I realized this morning, there were TWO separate posts regarding this unit, so I merged them into one. This should make it a lot easier to keep track of any ongoing information.
M1
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
My grandfather, Donald Schellberg, served as an officer in a segregated general service engineers unit for most of world war 2. Out of curiosity one day, I was poking around on the internet looking for information on his unit and came across this forum discussion. I immediately e-mailed my grandparents the link. Amazing to think that they are actually using e-mail – not many people their age doing that I am sure.
Here is a brief excerpt from my grandmother’s response:
“This is amazing!! Papa just sat and looked at the picture for a long time, naming each one except at the end of the bottom row--a guy he thought was probably a Dr.. Most of the others served with him both in Africa and Italy. I wonder how many are still alive? Is there anyway to contact the one who has this picture? Wonder what memories went through his mind tonight? Thank you--that you could come up with that!!”
I don't know how many others from his unit are still alive, but I know it would mean a lot to my grandfather if we were somehow able to connect him with someone he served with.
I also hope to share some of the stories (and pictures) that he has shared with his family from that time in his life.
Some news clippings:
Telegram:
Here is a picture I have of him later in the war as a Captain in Italy:
Welcome. Glad I got to speak with you via email earlier this week. What a pleasant surprise to also see the newspaper clippings, telegram and the photo.
This is a fantastic post. Please tell you grandparents I am so pleased. So happy to be part of their discovery of the old photo from the war. I love this kind of stuff. Gives me goosebumps.
B)
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
As I stated in my letter, I also sent a note off to Barb. I included your letter to me and your email address, so I hope she contacts you directly too. She was the one who stated they were still in contact with a member from the unit.
Capt. Green (Minn), Major Small (Ill), Capt. Wrey (Texas), Lt. Daniel McDonald (Mass), Lt Geary (Penn), Lt Lahaye (Texas), Lt. Cordone (Mich)
I don't know much about these men. Dan McDonald is still alive. My mother is still in touch with him occasionally.
I hope you get this ok.
Barbara Hill Osgood
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"