Tech Sergeant U.S. Army 1941-1945
The Imperial Japanese Navy bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. My father’s 19th birthday. The U.S. officially entered World War II the next day.
Prior to December 8, 1941 American involvement in WWII was limited to providing war material and financial support to Britain, the Soviet Union, and the Republic of China.
Dad enlisted with the PA National Guard in February of 1941, starting his service in Company B of the 103rd Medical Regiment stationed at Ft. Indiantown Gap near Harrisburg Pa. He was primarily a driver but also trained as a Medic. His unit traveled thru the south on maneuvers in 1941 and again for most of 1942. In Oct of that year, he and four of his buddies, signed up for the newly formed paratrooper unit. They trained at Ft. Benning GA and dad was assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was accepted into Rigger School and joined Services Company in 1943. He deployed to England in September of 1943. He was in Belgium and France at the end of his service.
Below are letters Dad wrote home over the years, primarily to his Mom and sister Wanda. Where I could match up photographs to names, people, and places I’ve done so, but I won’t place bets that I always got it right; same for the translation of his writing.
These links provide valuable insights to his unit(s) activities.
506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association
