Researching My Daddy's Army Info

[luisdbarrera]

I also found these metals.

[Walt's Daughter]

Excellent. We'll have to start a page for him sometime in the near future. Sound good?

 

He was a very handsome man.

 

I will have more on the 39th later tonight on Lester O'Neal's page. It should be done within the next hour or so. I will have a photo too taken in Sicily in August 1943.

[luisdbarrera]

Thanks Marion,

 

Here is another photo of my Grandfather with his friends. From reading his dairy, he was inducted into the Army in San Antonio, he then went to Fort Leonard Wood and then off to Northern Africa...So I assume that this photo was taken either in San Antonio or Fort Leonard.

 

I received a wonderful email from David Wagner, and he asked me what Company my grandfather was in. He was in Company D. If any one recognizes the men with my grandfather in this picture, please let me know. My grandfather is the tallest one, second from the right.

 

Thanks,

Luis

[luisdbarrera]

Sorry...my grandfather is second from the left. In the picture posted above, next to the man with the large B on his sweater.

[luisdbarrera]

David, maybe you played ball with my grandfather? I've summed up a few days where he mentions playing ball with your company (F) in 1944

 

Florentino Diary:

 

Wednesday, April 12, 1944

 

Stayed in Co. Area all day and after Supper went to

Play ball with F. Co. Score 19 – 11

 

Sunday April 23, 1944

 

After Supper went to play ball with F. Co. Score 5 – 4

in favor of us.

 

 

Wednesday, April 26, 1944

Morning went back to rock quarry till noon and came back in for shots on arm and short arm inspection. After that play ball, but quit early because a rifle grenade burst close to the diamond. It was from 3rd Division troops practicing for push.

[Walt's Daughter]

Luis:

 

It would be great if David (for those of you who don't know, David Wagner -39th Eng) did remember. I'm sure we'll hear from him.

 

Oh Luis, I plan to ready a page for your grandfather next. Hopefully will have something later this week. We can keep adding as you provide more and more of his diary entries. Top-notch!

[Custermen]

Cool photos.

After Supper went to play ball with F. Co. Score 5 – 4

in favor of us.

Wednesday, April 26, 1944

Morning. . . . After that play ball, but quit early because a rifle grenade burst close to the diamond. It was from 3rd Division troops practicing for push.

The 3rd Division arrived at Anzio on 22nd Jan 1944 and was there during the Spring Offense in May. Do you know if your Dad's unit was assigned to them? Or was he in the 3rd Division as his collar disk is Infantry---not Engineers??

 

I've heard a lot of stories about the ball games at Anzio. It does seem quite amazing that they risked their lives to play ball. In General Mark Clark's book, "Calculated Risk", he relates how they were watching a game and a runner slide into home. Then from across the enemy lines a German yelled out "He's safe!".

[Walt's Daughter]

Steve: He was with the 39th Combat Engineers, D Co, not the 3rd Div. That's been well-established. Luis has already hooked up with other members of the 39th and their families too.

[Custermen]

I wasn't sure if the 39th Combat Engineers were attached to the 3rd Infantry Division at that time. The photo of the Infantry collar device confused me.

Also, I tried to edit the photo of him wearing the 5th Army patch to see the disc on his hat. No luck. It looks like it might be the "US" insignia.

 

Steve

[Walt's Daughter]

Luis, don't know if you saw the announcement under the What's New Section, because I haven't heard anything, but I started a page for your grandfather today on the main site.

 

Memories of Florentino B Pena

 

A great week for the 39th on our site. Luis Barrera, this one's for you.