294th Engineer Combat Battalion - 1944.

[Walt's Daughter]

A new member wrote to me and asked if I could upload the info on his father and the 294th. I just uploaded it to the main site this morning and am sharing it with you here.

 

 

Dear Marion

Thank you for the WW2 work you are doing. I appreciate the opportunity to join the community.

My name is James Calabrese. My father was Joseph Anthony (Joey/Tony) Calabrese. He served in WW2 as a member of the 294^th Combat Engineers. He died at age 48 (I was 21) before I had a chance to take him to Normandy and hear his history, one of my greatest regrets. I have been to Normandy six times and have studied Utah Beach and the battle extensively.

While my dad was stationed in Sherborne, the town of the mine explosion, he met and married my mom, Daphne Hanney. Mom was born in Sherborne and lived there all her life before she moved to New York City in 1946 as a WW2 War Bride. My dad met my mom’s brothers, my uncles, John and Rex Hanney members of the Dorset Regiment, both of whom served in WW2. Although an American, I have been honored to become an Associate Member of the Dorset Regiment.

As a boy I lived in England, and visited my grandmother in Sherborne. She took me to see the 294^th Plaque .

I have been trying to find out what Company my dad was in, so far no luck. I noticed a photo of Company B in your thread. I remember my dad talking about John Bott, his nickname “Swede” being in his unit, I think that he might be in the photo. (He became a contractor and built our first house, that was in New Jersey ). If Swede is in the photo, then I think that I see my dad in it. My dad talked about Lt. Donahoe, also in the unit.

I hope to find out all the information I wish I had asked my father.

If invited to join I believe that I will become a contributing member of the Community. Thank you…..james calabrese

 

 

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/docs/Engineers/Joseph%20Anthony%20Calabrese%20-%20294th.pdf