Charmes Bridge over the Moselle

[Jeeper704]

Great info here, Marion ..... you never cease to amaze me.

 

Erwin

[Walt's Daughter]

Well thanks. Let's not forget to thank the Army for their meticulous record keeping during wartime. I am astounded by each document I read. Consider the fact that the 540th were almost constantly on the move, and either just behind or right at the front. When you ponder on these factors, it's a wonder we have the documentation we do!

 

I am thankful to have all these in my possession so I may share them with all of you. So here's to the National Archives and my personal researcher, Carolyn Billups, for all their dedication. I am but one cog in the wheel.

[CaptO]

I would love to offer these to you and your father. Would you be interested in obtaining copies? Let me know.

 

Are you kidding?!

I absolutely would! My father and I would love to see them! Many thanks!

[Walt's Daughter]

No kidding!! Would I pull the leg of a marine?

 

Email me your address, please.

 

If I come across other pages from NARA which mention your grandfather in the future, I will make copies when I can and at least post them if not copy them.

[CaptO]

Thanks again!!

 

As far as record keeping is concerned, the army did a much better job of that then the Marine Corps did. A major who wrote a great book, Ghosts of Iwo Jima told me that doing the research for his book was much easier when he was looking into army docs. Not sure why that is but I guess it works out for you. Following this tour (about two 1/2 more years to go) I will be going to "Command and Staff" college in Quantico which will make available a lot of records to me. I may go up there for a weekend for my class I'm taking right now if I get the chance.

 

I'll post another of my grandfather's notebook pages after your wrists get some rest from typeing!

 

And hey! I'm a Lieutenant now! Only 20 more posts and I'll be at my actual rank. I suppose at that time I'll have to slow down for a while.

[Walt's Daughter]

Here's the document showing the CIB's which were awarded in October of 1944.

 

 

Note name on first page towards bottom - Major O'Brien, John C

 

CIBsAwarded540thOct44.pdf

[CaptO]

Cool!

Thanks!

[roque_riojas]

Here's the document showing the CIB's which were awarded in October of 1944.

Note name on first page towards bottom - Major O'Brien, John C

 

 

I saw the lists and I noticed, all were officers, there must be another list for

the personell. Rocky

[Walt's Daughter]

Rocky, so far this is the only report I found regarding the actual awarding of CIB's within the 540th. However, I have NOT read all the over 2000 pages in my folders, so there could be other recorded instances. At least there IS documentation with was recorded within the 540th Regiment and at 7th Army HQ.

[roque_riojas]

My sentiments only,the Men of the Combat Engineers should have gotten the

C.I.B. first. They were the ones that had their M1s' strapped on their backs

while THEY worked or swept for mines. No one told me and I didn't read it.

Iwasthere. Rocky J. Squirell.