49th Engineer Combat Battalion

[Walt's Daughter]

Nevin emailed me the other day. I decided to post it here because others may be looking for info on the 49th too.

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Hi Marion,

 

I am trying to do research on my Great Uncle... a WWII US army veteran.

 

He was in the 49th Engineering Combat Battalion. B Company

Name: William Mattie.

 

Enlisted April 1942 in Boston Mass.

Discharged Oct 1944

 

Service: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland.

 

Would you know any details on how I can find any history specific to the 49th Engineering Combat Bn? Photos, books, stories etc.

 

I have already contacted National Personnel Records in St Louis. According to their records his files were lost in the fire back in 1973.

 

Thank you for you time.

 

Nevin Gaudet

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Okay here we go. I hope this helps. I will continue looking too.

 

Yes you are correct, he was part of VII Corps.

 

http://www.jeroenkoppes.com/ww2/units/7th%...0US%20Corps.htm

 

You may want to contact Janet Williamson and see what she can tell you about the 49th. Looks like she has some info, even though she is looking for more specifics too. I have not talked to her, but am passing on the info that I saw on a board. janet.williamson2@verizon.net

 

"My father Olan Coy Cowardin was a truck driver and power shovel operator in the combat engineers in Europe in WWII, Co. A, 49th Engineers. He served between Sept. 1943 and Dec. 1945 and was at St. Lo, The Battle of the Bulge, D-Day and others. He once told me about being where a Concentration Camp was just liberated and the condition of the prisoners.. I would like to know which camp it was. He also told of driving off the ship at Normandy D-Day and how scary it was. I would like to know more about the method of building the long ramps from the ships and how this was all managed."

 

Here is a link on the seaborne assault that was Task Force U. The 49th were part of this assault.

 

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/BOOKS/WWII/utah/utah3.htm

 

Here is a link for the divisions and units that were part of the Normandy assault June 6 & 7th. You will see his unit listed under the 101st Airborne Division. I will try and find out more. I have several friends that belonged to the 101st and in fact I am having lunch with them next month.

 

http://www.dday-overlord.com/fepeng.htm

 

Here is the gentleman you should contact regarding the 49th CE.

 

49th Engineer Combat Battalion

Mr Wilbur Vickers

1209 Ambridge Dr

Louisville, Kentucky 40207-2467

 

 

I am hoping to have more unifying details later but this should get you started. You may also wish to see the research suggestions I have listed on my board. I strongly urge you to contact the army corps of engineers. They are a wonderful wealth of info. You may also want to contact Richard Horrell, especially if you come to spot where you aren't getting any further. It is a pay-for service, but he is a good friend and has a 5000 plus book library at his personal disposal. If you do contact him, please tell him I sent you. I would appreciate it.

 

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/eng...hp?showtopic=23

 

Warm regards and the best of luck to you. Do not hesitate to ask for more help.