Knife once belonging to Matthew Golec given to his nephew. Photo courtesy of John Tiltges.

A small group photo from the unit's 1973 reunion, in Greensboro, Tennessee.  These men are all from Headquarters Company.  Carl Konesky is sitting in the front row, holding the tank destroyer emblem.  Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.

A painting by artist John Mogus, shows a pontoon bridge, constructed by the 149th Engineer Brigade, located in the area of the collapsed Remagen Bridge.  The painting also shows men of the 809th preparing to cross. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.

A second painting by artist John Mogus, shows the Remagen Bridge in the distance. John was from the Clairidge area of Pennsylvania.  Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.

Carl Konesky and BJ Thomas, both of HQ Company, visited artist John Mogus, at his home in Claridge, PA.  The visit took place sometime in 1994 or 1995.  John painted a number of military subjects, including one of a pontoon bridge, constructed by the 149th Engineer Brigade.  This same photo includes men of the 809th. BJ is show on the left with John shown on the right.  Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.

A group of men from Headquarters Company, taken at an unknown location.  Most likely taken while still in Europe but certainly after the war had ended.  Carl Konesky is shown in row two, second from the left. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.

BJ Thomas, of HQ Company, is shown at the Blairsville, Pennsylvania Armory.  He is standing with a small display of memorabilia from his time in the service.  BJ lived in Clairidge, PA, and donated a number of items to the Patton Museum. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison. 

Photo of the unit's commanding officer, Lt. Col. Walter Ralls Lawson Jr. He was a graduate of West Point and commanding of the unit throughout their time overseas. His father served in WWI, initially as an infantryman and later as a pilot, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross and Croix de Guerre for repeated acts of heroism in action, in France. Lawson Jr. retired as a Colonel. Both men are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

The unit was re-equipped with M36 tank destroyers, like the one seen here, in April of 1945.  This particular unit was commanded by Sgt. Richard.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Shown sitting on their M18 tank destroyer named "Margaret" is T/4 John Adams who was from Vincennes, Indiana, Cpl. Hughes and Sgt. Nick D. King.  Margaret was the name of John Adams' wife. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott with additional information from Patrick King.

The first platoon of Company A to see action when they fired an M18 towards a target in Roormood, Holland.  Shown L to R in top row are Tolliver, Halloway, Dedman Shields and Rusk. Middle row is Kilgove, Woolever, Jennings, Harris and Johnston. Front row is Bovela, Hughes, Myron Leonard, Reeves and Baker.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

A photo of the coastal area at Dieppe, which is located in the upper Normandy region of Northern France. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

While traveling through France to Holland, the men stop along the road to get some food.  Myron Leonard is shown on left. Photo is dated 1945.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

The photo is labelled "My boys" which would indicate that these men were part of Myron Leonard's platoon.  Shown L to R is Baker, Wilhusan, Holden, Richards, Jennings, Holloway, Kroniers and Shields.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Officer's quarters in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Pfc. King and Sgt. Tolliver go for a joy ride while the unit is stationed in the Harz Mountains.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Staff Sergeant VanWyke spends a few moments with a family from Holland. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Bob McDonald transports what looks like milk in large cans, which may have come from a local supplier.  The photo is labeled Eland, Germany.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Bob McDonald, "Doc" Sellett and Myron Leonard pose for a shot while stationed in Portland, England.  The date is January 1945, which is just before the unit crossed the English Channel.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

The twin spires of the Cologne Cathedral are clearly seen in this photo from 1945.  The spires were used by pilots as a navigational aid during the many bombing raids on the city, which is probably why they were not destroyed.  This photo was taken from a vantage point near the Rhine River.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Shown is one of many American Red Cross Clubmobile vehilcles which were a mobile service club created during World War II to provide servicemen with food, entertainment and a connection home.  This particular truck is servicing men of the 809th in Gottingen, Germany.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Another shot of the Red Cross Clubmobile and the long line of soldiers waiting to benefit from its services.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Captain Chet Walsher is shown aboard the Marine Devil, which transported members of the 809th home from La Havre, France.  The ship left Le Havre on July 1, 1945 and landed in New York on the 10th.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Shown is Lt. Bill Bland with one of the unit's jeeps.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Captain Gus Henson sports a pair of aviators sunglasses.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

T/5 Haas on left with Sgt. Starback at one of the unit's tracked transport vehicles.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

An American P47 airplane that had been captured and re-labeled for German use.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Myron R. Leonard stands with a few captured German aircraft.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Joe Golesenski poses for a photo.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Myron Leonard is shown on left with Chet Walsher on right, who in this photo is still a Lieutenant. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Shown is Captain Dick Betts.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Fred Harding and the company pet named "SS". Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Capt. George Frost who was pulling MP (Military Police) duty.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Chet Walsher is posed with his gun and cigarette in hand on what looks like a portion of the German Autobahn highway.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Ray Boyer and Lt. Carrol Fox take a moment for a photo.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Bob Pramer and Lt. Myron Barfty aboard the SS Marine Devil.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Eugene Snyder looks slightly upset that he is being disturbed.  Note the M48 dash mount for the .30 cal 1919A4 machine gun and the Browning automatic rifle .30, bolted directly to the Jeep dash.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Dick Kennedy stands at a building possibly used as a command post or possibly living quarters.  Many of the windows are blown out.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Charles Nye aboard the SS Marine Devil. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

First Sergeant Catt cracks a smile for the camera. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Lt. Joe Goebel poses at a white picket fence, which looks like it could be from a yard back in the U.S.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

While stationed at Gottingen, Germany, the unit is still required to perform drills to keep them in top condition.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Pfc. Cartner on left and T/5 Bridges, functioned as Medics for Company A.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Myron R. Leonard relaxes aboard the SS Marine Devil.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

A photo taken from on-board the Marine Devil, while the ship was still tied in port at Le Havre, France. The small grouping of personnel at the dock seem to be one of the band units, probably playing a medley to see the ship off.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

The train stops to allow personnel to get a meal while the unit was moving cross-country.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Personnel unload a Jeep from a plane.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Fred Harding posed for a photo.  Courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Myron Barfty seems pleased with the attention he's getting.  Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.

Another image of the area near the docks at Le Havre, France.  One end of the bridge seems to have been destroyed, leaving the rest of the bridge now laying on the train tracks. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.