In Memoriam · 03 February 2024

James W. Deming was born February 22, 1923 in Patchogue, Long Island, NY to Minnie G. Deming (nee Wilcox). By 1927 his mom was living in Oneonta, NY and by 1930, the U.S. Census recorded them living in Westford, NY. His mom was a public school teacher and divorced by then. James was seven years old at that time and they had a boarder living with them. I was unable to find any records of his dad. Back in the 1930s and 40s local newspapers had a "community" section. James was often mentioned in...

In Memoriam · 07 October 2022

Alfred G. WOLKE was born on September 23, 1924 in New York. He enlisted on February 10, 1943, and was assigned to the 30th Infantry Regiment of the famous 3rd Infantry Division, which was illustrated in France in 1918. After the hard fighting in Italy, the 3rd DI is stationed in the bay of Salerno, in preparation for the landing in the south of France. On August 9, 1944, he boarded LCI 588, commanded by Lieutenant James McMahon, and on the 12th, the division left Italy. D-Day will be August 15....

In Memoriam · 11 September 2022

Willis Albert WOODCOCK was born in 1924, in Belleville, Hastings County, Ontario, Canada. He join the paratroops and his shipped overseas as part of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He particpated to the Italian campaign in June 1944, and jump in southern France August 15th, 1944, in "I" Company, 3rd Battalion. On September 11, 1944, the 517th Regiment's combat team planned an attack on the Col de Braus and its surroundings, where the Germans were still very active and valiant. Company G...

In Memoriam · 10 September 2022

Joseph Mc GEEVER was born August 2, 1918, in Anaconda, Montana. He study in Montana state school and was a State college football star in the Bobcat Grid team, from 1938 to 1940. He graduated from the electrical engineering department in 1941.He enlisted in the army in February, 1942, and went overseas in May 1944, serving in Italy before the invasion.

In Memoriam · 30 June 2022

Morris Swackhammer was born on May 12, 1924, in Wyalusing, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, to Morris Austin Swackhammer and Beulah Youngs Swackhammer. He grew up with two older brothers and a younger sister. Private First Class SWACKHAMMER joined the United States Army in Binghamton, New York, in 1942. In the second half of 1943 SWACKHAMMER was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry "Texas' Division. He particpated in the Italian campaign in 1943, where he...

In Memoriam · 28 June 2022

Marvin BELL was born December 16th, 1923 in Bisbee, Cochise County, Arizona. He was Private first class in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "G" Company, when he was killed in action in the first attack of "Ridge X" in the Col de Braus, September 9th, 1944. He is burried in Pomona Valley Memorial Park, California.

In Memoriam · 28 June 2022

Richard BEDNARZ was born September 20th, 1924, in schulenburg, Fayette County, Texas. Richard enlisted 10 april 1942 at San Antonio, and joined the newly formed 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment in 1943. After a short campaign in Italy, he jumped in southern France August 15th, 1944. Following the advance of his unit, he is in September in the maritimes alps. The 21st of September he is killed in the frontline between Col de Braus and the "Tête de la Lavina", overlooking the french forts of...

In Memoriam · 27 June 2022

Daniel OGNIEWSKI was born January 10th, 1923, in New York. In 1944, he is a Pfc in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "D Company. In November, while Sospel is liberated after weeks of hard battles, they decided with his platoon to take a rest in a large nice looking empty house. The Germans anticipated the americans would take up quarters there and rigged it with a time delayed device booby trapped. Five soldiers of the "D" Company will be killed that day ( Sgt Homer BEAVER, Pvt Alton...

In Memoriam · 23 June 2022

John FOUTS was born September 5th, 1923 in Oklahoma. In 1944, he is a Private in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, "D Company. In November, while Sospel is liberated after weeks of hard battles, they decided with his platoon to take a rest in a large nice looking empty house. The Germans anticipated the americans would take up quarters there and rigged it with a time delayed device booby trapped. Five soldiers of the "D" Company will be killed that day ( Sgt Homer BEAVER, Pvt Alton ALLEN,...