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Camp Hood, Texas
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Dachau 2 **
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Various Places 2
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817th TD Battalion
Memorial plaque photo found at the Lyon County (Kansas) Museum website. Lists a Captain H.R. Robohn on the plaque who may have been from Kansas?
Cpl. Filomeno "Phil" D'Amicantonio on far left with his crew of the tank destroyer named - Canned Heat #2. This photo was taken after the unit had been converted to M18s in April of 1945. A small unit history written history by the commanding officer lists Phil's crewmates as members of C Company, Second Platoon and 3rd Destroyer. Shown L to R are Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, Pfc. Walter J. Kramer, Pfc. Joe H. Coupe and T5 Louis G. Setta. Laying down is Sgt. Charles A. Jann. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio standing at right with the crew of their towed 3" gun. The unit converted to towed guns while stationed at Camp Hood, Texas. They would later convert to self-propelled guns in April of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio at left with an unnamed soldier. This photo was taken after the unit had been converted to M18s in April of 1945. The M18 "Hellcat" was the only purpose-built Tank Destroyer used in WWII. Its thin armor, 60 MPH top speed and 76mm gun made for quick hit and run tactics. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown L to R is Pfc. Lawrence Cowan, Cpl. Dick Kruschinsky and Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio while stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky in June of 1944. That date was just prior to the unit shipping overseas. Interestingly, both Cowan and D'Amicantonio were from the same hometown, Wayne, PA. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown is Pfc. Lawrence Cowan, at right, with Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio at one of the many training areas the 817th would have used. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Image of a 3" gun in a test firing position. Taken in May of 1944 while stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A group from the 817th standing in front of an M3 Half-track named "Canned Heat". The M3 was probably equipped to tow one of their 3" Guns. Ten men was the recommended crew for a towed gun. A smaller group, five men, including at least Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, would later name their M18 "Canned Heat 2". The only identified soldiers are Sgt. Charles A. Jann in the front row far left and Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, back row, fourth from left. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Here the men are traveling in their M3 and you can see the 3" gun being towed close behind. These are five of the ten men that would have been in the crew. I noticed the soldier on the left, in the back, has the name "Mary" carved into his rifle stock. Location is somewhere in France. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Taken in September of 1944 while in France, Phil D'Amicantonio stands second from left between two men identified as French F.F.I. or French Forces of the Interior. They were really French resistance fighters. They were guarding a bridge in Beautor, France. The other American solder is unknown. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown is one of the unit's M20 scout vehicles decked out in full parade attire. It looks like they may have been on display for some high ranking official/s. The date is unknown but it may have been after VE Day and hostilities were over or at least in an area securely in allied control. The M20s were also used as personnel carriers. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Another photo with the unit's M20s and M18 Tank Destroyers on display. Its hard to say how much of the unit was in this one area but I believe it was at least two or more companies due to the amount of vehicles shown. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A view of the destroyed Ludendorff Bridge now laying in the Rhine River. The bridge is more commonly known as the Remagen Bridge because it was built near the town of Remagen, Germany. This photo was taken after the bridge had collapsed on March 17, 1945. The bridge was still standing when American troops reached it but continued attempts by the Germans to destroy it eventually weakened the bridge and it collapsed. The sign to the right identifies that there was a Bailey Bridge already in place for crossing the river. The river is on the left of this access road and can be seen just beyond the bridge. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A view of the destroyed Ludendorff Bridge now laying in the Rhine River. The bridge is more commonly known as the Remagen Bridge because it was built near the town of Remagen, Germany. This photo was taken after the bridge had collapsed on March 17, 1945. The bridge was still standing when American troops reached it but continued attempts by the Germans to destroy it eventually weakened the bridge and it collapsed. The sign to the right identifies that there was a Bailey Bridge already in place for crossing the river. The river is on the left of this access road and can be seen just beyond the bridge. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
This blurry image was taken from the railroad tracks on the west side of the Rhine River just below the towers of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A photo of the pontoon bridge erected to cross the Rhine River near the destroyed Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Note that the sign on the bridge says "In Case of Air Attack, Keep Moving". Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Another photo taken on the pontoon bride over the Rhine river. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Although hard to tell which side of the Rhine this was taken from, it still shows one tower of the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A view from just off the railroad tracks on the west side of the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen. You can clearly see that the bridge had collapsed and the remains of the bridge on each side of the river. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
The crew of the "Canned Heat 2": L to R Sgt. Charles A. Jann, Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, Pfc. Joe H. Coupe, Pfc. Walter J. Kramer, T5 Louis G. Setta. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, at right, with an unknown soldier in front of a knocked out German Sturmgeschutze or "Stug" Turretless, Light Tank. This type of tank was very successful against the allies. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A group of German prisoners in surrendering postures, walking along the Rhine River with what looks like a boat or barge in the background. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
M18 Tank Destroyers and M20 Scout Cars of the 817th roll through the bombed-out city of Halle, Germany. Civilians barely take notice in April of 1945 with the impending V-E day only weeks or days away. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A shot down German airplane near Halle, Germany. Possibly a Heinkel HE 111 Bomber. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Another image from Camp Washington in France, in August of 1945. Shown is Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio front row, far left. T5 Fay H. Morley is next to him and Pfc. Lawrence Cowan is in back row, second from left. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
German prisoners of war washing some cooking pots while housed at Camp Prince Albert in Paris, France. Date is September of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
A German Stuka Dive Bomber sits near Halle, Germany, damaged but mostly intact. Date is April of 1945. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio on right with an unknown soldier somewhere in France In October of 1944. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio stands in an American WWI cemetery located somewhere in France. Over 116,000 American soldiers gave their lives during WWI. In comparison, the total for WWII was over 400,000. Date was October of 1944. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Shown is Cpl. Phil D'Amicantonio, at left, with T5 Fay H. Morley while they were stationed in France in August of 1945. The camp was designated Camp Washington but no actual location is known. Photo courtesy of Louis D'Amicantonio.
Four men from the unit posing while stationed in Thermister, Belgium. Shown are L to R, Rex Griffeth, Alvin Simcoe, Nelson Canale and Harry Smith. Note the unit's 817th designation on the front fender. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
A blown-out pillbox in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany. The 817th was in that area in early 1945. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Shown is T4 Harvey Bensink of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Here Harvey Bensink, at left, stands with Art Kummer. Photo couretsy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
While in Thermister, Belgium, the unit's machine guns are lined up for routine inspection. Note the .50 Caliber in the foreground and the smaller .30 Caliber guns behind it, all on tripod mounts. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Image of the famous Siegfried Line and its "Dragons Teeth" designed to stop tanks and in this case, tank destroyers from passing. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
Another view of the famous Siegfried Line and its "Dragons Teeth" designed to stop tanks, and in this case, tank destroyers, from passing. Photo courtesy of Gail Bensink Kazmar.
A photo of Willis C. LaRue, at right, with Robert Stultz, both of B Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Photo identified as taken in La Harve, France, in 1945. Willis would later tell his wife of the many miles of communication wire he had strung as part of his work within the Command Platoon of B Company. Photo courtesy of Hazel LaRue and Jerry Imperio.
Group of seven men of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Possibly taken while still in the U.S. with what looks like barracks in the background. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
The grave marker of Pfc. Harold C. Wray as seen at the Margraten Cemetery, in the Netherlands. He was killed in action on December 26, 1944, and was a member of A Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion. Harold's enlistment record identifies that he was born in 1923, in Pennsylvania, and living in Kittanning, which is in Armstrong County. He entered the service at Pittsburgh, on January 20, 1943 and is listed as being married, with 1 year of college. He is also identified as having worked in some type of sheetmetal, tin or coppersmith occupation prior to the war. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
The grave marker of Pvt. Vito Marco as seen at the Margraten Cemetery, in the Netherlands. He was killed in action on December 26, 1944, and was a member of A Company of the 817th Tank Destroyer battalion. Marco's enlistment record identifies that he was born in 1908, in New York, and living in Syracuse, which is in Onondaga County. He entered the service at Syracuse, on December 19, 1942 and is listed as being seperated, with a grammar school education. He is also identified as having worked in trades and services occupation prior to the war. Photo courtesy of Lucy Nesbitt.
Homer Rush and his friend, Willard Fullerton, who he met in 1943 when they both were at the train station in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. The two served together in the 817th TD Bn and came home together in 1946. Initially they were both in a towed gun crew but were later separated, Homer serving in an M20, and Willard in an M18. Both are listed in the unit's history as being in A Company. Willard, who was nicknamed "Fish", attended Homer's funeral in 2002. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
Here is a view of a towed 3" gun crew of the 817th Tank Destroyer Battalion. I believe it to be an early photo, based on the clothing, probably while the unit was still in the U.S. The 817th converted to M18s in April of 1945. Shown is Homer Rush, at far right, with his close friend Willard Fullerton next to him. Both men became Sergeants by the end of the war and returned home together in 1946. They had met at the train station and spent their entire service together. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
A group shot of soldiers, possibly from the 817th, which includes Staff Sergeant Asal J. Prescott, who served with the unit. The photo included a note written by Asal, identifying the date, time and place: June 13, 1945, 1600 hrs, at the Triumphal Arch (Etoile). We know it as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. Asal can be seen in the first standing row, second from the left. Provided courtesy of Brad Prescott.
Lt. Marshal L. Jacoby, at right, stands with A Company Commander, Captain Howard M. Vogel. Photo courtesy of Paul Brokaw.
A group of soldiers during their training in the U.S. The only identified man is Sam M. Marzano, "Mickey", who is standing at far right. He ended up in Company A of the 817th but spent time at Camp Grant, Illinois, for basic training and at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, among other locations, for additional training. Photo courtesy of Sam's great-nephew, Mike Gasparino.
A photo of 1st Sgt. R.E. Clark, standing at his tent, while the unit was stationed near Reims, France in 1945. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
A Signal Corps photo of Captain John J. McPhillips, (left) 141 Laydlaw Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, Company B, 817th Tank Destroyer Bn., and Pvt. John R Wasielewski, 2925 Mulberry St., Toledo, Ohio. They are inspecting Thompson Sub-Machine guns, which have been cleaned and checked at Camp Washington, in the Sissone sub-area of the Assembly area command, near Reims, France. The image is dated July 8, 1945. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
Another photo, possibly taken at the same time, showing a group of 8 men standing around a pile of Thompson Sub-Machine guns. The only identified men are Bob Dill, nearest the camers with no shirt, and Willis LaRue who is standing behind him with the glasses and no helmet. Photo courtesy of Jerry Imperio and Ingrid Holzwarth.
A photo of a group of eight men of the 817th, while they were stationed in North Dakota, assisting with the wheat harvest. Shown in the back row center is Nicholas Poznick, who served in C Company. Courtesy of Matthew Poznick.
A photo of Nicholas Poznick (on left) at the 48th Annual Reunion of the 817th, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He served in C Company of the unit. Courtesy of Matthew Poznick.
A photo of Nicholas Poznick posing with the large reunion banner at the unit's 48th Annual Reunion, held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Courtesy of Matthew Poznick.
A photo of Nicholas Poznick on left, in one of the unit's Jeeps. It looks to have been taken while they were in Europe, possibly after the war had ended. The other soldier is unknown. Courtesy of Matthew Poznick.
Another photo of Nicholas Poznick, this time on right (driving) with two other men of the 817th. Probably taken after the war since there are children sitting in the other Jeep. Notice that this particular Jeep is the 37th vehicle belonging to Headquarters Company. Courtesy of Matthew Poznick.
Two soldiers pose with a women at an unknown location. Their uniforms make me think it may have been while the unit was still in the U.S. Photo courtesy of Matthew Poznick.
A couple of M18 tank destroyers and some M8s and M20 Scout Cars on display. The TD closest to the camera is identified as "Avalanche of Hell" but I do not see any markings on the unit. Photo courtesy of Henry Anderson.
Some M20 Scout Cars on display or possibly on parade. Photo courtesy of Henry Anderson.
Pfc. Rudolph S. Kish "Rudy" is standing with his M18 tank destroyer named "Avalanche of Hell". He served in the 2nd tank destroyer of the thrid platoon in A Company. Photo courtesy of Henry Anderson.
Another photo of Pfc. Rudolph S. Kish "Rudy", who is standing with his M18, named "Avalanche of Hell". Two other men of his crew are also shown. Photo courtesy of Henry Anderson.
A very nice reunion button from 1963. The location of the festivities is identified as Elmira, NY, and it also states this was the group's 18th annual reunion.
A very nice reunion button from 1958. The location of the festivities is identified as Buffalo, NY, and it also states this was the group's 13th annual reunion.
At some point the buttons changed to stickers. This one is from 1986. The location of the festivities is identified as Pittsburgh, PA. It also states this was the group's 41st annual reunion.
Another sticker but from 1987. The location of the festivities is identified as Buffalo, NY, and it also states this was the group's 42th annual reunion.
Another sticker but from 1989. The location of the festivities is not identified. It does state that this was the group's 44th annual reunion.
A sticker from 1990. The location of the festivities is not identified. It does state that this was the group's 45th annual reunion.
An award plaque from the group's 25th reunion. Although the date is not mentioned, their 25th reunion would have been in 1970. It was also held in Buffalo, NY, which was a common location for the reunions.
