I am one of 5 living grandchildren of Otis Christopher Truett. I currently have his helmet. If anyone has any info on his military history, please let me know.
Hello,
I just wanted to pass along a story and offer my undying gratitude to the tank destroyer units that operated in & around the Dachau area during the last days of WWII. There might be a bit of research here as well. My father was a victim of the Nazi's and experienced 7 different concentration camps during the war. His last days of the war were spent on a death march from one of the Dachau sub-camps. 500 or so prisoners found themselves in a forested area called klimach, surrounded by Nazi SS, who were awaiting orders to execute them. A flight of US bombers observed the group from the air and popped smoke over the execution field & radioed a nearby tank destroyer unit. The unit rolled up on the execution field and a member of the unit who spoke very good german, announced over a megaphone the following: "You are surrounded ! Drop your weapons and surrender ! If you harm any of the prisoners, we will kill everyone of you ***s !
This is how my father was liberated and saved from execution with only a few minutes to spare. I could continue this story with a lot more detail, but I will keep it short. My Dad was always curious to find out which unit it was that liberated him. I continue that effort on his behalf. I know most all of these great men have passed, but I wish to thank them all and praise them for the humanity they showed the world that day. Thank YOU ! If you can figure out what unit it was. I would be forever grateful ! I can give you more detail, just email me. Otherwise, I acknowledge and give thanks to the many US soldiers that took part in the numerous liberations of these horrible death camps and the comp***on they showed to people like my father !
It's wonderful to read this information. My father Arthur M. Krisak was a member of the 610th TD Battalion, and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant at the end of the war. He talked little about his experiences, but kept a little address book full of interesting information. He also had a copy of Roy McGrann's book on the 610th. This site is very valuable to me and the rest of his family.
Paul Rohloff was an inspiration to me. He was a p***onate science teacher and was genuinely appreciative of any student who showed real interest. Because of his example, I decided to study science and went on to get a Bachelor's in Chemistry and a Master's in Science Education. As a patent attorney, I still use science every day. Thank you Mr. Rohloff
The bio for Robert Francis Kull lists incorrect information for the parents of his wife, Jean Marlene Yoder.
Jean (Yoder) Kull's mother was Minnie Yoder. Jean's father was John Anthony Flynn.
The names are listed incorrectly in the bio as Minnie Flinn and John Yoder, which is how they were entered on Robert's and Jean's application for marriage. I suspect they were entered this way because Jean's biological father and mother were not married. Minnie Yoder later married Charles Karl and had children with him, one of whom was my maternal grandmother, Dorothy (Karl) Phillips.
My dad. Walter J Gorski (born Detroit Mi. born 05/02/1913 died 05/06/1993) from what I read and heard was in the 661st tank destroyer battion. But the records I need were destroyed in a fire I guess either in St Louis Mo. or another facility. I wrote the war records dept twice and recieved the dame response. All I'm asking for is help finding those records to see if there were any medals he recieved during those years 1942 to 1945. To give his grandkids/& great grand kids before his son..(me) Pass away. jgrsk34@gmail.com..727-207-5566 Walter Gorski..thank you!!!
Thank you for this wonderful site. Can anyone id this person? "G. Pigeon
658 Water Street NYC," I have a a military edition of a Pocket Treasury, which lists him. It was found in my friend Richard Fifield's belongings who served in the 774th.
Hi Gentlemen,
Love the site and just letting all know that my wife and I plan to visit the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer this fall and will lay a rose at Plot A Row 10 Grave 4, in Sincere Respect and Honor for one of the 654th Tank Destroyer Battalions fallen comrades who gave his life for the freedoms we now enjoy. As David J. Thelen - a US Army 1st Lieutenant with the 654th gave all he had for us who now honor his service and dedication to this Nation. If anyone who is p***onate and cares for those who fought the vigilante battle against German aggression in WWII has anything else for me to courier to the American Cemetery on September 20th, 2023 I will gladly take it with me on my planned trip and visit to the American Cemetery on this day to lay it alongside my own tribute to a fallen comrade! You may contact me by text message ar 402-708-5538 or by email at Kraig.thelen.ctr@us.af.mil and I will gladly place whatever you may have for me to courier to the grave of a fallen comrade. Sincerely, Kraig J. Thelen 595th SCS USAF :)
My Dad Private First Class Paul Baneky was a Gunner on a M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer in the 704 Tank Destroyer Battalion 4th Armored Division
He was shot 3 times in head and survived and patched up and was sent back to fight in the battle of the bulge
in the Ardennes. . .
He was awarded 2 olive leaf clusters a purple heart and a bronze star.
He still had shrapnel imbedded behind his ear until the day that he died .he lived to be 79 years old
He used to take me to all of the $th Armored Division Conventions every year from the time I was 5 years old to 1974.
He was mentioned in the stars and stripes newspaper for his heroic actions in france
He is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia .