WW2 Guestbook

Submitted by
Name: Kathleen
From: Michigan
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I am searching for anyone who knew my Uncle,Horace R. Higgins who served with the 87th Engineers. Landed on Utah Beach and built pontoon bridges including the one over the Rhine from which General Patton urinated. I have that picture! I think it was given to each man in the unit. My Uncle "Hoy" died much too young in Detroit over 30 years ago but I have all of the materials relating to his years of service. Would love to know if anyone from his unit is still alive and remembers him.

Admin reply: Ah, a Detroit man! My family is from Detroit. It's great that you have his items from the war.

Added: June 7, 2014

Submitted by
Name: John J Heinen
From: Now Texas
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My father John (Jack) Joseph Heinen
He enlisted in the US Army March 24, 1943 and was a member of another Engineer Combat Battalion but transferred to the 148th Engineer Combat Battalion prior ot shipping out.
On June 6, 1944 the 148th Engineer Combat Battalion landed on Utah Beach in Normandy.
The plan was for them to follow the leading waves of infantry. The landing actually took place at an unscheduled location, so the engineers landed with the infantry. Under enemy fire they waded ashore in 4 feet of water carrying 60 pound packs of explosives.

Admin reply: Hello John: Yes, very scary when you think of the landing and what they had to endure. Thanks for your post.

Added: June 6, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Josh Friend
From: Wheelersburg, Ohio
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I am trying to research my great uncle's military career, but I can find next to nothing about his unit. Here is what I do know. I have his "serviceman's address book", and by using that resource I found that he was with the 981st engineer company attached to Patton's 3rd Army. By the looks of some of the comments in the address book, he was in Regensburg, Germany. The address book contains the names, addresses and ranks of 32 different men. It's a tremendous piece that I will treasure for many years. I also have in my possession, several of my great uncles military related items. For example, his dress jacket (which I had framed in a shadowbox), a military issue duffel-bag filled with several items(canteens, leg warmers(?) and smaller bags) And I also have about a dozen pictures(one of which is a German plane that "they shot down"

. At any rate, I have reached a stand still, any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,

Josh Friend

Admin reply: Hi Josh: Enjoyed talking with you via email. Hope you are finding out more all the time.

Added: May 30, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Kathleen Dahl
From: Minnesota
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Seeking info on Hdqr Btry of 976th F.A. Bn.
Would appreciate hearing about this unit.

976th a "Long Tom" unit attached to different units: 45th Infantry, the 36th, 34th, & 157th. Trained: Camp Shelby as HQ Btry, 35th F.A. Bn. Before shipping out, split into 976th & 977th F.A. Bn.

My dad, Cpl. Lyndon Dahl served in HQ Btry, 976th FA. (As forward observer?)

Disembarked: Italy, 10 Oct 1943. In combat Pietra-vairano, Monte Cassino, Anzio. After Rome, shipped to S. France: Oper. Dragoon. On to Belfort Gap, St. Die, Siegfried Line near Wisembourg, Helbronn, Stuttgart, & ended "a stone's throw of Austrian border"

976th F.A. Bn served 482 days of combat. Dad said: "only 4 of us came home."

At end of war, trans. to 10th Army, discharge papers don't give position w/976th.

I am going on tour of Ital. Campaign in 3 wks & interested in info about unit OR about HQ Btry / "Long Tom" units.

Admin reply: Kathleen, how was your trip? Did you find what you were looking for?

Added: May 6, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Willam Cockerham
From: Jamestown, NC
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My dad, James H Cockerham Sr., left this earth March 31st 2014. He was age 92 and served in the Army 172nd Combat Engineers in the Eropean Theatre, arriving in the fall of 1944 until December of 1945. He was a Humble, Dedicated and Christian Family Man. We are missing him already. Would love to meet or chat with Veterans that are still alive and or their siblings.

Thanks to all Veterans
Bill Cockerham

Admin reply: Bill, sorry for your loss and thanks for posting to our site.

Added: April 7, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Edwin Blasingim
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My Dad is Edwin Blasingim, First Sargent for Company B. He is 97 and still remembers, sadly, many of the events that took place with the 160th.

Admin reply: Thank your dad for me.

Added: April 6, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Steven Kruger
From: Fargo, ND
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My dad, Eldon (Al) Kruger was with the 1252 engineering Battalion but would not speak about anything that he was involve. I just found some of his papers that gave a break down of some of their endeavors. Lt Walker I believe was his CO. Is there a list of all the members?
Steve

Admin reply: No sorry, I don't have access to that at this point in time. Keep checking the forum and the main site (search box) for any updates on this unit.

Added: March 31, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Ann Garfinkel
From: Nyc
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My dad was with the 237th combat engineers. He served from 1942 to oct 1945. Im trying to find out more about the services and active duty he performed. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have his d/c papers.
All leads appreciated.
Ann

Admin reply: Thanks for signing the guest book. I get so absorbed with the forum, I often forget to check the guestbook. As always, check our the forums "Research Section" for answers to your questions.

Added: March 20, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Gordon Keath
From: Ft Lauderdale
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I am researching my fathers WWII history. I know he was with an engineering corps. My understanding is his records were destroyed in the 1973 fire. Both my Mom and Dad have passed and I have not been able to locate any service records of my father. His name was William Earl Keath and went by "Bill". Please note the spelling of Keath. Any help in locating rosters would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Gordon Keath

Admin reply: Is this him?

http://www.fold3.com/page/85032115_william_e_keath/photos/

Note to everyone: Please see our forum Research Help section for tips on how to find info on your loved ones:

Added: February 16, 2014

Submitted by
Name: Duayne A. Forsberg
From: Harrisburg, PA
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
My uncle was killed while with the 10th Armored Division. My main focus is the XX Corps operation to capture Trier Germany and the Saar-Moselle Triangle. An ongoing research project is the Saar River crossings during Mar-Feb. 1945 for a sometime to be published book involving these engineer units.
- 1139th Engineer Combat Group, US Army XX Corps
- 55th Armored Engineer Battalion, 10th Armored Division
- 319th Engineer Combat Battalion, 94th Infantry Division
- 135th Engineer Combat Battalion
- 179th Engineer Combat Battalion
- 206th Engineer Combat Battalion
- 245th Engineer Combat Battalion
- 87th Engineer Heavy Pontoon Battalion
- 548th Light Pontoon Company
- 993rd Treadway Bridge Company
- 997th Treadway Bridge Company
- 623rd Light Equipage Company
I am willing to exchange information and the history (Feb.-Mar. 1945) about these engineer units.

Added: February 13, 2014