SonofaMP,

Paterson, NJ was just across the Passaic River from the Curtis Wright Plant of which I spoke. For all I know the location where the plant sat very well at that time could have been part of Paterson

Thru a contact i made on Ancestry i have confirmed the fact that the 67th CA (AA) regiment was assigned to antiaircraft protection of all the Wright Aeronautic Plants around the Paterson, NJ. area from 12 Dec 41 until October 30, 1942. The fellow has a war diary of the 67th that he`ll look through.

more later.

SonofaMP,

Thanks that is just fantastic for a moment I thought totally misunderstood what my parents had always told me Thanks so very much. Any other info. would be the so called icing on the cake. Once again thanks look forward to hearing from you again.

Regards,

Clay

Jack Keane has sent me the part of the 67th`s war diary for the time frame we are looking at. He did not find any mention of Clayton`s name in the diary.

"Here’s what I’ve found from the 67th War Diary."

"On 7 December 1941 the unit received orders to move to Mitchell Field, NY. They departed Fort Bragg on 9 December and arrived at Mitchell Field on 12 December. On 16 December the entire unit was ordered to Paterson, NJ where they were ordered to protect the Wright Aeronautical factories.

During January and February 1942 the gun and automatic weapons batteries conducted firing practice at Fort Hancock, NJ. During May 1942 the permanent station of the regiment was changed from Fort Bragg, NC to Paterson, NJ.

“At this time a drastic change in the organization of the antiaircraft regiment provided the 67th CA (AA) with a third battalion. This battalion was composed of a headquarters and headquarters battery and two light batteries. In company with this change in organization, old “A” battery became another gun battery commanded by Capt. Chalmers H. Armstrong, Jr. Thus the organization of the regiment became that of a headquarters and headquarters battery and three battalions each armed with a different characteristic weapon or weapons.”

Between 31 October and 2 November, the 67th moved by battalion and battery serials to the military reservation on Sandy Hook, NJ, Fort Hancock. Immediately after arrival the regiment, the 67th was divided into two sections, the 1st and 2nd battalions at Fort Hancock, NJ and the 3rd battalion at Teaneck Armory, Teaneck, NJ. On 17 Nov 1942, the 67th was ordered to A.P. Hill Military Reservation, Fredericksburg, VA. They departed on 18 Nov and arrived on 20 Nov.

In the middle of December, all the standard trucks of the 1st and 2nd battalions were turned in to the 3rd Service Command at Richmond, VA or to the 74th CA (AA) at A.P. Hill. On 26 December 1942 all heavy guns and power plants left A.P. Hill by motor convoy. The regiment, less the 3rd battalion, arrived at the staging area on 28 December. The advanced party for embarkation left the staging area on 9 January 1943. The regiment embarked on 14 January 1943 and arrived at Mers-el-Kebir, French North Africa on 26 January, disembarking the next day."

Jack Keane

Jack Keane has sent me the part of the 67th`s war diary for the time frame we are looking at. He did not find any mention of Clayton`s name in the diary.

 

"Here’s what I’ve found from the 67th War Diary."

 

"On 7 December 1941 the unit received orders to move to Mitchell Field, NY. They departed Fort Bragg on 9 December and arrived at Mitchell Field on 12 December. On 16 December the entire unit was ordered to Paterson, NJ where they were ordered to protect the Wright Aeronautical factories.

 

During January and February 1942 the gun and automatic weapons batteries conducted firing practice at Fort Hancock, NJ. During May 1942 the permanent station of the regiment was changed from Fort Bragg, NC to Paterson, NJ.

 

“At this time a drastic change in the organization of the antiaircraft regiment provided the 67th CA (AA) with a third battalion. This battalion was composed of a headquarters and headquarters battery and two light batteries. In company with this change in organization, old “A” battery became another gun battery commanded by Capt. Chalmers H. Armstrong, Jr. Thus the organization of the regiment became that of a headquarters and headquarters battery and three battalions each armed with a different characteristic weapon or weapons.”

 

Between 31 October and 2 November, the 67th moved by battalion and battery serials to the military reservation on Sandy Hook, NJ, Fort Hancock. Immediately after arrival the regiment, the 67th was divided into two sections, the 1st and 2nd battalions at Fort Hancock, NJ and the 3rd battalion at Teaneck Armory, Teaneck, NJ. On 17 Nov 1942, the 67th was ordered to A.P. Hill Military Reservation, Fredericksburg, VA. They departed on 18 Nov and arrived on 20 Nov.

 

In the middle of December, all the standard trucks of the 1st and 2nd battalions were turned in to the 3rd Service Command at Richmond, VA or to the 74th CA (AA) at A.P. Hill. On 26 December 1942 all heavy guns and power plants left A.P. Hill by motor convoy. The regiment, less the 3rd battalion, arrived at the staging area on 28 December. The advanced party for embarkation left the staging area on 9 January 1943. The regiment embarked on 14 January 1943 and arrived at Mers-el-Kebir, French North Africa on 26 January, disembarking the next day."

Jack Keane

SonofaMP,

Out of curiosity why might my dads name appear in a diary that encompasses an entire unit etc. My dad met my mom at a local ice skating rink in Paramus, NJ which is roughly some 5 to 8 miles from Teaneck so it is conceivable that he was in the 3rd batallion per your research facts and stationed at the Teaneck Armory. I also remember clearly he and my mom telling me that when he drove to skating ring on the night they met that he was driving a "Prime Mover" I remember because my mom couldn't get over how big it was. I'm sorry that I didn't get back to you sooner but with father's day and my grandsons staying over I just couldn't.

Regards,

Clay Butler

Clay,

Is Pfc. Ralph W. Butler your father? If so, he is listed on a roster assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Division and the 370th combat engineers. If your father's name isn't Ralph, he was not assigned to the headquarters company, only assigned to 370th.

I had joined Marion Chard's website and unfortunately misfiled an email that she had a subgroup for the 370th engineers and email addresses.

I also noted that you had posted a question regarding the Dachau Concentration camp. You father probably saw the Dachau

"The Death Train"; my father had taken several photos of this train. Google "Dachau Death Train" for photos and information.

Also, your father probably entered part of the concentration camp, I know my father did and took several photos.

Hopefully we can exchange additional information and stories regarding the 74th AAA and the 370th.

PS: presently trying to locate a copy of the 74th AAA battalion history through AHEC.

Keith,

Good morning, no my dad's name was Clayton James Butler from Nashua, NH. I have only recently learned about his possible link to Dachau thru his brothers son (his nephew and my cousin) he never spoke much about his time in the service. I know he had a best friend who went by the nickname of cookie. Also that he was in North Africa (Libya) and Sicily (Sardina). I do have pix from his time in Europe (I suppose it Europe). I know something affected him greatly from his time their. When I was drafted in "65" for Nam he cried I nhad never saw him cry before that moment. Please stay in touch. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard from Marion yesterday it has been along time 3 or 4 years since anyone contacted me regarding my posting.

Regards,

Clay Butler