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802nd TD Battalion

802nd_TD_Battalion01_Feature
Small group of men of the 802nd. The only identified soldier is Genova J. "Jerry" Marinelli who is standing second from the left. Photo courtesy of Frederick Marinelli.
802-Genova-J.-Marinelli-1-1833
Another photo of Genova J. "Jerry" Marinelli who is sitting at the left end on the business end of his tank destroyer. Photo courtesy of Frederick Marinelli.
James_Montenegro_and_friend_at_TD-1959
Photo of Lester O. Lamica, driver of the "Another Joker" TD, squatting on top of his tank destroyer with James R. Montenegro holding the dog that they had adopted after it followed after them. This was taken some time after March of 1945, because the unit didn't receive their M36 Tank Destroyers until then. Photo courtesy of Greg Montenegro.
802nd_Four_on_M10_wRalph_Bernard-2173
Here is Sergeant Ralph R. Bernard, kneeling front right, with his crew on top of an M10. Not sure when this was taken but probably just prior to them receiving their M36s. They may have been familiarizing themselves with the design and controls of the unit since the M36s they soon received were very similar in design. Photo courtesy of Robert Bernard.
802nd_Ralph_Bernard_and_M3_crew-2174
A photo, which has been used in a number of TD publications, showing Ralph R. Bernard standing in the passenger seat, with his crew, in their M3. This was probably taken during some of the unit's training exercises. The 802nd used towed 3" guns when they eventually saw action in France. They later converted to the 90mm M36 self-propelled TD early in 1945. Photo courtesy of Robert Bernard.
802nd__Jean_Varda_Camp_Shelby_MS-2473
A photo of A Company Commander, Capt. Jean M. Varda, while stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Courtesy of Jean Varda.
802nd__Jean_Varda_in_Beck_Lux._12_10_44-2474
A photo of Jean Varda while in Beck, Luxembourg, taken on December 10, 1944. Courtesy of Jean Varda.
802nd__Jean_Varda_with_officers-2475
A photo of Jean Varda, standing center, with two other officers from the unit. Courtesy of Jean Varda.
802nd_Jean_Varda_near_Berlin-2476
A photo of Jean Varda on the road to Berlin. Courtesy of Jean Varda.
802nd_Jean_Varda_with_car-2477
A photo of Jean Varda with one of the vehicles used after the war for the military government. Courtesy of Jean Varda.
802nd_grouping_of_TDs_at_train_yard-3223
A large group of M36 TDs, including some M36B1 units, lined up by what looks like a railroad yard. It is unknown if the units were there in storage or if they were staging for transport to another location. Photo courtesy of Ron Richard.
802nd_Group_of_12_with_Jessie_P._Richard-3224
A group of 12 soldiers stopped for a photo while stationed in Unna, Germany. Unna is located in western Germany, about 53 miles east of Dusseldorf. The only soldier identified is Jessie P. Richard, who is kneeling in the first row, third from left. Courtesy of Ron Richard.
802nd_Jessie_P_Richard_with_bottle_and_unk_in_foxhole-3225
Jessie P. Richard, on the left, pauses for a photo just outside of what looks like the pair's home for the night or possibly an extended period of days. It looks like they had a chimney for heat or cooking. The other soldier is not identified. Courtesy of Ron Richard.
802nd_Jessie_Richard_on_right_with_unk-3226
Jessie P. Richard, on right, poses with an unknown soldier in front of one of the unit's TDs. The TD shown is named "Been Around" and is an example of an M36B1 unit that was manufactured during the fall of 1944. Only 187 were produced and they featured both the M4A3 chassis and hull mated to the turret with a 90mm gun. Photo courtesy of Ron Richard.
802nd_unk_soldier_at_TD-3227
A unkown soldier stands at the front of an M36 tank destroyer. The turret is in the travel position with the main gun facing rearward. Photo courtesy of Ron Richard.
802nd_Ashtray_by_Bauscher_Weiden-3458
A porcelain ashtray brought home by William S. Hackler. It was made in Weiden, Germany, by the Bauscher Company, while he was stationed in Germany. The Bauscher company started in 1881 and still exists today. The ashtray is decorated with the unit's number, DUI (distinctive unit insignia) and the tank destroyer logo. Photo courtesy of Roger Hackler.
802nd_Ashtray_by_Bauscher_Weiden_bottom-3459
You can clearly see the Bauscher Company logo on the bottom of this porcelain ashtray, which was brought home by a member of the 802nd tank destroyer battalion. The unit spent some time on occupational duty in Germany and probably commissioned Bauscher to make them for the men.
802nd_Skull_and_lighting_bolt_patches-3460
Shown are two of the winged skull and lighting bolt patches worn by members of the 802nd, while training in the U.S. The patch was not an official Army patch but sources say it was "approved" for use by the men while they were in the states. These examples were brought home by William S. Hackler and are shown here courtesy of Roger Hackler.
802nd_Theater_Made_DUIs-3461
Two examples of the unit's DUI (Distinctive Unit Insignia) that were theater-made and brought home by William S. Hackler. Photo courtesy of Roger Hackler.
802nd__Bernard_C._Dobrzykowski_and_3_friends-3909
Bernard C. Dobrzykowski is shown standing on right with three other men. This was taken at some time during the occupation since the men are wearing their service ribbons. Photo courtesy of Bernie Dobrzykowski.
802nd_Bernard_C._Dobrzykowski_and_buddy-3910
Bernard C. Dobrzykowski is shown standing on right with an unidentified soldier. Photo courtesy of Bernie Dobrzykowski.
802nd_M10_tank_destroyer_and_men-3911
A soldier takes a close look at the suspension of an M10 tank destroyer of the 802nd. It is difficult to see but the unit looks to be on top of a trailer but the trailer looks to be buried in mud. Mud was a serious issue that many units had to deal with. Photo courtesy of Bernie Dobrzykowski.
802nd_soldiers_with_M20_command_car_2-3913
This M20 Armoured Car is identified as the 35th unit from A Company of the 802nd. The unit was attached to the 3rd Army at the time. The man sitting on far left is Arthur J. Honohan. The other two men are unidentified. Photo courtesy of Bernie Dobrzykowski.
802nd_Soldier_with_Co._A_Sign___Germany_1945-3914
An unknown soldier stands with the Company A sign, near where the men were billeted or housed. This was during the occupation period since each of the unit's campaign credits are listed below the sign. Photo courtesy of Bernie Dobrzykowski.
802nd_buddies_pose_in_czech_june_45-3915
A few unknown soldiers take a moment for a photo while stationed in Czechoslovakia, in June of 1945. One of the men is wearing some German uniform items, including a Hitler Youth Arm band. Photo courtesy of Bernie Dobrzykowski.
802nd-edward-j.-johannemann-and-three-in-car
Edward J. Johannemann can be seen in the car, which was commandeered in France, for use in their reconnaissance activities. Three other unknown men from the unit are also shown. The American star on the door was added with chalk and had to be reapplied after heavy dew or rain shower. Their commanding officer made them get rid of it after they was strafed the second time. Courtesy of Jack Johannemann.