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US 85th Infantry Division History and Action Reports from WWII

Discussion in 'Military Service Records & Genealogical Research' started by Steve Petersen, Mar 26, 2010.

  1. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    I got photocopies of these document from the National Archives. I would be happy to peruse them for anyone interested. I am working on scanning them and putting them in PDF format, but have never done that before.

    The 85th Infantry Division at its reactivation, was comprised of:

    337th Infantry Regiment
    338th Infantry Regiment
    339th Infantry Regiment
    HQ. Battery, Divisional Artitillery
    328th Field Artillery Battalion
    329th Field Artillery Battalion
    403rd Field Artillery Battalion
    910th Field Artillery Battalion
    310th Engineer Battalion
    310th Medical Battalion
    410th Quartermaster Battalion
    Headquarters Company
    Reconnaissance Troop
    Signal Company

    General Staff:
    Commanding General: Brigadier General Wade. H. Haislip
    Assistant Division Commander: Colonel Raymond O. Barton
    Division Artillery Commander: Colonel Jay W. MacKelvie
    Chief of Staff: Colonel Josep L. Ready
    G-1: Major Gerard N. Byrne
    G-2: Major Edgar A. Gans
    G-3: Lieutenant Colonel Paul Kendall
    G-4: Major Thomas J. Sands
    Special Staff:
    Artillery Officer: Lieutenant Colonel John Carriker
    Chemical Officer: Major H. C. Joyner
    Engineer Officer: Major Charles T. Tench
    Headquarters Commandant: Captain G. C. Lewis
    Ordnance Officer: Lieutenant Colonel Gerald B. O'Grady
    Signal Officer: Captain Walter B. Bess
    Surgeon: Major Carl H. Rylander
    Adjutant General: Major William G. Caldwell
    Chaplain: Lieutenant Colonel Gustave A. Schellhase
    Finance Officer: Major Seaborn A. Ayers
    Inspector General: Lieutenand Colonel Robert H. Barrett
    Judge Advocate: Major Stanley W. Jones
    Quartermaster: Major Dale R. French
    Reconnaissance Officer: Captain John S. Polk

    [​IMG]

    Unit Commanders:
    337th Infantry: Colonel Samuel J. Heidner
    338th Infantry: Colonel Lee S. Gerow
    339th Infantry: Colonel Donald A. Stroh
    HQ Battery, Divisional Artillery: Captain James S. Jun
    328th Field Artillery Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel Rex E. Chandler
    329th Field Artillery Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel Frank S. Kirkpatrick
    403rd Field Artillery Battalion: Lieutenant Colonel Claude F. Burbach
    910th Field Artillery Battalion: Major Harold S. Isaacson
    310th Engineer Battalion: Major Charles T. Tench
    310th Medical Battalion: major Earl H. Rylander
    410th Quartermaster Battalion: Major Dale R. French
    Headquarters Company: Captain G. C. Lewis
    Reconnaissance Troop: Captain John S. Polk
    Signal Company: Lieutenant Joseph E. Guill

    Cadre Officers, 85th Division Artillery:
    Major Harrison
    Captain McAnulty
    Major Burton
    Captain Clark
    Captain Jun
    Captain Burroughs
    Lt. Col. Isaacson
    Captain Humphrys
    Captain Nichols
    Captain Gilmore
    Lt. Col. Kirkpatrick
    Captan Van Hoef
    Captain Bacon
    Captain Badger
    Brig. Gen. MacKelvie
    Lt. Jeffrey
    Captain Sifford
    Captain Biggs
    Lt. Col. Chandler
    Captain Davis
    Captain Richardson
    Captain Wieland
    Lt. Col. Burbach
    Captain Hawkins
    Captain Larkey
    Captain Pio
    Major Duehring
    Captain Oneal
    Captain Grassl
    Major Harris
    Captain Pierce
    Captain Garden
    Major Hubbard
    [​IMG]

    Chief and Assistant Chiefs of Staff:
    Chief of Staff - Colonel Fitts
    A.C. of S. G-4 - Major Peebles
    A.C. of S. G-3 - Lt. Col. Ohme
    A.C. of S. G-2 - Lt. Colonel McDonald
    A.C. of S. G-1 - Major Chamier
    Special Staff
    Inspector General - Lt. Co. Bruce
    F.O. - Lt. Col. Ayers
    Adjutant General - Major Green
    Judge Advocate - Major Harkrider
    Provost Marshall - Major Roth
    D.S.O. - Major Guill
    O.O. - Major Tomlin
    Assistant Judge Advocate - Lt. Henderson
    Assistant S.S.O. - Captain Heath
    Acting Division Surgeon - Major Campbell
    Div. Engr. - Lt. Col. Cole
    Hq. Comdt. - Capt. Baisden
    Div. Auto. Off. - Capt. Venerable

     
  2. 980th

    980th Member

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    Steve,
    I have been trying to find information on the 980th FA Bn at the National Arcchives and have had no luck. I am trying to find their field journal while in the ETO. Will you tell me how you found your information.

    Thanks,
    Heather
     
  3. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    I went here, created an account, then put in an information request for items on the 85th. The site then generates a reference request number that you can use to check the status.

    They responded with a general list of items, the number of pages, and the cost for reproduction ($0.75 per page.)

    Hope this helps.
     
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  4. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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  5. kerrd5

    kerrd5 Ace

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    Steve,

    You must have spent a fortune for all of those copies.

    For scanning as pdfs, I recommend 300dpi, by the way.


    Dave
     
  6. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    221 pages. Ended up being $165.

    I don't have the full Adobe Acrobat.

    I scanned the unit history, under 9M, but for some reason I couldn't upload here.
     
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  7. kerrd5

    kerrd5 Ace

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    Well, $165.00 isn't bad.

    I have not been able to upload pdfs here either. I don't know
    what the issue is.


    Dave
     
  8. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Email it to me and I'll give you a URL for it.
     
  9. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    Don't see anyway to attach from here using forum e-mail. Don't I have to upload first?
     
  10. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    I'll send you my yahoo mail addy via PM.
     
  11. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    85th Division names from 4.1.44, at the time of deployment from Africa to Italy:

    Headquarters, 85th Infantry Division - Major General John B. Coulter
    Headquarters, 85th Division Artillery - Brigadier General Pierre Mallett
    338th Infantry Regiment - Colonel Fred A. Safay
    329th Field Artillery Battalion - Lt. Col. Leroy A. Davis
    Headquarters Company, 85th Division - Captain Thomas A. Roberts
    Headquarters Battery, 85th Div Arty - Captain Calvin L. Barton
    337th Infantry Regiment - Colonel Oliver W. Hughes
    328th Field Artillery Battalion - Lt. Col. Emmette Y. Burton, Jr.
    910th Field Artillery Battalion - Lt. Col. Harold S. Isaacson
    403rd Field Artillery Battalion - Lt. Col. Arnold J. Pio
    310th Engineer Battalion - Lt. Col. John D. Cole, Jr.
    310th Medical Battalion - Lt. Col. Ralph M. Patterson
    785th Ordnance Company (LM) - Captain Donald E. Broman
    85th Reconnaissance Troop - Captain Roy B. Thompson
    85th Signal Company - Captain Thomas B. Gordon
    85th Quartermaster Company - Captain Henry M. DuPont
    339th Infantry Regiment - Colonel James E. Matthews
    Division Rear Attachment - 1st Lt. Charles Dohm
     
  12. 980th

    980th Member

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    Thanks for your reply. I followed your example and should have info in the mail soon.
     
  13. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    Medals of Honor

    1st Lt. Robert T. Waugh, 01302070, Co G, 339th Infantry
    1st Lt. Orville E. Bloch, 01297830, Co E, 338th Infantry Regiment
    S Sgt George D. Keathly, 38105361, Co B, 338th Infantry Regiment

    Distinguished Service Crosses

    1st Lt Glenn E. Summers, 01315112, Co B, 337th Infantry Regiment
    1st Lt James M. Doyle, 01301969, Co B, 337th Infantry Regiment
    2nd Lt Clarence Bishop, 01999064, Co K, 337th Infantry Regiment
    T Sgt Drayton E. Norwood, 6271650, Co L, 337th Infantry Regiment
    Sgt Robert F. Hixon, 33275611, Co L, 337th Infantry Regiment
    Cpl Hugh A. Carmichael, 37125109, Co L, 337th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc Marvin M. Doolin, 33217831, Co F, 337th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc Gordon R. True, 35680662, Co C, 337th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc Louis H. Gallagher, 33402838, Co H, 337th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc William D. Francisco, 32579146, Co L, 337th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc George I. Maxwell, 32267595, Co I, 337th Infantry Regiment

    2nd LT Charles T. Holladay, 01305429, Co A, 338th Infantry Regiment
    2nd LT Stanley B. Moore, 01301780, Co K, 338th Infantry Regiment
    1nd LT Chester Loss, 01540713, Co G, 338th Infantry Regiment
    2nd LT Albert J. Krasman, 01691776, Co C, 338th Infantry Regiment
    T Sgt Paul W. Anderson, 36338859, Co E, 338th Infantry Regiment
    T Sgt Herman T. Ledford, 34514031, Co B, 338th Infantry
    S Sgt A.W. Brown, 14078151, Co K, 338th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc Thomas Mitchell, 12065473, Co E, 338th Infantry Regiment
    Pvt Peter Kubina, Jr, 33704137, Co C, 338th Infantry Regiment

    Capt Clayton N. Little, 0456152, Co I, 339th Infantry Regiment
    2nd LT Frank E. Buckley, 01321607 Co C, 339th Infantry Regiment
    2nd LT Walter J. Nowak, 01692983, Co L, 339th Infantry Regiment
    2nd LT Jack E. Underwood, 01692985, Co I, 339th Infantry Regiment
    S Sgt Hershel D. Swann, 34269603, Co G, 339th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc Harry L. Murray, 31384618, Hq Co, 339th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc Charles P. Miller, 33199470, Co G, 339th Infantry Regiment
    Pfc Elmer C. Sutherland, 36198764, Co K, 339th Infantry Regiment
    Pvt Albert M. Colwell, 33470961, Co K, 339th Infantry Regiment
     
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  14. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    Legion of Merit
    337th Infantry Regiment

    Colonel Oliver W. Hughes, 014974, Hq
    Lt Col Earl A. Madsen, 0271668, Hq
    Lt Col August B. Schmidt, 0395437, Hq 1st Bn
    Lt Col Frank H. Morgan, 0294264, Hq 2nd Bn
    Major James M. Miller, 0456235, Hq
    Capt Robert R. Friauf, 0456267, Service Co.
    1st Lt Severn L. Handley, 01284504, Service Co.
    1st Lt Dow K. Payton, 01317561, Co D
    T Sgt Elmer P. Yelton, 37202636, Hq Co, 1st Bn
    T Sgt Richard K. Crovisier, 37047784, Service Co.
    T Sgt Michael J. Buskolich, 32105537, Hq Co, 2nd Bn
    T Sgt John L. Daniel, 34253987, Cannon Co.
    Sgt Roland J. O'Connor, 37124376, Co M

    338th Infantry Regiment

    Colonell William H. Mikkelsen, 018844, Hq
    Major James A. Powers, 0456227, Hq 3rd Bn
    Major Shelburne J. Heliker, 0283811, Hq
    Captain Franklin M. Ludwig, 0452104, Hq Co
    Captain Lewis Capland, 0447646, Med Det
    Capttain Thomas M. Quisenberry, 0305355, Hq 1st Bn
    1st Lt John F. Nebinger, 0333718, Hq 3rd Bn
    1st Sgt Jimmie Fields, 6366799, Co C
    1St Sgt Jay P. Guss, 6792643, Co L
    T Sgt Richard W. Finch, 36340087, Hq Co 2nd Bn
    T Sgt Benjamin F. Schirm, 13041512, Service Co.
    S Sgt Rufus B. Shelton, 18030335, Hq Co, 3rd Bn
    Tec 3 James K. Friedline, 33019015, Med Det
    S Sgt James P. Magner, 32338530, Service Co

    339th Infantry Regiment

    Colonel John T. English, 021296, Hq
    Major Richard P. Thompson, 046316, Med Det
    Major John W. Hesse, 0395369, Hq 2nd Bn
    Major Floyd E. Minor, 0450047, Hq 3rd Bn
    Captain John U. Bell Jr, 0324477, Service Co
    Captain Clyde T. Jetton, 0454140, Hq 3rd Bn
    M Sgt James D. Pierce, 6301305, Service Co
    M Sgt Joseph C. Magaraci, 32105613, Service Co
    1st Sgt Andrew C. Bichko, 6810832, Co F
    T Sgt Stephen T. Walton Jr, 33025943, Service Co
    T Sgt Byron G. Robertson, 33230647, Hq Co, 3rd Bn

    Division Artillery

    Brig Gen Pierre Mallett, 08314, Hq
    Captain claude T. Graves, 01165736, Btry C, 403rd FA Bn
    WO (JG) Raymond J. Virba, W2108674, Serv Btry, 910th FA Bn
    M Sgt Harry L. Reid, 6806348, Hq Btry, 328th FA Bn
    T Sgt Edwin J. Cuba, 18031363, Hq Btry, 403rd FA Bn
    Tec 5 Frank A. Carmen, 32302352, Btry B, 329th FA Bn

    Special Troops

    Captain Henry M. Du Pont, 01573174, 85th QM Co
    Captain Roy B. Thompson, 0353284, 85th Rcn Trp
    1st LT Edward J. Braun, 01574603, 785th Ord Co
    M Sgt James A. Porterfield, 18029223, 85th Sig Co
    T Sgt Langdon D. Caddell, 34172116, 785th Ord Co

    310th Engineer Bn

    Captain Robert W. Riggins, 0456616, Hq
    T Sgt Carl E. Clements, 37203812, Hq & Serv Co

    310th Med Bn

    Captain Paul F. Strozzi, 01542057, Hq
    Tec 5 Frank J. Girardi, 12152750, Co D

    Division

    Brig Gen Lee S. Gerow, 04681, Asst Div Comdr
    Colonel William T. Fitts Jr, 011917, Chief of Staff
    Lt Col Richard J. Chamier, 0289829, G-1
    Lt Col Thomas R. McDonald, 018892, G-2
    Lt Col Byron E. Peebles, 0339282, G-4
    Lt Col William H. Green, 0274741, Adjutant General
    Lt. Col Seaborn A. Ayers, 0214927, Finance Officer
    M Sgt Woodrow W. Romig, 33015314, AG Sec
    M Sgt Edward E. Manser, 32022162, G-3 Sec
    T Sgt Gerald Nolan, 37182513, G-2 Sec
    Tec 3 Michael H. Rourke, 37132316, Fin Sec
     
  15. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    The Division also received 546 Silver Stars, 28 Soldier's Medals, 3711 Bronze Stars, and 4 Unit Citations.
     
  16. Bob Burns

    Bob Burns recruit

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    I am also interested in Guadalcanal. My father served with the HQ Battery, 2nd Bn, 214th CA (AA) regiment. They arrived piecemeal, starting in November 18, 1942 and then multiple landings early January (5), (18) and the remaining regiment arrived on January 30, 1943 aboard the USS President Adams andUSS President Jackson.

    I have also been working on this for the past year, have recieved a few docs on the regiment through the NARA-Modern Military-College Park MA. The St. Lewis office said my fathers personal records were burned up, so I have focused on MA location via web.

    If anyone know anything about this unit, please post or drop me an e-mail. I am searching for morning reports from this regiment now to better understand the command of this outfit.
    Bob
     
  17. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    Any luck?
     
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  18. whalerchris

    whalerchris recruit

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    Hi Steve, looks like you have done some great research! This is my 1st post here and came across this on a web search of the 85th.
    My Grandfather (now deceased) has had a Silver Star on display for years and never spoke of it. All his discharge papers were destroyed in a flood years ago so could never find anything.
    We found out he was in the 85th when he received his Star. He may have been transferred to the 85th near the end of his recruitment. He had previously been in the 100th div. 397th.
    The ONLY info we have about his later service time was from Homeofheros where his name was listed with the 85th and showing a g.o. Do any of your docs have general orders in them or do you know of a way to track down these orders?
    This is the only info I have:
    Marques, Joaquim HQ, 85th Infantry Division, G.O. No. 36 (1945)
    I know it is not much to go by but all I have.

    Chris
     
  19. Steve Petersen

    Steve Petersen Member

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    Great. That's why I posted.

    No, unfortunately.
     
  20. 980th

    980th Member

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    I received a letter from the National Archives about 3 weeks after I emailed my information request. They sent me back a list of reports that thay had on the 980th FA Bn. Total pages are around 3000. I have a friend who lives near the archives and he said he would go over and make copies of the reports I wanted. Thanks agian for your help.
     

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