I'm Caryl in the sunny HOT HOT HOT Panhandle of FL. My beach is slathered in oil, so I've taken to my winter activity of family history and geneology to entertain myself after my morning pool swim.
Obviously I'm new here. I am working on research on my grandfather, who passed in 2000. He never spoke of the war with the grandchildren as war wasn't something you discussed with genteel young ladies. Sigh.
I was able to finally get a hold of his service records from the archives (luckily none of them were in the great fire).
He is listed as:
before 44 he was in his 3.5 year at Valley Forge Mil Acad. - his whole senior class enlisted at Christmas, without graduating. I'm hoping to get VF to confer honorary diplomas for that class that went off to war.
Co L 311th INF March 30 of 44
Co A 280th Eng Combat Bat from 4/23/44 until 8/11/45
730th Engineer Det Dist Co 11 OCt 45
(after that he went to flight school and went officer.)
I know he was at the BoB, Aredennes, and Alsance Fr. I THINK he was in some part of D-Day.
I'm looking for areas of work, and battle lines, any photos, unit patches pictures etc.
I know it's a lot to ask, but I've been reading the forums and you all are amazing. He was a bridge builder and a construction forman.
We're AirForce and I'm lost with all the army history.
Any help or direction is greatly appreciated. I will check back often for replies. Again, thank you.
(DH is a PH recipiant from Khobar Towers, still AD AirForce. I'm a life member of the Ladies Auxilery. So if there is anyone here of that group, "Howdy!" We don't have a local group down here, so I've been out of that loop for 6 years!)
Caryn:
Glad to see you posted an introduction. A very warm welcome.
How fascinating to find out the whole graduating class cut out and joined up. That is pretty cool.
Have you seen this section yet?
https://ww2combatengineers.comeng...?showtopic=2668
Stay cool!
Marion
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
I've pieced together quite a bit the last couple of days. Here is something I need help with.
I have 280th Engr Combat Batt
Co A
now I need to take it up the chain and figure out what Division/Corp/Army this was......
thoughts? anyone?
Here's another site I found:
http://280th.us/original/index2.html
As far as I can ascertain, they were a separate battalion, as were many of the engineer units during WWII. The four main units I cover, including my dad's, were independent units.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Right. Been there already. 
Sounds like it's time for me to put pen to paper and hit the book learnin'.
Hey y'all
Have you contacted the Army Corps of Engineer's office of history yet?
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
No, but I'm ready to. I'm also going to contact the man in charge of the 280th reunion group in Ill.
I cannot believe that in this day of technology, there is NOTHING on this group.
I have two personal stories from my grandfather, and that's it. I'd LIKE to know where they put sole to sod during these campaigns.
Caryl:
Understand your frustration, but we have to realize that ALL THIS STUFF, is just coming to light. There are literally thousands upon thousands of pages of documentation, which has never seen the light of day, and eventually thanks to people like you and me, will finally make it way to the internet to be viewed by all interested parties.
Oh, my buddy Harold Whiting, 157th Engineer, sent me some reunion info:
The 280th is going to have a reunion in September in East Peoria, ILIf you or anyone else is interested, let me know.
Marlin Kreighbaum
President 280th Eng. Combat Bn
If anyone would like to get in touch with Marlin, please drop me a line and I will give you his email address.
Thanks Harold!
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Just dropped a note to Marlin.
Also found this on amazon.com, but it's not available. ARGH.
HISTORY [OF THE] 280 ENGR C BN. [Paperback]
280th Engineer Combat Battalion. United States Army (Author)
Ya, saw that too, but...
Danged!!! WE shan't give up. There's gotta be one at someone's garage sale, waiting to be pitched...
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Been trying to figure out why the LOC or National Archives doesn't have a copy.
Spent two hours on the phone today. Hope I made grand progress. Will log in later if it pans out. I don't want to jinx it.
Thinking good thoughts....
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Hi Caryl, i see our illustrious, untiring, fearless , devoted & most beautiful leader
of our family forum, Marion has aided you in your quest for information.
Sorry i havent had a lot of time lately for research but here is what i have.
The 311th Inf Reg was part of the 78th Inf Div. It appears from the dates you give that your grandfather transfered to the 280th ECB stateside, The 78thID shipped out to Europe Oct `44.
I dont have their full history, but the 280th Engineer Combat Battalion was a non-divisional unit of the 9th U.S. Army from 5 September 1944 - 5 May 1945.
http://www.twofortyforth.org/9thto.htm
The only copies of the History 280 Engr C Bn [280th Engineer Combat Battalion]
that is available according to a Worldcat search is 1 copy at the:
BRUCE C CLARKE LIBRARY
FT LEONARD WOOD, MO
and 1 copy at the :
US Army, Mil Hist Institute
US Army Heritage & Education Center
CARLISLE, PA
It also shows a copy at the New York Public Library, but a search of the site shows up as unavailable.
http://www.worldcat.org/title/history-280-engr-c-bn-280th-engineer-combat-battalion/oclc/16100831
Larry
"I'm proud to be an American, Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, Who gave that right to me."
God bless the USA - Lee Greenwood
Ft Wood is busting their hineys for me! I have photos of my grandfather downloaded, and photos of the other three platoons. I'll get them on the blog as soon as I can. (it's searchable)
I can't wait to find out what else they find.
Also, I have NO idea what "non-divisional unit" means! LOL ! Sounds like that new math! LOL.
