179th Infantry Regiment After Action Reports

This is the entry for 14-15 October 1943, from the 179th After Action Report:

"The 2nd Battalion was withdrawn from the lines to become regimental reserve, leaving the 1st and 3rd Battalions to press home the offensive against the Germans. Both battalions made strong attacks on the enemy lines south of Faicchio. The 3rd Battalion started its assault under cover of darkness at 0045, and moving in from the left of Mt. Acero, seized the heights south of Faicchio, and also secured the S.Salvatore-Faicchio highway to insure the safe passage of the 157th RCT. The 1st Battalion meanwhile successfully pushed ahead on the S.Lorenzello-Faicchio road on the right.

"Casualties were heavy on both sides as artillery duels raged all day, and the intensity of the fighting increased throughout Oct. l5. The morning position of the 1st Battalion was 403978 arid of the 3rd Battalion was immediately south of Faicchio. The 157th RCT continued to hold down the Division's left flank, while the 180th withdrew to directly behind the l79th front, in the vicinity of 9342."


Dave

 

If you enter RN403978 under Italian Southern Italy grid, you will be able to identify the location
of 1st Bn on the morning of 15 October:

The "Coordinates Translator"


Dave

 

Much thanks, this is fascinating stuff! I am amazed at the information members of this forum can come up with, thanks again

 

I would love a copy of that list. My grandfather was a combat medic for the 179th infantry, not sure which company. His name was Stephen Lonczak. Email: beachtraveler9@aol.com

Thanks!

 

good stuff ! its so helpful. my EmailUMBASS@gmail.com

thank you !

 

I also would like a copy of the reports if they are still available. My father was Leonard V Wallace. He was wounded by shrapnel at Anzio in 1944.
My email is skootersmom@cox.net
Thank you.

 

Dave,
I would like a copy of the reports. My uncle was in HQ Co., 1st Bn., 179th Inf, and I have been researching the regiment for the past several years. Thanks,
renzo.47@live.com

 

My Grandfather (John A. Tokarz) was in the 179th infantry regiment - he served from 6/43 till 8/44 - I have no clue what company he was in. His brother told my mother though that out of 102 in his Batallion (???) only he and one other solider survived... this sounded odd - as a batallion is usually much bigger than 102. Do you have ANY information on my grandfather? He was a PFC - was in Sicialian Campaign, Italian Campaign according to his discharge papers... decorated with EAME; Good Conduct Medal. Honorably discharged 10/5/44 -any and ALL info would be seriously appreciated. He died in 1977 - I was 6yrs old and barely remember him. He is from New Haven, Ct. - serial number 11 064 974 -Thanks a ton!

 

Private John A. Tokarz is listed in the Roster of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment.
The roster appears on a menu from the Company's 1942 Christmas Dinner at Pine Camp,
New York.

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/gAMuTv...VA/179th, Company I, December 1942 Roster.pdf

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/45thinfantry/files/

45thinfantry : 45th Infantry Division (Thunderbirds)

An Infantry Bn consisted of about 800 men, so the story your uncle told your mum is not plausible.
On the other hand, he and another GI could have been the only survivors of their company. The only
month that could have happened would have been Feb. 1944. I'll have to research that further.


Dave

 

According to General Orders 40, HQ, 179th Infantry Regiment, dated 8 November 1944,
PFC John A. Tokarz, ASN 11064974, a "former member of this command," was awarded the
Combat Infantryman Badge, effective 1 January 1944, for exemplary conduct in action against
the enemy (Image 0081, 14 March 2009).

PFC Tokarz belonged to I Company.

45thinfantry : 45th Infantry Division (Thunderbirds)



Dave

 

In its Operations Report of February 1944, the 45th Infantry Division reported these losses in personnel:

PWs 312

KIA 241

DoW 9

Wounded 1,172

Sick/Inj 2,433

Missing 1,405


Total 5,572*

*The total in the report is 5,709, but the figures don't support that.


Dave

 

Hello,

My Grandfather, Fausto Molinet, was in the 45th, 179th in 44,45. He was a memeber of the CIC. Is there any information that anyone has on him. Could I please get a copy of those records as well.

Thank you very much,

Thomas DiLoreto

 

Tom,

He was a member of what company?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/45thinfantry/


Dave

 

The CIC (G-2) existed at the Division level. He probably belonged to HQ Company
of the 179th.


Dave

 

I am attempting to learn more about the wartime experiences of my uncle, Pfc. Joseph P. McNiff (of Mahanoy City, PA) - who was a member of the Medical Detachment of the 179th Infantry. He passed away in the 1950s. I know he received a Bronze Star (which is in the possession of a family member), but know little about the circumstances/location, or for that matter, about his service in general. Any advice/assistance would be appreciated (FYI - I have the names of three men with whom he served if that might help). Many thanks!

 

Your information sounds interesting. I am trying to help Pvt or Cpl Albert Robustelli Medical Aidman 31 313 260 find information on his service during WWII. He believes he served with the 179th. Archives says his service record is gone. His discharge papers say he arrived on 5 Jun 43 and left on 1 Aug 46 having served in Algeria, French Morocco, Central Europe, Naples, Foggia, Rhineland, Sicily, Southern France, GO 33 WD45. He remembers Africa, Anzio, and Rome among many other locations. Any information you can provide would be most helpful. Thank you.

 

Oh. I'm having that feeling of deja vu.

 

Thank you for that information. I had found that site in my research and he has been all through that site. Unfortunately it doesn't have anything on the 179th regiment or 120th Medical from the 45th. He hasn't talked about the war much since he got back but got interested again when I started researching my father's and my own service records. My father was Coast Guard/ Navy WWII and had three ships sunk under him. Albert is interested in tracing the path of his unit from Africa through Europe. I have him currently reading the info on 45thdivision.org, an excellent site. He tells of the medics covering up the crosses on their helmets, bags, and uniforms because they became prime targets for the Germans.
Thank you again.