I’ve been doing research for the family of the late WWII Samuel A. Villani (photo attached), who, as a member of H & S Co., 204th Engineer Combat Battalion (he became a 1st Sgt.), was activated at Fort Devens in MA and then deployed from NYC on January 2, 1944 for WWII service in Europe, for which Sam would be recognized with a Bronze Star. I’ve already gathered quite a bit of info but one puzzle — and two other questions — remain.
1. Sam had enlisted, early in 1942, near his home in Croton-on-Hudson NY. But he met his future wife, Violet Nystrom, when his unit was stationed that spring in one of what I have been told were two army unit camps on Prospect Street here in Hingham, MA. (They had a USO dance where the couple met—dance was at one of the camp’s buildings. Violet was a USO hostess—as a high school senior.) There had been considerable Navy presence in Hingham at the time due to the historic and then-expanding Navy munitions depot as well as Naval ship building yard built here as the war got underway. But why was Sam’s army unit here, before they were sent to Fort Devens?
2. Is there a record of how Sam earned his Bronze Star. (The family has the medal and his wife tells a story she remembers from what her husband told her—but I’d like to reference an official record if such exists.) Photo I took of Sam's Bronze Star attached.
3. My final question is whether any records exist of the reconstruction work that Sam’s unit did in Nuremberg, Germany — in the months after Germany surrendered in 1945. That work delayed Sam’s return to the US until October 1945, and his wife—a now full-of-life 94-year-old—told me that the work they did in Nuremberg related to the then-upcoming war trials. She said that Sam's unit was building housing units there. I wondered if there were records that document that work.
Thanks very much for any light you may be able to shed!
My name is Brendan and I am the great grandson of Wilbur B. McAllister, a combat engineer who served in WW2. Having heard stories of his service from my childhood I have always been interested in knowing more. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to meet my grandfather and what I quickly learned from family is that he never spoke a word about his service and would typically leave the room if such conversation came up. This left a large blank space as to his experience in WW2. My goal from the start has been to uncover more about his service, primarily to share with my grandfather so he can finally know what his dad did in the war.
Before I was born, my great grandfathers uniforms were donated to a local historical society. As the story always went, the uniforms and 'a medal with a star' were donated. Unfortunately after several months of display outside of a case, with easy public access, the 'medal with a star' was stolen. As years passed and the historical society moved, all hope seemingly was lost that the uniforms had been preserved. After months talking with the historical society... 3 uniforms from my great grandfather have been found and they have been the source of more questions than answers.
As for information, I am attaching a few pieces to start with. Some of the uniform and some of paperwork found in storage. I have not been able to reclaim the uniforms at this time, so I am working solely with photos they provided.
A brief overview of information I have so far is..
He served in Europe with the 1173 Engineer Combat Group as an officer.
3 uniforms have been located.
One early jacket (field jacket?) displays a First Army patch and a VIII (8 Corp) patch. Hash marks are present on sleeve. No other pins, patches, etc.
One dress jacket displays engineer collar pins, 3rd army patch, hash marks on sleeve, ribbon rack of WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-african-middle eastern campaign medal with 4 bronze campaign service stars, American Defense Service Medal & Silver Star.
One tan dress uniform. Displays First Army Patch on one shoulder and 3rd Army Patch on the other. Hash marks and ribbon rack representing all medals listed previously. I had been told this uniform is what he wore while heavily involved in retired officer activity.
Military Certificate of Service from 1946 only lists 2 campaigns and doesn't mention the silver star.
What I am currently trying to determine is what campaigns did he take part in and what are the circumstances of the silver star. I sent out a request for records last year, only to hear the ever so common 'the records were destroyed in the fire'. I sent a separate request recently requesting history of medals. Any information would be EXTREMELY helpful. All my research of engineers has been a huge learning experience and I know there are many differences that come with researching their service.
My name is Brendan and I am the great grandson of a WW2 combat engineer. For the past many months I have been digging into researching my great grandfathers service in the war. Between the documents held on to by my grandparents and online research, I have learned many new things but many new questions have arose after locating uniforms that had been presumed to be lost by a local historical society. I will be posting up specifics to the 'Looking For' section and look forward to tapping the knowledge of the members!
Hello. My name is Deborah Gregory and my father was Will T Colter. He served in the 245th Combat Engineers Company A. I would like to find any info or pics of the 245th and share anything I have as well. My father rarely ever spoke of his service even when we asked him!
Got the dreaded notification the other day. It's the one you know is coming, but never quite prepared for, nonetheless.
It is with heavy heart that I tell you that Captain John Fallon is in critical condition in the hospital and not expected to pull through. I spoke with his son, John Jr, the other night and he kindly asked if I would inform everyone on my list. Certainly.
So many things that I would like to write, but know this, John was my first introduction to the 36th Engineers of WWII. At that point, I wasn't sure if my father was with the 36th or 540th, and John helped me sort through a lot of confusing data. Even though we discovered that my dad was in the 540th (the sister battalion to the 36th), he insisted that I come out to a reunion, and well, the rest is history. I wound up not only meeting a ton of wonderful people, but became the official historian of this unit. Lucky girl - I got adopted.
To me, attending the reunions every year, was even better than Christmas in my book. Everyone became my extended family and it brought me even closer to my dad (he passed when I was twelve). I so looked forward to every fall, and seeing the gang once again. It was such a joy and real learning experience. I've never met a nicer group of men and women.
As many of you know, we've lost the majority of men in the last few years, and John is the last. So difficult to write these words. Breaks my heart and I'm sure that everyone who had the pleasure of meeting John, will feel the same way.
I could go on and on, but suffice to say that John holds a special place in my heart, and always will.
(photo attached was taken by yours truly in 2006 - my first reunion)
