312th Engineer Combat Battalion, 87th Infantry Division

[militaria7]

Good Morning,

 

I am writing a Find-A-Grave bio on PFC Thomas S. Durham, Sn# 38357551, who was KIA in January 1945. He was serving with the 312th Engineer Comabt Bn when he was killed. I understand there was a book on the unit published in 1946 to include a little bio on it's KIA's. Can someone tell me what it may have said about htis man? I especially need to know where he was killed (and circumstances if known), date of birth and place of birth (home of record was Franklin County, Ark). And of course, a photo or two would be nice but I am not holding my breath. Any other info would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks!

 

Rick Lawrence, MSgt., USMC/USAFR (RET)

[SonofaMP]

Pfc. Thomas S. Durham was in Company A, 312th Engineer Combat Bn., 87th In Div.

Roster of Co A: Durham, Thomas S. Pfc. Rt. 4, Charleston, Ark. KIA 11 Jan 1945, Purple Heart.

Company A, 312th ECB was part of the 345th Infantry Regiment Combat Team.

On 10 January 1945, 3rd Battalion, 345th, was attacking Tillet, Belgium, Company A, 312th, joined A & P platoon building supply road through the forest to the front line troops, On January 11, 3rd Bn, 345th was in Tillet, Belgium.

 

Unit Histories of the 312th EECB & 345th Infantry Regiment , & the 87th Dinf Div can be downloaded here:

http://www.87thinfan...Book/index.html

 

Pfc Thomas S. Durham was buried in the temporary cemetery, Grand Failly Cemetery

Section F, Row 6, Grave 139

www.grand-failly.eu/lougneau/Grand_Failly_Book2.pdf

All Graves were relocated in 1948 & 1949.

Buried at: Plot E Row 16 Grave 56

Luxembourg American Cemetery

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

 

His enlistment record is not available, and he isnt showing up in census records for Franklin County ,Ar.

will have to do more looking for family.

 

Larry

[SonofaMP]

Hi Rick, i see you are also looking for the other Thomas Durham who entered service from Arkansas.

Thomas Hansford Durham, Aviation Ordinanceman 3, U.S. Navy Serial No. 3470989.

Thomas was born abt 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of James Luther Durham & Bessie Durham.

1930 census shows family living in Tulsa, OK.; 1940 shows family living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

He may have entered service from Arkansa but his records reference home address as Tulsa, OK.

There seems to be a conflict on his date of death, The ABMC Memorial date of 18 January 1945 is incorrect.

Its not the first time we`ve found an incorrect date at ABMC.

The Defence Prisoner of War / Missing Personnel Office record list gives date of death/ missing as 17 January 1944.

http://www.dtic.mil/...rts/nav_m_d.htm

DURHAM, THOMAS H , 3470989, USN, AOM3, 01/17/1944

 

From the war diary of Fleet Air Wing Four, based in the Aleutians, Thomas was a crew member on Catilina, No 34018, that reported on 17 January 1944 that it was having mechanical trouble while on patrol in the western Aleutians. The plane had not been found after a thorough four day search by air and surface craft.

 

Another Arkansas boy that may be on your list, Franklin E. Fehr, Aviation Machinist's Mate, Third Class, U.S. Navy, Service # 6303485, from Watson, AR., was on the same plane.

 

[militaria7]

Evening Colonel,

 

Good info and I am most appreicative of your time. I did some searching but still ahve not been able to pull out proof of who PFC Durham's family might have been.

 

And thanks for the info on AOM3 Durham. You've hit a 2-run homer there as I had already started a memorial bio on Donald Fehr as well (FAG memorial #56130003). The documents you posted provide me with the verification I needed on some things.

 

As for the conflict of dates, I know the answer to that. While they disappeared on 1/17/1944 and obviously to us were killed then, they were held in MIA status until one year and one day had lapsed. Then, if there was no evisence to the contrary, they were declared dead...on 1/18/1945. ABMC and other records use the date of declaration as the death date, even though we know otherwise.

 

Rick

[Walt's Daughter]

Hi Rick:

 

I see you are in good hands with Larry. He sure has been doing his share on the forum. I feel bad for I have been a bit remiss as of late, for I have been totally engrossed in a book project with a dear friend. Been acting as editor and layout designer. We just published yesterday. Whew! It was a big job. So anywhooooo...I am back today and trying to play catch-up with all the latest posts.

[Jean Jacobson]

Wow, Larry that is Awesome research!!!

 

I wish Siegburg had been part of your studies!

 

And Marion, when are you going to tell us more about the book!

 

Jean J

[SonofaMP]

Thanks Jean, i`ve been sort of following your Siegborg thread but havent had much time to do any research on it. You`ve been in good hands with Christoph, he`s been a great contributor to the forum. If there`s anything you still need let me know, i`ll be happy to see what i can find for you.

[Jean Jacobson]

Larry, that is so sweet of you to suggest that you would help us! I promise not to abuse that offer - but..... yes, I am thinking ....

 

Thank You for all of your contributions to this site!

 

Jean J

[joedemadio]

Hi Rick!

 

I see you've been researching PFC Thomas S. Durham who died on January 11th 1945. I know this topic is very old, but I've recently completed a research about Willard G. Meek who was also in A Company, 312th Engineer Bn. Durham and Meek both died with 22 other soldiers in an explosion in Libramont on January 11th. The story is quiet unknown and we've only recently found the case of death. Just like you and other people we though Meek was killed near Tillet, but it was so strange that there was no explicit mention of the date in the unit histories. I published an article on my own blog about The darkest day of A company, 312th Eng Bn, Jan 11 1945 http://www.joedemadio.com/darkest-day-of-a-company-january-11th-1945

 

I hope you're finally able to finish the Find-A-Grave bio on PFC Thomas S. Durham

 

Joey