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Soeder, Joseph C. Jr. (6th Grp)

Joseph C. Soeder Jr.

Biography:  Joseph Conrad Soeder Jr. was born on June 23, 1915, in Glenshaw, Allegheney County, Pennsylvania.  He was one of three sons and three daughters born to Joseph C. Soeder and Elizabeth Goodman.  His enlistment record indicates he completed grammer school and was working as a salesperson.  The 1940 census indicates he was working as a salesman for an auto agency.

Service Time:  Joseph entered the Army at Pittsurgh, PA on May 1, 1941.  On October 10, 1941, Joseph married the former Armella M. Marks, from Etna, PA, and the daughter of Willard C. Marks and Minnie C. Smith.  The couple had one daughter, Cheryl Lynn.

We don’t have any information on his early time in the military but he is listed on 6th Tank Destroyer Group payroll roster of 7-28-43.  The 6th arrived in England on Feb. 5, 1944 and then shipped to France, landing on Jul. 25, 1944, acting as part of Task Force “A”, VIII Corps of Third Army.  Beginning Sep. 5, 1944, the unit supported XIII Corps, Ninth Army, as their Anti-Tank section.  They moved into Belgium on Oct. 24, 1944, and then into Holland on Nov. 6, 1944.  The 6th then moved into Germany on Mar. 16, 1945.  The unit was deactivated on May 1, 1946, and redesignated as the 5th Constabulatory Regiment, serving on occupation duty, on the same date.

Upon returning to the U.S., Joseph left the military on January 6, 1946 at Indiantown Gap, PA.  In 1955 the family moved to the Ormond Beach, Florida area.  He worked as a mechanic and was a member of the Eagles who enjoyed playing poker and rummy.  He passed away on October 11, 2004 and was cremated.