Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted June 25, 2010 I'm Caryl in the sunny HOT HOT HOT Panhandle of FL. My beach is slathered in oil, so I've taken to my winter activity of family history and geneology to entertain myself after my morning pool swim. Obviously I'm new here. I am working on research on my grandfather, who passed in 2000. He never spoke of the war with the grandchildren as war wasn't something you discussed with genteel young ladies. Sigh. I was able to finally get a hold of his service records from the archives (luckily none of them were in the great fire). He is listed as: before 44 he was in his 3.5 year at Valley Forge Mil Acad. - his whole senior class enlisted at Christmas, without graduating. I'm hoping to get VF to confer honorary diplomas for that class that went off to war. Co L 311th INF March 30 of 44 Co A 280th Eng Combat Bat from 4/23/44 until 8/11/45 730th Engineer Det Dist Co 11 OCt 45 (after that he went to flight school and went officer.) I know he was at the BoB, Aredennes, and Alsance Fr. I THINK he was in some part of D-Day. I'm looking for areas of work, and battle lines, any photos, unit patches pictures etc. I know it's a lot to ask, but I've been reading the forums and you all are amazing. He was a bridge builder and a construction forman. We're AirForce and I'm lost with all the army history. Any help or direction is greatly appreciated. I will check back often for replies. Again, thank you. (DH is a PH recipiant from Khobar Towers, still AD AirForce. I'm a life member of the Ladies Auxilery. So if there is anyone here of that group, "Howdy!" We don't have a local group down here, so I've been out of that loop for 6 years!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted June 25, 2010 Caryn: Glad to see you posted an introduction. A very warm welcome. How fascinating to find out the whole graduating class cut out and joined up. That is pretty cool. Have you seen this section yet? http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/eng...?showtopic=2668 Stay cool! Marion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2010 I've pieced together quite a bit the last couple of days. Here is something I need help with. I have 280th Engr Combat Batt Co A now I need to take it up the chain and figure out what Division/Corp/Army this was...... thoughts? anyone? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted June 26, 2010 Here's another site I found: http://280th.us/original/index2.html As far as I can ascertain, they were a separate battalion, as were many of the engineer units during WWII. The four main units I cover, including my dad's, were independent units. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted June 26, 2010 Right. Been there already. Sounds like it's time for me to put pen to paper and hit the book learnin'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted June 26, 2010 Hey y'all Have you contacted the Army Corps of Engineer's office of history yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted June 27, 2010 No, but I'm ready to. I'm also going to contact the man in charge of the 280th reunion group in Ill. I cannot believe that in this day of technology, there is NOTHING on this group. I have two personal stories from my grandfather, and that's it. I'd LIKE to know where they put sole to sod during these campaigns. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted June 28, 2010 Caryl: Understand your frustration, but we have to realize that ALL THIS STUFF, is just coming to light. There are literally thousands upon thousands of pages of documentation, which has never seen the light of day, and eventually thanks to people like you and me, will finally make it way to the internet to be viewed by all interested parties. Oh, my buddy Harold Whiting, 157th Engineer, sent me some reunion info: The 280th is going to have a reunion in September in East Peoria, IL If you or anyone else is interested, let me know. Marlin Kreighbaum President 280th Eng. Combat Bn If anyone would like to get in touch with Marlin, please drop me a line and I will give you his email address. Thanks Harold! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted June 28, 2010 Just dropped a note to Marlin. Also found this on amazon.com, but it's not available. ARGH. HISTORY [OF THE] 280 ENGR C BN. [Paperback] 280th Engineer Combat Battalion. United States Army (Author) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Ya, saw that too, but... Danged!!! WE shan't give up. There's gotta be one at someone's garage sale, waiting to be pitched... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted June 29, 2010 Been trying to figure out why the LOC or National Archives doesn't have a copy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Spent two hours on the phone today. Hope I made grand progress. Will log in later if it pans out. I don't want to jinx it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Thinking good thoughts.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SonofaMP 63 Report post Posted June 30, 2010 Hi Caryl, i see our illustrious, untiring, fearless , devoted & most beautiful leader of our family forum, Marion has aided you in your quest for information. Sorry i havent had a lot of time lately for research but here is what i have. The 311th Inf Reg was part of the 78th Inf Div. It appears from the dates you give that your grandfather transfered to the 280th ECB stateside, The 78thID shipped out to Europe Oct `44. I dont have their full history, but the 280th Engineer Combat Battalion was a non-divisional unit of the 9th U.S. Army from 5 September 1944 - 5 May 1945. http://www.twofortyforth.org/9thto.htm The only copies of the History 280 Engr C Bn [280th Engineer Combat Battalion] that is available according to a Worldcat search is 1 copy at the: BRUCE C CLARKE LIBRARY FT LEONARD WOOD, MO and 1 copy at the : US Army, Mil Hist Institute US Army Heritage & Education Center CARLISLE, PA It also shows a copy at the New York Public Library, but a search of the site shows up as unavailable. http://www.worldcat.org/title/history-280-engr-c-bn-280th-engineer-combat-battalion/oclc/16100831 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 Ft Wood is busting their hineys for me! I have photos of my grandfather downloaded, and photos of the other three platoons. I'll get them on the blog as soon as I can. (it's searchable) I can't wait to find out what else they find. Also, I have NO idea what "non-divisional unit" means! LOL ! Sounds like that new math! LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 Thanks for being here ya'll. Sometimes it just helps to be able to "talk" it through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted July 1, 2010 (edited) Great news. As far as your question about the unit, I had placed some information for you in an above post: As far as I can ascertain, they were a separate battalion, as were many of the engineer units during WWII. The four main units I cover, including my dad's, were independent units. This means they didn't belong to a division. They were a separate entity on their own. Trust me, I found this confusing several years ago too, for I thought all units came under divisional control. A the great learning curve... Edited July 1, 2010 by Walt's Daughter added a note Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted July 4, 2010 I have uncovered more in the last two weeks than I ever could have dreamed. I spoke with Marlin, head of the 280th ECB reunion group. Not only does he remember my grandfather, but he has photos and stories, as do the remaining men. Wow, just wow. He is also in the process of reprinting the 280th history. I am also now a member of the group I'm HOPING to help out by getting some of this stuff digitied and searchable for the rest of the world before it's gone forever. Wish me luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted July 4, 2010 This rocks!!!! What more can I say, 'cept for you will be in seventh heaven just as I am every time I get to be with any of "my boys". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted July 5, 2010 I wish I could make it up to the reunion in Sept. The military having us 1000 miles a way, me having a school age kid, and Sept being my extra busy season, argh....LOL. I am over the moon! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted July 5, 2010 Houston we have a go!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted July 6, 2010 It's a start. http://280ECB.blogspot.com I'm determined to get this information into the electronic world ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Walt's Daughter 1010 Report post Posted July 6, 2010 Ah, cool (or I should say hot, hot, hot today - 92!). Don't forget to put a link to OUR SITE. Hugs!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caryl-280ECB 0 Report post Posted July 6, 2010 Well OC I will ! could you also email me Marlin's email addy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Caryl-280ECB Report post Posted January 31, 2011 am now Caryl-280ECB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
