UK Banknotes signed during 1944 by members of Co C 12th Infantry Regiment with associated 5 June 44 ship's roster

[jumpship]

Co C 12th Infantry Regiment (4th Infantry Division) personnel listed on a D-Day passenger roster dated 5 Jun 1944 for LCI (L) 526 and matching names found on UK One Pound and Ten Shillings banknotes: 21 names are found on both the roster and one or both of the banknotes; one name is not listed on the roster, but is found on the One Pound banknote. I do not know if most or all of them were part of the same Co C platoon. See below notes for details.

 

 

 

 

These notes were most likely signed during 1944, as the 12th IR arrived in England on 28 Jan 44. They were most certainly signed before the landings on June 6, 1944, based on the names and the timing of events that affected those who signed.

 

 “On June 4, 1944 the 12th Infantry embarked in Plymouth Harbor on thirteen LCI’s, six LCT’s and five LST’s. Each vessel, with a barrage balloon floating overhead, nosed into the English Channel and then disappeared up tiny inlets to wait.” This makes sense, as LCI (I) 526 is shown at Salcombe, a small inlet located SE of Plymouth, on  June 5, 1944. (From: Gerden F. Johnson, COL. “History of the Twelfth Infantry Regiment in World War II.” 1947.)

 

Co C 12th IR Morning Report dated 9 Jun 44 indicates that “assault troops made invasion landing on coast of France 1100 6 June 44.”

 

The fate of those who signed these banknotes make clear the cost of war. Four men were Killed in Action. Almost every man received at least one Purple Heart, some two. The Normandy and the Hurtgen Forest fights took a particularly heavy toll. Some men returned to the company multiple times after being wounded. A few were sent back to the USA for three months of temporary duty, likely to give them some needed rest and recovery. Only a few were still with the company at the end of the war in the ETO. At least seven are known to have received discharges based on disability from physical or mental conditions.

 

 

Number before names below matches number indicating signature on note.

 

1. Name on Roster: Knight, Charles W. (William) Sgt

SN on Roster: 13041978

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at Fayette County, PA

Date and place of Enlistment: 19 Jan 1942 at Pittsburgh, PA

WIA: Battle Casualty; 14 Nov 44 in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany; artillery shell fragments in eye(s). Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Last unit if known: Detachment of Patients 1318th SCU Hospital Center, Camp Pickett, VA

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 29 Aug 1945; Certificate of Disability for Discharge

Overseas Service dates: 18 Jan 1944 to 28 Feb 1945

DOB: 27 Mar 1919 in Layton, PA

DOD: 26 Feb 1978

Burial location: Unknown

 

2. Name on Roster: Marsengill, George F. (Franklin) Pfc

SN on Roster: 34195189

Date and place of Draft Registration: 1 Jul 1941 at Clayton, Rabun County, GA

Date and place of Enlistment: 1 Dec 1941 at Fort McPherson, GA

WIA: Battle Casualty 17 Jun 44 in Normandy, France; MG bullet to R forearm. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C on 18 Nov 44 from the 92nd Replacement Bn APO 153. Non-Battle Casualty (Injury) 23 Apr 45 in Germany. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Last unit if known: 677th Ambulance Co in route to the US Army medical system

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 21 Jan 1946

DOB: 13 Jun 1920 in Clayton, GA

DOD: 6 Aug 1978

Burial location: Roane Cemetery, Rabun County, GA

 

 

 

3. Name on Roster: Ring, Jessie (Jesse), W. (Willard) Pfc

SN on Roster: 34574829

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Feb 1942 at Jessup, Wayne County, GA

Date and place of Enlistment: 25 Nov 1942 at Fort McPherson, GA

KIA: 11 Jun 44 in Normandy, France; artillery shell/blast fragments.

Awards other than typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Last unit if known: Co C 12th IR 4th ID

DOB: 7 Jan 1921 in Wayne, GA

DOD: 11 Jun 1944

Burial location: Originally buried on 19 Jun 44 at St. Mere Eglise No. 1 Temporary Cemetery, Normandy, France. Now at the Normandy American Cemetery, Plot F Row 6 Grave 9.

Note: His brother, Leroy Ring (NMI) Pfc 34012067 121st IR 8th ID, was KIA on 16 Jul 1944 in France and is also buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. He was born in 1916.

 

4. Name on Roster: Roles, Russell, J. (James) Pfc

SN on Roster: 33184060

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at Cambria County, PA

Date and place of Enlistment: 25 April 1942 at Fort Meade, MD

WIA: Battle Casualty; Jun 44 in France [wound(s) unknown]; not known if and when evacuated. Non-Battle Injury: 31 Jul 44 in France; Exhaustion. Returned to duty 7 Aug 44 in France. Non-Battle Injury: 19 Sep 44 in France; Exhaustion. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH [HQ 4th ID G.O No. 60 6 Sep 44]

Last unit if known: Detachment of Patients 1234th SCU, Camp Upton, NY

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 29 Mar 1945; Certificate of Disability for Discharge

DOB: 17 Feb 1917 in Belsano, PA

DOD: 25 Nov 1995

Burial location: Pineland Cemetery, Pine Township, PA

 

5. Name on Roster: Salvatore, Johnny E. (Edward) Pfc

SN on Roster: 37354361

Date and place of Draft Registration: 30 Jun 1942 at Trinidad, Las Animas County, CO

Date and place of Enlistment: 28 Oct 1942 at Pueblo. CO

WIA: Battle Casualty; 13 Jul 44 in France; seriously wounded in action. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C on 15 Aug 44 from the 92nd Replacement Bn.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 16 Oct 1945

DOB: 10 Jun 1922

DOD: 26 Feb 1978

Burial location: Roselawn Cemetery, Pueblo, CO

 

6. Name on Roster: Kern, Roland D. (Delbert) Tec 5

SN on Roster: 33135314

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at Northampton County, PA

Date and place of Enlistment: 21 Jan 1942 at Fort Meade, MD

Injured in Line of Duty: unknown if battle casualty; 6 Mar 45 in Germany; concussion. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Unknown if he returned to unit.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, (PH?)

Last unit if known: 4th Clearing Co 4th ID in route to the US Army medical system

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 13 Oct 1945

DOB: 8 Jun 1918 in Walnutport, PA

DOD: 22 Nov 1982

Burial location: Grandview Cemetery, Allentown, PA

 

 

 

7. Name on Roster: Greenlee, Samuel P. (Preston) Pfc

SN on Roster: 34376856

Date and place of Draft Registration: 30 Jun 1942 at Knoxville, TN

Date and place of Enlistment: 12 Oct 1942 at Fort Oglethorpe, GA

WIA: Battle Casualty; Sep 44 in France; artillery shell fragments in leg. Returned to duty. Battle Casualty; 10 Nov 44 in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany; artillery shell fragments in hand. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH (OLC)

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 1 Aug 1945; Certificate of Disability for Discharge

DOB: 27 Jul 1922 in Grainger County, TN

DOD: 13 Aug 1978

Burial location: Greenwood Cemetery Knoxville, TN

 

8. Name on Roster: Fekas, Petter (Peter) G. (George) Pfc

SN on Roster: 33441858

Date and place of Enlistment: 13 Oct 1942 at Charlottesville, VA

KIA: 10 Jul 44 in Normandy, France; bullet wound to neck.

Awards other than typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Last unit if known: Co C 12th IR 4th ID

DOB: 28 May 1921 in Albermarle County, VA

DOD: 10 Jul 1944

Burial location: Originally buried at St. Mere Eglise No. 2 Carentan Temporary Cemetery, Normandy, France. Now at the Riverview Cemetery Charlottesville, VA

 

9. Name on Roster: Parker, Darel C. (Clayton) Pvt

SN on Roster: 35345229

Date and place of Draft Registration: 14 Feb 1942 at Ottawa, OH

Date and place of Enlistment: 24 Oct 1942 at Toledo, OH

WIA: Battle Casualty; 10 Nov 44 in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany; artillery shell fragments to foot. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: Dec 1945; Certificate of Disability for Discharge

DOB: 3 Jan 1921 in Ohio

DOD: 4 Sep 2012

Burial location: Sugar Ridge Cemetery Leipsic, OH

 

10. Name on Roster: Durham, Warren B. (Barren) Pvt

SN on Roster: 34394208

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Feb 1942 at Bridgeport, AL

Date and place of Enlistment: 8 Oct 1942 at Fort McClellan, AL

Non-Battle Injury; 29 Jul 44 in France; ankle joint injury resulting from jumping from truck. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C in France on 21 Sep 44 from the 41st Replacement Bn APO 153. Unconfirmed Battle Casualty (not mentioned in morning reports; information from Hospital Admission Card): Oct 44 (location unknown); artillery shell fragments to wrist. Returned to duty. Non-Battle Injury (unspecified): 14 Nov 44 in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany; Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, (PH?)

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 2 Dec 1945

DOB: 1920 in AL

DOD: 4 April 1987

Burial location: Green Haven Memorial Gardens Central, Jackson County, AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. Name on Roster: Graney, James E. (Edward) Pvt

SN on Roster: 33304164

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Feb 1942 at Pittsburgh, PA

Date and place of Enlistment: 17 Sep 1942 at Pittsburgh, PA

KIA: 20 Jun 44 in Normandy, France; bullet wound.

Awards other than typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Last unit if known: Co C 12th IR 4th ID

DOB: 1921 in PA

Burial location: Originally buried at St. Mere Eglise No. 1 Temporary Cemetery, Normandy, France. Now at Saint George Cemetery Carrick, PA

 

12. Name on Roster: Meyer, John W. (William) Tec 5

SN on Roster: 32246083

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at Manhattan, NY

Date and place of Enlistment: 6 Mar 1942 at Fort Dix, NJ

WIA: Battle Casualty; 8 Jun 44 in Normandy, France; artillery shell to leg(s) and arm(s). Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C in France on 1 Aug 44 from the 92nd Replacement Bn. Battle Casualty; 17 Sep 44 in France; artillery shell fragments to thigh. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C (in Germany or Luxemburg?) on 1 Dec  44 from the 92nd Replacement Bn.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH (OLC)

Last unit if known: On 8 Dec 44, he left Co C for 3 Months of temporary duty at the Reception Center, Fort Dix, NJ; he returned to duty with Co C in Germany on 7 Apr 45.

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 25 Sep 1945

DOB: 17 May 1912 in NY

DOD: 29 May 1993

Burial location: Unknown

 

13. Name on Roster: Manente, Nicholas NMI Tec 5

SN on Roster: 32094704

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at NYC, NY

Date and place of Enlistment: 12 Jun 1941 at Governors Island, NY

WIA: Battle Casualty; 4 Aug 44 in France [unknown wound(s)]. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C in France on 15 Aug 44 from the 92nd Replacement Bn.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH [HQ 4th ID G.O No. 60 6 Sep 44], BSM [HQ 4th ID G.O No. 89 6 Dec 44]

Last unit if known: On 18 Apr 45, he left Co C in Germany for 3 Months of temporary duty at the Reception Center, Fort Dix, NJ.

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: unknown

DOB: 27 Feb 1914 in Rapolla, Italy

DOD: 25 Jun 2002

Burial location: Unknown

 

14. Name on Roster: Alfonso, Eugene V. Pfc

SN on Roster: 32094704

Date and place of Draft Registration: N/A

Date and place of Enlistment: 25 Nov 1940 in the Florida NG at Palmetto, FL

WIA: Battle Casualty; 12 Jul 44 in France; blunt instrument to body. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C in France on 10 Aug 44 from the 92nd Replacement Bn. Non-Battle Injury: 16 Sep 44 in France; Exhaustion. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH [HQ 4th ID G.O No. 60 6 Sep 44]

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 30 Aug 1945

DOB: 16 Nov 1921 in Vamo, FL

DOD: 28 Nov 1983

Burial location: Mansion Memorial Park Ellenton, Manatee County, FL

 

 

15. Name on Roster: King, Tillman NMI Pfc

SN on Roster: 35507959

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at Harlan County, KY

Date and place of Enlistment: 16 Oct 1942 at Fort Thomas, KY

WIA: Battle Casualty; 17 Sep 44 in France; artillery shell fragments to leg(s). Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C in Germany on 19 Feb 45 from the 53rd Reinforcement Bn.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: unknown

DOB: 5 Oct 1919 in Evarts, KY

DOD: 25 Mar 1996

Burial location: unknown

 

16. Name on Roster: Peek, Henry C. (Coleman) Tec 4

SN on Roster: 34142956

Date and place of Draft Registration: Date unknown; possibly in Bedford County, TN

Date and place of Enlistment: 10 Jul 1941 at Fort Oglethorpe, GA

KIA: 11 Jun 44 in Normandy, France; cause unknown.

Awards other than typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Last unit if known: Co C 12th IR 4th ID

DOB: 7 Sep 1919 in TN

Burial location: Originally buried at St. Martins, France on 14 Jun 44; then reburied at St. Mere Eglise No. 2 Temporary Cemetery, Normandy, France on 26 Aug 44. Now at Saint George Cemetery Carrick, PA

 

17. Name on Roster: Burkhart, William J. (Jennings) Pvt

SN on Roster: 35422025

Date and place of Draft Registration: 14 Feb 1942 at Barnesville, OH

Date and place of Enlistment: 24 Oct 1942

WIA: Battle Casualty; 19 Jun 44 in Normandy, France; bullet wound causing fracture in upper arm with nerve damage. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH [HQ 74th General Hospital APO 508 G.O. No. 17 10 Jul 44]

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 30 Oct 1945; Certificate of Disability for Discharge

DOB: 18 Sep 1921 in OH

DOD: 26 Nov 1982

Burial location: Mount Calvary Cemetery Steubenville, OH

 

18. Name on Roster: Smith, Arthur G. (Garfield) Pfc

SN on Roster: 32355513; corrected SN is 32355413

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Feb 1942 at Queens, NY

Date and place of Enlistment: 17 Jun 1942 at Fort Jay (Governors Island), NY

WIA: Battle Casualty; Jun 44 in Normandy, France; eyeball damage due to aerial strafing; not reported in morning report, only on Hospital Admission Card. Returned to duty. Battle Casualty; 10 Jul 44 in France; artillery shell fragments to fingers and arm with compound fracture. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C in Luxembourg on 16 Dec 44 from the 79th Replacement Bn.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH (OLC)

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 11 Oct 1945

DOB: 27 Feb 1921 in Brooklyn, NY

DOD: 16 June 2007

Burial location: unknown

 

 

 

 

 

 

19. Name on Roster: Schmidt, Arthur F. (Frederick) Pvt

SN on Roster: 36285861

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at Appleton, Outagamie County, WI

Date and place of Enlistment: 25 Nov 1942 at Milwaukee, WI

WIA: Battle Casualty; 19 Jun 44 in Normandy, France; artillery shell fragments to arm. Dropped from assignment to Co C. Returned to duty with Co C in Belgium(?) on 20 Oct 44 from the 41st Replacement Bn. Non-Battle Injury: 11 Nov 44 in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany; Exhaustion. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 7 Jun 1945

DOB: 8 Sep 1907 in Wausau, WI

DOD: 27 Oct 1986

Burial location: Holy Cross Cemetery, Kaukauna, Outagamie, WI        

 

20. Name on Roster: Gentile, Joseph C. Pfc

SN on Roster: 33788543

Date and place of Draft Registration: 1 Apr 1943 at Philadelphia, PA

Date and place of Enlistment: 5 Jul 1943 at Philadelphia, PA

Non-Battle Injury; 3 Aug 44 in France; Exhaustion. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB (?); despite an obituary claim of a D-Day PH, no evidence, including on his WD Form AG 53-55, was found that indicates he was ever WIA.

Last unit if known: possibly the Separation Center/Convalescent Hospital at Camp Edwards, MA

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 8 Jun 1945; Certificate of Disability for Discharge AR 615-361

Overseas Service dates: 16 Jan 44 to 2 Feb 45

DOB: 1 Apr 1925 in Philadelphia, PA

DOD: 17 Sep 2019

Burial location: Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery Springfield, MA         

 

21. Name on Roster: Herrin, Alvin S/Sgt

SN on Roster: 34200721

Date and place of Draft Registration: 16 Oct 1940 at Dade City, FL

Date and place of Enlistment: 17 Jan 1942 at Camp Blanding, FL

WIA: Battle Casualty; 4 Aug 44 in France; artillery shell fragments in eye and spine/trunk. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH [HQ 188th (US) General Hospital APO 63 G.O. No. 13 12 Aug 44]

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: unknown

DOB: 9 Sep 1916 or 1918? In Waycross, GA

DOD: April 1968

Burial location: unknown                                                              

 

Not found on ship’s roster:

22. Name: Mobilia, Vincent N. (Nick) Pfc

SN: 33297580

Date and place of Draft Registration: 30 Jun 1942 at Erie, PA

Date and place of Enlistment: 7 Oct 1942 at Erie, PA

WIA: Battle Casualty; 11 Sep 44 in France; artillery shell fragments to forearm with nerve damage. Dropped from assignment to Co C.

Awards other than those typically issued for ETO service (if known or presumed): CIB, PH

Last unit if known: Thomas M. England General Hospital Atlantic City, NJ

Date (and type if known) of Discharge: 2 Feb 1946; Certificate of Disability for Discharge

Overseas Service dates: 23 Nov 43 to 20 Mar 1945

DOB: 27 Mar 1919 in Layton, PA

DOD: 26 Feb 1978

Burial location: Unknown

 

Fekas:

 

Graney:

 

King:

 

Meyer

 

Mobilia:

 

Photos sourced from: Find A Grave, Ancestry and 12th IR Publications.

[IVYDIVISION]

really nice and with good research ! well done

[jumpship]

Correction:

 

Peek, Henry C. (Coleman) Tec 4  KIA 11 Jun 44 in France is buried at Gatlin Cemetery Ardmore, Limestone County AL, not in PA.