Just as I was getting ready to mail my 90 plus newsletters to my VI Corps vets and families, I stopped to open my mail and was thrilled to see a card from the MacDonalds. But when I opened the card I sadly found a letter from Evelyn informing me that John had passed away. Of course I broke into tears, and was even more crushed because I had a surprise in the mail for Johnnie; a sneak-preview of the documentary. Alas it wasn't meant to be...
I am sharing Evelyn's letter and the obituary. May you rest in peace Johnnie. God bless you. You were a great man with a fine sense of humor and the sweetest of dispositions. I shall miss you as I'm sure the hundreds of others who had the honor of crossing your path in life.
My father In-Law, was in his early thirties while an officer as a 1st Lt. with the 386th Engineer Battalion(Sep), went over Apr/May of 1943, into North Africa, and then into Italy until November of 1945. He was with the Fifth Army, and part of the first Army Base Section/ 6665th Base Area Group. With HQ, 386th Engineer BN. He was a General Service Engineer Commander. Also part of Penisular Base Section in Naples, (under Col. Donald S. Burns.) I am wondering what happend to the men of his first unit, as well as the unit after April/1945, the 98th Engineer Regiment. I believe them to have been small platoons, with 80+ men in each Engineer group. Thanks to Michael B. for the great information that he sent on the two units above. Great web page Marion. With the family letters that I have and the information I have received, I have a better idea, of what his job entailed. But, also somewhere out there, are the men that served our country in those smaller units, that need to be recognized for what they did. I appreciate being able to use this forum, and hope to find out more information, to go along with the history written within the letters of World War Two. Thanks.
Looking for ANY information or any member who might know anything about PFC Harry Church: my father.
Dad entered the Army on 4 August 1943 was discharged on 7 January 1946. There are family rumors of his actions on D-Day at Normandy. His service papers do not show much other than stating that dad served in Normandy and Central Europe---I believe he was also at St. Lo, France during the fighting there. The Veterans Administration provided that information but there was not much in the packet I received: medical records, some training forms and decorations plus some mustering-out payroll papers.
It is believed that dad had something to do with the 720th Railway Battalion and the 3660th sometime after the D-Day invasion. It appears that dad was lost or detached from his unit. Again, I have nothing but rumors to go on. When dad was alive (he passed away in 1995) he did not speak much about his military service. I have some pictures and letters with names of his service buddies but that too has led to nothing. Most are now gone and the addresses or telephone numbers are long lost.
Anyone---PLEASE, help me if you can. I am just trying to understand who my father was and his small contribution during desperate times.
I, George Church, am a veteran of the armed forces and served in Vietnam: that too was a long time ago.
Please contact me through this forum or telephone me at:
This was sent to me and written by Michael O'Connor
I have been doing a lot of research on my grandfather (1278 Engineer Combat Battalion) and would like to send some info/ articles I have written for your review, plus get some of your take on doing this sort of research.
