and proud of the 804th. He is, at this moment lying in his bed with probably very few days left on this earth. The war has never ended for him. He speaks of it every day. Proud of him and the rest of the 804th. He's proud it was "Tank Destroyer", not tank containment, or tank degrader.

I served the the later day version of the 894th when it was a tank battalion stationed at Fort Knox as part of the school troops contingent. I was a tank platoon leader in Co. C in 1957.

I came across your site researching my uncle's Pete's service in the 636 TD BN. His full name is William P. Rutledge and served in Co. C. He passed away in 2012, I would like to thank you guys and acknowledge your work for putting this site together.

My father Horace Cayen was Sergent Tank Commander in the 645th Tank Destroyer Battalion . He passed away in 2002 . Just wondering if there is anyone visiting the site who may have known him or has photos . He never spoke much about the war . God bless all you Vets . Ron Cayen

My dad, Donald Cooley, from Seneca Falls, NY served with the 661st TD Company B. He passed away in September 1980. I'm wondering if anyone on here knew him. I remember Dad telling some pretty good stories about some things but he also had some pretty bad nightmares about other things.

Please let me know if you have any information about Major Nash O Thompson who served in the 5th Tank Destroyer Group in 1943, 1944, and 1945. Following VE Day, he was transferred to Ft. Sill, OK, for field artillery training and, later, sent to Camp Drew outside of Tokyo near Koizumi, Japan as part of the U.S. Army Occupation Force in 1949. His family - wife-Mary, dau-Marsha, son-Nash accompanied Lt. Col Thompson to Japan. An American tank ran over LtCol Thompson's jeep killing his driver immediately, and pinning my dad in the jeep for 14 hours pending delicate removal of metal penetrating his back and pressing on his spinal column.
In 1950, LtCol Thompson was transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas where he was an inpatient for almost two years. Later he was in outpatient service for two years also at Brooke Army Medical Center.
If you have any information concerning my dad, please contact me at 703 440 8070.