introductory post herbert atlee downs aka burke

[laurenbeagregory]

Hello.. I am the granddaughter of Herbert Atlee Downs aka Burke. Burke was from Germantown, MD and served in the army during the Battle of the Bulge. I know he received a purple heart but I have no details regarding this. His headstone reads that he was tec4. I recently ran across an ad in the Bulge Bugle 22 years late from an army buddy looking for him, but I believe this buddy has since passed. The ad gave me his unit info which was company a 324th combat engineer battalion 99th infantry division. The ad also mentions another buddy... Ben B. Potter with whom they shared a foxhole. Grandpa Burke died before I was born and my dad died when I was very young so this is the extent of my knowledge of his military history. I'd like to find anyone who may have known him or mr. Potter or mr. Kyser who placed the ad. Or if anyone can help me shed light on how to gain info on where he was and what his job may have been.

[laurenbeagregory]

sorry for typos im typing on my phone today

[Christoph]

Hello,

 

Do you know this site: http://www.517prct.org/photos/herbert_downs3/herbert_downs3.htm?

I don't know whether it's another Herbert A. Downs or your grandpa, and written by your aunt or mother?

 

You probably read this thread in this forum: http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/engforum/index.php?showtopic=5471?

 

And The History Of The 324Engineer http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/docs/324thEngineeers/Derrick%20of%20Dauntless001.pdf?

 

Christoph

[laurenbeagregory]

Hello that is not my grandad but thanks for pulling that up. I've done a bit of poking around on his unit. Im looking for where he trained and where he was stationed and the time line. Also I've googled tec4 a bunch of times but I have no clear understand what it means. Some sites said it was a pay grade? Can anyone explain in laymans terms what tec4 means and what was required of a tec4? Also as a general question... But how were these men compEnsated during their service? im sure it wasn't likely they were handing out payroll on the battle field. Were checks sent home to the wife or mother of the servicemen? How did that work?

[laurenbeagregory]

Also was there a pension associated with an injury? I've heard a few things that don't add up about grandad so I just need some clarification.

[Walt's Daughter]

Lauren:

 

Hi, let me help you clarify a few things to begin with. Tec4 is a Sgt. They used these designations in engineer units during WWII. Basically it meant you had the rank of Sargent, but with technical skills.

 

My father was a Tec5, which meant he was a Corporal.

 

More in a bit. Getting my morning coffee...

[Walt's Daughter]

There were THREE tech levels:

 

Technician 3rd Class - T/3 - Special skills and duties; = S/SGT rank

Technician 4th Class - T/4 - Special skills and duties; = SGT rank

Technician 5th Class - T/5 - Special duties, such as Mail Clerk ; = CPL rank

[Walt's Daughter]

Okay, now onto pay scale during WWII...

 

Also, here's an interesting article written in Barron's National Business and Financial Weekly, April 24, 1944 by By Malvern Hall Tillitt

[Walt's Daughter]

There was actually a PAYMASTER during the war. I am actually having a couple of vets write about their experiences to share with you later.

[Walt's Daughter]

 

You probably read this thread in this forum: http://www.6thcorpsc...?showtopic=5471?

 

And The History Of The 324Engineer http://www.6thcorpsc...auntless001.pdf?

 

Christoph

 

Yes, those two links above will give you an incredible amount of information on the 324th. The second link is a complete history which I recently acquired. Please take some time to read through the material, as you will find it quite enlightening.

 

:pdt12: