Wow, I love this when it happens and we find more info on a member of the 1108th Engineer Group - 235th Bn!!!!!

Received this letter a few weeks ago (I know, I know) and just got around to reading it (so far behind) and looking at the attachments that Karen sent/

I am posting her letter to me, and will post her attachments, very shortly.

PS - Karen the patch you noticed would be 2nd Corps, not 2nd Army, There, just cleared up something for ya~

 

 

Hello Marion:

 

I happened upon your website as I was anxious to learn more about my father’s duties during WWII. I knew (only based on my memories of his stories)that he was in the Combat Engineer Corps but that’s about it. He had 2 trunk-fulls of manuals, books, his own pictures and some Italian photos, personal mementos and ‘salvaged’ memorabilia in our garage for years, but after he passed away in ’07, my mother dumped everything on the curb...without my knowledge, until after the garbage men had collected it.

 

Somehow later on, I found a little memo book that my father, Edwin A. Gales, had written in back in his war days. I scanned the pages/notes. While reading the little pages, I noticed then that he gave more info about one of his units—he said that on 1/6/44 he was “assigned to the 235 Engr. Combat Bn.” and that at that time there were “nine officers besides myself”.. I was already on your website when I read this (again) and was able to discern that you may have more info about his activities than what he wrote in his little book?

 

I also noticed that on 1 of the 3 pics I have of him during that time he has a 2^nd Army patch on his left shoulder-and the engineer castles on his lapels. I tried looking around and didn’t see where all that matched up, so I was hoping you might shed some light on that as well, if you can. If you can’t answer for me, perhaps some of your guests/members will be able to help. I see where I can post to your guestbook, but was wondering if there was another avenue? Also, I’m not sure how to phrase my question, as his background is confusing to me which may make it more confusing to others!

 

I’m attaching the pics-and the notes-so if you’d like to use them, feel free. I really admire your passion for putting your great site together and finding out so much about your father, enough so to even do a book! That’s great!!!

 

Best Regards,

Karen

 

 

Karen Gales

Received this two days ago...

Hi, Talking to a Belgian veteran who came into close contact with US troops towards the end of WW2, he asked me for help in researching a song ... I lost my heart in three states? ... Have you ever heard of it? Any help appreciated. George Bell, Antwerp, Belgium.

It is thanks to his Mom that Larry came into my life!

She created a one in a multimillion man!

What a legacy!

What a Woman!

What a Loss!

A very very sad,

Jean

I

I posted this on Facebook today after doing a lot of thinking, but I think it needed to be said. I may or may not receive from flak from it (oh pun), but I had to say what I felt in my heart. Here's the post...

I don't mean any disrespect to the WWII COMMUNITY worldwide, but after looking at posts for the last several months, it is obvious that there is a clear distinction who gets paid tribute upon their passing and who doesn't, and I think that is clearly sad.

I and others have posted the passing of WWII vets we've known and loved from various engineering units, etc., and if the post gets a couple of people to respond, we are lucky. Yet, I see a flood of people posting dozens upon dozens of replies each time a member of the airborne passes. As I stated, this is by no means an insult or slight to those men, but I think too many forget that each of these men played an important role during the war.

Many of these men fought overseas for 2, 3 or more years during the war and I think it's a shame that they get glossed over. I just ask that you think about it and the sacrifices these soldiers made to the war effort. Appreciatively, MJC

http://www.simmalamu.com/index.htm

A friend of mine came up with this visionary idea and is seeking other innovative minds to join in. His intention is to license all or part of the patent rights to companies who have the vision and resources and engineering firepower to make it occur.

If you visit the site, please watch the embedded video. It's a fascinating idea!