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A handmade picture of the unit's rabbit mascot given to Ken Mallen as a gift by the inmates of the Green Haven Prison during the time he worked there. Photo courtesy of Sue Mallen Disy.658th Amphibian Tractor Logo
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658 Co A Hood 1943 Eld002
A company photo believed to be Company A of the 658th Tank Destroyer Battalion at Camp Hood, TX, in 1943. This photo was part of the William F. Eldert collection and is shown here courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 D Day Luzon Jan 9 45 Inf Unloading LVT Eld008
D-Day landing, January 9, 1945 on the Island of Luzon, Philippines. Infantry makes their way inland after disembarking from LVTs (Landing Vehicle Tracked). Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Eagle Theater Iloilo Panay Aug
Photo of the Eagle Theater in Iloila City, Panay Island, Philippines in August of 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Eldert w Star Eyes in the background Bob under tractor Eld027
Shown is William Eldert, squatting in front of his LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) named “STAR EYES". Bob Penckert is in the background under the vehicle. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Filipino bargain hunters Eld031
Photo was marked "Filipino bargain hunters". Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Jap flag from Palawan Eld024
A Japanese flag from the Island province of Palawan, Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Jap sea plane harbor Palawan D Day 1945 Eld013
A Japanese sea plane is shown docked in the harbor of Palawan on the first day of the Invasion of the Island. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Ken Mallen I Eld019
Identified as a photo of Ken Mallen on left with William Eldert, both of the 658th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. I had previously done a full Honoree write-up on Ken with information and photos provided to me by his family. At the time of this posting, Ken was still alive and well at the age of 90. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 New Britain Barber Nov 44 Eld003
Photo of William Eldert in a make-shift wash area. He comments on reverse, "My barber shop. How do you like the wash bowls". Identified as taken in November of 1944 in New Britain, which is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 New Britain Eldert Cot Nov 44 Eld005
Another image of life while on the island of New Britain in November of 1944. William Eldert has used an X to mark the location of his cot. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 New Britain Natives Nov 44 Eld004
Photo identified as "Some of the jungle boys". Shown left to right is Cooley, Lamkin, unknown native and Sieg. Identified as taken in November of 1944 in New Britain. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 New Britain No Date Eld007
Photo of soldiers L to R, Murphey, Sieg, William Eldert and Butler on the island of New Britain. Date is believed to be November of 1944 as identified on a number of the other images. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 New Britain Six with knives Nov 44 Eld006
Another image from New Britain in November of 1944, with soldiers identified in front row L to R, William Eldert, Murphey, and Sieg. Back row is Baker, Huziner and Butler. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 One of our Flock Black A87 Eld012
Marked as "One of our Flock" referring to one of the unit's LVTs (Landing Vehicle Tracked) used by the 658th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Our Battalion Insignia Panay PI 1945 Eld035
The battalion insignia stands proudly while the unit is stationed at Panay, Philippines, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Our Co. Street after rain Paney Aug 45 Eld033
Photo is identified as “Our Company Street after the big rain". Location is Paney Island in the Philippines, August, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Our Company Street Panya PI Eld032
Basically the same image of the Company Street but this time without the rain. Location is Paney Island in the Philippines - 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Our favorite child Star Eyes Eld030
LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) named “STAR EYES" which was used by William Eldert and crew. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Our tent at San Fabian Luzon FEB 1945 Eld014
Marked as "Our tent at San Fabian", which is a town on the island of Luzon of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Palawan 1 2 waves 41st Inf DDay 45 Eld009
1st and 2nd wave of soldiers of the 41st infantry Division land on the beach of Palawan, which is one of the numerous islands of the Philippines. Labelled as D Day 1945, it is believed to be February 28th, 1945 when the invasion of the island began. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Palawan LVT hatches open in the water Eld021
One of the LVTs running with hatches open in the waters off Palawan. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Palawan LVTs in a jungle loaded troops Eld020
Jungle of Palawan is loaded with U.S. troops. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Palawan POW Camp main gate Eldert Eld022
William Eldert stands next to the main gate of a POW camp located on Palawan in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Palawan POW Camp wrecked barracks Eld023
Wrecked barracks of a POW camp located on Palawan in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Part of Co. A Taken at camp at Iloilo P
Group photo of 12 members of Company A, taken at our camp at Iloilo, Philippines. Date is June of 1945. Shown in front row, L to R is George Baker, Bob Lamkin and Bob Peuckert. Center row L to R is Charles Kidd, Bill Eldert, Joe Kolman, Leo Revoir and Harold Yetke. Back row L to R is Bill Tsakalos, Bob Davis, Bob Butle and Bob Ostermeier. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Remains of Cath. Church Tigbaun PI Eld017
The remains of a Catholic Church located on Tigbauan. Tigbauan is a municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines and was the site where American forces code-named Victorino I, landed on March 18, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Remains of school Lingayen Luzon D Day 9 JAN 45 Eld010
The remains of a school in Lingayen, Luzon on D Day, January 9, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 STAR EYES Mike Jandegian Bob Penckert Bill Eldert Eld029
Marked as "Star Eyes and Family". The LVT of William "Bill" Eldert, who is shown on far right along with Bob Penckert in center and Mike Jandegian on right. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Stern of USS Albemarle Jan 1946 Eld039
Stern of the USS Albemarle, taken in January of 1946. The Albemarle was used to ship the unit back to the states from Leyte. The ship was a sea plane tender and left Leyte in the Philippines on December 27, 1945. The unit historical documents note the the weatther was fair, seas were rough and morale was excellent. The ship arrived in San Francisco on January 13th and the unit was deactivated 2 days later on the 15th. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 view of Florio top of the City Hall Eld018
An image identified as "A view of Florio from the top of City Hall". Not sure of the actual location but possibly a shot from the Iloilo City Hall shown in one of the other photos. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 Villa Beach Club Panay Eld038
The Villa Beach Club of Panay, Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 We Two PI 1945 on one and Panay 1945 Eld028
One of two image of the men's LVT, which they named Star Eyes. Note the references to Waukegan and Evanston, Illinois. Identified as taken on Panay, Philippines in 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 William Eldert Eld015
Photo of William Eldert at somepoint during his time in the Pacific. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 William Eldert My Guard Uniform Eld037
William Eldert dressed in what he calls his "Guard Uniform". Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 A Co ldg Parang Mindanao PI 4 17 45 Eld025
A Company loading on a ship at Parang, Mindanao, Philippines on April 17, 1945 . Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 back San Fran Eld040
A docked photo of the USS Albemarle after it had brought them home to the San Francisco Port. Probably taken in January of 1946 also. You can see the tips of the bi-plane wings on the rear deck, directly below the main body of the crane. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 base in Iloilo Philippine Is 6 45 Eld026
Another image of the battalion insignia stands with William Eldert at its side. This one was located at the unit's base in Iloilo, Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org)
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658 City Hall Iloilo Eld016
Identified as the City Hall of Iloilo, which is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
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658 City Plaza Lingayen D Day 1945 JAN 9 Eld011
Image of the "City Plaza" of Lingayen on D Day (January 9, 1945). Lingayen is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
A company photo believed to be Company A of the 658th Tank Destroyer Battalion at Camp Hood, TX, in 1943. This photo was part of the William F. Eldert collection and is shown here courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
D-Day landing, January 9, 1945 on the Island of Luzon, Philippines. Infantry makes their way inland after disembarking from LVTs (Landing Vehicle Tracked). Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Photo of the Eagle Theater in Iloila City, Panay Island, Philippines in August of 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Shown is William Eldert, squatting in front of his LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) named “STAR EYES". Bob Penckert is in the background under the vehicle. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Photo was marked "Filipino bargain hunters". Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
A Japanese flag from the Island province of Palawan, Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
A Japanese sea plane is shown docked in the harbor of Palawan on the first day of the Invasion of the Island. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Identified as a photo of Ken Mallen on left with William Eldert, both of the 658th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. I had previously done a full Honoree write-up on Ken with information and photos provided to me by his family. At the time of this posting, Ken was still alive and well at the age of 90. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Photo of William Eldert in a make-shift wash area. He comments on reverse, "My barber shop. How do you like the wash bowls". Identified as taken in November of 1944 in New Britain, which is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Another image of life while on the island of New Britain in November of 1944. William Eldert has used an X to mark the location of his cot. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Photo identified as "Some of the jungle boys". Shown left to right is Cooley, Lamkin, unknown native and Sieg. Identified as taken in November of 1944 in New Britain. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Photo of soldiers L to R, Murphey, Sieg, William Eldert and Butler on the island of New Britain. Date is believed to be November of 1944 as identified on a number of the other images. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Another image from New Britain in November of 1944, with soldiers identified in front row L to R, William Eldert, Murphey, and Sieg. Back row is Baker, Huziner and Butler. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Marked as "One of our Flock" referring to one of the unit's LVTs (Landing Vehicle Tracked) used by the 658th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
The battalion insignia stands proudly while the unit is stationed at Panay, Philippines, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Photo is identified as “Our Company Street after the big rain". Location is Paney Island in the Philippines, August, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Basically the same image of the Company Street but this time without the rain. Location is Paney Island in the Philippines - 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) named “STAR EYES" which was used by William Eldert and crew. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Marked as "Our tent at San Fabian", which is a town on the island of Luzon of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
1st and 2nd wave of soldiers of the 41st infantry Division land on the beach of Palawan, which is one of the numerous islands of the Philippines. Labelled as D Day 1945, it is believed to be February 28th, 1945 when the invasion of the island began. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
One of the LVTs running with hatches open in the waters off Palawan. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Jungle of Palawan is loaded with U.S. troops. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
William Eldert stands next to the main gate of a POW camp located on Palawan in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Wrecked barracks of a POW camp located on Palawan in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Group photo of 12 members of Company A, taken at our camp at Iloilo, Philippines. Date is June of 1945. Shown in front row, L to R is George Baker, Bob Lamkin and Bob Peuckert. Center row L to R is Charles Kidd, Bill Eldert, Joe Kolman, Leo Revoir and Harold Yetke. Back row L to R is Bill Tsakalos, Bob Davis, Bob Butle and Bob Ostermeier. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
The remains of a Catholic Church located on Tigbauan. Tigbauan is a municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines and was the site where American forces code-named Victorino I, landed on March 18, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
The remains of a school in Lingayen, Luzon on D Day, January 9, 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Marked as "Star Eyes and Family". The LVT of William "Bill" Eldert, who is shown on far right along with Bob Penckert in center and Mike Jandegian on right. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Stern of the USS Albemarle, taken in January of 1946. The Albemarle was used to ship the unit back to the states from Leyte. The ship was a sea plane tender and left Leyte in the Philippines on December 27, 1945. The unit historical documents note the the weatther was fair, seas were rough and morale was excellent. The ship arrived in San Francisco on January 13th and the unit was deactivated 2 days later on the 15th. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
An image identified as "A view of Florio from the top of City Hall". Not sure of the actual location but possibly a shot from the Iloilo City Hall shown in one of the other photos. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
The Villa Beach Club of Panay, Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
One of two image of the men's LVT, which they named Star Eyes. Note the references to Waukegan and Evanston, Illinois. Identified as taken on Panay, Philippines in 1945. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Photo of William Eldert at somepoint during his time in the Pacific. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
William Eldert dressed in what he calls his "Guard Uniform". Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
A Company loading on a ship at Parang, Mindanao, Philippines on April 17, 1945 . Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
A docked photo of the USS Albemarle after it had brought them home to the San Francisco Port. Probably taken in January of 1946 also. You can see the tips of the bi-plane wings on the rear deck, directly below the main body of the crane. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Another image of the battalion insignia stands with William Eldert at its side. This one was located at the unit's base in Iloilo, Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org)
Identified as the City Hall of Iloilo, which is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).
Image of the "City Plaza" of Lingayen on D Day (January 9, 1945). Lingayen is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Photo courtesy of the General George Patton Leadership Museum (www.generalpatton.org).