Too often WE note the passing of another combat Engineer.

La Vern L. Needham, Company C, 235th Engineer © Battalion died May 25, 2005 at Fremont, Nebraska.

La Vern served gloriously with the 1108 Engineer Group in Italy from September 1943 to May 1945.

Thank you Al Kincer for supplying the information above. Essayons!

Representative Curt Weldon® of PA 7th District at a press conference yesterday, announced that he will introduce a resolution in the House today, initiating legislation to award the Medal of Honor to Major Richard D. Winters. The Congressman spoke of how the Congress did not intend for any arbitrary limits to be imposed on an award for bravery and that he feels that it is time to overturn this injustice.

Saw a wonderful interview with Buck Compton earlier today. What a great man. So friendly and jovial and giving of his time. Bless the 101st and all the other divisions and backup units on this day of history, June 6th, who gave so unselfishly!

During D-Day of the Normandy invasion, 6 June 1944, the Seabees were among the first to go ashore as members of Naval Combat Demolition Units NCDU. Working with Army Engineers their crucial task was to destroy the steel and concrete barriers that the Germans had built in the water and on the beaches to forestall any amphibious landings. When dawn betrayed their presence, they came under murderous German fire. Whole teams were wiped out when shells prematurely detonated their explosives. Heedless of the danger, the survivors continued to work until all their explosive charges were planted. As a result of their heroic actions, the charges went off and huge holes were blown in the enemy's defenses. The approximately 10,000 Seabees of Naval Construction Regiment 25 began manhandling their pontoon causeways onto the beach. It was over these causeways that the infantry charged ashore. Under constant German fire, directed at slowing or stopping the landings, the Seabees succeeded in placing large numbers of these pontoon causeways. Allied troops and tanks subsequently swept ashore in ever greater numbers and pushed the German defenders inland. The Seabee contribution to the success of the invasion was not restricted to assembling and placing pontoon causeways. They also manned the large ferries known as Rhinos that carried men and supplies from the larger ships to the beaches. These ferries were actually little more than floating pontoon structures powered by giant outboard motors. Huge amounts of much neeeded equipment were hauled ashore on Rhinos during the first few days of the invasion. The Seabees also built offshore cargo and docking facilities, piers, and Breakwaters. These were constructed out of old cargo ships, special prefabricated concrete structures that were floated over from England, and the ubiquitous steel pontoons. The huge port area that was formed out of this odd combination of materials became known as Mulberry A. Even after the artificial harbor was partially destroyed in a severe storm, the Seabees landed hundreds of thousands of tons of war material daily. In addition to these massive amounts of supplies, by July 4, only 28 days after D-Day, they had helped land more than a million Allied fighting men!!! CAN-DO!!!

Received this letter yesterday:

Dear Marion,

I came across your web site while recently trying to find information about

my fathers experience in WWII. He is 87 years old and has trouble

remembering details about the war, so I may not have the correct information

to research. He told me he was in the 28th/29th Combat Engineer Battalion,

but I am having trouble locating anything about this division.

Would you be able to direct me to where I should go to research information

about this unit, or tell me if I need more information before continuing?

Any assistance you may offer, is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Mari Nishiguchi