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Page 4 is already posted so next is the Design

Design con't.

Supply

Will try that one again. Caution: Rookie Scanner at Work!

More Supply

page seemed to be cut short. last line should read "...use of power saws and keeping track of the exact number of pieces of each size and length cut."

Okay, I will go back to the drawing board and see what I am doing wrong with this scanner. Sorry, not ready for prime time. I think the story is great for this site because it has names of Soldiers in it and what they did on the bridge. Will keep working on it. Later.

You are doing a GREAT job. Pretty darned good for a novice I should say!

I love reading all the details. You are providing some fantastic material for all our readers. Providing a great service.

Don't know how many 175th vets are still around but it has been my observation that Engineer Soldiers during WWII tended to be a bit older than the infantrymen. My guess is that many enlisted Engineers were skilled journeymen prior to service and therefore more "seasoned" than a draftee or non skilled Soldier. Any thoughts on this?

Actually through doing research and talking to many of the engineer vets, I am finding out that many were older guys. Yes many were already experienced and brought that valuable experience to the front lines.

For instance my dad had superb mechanical skills and that certainly was an asset in the motor pool for H&S Company.

I agree, my dad was a a merchant seaman before joining the National Guard in 1940. One of the things I found in his wallet was his union dues book from that time. I guess he was an old man at age 21. What I like about what I have found (Especially the Po River Bridge book) is that it calls out the names of the Soldiers who did the work not just the Commanders. Will continue to refine my scanning so it does not cut off anything.

Okay, I guess this topic is back up and running again after all this time:

First note, there are a few more related topics right here on the forum:

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/engforum/index.php?showtopic=2009

http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/engforum/index.php?showtopic=1998

==================

Okay, now for the good stuff. Received a letter today, and am posting all the info within.

Mark, it's good to have you back.Thanks for all your help. I will send a PM to Timkins, to make sure he sees this.

Marion;

 

I was a member of your VI Corps Engineer Forum about 6 years ago. (Wow that seems like a long time ago). I was doing research on the 175th Engineer Rgt, 5th Army, WWII. Another member asked about unit citations that the regiment might have earned so he could nominate his father in law for an award. It has taken me this long to track the info down and I am afraid I may be too late as we are losing that generation in droves. Below is my correspondence with the Army Center for Military History about the 175th. I don't know how to get in touch with that individual who asked about the unit citations and thought you could post what I found should he still be looking for the info. I believe he was a retired USAR Sergeant Major. Bottom line up front is that the 175th Engineer Regiment did not earn any unit citations but some of the assigned units did as listed in the string below. I know it has been a long time since he asked the question but it has been my quest and when my organization reorganized and I had to find out its new lineage I took a shot and asked the CMH the question and this is what I found out. I have told several others of your great website tribute to your dad and all the Army Engineers of WWII as recently as this morning. Keep up the good work!

 

Regards.

Mark

----- Original Message -----

From: Seymour, Joseph A CIV (US)

Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 07:05 PM

To: Jones, Mark S CIV (US)

Subject: RE: How does the lineage of a unit flow (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: NONE

Headquarters inactivated 29 October 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia.

The regiment earned no unit awards.

3d Platoon, Company B, 105th Engineer Combat Battalion earned a PUC for

actions of 7 July 1944. Medical Detachment and Headquarters and Service

Company earned an MUC for actions from 1 June - 31 July 1945.

Joseph Seymour

Army National Guard Historian

US Army Center of Military History

102 4th Avenue, Building 35

Fort Lesley J. McNair, DC 20319-5060

TEL (202) 685-2731

-----Original Message-----

From: Jones, Mark S CIV (US)

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 3:59 PM

To: Seymour, Joseph A CIV (US)

Subject: RE: How does the lineage of a unit flow (UNCLASSIFIED)

Joe,

Thanks. The 116th FA was split and half went to the Pacific and half

subsequently went to North Africa. My father was 1SG of Headquarters and

Services Company, 175th Engineer Regiment for most of the war from

pre-deployment training in Texas through Camp Pickett, VA and the Italian

Campaign. I am guessing the 175th was actually formed in the US and then

assigned to the 5th Army when it stood up in North Africa. What I don't know

is if the H&S Co was deactivated in Italy or back in the states. Also do you

know if any unit citations were awarded to the 175th or its battalions? I

was asked by another fellow on line who's father in law had been in the 1st

Bn if the unit had any unit citations. I appreciate the information you have

provided.

Mark

-----Original Message-----

From: Seymour, Joseph A CIV (US)

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 3:01 PM

To: Jones, Mark S CIV (US)

Subject: RE: How does the lineage of a unit flow (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: NONE

Sir,

Following World War II, the Army broke up the former 1st Battalion, 175th

Engineers, disbanding all but HHC and allotting it to the Florida National

Guard, where it reorganized as HHC, 3d Battalion, 211th Infantry, and

eventually HHC, 53d Support Battalion, which it is today. Only the HHC

lineage carries on, not the 1st Battalion. Also at the end of WWII, the

Army allotted the 2d Battalion to the North Carolina Army National Guard,

where it continued in service as part of the 105th Engineer Battalion-- but

only part. North Carolina broke up the 105th Engineer Battalion in 1973,

and former elements probably continue in service today at the company level.

If I haven't answered all of your questions, please give me a call at the

number listed below.

Joseph Seymour

Army National Guard Historian

US Army Center of Military History

102 4th Avenue, Building 35

Fort Lesley J. McNair, DC 20319-5060

TEL (202) 685-2731

-----Original Message-----

From: Jones, Mark S CIV (US)

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 12:25 PM

To: Bedessem, Edward N CIV (US); Seymour, Joseph A CIV (US)

Subject: RE: How does the lineage of a unit flow (UNCLASSIFIED)

Thanks Ned.

-----Original Message-----

From: Bedessem, Edward N CIV (US)

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 11:46 AM

To: Jones, Mark S CIV (US); Seymour, Joseph A CIV (US)

Subject: RE: How does the lineage of a unit flow (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: NONE

Mark,

Our National Guard expert here at CMH is Mr. Joe Seymour. I'm sure he can

provide some useful information on the 175th. (Thanks, Joe)

Vr,

Ned

Ned Bedessem

Force Structure and Unit History Branch

US Army Center of Military History

(202) 685-2732; DSN 325-2732

-----Original Message-----

From: Jones, Mark S CIV (US)

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 10:55 AM

To: Bedessem, Edward N CIV (US)

Subject: RE: How does the lineage of a unit flow (UNCLASSIFIED)

Ned;

Thanks again for all your help on our lineage and honors for the 128th Avn

Bde and 210th and 222d Avn Rgts.

I am doing research on the 175th Engineer Regiment which my father served in

from 1942-1945. I know it came about as part of the reorganization of the

Army in WWII and elements of the 116th Field Artillery (FL ANG) were used

for part of it. I believe it was activated prior to the landings or in

North Africa during WWII as part of the 5th Army. Campaigns were North

Africa, Sicily, and Italy and the unit was demobilized at the end of the war

but not sure if there is any current linkage to any units still existing.

Could you point me in a direction where I might find the history/lineage &

honors of this unit?

Thanks again

Mark

Mark S. Jones

Deputy to the Commander

128th Aviation Brigade

Ft. Eustis, VA 23604

Comm 757-878-6850

DSN 826

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Caveats: NONE