Jakie Muscar, 14th Tank Battalion, 9th Armored Division

My grandfather served as a cook in the 9th Armored Division and while I have gathered some information about his service, I'm hoping to find out more.

One area that I'm having trouble researching is the exact unit he was in. I have a pamphlet from a Thanksgiving dinner at Camp Funston, Kansas (Fort Riley) that lists him in the "Service Company, 14th Armored Regiment, 9th Armored Division" (attached). My research has not provided many useful results regarding the 14th Armored Regiment. The only bit of information I've found states that the 14th Armored Regiment was broken up into the 14th and 711th Tank Battalions and the 14th Tank Battalion served under the 9th Armored. Since I've only found one source that stated this information I would like to confirm that it is accurate.

That being said, I am fairly certain that my grandfather did end up in the 14th Tank but since I'm not a WWII expert, I'm reluctant to rely solely on my own research. The attached "Armored1" photo has some information that I believe confirms this but I wanted more expert eyes to confirm. Is it correct that the markings on the vehicle bumber indicate that he was in the 9th Armored, 14th Tank? This picture was among 50 or so pictures that my grandfather took while in the service. He is not the man pictured but there are several pictures with people in front of similar vehicles, including him.

I have found the various histories of the 9th Armored online and I actually have an official Army map of their trek through Europe during the war but is there any other (more robust) document available?

Additionally, I have been unable to find any information regarding service as a cook in the war. While it wasn't the most prestigeous job in the military, I am highly intrigued by the fact that my grandfather served as a cook and I would like to find out as much as I can about that position.

My last few notes:

We did go through the National Archives and all of his info was lost in the fire.
I have the following items which I've used during my research:
- The pictures I've mentioned, which are of fellow soldiers, armored vehicles and mostly terrain, some of which I know to be taken in Czechoslovakia.
- A small book called "The Bridge" which is the story of the 9th siezing the Ludendorf bridge (see attached)
- A Thanksgiving menu which list all members of the Service Company of the 14th Armored Regiment, 9th Armored Division. My grandfather is listed as a "Private (Recruit)."
- My grandfather's "Ike" jacket with the 9th Armored patch on the right shoulder and an 8th Infantry patch on the left. I believe he was in the 8th infantry after his European tour.
- A panaramic photo from the Desert Training Center.

 

Jakie,

My dad was with the company C 131st ordanance maintenance battalion 9th Armored Div. That's the same Combat Command B as the 14th Tank Battalion. I might have some address of people that might be able to answer some of your questions.

John

 

Thanks for the reply John. I was trying to send you a private message but I guess I don't have that option. I have posted a conversation under your profile with my contact info though. Thanks.

Matt

 

Thanks for the info JW. Below are the photos mentioned in my original post.

 

Below are a few more of my pictures. Out of the 50 or so that I have, very few are written on and most of the writing is only people's names. However, through some extensive internet searching, I was able to identify the two photos below and have included their current counterparts.









These photos were taken in a town named Loket which is currently in the Czech Republic. The first 2 pictures are of Loket Castle and the other 2 are of Loket Town Hall. Those pictured in the 3rd picture should be members of the 14th Tank Battalion, 9th Armored Division.

I'll try and get some of the more notable pictures scanned and posted later today.

 

Thanks again for the info. I'll continue to follow up on those items.

Any idea on what company the cook would have been attached to? I'm fairly certain he was part of the HQ Co but I haven't found any confirmation of that.

I was fortunate enough to find a small photo of the HQ Co of the 14th Tank Battalion on Ebay recently. It's hard to identify everyone pictured but I'm trying to confirm whether my grandfather should be in that picture or not. When I get the chance, I'll scan that as well.

 

Matt,

you can e-mail me for info at john_@q.com

John

 

I've uploaded some of the more notable photos to my gallery. I didn't want to post them all here as they're interesting but not significant to my research.

I did want to inquire about the photo below, however. Does anyone know what the "SA" painted on the tank stands for?

 

Hi,
My Dad was also a cook with the 9th Armored. His name was Charles Satterfield. He probably went by Charlie. I too have the booklet you have. I have very few photos. But will try to post some that I do. I have a picture of Daddy and someone else in an apron and chef's hat. Daddy would never speak of the war. My brother and I have been trying desperatly to find out about his service. My brother has a nazi flag that through family members we believe Daddy took it down in France. We did not see any of the artifacts until after Daddy died. My brother has the yearbook type book from Fort Riley.

I will post more info later.

Marsha Satterfield Gravitt

 

Hi,
I too am looking for info on my grandfathers service. I have recently found his Separation paper. He served in Co. B. 14th tank Battalion 9th Armored Division. Slipdigit, I think that would mean that the 14th was under Command B? On the Separation paper, the section for Battles and Campaigns says Central Europe. The section for Decorations and Citations says American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with 1 Bronze Battle Star, Good Conduct Metal, Victory Metal WWII. My grandfather was also a cook, the paper says he went to Cook and Bakers School Shefford Field Texas. Grandpa didn't like to talk about the war either. He did tell me once that he started out as a cook, but ended up driving a tank during the war because a buddy of his had taught him how and they needed a driver after someone had been killed in action. That might explain the Bronze Star.

I have been looking for info about the 9th Armored also. The National Archives said that his records were lost in the fire also. Is there any way to find out what the Bronze Star was awarded for?

Hope this little bit of info might of use to someone. I too would apreciate any thoughts or info anyone might have.

 

Thanks for the reply Mwafford. To answer your first question, I have been able to confirm through numerous sources that the 14th tank was under Combat Command B. As for researching the division, there is no official unit history for the 9th armored or 14th tank. You've probably come across the various information scattered around the internet but there isn't a lot of detail in most of that. The unofficial history is probably the best place to look and that book is called Phantom Nine, Remagen 1942 to 1945 by W.E. Reichelt. It's currently out of print but can be found on Amazon from used sellers.

I am reading through the book now and hope to pull more detailed information about the 14th tank/CC B. With the lack of information available about the 9th armored, I'd really like to get a website up and running to display all of my research. It's not something I'm going to achieve immediately but hopefully not too far off.

If a medal was not physically claimed by the veteran, it can be claimed by the next of kin. I'm not sure on the exact process involved but it may shed some light on your grandfather's medals.

 

My father, Robert Sheehan, was in the Ninth Armored Division, in the tanks. He just told me that he wants to retrace his itinerary before he dies. Can you please lay out for me where the 9th Armored went? He has spoken to us about Remagen and Bastogne but I'm not sure where else. I'd like to plan a trip for the Fall as he's turning 89 in August. Thank you. Maryanne Kelleher