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817 TD Plaque Lyon County 817 TD Plaque Lyon County
Memorial plaque photo found at the Lyon County (Kansas) Museum website. Lists a Captain H.R. Robohn on the plaque who may have been from Kansas?
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817th Phil Amicantonia Crew 1 817th Phil Amicantonia Crew 1
Cpl. Filomeno "Phil" D'Amicantonio on far left with his crew of the tank destroyer named - Canned Heat #2. This photo was taken after the unit had been converted to M18s in April of 1945. A small unit history written history by the commanding officer lists Phil's crewmates as members of C Company, Second Platoon and 3rd Destroyer. Shown L to R are Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, Pfc. Walter J. Kramer, Pfc. Joe H. Coupe and T5 Louis G. Setta. Laying down is Sgt. Charles A. Jann. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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817th Phil Amicantonia Crew 2 817th Phil Amicantonia Crew 2
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio standing at right with the crew of their towed 3" gun. The unit converted to towed guns while stationed at Camp Hood, Texas. They would later convert to self-propelled guns in April of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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817th Phil Amicantonia Crew 3 817th Phil Amicantonia Crew 3
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio at left with an unnamed soldier. This photo was taken after the unit had been converted to M18s in April of 1945. The M18 "Hellcat" was the only purpose-built Tank Destroyer used in WWII. Its thin armor, 60 MPH top speed and 76mm gun made for quick hit and run tactics. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No. 1 813th D Amicantonio No. 1
Shown L to R is Pfc. Lawrence Cowan, Cpl. Dick Kruschinsky and Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio while stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky in June of 1944. That date was just prior to the unit shipping overseas. Interestingly, both Cowan and D'Amicantonio were from the same hometown, Wayne, PA. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 2 813th D Amicantonio No 2
Shown is Pfc. Lawrence Cowan, at right, with Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio at one of the many training areas the 817th would have used. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 3 813th D Amicantonio No 3
Image of a 3" gun in a test firing position. Taken in May of 1944 while stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 4 813th D Amicantonio No 4
A group from the 817th standing in front of an M3 Half-track named "Canned Heat". The M3 was probably equipped to tow one of their 3" Guns. Ten men was the recommended crew for a towed gun. A smaller group, five men, including at least Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, would later name their M18 "Canned Heat 2". The only identified soldiers are Sgt. Charles A. Jann in the front row far left and Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, back row, fourth from left. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 5 813th D Amicantonio No 5
Here the men are traveling in their M3 and you can see the 3" gun being towed close behind. These are five of the ten men that would have been in the crew. I noticed the soldier on the left, in the back, has the name "Mary" carved into his rifle stock. Location is somewhere in France. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 6 813th D Amicantonio No 6
Taken in September of 1944 while in France, Phil D'Amicantonio stands second from left between two men identified as French F.F.I. or French Forces of the Interior. They were really French resistance fighters. They were guarding a bridge in Beautor, France. The other American solder is unknown. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 7 813th D Amicantonio No 7
Shown is one of the unit's M20 scout vehicles decked out in full parade attire. It looks like they may have been on display for some high ranking official/s. The date is unknown but it may have been after VE Day and hostilities were over or at least in an area securely in allied control. The M20s were also used as personnel carriers. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 8 813th D Amicantonio No 8
Another photo with the unit's M20s and M18 Tank Destroyers on display. Its hard to say how much of the unit was in this one area but I believe it was at least two or more companies due to the amount of vehicles shown. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 9 813th D Amicantonio No 9
A view of the destroyed Ludendorff Bridge now laying in the Rhine River. The bridge is more commonly known as the Remagen Bridge because it was built near the town of Remagen, Germany. This photo was taken after the bridge had collapsed on March 17, 1945. The bridge was still standing when American troops reached it but continued attempts by the Germans to destroy it eventually weakened the bridge and it collapsed. The sign to the right identifies that there was a Bailey Bridge already in place for crossing the river. The river is on the left of this access road and can be seen just beyond the bridge. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 10 813th D Amicantonio No 10
A close-up view of the destroyed Ludendorff (Remagen) Bridge now laying in the Rhine River and its two towers on the west side of the river. Just ahead is the small bridge over the railroad tracks below. Engineers were trying to reinforce the bridge when it finally collapsed. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 11 813th D Amicantonio No 11
This blurry image was taken from the railroad tracks on the west side of the Rhine River just below the towers of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 12 813th D Amicantonio No 12
A photo of the pontoon bridge erected to cross the Rhine River near the destroyed Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Note that the sign on the bridge says "In Case of Air Attack, Keep Moving". Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 13 813th D Amicantonio No 13
Another photo taken on the pontoon bride over the Rhine river. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 14 813th D Amicantonio No 14
Although hard to tell which side of the Rhine this was taken from, it still shows one tower of the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 15 813th D Amicantonio No 15
A view from just off the railroad tracks on the west side of the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen. You can clearly see that the bridge had collapsed and the remains of the bridge on each side of the river. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 16 813th D Amicantonio No 16
The crew of the "Canned Heat 2": L to R Sgt. Charles A. Jann, Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, Pfc. Joe H. Coupe, Pfc. Walter J. Kramer, T5 Louis G. Setta. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 17 813th D Amicantonio No 17
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, at right, with an unknown soldier in front of a knocked out German Sturmgeschutze or "Stug" Turretless, Light Tank. This type of tank was very successful against the allies. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 18 813th D Amicantonio No 18
A group of German prisoners in surrendering postures, walking along the Rhine River with what looks like a boat or barge in the background. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 19 813th D Amicantonio No 19
M18 Tank Destroyers and M20 Scout Cars of the 817th roll through the bombed-out city of Halle, Germany. Civilians barely take notice in April of 1945 with the impending V-E day only weeks or days away. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 20 813th D Amicantonio No 20
A shot down German airplane near Halle, Germany. Possibly a Heinkel HE 111 Bomber. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 22 813th D Amicantonio No 22
Another image from Camp Washington in France, in August of 1945. Shown is Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio front row, far left. T5 Fay H. Morley is next to him and Pfc. Lawrence Cowan is in back row, second from left. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 23 813th D Amicantonio No 23
German prisoners of war washing some cooking pots while housed at Camp Prince Albert in Paris, France. Date is September of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 24 813th D Amicantonio No 24
A German Stuka Dive Bomber sits near Halle, Germany, damaged but mostly intact. Date is April of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 25 813th D Amicantonio No 25
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio on right with an unknown soldier somewhere in France In October of 1944. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 26 813th D Amicantonio No 26
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio stands in an American WWI cemetery located somewhere in France. Over 116,000 American soldiers gave their lives during WWI. In comparison, the total for WWII was over 400,000. Date was October of 1944. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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813th D Amicantonio No 21 813th D Amicantonio No 21
Shown is Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, at left, with T5 Fay H. Morley while they were stationed in France in August of 1945. The camp was designated Camp Washington but no actual location is known. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
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817th Thermister Belgium German motorcycle 817th Thermister Belgium German motorcycle
Four men from the unit posing while stationed in Thermister, Belgium. Shown are L to R, Rex Griffeth, Alvin Simcoe, Nelson Canale and Harry Smith. Note the unit's 817th designation on the front fender. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
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817th Hurtgen Forest Germ. 1945 pillbox blown up 817th Hurtgen Forest Germ. 1945 pillbox blown up
A blown-out pillbox in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. The 817th was in that area in early 1945. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
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817th Harvey Bensink Germany 1945 817th Harvey Bensink Germany 1945
Shown is T4 Harvey Bensink of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
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817th Harvey Bensink Art Kummer Halle Germany 1945 817th Harvey Bensink Art Kummer Halle Germany 1945
Here Harvey Bensink, at left, stands with Art Kummer. Photo couretsy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
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817th Gun Inspection at Thermister Belgium 1945 817th Gun Inspection at Thermister Belgium 1945
While in Thermister, Belgium, the unit's machine guns are lined up for routine inspection. Note the .50 Caliber in the foreground and the smaller .30 Caliber guns behind it, all on tripod mounts. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
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817th Dragons Teeth at Siegfred Line 1945 2 817th Dragons Teeth at Siegfred Line 1945 2
Image of the famous Siegfried Line and its "Dragons Teeth" designed to stop tanks and in this case, tank destroyers from passing. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
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817th Dragons Teeth at Siegfred Line 1945 817th Dragons Teeth at Siegfred Line 1945
Another view of the famous Siegfried Line and its "Dragons Teeth" designed to stop tanks, and in this case, tank destroyers, from passing. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
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Robert Stultz Willis LaRue Co. B Robert Stultz Willis LaRue Co. B
A photo of Willis C. LaRue, at right, with Robert Stultz, both of B Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Photo identified as taken in La Harve, France, in 1945. Willis would later tell his wife of the many miles of communication wire he had strung as part of his work within the Command Platoon of B Company. Photo courtesy of Hazel LaRue and Jerry Imperio.
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817th Group of 7 from Curry Fam 817th Group of 7 from Curry Fam
Group of seven men of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Possibly taken while still in the U.S. with what looks like barracks in the background. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
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817th Harold C Wray gravemarker 817th Harold C Wray gravemarker
The grave marker of Pfc. Harold C. Wray as seen at the Margraten Cemetery, in the Netherlands. He was killed in action on December 26, 1944, and was a member of A Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion. Harold's enlistment record identifies that he was born in 1923, in Pennsylvania, and living in Kittanning, which is in Armstrong County. He entered the service at Pittsburgh, on January 20, 1943 and is listed as being married, with 1 year of college. He is also identified as having worked in some type of sheetmetal, tin or coppersmith occupation prior to the war. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
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817th Vito Marco grvemarker 817th Vito Marco grvemarker
The grave marker of Pvt. Vito Marco as seen at the Margraten Cemetery, in the Netherlands. He was killed in action on December 26, 1944, and was a member of A Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion. Marco's enlistment record identifies that he was born in 1908, in New York, and living in Syracuse, which is in Onondaga County. He entered the service at Syracuse, on December 19, 1942 and is listed as being seperated, with a grammar school education. He is also identified as having worked in trades and services occupation prior to the war. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
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817th Homer Rush Willard Fullerton 817th Homer Rush Willard Fullerton
Homer Rush and his friend, Willard Fullerton, who he met in 1943 when they both were at the train station in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The two served together in the 817th TD Bn and came home together in 1946. Initially they were both in a towed gun crew but were later separated, Homer serving in an M20, and Willard in an M18. Both are listed in the unit's history as being in A Company. Willard, who was nicknamed "Fish", attended Homer's funeral in 2002. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
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817th Towed Gun Rush and Fullerton 817th Towed Gun Rush and Fullerton
Here is a view of a towed 3" gun crew of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. I believe it to be an early photo, based on the clothing, probably while the unit was still in the U.S. The 817th converted to M18s in April of 1945. Shown is Homer Rush, at far right, with his close friend Willard Fullerton next to him. Both men became Sergeants by the end of the war and returned home together in 1946. They had met at the train station and spent their entire service together. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
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817th at Arch de Triumph 817th at Arch de Triumph
A group shot of soldiers, possibly from the 817th, which includes Staff Sergeant Asal J. Prescott, who served with the unit. The photo included a note written by Asal, identifying the date, time and place: June 13, 1945, 1600 hrs, at the Triumphal Arch (Etoile). We know it as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Asal can be seen in the first standing row, second from the left. Provided courtesy of Brad Prescott.
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817th Lt Jacoby right Cpt Vogel left 817th Lt Jacoby right Cpt Vogel left
Lt. Marshal L. Jacoby, at right, stands with A Company Commander, Captain Howard M. Vogel. Photo courtesy of Paul Brokaw.
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817th Sam MArzano and friends 817th Sam MArzano and friends
A group of soldiers during their training in the U.S. The only identified man is Sam M. Marzano, "Mickey", who is standing at far right. He ended up in Company A of the 817th but spent time at Camp Grant, Illinois, for basic training and at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, among other locations, for additional training. Photo courtesy of Sam's great-nephew, Mike Gasparino.
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817th 1st Sgt. R.W. Clark of B Co. at tent 817th 1st Sgt. R.W. Clark of B Co. at tent
A photo of 1st Sgt. R.E. Clark, standing at his tent, while the unit was stationed near Reims, France in 1945. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
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817th Cpt McPhillips and Pvt Wasielewski insp TSMGs 817th Cpt McPhillips and Pvt Wasielewski insp TSMGs
A Signal Corps photo of Captain John J. McPhillips, (left) 141 Laydlaw Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, Company B, 817th Tank Destroyer Bn., and Pvt. John R Wasielewski, 2925 Mulberry St., Toledo, Ohio. They are inspecting Thompson Sub-Machine guns, which have been cleaned and checked at Camp Washington, in the Sissone sub-area of the Assembly area command, near Reims, France. The image is dated July 8, 1945. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
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817th grp of 8 incl Willis LaRue and Bob Dill in Reims 817th grp of 8 incl Willis LaRue and Bob Dill in Reims
Another photo, possibly taken at the same time, showing a group of 8 men standing around a pile of Thompson Sub-Machine guns. The only identified men are Bob Dill, nearest the camers with no shirt, and Willis LaRue who is standing behind him with the glasses and no helmet. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
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817th Nicholas Poznick and 7 at wheat 817th Nicholas Poznick and 7 at wheat
A photo of a group of eight men of the 817th, while they were stationed in North Dakota, assisting with the wheat harvest. Shown in the back row center is Nicholas Poznick, who served in C Company. Courtesy of Matthew Poznick.
Memorial plaque photo found at the Lyon County (Kansas) Museum website. Lists a Captain H.R. Robohn on the plaque who may have been from Kansas?
Cpl. Filomeno "Phil" D'Amicantonio on far left with his crew of the tank destroyer named - Canned Heat #2. This photo was taken after the unit had been converted to M18s in April of 1945. A small unit history written history by the commanding officer lists Phil's crewmates as members of C Company, Second Platoon and 3rd Destroyer. Shown L to R are Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, Pfc. Walter J. Kramer, Pfc. Joe H. Coupe and T5 Louis G. Setta. Laying down is Sgt. Charles A. Jann. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio standing at right with the crew of their towed 3" gun. The unit converted to towed guns while stationed at Camp Hood, Texas. They would later convert to self-propelled guns in April of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio at left with an unnamed soldier. This photo was taken after the unit had been converted to M18s in April of 1945. The M18 "Hellcat" was the only purpose-built Tank Destroyer used in WWII. Its thin armor, 60 MPH top speed and 76mm gun made for quick hit and run tactics. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown L to R is Pfc. Lawrence Cowan, Cpl. Dick Kruschinsky and Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio while stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky in June of 1944. That date was just prior to the unit shipping overseas. Interestingly, both Cowan and D'Amicantonio were from the same hometown, Wayne, PA. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown is Pfc. Lawrence Cowan, at right, with Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio at one of the many training areas the 817th would have used. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Image of a 3" gun in a test firing position. Taken in May of 1944 while stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A group from the 817th standing in front of an M3 Half-track named "Canned Heat". The M3 was probably equipped to tow one of their 3" Guns. Ten men was the recommended crew for a towed gun. A smaller group, five men, including at least Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, would later name their M18 "Canned Heat 2". The only identified soldiers are Sgt. Charles A. Jann in the front row far left and Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, back row, fourth from left. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Here the men are traveling in their M3 and you can see the 3" gun being towed close behind. These are five of the ten men that would have been in the crew. I noticed the soldier on the left, in the back, has the name "Mary" carved into his rifle stock. Location is somewhere in France. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Taken in September of 1944 while in France, Phil D'Amicantonio stands second from left between two men identified as French F.F.I. or French Forces of the Interior. They were really French resistance fighters. They were guarding a bridge in Beautor, France. The other American solder is unknown. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown is one of the unit's M20 scout vehicles decked out in full parade attire. It looks like they may have been on display for some high ranking official/s. The date is unknown but it may have been after VE Day and hostilities were over or at least in an area securely in allied control. The M20s were also used as personnel carriers. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Another photo with the unit's M20s and M18 Tank Destroyers on display. Its hard to say how much of the unit was in this one area but I believe it was at least two or more companies due to the amount of vehicles shown. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A view of the destroyed Ludendorff Bridge now laying in the Rhine River. The bridge is more commonly known as the Remagen Bridge because it was built near the town of Remagen, Germany. This photo was taken after the bridge had collapsed on March 17, 1945. The bridge was still standing when American troops reached it but continued attempts by the Germans to destroy it eventually weakened the bridge and it collapsed. The sign to the right identifies that there was a Bailey Bridge already in place for crossing the river. The river is on the left of this access road and can be seen just beyond the bridge. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A close-up view of the destroyed Ludendorff (Remagen) Bridge now laying in the Rhine River and its two towers on the west side of the river. Just ahead is the small bridge over the railroad tracks below. Engineers were trying to reinforce the bridge when it finally collapsed. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
This blurry image was taken from the railroad tracks on the west side of the Rhine River just below the towers of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A photo of the pontoon bridge erected to cross the Rhine River near the destroyed Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Note that the sign on the bridge says "In Case of Air Attack, Keep Moving". Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Another photo taken on the pontoon bride over the Rhine river. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Although hard to tell which side of the Rhine this was taken from, it still shows one tower of the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A view from just off the railroad tracks on the west side of the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen. You can clearly see that the bridge had collapsed and the remains of the bridge on each side of the river. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
The crew of the "Canned Heat 2": L to R Sgt. Charles A. Jann, Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, Pfc. Joe H. Coupe, Pfc. Walter J. Kramer, T5 Louis G. Setta. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, at right, with an unknown soldier in front of a knocked out German Sturmgeschutze or "Stug" Turretless, Light Tank. This type of tank was very successful against the allies. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A group of German prisoners in surrendering postures, walking along the Rhine River with what looks like a boat or barge in the background. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
M18 Tank Destroyers and M20 Scout Cars of the 817th roll through the bombed-out city of Halle, Germany. Civilians barely take notice in April of 1945 with the impending V-E day only weeks or days away. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A shot down German airplane near Halle, Germany. Possibly a Heinkel HE 111 Bomber. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Another image from Camp Washington in France, in August of 1945. Shown is Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio front row, far left. T5 Fay H. Morley is next to him and Pfc. Lawrence Cowan is in back row, second from left. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
German prisoners of war washing some cooking pots while housed at Camp Prince Albert in Paris, France. Date is September of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A German Stuka Dive Bomber sits near Halle, Germany, damaged but mostly intact. Date is April of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio on right with an unknown soldier somewhere in France In October of 1944. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio stands in an American WWI cemetery located somewhere in France. Over 116,000 American soldiers gave their lives during WWI. In comparison, the total for WWII was over 400,000. Date was October of 1944. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown is Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, at left, with T5 Fay H. Morley while they were stationed in France in August of 1945. The camp was designated Camp Washington but no actual location is known. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Four men from the unit posing while stationed in Thermister, Belgium. Shown are L to R, Rex Griffeth, Alvin Simcoe, Nelson Canale and Harry Smith. Note the unit's 817th designation on the front fender. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
A blown-out pillbox in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. The 817th was in that area in early 1945. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Shown is T4 Harvey Bensink of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Here Harvey Bensink, at left, stands with Art Kummer. Photo couretsy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
While in Thermister, Belgium, the unit's machine guns are lined up for routine inspection. Note the .50 Caliber in the foreground and the smaller .30 Caliber guns behind it, all on tripod mounts. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Image of the famous Siegfried Line and its "Dragons Teeth" designed to stop tanks and in this case, tank destroyers from passing. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Another view of the famous Siegfried Line and its "Dragons Teeth" designed to stop tanks, and in this case, tank destroyers, from passing. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
A photo of Willis C. LaRue, at right, with Robert Stultz, both of B Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Photo identified as taken in La Harve, France, in 1945. Willis would later tell his wife of the many miles of communication wire he had strung as part of his work within the Command Platoon of B Company. Photo courtesy of Hazel LaRue and Jerry Imperio.
Group of seven men of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Possibly taken while still in the U.S. with what looks like barracks in the background. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
The grave marker of Pfc. Harold C. Wray as seen at the Margraten Cemetery, in the Netherlands. He was killed in action on December 26, 1944, and was a member of A Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion. Harold's enlistment record identifies that he was born in 1923, in Pennsylvania, and living in Kittanning, which is in Armstrong County. He entered the service at Pittsburgh, on January 20, 1943 and is listed as being married, with 1 year of college. He is also identified as having worked in some type of sheetmetal, tin or coppersmith occupation prior to the war. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
The grave marker of Pvt. Vito Marco as seen at the Margraten Cemetery, in the Netherlands. He was killed in action on December 26, 1944, and was a member of A Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion. Marco's enlistment record identifies that he was born in 1908, in New York, and living in Syracuse, which is in Onondaga County. He entered the service at Syracuse, on December 19, 1942 and is listed as being seperated, with a grammar school education. He is also identified as having worked in trades and services occupation prior to the war. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
Homer Rush and his friend, Willard Fullerton, who he met in 1943 when they both were at the train station in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The two served together in the 817th TD Bn and came home together in 1946. Initially they were both in a towed gun crew but were later separated, Homer serving in an M20, and Willard in an M18. Both are listed in the unit's history as being in A Company. Willard, who was nicknamed "Fish", attended Homer's funeral in 2002. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
Here is a view of a towed 3" gun crew of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. I believe it to be an early photo, based on the clothing, probably while the unit was still in the U.S. The 817th converted to M18s in April of 1945. Shown is Homer Rush, at far right, with his close friend Willard Fullerton next to him. Both men became Sergeants by the end of the war and returned home together in 1946. They had met at the train station and spent their entire service together. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
A group shot of soldiers, possibly from the 817th, which includes Staff Sergeant Asal J. Prescott, who served with the unit. The photo included a note written by Asal, identifying the date, time and place: June 13, 1945, 1600 hrs, at the Triumphal Arch (Etoile). We know it as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Asal can be seen in the first standing row, second from the left. Provided courtesy of Brad Prescott.
Lt. Marshal L. Jacoby, at right, stands with A Company Commander, Captain Howard M. Vogel. Photo courtesy of Paul Brokaw.
A group of soldiers during their training in the U.S. The only identified man is Sam M. Marzano, "Mickey", who is standing at far right. He ended up in Company A of the 817th but spent time at Camp Grant, Illinois, for basic training and at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, among other locations, for additional training. Photo courtesy of Sam's great-nephew, Mike Gasparino.
A photo of 1st Sgt. R.E. Clark, standing at his tent, while the unit was stationed near Reims, France in 1945. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
A Signal Corps photo of Captain John J. McPhillips, (left) 141 Laydlaw Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, Company B, 817th Tank Destroyer Bn., and Pvt. John R Wasielewski, 2925 Mulberry St., Toledo, Ohio. They are inspecting Thompson Sub-Machine guns, which have been cleaned and checked at Camp Washington, in the Sissone sub-area of the Assembly area command, near Reims, France. The image is dated July 8, 1945. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
Another photo, possibly taken at the same time, showing a group of 8 men standing around a pile of Thompson Sub-Machine guns. The only identified men are Bob Dill, nearest the camers with no shirt, and Willis LaRue who is standing behind him with the glasses and no helmet. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
A photo of a group of eight men of the 817th, while they were stationed in North Dakota, assisting with the wheat harvest. Shown in the back row center is Nicholas Poznick, who served in C Company. Courtesy of Matthew Poznick.