Hello Everyone,
This is my first post in this forum, and I must say it is a great forum. Sorry for reviving and old post. Let me introduce myself. My name is Anthony Sicuranza, Jr. and my grandfather, Paul F. Costa was a WWII veteran. I have been searching for years to find more information on his unit and this is the closest I have come to a community that is dedicated the the combat engineers.
Here is what it says on his honorable discharge:
Organization: "H & S Co 257th Engr Combat Bn"
Which stands for, "Headquarters and Service Company, 257th Engineer Combat Battalion"
Here is why I am researching:
1.) My grandfather told me that he was awarded the Bronze Star in the field for his actions in the Ardennes Forest during the Battle of the Bulge. There is unfortunately no record of this but I was hoping somewhere in the world this is documented.
2.) While in Germany his friend stepped on a land mine and sadly died, however my grandfather was struck in the leg with the shrapnel from the blast. While he was in the hospital it was attacked or bombed by German forces and was burned to the ground. No Purple Heart was awarded. He lived the rest of his life with shrapnel in his left leg but no x-rays were ever taken.
* I was told these stories many years after they happened so I understand their may be some inaccuracy in his recollection, but I need to know for sure. I was never able to accurately track his movements through the war and whether or not he was always a combat engineer or was transferred later on. From what he said he originally enlisted in the Army Air Corps but was transferred to the Infantry. He began his fighting in Italy, then was in England for a little, then ended up landing at Le Havre, France, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, then ended up in Germany. As you can see I only have highlights of memories so it is difficult to piece this together. Unfortunately he has passed away now and I have no way to recover these memories.
I have submitted many requests to the Archives but have been faced with the same frustrating responses as the original poster. I have read some accounts that say the 257th was attached to the 1st Infantry Division, the 9th Infantry Division, etc. I am so lost and would like to provide my grandmother with an answer before she passes on too. I have become very frustrated with the dead ends I have encountered. I need to figure this out.
Any advice?
Thanks for listening and taking the time to read this. I really appreciate it.
