Marion Chard,
I have been using your forum to obtain information about the Combat Engineers during
WWII. Thank you for your dedication.
I am in my late 60's, but did not serve in the military. My brother a pilot, was a Captain in
the Navy, and retired after 30 years of service. My father served in the Navy in WWII as a
Seabee, Carpenters Mate 3rd Class. He was a diver, both shallow and deep water. He was
in the Naval Construction Battalion Detachment #1009, on Banika Island, Russell, Islands,
South Pacific. The unit operated the Landing Craft Repair Base No. 2. My father never
discussed his service with me or my siblings. I have spend a lot of time rebuilding his training
times in Virginia and California and the trail to the LCRB No. 2. We now have a good picture
of his service, before he came back and finished his engineering degree.
My mother-in-law's first husband Edward Lawson, was in the Army Corp of Engineers. He
was KIA in March, 1945. They were divorced in mid 1942. We have attempted to research
his service but we received many letters back from various military records sites, that there is
no record. This month we did discover that the family has a half sister, Ed Lawson had
remarried in 1943 in Newport News, NJ. We contacted the half sister and have good
relations with her. She and her mom were not notified of Edward's death, but found out when
his letters stopped. The army denied benefits to them, because he was married to someone
else. This just made me dig further, but still not much luck.
2nd Lt. Edward William Lawson born 3 Mar 1916, died 27 Mar 1945. He is buried in
Arlington National Cemetery. On his Interment papers, he was returned with WWII Dead
Program from St. Avold-Metz France in 1949. the papers state that he was U.S. AGF - 345
Engrs. A colored pencil note on the record states " C o C, 10 Engr. Ba., WWII Corps of
Engrs. We do find mention of Edward in the Diary of Chick Bruns - 70 Years Ago. Edward is
listed on the Territory of Alaska WWII Army Casualties. His enlistment shows as Seattle,
Wa, but all Alaska enlistments show as Washington.
Our family and two living children of Edward's first marriage live in Alaska, so going to the
records is very difficult.
We can find no records related to 345 - Engrs.
Joining your forum hopefully with help in learning more about the WWII history of Corp of
Engineers.
Thank you,
Willet Bushnell
