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Here is where my info gets a lot spottier...
The 1264th was deployed to Eisenach, then relocated from there to Salach, located east of Stuttgart. Apparently, this was sometime in April or May of 1945, as my father was wounded somehow (the stories are vastly different...my oldest brother believes it occurred after cessation of hostilities, but I have no proof either way). My father had a gunshot wound to the right knee, and was sent to the 203rd General Hospital, Paris, France. He was there from May until August, 1945. He separated 19 January 1946 at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO.
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-Sam
My Dad Kenneth Zino was 1264th ECB Company B and I can confirm that he & others did serve in Eisenach & Salach in that time period based on photos he saved and from records.
I have an official letter dated 22 January 1946 from Commanding officer, Captain Arthur N Hibbs. It certifies that Sgt Kenneth Zino was an enlisted man who served in the "Army of Occupation" with the American Force in Germany for the period 9 May 1945 to 24 January 1946 inclusive. (The 1264th ECB History book has a farewell letter from Arthur H Lahlum, Lt Col dated 26 August 1945).
Ken departed from Europe from Antwerp on the William & Mary Victory. They arrived in New York City 26th Feb 1946. The units listed on that boat were the 381st & 348th Eng Combat. My Dad separated 3rd March 1946 from the Separation Center at Ft Dix, New Jersey.
The 1264th ECB History book has an "Occupation" chapter. It says they were in Eisenach for "a long time", "longer than any other town in the ETO". It lists some of the work they did. Company B built a "two hundred ten foot, semi-permanent wood trestle bent, class 40 one way bridge across the Werra river west of Eisenach. In order to complete the bridge before the battalion moved, the boys in "B" Company were working in two shifts from 8am in the morning until midnight".
One item of interest I found from this time period in my Dad's box was the special order for a seven day fur to Switzerland dated 4 November 1945. It was signed by P. F. Bartow, 1st Lt Adjustant by order of Major Stickney.The men listed were:
S Sgt Lesley J Carlson
S Sgt Ernest L Redden
S Sgt Frederick W Olson
Sgt Kenneth Zino
Tec 4 Lloyd C Baldwin
Tec 5 Nicholas A Cavuto
Tec 5 William E Gerstberger
Tec 5 Cecil Young
Pfc Fred A Padgett
Pfc George Elfers Jr.
I have a memory of my Dad telling me he had been in the hospital at one point for pneumonia (?) and if I recall correctly the hospital was in Paris. I haven't tracked down the dates / facts on this memory but thanks for the tip on the 203rd General Hospital, Paris, France.
-barbara