Hello everyone,
I just posted on the other string forum about my background but wanted to introduce myself here as well. My grandfather was Anton "Tony" Pagoria from La Salle, IL and was a member of C Company of the 292nd. Pete - very likely your uncle and my grandfather knew each other since both were in the same company and both Italians from Illinois.
His information was drafted as a plumber, but was placed in the 669th Engineer Topographical Corps, 1149th Combat Group. The 669th was a transportation corps unit that included railroad training. This was a natural fit for him since his occupation prior to the war was a Railway Section Hand. He trained at Camp Clairborne, Lousiana. He was the last of his italian brothers to be enlist/be drafted. He was the 6th of his family to be in WWII and the first 6 star family in La Salle, IL. He also had 6 cousins in the war and one brother and one sister work at the LST shipyard in Seneca, IL. Amazingly only 1 cousin and 1 brother wounded and all returned to the US.
After the V-E Day he re-upped and was at a POW camp for Germans. I have group photos I will post once I find them in storage. Here is a photo that I will share to start.
Kenneth,
Wonderful to see you here, my friend! I am so happy I ran across you elsewhere and that you were able to join our small, but growing community. I look forward to many fruitful posts and to the opportunity to exchange information here in this thread. Let's all continue to seek out others who may have interest in this unit and these great men and any and all information that can be found so that the memories of their patriotic service will not fall into the abyss of history.
Have a great one, Kenneth, and accept this hearty welcome!
Gary
Proud Grandson of Randall Gates
Mechanic, A and H&S Companies, 292nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 1149th Engineer Combat Group