Hi Pete:

Well we FINALLY get to chat via the forum. For our forum members, it seems Pete was fated not to become a member, or so it seemed, due to some very weird behavior with the administration section of my software. Well he was patient, I was persistent and it paid off.

So welcome to our humble home. I hope we will be able to shed some light for you.

Your book sounds interesting, especially since that is part of my heritage. My grandparents were from Sicily. Came over around the early 1900's. Part of my mom's brothers were born there. The rest of her brothers and sisters, in Detroit. How did you come to write the book?

Don't forget to look for assistance in the Research section, as it lays out several different avenues to pursue (many of them free), to discover info regarding your uncle's unit.

I will look up some data for you too, and place it here later.

Warmly,

M1

Found some pages within my "green book", and have scanned the section which includes the 292nd, The Roer Crossings. Hope you enjoy it.

Specific pages within 497 and 498.

292nd_Engineers001.pdf

Hi Marion,

Thanks very much for the info on the 292nd and the Roer. I'm very happy to add that to my small trove of 292nd history. I have the daily situation reports for the 1149th Engineer Combat Group for February, 1945, and these mention the autobahn bridge and the 292nd. The history you've attached show just how important that bridge was to the XIII Corps effort.

I'm glad to hear that you're a fellow Italian American. I wrote the book in the late 1990s. I was at that time in the American Italian Historical Association, writing and presenting papers and articles about Italian American history, hoping to get a job as a college instructor upon retirement from the Air Force. One of the members of the Association suggested that I write a local history and try to get it published by Arcadia Publishers. At that time I was corresponding with a number of Italian American WWII vets and collecting their histories, and I proposed such a book to Arcadia. They accepted the proposal, and I continued my correspondence and writing. The result, after corresponding with about 50 Italian American vets, is a nice collection of stories woven together with almost 100 photos that the men so freely shared. It was published in 2001 and it was a great, happy experience for me.

If there are any Italian American vets on this site who'd like to share their experience, I'd be happy to correspond with them (I cannot guarantee I will write another book, although I'd like to do just that some day).

Thanks again for the info, you work fast!

Pete

Welcome aboard. Enjoy your time here.

Regards,

Frank

Thanks very much Frank! I like browsing the messages, lots of interesting stuff.

Here are two web sites that contain some information on the 292nd Engineer Combat Battalion:

http://www.soldiersmuseum.com/pages/ww2/longacre/index.htm

http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/lofiver....php/t8747.html

The first site has photos of some projects and happenings in the outfit in 1945 in Europe. The second, from Wild Bill Guarnere's forum, has some info which, I think, comes indirectly from a 292nd vet. I submit them here so that, if anyone else is searching, perhaps they can use the info.

Pete

JEWELER, I'LL JUST ADD MY 2 CENTS--

WELCOME ON BOARD,YA HEAR!!!!

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE COMBAT ENGINEERS WASN'T TOO MUCH, JUST

THREE RIVER CROSSINGS OF THE VOLTURNO RIVER ONE CROSSING OF THE

RAPIDO RIVER AND ONE OVER THE ARNO RIVER. JUST GOT MY BOOTS MUDDY

AND DIDN'T STEP ON ANY SHCU MINES. I GUESS YOU HAVE HEARD OF THEM.

AND OF COURSE THE BOUNCING BETTYS. I DO HOPE THEY GET THE MEDAL

I HAVE. THE ----C.I.B.----- ROCKY

THREE CHEERS FOR THE COMBAT ENGINEERS.---

Pete:

Three cheers for your line of thinking...Anyone doing a search will pick up on all the available links you've come across in your search, here and elsewhere. That is always my mode of thinking.

Rocky: Once again thank you for standing up for my engineers. Man, we need more folks like you. Guys who were actually there and can vouch for my men. Bravo!

BTW, Lee was reading some of your posts this evening, and was commenting on what a heck of a guy you were. Said he was glad that you and I got together. I was happy to hear that.

Rocky,

Thanks for the welcome. I give you a big salute -- I have read about the Rapido (I think the book is The Real Tragedy of the Rapido) -- a grueling assault for sure. I've never been in that kind of combat, but muddy boots aren't bad, all things considered.

I know you are justifiably proud of the CIB. The vets with whom I've corresponded felt very proud of that award. In fact, Gen. Joseph Stillwell, who commanded US troops in the China theater during the war, desired that award above any other accolade (and he was actually awarded the DSC for heroism). He received the CIB award just prior to his death in 1945; I think an exception was made in his case since, if I'm not mistaken, it usually is not awarded to officers of high rank.

Thanks again Rocky and Marion!

Pete

Pete,

Thanks so much for the information. As a proud Grandson of a 292nd veteran any information is appreciated. If you ever decide to post the after action reports you spoke of above then please let me know. I'd be truly interested in reading them hoping maybe they can expand the limited knowledge that I have on grandfather's unit.

Thanks so much.

Hello, all,

I just found this site and am a bit overwhelmed with all the links, photos, etc. I won't be able to explore it all for a long time!

My father-in-law was Sgt. Sterling Sykes, who served in the 292nd from 1944-1946. I'm afraid I don't know which company. When he passed away several years ago, in the attic we found a posed panoramic photo of the 292nd, stateside so circa 1944. It's 35 inches wide. We have just recently had the courage to take it out of its aged frame and found it in excellent condition. It was professionally taken so I don't know what the copyright rules would be for posting it to the web, but if anyone knows what the copyright laws might be under these circumstances, I'd be glad to share if it's legal. We also have a map/poster of the 292nd's campaign through Europe, but it was obviously mass produced so I imagine it's pretty common among vets.

We also have candid photos from training camp stateside. I'll try to get them uploaded in upcoming months. We don't have names for other soldiers in the photos, but perhaps others will find a relative they're looking for.

Lisa Sykes

Welcome!

There are no copyright laws and you may post whenever you wish. Those were given to each man in the unit, for their own personal use.

We look forward to seeing what you have and can't wait to discuss more with you.

Hello, all,

I just found this site and am a bit overwhelmed with all the links, photos, etc. I won't be able to explore it all for a long time!

 

My father-in-law was Sgt. Sterling Sykes, who served in the 292nd from 1944-1946. I'm afraid I don't know which company. When he passed away several years ago, in the attic we found a posed panoramic photo of the 292nd, stateside so circa 1944. It's 35 inches wide. We have just recently had the courage to take it out of its aged frame and found it in excellent condition. It was professionally taken so I don't know what the copyright rules would be for posting it to the web, but if anyone knows what the copyright laws might be under these circumstances, I'd be glad to share if it's legal. We also have a map/poster of the 292nd's campaign through Europe, but it was obviously mass produced so I imagine it's pretty common among vets.

 

We also have candid photos from training camp stateside. I'll try to get them uploaded in upcoming months. We don't have names for other soldiers in the photos, but perhaps others will find a relative they're looking for.

 

Lisa Sykes

Hello Lisa,

Warmest welcome to the forum! It is always exciting to me to meet another family member of a 292nd soldier. My grandfather, PFC Arthur A. Clark, was in company A of the 292nd. I have been doing some research on this unit for the last few years and have a lot that I can share with you. I have obtained from the NARA the unit histories, after action reports, and journals of the 292nd. I have copied a number of the morning reports of company A from the NPRC in St. Louis. According to one of the morning report documents I have your father-in-law, S/SGT Sterling C Sykes ASN# 34454730, was also a member of company A. I have attached a copy of this document below, sorry it is not that easy to see but you can understand because of the age. Your father-in-law's name is listed in the first column, 6th name down. You will notice my grandfather's name is listed just four names down from your father-in-law. As Marion has stated there is no problem posting your photos, and I as well as others are really looking forward to seeing them. I have photos to share as well. Hope to hear from you soon,

Randy Clark

Randy this is so cool!

Welcome aboard Lisa! Been awhile since I've been here to work, but am glad to be back. As you may have read above, my grandfather served in both H&S and for awhile in A company as a mechanic. Anything you can provide for this little documented company would be appreciated by all whether it be photos, documentation or anything pertaining to your father-in-laws service. Thanks so much for joining and I look forward to continued dialog.

Randy, long time no see, my friend! I still am going to post the photo I mentioned a few months back and hopefully as you have time can forward the unit info we last spoke of.

The search for information continues, folks as does the desire to document our loved ones service and the history of this neglected unit. Forward, folks, and let's get out any and all info, photos and anything else relevant to honor these patriots!