World War II Grouping of Two Brothers - 656th Tank Destroyer & 456th Para Field Art.

[Championhilz]

I picked up this nice grouping on Ebay for 9.95 plus shipping. This material belonged to brothers Robert L. Fry and Wiliam W. Fry of Dayton, Ohio. Most of the items belonged to William, who joined the army in 1943, and served in the 656th Tank Destroyer Battalion. His older brother William joined the army in 1942, and served in the 456th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion.

 

 

This "Home Folks Portfolio" belonged to William, and he glued his picture to the front of it

 

 

On the back he noted some of the highlights of his service

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The portfolio was filled with wartime newspapers - some from Camp Hood, and several overseas editions of Stars and Stripes

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The collection includes several letters that Robert wrote to his brother - in one of the letters he assures his brother "I'm no paratrooper and I don't intend to be, I'm one of the nonjumpers up there. They have to have some nonjumpers for truck drivers, mechanics, cooks, and clerks. That's why I'm there with seven others."

 

In the same letter Robert gave his brother, who had just joined the army, some useful tips:

 

"The only things I can think of to tell you, Bill is, don't go around sucking the sergeants or Cpls. rump for anything. Be like me, I could have held my rating if I'd have sucked the sergeants rump like he wanted me to but I didn't get your rating because you earned it not because you sucked rump to get it. Do what your told to and don't volunteer for anything because it don't get you any more than it would if you didn't."

[Championhilz]

 

William's sister sent him this letter - I found the cartoon folded up inside the envelope as well.

 

 

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William was in the A.T.S.U. program at Louisiana State University, and there is a good bit of paperwork from his time at the college.

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William received this high school graduation announcement while he was still in the service - it has a nice "V for Victory" on the inside.

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I liked the graphics on this envelope

[td-seeker]

Nice paper grouping! Paper groupings with period newspapers are great windows in history. Are there any unit rosters or other documents in this grouping containing tank destroyer personnel names? Paul