From the Introduction: Activitated 15 December 1941 at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the 649th Engineer Battalion was assigned to the First Army and placed under the technical direction of the Chief of Engineers. In an Army the size of ours the activation of a battalion causes only the slightest ripple on the pool of available manpower. It's just another battalion with a number and that's as far as it goes. But this book isn't about numbers; you can find numbers in an arithmetic book. This is the story of a group of men and we'd like to tell you from whence they came. At its inception, the battalion comprised three companies, viz: Headquarters and Service, including Photomapping; B, the Reproduction company; A, the Survey company ... Though the majority of us came from New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania, all sections of the country are represented in our ranks, and practically all the states. What better beginning can a battalion in this man's army have?

"On July 15th, 1946, the U.S.S. Hancock was officially awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for outstanding heroism in action ... Today she is one of many proud ships moored along the thousand-mile shore-line of Puget Sound, a memorial to the men who trod her decks in the hope of providing a just and lasting peace. At dusk as the sun dips behind the snow-capped Olympic Mountains to the westward it sets upon a nation which has yet to know a conqueror's tread. The price of that freedom is so great that if the lowering of colors each evening were a tribute to a single fallen hero of World War II it would take a year to honor the Hannah's own casualties and more than eight centuries would elapse ere homage were paid in full. May we build no earthly monuments to those who lie beneath the far Pacific, or on some foreign shore, save the monument of a lasting peace for posterity--should we falter in our course may those ghostly ships, rising and falling on the eternal tide, serve as a reminder of our obligation to them."

From "The Story of the U.S.S. Boston" by Henry G. Leader, SP (X) 3/C: Built for speed, maneuverability and tremendous fire power, the USS Boston is the second ship of the Baltimore class. Ordered July 1, 1940 prior to the outbreak of the war, her keel was laid June 30, 1941 in the Fore river yard, Quincy, Massachusetts by the Bethlehem Steel Company. On August 26, 1942 Mrs. Maurice J. Tobin, wife of the Honorable Maurice J. Tobin, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sponsored the launching, and on June 30th of the following year, the ship's ensign fluttered in a gentle breeze as she was officially commissioned and accepted by her first commanding officer, Captain John H. Carson, USN. Slipping smoothly through Atlantic waters, the Boston began her maiden voyage on August 13, 1943 en route to the Gulf of Paria, between Trinidad and Venezuela, for the shakedown cruise designed to accustom her crew to the sea and enable officers to detect any possible wrinkles in her makeup. A month later the Boston returned to her home port. a fighting ship with her crew well trained to fight the enemy. On the record of her engineering trial, she was established as one of the fastest heavy ships in the fleet; on the record of her gunnery exercises she was established as a good gunnery ship. After a few more weeks in the port of Boston and some trial runs off Rockland, Maine, the USS Boston set out on November 18 to fulfill the job for which she was designed and built-the defeat of this country's enemy in the Pacific. After passing through the Panama Canal, followed by a two day lay-over in San Francisco, she arrived at Pearl Harbor on the eve of the second anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack. Six weeks were spent in Pearl Harbor waters engaging in more of the exercises that are so essential to the maintenance of the fighting qualities of a First Class Warship.

Foreword: It was my good fortune and high honor to be entrusted with the command of the Birmingham from 11 August, 1943 to 22 November, 1944. Those were months filled with action, excitement, and high adventure. The trials and triumphs which we shared together; the knowledge that the success of the ship and the safety of all depended upon the devotion to duty of each; the understanding that the team was more important than the individual; the mutual respect and affection amongst us all; all these things made us "shipmates" in the finest sense of the word. In the face of exhaustion, danger, and grimmest tragedy there was no grumbling, no shirking, and no flinching. Young America need concede nothing in fortitude to other races or other generations. Our steel ships, too, are served by iron men. Never in history had a Captain the good fortune to command a finer crew. --Rear Admiral Thomas B. Inglis

A Battalion truck was driven hundreds of miles through Germany to locate and haul a linotype machine so that type could be set for this book. This is just one of the sometimes fantastic difficulties overcome during the manufacture of these pages in the bomb-devastated city of Frankfurt-on-Main in July 1945. That the book did get printed at all is astonishing to its author. 1st Lt. John D. Hess, aided by German-speaking Tech Sergeant Frank Gartner, looked after the considerable details of publication. The 21 chapter illustrations are by Pfc. Norman E. Hamilton. The writing is by Pfc. Wayne Robinson, who here wishes to acknowledge the great help given by so many, from tank commanders to cooks to personnel clerks, in getting the facts for this combat story.

Foreword This is the first page in the unofficial history of the 410th Bombardment Group (L). Written in France at a time when Hitler's throne is crumbling and the axis dream of world domination is about to burst like a bubble in the breeze, it is intended to recall a few incidents of the past without any attempt to foresee the future. Lacking a crystal ball or the courage of a weatherman, we frown upon all attempts to predict how, when or where the 410th Bomb Group will cease to exist. To the contrary, we confine these pages to history, and history, as you know, is a recitation of facts. You will therefore find among the pages to follow both humor and tragedy--the fun of a party, the loss of a friend. You will find here many things that can never be forgotten and consequently need never be written, and yet if among the pages you find one little incident worthwhile remembering that might otherwise have been forgotten, this book does indeed serve its purpose. Author unknown

Dedication The casualties sustained by the men of the 398th Bombardment Group are not, perhaps, greatly significant in a world at war ... It is the gallant and indomitable spirit of these several dead, missing, and wounded that is significant in its ill-boding for all oppressors, in its promise for a better world without war ... We dedicate this day to those who contributed without reservation to our common effort ... who cannot be among us to share the commendation they so richly merit.

On March 22, 1943, at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, the paper work of organizing a new Engineer general service regiment was being completed in accordance with AG 320.2 (3-5-43) B-1-SPOPU dated March 8, 1943, subject: "Activation of 398th Engineer General Service Regiment," and General Order No. 34, Headquarters, 8th Service Command, Dallas, Texas, dated March 15, 1943.

On November 5, 1943, the 89th Chemical Battalion, Motorized, was activated at Camp Roberts, California per General Orders, Headquarters, 4th Army, by Command of Lt. General William A. Simpson. Major James R. Hudson, CWS, a reserve officer with experience in World War I in the Field Artillery, assumed command.

This is not an official history of the 84th Chemical Mortar Battalion-the Official History is kept in the Archives of the War Department at Washington. D. C. It is simply a narrative, written by officers and men of the battalion. telling the story of the unit's activities since its activation. The language used in this book may not be the best; but it is the language of Gls who made the battalion famous and who, through their deeds, brought fame and distinction for the Chemical Warfare Service. This book has not been censored by any authorities; so it is essentially as the various writers submitted it to the editor. No professional writers were used; it is entirely the work of members of the 84th Chemical Mortar Battalion.

This is the autobiography of a group of Americans banded by fate to do a job. Here is the story of a Troop Carrier Group, the largest in the world--Lieutenant Colonel Guile's 433rd. Troop Carrier is, and has been throughout this war, an integral part of the Army Air Force. When invasions have been made in various theaters of operations and paratroopers and airborne infantry had to be flown in, in advance of the other invasion forces, when reinforcements were imperative, when ammunition or engineering equipment were running low, when wounded had to be evacuated, or when General Patton suddenly needed maps of Germany during his rapid advance, Troop Carrier was called upon--and came through. In spite of being the youngest organization in the Army Air Forces, Troop Carrier has established an enviable record, which has been acclaimed and commended by all Allied Armed Forces which Troop Carrier has so faithfully served. A Troop Carrier Group is not gathered in one fell swoop; it is a continuous process. So to you, past and present members of the group, and to you, our families and friends, we present the 433rd Troop Carrier Group as we were and as we are...

Foreword: Any similarity between this book and an official Army Historical Report is coincidental and unintentional. The written portion is merely intended as an outline for your reminiscing. Plenty of space has been left between the lines for your individual reading. The photographs form a more complete story. If anyone's picture does not appear, I apologize for that omission. It has been our intention to picture everyone and at least indications of most of the Seventy-Fourth Squadron's activities. The contribution of pictures and material by Major Edward Kaminski and Mr. Tom Towers made this album possible. I'm sure this Album will help you remember an outfit it would be hard to forget. --Carl W. Boswell

"This book is dedicated to those of the 60th Engineers who did not return to enjoy the world they fought for."

From A Short History of the 493rd Bombardment Group (H): The 493rd Bomb Group assembled for its phase training to serve as a combat unit overseas at the McCook Army Air Field in McCook, Nebraska. The Air Echelon of the Group composed of the 860th, 861st, 862nd, and the 863rd Squadrons collected its air and some ground personnel during the month of February, 1944, and began training in earnest through the month of March. The usual problems encountered by an outfit in the process of initial organization were dealt with in good stride. The setting up of a briefing and an interrogation technique was ironed out by discussion with the crews as to their likes and dislikes of the procedure while we were on camera bombing missions. Operations began to organize teamwork by stressing on the crews the importance of correct take-off interval, climb, and landing procedure as well as the flying of a correct formation while in the air. Weather found plenty of practice in predicting the frequent snows and changes in weather in that woe-be-gone outpost somewhere in the United States. The bombing section too, played its part by selecting targets for the crews and the crews in turn bombing by camera every conceivable target within operational radius of the base. All departments had their job to do in welding the Group into one smooth operating machine.

Foreword: The idea for a 40th Group Photograph Album was born several months before the end of the war, but the actual execution of the book had to await the termination of hostilities. Consequently you will find that certain events or activities may not be represented here, either because no photographs were taken at the time or because the photographs that were taken were not available to the editor when the book was finally put together. You will notice that we have tried to emphasize representative activities and scenes rather than individuals. Obviously it was impossible to include a picture of every man in the 40th Group. Therefore practically all formal group pictures have been left out. The few that are included were chosen for reasons other than that they portray certain individuals. This also applied to different photographs in which the same persons appear more than once. The editor would like to express at this time his appreciation to the members of the 11th Photographic Laboratory, for they are responsible for practically every photograph in the album. Appreciation also is extended to Forrest C. Wood, former Historian of the 40th Group, who has aided invaluably the efforts of the editor in the preparation of the written portions of the album. --Lawrence B. Eustis, Captain, Air Corps, Group Photographic Officer

"This history is taken from the official records of the 329th Infantry. It covers the battle actions of the regiment from the dogged yard by yard bloody and uninspiring slugging match of the hedgerows of Normandy, to our spectacular dash from the Rhine to the Elbe. The record of accomplishments of the 329th is one of which any member may justifiably be proud. This record of battles won and of ground gained and held is the composite picture of many smaller fights where the decisive action was the marching fire of the rifleman, the steadfastness of the machine gunner under attack or the bravery of the bazooka man stalking p, tank. The spirit and determination of the individual made possible the winning of important battles. These successes have not been won cheaply. Beneath the soil of Europe lie the bodies of over 850 of our comrades. To the hospitals have gone nearly 4000 others wounded in action. Most of these were killed or wounded because when the time came for them to decide between safety and duty they chose the latter. Our debt to them cannot be paid." --Colonel Edwin B. Crabill

From page 72 of document: "The 316th had the hazardous and vital job of flying supplies and equipment into the battle zone for Montgomery's forces. Killing Germans was the one aim of all the coordinated operations. As the fighting progressed, battle casualties began to show up at the 316th's field at Agedabia, So for the return trip to their base at Tobruk, as many litters as could be laid on the floor of the planes were taken aboard and flown back for hospitalization in the rear areas. Major Francis Z. Reinus, of New York City, group surgeon, had charge of this operation. Colonel Washburn said only two men died en route, and they had been wounded critically in a land mine explosion as they were coming to the base on a truck. Later, after results of this spur-of-the-moment evacuation had been studied, it became a planned and large-scale operation, resulting in the saving of many lives and in higher morale. It was for maintaining supply and evacuation lines in that area that the group was awarded its first Presidential Citation."

The 14th Combat Bombardment Wing was activated on 13 September 1943, at AAF Station 115, better known as Shipdham, Norfolk, with Colonel Leon W. Johnson, the former commanding officer of the 44th Bombardment Group, in command. The Wing had been in operation as the 202nd Provisional Combat Bomb Wing since 3 September 1943. The Wing was formed from personnel of the 44th Bombardment Group, on whose station the Wing was located, and the 392nd Bombardment Group, which was located at Wendling, Norfolk.

"Words of mine cannot pay adequate tribute to the skill and courage of the air crews; the unending task of the ground crews, and the loyalty and devotion of all concerned with these missions. I view this record with a pride that is shared by all who know of you now, and one that will be subsequently lauded by the entire nation. The first hundred have moulded each group into a trim and efficient fighting unit fully capable of the great task remaining before final victory is achieved. It is my sincerest hope that we are still all together, fighting together when that memorable day arrives." --John K. Gerhart, Brigadier General, U.S.A., Commanding

"To the 14,000,000 men and women who have served or are serving in the armed forces of the United States, USO means a billion "touches of home"--an infinite variety of personal services ranging from the routine provision of writing paper to the convalescent care provided by USO hostesses specially trained to help wounded veterans readjust to civilian life. Taking stock of these services on its fifth anniversary, USO finds that at its peak of activity, it was serving 1,000,000 people a day in one capacity or another, running up to more than 1,100,000,000 the total served since the organization started, February 4, 1941." author unknown

Foreword: This is the story of the 7th Convalescent Hospital, United States Army, Medical Department. It is the story of a group of men who were assembled to rehabilitate soldier casualties both physically and mentally: the story of doctors, dentists, farmers, business men, clerks, salesmen, cooks, truck drivers, soda dispensers, students, and laborers who became the professional staff, technicians, clerks, carpenters, cooks, drivers, and electricians. The combined efforts of all these individuals made possible the accomplishment of our mission. It was all in the "T/O and T/E", but no one had ever seen such a unit in operation – there was doubt as to whether this unit could ever become a practical, working part of the forces in the field. But the 7th not only accomplished its mission, it can take credit for being an outstanding leader in its field; a unit that was not only a success in the eyes of the army but also – and what is more important--in the eyes of its patients. Success, in large measure, is the result of the efforts that are put into the job. This is where the men of the 7th excelled. When the chips were down, they could pitch in as a team and accomplish miracles. This was amply proven in England, France, and Germany. A common statement among soldiers is, "When I get out of the Army, I am going to forget everything about it." In its true light, this remark is merely a reaction to the man's present plight. He is tired of Army life. He wants to get home. Take a peek into the future and you will probably find this same man telling his Army experiences to his co-workers, relatives, and friends. To the story teller, this book can be a restraining influence against exaggeration. But to most of us this book will be a record of all the little things we might forget--and want to remember-as the years go by; such facts as the names of the men, interesting experiences, and amusing incidents. We have traveled through many lands; we have observed destruction and suffering; we have experienced discomfort, fatigue, disillusionment, and uncertainty; we have known friendliness and hatred. Exposed to these constant emotional strains, we have changed during our Army career. How much? Well, we shall discover that when we have returned to civilian life. At that time we may wonder what altered our way of thinking. The probability is that we shall find the answer within the covers of this book. This book was conceived and written by a group of your own buddies as a souvenir containing many of the memories of the 7th Convalescent Hospital. An Ernie Pyle could have done a better job of recording these incidents, with a finer touch of human interest; however, the book, you will find, has that quality of warmth which comes naturally from the pen of one who has experienced the happenings he describes. It was written during odd moments, often under hectic and unfavorable conditions, of the stay of the 7th in the European Theater of Operations. It is hoped that many hours of pleasant reading and many years of happy reminiscing will result from our efforts. For now and for always--the good luck of the "Lucky Seventh" is extended to you.

Opening paragraphs: "In the spring of 1942 the Japanese were successfully over-running the Pacific, and their tentacles were reaching down to touch the Australian mainland with the threat of invasion. Their eyes were on the strategic base of Port Moresby, and the pitiful Allied forces charged with stemming this tide were in the unenviable position of defending Moresby against attacks by land, sea, and air So in April 1942 the Grim Reapers received their baptism of fire and jungle, something that all of them had hoped for and feared since their designation to overseas duty. Powerful Japanese bases were springing up on the east New Guinea coast. Enemy ships plied the once peaceful seas among the southern archipelagos, transporting men and equipment with impunity to the swelling Japanese camps on the beaches of New Guinea. All knew that the time was at hand when the enemy must be stopped or supreme sacrifices made. Credit: Produced in New Guinea by Lt. Col. Charles P. Martin, Capt. Frederick L. Newmeyer, Jr., Capt. Edward Mandell and T/Sgt. Harold A. Larsen. Grateful appreciation to Col. Richard· H. Ellis for his sponsorship, to Capt. Robert Spieth and Group Photography for outstanding camera work, to the late Lt. Kenneth W. Lindsay, to Sgt. Peter Catizone, Cpl. Frank G. Farina and Cpl. George H. Dernoeden for their excellent art work and cartooning and to Maj. Ivan P. Head for his combat information.

Germany, 20 July 1945: To the Officers and Men of the fighting 69th Infantry Division: Recorded on these pages is a review of the accomplishments of this Division, of its preparation to fight and its fight against Germany. It is not a complete picture--many small pictures are missing. They are not forgotten, and as you leaf through these pages they will be recalled to your memory. You have smoothly and efficiently carried out every assigned mission from the day this Division entered the line until V-E Day. Your high esprit and your fighting spirit lived up to every expectation. I extend to you, the Officers and enlisted men of the Fighting 69th Infantry Division my most sincere congratulations and praise for the job well done. Sincerely, E.F. Reinhardt, Major General U.S. Army, Commanding

Foreword: Based on the premise that one picture is worth a thousand words, the photographs of this Iittle volume will tell a long, long story. That story will prove a fertile field for research and for study in military transportation. These are pictures of operations--they depict the highlights of the greatest transportation mission of all time. Back of these photographs is the monotony, sweat, toil and death of War. A study of these photographs will aid TC units in other theaters. They will reveal the ingenuity, the skill, the ability to create and improvise which characterized the TC soldier in the ETO as he met and conquered his problems one after another. They will offer and suggest new ideas, assist future training and shape programs of instruction ... and, too, they will record permanently the achievements of the TC in the ETO.