Anti-Tank Co. 253rd Infantry Regt. 63rd ID dog tag

[bellasilva]

Just picked up this dog tag on ebay thanks to Connor's research. SSgt. Kozlik served with Anti-Tank Company, 253rd Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division which arrived in the ETO in late 1944-early 1945 and entered into combat. Don't have it in hand yet but I'm pretty excited!

[USdog]

Very nice Phil. Now to learn more about his units combat history

[bellasilva]

Thanks Connor! I was able to download the 253rd's entire operational report from their time overseas. It's some very heavy reading so it'll take some time but from what I've read so far, they were definitely in the thick of things

[SKIPH]

The 63rd Infantry Division has an excellent web site. They have listings by name and unit of every troop who served w/ them in WW2. Great pictoral history too. Suspect you'll find a photo of this soldier, they have a by-name photo listing also. My Dad was in the 563rd Signal Co., 63rd ID. Great site!!!! SKIP

[bellasilva]

Thanks Skip! I checked the site but unfortunately he isn't listed there

[SKIPH]

bellasilva- He's there, I found him. Kozlik, Merlin L. , Staff Sergeant, assigned to 253rd Anti-Tank Company. When you search the 63rdID site, you go to the 253rd Inf Regt. Scroll all the way through all the Infantry companies of the three battalions, You'll find 253rd Anti-Co. Kozlik's name is on the right side of the page, amongst the "Ks". SKIP

[SKIPH]

Go to the main 63rd Inf. page. Then click to get into site. Next click on the 253rd site listed on the left side of unit page. Next it says there's an "Alphabetical lising of all 253rd members. Then do a lot of scrolling down to Anti-Tank Company. He's there. SKIP

[historyfixer]

Nice find, SSgt. Kozlik also served in the 98 Division which makes since. Since most of the cadre of the 63^rd Division at camp Blanding, Florida, and Camp Van Dorn Mississippi were from the 98^th and the 82^nd Divisions. SSgt. Kozlik passed away Feb. 1 1978 according to my records

[bellasilva]

Thanks for the info gents. Skip, I did find him on the roster but failed to mention that it was his photo I couldn't locate on the site

[SKIPH]

I looked for a photo, but he was not listed. Glad you could locate him. SKIP