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The 68th Tank Battalion in combat
Get PDFThis will be the record of the 68th Tank Battalion\u27s participation in successive campaigns from the historic breakthrough in Normandy to VE Day in the heart of Germany. Before beginning this narrative, however, there are some remarks we must make.
Firstly, this history was made possible by the heroically spent blood and sweat of American men, who gave their best for their country. They did well, these men, and though some of them are no longer with us, their deeds will never be forgotten.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1003/thumbnail.jp
Regimental history, 123rd Infantry; a pictorial history -- World War II
Get PDFYOU\u27RE IN THE INFANTRY
Those of us who can say those words ... let\u27s say them with pride, but softly. Let\u27s not shout them. Let\u27s not stick out our chests. Let\u27s say them with a kind of awe.
We can\u27t tell much about it ... and wouldn\u27t if we could. Maybe we\u27ll say it\u27s rugged. Maybe we\u27ll get across the idea that you have to be quick in the head, as well as quick with your hands, to get along in the infantry. And that, even so, your chances aren\u27t too bright. But that\u27s about all. Few will ever know what it means in a war like this, to be in the Infantry, the knockout corps, the Army\u27s infighters. But we can make the world remember at least ... that a doughboy has to master a dozen weapons ... that skill and smartness count for as much as muscle;
... That he may have to live for days on end on congealed food, in mud and slop halfway to his waist, where the rain is iron, the wind is cordite and the light is liquid fire ;
... And that, at the end, he comes face to face with a personal enemy ... another Infantryman whose ten inches of cold steel snake out for his belly, and whose gun butt swings in a short quick arc to crumple his skull.
Face to face ... that\u27s the Infantry\u27s war. They\u27re out where that thin black line moves forward on the map . . . to kill or be killed.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1033/thumbnail.jp
Seabees: CBMU 635
Get PDFIn this book of words and pictures is a compilation of the work, accomplishments, and activities of the Twenty-Sixth United States Naval Construction Battalion (Second Section) which on July 15, 1945, was redesignated Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit Six Hundred Thirty-Five. It is dedicated to each officer and man who gave his\u27 best for the one and only cause, and each can be justly proud of the part he played.
The Staff wishes to extend its appreciation to each and every member of this Battalion who helped in procuring and compiling the necessary information, for without your moral support. interest. and actual aid this book would have been impossible. We sincerely hope that in years to come you will refer to this book often in remembrance of the part you and your comrades played in the achievement of the final victory.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1044/thumbnail.jp
90th USN Construction Battalion; its history and accomplishments, 1943-1945
Get PDFThe 90th U. S. Naval Construction Battalion was born at Camp Peary, Virginia on the twenty-fifth day of July, nineteen hundred forty-three, in the blistering hot sun, as those who were there will well remember. As an indication of what was to come later the sun, in all its glory, was appropriate; for the battalion, on its tour of duty in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, has scarcely ever found the smallest amount of shade!
From Peary to lwo Jima and V-J Day our stirring saga runs. The inevitable triumph of Allied arms found us deep within the shattered inner perimeter of the Land of the Setting Sun.
This, The History and Achievements of the 90th United States Naval Construction Battalion, is our LOG.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1053/thumbnail.jp
Carthaginians, Romans and Americans: overseas with the 355th AAA SLT BN
Get PDFWhile the title 355th AAA Searchlight Battalion dates back to May of 1942, the actual history of the unit, and the personnel in it, dates back to fifteen months before that -- February, 1941. At this time there were four coast artillery regiments in training at Camp Stewart, Georgia. The 207th and 212th were from New York City, the 209th from Western New York State, and the 214th from Georgia. These units had been sent to Camp Stewart for one year of basic training. The A batteries, or searchlight batteries, of these regiments were the units which later formed the First Provisional Searchlight Battalion. Such terms as DEC, azimuth, elevation, orientation, and slant range, soon became familiar to the men of these batteries. In addition to their specialized training in searchlights and searchlight tactics, the men received regular basic military training. The study of subjects, such as convoy discipline, first aid, communications, map reading and aircraft recognition, became a part of the daily routine. The men were also given calisthenics, infantry drill and manual of arms to build their bodies.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1056/thumbnail.jp
The sky lancer: 417th Bomb Group
Get PDFThe Sky Lancers have established an enviable record in combat against the Japanese in the Southwest Pacific Theatre of Operations. We have advanced twenty-five hundred miles since debarking at Cape Sudest, New Guinea; we have delivered destruction to the enemy over every mile of it and part of our great task still lies ahead on the road to Tokyo. Our gains have not been made easily and the price has been paid in both men and equipment.
It is to our gallant comrades who made their last flight with our organization that The SKY LANCER is dedicated, for it was they who contributed so greatly to our success and to the ultimate peace we are to gain through their courageous efforts.
Milton W. Johnson, Lt. Col., Air Corps, Commandinghttps://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1078/thumbnail.jp
Eighty-second U.S. Naval Construction Battalion, 1943-1945
Get PDFPreface
This book or album is an attempt to provide a pictorial history of the activities of the 82nd U.S. Naval Construction Battalion. While it may contain a goodly number of pictures, we regret that more were not available and that some of the events associated with the outfit and work are not included. Many of the Battalion films and negatives were unusable because of the tropical heat, accidents, and lack of cooling facilities for developers and fixers. Many subjects, which might have been included, were not taken because there were considered military and suitable only for official reports. While some events may have been caught by individuals with illegal cameras, most of the negatives had been mailed Stateside and the available prints were too small for copying and enlargement.
There are practically no pictures of activities on Vella Lavella because the small contingent had no assigned photographer. We wish to express our appreciation to the 58th USNCB which has so kindly supplied us with some material from its files. Likewise, we are grateful to the 87th USNCB for some of the material concerning the Stirling Island strip.
We have done as much as we could with what we had. We have tried conscientiously to make the roster and address section correct in order that it may be of value to you. It is correct as of July 15, 1946. We sincerely hope that this book will provide you with many memories of your life with the Fighting 82nd and the immeasurable contributions and uncountable sacrifices which you made to help the armed forces of the United States achieve victory.
-The Staffhttps://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1101/thumbnail.jp
The history of the U.S.S. Neshoba
Get PDFHer name, the U.S.S. Neshoba. Like most of her sister Attack Transports, she was named for a county in the United States. Neshoba county is located in the state of Mississippi, but the ship was built many miles away from there. One of the 130 ships of her class, the Neshoba was built by the Permanente Metals Corporation of Richmond, California, and launched on 7th of October, 1944. She was commissioned as a ship of the United States Navy on November 16th, 1944, being sponsored by Mrs. Wendall E. Adams of Berkeley, California, and placed in command of Commander Martin J. Drury, USN Commander Drury was later promoted to the rank of Captain. The conversion to an attack transport was made at Hunter\u27s Point Ship Yard in San Francisco. The conversion consisted of installing Navy Radio and Radar equipment, armament, adding welin-davits for landing craft, and the landing craft. At the conclusion of this conversion, the Neshoba was a fullfledged, ready to APA.
From time immemorial, every Navy ship has had its shakedown cruise. The Neshoba was no exception. Her shakedown brought her from San Francisco to San Diego. It was during this coastal run that she attained her top speed of 19 knots. At San Diego, she was committed to Amphibious Training at which time the new boat crews got a feel of their craft. She acted as flagship, for Transport Squadron Thirteen whose commanding officer at that time was Commodore John G. Moyer, USN. The training was supposed to last a period of two weeks, but sudden changes in the Pacific Fleet organization made the Neshoba\u27s entrance on the scene of action very imperative and the training was cut short. She proceeded to San Pedro, California, where final repairs and checkups took place.https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1149/thumbnail.jp
We did, the story of the 62nd NCB, December 7, 1942 to September 15, 1945
Get PDFForeword
The battalion arrived at Pearl Harbor on March 29, 1943. Remember Pearl Harbor had become a battle cry for all Americans in the Pacific War. Our Marines had turned the tide of the Japanese offensive at Guadalcanal and the enemy had begun to feel the blows struck from Henderson Field built by the Seabees.
The Navy was beginning to marshal her fast growing forces at Pearl Harbor. Men, material, and ships required new barracks, warehouses and ship-repair facilities. The 62nd Battalion was the first to take over work from the contractors at Pearl Harbor and our officers and men carried through their jobs with the true Seabee spirit and ingenuity. Among the vital and urgent projects completed were the Submarine Base Extension, the Waipio Point Amphibious repair facilities and housing at the Advance Base Reshipment Depot.
As the Pacific War moved in to full scale offensive, our battalion was assigned to the Western Pacific on the assault eschelon at lwo Jima. Our battalion arrived on Bloody lwo soon after the Marines and started to work immediately on the Southern Airfield. As soon as the Southern Field was operational, the 62nd Battalion was ordered to the Central Airfield. Both jobs were started under enemy mortar and sniper fire and the courage and the spirit of the battalion can never be forgotten.
This book is a history of your battalion, a battalion in which you can take well-earned pride. It is a record of your experiences, both the hardships and pleasures which have made up your part in the winning of the war in the Pacific.
F.B. Campbell, Comdr. USNR (CEC), Commanding Officerhttps://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1166/thumbnail.jp
The history of the U.S.S. Baltimore, CA-68
Get PDFBeginning of The Baltimore Story: Now at Wars\u27 End the Story of the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. Baltimore Can Be Told!:
Like other battle seasoned and scarred heavy cruisers. the USS Baltimore has lived a full war life, sampled its first battle with a bombardment of Makin island, stormed through the Gilbert, Marshall, and Marianas campaigns, leveled the synchronized fury of its nine protruding eight-inch rifles on Satawan island in the Caroline group; but unlike many less fortunate cruisers, the Baltimore had run the gamut unscathed.
Some of her actions and deeds -- like carrying the late President Roosevelt to his historic triumvirate at Pearl Harbor with five-star Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur-were tagged as top secret , thus remained untold \u27til war\u27s end. But probably the main reason for her silent satirically and smothered blackout was that in doing a thorough workmanlike job for over two years, the Baltimore\u27s skippers (Captains Calhoun and Fink), officers, and crew had clearly defied, coldly thwarted, and precisely out maneuvered every Nip attempt to register a single hit on its six hundred and seventy feet of armored deck and superstructure.Not once did she wear a hurt, martyred look, or limp into the news as a battle casualty -- not a man did she lose through enemy action. But the Baltimore was always there, as her crew so loudly and proudly echoes: They don\u27t wear service stars for nothing!https://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/1179/thumbnail.jp