HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2017 I was lucky to purchase this group last week. It is named to a veteran that served in L Company, 26th IR, 1st Infantry Division. I'm still in the preliminary stages of research and haven't been able to turn much up on my internet sources. I have secured the services of Geoff at Golden Arrow Research...fingers crossed he can turn something up. As most everyone knows, the 26th IR has a storied War record. The following was taken directly from the bluespader.org website: "In 1941, the regiment once again stood with its sister regiments and prepared for war in Europe. In World War II, the 26th Infantry led Americas first-ever amphibious assault in North Africa, fought at the Kasserine Pass, assaultedSicily at the Amphibious Battle of Gela, invaded Normandy, conquered the first German city of the war at Aachen, vaulted the Rhine and attacked all the way to Czechoslovakia by wars end. The regiment conducted three amphibious assaults, and earned seven battle streamers, a Presidential Unit Citation, and five foreign awards. Beginning another occupation of Germany, the Blue Spaders bore the United States national colors at the Allied Victory in Europe parade, and served as guards at Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. Thus began a lengthy stay in Germany, first as conquerors and later as friends and allies. Called again to serve in the United States after a reorganization of the army, the unit was redesignated 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry and had a very short stay in the United States." As incredible as the group is, the medals are not named and there is very little documentation. However, according to the writing in his scrapebook he was in North Africa, Sicily, England and France. The 26th hit Omaha Beach in the early evening on June 6, 1944 and joined up with the 16th IR in the vicinity of Colleville Sur Mur and went into action. Regarding his medals, all I have to go on are the photos showing his ribbons. One photos looks to show a Silver Star and another shows a Purple Heart with two clusters. No photo shows him wearing all of his ribbons together. However, I know that is not uncommon. Some of my favorite items of the group are the photos and his bible. I love the studio photo showing him wearing an ascot/camo scarf and the one of him wearing the cut down paratrooper jacket. Upon receiving the group, I unzipped the bible and found a folded silk American flag, Colorado state flag and a v-mail letter from his mother...I found that very touching. If anyone has any resources that may shed some light on the service of this veteran I would greatly appreciate it. The small WWI group on the right side of the photo is his father's. Thank you for looking and I hope you enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted January 18, 2017 Closeup photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted January 18, 2017 Closeup photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted January 18, 2017 Closeup photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted January 18, 2017 Closeup photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted January 18, 2017 Closeup photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted January 18, 2017 Closeup photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted January 18, 2017 Article from scrapbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted January 18, 2017 Article from scrapbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #10 Posted January 18, 2017 Closeup of his father's things...last photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted January 18, 2017 Share #11 Posted January 18, 2017 Holy smokes, what a fantastic group. You should have no problem finding answers to your questions. Love the photo with cut down jump jacket. Someone will chime in with info for you I bet. Congrats to you. Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdragon54 Posted January 18, 2017 Share #12 Posted January 18, 2017 Simply, wonderful! Love it. Good luck Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Posted January 18, 2017 Share #13 Posted January 18, 2017 Just an awesome grouping acquisition. Good for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted January 18, 2017 Share #14 Posted January 18, 2017 Amazing group! Have you tried searching his name here? http://firstdivisionmuseum.nmtvault.com/jsp/searchresults.jsp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted January 18, 2017 Share #15 Posted January 18, 2017 Super. Congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 18, 2017 Share #16 Posted January 18, 2017 Very nice!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted January 18, 2017 Share #17 Posted January 18, 2017 Great group. Thanks for posting and sharing it with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted January 18, 2017 Share #18 Posted January 18, 2017 Very thankful that you shared this. Great group, congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted January 18, 2017 Share #19 Posted January 18, 2017 Congrats. Good luck on the research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ludwigh1980 Posted January 18, 2017 Share #20 Posted January 18, 2017 A Colorado boy, Awesome. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #21 Posted January 18, 2017 Thank you all for viewing and the nice words! USdog, thank you for the link...I was unaware of it. Ludwigh1980...he was a real Colorado cowboy. He grew up on a ranch...I'll post of few photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #22 Posted January 18, 2017 The letter from his mother that he carried in his bible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #23 Posted January 18, 2017 Pre war photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #24 Posted January 18, 2017 Another in uniform...taken Feb 6, 1944 (somewhere in England). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share #25 Posted January 18, 2017 Post war photo...taken in 1946. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now