Harvey M. Schiller - 133rd Combat Engineers

[Walt's Daughter]

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Re: Survivor of 133

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From:

Harvey

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To: Elisabeth

Cc: Marion

 

Dear Elisabeth,

 

Thanks for your prompt reply. (at the age of 89, time is very precious)

 

For many years I have unsuccessfully attempted to contact former members of the 133rd Combat Engineers.

Our Battalion was very small only about 630 soldiers. There were actually hundreds of small Engineer Companies. I am curious how your late Uncle had my e-mail. His name Barnett does not ring a bell with me, but I did not know many of the men, as the Battalion was divided into 5 Companys with different missions.

 

As I was the Personnel Sgt. Major of the Battalion, I was able to keep a diary of my personal Army history and that of the Battalion, which I am sharing with you. Perhaps the dates may be meaningful to you and your Dad:

 

1942. * May 11, 1942 - Oct 21, 1945 (3 years, 4 months) Served with 133d Engineer Combat Battalion

United States Army. Army serial number 32 334 223.

* May 11, 1942 - Mar 1944 Served in the US in Fort Lewis, Washington and Calif - Arizona

Maneuver Area (Death Valley).

* Promoted up thru the ranks to Battalion Personnel Sgt. Major with the rank of Technical Sgt.(5 stripes).

He had the responsibility of accurately maintaining the records of all the officers and enlisted men in

the Battalion, and the training and supervision of his squad of nine NCO specialists.

* Mar 1944 - Oct 1945 (1 yr, 9 mon) Served in European Theater of Operations:

North Ireland, England. Participated in third assault landing on “Omaha” Beach, France.

Attached to front line troops of General Patton’s Third Army, pushing thru France, Luxembourg,

(Battle of the Bulge) across the Sauer River into Gilzem, Germany; Austria and Czechoslovakia.

Actively participated in the 5 major battles in European Theater of Operations. (Battle of St. Lo,

Rhine River, Battle of the Bulge, Ziegfried Line, Hertgen Forest)

Personally participated in the liberation of the “Lager - Aham” Germany Concentration Camp.

* Was Certified by HDG USF ETO “by command of General Eisenhower” for appointment

as Temporary Warrant Officer JG, June 7, 1945. Refused appointment as it disqualified eligibility

for prompt discharge, (the war in Europe was over) and made him eligible for immediate transfer to

Japan.

* Honorably discharged Oct 21, 1945 with the following 10 Decorations:

Bronze Star Medal by "executive order of the President of the US, Feb 4, 1944 for meritorious

achievement in ground operations against the enemy", European Campaign Medal with 5 Battle

Stars, American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Victory

Medal. Also awarded “Marksman” Medals for both M-1 and Carbine Rifles.

* During operations in ETO the 133d Engineer Combat Battalion, consisting of 605 enlisted men and

31 officers: constructed for assault river crossings, enough infantry and tank, “Bailey” steel bridges,

inflated rubber pontoon bridges and wooden bridges, that if put together, would measure

over 4 ½ miles!

They participated in 10 major assault river crossings, under enemy fire from the opposite shore and

strafing by enemy planes.

They experienced many casualties in removing over 8,000 enemy mines.

They had 174 Casualties, 43 of whom were taken prisoners by the Germans.

10 Officers were killed in combat.

210 Received Purple Heart Medals and Oak Leaf clusters for wounds received in action.

177 Received the Bronze Star Medal for Heroic or Meritorious Service in Ground

Operations against the enemy. (Harvey received this decoration)

16 Received the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry in Action.

 

If you would like any additional information, I will be happy to reply.

 

I comment you for having such interest in the History of your relatives who served their Country at the risk of their lives!

 

Harvey M. Schiller, 26 Meadowlark Rd., Rye Brook, NY 10573

 

I am sending a CC to someone who just published a book about at the Engineer Battalions in WWII, in honor of HER father! I suggest you contact her as she has a website with tons of info.

 

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In a message dated 8/31/2009 9:57:41 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, writes:

 

Dear Harvey Schiller,

 

Thank you for returning my email and Thank You for your service to this country. I am so glad that you are still on line and well. My uncle's full name was William Lewis Barnett but we all called him Uncle Bill. He served in the Army during World War 2 along with his two older brothers, James Frank Barnett ( my uncle who died in 1995 from a heart attack) and Eugene Barnett ( my dad who celebrated his 87th birthday this past June). My uncle Bill (who had never been sick a day in his life) went into the hospital in Feb. due to some complications with prostate cancer. While in the hospital he suffered a stroke and never fully recovered. He passed away comfortably at the University of Kentucky Hospital on June 21st. (Fathers Day). He never married or had any children so he treated all of his nieces and nephews as his own. My name is Elisabeth Barnett Baker and we are all coping with the lost of a great man and veteran. Uncle Bill talked only about his service when he was asked and although I knew he recieved the Purple Heart Medal (and knew that story), it was only after his passing that I learned of his five Bronze Star Medals. In your email copy that I found you state " It seems that we both were in the 133rd Combat Engineers at the same time." My Dad and I would appreciate any information that you might have about my Uncle Bill's service. Thank you! Elisabeth

 

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

 

Sent: Friday, August 28, 2009 1:07 PM

Subject: Re: Survivor of 133

 

Thanks for contacting me. Please let me know your name and the name of your deceased uncle, and perhaps I knew him and can give you more info.

 

Harvey M. Schiller (former Tech Sgt)

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In a message dated 8/28/2009 12:38:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, writes:

 

To Tech Sgt. Harvey M. Schiller,

 

This is a test email to see if this is still your email address. I found your email address in my Uncle's things after he passed away. Again this is a test email to see if I am reaching Tech Sgt. Harvey M. Schiller. Thank You!