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809th TD Battalion
Knife once belonging to Matthew Golec given to his nephew. Photo courtesy of John Tiltges.
A small group photo from the unit's 1973 reunion, in Greensboro, Tennessee. These men are all from Headquarters Company. Carl Konesky is sitting in the front row, holding the tank destroyer emblem. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
A painting by artist John Mogus, shows a pontoon bridge, constructed by the 149th Engineer Brigade, located in the area of the collapsed Remagen Bridge. The painting also shows men of the 809th preparing to cross. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
A second painting by artist John Mogus, shows the Remagen Bridge in the distance. John was from the Clairidge area of Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
Carl Konesky and BJ Thomas, both of HQ Company, visited artist John Mogus, at his home in Claridge, PA. The visit took place sometime in 1994 or 1995. John painted a number of military subjects, including one of a pontoon bridge, constructed by the 149th Engineer Brigade. This same photo includes men of the 809th. BJ is show on the left with John shown on the right. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
A group of men from Headquarters Company, taken at an unknown location. Most likely taken while still in Europe but certainly after the war had ended. Carl Konesky is shown in row two, second from the left. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
BJ Thomas, of HQ Company, is shown at the Blairsville, Pennsylvania Armory. He is standing with a small display of memorabilia from his time in the service. BJ lived in Clairidge, PA, and donated a number of items to the Patton Museum. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
Photo of the unit's commanding officer, Lt. Col. Walter Ralls Lawson Jr. He was a graduate of West Point and commanding of the unit throughout their time overseas. His father served in WWI, initially as an infantryman and later as a pilot, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross and Croix de Guerre for repeated acts of heroism in action, in France. Lawson Jr. retired as a Colonel. Both men are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The unit was re-equipped with M36 tank destroyers, like the one seen here, in April of 1945. This particular unit was commanded by Sgt. Richard. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Shown sitting on their M18 tank destroyer named "Margaret" is T/4 John Adams who was from Vincennes, Indiana, Cpl. Hughes and Sgt. Nick D. King. Margaret was the name of John Adams' wife. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott with additional information from Patrick King.
The first platoon of Company A to see action when they fired an M18 towards a target in Roormood, Holland. Shown L to R in top row are Tolliver, Halloway, Dedman Shields and Rusk. Middle row is Kilgove, Woolever, Jennings, Harris and Johnston. Front row is Bovela, Hughes, Myron Leonard, Reeves and Baker. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A photo of the coastal area at Dieppe, which is located in the upper Normandy region of Northern France. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The photo is labelled "My boys" which would indicate that these men were part of Myron Leonard's platoon. Shown L to R is Baker, Wilhusan, Holden, Richards, Jennings, Holloway, Kroniers and Shields. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Officer's quarters in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Pfc. King and Sgt. Tolliver go for a joy ride while the unit is stationed in the Harz Mountains. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Staff Sergeant VanWyke spends a few moments with a family from Holland. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Bob McDonald transports what looks like milk in large cans, which may have come from a local supplier. The photo is labeled Eland, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Bob McDonald, "Doc" Sellett and Myron Leonard pose for a shot while stationed in Portland, England. The date is January 1945, which is just before the unit crossed the English Channel. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The twin spires of the Cologne Cathedral are clearly seen in this photo from 1945. The spires were used by pilots as a navigational aid during the many bombing raids on the city, which is probably why they were not destroyed. This photo was taken from a vantage point near the Rhine River. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Shown is one of many American Red Cross Clubmobile vehilcles which were a mobile service club created during World War II to provide servicemen with food, entertainment and a connection home. This particular truck is servicing men of the 809th in Gottingen, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Another shot of the Red Cross Clubmobile and the long line of soldiers waiting to benefit from its services. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Captain Chet Walsher is shown aboard the Marine Devil, which transported members of the 809th home from La Havre, France. The ship left Le Havre on July 1, 1945 and landed in New York on the 10th. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Shown is Lt. Bill Bland with one of the unit's jeeps. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Captain Gus Henson sports a pair of aviators sunglasses. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
T/5 Haas on left with Sgt. Starback at one of the unit's tracked transport vehicles. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
An American P47 airplane that had been captured and re-labeled for German use. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Myron R. Leonard stands with a few captured German aircraft. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Joe Golesenski poses for a photo. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Myron Leonard is shown on left with Chet Walsher on right, who in this photo is still a Lieutenant. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Shown is Captain Dick Betts. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Fred Harding and the company pet named "SS". Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Capt. George Frost who was pulling MP (Military Police) duty. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Chet Walsher is posed with his gun and cigarette in hand on what looks like a portion of the German Autobahn highway. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Ray Boyer and Lt. Carrol Fox take a moment for a photo. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Bob Pramer and Lt. Myron Barfty aboard the SS Marine Devil. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Eugene Snyder looks slightly upset that he is being disturbed. Note the M48 dash mount for the .30 cal 1919A4 machine gun and the Browning automatic rifle .30, bolted directly to the Jeep dash. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Dick Kennedy stands at a building possibly used as a command post or possibly living quarters. Many of the windows are blown out. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Charles Nye aboard the SS Marine Devil. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
First Sergeant Catt cracks a smile for the camera. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Joe Goebel poses at a white picket fence, which looks like it could be from a yard back in the U.S. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
While stationed at Gottingen, Germany, the unit is still required to perform drills to keep them in top condition. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Pfc. Cartner on left and T/5 Bridges, functioned as Medics for Company A. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Myron R. Leonard relaxes aboard the SS Marine Devil. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A photo taken from on-board the Marine Devil, while the ship was still tied in port at Le Havre, France. The small grouping of personnel at the dock seem to be one of the band units, probably playing a medley to see the ship off. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The train stops to allow personnel to get a meal while the unit was moving cross-country. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Personnel unload a Jeep from a plane. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Fred Harding posed for a photo. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Myron Barfty seems pleased with the attention he's getting. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Another image of the area near the docks at Le Havre, France. One end of the bridge seems to have been destroyed, leaving the rest of the bridge now laying on the train tracks. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Bob McDonald grabs a quick bite to eat on the way to Holland, in February of 1945. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A group of ten soldiers take time to pose with one of the local girls. Shown are Kollafrath, King, Nowak, Tolliver, Holloway, Shields, Okerstrom, Dedman, Reinhart and Hughes up on the TD. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A couple of M3 Tank Destroyers with their gun covers in place. The 809th never used the M3 in combat so this shot may have been taken while the unit was still in the U.S. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
One of the unit's M36 tank destroyers is camouflaged, while on duty in the Harz Mountains, near Wernigerode, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
An M-18 commanded by Nick King is shown in Wennemen, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Group shot including L to R, Baker, Wilkerson, Halden, Richards, Jennings, Holloway, Kroniess and Shields. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Lt. Palmer and Lt. Arthur Young aboard the Marine Devil. Surely they are thinking about being home again. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
First Sergeant Lindall eyes up a comfy bed. The soldiers' sleeping quarters varied greatly depending on what was available, from sleeping in the TDs to large manor houses, which were appropriated for their use. Officers and enlisted personnel were normally housed separately and in some locations, native families would put the men up in their homes, creating lasting relationships that would endure long after the war ended. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
POWs at Stapelberg, Germany. One of the prisoners was a Sergeant named Demaine. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A common site was a soldier along the road, fixing a flat. Here Lt. Myron Leonard's driver Pfc. Reeves takes on the chore near Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Members of the 17th Airborne step aside to allow one of the 809th's M-20 Armored Cars to pass. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The soldiers take a break from their train trip to wash up at what looks like some type of water fountain. The building in the back looks like a train station. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A few men from Myron Leonard's unit, take a rest while at Clausthal-Zellerfeld. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Photo of Lt. Chet Walsher. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The photo identifies the man in the Jeep as Pfc. Dedman at Wenneman, Germany. It also mentions the 17th Airborne Division, which may have also been there. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Another photo of a meal being served during a break from the train ride. Note that the food is being served from trash cans. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A soldier with radio headset keeps watch as the ship leaves port. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Looks like someone is getting a much needed bath at a water supply for the train. This was taken during the trip from Germany to France. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
An abandon German pillbox now sits idle. Many such structures were built by the the Germans during their military build-up. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A 5" Naval gun, probably on-board the Marine Devil. Although not manned here, if something were to be seen, a gun team would quickly prepare the gun and fire on any threatening targets. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A German observation plane comes in for a landing. The plane was probably manned by Allied personnel at this time. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A soldier on the Marine Devil is identified as "Shooting the sun". Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A shot of the German labeled American P47. Here the access panel on the wing is open, showing what I believe would be the working parts of the machine guns. This may be how the guns were loaded. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A look down the starboard or right side of the ship while traveling home. I'm sure the men were anxious to see the U.S. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A field of German aircraft sits abandon in Gottingen, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A chow line during the trip from Gottingen to Sondershausen, Germany. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A photo of buildings and vehicles are shown from when the unit was stationed in Gottingen, Germany. This may have been at the unit's Command Post. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
A shot of the harbor area of La Havre, France. Probably taken from the Marine Devil. Courtesy of Karen Alcott.
It must have been a joyous occasion to be sailing home. Flags were flying high in celebration. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
Images of destroyed bridges along the Meuse River in Belgium. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The unit stops along the German Autobahn Highway. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
While stationed in the Harz Mountains. a few soldiers take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Photo courtesy of Karen Alcott.
The ruins of the Bridge at Remagen. Taken by BJ Thomas in 1990, during his trip to Europe. Courtesy of Pat Morrison.
A brass emblem of the tank destroyers, probably created for a their reunion in 1989. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
Carl Konesky stands on what was labeled as rubble. It looks like materials that had been removed from one of the train cars and left due to the hurried retreat of the Germans. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
A number of abandoned German airplane engines, located at Gottingham, Germany. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
Men of the 809th on a march, taken sometime in 1944. Photo courtesy of Pat Morrison.
A few men of the 809th, taken while on leave in Mexico. Photo is dated 1943. Courtesy of Pat Morrison.
The first of two images from the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Obviously taken after the camp had been liberated but it is unknown whether it was taken during an official or unofficial visit by T4 Philip D. Holley. Groups of military personnel, journalists and other officials toured the camps after their liberation to see the atrocities that were perpetrated there. Military personnel were also able to visit such sites throughout Europe while on leave. Photo courtesy of Carol Holley.
The second image from the Buchenwald Concentration Camp shows the main gate of the facility. Taken after the camp had been liberated, you can see the military personnel freely entering and exiting. T4 Philip D. Holley visited the camp either officially or while on leave. Photo courtesy of Carol Holley.
A soldier identified as John Tygard poses in front of one of the unit's M20 Scout Cars. This photo was probably taken late in the war or after hostilities had ceased since the Tank Destroyer on the left is an M36, which the 809th only received, in April of 1945. Photo courtesy of Carol Holley.
Philip D. Holley "P.D" stands on one of the unit's M32 Recovery Vehicles, which they named "Betsy". The M32 was based on the M4 Sherman chassis and was fitted with a 18 ft boom, an A-frame jib, and a 30-short-ton winch. Photo courtesy of Carol Holley.
While on leave at his mother's home in Dubberly, Louisiana, Philip D. Holley sits on left with a friend. The man on the right is unknown but you can see that he is a Master Sergeant and probably not from the unit since he does not have the tank destroyer patch on his sleeve. Photo courtesy of Carol Holley.
Philip D. Holley "P.D." stands on right with another soldier identified as Sgt. Leonard. The photo is believed to have been taken at Holley's mother's home in Dubberly, Louisiana. Courtesy of Carol Holley.
Another photo with Staff Sgt. Leonard (right) taken at Philip D. Holley's mother home in Dubberly, LA. Courtesy of Carol Holley.
Philip D. Holley, "P.D." as he was known during the war is shown on right with two unknown soldiers at his mother's home. The man on far left has a tank destroyer patch on his sleeve and may have served in the 809th. Photo courtesy of Carol Holley.
The same group of three pose for another photo. You can clearly see the tank destroyer patches on P.D.'s uniform and the soldier on far left. Photo courtesy of Carol Holley.
