Seeking information in regard to my great uncle, John Henry West - his grave marker indicates that he was part of the 1301st Engineers - Company E. He was a sargeant at the time of his departure from military service.
John never married, and surviving family members indicate he was a "changed man" after the war - he did not talk about what he experienced. I am going to piece together a brief history of his unit. I have requested records through the national archives center, altough I am told that his records may have been destroyed in the 1973 fire.
Any information on the 1301st would be appreciated . . . Not finding a lot online.
There is a new building dedicated to Abie Abraham, called the Abie Abraham VA Clinic Healthcare Center in Butler, PA. His wife told me this fantastic news in a Christmas card. Here's to you Abie. Thank you for letting me know about this, Chris. Glad we are keeping in touch.
S/Sgt. Abie Abraham was stationed during WWII with the 18th infantry in New York; 3 years with the 14th infantry in Panama, there he was a light-weight boxing champ and trainer; 15th Infantry, unassigned in China, while the Paney was sunk; 30th Infantry, Presidio, San Francisco; 31st Infantry, Manila, Philippines, there for nine years. He fought , was captured, endured the Bataan Death March, as a POW for three and a half years, was beaten, stabbed, shot, survived malaria and starvation to be rescued by the 6th Rangers. He stayed behind at the request of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, two and a half more years disinterring the bodies of his fallen comrades, from the Death March and the prison camps. He helped to identify their bodies and see that they were properly laid to res.. M/Sgt Abraham was promoted in 1945. He came back to the U.S, where he served as a recruiter. He also served a few more years in Germany until his retirement, with 30 years of service.
I will leave for the Battle of the Bulge commemorations in Bastogne tomorrow and will get back on Sunday. For the first time I am not going by car but with a Dodge WC-52. For now the weatherforecast predicts snow but I won't be surprised if there isn't any snow. Nevertheless the main goal is to commemorate and remember those who fought for our freedom and paid the highest price. For that I would like to share a song written and composed by an American friend, Mark Chernek:
They did their job back then, now it is our job to keep the memory alive!
Bummed! Just sent my friend and his wife Barb, a Christmas card last week, only to find he passed away this week. So sorry to hear this. He was one of the sweetest vets I've ever met. Enjoyed sitting with him in Farmington Hills, while attending the 101st meetings. He and his wife also stopped by our country store a couple of times on their way up north to their cottage. What a nice surprise that was. I shall miss you buddy. My condolences to Barb and the rest of your family and friends.
