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805th TD Battalion

805th_TD_Battalion01_Feature
Men of the 805th receive honors for their high scoring against the Nazis. Shown left to right standing: Pfc William B. Oettle, T-5 Vincent C. Hammar, Pfc Grant D. Devore, Lt Col. Herbert B. Fowler, Battalion Commander, who sports 152 points himself; T-5 Ralph L. Brenner, T-5 Andrew J. Pruitt, and T-Sgt. James L. McEwen. Left to right front row: Cpl. Frank G. Smida, Pvt Lyle E. McGunnigle, Cpl John N. Francis, S-Sgt James A. Connally, and S-Sgt. Gilbert Thibaudeau. The article that goes with this image can be seen in the 805th's Unit section of the site. Clipping courtesy of Bill Oettle.
805-Walter-H-Abbott-on-watc-1631
Shown is Walter H. Abbott of the 805th TD Bn., crouched down closest to the camera. He's watching carefully across the Po River with his field glasses, probably during the Po Valley Campaign of April and May of 1945. Signal Corps photo courtesy of Richard Abbott.
Willard-Young-in-England-1811
Lt. Willard B. Young on right with an unknown Captain taken in England, probably during the time the 805th was there prior to them shipping from to Algiers in North Africa. The unit was in England from August 18, 1942 till they shipped out in January of 1943 arriving in Algiers on January 17, 1943. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Young Merzel.
200233_805th-2206
Sherman tanks of the 752nd Tank Battalion and M-18's of the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion on a road just below an artillery O.P. (Observation Post) which overlooks enemy lines about 400-500 yards away. Looking East in the De Dusi area, Italy. Dec 11, 1944. Signal Corps Photo #200233 from the National Archives.
805th_Reunion_Coin_2003-2271
The flattened coin shown was found by Charles P. Stone and friend Joanna Frommling while metal detecting at Neshanic Station, NJ. The field is regularly utilized to hold a flea market. The coin is marked for the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion and their 2003 reunion. I can only assume that it was created to commemorate the event, which may have been held in the area or it may have arrived there as part of the flea market.
805th__Bob_Lewin_interrogates_prisoners-2545
Lt. Robert C. Lewin, of the 805th, takes notes, while a Captain interrogates three German prisoners. After the war, "Bob" went on to write the movie "The Bold and the Brave", staring Mickey Rooney. The movie was based on his experiences in WWII. Bob received an Academy Award nomination for the movie. Photo courtesy of Jim Lewin.
Don_K._Crawford__1940_Bloomsburg__PA-2983
Donald K. Crawford, Bloomburg, PA, 1940, Don enlisted in the PA National Guard in early 1941, serving in HQ Co., 22nd Infantry Division. In February, the unit traveled to Ft. Meade, MD, and upon arrival, were re-designated the 105th Anti-tank Bn, Co. A. In early 1942, the 105th became the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Courtesy of Ross Crawford, son of Don Crawford.
Donald_B._Shank__N.C._1941-2984
Donald B. Shank, North Carolina Maneuvers, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
_Dumpy__Carter__Nov__41-2985
'Dumpy' Carter with fresh rabbit, probably for dinner. North Carolina Maneuvers, November, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
Ft_Meade__MD__11_41-2986
A jeep with what looks to be a 37mm anti-tank gun mounted in the back. Ft. Meade, MD, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
Motor_Pool__N.C._Maneuvers_1941-2987
Motor pool, North Carolina maneuvers, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
N.C._1941-2988
Half-tracks along a dirt road during the North Carolina Maneuvers, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
N.C._1941_1-2989
A convoy moving down a highway during the North Carolina Maneuvers, 1941. Note the old WWI style helmets. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
N.C._1941_2-2990
A tired soldier during the North Carolina Maneuvers, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
N.C._Maneuvers_1941_Sgt._Crawford_lower_left-2991
North Carolina Maneuvers, 1941. Cpl. Donald K. Crawford at lower left. No ID on the other guys. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
N.C._Maneuvers__1941___Lefty__Gearingher__Crawford__Carter_Poker_Game-2992
North Carolina Maneuvers, 1941. 'Lefty' Gearinger, Cpl. Donald K. Crawford and Martin playing poker. No 1st name for Gearinger and not sure if Martin is a first or last name. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
5_30_40__Crawford__C._Meeker__unk._poss._Bloomsburg__PA-2993
Donald K. Crawford, C. Meeker and an unknown, May 30, 1940. Possibly taken in Bloomsburg, PA. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
Camp_A._P._Hill__1941_No_ID_s-2995
Camp A. P. Hill, Virginia, 1941. No ID's on the guys. The 105th participated in maneuvers at Hill for 6 weeks during the summer. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
D._Crawford__Gearhinger__1941-2996
Donald K. Crawford and Gearinger, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_Crawford_Carter_Shank_Carter_Steck__Martin-2999
Back row, L to R: Donald K. Crawford, D. Carter, Donald B. Shank; Front row, James Carter, H. W. Steck, Vernon L. Martin, Camp A. P. Hill, VA, 1941. The unit at this time is still the 105th Anti-tank Battalion, Co A. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_No_ID_s__2_-3000
No ID's on these men or location, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_No_ID_s_no_location-3001
No ID or location for these three guys, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_Sgt._Linn__1941-3002
Sgt. Linn, 1941. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_Lt._Louis_W._Buckalew_Jr.__Ft._Meade__MD_2_42-3003
Lt. Lewis W. Buckalew Jr., Ft Meade, MD, Feb 1942. Lt. Buckalew was the Commanding Officer of the Tank Destroyer Detachment that was part of the Army War Show in 1942. Thirty-four men were chosen from the 805th and they became the TD Detachment, traveling the US to 18 major cities and performing for the crowds. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_War_Show__Atlanta__Dec_1942-3005
Army War Show, Atlanta, Georgia, Dec 1942. No ID's on the personnel. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_War_Show__Chicago__Sept_1942-3006
This is an overview of part of the Army War Show in Chicago, Illinois, Sept 1942. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_War_Show__No_ID__Atlanta__Dec_1942-3007
Another view of M3 tank destroyers at the Army War Show, Atlanta, GA, Dec 1942. This was the last show on the circuit and all of the 2300 men were dispersed to new units. Many of the tank destroyer detachment personnel were sent to the 692nd TD Battalion. Approximately 4,000,000 American citizens viewed the war shows in the various cities. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_War_Show__Pittsburg__PA__July__1942-3008
Army War Show personnel in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, July, 1942. Photo looks to have been taken at the home of one of the men, that's probably their mother standing with them. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_War_Show_Neyhart__Crawford__Laycock__Sloan__Pittsburg__PA__1942-3009
Army War Show at Pittsburg, PA, July, 1942. Back row, L to R: Cpl. Bruce A. Neyhart, Sgt. Donald K. Crawford. Front row, L to R: Sgt. Boyd C. Laycock and Sgt. Morton Sloan. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_Andrew_A._Lazor__3_42-3010
Andrew A. Lazor, March, 1942, Ft. Meade, MD. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_D._Crawford__Houston__TX_Nov_1942-3011
Sgt. Donald K. Crawford, as part of the Army War Show, with an M3 tank destroyer at Houston, Texas, Nov 1942. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_Horst__Crawford__Atlanta__Dec_1942-3012
Charles O. 'Ollie' Horst and Sgt. Donald K. Crawford, Atlanta, GA, Dec 1942, as part of the Army War Show. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_Lazor__Gearinger__Sloan__Crawford__3_42-3013
Andrew A. Lazor, kneeling, Gearinger, Sgt. Morton Sloan and Sgt. Donald K. Crawford, Ft. Meade, MD, March, 1942. Courtesy of Ross Crawford.
805th_Barracks_with_37mm_guns-3644
Although the location is not identified, you can see the barraks in the distance with 37mm anti-tank guns standing watch. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Camp_area_at_Taylor_TX_before_parade-3645
The men gather for a parade which was an occasional part of their training. You can see the vehicles lined up and ready to go. This was the unit's camp area in Taylor, Texas, on July 4, 1942. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Camp_area_Taylor__Texas_July_5__1942-3646
The men are loaded in their vehicles and leaving for training. At the time they were camped at Taylor, Texas, while Camp Hood, located about an hour north in Killeen, TX, was under construction. Photo taken on July 5, 1942. Courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Camp_Hood_under_construction_7_6_42-3647
Although somewhat difficult to see, contruction is at full steam on the Camp Hood, Texas, facilities. This photo was taken on July 6, 1942, but the camp would not officially open until later that year on September 18th. Courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Chow_line_at_Camp_Hood_1942-3648
Taken in July of 1942, at Camp Hood, the men wait in line for food. Keeping an entire company or battalion fed was a large and full-time job for the cooks and supply personnel of the unit. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Copperas_Cove_Fire_Pit_7_42-3649
This is identified as the Copperas Cove, Texas area, which was located on the perimeter of the Camp Hood facility. The photo shows the fire pit probably used to heat food for the men. The men truly were camping since they did not have all the normal cooking equipment available in the main camp. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Copperas_Cove_July_6__42_A_and_Recon_return-3650
A shot of the training camp area with milk cans in the foreground. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Countryside_view_at_Camp_Hood-3651
A view of the Camp Hood countryside. Killeen, TX was chosen as the new camp area for tank destroyer testing and training due to its wide open spaces. It was announced as the new location in January of 1942, and originally had over 158,000 acres. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_John_at_Cassino_Jan_Feb_1945__1_-3652
Taken during January or February of 1944, a photo of "John" while they were stationed at Cassino, Italy. Cassino was approximately 80 miles east of Anzio. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_John_at_Cassino_Jan_Feb_1945__2_-3653
Proving they were in top shape, a handstand is performed. Taken at Cassino, Italy, in January or February 1944. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_John_in_Bagnoli_first_day_out_Hosp_Aug_10__44-3654
Another photo of John but this time in Bagnoli, Italy, where it is mentioned that it was the first day out of the hospital. Bagnoli was located near Naples, which was another coastal town south of both Anzio and Cassino. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Motor_Park_Road_Copperas_Cove_7_42-3655
What is identified as "Motor Park Road" in the Copperas Cove area of Camp Hood. Photo taken in July 1942. Courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_return_of_A_and_Rcn_Copperas_Cove_7_42-3656
A different view of the men being served a meal. All the supplies would have to be trucked in from the main camp to these outlying training areas on the Camp Hood facility. This particular shot taken on January 6, 1942, and is identified as the return of both A and Recon companies. These two companies may have been away for other training or may have been used for projects elsewhere on the property. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Soldiers_Fires_and_Henry_on_KP_at_Hood-3657
A photo of soldiers "Fries" and "Henry" who at the time were on K.P. or kitchen patrol. Soldiers were assigned to assist the regular kitchen staff, which usually included menial tasks such as peeling potatoes or washing pots and pans. Photo was taken in July of 1942, and is courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_SSgt_Roessler__sp__tent_Cp_Hood_1942-3658
A tent identiifed as belonging to Staff Sergeant Roessler (sp) while they were at Camp Hood in 1942. From the size of the tent I'm sure they were additional men assigned there. Texas was hot and this site under some trees would have been prime real estate. Courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Staff_cars_in_the_distance_Camp_Hood_1942-3659
You can see staff cars lined up in the distance, which would have transported battalion officers and other ranking personnel to and from the distant areas of the facility. Photo taken in 1942, provided courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.
805th_Taking_a_ride_Copperas_Cove_TX-3660
Taking a ride on a horse while in the Copperas Cove, TX area. Photo courtesy of Kathleen Baruth.