I just cannot believe that I'm the only family member trying to learn about my grandfathers military history. Myself being retired military may drive my interests. My grandpa (John W. Eskins, Tec 4) was attached to the 691st TD Bn. He passed away March 14, 1997, however my grandma (Helen) is with us and can shovel snow with the best, but not much longer. She's in Neb & I'm in Cal, & erks me that nobody is quick to take over her duties.
So, as I'm trying to put an almost blank puzzle together, I'm looking for any information about his active service.
The internet & Grandma can recite some letters, which gave me a minimal jump start. I learned that his service record is available to the public through the National Archives, but absolutely zero information on him that I can find. Possible 1973 fire?
I know he earned a Bronze Star and nobody knows the truth. My dad said said it was fixing guns, but you and I know better. Any tid-bit about him, a story, or even an active duty photo is golden. Oh, I'm retired military & been through wringer, so no subject is too taboo. Thank you, my friends.

I believe my father was in this unit. I have old photos and unit newspapers if anyone is interested.

My Grandfather Juan J. Pena an Army veteran of WWII served in the European Theater in north Africa in 804 Tank Destroyer Batallion, Company C. I just want to say that he was a great man that served his country to the fullest. any photos or anything at all that could be surfaced would be great.

My father, Frank F. Jolley from Rome, Ga. trained at Camp Hood Texas with the 805th Tank Destroyer Bn. and was sent to Italy in 1944-1945. He served in the Po River Valley and the Perenese(sp) mountain areas. Glad to see this site, only wish he could have lived long enough to see it. He passed away in Nov. of 2011. God bless you for this site.

Excellent. Thanks for posting my fathers story and photos. :)

My Grandfather, Angelo Fulco was in the 640 in the Pacific. I saw him in the reunion photos. Those same photos are also hanging in my Grandmother's house. I also have several photo books from his time in the Tank Destroyers. I could submit these if anyone is interested. just would take a while to retrieve them from my family home as I am Active NAVY and live away from my family.

William E Toole was my uncle, the write up on him is wonderful and very informative. This is information that I did not know about him.

Donnie Hurst I am extremely sorry for your loss. My grandfather Herbert Mitchell was also part of the 813th C company and is still alive. I dont know if he is among the two that you believe to be still living or not, but I thought you might like to know.

My Grandfather Herbert Mitchell was in the 813th C Company. We want to thank everyone that has contibuted to this site! keep up the good work.

My Dad is Don Crawford and was with 692th TD. B Co. Would love to hear from anyone who may have known him or family members of 692 th. Dad is 95 and living in Pa. with mom,their 70 th wedding anniversay is next week. I will write more later, also looking for someone tointerview dad possible.

My father John B. Parrish (they have it misspelled as Parish) and 2 of his friends (Albert Beane and John Kelsoe) served in the 612th TD Bn. They all 3 lived in the Enterprise, AL after the war and and Parrish and Kelsoe continued to serve in the National Guard for several years. They never talked about their war experiences to any degree so your association has provided me some valuable information in "fleshing out" John's military service during WWII.
thank you
JP

I am the daughter of Raymond V Ahumada. He was with 2nd armored Division in WWII. He was there on D-Day, Omaha beach. Don't know how he survived. He was and will always be my hero, along with everyone during WWII which I call the Greatest Generation. I would like to find out some more information or pics about my dad.
What I have is 228th Field Artillery Battalion in support of the 29th Infantry Division Tank Destroyers. He was a gunner on a half track 50 caliber machine gun. Any info I can find about my dad would be greatly appreciated. This is a great website. Thank you Rob.

I am working on a battle close to my Hometown in Germany which happened 15th/16th of April 1945. Involved where two company's from 607th TD which was part of "Task Force Sundt" attached to 87th ID. During the fight the commander of 2nd company Capt. J. Laverne Nicklas was killed in action. Only thing I could find out, that he was from New Mexico and he is buried in Netherlands in the war cemetery "Margraten" close to Masstricht. He was awarded posthumously with a silver star for this action by 87th ID General Order N° 118 dd. 9th of May 1945. Can you help to receive a copy of this Order? HAs anybody pictures of Capt. Nicklas or know where his family lives? I will do mey very best to name a street in the town where he was kia in order to honor him. Thnaks Andreas

Looking for inforamtion on Frank Pazaricky, 82nd Airborne, 806 TD, 1st Alied Airborne, 4th Armor Division. He was wounded in Bastogne. His records were lost in a fire. I have a copy of his DD214 but it dose not have units attached to. I have his medals and some information but would like to know what patches and other things he might have rated. I am trying to put together a shadow box for his granddaughter. Any information on the above would help.

My dad Jesse Kathcart was a tank destroyer commander.I have pictures of him in Anzio and some where in Germany.I believe with 601st TD Battalion.He retired CSM in 1972.I believe his records destroyed in St Louis fire so I'm having trouble getting info.Help please.

My father, Hupert Dawdy, was a Scout in the 426th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Battery B (formerly the 663rd Tank Destroyer, according to your site) and served with them in Leyte, Philippines. I have some pictures I'll be glad to share, many including his buddies. This was 1945. Thank you so much for having this site!

I am Richard Boyce, son of PFC John Patrick Boyce, 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company A. 640th was attached to the 40th Infantry Divison. Fought with the 640th on Bismarck-Archipelego and Luzon. My Dad was transfered to the Field Artillery, 143rd Battalion of the 40th Infantry for the Southern Philippines campaign. I put my Dad's brief history out on the WWII Memorial database. If anyone has any info on the 640th please contact me.

Great news. After several years of research and a 9 month Congressional inquirey, CPL Johnnie C. Amacker of the 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company "A", has recieved the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in action during his WWII service in Europe.This comes almost 70 years after the fact, but better late than never. It is worth noting that the Purple Heart Medal is an entitlement and it is earned not awarded.
Great site. Thanks for what you do.

Father served in 703rd TDB in WWII, from June 7 to end of war.

Hello, happy to have found this site. I am the son of a 610th TD. I have several pix of TDs in action taken by my Father, located around the Ardenne and Ft Villey Le Sec.

Thank You. Seek..Strike..Destroy. 8)

Hi,
I'm searching information about Robert T. Pyle, he was Technician 4th class with the 629th Destroyer Battalion.
His unit was on the day that hé died (March 12, 1945) at Rhineland Germany.

I adopted his grave at Henri-Chapelle Belgium and will honor him and all the other people who died to save our country.

Kind regards

hello, I am Donald Miller son of John R. Miller my father was in the 653rd TDB but that is all he ever told me about his units during WWII. he was also a truck driver so I am assuming that when he went overseas that was the unit and MOS he had. since it looks like the 653rd never left the states. I do know he was with Gen Patton, from one of the stories he told me. and was in Normandy on D day. I have a map of where the units went and a list of the cities that they liberated. quite a long list. but since dad's records were destroyed in the fire I can find out nothing. in fact today is the first day I have found anything about the 653rd anywhere. of the few stories he told me, one was that he trained guys to ride motorcycles. ie: how to put one down when you came under fire and not kill yourself while trying to keep from being killed. there are a couple more stories but that was all. does anybody remember him? I would like to find out something .... anything. THANK YOU for this site to honor this great generation of men AND women. they sacrificed so much to keep us free.I would love to hear from anyone in this unit weather they knew my father or not. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE.

My name is SGT JOHN Nyehart and my grandfather John Reitmeyer was with the 692nd. Unfortunately I don't have any further information on him as he passed away in 1970 7 years before I was born. I am trying to locate anybody who might have known him. My father is trying to put together his achievments but his records was lost in the fire. For me knowing what my grandfather went through might help me with my own experiences through 2 tours in Iraq and 1 tour in Afghanistan. Please if anyone can help it would be great. I am currently stationed at FT. Carson if anybody is close. God bless you all and thank you for your sacrifice so we can live free and fight again.

My Name is Tom Lawson and I was a company commander (Captain) in Co B 1st Battalion 103rd Armor, Johnstown, Pa from 1988 to 1989. I served ten years with company B, coming up thru the ranks as an E4 to the rank of 03, being prior service helped to accomplish that. Our prior unit desingnation was the 628th Tank Destroyer Bn. I am a volunteer researcher at AHEC, United States Army Heritage and Education Center located in Carlisle, Pa., for those people who are looking for information on a unit, that would be a good place to send an enquiry to. The center however does not have individual soldier information. The web site for the center to request an enquiry is " http://www.carlisle.army.mil".

My father was Thomas Ray (Tom) Bryan and was in Company C, 771st TD Bn. He passed away in 1995. I went to a 771st reunion with him and my mother in 1987 and had a great time. I met a lot of the people he talked about all his life- Walter Schrater, Joe Klein, John Peterson. I also remember a fellow they called "Pete the Beak" and another guy named Artie who was quite a character. Shraeter was in his tank along with Tom Fannon and Lloyd Leslie.

Looking for any information on Wilson J. Lejeuene, Ray M. Duke or Raborn D. Rains all with the 823rd TD Battalion.

My father, Guy J Garretson, was in 705 but don't know the company. Great site. Some of his stories were about the Battle of the Bulge and Frankfurt, Germany.24

My compliments on your very professional site. The 813th was attached many times to my dad's unit and their actions were always stellar. I would like to know the name of the leader of 3rd PL B Company 8 Aug44
during the action in LeMans. My dad has always wondered who the man was that 'saved his bacon'. Dad was commander of 2nd Pl B Troop 121 Cav. Thanks

Have been searching for years about info on the 643rd TDB. My father didn't want to talk much about his recon unit was badly torn up on April 12 at Barby, Germany prior to the taking of the Elbe river.5 Men were killed and a number were wounded. My Father was among the wounded and he sorely saddened about losing so many of his buddies during the remainder of his life.His name was Bill Francis and was on the M-8 Armored car serving in the Recon unit.

I want to think you for the article written by Bill Oettle. My grandfather was Harold Jones, my grandmother told me about the mine his TD hit in the North Apennines Mountains, but I didn't know the details of it. My grandfather never spoke of his experience during the war, so I know very little about it. I would be very appreciative of any other stories or pictures that anyone has to share. If anyone has any questions for me, please feel free to ask, I don't know much about my grandfather's war experience, but I was fortunate to have him in my life until 2002. He was a great man and a wonderful grandfather.

My father Merritt William Scotton served as Staff Sergeant in Bearcat unit. All discharge papers etc. have been lost so I don't know any details only that he did serve in Germany.

:)

Pleased to find you. You're a help to my research.

My father Roy W Paquet served with C Co. 661st TD. Just found your site I'm impressed.

I am researching a 50 frank note signed on March 17, 1945. Hard to make out the writing, but it looks like "Wire Section 665 F A Bn France". Some of the signers are Kermit Latimer-PA, Edward Hall, George W. Hodge, John Hamilton, M. H. Dickey, Jr.-Texas, Joe Pope, Ed Carroll, Bill Murphy-Oklahoma, ???? Mclane. And there are others which are very faint.
Does anybody know these soldiers?

Operation “Blockbuster”,“Grenade” and „Veritable“ Feb.-March 1945 and later (Occupation time)

Hello. I´m am searching for Photos. Documents and facts from my Town ALPEN ( ALPON) in Germany or other nearest Towns (Drüpt, Huck, Veen, Bönninghardt incl.Field Airport, Forest the LEUCHT, Menzelen, Issum, Sonsbeck and so on.) Inv. from 16th US Corps ( 30/35th Inf Div,134/320/th Inf. Reg. ,119th and so on.) Thank you very much. Please reply via Email: SewingHennefeld@aol.com

About 10 years ago I made an oral history video of my great Uncle, Alex Spark, who was an NCO in the 630th.

I'm looking for info on my Fathers cousin who was killed/died in Germany May 7th,1945.He was in the 66th Army Division. I found his rave at Ft.Sam Houston Texas. It says"Willie L.Medina-pvt.Co.B 69th 1st Tank Destroyer". My father served on a Destroyer in the Pacific during WW 2. I pic I have of him,the only one,has the black Panther on it allright.Appreciate any info.
George Gaytan-San Antonio,Texas

Just want to let you know of the passing of one of your own. My father-in-law, Bob Powell passed away last night (1/26/2012) . He was extremely proud of his service and enjoyed your reunions so much. Please remember him in prayer.

I would like to take a moment to express my thanks for remembering the 605th Company "C" Division My father would be proud. My father was Capt. William G Garsed III.He was born Feb2,1920. Died in March17,2000 at the age of 80. His internment was held at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetary. His journey took him far and wide during the WWII. He was inducted into the service on October 30,1941 @ Fort George Meade,MD. After his initial training he earned the rank of Corporal. Army Specialty (Scout). After receiving the rank of Corporal he was immediately given the title of( Intelligence Officer 9307). He was then sent to Fort Sill,Oklahoma for Officer Candidate Schooling Course #27. Where upon his next assignment /post was at Camp Hood, TX .Where he studied and trained at Tank Destroyer School Of Tactics & from March 6th to May 28th 1943. Graduated. He received excellent reviews. After graduation he was then promoted to Captain and was then given command of the 605th Tank Destoyers Company "C".Received orders and departed via The Queen Mary (NY) Bound for Scotland. Departure date was on December 10,1944 arriving in Scotland December 19,1944. He was under the command of Lt.Col Buchwald(See Introduction).His destination was the Rhineland Central Europe. After many battles/campaigns. He was awarded the following medals. WWII Victory Medal American Campaign Medal European Africa Middle Eastern with 2 Battle Stars and the Bronze Star, Frango Pin. He was never received any wounds while in action. He spent the remainder part of the war focussing on The Neurenburg Trials while in Germany doing intellegance gathering etc.Upon the completion of the trials he received the rank of Major. His duties incompassed a great deal intellegence gathering. He was mustered out with an Honorable Discharge(Indiantown Gap Military Reservation,PA( Rank) MAJOR February18,1946 After the war ended He returned back to his occupation as a Loan Officer for the First National Bank,Philadelphia,PA.now Wachovia/Wells Fargo Bank where he work until retirement . He retired as Regional Vice President. Graduated from Temple Univ. with BA.degree and then attended Rutgers University receiving a MA Degree in Business Administration.

Material Gathering was done by his two sons Craig S. Garsed & William G. Garsed IV. RIP Dad. You served your country well.

Thank you.

My father Carl Troutman was a member of Co B. 805th TDB. With this unit from 1941 to 1945. Nice to see a site for our heros. they are truly the greatest generation.

I found this site just looking around on the net for 772nd TDB wich my grandpa was in he was a tank driver.

I found this site while researching information on the 648th TD Bn, where my father (Gilbert Jentho) served. Thank you so much for preserving this history.

Found this site when looking up information for my grandfather Lt. Harold L. Moll. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and my son is interviewing him on video and trying to document as much of this valuable history as possible. If anyone has more information or links for the 819th TD batallion, please let me know.

I came across your site while trying to do some research on a photo that was given to us here at the Heritage Center. It is Company "A" 159th , I.R.T.B , and I found some great links on your site to find a different way to locate who is in this photo. Thank you so much and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Just was doing some research my grandfather was in the 691st Tank Battalion in WW2. I have tons of pictures my grandfather was a photo buff so I have so many war pictures. I also have his medals uniforms etc......

Glad to see someone cares!


Seek Strike Destroy!

John

Looking for any information on my uncle, Jay H. Nesbit, who served during WWII in 644 TD Batallion Company B. Thank you!

Shared site with my father, Herbert B Knox, who received the Distinguished Service Cross with the 692...

Brought back many memories for him...

A friend sent an email with photos of a several German WWII tracked vehicles including a
Panzerkampfwagen. I replied that my father, Lt. Thomas M. Michaels (1917-84) had served in the 773rd TD BN and that the tank destroyer was designed to combat German tanks. I have several old photos of the unit in Europe and sent one to him. In response he asked what the ballistics were of the armament. I found your site looking for the answer. The first thing I saw was Col. Frank G. Spiess' name. The last time I saw Col. Spiess was in New Orleans sometime in the 1970's. My wife and I were guests and Colonel and Mrs. Spiess were most gracious hosts.Old memories of attending 773rd. reunions in my boyhood flooded back. Thank you for keeping this history and heritage alive for those who followed the men who served.
Yours,
Thomas M. Michaels, Jr.

I am a retired army reservist but I spent 7 of my 21 years in a 28th division unit (Pa Army national Guard):
1st battalion 103rd armored regiment which in WW2 was the 628th TD BN. I was also at one time president of the National Guard Armor Reunion Association which was the associated organization for the 628th TD BN, 628th Tank BN, 1/103rd Armor but the NGARA doesn't exist anymore. I wanted to know more about TD as I found out my former unit was attached to the 5th Armored Division during the entire WW2.
Though I am actually a Quartermaster Corps soldier I loved being in an armored unit and especially it was a TD unit at one time.

Thank You and God Bless.
V/R
SSG Kraig Morris
USAR,Ret.