1264th Engineer Combat Battalion

[Walt's Daughter]

Did I send you a list of contacts?

[shibland jj's daughter]

Hello all,

 

I recently spent a day with my step-dad, Johnnie "JJ" Jones. He is 88 years old, is sharp as a tack, and is enjoying his 2nd retirement period! There was a recent local newspaper article written about him in the local paper (Chronicle-Independent, Camden, SC) in which he described some of his military service experience in WWII. During our time together he mentioned that he'd like to get in touch with some of the guys in his company (Company B 1264th Combat Engineer Battalion). He last attended a reunion in 1993. I would love to help him make contact with others from the 1264th. So, if you served with this company/unit, know someone who did, or if you remember him, please contact me. I so want to make this happen for my Pop!

 

I attach the newspaper images/story for your perusal.

 

Thank you!!

Sherrill Bland

[Walt's Daughter]

Hey Sherrill - We touched base via email, but wanted to post here too, of course.

 

So nice to see the article. Will read all later today. That must have made the two of you feel so proud.

 

Let's hope others see this post. As I stated to you, you never know what might transpire.

[Walt's Daughter]

Ah, just had a a chance to read it. Would love to hear more about his service. Is it possible you could record something from him. That would be fantastic. Let me know.

[shibland jj's daughter]

Marion, I would be happy to ask my Dad to relay some of his military experience. I'm sending him a letter with lots of info from this site. Hopefully, we'll have something to add soon!

Thanks!

Sherrill

[Walt's Daughter]

Oh Sherrill, I realized now what you were referring to in your PM to me the other day. The "list of contacts" I was referring to, was simple the names of others who have emailed me or members of this forum who are/were interested in this unit, mainly sons and daughters. Unfortunately, I do not have a list of the members of this unit. Sure wish I did.

 

Happy to hear the news about your dad. Would be wonderful to hear.

[Rosedale]

...

My father was drafted 29 March 1944, reported to Camp Bowie for training on 13 April 1944. On 1 May 1944, General George Marshall reviewed the trainees. On D-Day, the 1264th (at least C company, and likely the entire unit from what Rex Pierce has said), was training on the Brazos river.

...

I believe the commander of the 1264th was named Lahlum.

 

 

It is years later ... but this is the first time I am reading this post. What great info! Thank you for sharing.

 

My Dad was Kenneth Zino [1923-2002] who served as a Sgt in the 1264th Engineer Combat Battalion, Company B, 1st Squad, 1st Platoon. I can confirm that command of the 1264th was Arthur H Lahlum. I found copies of two orders (one for Company B, one for all 1264th) in my Dad's collection that are signed by Arthur H Lahlum Lt Col (commanding). These are from Germany from dates in May 1945.

 

My research turned up the following from the newspaper "The Hood County Tablet" of Granby, Texas.

 

• Two articles of interest were reported on page 1 in July 6, 1944 when the 1264th was due in town for a week for the training on the Brazos River "700 will arrive Sunday for a week". They were coming from Camp Bowie, Brownwood, Tx. Arthur H Lahlum was mentioned in the articles, he was a Major at that time.

• Same newspaper, page 1 May 24th 1945, there were highlights of a letter from Sgt Blandin from Germany on how the 1264th was doing. He mentioned that Major Lahlum was now a Lieut Colonel.

• Going back to 1944, page 1 July 27, 1944 has a reprint of the letter from Major Lahlum to Mayor Keith, thanking the town for their hospitality. He signed it as Arthur H Lahlum, Major, Engr, C Bn, Commanding. Would the 1264th Battalion C have had 700 members?

My Dad was 1264th Company B and he was at Camp Bowie back in February/March 1943. He was studying Engineering at Purdue in Sept 1943. I'm still sorting out some details on the 1944 timeline.

 

-barbara

[Rosedale]

... deleted ...

 

Here is where my info gets a lot spottier...

 

The 1264th was deployed to Eisenach, then relocated from there to Salach, located east of Stuttgart. Apparently, this was sometime in April or May of 1945, as my father was wounded somehow (the stories are vastly different...my oldest brother believes it occurred after cessation of hostilities, but I have no proof either way). My father had a gunshot wound to the right knee, and was sent to the 203rd General Hospital, Paris, France. He was there from May until August, 1945. He separated 19 January 1946 at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO.

 

...

 

-Sam

 

My Dad Kenneth Zino was 1264th ECB Company B and I can confirm that he & others did serve in Eisenach & Salach in that time period based on photos he saved and from records.

 

I have an official letter dated 22 January 1946 from Commanding officer, Captain Arthur N Hibbs. It certifies that Sgt Kenneth Zino was an enlisted man who served in the "Army of Occupation" with the American Force in Germany for the period 9 May 1945 to 24 January 1946 inclusive. (The 1264th ECB History book has a farewell letter from Arthur H Lahlum, Lt Col dated 26 August 1945).

 

Ken departed from Europe from Antwerp on the William & Mary Victory. They arrived in New York City 26th Feb 1946. The units listed on that boat were the 381st & 348th Eng Combat. My Dad separated 3rd March 1946 from the Separation Center at Ft Dix, New Jersey.

 

The 1264th ECB History book has an "Occupation" chapter. It says they were in Eisenach for "a long time", "longer than any other town in the ETO". It lists some of the work they did. Company B built a "two hundred ten foot, semi-permanent wood trestle bent, class 40 one way bridge across the Werra river west of Eisenach. In order to complete the bridge before the battalion moved, the boys in "B" Company were working in two shifts from 8am in the morning until midnight".

 

One item of interest I found from this time period in my Dad's box was the special order for a seven day fur to Switzerland dated 4 November 1945. It was signed by P. F. Bartow, 1st Lt Adjustant by order of Major Stickney.The men listed were:

S Sgt Lesley J Carlson

S Sgt Ernest L Redden

S Sgt Frederick W Olson

Sgt Kenneth Zino

Tec 4 Lloyd C Baldwin

Tec 5 Nicholas A Cavuto

Tec 5 William E Gerstberger

Tec 5 Cecil Young

Pfc Fred A Padgett

Pfc George Elfers Jr.

 

I have a memory of my Dad telling me he had been in the hospital at one point for pneumonia (?) and if I recall correctly the hospital was in Paris. I haven't tracked down the dates / facts on this memory but thanks for the tip on the 203rd General Hospital, Paris, France.

 

-barbara

[Fonbill]

Harold L. Vaught was in this battalion and we are looking for any information we can find.

[Rosedale]

Hi Sherrill - I really enjoyed the Johnnie "JJ" Jones article you posted. I'm now sharing the group photo I recently sent you and your Pop.

Attached is a group photo of 37 members of the 1264th ECB Company B 1st Platoon. Last names are included.

Sherrill's pop is "Jones", 2nd row from the front, 3rd from the left! Photos are so amazing in their ability to tell a story and connect all these years later.

In the notes I mention a photo of my Dad Ken Zino taken in Brussels at that time. I will post that one at a later date.

-barbara