Thanks for the instructions Randy !! Here are the photos I mentioned.
Photo w/ Herbert on left, brother on right, taken about 1942 Photo w/ MP arm band - probably about same time as photo with brother Photo w/ Statue of Liberty patch, 77th Inf Div, taken between 1942-44 (I have the patch he wore) Photo w/ 4th Area Service Command patch taken between 1942-44 Photo w/ notation of 178th Gen Hosp Non-Coms Club & Herbert w/arrow - taken about 1944/45 Photo of notebook Herbert sent home to his sister (in my possesion now) Info from NPRC
I'm not sure if this is the proper forum to post this but I thought I'd try here first. Please let me know if I should post to a different on as I am new here.
The tombstone of my uncle (and godfather), Herbert Joseph Rice (#32261778) says he was in Co A, 292nd Eng C Btn. In searching for info on this unit I found this informative website so am hoping someone on here can help me figure out his connection to the 292nd.
I tried the NPRC but only received the dates of enlistment and discharge. I am not next-of-kin -- he married but had no children.
Briefly, here is what I have pieced together so far on his military service:
Enlisted 23 Mar 1942, Fort Dix NJ – from NY (born in Ireland but brought to US as infant and raised in Manhattan NYC)
Photo (undated) – in dress uniform, MP slip-on arm band, Sam Brown belt, & pistol with barracks-type buildings in the background. Looks like the US south.
Was attached to 77th Infantry Div (I have the actual patch he wore!!) - is listed as a Private in Co K in the Div roster but was transferred out before the 77th went to the Pacific, March 1944.
Wedding photo Jan 1944 – jacket has patch of the 4th Area Service Command.
Photo (undated) of Herb in uniform having a beer in a bar/club. Written on the photo is “178 (US) Gen Hosp Non Coms Club”. The 178th was in the area of Reims, France.
A 3 ring binder covered with leather and hand tooled with “Reims 1945” on the cover which he sent home to his sister and now in my possession.
Excerpts from letters of medical tech father of a fellow researcher written in Reims, 1945, where he was with the 178th Gen Hospital. He mentions “Rice from NY” who told him about the GIs trying to get photos at the school house where the surrender was signed; and then “Herbie Rice, a 253rd man” and says Herb was the supply Sgt and in charge of the bar/beer garden.
Discharged 8 Mar 1946.
I can’t figure out is how the 292nd fits into this -- from what I’ve read, they landed in France in Dec 1944 and then onward into Germany. I do not see him in the photo of Co A – he was 6'4", skinny as a bean pole, very high forehead, and ears standing way out.
Don’t know what the 253rd was (as mentioned in the letter noted above) or when he was with the 292nd. Could he have been left behind when the Btn went to Germany? Or gone there and come back or ????? I’ve come across 2 other Herbert Rices - one was a POW and another was a Ranger.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas about this mystery, I’d love to hear from you. Thank you in advance !!
KRO
The 253rd may have been the 253rd combat battalion that was part of the 9th army, which the 292nd was also a part of. Also could he have re-upped at the end of the war and been put with the 292nd which was building and supervising POW camps?
Okay, after reviewing photo's and recent posts concerning the "men in white" we have determined that my grandfather Edwin Grosskurth is actually the 2nd guy from the right in the (white coats).
Okay, after reviewing photo's and recent posts concerning the "men in white" we have determined that my grandfather Edwin Grosskurth is actually the 2nd guy from the right in the (white coats).
Hi Martha I can't say for sure but looks pretty close to me, I also seen that your grandfathers mos was Cook 060 so I'd give it a good chance you are right. I would like to see Gary"s opinion as he has been really good at matching the men up.....Ralph
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 apologies for disappearing for awhile. Work swamped me at first. My 101 yo old grandmother who I take care of had some issues which we are only now starting to get under control. I hope all had a great holiday and I will endeavor to read up on what I missed so I can get back into the swing of things.
I thing of note is that just a day or so ago I finally received the IDPF file for PFC Earl Haughton who was injured in the bombing of Company A compound on night of April 18th, 1945 and died the next day of his wounds. Now to try to track down where the IDPF is for Charles Crawford who died of wounds suffered after stepping on a land mine on February 18th, 1945. Hopefully I will be able to get this one real soon.
Thanks for your patience, my 292nd friends!
Gary
Gary L. Gates
Proud Grandson of Randall Gates
Mechanic, A and H&S Companies, 292nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 1149th Engineer Combat Group
I'm not sure if this is the proper forum to post this but I thought I'd try here first. Please let me know if I should post to a different on as I am new here.
The tombstone of my uncle (and godfather), Herbert Joseph Rice (#32261778) says he was in Co A, 292nd Eng C Btn. In searching for info on this unit I found this informative website so am hoping someone on here can help me figure out his connection to the 292nd.
I tried the NPRC but only received the dates of enlistment and discharge. I am not next-of-kin -- he married but had no children.
Briefly, here is what I have pieced together so far on his military service:
Enlisted 23 Mar 1942, Fort Dix NJ – from NY (born in Ireland but brought to US as infant and raised in Manhattan NYC)
Photo (undated) – in dress uniform, MP slip-on arm band, Sam Brown belt, & pistol with barracks-type buildings in the background. Looks like the US south.
Was attached to 77th Infantry Div (I have the actual patch he wore!!) - is listed as a Private in Co K in the Div roster but was transferred out before the 77th went to the Pacific, March 1944.
Wedding photo Jan 1944 – jacket has patch of the 4th Area Service Command.
Photo (undated) of Herb in uniform having a beer in a bar/club. Written on the photo is “178 (US) Gen Hosp Non Coms Club”. The 178th was in the area of Reims, France.
A 3 ring binder covered with leather and hand tooled with “Reims 1945” on the cover which he sent home to his sister and now in my possession.
Excerpts from letters of medical tech father of a fellow researcher written in Reims, 1945, where he was with the 178th Gen Hospital. He mentions “Rice from NY” who told him about the GIs trying to get photos at the school house where the surrender was signed; and then “Herbie Rice, a 253rd man” and says Herb was the supply Sgt and in charge of the bar/beer garden.
Discharged 8 Mar 1946.
I can’t figure out is how the 292nd fits into this -- from what I’ve read, they landed in France in Dec 1944 and then onward into Germany. I do not see him in the photo of Co A – he was 6'4", skinny as a bean pole, very high forehead, and ears standing way out.
Don’t know what the 253rd was (as mentioned in the letter noted above) or when he was with the 292nd. Could he have been left behind when the Btn went to Germany? Or gone there and come back or ????? I’ve come across 2 other Herbert Rices - one was a POW and another was a Ranger.
If anyone has any suggestions or ideas about this mystery, I’d love to hear from you. Thank you in advance !!
Although a little late in coming, welcome to the forum, Kathleen! Let me take a look through what I have to see if I can find a Herbert Rice mentioned and will post the results of me search.
Gary L. Gates
Proud Grandson of Randall Gates
Mechanic, A and H&S Companies, 292nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 1149th Engineer Combat Group
Okay, after reviewing photo's and recent posts concerning the "men in white" we have determined that my grandfather Edwin Grosskurth is actually the 2nd guy from the right in the (white coats).
Okay, after reviewing photo's and recent posts concerning the "men in white" we have determined that my grandfather Edwin Grosskurth is actually the 2nd guy from the right in the (white coats).
Here's my take... by looking at the photos up close I believe there are many characteristics of the two that are similar including the left ears and the crease on either side of the nose. I think the roundness under the chin is the same, also, even though in the later image it is partially obscured. The one thing that initially had me concerned is that the man in the later image has a thinner face. After some thought my contention is that this may be due to your grandfather having lost some weight during his time serving in Europe. I know my grandfather was much thinner during his service. I think if you add to the fact that as Ralph said your grandfather had a Cook MOS then all of this circumstantial evidence leads me to the conclusion that in my opinion that the cook in the A Company photo is your grandfather.
Other opinions?
Gary
Gary L. Gates
Proud Grandson of Randall Gates
Mechanic, A and H&S Companies, 292nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 1149th Engineer Combat Group
