Skip to content
About Us
News
Guestbook
Contact
Updates
About Us
News
Guestbook
Contact
Updates
Search
Search
TankDestroyer.net
SEEK
*
STRIKE
*
DESTROY
Home
People
Honorees
Honor A Veteran
Unknowns
TD Association
TD Society
Contributors
Research
Medal Of Honor
Places
Camp Hood, Texas
Elbe Muster
Dachau 1
Gardelegen Massacre**
Dachau 2 **
Various Places 1
Various Places 2
Maps
Things
Axis Armor
Allied TDs
References
Links
Manuals
Videos
Articles
Memorabilia
Militaria
TDs In Action
Classifieds
Units
Brigades
Groups
Battalions 600
Battalions 700
Battalions 800
Training Battalions
Unit Photo Galleries
Research
Home
People
Honorees
Honor A Veteran
Unknowns
TD Association
TD Society
Contributors
Research
Medal Of Honor
Places
Camp Hood, Texas
Elbe Muster
Dachau 1
Gardelegen Massacre**
Dachau 2 **
Various Places 1
Various Places 2
Maps
Things
Axis Armor
Allied TDs
References
Links
Manuals
Videos
Articles
Memorabilia
Militaria
TDs In Action
Classifieds
Units
Brigades
Groups
Battalions 600
Battalions 700
Battalions 800
Training Battalions
Unit Photo Galleries
Research
771st TD Battalion
Pfc. Max E. Sowders, Pfc. Marion A. Duzy and Joseph M. Fisher standing beside the company area name post in Aldersbach, Germany. Fisher had been transferred to Company B of the 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion during the summer of 1945. Photo was taken on August 5, 1945. Photo courtesy of Ball State University.
Another photo standing beside the company name post for Company B, 771 Tank Destroyer Battalion. Sign was positioned at the entrance of our area in Aldersbach, Germany. Shown in the photo are Joseph Fisher on left and his driver T/4 Eugene Blanton. Date was August 5, 1945. Photo courtesy of Ball State University.
A view of the south end of 771st TD Bn camp area in Aldersbach, Germany. Photo taken from the hill above. Notice the multi-basin wash stands to the rear of the tents. August 5, 1945. Photo courtesy of Ball State University.
A U.S. tank destroyer and a Sherman tank are placed on street corners commanding main streets in the town of Krefeld, Germany. TD units are of Company C, 771st TD Bn, supporting the 102nd Inf. Div. 9th U.S. Army. Mar. 3, 1945. Signal Corps Photo.
T/4 Robert Freego shown on left with Sgt. Joe Migliori, from Brooklyn, on right. Photo courtesy of Bob Freego.
Group shot of second Platoon of C Company. Shown on TD, sitting L to R is John Benedict (VT), John Martinelli (NY), Ira Lowe (PA), unknown, Arnold Polans (NY), George Yago (PA), and an unknown soldier. Middle row standing L to R is an unknown soldier, Jim Neal (AR), Stanley Bernstein (NY), and two unknown soldiers. The two guys kneeling in front are unknown. Soldier's names provided by Joan Martinelli with photo courtesy of Bob Freego.
Group photo of members of Company C, 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion taken while in New Jersey, just prior to shipping out. A full list of men is available on the Unit Page. Photo courtesy of Bob Freego.
Moving a Tank Destroyer from one place to another was done much more quickly by using a transport vehicle. It saved fuel, and wear and tear on the tracks and clutches. Two crewmen would ride in the tractor while the others remained in the tank destroyer. This particular trailer was also carrying a flagpole, but where it came from is a mystery. Photo courtesy of Joan Martinelli.
Tank Commander, SSgt. John Martinelli is shown on far right with his crew. Courtesy of Joan Martinelli.
An M10 of the 771st Tank Destroyer Bn. Photo courtesy of Joan Martinelli.
A few men of the 771st sharing an Italian food package sent from the home-front. Photo courtesy of Joan Martinelli.
A New York Guard unit now federalized is part of a convoy to Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, where they would be part of forming the eventual 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion. Photo courtesy of Joan Martinelli.
Taken in September of 1944, while the unit was in Germany, Pete P. Priola is shown second from right with four others, probably doing some routine maintenance on one of the unit's M10 tank destroyers. Photo courtesy of Joanne O'Brien.
Taken in September of 1944, while the unit was in Germany, Pete P. Priola is shown on far left with three others. Not sure what they are sitting on but it is heavily protected by sandbags. Photo courtesy of Joanne O'Brien.
Taken in September of 1944, while the unit was in Germany, Pete P. Priola is shown second from left with three others. They are sitting on an M20 Scout vehicle which was usually used by company and battalion leaders as well as the reconnaissance sections of the unit. Photo courtesy of Joanne O'Brien.
Pfc Laurence Aldrich sits on far left with his crew on the front of their TD. Probably taken after the war had ended and the unit was on occupational duties. Photo courtesy of the Aldrich family.
Another image of Laurence Aldrich with his crew. Laurence is kneeling on the right. Clearly taken during a more relaxed time since they are all holding mugs of beer. Normally there were only five men in a crew but this crew may have had six men as shown. The extra man could also have been their platoon leader. You can clearly see the large counterbalance of their M36, which they recieved during February of 1945. Photo courtesy of the Aldrich family.
A grouping of 28 men from the 771st stands for a photo sometime after the war. Photo courtesy of the Aldrich family.
A grouping of printer's stamps used by The Mines Press Inc., of New York. They were sent back to Walter Schraeter who lived in Brooklyn and was the Chairman & Secretary of the 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion Association in 1961, and I assume served in the unit. The stamps include full image stamps (small and large) of the unit's DUI or distinctive unit insignia and there are also stamps for each individual color. The membership card shown was produced with the stamps. Items provided by Daniel Pinnavaia.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
Provided courtesy of Stephen Rovenger.
John C. Gilmour poses with a captured German 88mm gun. Photo courtesy or Serge Lemaire
I ribbon made for the 25th anniversary reunion of the 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion, held on May 29, 1966. Courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Adolf Harms stands with the unit's vehicles. Photo courtesy of Serge Lamaire.
A double image shows Arthur Moore in France in 1945. Arthur was from Florida. Photo courtesy of Serge Lamaire.
A Christmas card brought or sent home by John C. Gilmour. Courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
The battalion S-4, Cpt. Charles E. Graeber (left) takes a moment to speak with soldiers Winfield and White on far right. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Another double exposure with the main image being a supply truck, which has been severely damaged. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
A photo of vehicles and probably housing for the troops, while stationed in Dorben, Germany. Courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Fred Wolf poses for a quick photo somewhere is Germany, 1945. Courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
The facility shown is identified as a German hospital the unit came across soon, after crossing the Rhine. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Standing on the hood of the truck is Howard Scaggs with L to R, Herman Kotels, Wally Florek and Fred Wolf in front. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Joe Snodgrass poses in a German uniform. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
John C. Gilmour examines a downed American P47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
John Gilmour sits with some of the fuel he was responsible to transport. John's responsibilities included delivering both fuel and ammunition to the front. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
After the war had ended, the men were able to take leave and travel to different areas of Europe. Here, John Gilmour takes a break to visit the Austrian Alps in August of 1945, and do a bit of skiing. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
John Gilmour poses with his sidearm while stationed in Loverich, Germany. The photo is dated as taken in February of 1945. Courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
John Gilmour stands with a captured 88 mm German anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
John Gilmour poses with his rifle. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
When possible, the troops were housed in homes or municiple buildings. Here, John C. Gilmour prepares for the day in what looks to be a very nice room. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
John Gilmour poses with pipe. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
A bit difficult to see but John Gilmour is holding what looks to be a double barrel shootgun. He may have had the opportunity to shoot some wild game for a special meal. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
A quick snap of George Moreland on left with Murray Carson on right. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
The man on top of the truck is Howard Scaggs with Herman Kotels on left and Wally Florek on right. Serge Lemaire.
Shown is John Gilmour with his pipe on left, center is Kral and Howard Scaggs. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Shown L to R is Sgt. Aceto, who was the section leader, with Herman Kotels, Jack Lim and Fred Wolf. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
A photo of radio sergeant Frank Lewis as he is caught stealing gas. Courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
The men receive a bit of relief from the Red Cross and their Clubmobile, which was designed to provide food, entertainment and a connection home. This particular Clubmobile was named "Buckeye" and was part of Group D and it's crew consisted of Evelyn Beard, Nancy Bastien and Katherine Heuisler. This information was provided by Rafael Fano, who has done considerable research into the Clubmobiles. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
As shown in the previous photo, the Red Cross Clubmobile played an important role in providing not only some of the men's basic needs like food but also entertainment and a connection to home, which improved their morale. The three ladies shown on the bottom right of the photo were the crew of the Clubmobile named "Buckeye" as shown in the previous photo. The ladies were Evelyn Beard, Nancy Bastien and Katherine Heuisler. In this particular phot, the ladies are interacting with members of the Red Army. Thank you to Rafael Fano for the photo and the information on the ladies.
The Reverand Scaggs poses with a German P38. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Sergeant Wally Florek at the fuel depot. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Sgt. Walter Florek on left with Howard Scaggs on right, take a moment for a photo. Courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
A small group shot, taken in Paris, on July 24, 1945. The men would have been on leave and it is probable that this group includes men from the 771st TD Bn as well as other units. A larger version on this image can be found on the 771st Unit Page. Photo courtesy of Serge Lemaire.
Taken at Pine Camp in New York state, where the 771st was stationed from July through September of 1942. Photo courtesy of Paul Sanders.
Another photo from Pine Camp, New York., which was a National Guard training facility, beginning in 1907. The facility was greatly expanded with the start of WWII, when an additional 75,000 acres were purchased to accommodate the expansion in 1941 & 1942. Photo courtesy of Paul Sanders.
Rows and rows of tents provide housing for the thousands of troops that would train at Pine Camp, New York. The 771st had its beginnings in National Guard artillery and anti-tank personnel. Photo courtesy of Paul Sanders.
T5 C. Paul Sanders is shown, standing second from left, with a group of men in Remes, France. Since the 771st is not identified as spending any time in France during the war, we assume these men may have been on leave after the war or possibly on their way home. Photo courtesy of Paul Sanders.
A photo of two friends posing for a photo. Courtesy of Paul Sanders.
C. Paul Sanders is shown on left, at the wheel of a Jeep. The other man is unknown but the photo is identified as being taken in Ostbevern, Germany. Courtesy of Paul Sanders.
Another photo of C. Paul Sanders with a Jeep, which was one of the vehicles he would have used to deliver messages between the various TD Companies. He regularly rode motorcycle and encountered enemy fire, which would ultimately earn him the Bronze Star Medal. Courtesy of Paul Sanders.
Throughout the war, as the 771st traveled from one location to another, they would take shelter in whatever facilities were available. Sleeping under a real roof, using public buildings and even private homes to house the soldiers was done whenever possible. In this photo, C. Paul Sanders is shown sitting in a room with what looks like a few personal items he would have carried with him, including a photo of his wife Alma. Courtesy of Paul Sanders.
A posed photo of Lawrence Gaudiomonte, probably taken just before the unit left the U.S. Courtesy of Theresa Tedstone.
Lawrence Gaudiomonte stands at one of the unit's support vehicles. His uniform looks to be an early version and the photo was probably from the unit's time in the U.S., during training. Courtesy of Theresa Tedstone.
Another photo of Technician 4th Grade Lawrence Gaudiomonte. Courtesy of Theresa Tedstone.
