Feb 2012

Marion-

My grandfather was Pvt. lcl Curtiss H. Harlander from the 344th Engineering General Service Regiment Co. D. He passed away in 2004 and my dad received his Army suitcase. The suitcase remained unopened until this past summer when my father opened it to find his WWII uniform, a map, two Luftwaffe cockades, and over 30 letters that my grandmother saved from him to her.

My father has given me the letters and I am currently in the process of transcribing them. I am looking for any and all information on the 344th; their movements throughout Europe and Africa as well as their roles in the war. I would like to write a book as told through the letters. I have already found a great deal of information already and am eager to find more.

I noticed the picture you have of the 344th Company A on the site. Could you tell me where you were able to find that? I'm sure my grandfather's company will also be pictured. Thank you for this great resource.

Mark Harlander

Sept 17, 2012

Marion-

Here are all of the letters I had from my grandfather transcribed. If you would like to share them with everyone, please feel free to do so.

Thank you,
Mark Harlander

Letters Home...

I am so thrilled to be able to share these letters with everyone on the site. I can't imagine how you and your dad felt, when you first laid eyes on everything in the suitcase, especially these wonderful, revealing letters.

April 1942 to February 1943