My father was in Recon Company 640th Tank Destroyer Battalion in the pacific campaign.
Donna DeFrancisco
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My uncle, Frank Cangelosi served in the 893 Tank Destroyer Unit; he was a cook. He was originally from Astoria, NY; he had a book that he loved to share with us. It was an Army issue "How to cook for 100 Men". He told us great stories of his service in Europe; putting German POWs to work peeling potatoes; getting ice from frozen lakes. He went to many reunions. If anyone recognizes his name, drop me a line.
Joanne Priola O’Brien
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My father, Peter P. Priola, was in the 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion.
Gloria Medina
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My father, Manuel J. Martinez, was in the 804th Tank Destroyer Outfit. I have a reprint of the Stars and Strips dated December 19, 1944. The title is "804th Tank Destroyer Outfit Proves Versatility in Combat. I know very little about what he actually did during his time in the army. He never spoke about it. I am happy to see that there is a website devoted to the 804th.
wes anderson
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From the Valley City (North Dakota) Times-Record: September 4, 1943
Jeep Also Carries The Mail
Another first for the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion, stationed at Valley City during the harvest season, was the first recorded delivery of mail on rural mail route by an army jeep.
The test trip, looking forward to post war use of jeeps for rural mail delivery service, was successfully carried out last week at the request of the Rural Letter Carriers of the United States through the Valley City post office.
The battalion commander, in full cooperation, furnished Corporal James A. Burk, above, of Shippensburg, PA. Seated with him is rural carrier Odell G. Amundson of Valley City. The report of corporal Burk was simply, “Mission completed.” When asked for his opinion, Mr. Amundson answered cryptically, “Jeep-ers.”
September 7, 1943
Rose Busche of VC is Crowned Wheat Queen
The nation’s first wheat queen was crowned here Saturday night when the gala event was performed by the men of company C. of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion stationed here. From a bevy of 14 beauties Miss Rose Busche of Valley City was chosen the outstanding one by the men of the company to be crowned.
Following the crowning ceremony the queen was escorted to the dance floor of the auditorium by Col. Canlett and Sgt. Powers and she was introduced to the guests present.
Miss Rose Busche is the daughter of Mrs. Mildred Busche. Miss Busche who had been working in an air-craft factory at Burbank, Calif., recently returned to the city. She also has two sisters who are employed in aircraft factories and has two brothers who are with the armed forces. One of her brothers, Melvin G. Busche was killed in action early this year.
Sept 10, 1943
Queen To Help
Barnes County’s Wheat Queen is going to help in the war bond sale! When the Tank Destroer Battalion of some 800 men parade in Valley City next Friday afternoon, Sept 17, Miss Rose Busche of Valley City will have a featured spot in the parade. Arrangement for her appearance have been made today by Col. Canlett and Secretary Tom Hutchinson. The pulchritudinous Rose will be garbed in her dress of wheat straw which she ware at the coronation last Saturday night. Col. Canlett can tell you how the dress is made as he was stationed on the Hawaiian Islands on two different occasions and made some interesting observations on the subject of Hula Skirts. Anyhow, Rose makes and eyeful in her dress.
Nancy Grabowski Murszewski
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My dad was in the 817th Tank Destroyers. Arthur F. Grabowski.
Dennis Birch
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I ran across this site after learning my uncle, Edward Russell Birch was KIA Dec 1944 while serving with the 807th and is buried at Lorraine in France.
F. Lee Cornelison
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My dad, Alvin Cornelison< a motorcycle messenger in wwII and proud of the 804th. He is, at this moment lying in his bed with probably very few days left on this earth. The war has never ended for him. He speaks of it every day. Proud of him and the rest of the 804th. He's proud it was "Tank Destroyer", not tank containment, or tank degrader.
Alan Buchan
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I served the the later day version of the 894th when it was a tank battalion stationed at Fort Knox as part of the school troops contingent. I was a tank platoon leader in Co. C in 1957.
Brad Ivie
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I came across your site researching my uncle's Pete's service in the 636 TD BN. His full name is William P. Rutledge and served in Co. C. He passed away in 2012, I would like to thank you guys and acknowledge your work for putting this site together.
