Bill Purkess was my grandfather and I am trying to find out about his service during World War II. Here is what I know. I have a picture of him in an officer's uniform with Engineer pins on the collar. No rank or unit is visible. I have a letter from him dated February 1945 talking about a recent R&R in southern France. Unfortunately according to what I got from the National records his service records were destroyed in the St Louis fire. Bill was born on January 6th 1920, and passed away on October 26th 1959. He lived in Brooklyn NY. Family lore has him as a Major, and having served in North Africa, Italy, and southern France. Sometime after the letter was written he had a major injury to his leg. The story was he had his ankle run over by a "tank". Would like any information that anyone might have on Bill. Thanks.

    Hi everyone, 

I'm looking for some informations about my grandfather. He was in ESB troup(but idk which one) and his crew had landed in Normandy (prehars near Colleville sur mer according to my grandmother). He met her in a little town called Mosles in june 1944. Unfortunately, he change his unit at the end of the war for the 716th MP bn (when he back inUsa) so idk his unit/regiment during the ETO. But 2 pictures show him wearing an ESB Patch and it's one of the only thing (his patch) that he left after burning down all his military stuff. I only know the departure of his boat from an to USA.  He fought in Normandy, Nothern France, Belgium and Germany (+ he had some adresses in Netherland and one picture with us soldiers but I don't know why. His name was Marcel F James, he was born in Normandy, he fought here and died here in 90's. So if someone could help me in my research, if someone see his name in a roster i'll be very thankful. 

Thanks.

https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=2&cat=WR26&tf=F&q=marcel+james&bc=sl&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=3477597&rlst=186173,3477597

My name is ted isham and i am trying to find out information about my uncle's wwii service record.  
He was in the 2829th engineer combat battalion (which i think was part of the 40th ecb) and the 2829th was attached to 45th inf.
He has passed on now, but i recollect some of the very few stories he would tell us after some 'persuasions' and he would say that he blew up bridges.....
if anybody has any information on this unit or even the parent unit i would very much be grateful for some pointers on where to look.
thank you for allowing me into this group, it has been very fascinating reading all of the various stories of the engineers.  i have a better feel of what they did and how important they are....

Hello all

First i would like to apologize for my poor english, and i hope you will understand what i want to say
 
I've been able to purchase an helmet shell recently, trough another french collector, but with very nice markings inside : Major William john Dorner, O-342380
 
It seems he was with the 116th engineer in 1941, maybe 133th a bit later ? i still looking for more informations about that.
i've read here : https://www.idahoheroes.org/116th-engine...alion.html
that the 116th engineer was on Pacific Theater,and that 2 companys have been commited in E.T.O, then the presence of the E.T.O bar on the helmet the makes me wonder
if he hasnt been also in Europe.


Now i've been looking for more nformations about this man and its units
from my side , the few i obtained is from a document dated (Census ?) 1940

Name: William J Dorner
Respondent: Yes
Age: 31
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1909
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Oregon
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Arlington, Gilliam, Oregon
Map of Home in 1940:
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Portland, Multnomah, Oregon
Residence in 1935: Portland, Multnomah, Oregon
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 3B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 67
Occupation: Civil Engineer
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 23
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: College, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 44
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in Government work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 2100
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors:
Household Members Age Relationship
William J Dorner 31 Head
Ann Dorner      26 Wife

Hello all,
i'm happy that my answer for registration has been accepted here.
i'm living in France, North East, a bit south of Nancy. This zone has been heavily hit in 1944 ,From beginning September to the End of the year ,and even later for other cities located in Moselle, and Alsace sectors.
I'm a collector of american relics what we find here ,and also a reenactor for the 35th infantry division "Santa Fé" which liberated my village.