A41-15 AAR - 59
AFTER ACTION REPORT
87th Armi. Field A. T. m.
1 vune 44 - 1 April 45 AAR# 171
Ar''lliR ACTION REPORT
68TH ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY &\TTALION
FIRST ARMCRED DIVISION
10 YJ\Y, 1943 thru
31 OC'l'OBER., 1943
THIS DOCUMENT IS UrE ?ROPEh'I'Y OF, AND SHOULiJ BE HETURNED 1D,
'rug CLASSIFlliD DOCm~NT SETCION, INTELLIGENCE DIVISION, S-2, BUILDING T-5, (T-1782).
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HEAD~UARTERS 87TH ARI-DREO FIELD A.BTILl:.ERY ~ATTALION ,\ESTRICTEQ Office of the Battalion COmn1ander APO Number 230 U S Army
2) July 1944 ~' Subject: Reports After Actio;" Against The ... ~
To . The Adjutant General, Washingt?n~'25, D.C. (thru military channels) • ~-i In compliance with paragraph 10, AR )45-105 dated.18 November 1929 , as amended by ChEl21ge ) dated 9 I'larch 1943, the fo lloi'iing .report after action against the enemy is submitted; .
a. Original Unit: ~ (1) Designat5,on: 1st Battalion, 87th Field Artillery (~!echanized). ~ (2) Date of Organization':'July 15,1940. (3) Place of organization: Ft. 'lIm. D. Davis, Oanal Zone. \j (4) Authority for organization: 1st Battalion, 87th Field Artillery ~ activated pursuant to General Order No. 36, Hq Panama Canal , Departm~nt, July 10, 1940, and letter, AG 580 (4-30-40)1.:-0, War ~ I Dep artment, JUne 14, . 1940 • 1- I. I· , (5) Sources-from which ersonnel was obtained: (a) Off~cers: By . ! transfer from 2nd Field Artillery; (b Enlisted men: By transfer from l)th Infantry.
b. Change in designation of unit: 1st Battalion, 87th Field ..i. Ii Artillery redesignated 87th Field Artillery i:Sattalion on . ~v January 3,1941, at Ft. ~t!m. D. Davie, Canal.Zone, pursu.ax:lt.te .... G~neral Order 2, Hq Panama' Canal Department, Quarry Heights, .- Canal Zone, dated January ), 1941. . i. Service Battery less a~unition section organized on January 26, 1942 at Ft. 'vim. D. Da:vis, Canal Zone, pursuant to authority contained in Letter, Hq Panama Canal Department, Quarry Heights, Canal Zone cs, file AG 221-1 Subject: "Grades and Ratings." Tablss of Organization, offi~er8 and enlisted personnel obtained by transfer'from Headquarters Battery this Battalion per paragraphs 1 and 2, Special Order 8', Hq 87th Field Artillery Battalion dated January 26, 1942. Y.edical Detachment, 87th'Pi eld Artillery Battalion activated and personnel obtained' from Medical Department (M&DS), Ft. Wm. D. Davis, Canal Zone, per paragraph 12, Special Order 20, Hq Panama Canal Department, Quarry Heights, ., Canal Zone, dated January 24, 1942. " .' 87th Field Artillery Bat.talion redesignated 87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion' per .Letter Hq Panama Canal Dep artment, Canal Zone, file AG 322:•.0't'2~~2 (C),'" dated May 2), 1942. .," Headauarters and R " Battery, 87th Armored Field Artillery. Batta1ien. 26, 1943, with personnel of 18 officers, ~ 'war, " 135 enlisted men; Headquarter's Battery,87th ~rlm:.l,:riel:.l::' Artillery Battalion activatea -~y 26,~}99) 7 officers, 121 enlisted mel1; Head·q&8.\tte:r~s, Artillery Battalio,n activated June '26, 1943 11 officers, 1 warrant officer, and 14 enl~ for change in organization: Letter Hq, Canal Zone, file AG 52'2.012-2 C), personnel .\'iere ass ' in c. Strength, commissioned and enlisted: 'RESTRICTED (1) At beginning of period: COJIl.missioned :2; Commissioned (rese~'ve) :)4; '.;arY'ant Officers:3; Enlisted:186; Enlisted (reserve):Oj Selective Service:403· (2) Est increase: COr.1l'lissioned:O; OOmmissioned (reserve) :0; \'larrant Officers:Oj Enlisted:Oj Enlisted (reserve) :0; Selective Service:O. (3) Net decrease: Commi ssioned :0; COr:::Jrrl.i s sioned (reserve) ; 1; :larrant Officers:Oj Enlisted:4; £1listed (reserve) :0; Selective Service:5. (4) At end of period: 00I!I!:!J.issioned:2; COln.'!!issioned (reserve):);,; .tarrant Officers:3; Enlisted:182j Enlisted (reserve) :0; Selective Servic e :400.
d. Stations of unit or arts thereof: \ 1 The forward echelon, composed of 33 officers, 1 ''.'arrant officer, and 371 enlisted men, arrived at Camp 94, Pont-Lla.Yl-Fraith, ;fales, =.ay 13, 1944. (2) The above enumerated forward echelon er!lDarked at 0100 frO!!l Camn 94, Pont-Llan-Fraith, '.vales, June 2, 1>44 for France. • (3) The above enu."Ilerated fOr\'Tard echelon sailed approximately 200 miles a.Yld debarked' on utah Eeach, France, Jtme 8 and 9, 1944. (4) The rear echelon, composed of 2 officers, 2 warrant officers, and 213 enlisted men, arrived at Dournemouth, Dorset, England, ~~ay 17, 1944. (5) The above enumerated rear echelon departed Bournemouth, Dorset, England, June 15, 1944 and arrived D-9, !·:e.rshall ing Area, 5hgla..'1d, June 15, 1944. (6) The above enumerated rear echelon departed D-9, ;.!arshalling Area, England, arrived at i'ieymciuth, Dorset, England, and embarked at 1400, June 17, 1944. (7) The above enumerated rear echelon sailed approxima~ely 125 miles and debarked on Utah Beach, France, June 19, 1944. (8) The for\'1ard and' rear echelons of the 87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion joined in Normandy, Fra.~ce On June 19, 1944.
e. Karches: S~e ~ppendix #1
f. CW.lpaigns: Present c&l'1paign in EOI'l!!.andy, France.
£. Battles: See AppendiX #1, Narrative Report on operations :for the month of June 1944.
h. Commandin@: officers in important engap;er.-:ents: ( 1) Enga"g,ement: Present campaign in No rmandy'- France. (2) Na."Ile: Lieutenant Oolonel George F. Barber.
i. Losses in actionj officers and men: (1) Engagement: Present campaign in Normandy, Fra.~ce. (2) Names: O~j.cers: 2nd Lieutenants Charles H. Wood Jr., Robert R. MOAnincH, '~alvin A. Cantwell;enlisted men: Sergeants Jorm IV. DeYoung, Herman R. Clary, Corporals Dennis Strickli~~, Edward A. Crocker, Privates Fir-at Olass Ma.'1.uel V. Garcia, !·richael ...T. OINeil, Paul Kenjeraky, and Privates Rol8..t'1d L. Prive, Daniel P. Piotro\·/ski, Peter Tamulevicz, Robert L. Walters, Roland J. Sager. (3) Killed: 2nd Lieutenants Charles H. Wood Jr., Robert R. 1l.cAninch, and Private First Class 1-{ichael J. 0 I Neil. (4) \iounded: Sergeants John 'tl. DeYoung, Herman R. Olary, Oorporals Dennis Strickling, Edward A. Orocker, Privates First Class r.:anuel V. Garcia, Paul Kenjersky, Privates Roland L.Prive, Daniel P. Piotrowski, Peter Tamulevicz, Robert L. \ialters, Ro)and J. Sager, ttl.- LieutEn~ant Calvin A. Cantwell. Mi l~bne •.
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_. ~". HEADQUlL/r --;R..~ \TTALION , office of the Battalion COJDllande:r/ AFO 230, U S Army ,RESTRICTED , ' 23 July 1944 i:. ! Subject: After Action-Report. j . The Adjutant General, Washington, D., C~ '. (Thru Channels) , I • June , The 1st Echelon of the 87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion 2,3,4,5 boarded ships MT 216, 217, 218 and P 72 on morning of 2 June at approximately 0630. On 7 June (D plus 1) the ship P 72 was struck by free 'floating mines 6,7 and 3 offi,cers ani 25 enlisted men were rescued by destroyers and p.lt ashore on "utah beach, Cherbourg Peninsula. .'
June On 8 June Private Peter Tamulevicz hit by flak aboard ship, small 8,9 elements of liB" Battery were put ashore and on 9 June the remainder of the 'I . 1st Echelon reached shore, the last elements arriving at about 2400. The I, Battalion assembled a~ transit area A, Cool"d.i.na.tes '429 944 North of I: Handienville, France. (Weather - Intermittent showers.)
June , At about 0~5, 10 June Headquarters, A, B, and C Batterys left 10 transit area' A and went into position Southwest of Vierville at coordinates; Iii: Heac:quarters Battery 3fr179033, A Battery 39159031, B Battery 38769013, C jI Battery 38369058. Service Battery remained in transit area. Battalion was : I attached to 'lOlst Airborne Division ani supporting them in the drive South \ to Carentan. captain Moyse sent to the 10lst Airborne Division as Liaison \ to 1 ' Of ficer, Lieutena.nt. Schrader sent the 502nd' Parachute Infantry Regiment \ : as Liaison Officer, Lieutenants MeadPr, roffee, and Cantwell sent as Forward. I Observers with 50lst Parachute Infantry Regiment. At approxima.tely 2330 the night 'of 10 J'!lne all battery positions were bombed and strafed heavily by hostile aircraft, no casualties were inflicted. Weather - Fair.
June Battalion moved to positions South of Blosville' at coordinates; 11 Headquarters Battery 376908, A Battery 37809010, B Battery 38009056, C Battery 38369058, Service Batte17 397909. ,The Battalien is still attachecl. to lOlst Airborne Division supporting 501st and 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiments. A muzzle burst. on the 4th section piece of A Battery caused casualties as follows; Pfc Michael J. O'Neil killed, Sgt, Herman R 01a17 and Cpl Demis strickling injured.
Battalion moved to pOsition in, vicinity of Angoville-au-Plaia at cooi-dinates; Headquarters ,Battery 3898ft6, A Battery 37709060, B Batter; 38339148, C Battery 38629076, Service Battery 397909. Battalien is still r attached to lOlst Airborne Division. Fenvard Oberv-ers are now Lt Meader with 501st ,Parachute Infantry Regiment and Lts Yof~e and Cantwell with '502nd PaIQchute Infantry Regiment.
:: . ' " , JU,Il!! , At 1300 the Battalion supported an attack, of medium tanks in the
" 13 vicinity of ~rentan. Battalion attached to 14th Armored Field-Artillery :1 .. Battalion for purp:>se of thi. s attack. Lt Schrader sent as Liai-sonA0!ticer I" to 14th Arlrored Field Artillery Battalion, Captain Burke Forward 0,q.server i in tank for a.ttack. Lt Cantwell injured in co'llapsing bJdlding in Garentan, evacuated tnrough lOlst Airborne Division. ' , June Effective approximate13 at 0800, 14 June the 87th Armored Field, 14 '~ Artj.ller.r Battalion was relievEd from ,attachment to J01st' Airporne.,~,v:t,sion if " and attached to 82nd Airborne Division;at 1510 the battalion moved to :, in the Vicinity efPicauville at coordinates;, Rea<:auart;e.rs 'B~tterY ,.. I ,.A' Battery 294!11308, B Battery 29789338, G ~ttert~f.29 '" ,., • ' ' ,,' ;j '\An@1>ville-au-Plain to Picauvill.e, a dist~nce ef ' j !, 'm,ad$ by each battery separately und~r Ba.;ttery: COlnman( I i~~ '_ w~~e in mw positions by 1900. Wc;Jatmr r' re:ID:ained in, position at 3f1l909. 82nd A.1:J[lbe~I'~l Ai,'r,o:;"rnlt'! it PDilt~Abbe. Liaison Officer to 82nd I Moyse.' J,.iaison Offic~r with 456th Field Schrader. Forward. Gb$exwers with 507th, Yoffee and J i\ Meador."'''''~~' "., - -- -, " ,\.,)r" After Action Report,Oontinued. RESTRICTED ~ f June Normal supporting and 'reenforcing fires. No unusual activity. 15
June At 1145 the Battalion moved forward to vicinity Pont L'Abbe to 16 support attack on St Saveur Le Vicomte. COordinates of Batteries: Head quarters Battery 263944, A Battery 26469480, B Battery 26229411, 0 Battery 26559394, Service Battery 340936. Liaison Officer with 82nd Airborne Division Artillery, Oaptain Moyse; Liaison Officer ...,ith 456th Field Artillery Battalion, Lieutenant SChrader; Forward Observer with 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Lieutena.Ylt J.:eador; For'l'lard Observer \vith 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Yoffee; Forward Observer with 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 'Lieutenant OINeal. Service Battery moved to coordinates 299926.
June Battalion supporting 82nd Airborne Division in drive ''lest from St 17 Saveur Le Vicomte.
June B Battery fired propaganda shells into enemy lines. These!'1ere first 18 propaganda Shells fired since invasion began. Message received that friendly patrols had reached west' coast.
June Direction of fire of all batteries changed from west to south to 19 support· crossing of Douve River. Battalion relieved from attached VIr Corps and 'attached to VIII Oorps effective 1800.
June Battalion still in support of 82nd Airborne Division. Wea.ther fair. 20
June Batta.lion moved to coordinates: Headquarters Battery 228946, A 21 Battery 234943, B Battery 234946, 0 Battery 2;1948, Service Battery 297929, still supporting 82nd Airborne Division in drive south of Douve River from Pont L I Abbe. Liaison Officer ;'lith 82nd Airborne Division, Captain i~yse, Liaison Officer with 456th Field Artillery Battalion, Lieutenant Schrader; Forward Observer with 320th Field Artillery Battalion, Lieutenant I·leador; Forward Observers with 456th Field Artillery Battalion, Lieutenants Yoffee, Hughes, and Maguire.
June Airfield moved to 232956. 22
June Battalion in general support and reenforcing fires of 320th Glider -23 Field Artillery Battalion which is in Division support. Liaison Officer III with 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, Captain Frensley; Forward Observers with 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, Lieuten:a.nts Hughes, McOarthy, and Heador; Liaison Officer II with 456th Glider Field AI:tillery Battalion, Lieutenant Schrader; " Forward Observers ",ith 456th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, Lieutenants Yoffiee and Maguire.
June. No change in miSSion or po aition. 24
June ; No change "in mission or position. t 25 \~ ,J .Tune N0 change in ini.ssion or position. 26
Cub . plane crashe~' at 07,0 just behind front line s of' 508th Parachute j Plarie "las hit by friendly mortar shell. Lieutenant Charles H. Wood Jr•. Lieutenant Robert R. McAninch, ~ilot" were both killed instant:lY~:'! 1 . I ,.,' ~1 .1 i I I I i j ..1 !RESTRICTED
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1'"""1 -,"",1,.1' I 7TrPt :~-' .. , lft;.,i ii"""!,;~I~II~,~,-f'~~';=;j I.~'~l I ~ . ." ~~\~. .~·.~"'D 0rf1 /- .. , I nlCTEII 1 I I HEADQUARTERS 87TH .ARMORED FIELn ARTILLERY BATTALION f .., ~. Office of the Battalion Commander . , / ,APO Number .230 U ,S .Army {. 4 .August 1944
·Subject: Reports .After .Action .,Against the Enemy For the Month of July
r To . The Adjutant General, Washington, .25, D.C. (thru military channels) In co~p1iance with paragraph 10, .AR 545-105 dated 18 November 1929 as amended by change 5 dated 9 March 1945, the following report aftera~tion against the enemy is submitted;
~•. Unit: 87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion• .£.• 'Q'i"-1iinal Unit: (1) Designation; ist Battalion, 87th Field Artillery (Mechanized). (2) Date of Organization: July 15, 1940. (5) Place of Organization.: Ft. WIll. D. Davis, Canal Zone. (4) Authority for Organi,zation: 1st Battalion, 87th Field .Artillery .activated pursuant to General Order No. 56, Hq Panama Canal Department, Juiy 10, 1940, and letter, AG 580 (4-50-40)M-o, War Department, June 14, 1940. (5) Sources from which er.sonne1 was obtained: (a) Officers: By transfer from 2nd Field ..Artillery; b) Enlisted men: By transfer from 15th Inf~try. ' .£.. Changes in organi.zation: None. (1) Change in designation of unit: None. (2) Change in Tables of Organization: None. (5) .Attachments and Detachments: (.a) -Attached to VIII Corps and 82nd.Airborne Division from 1 July to ~200 7. July. . (b) ,Attached to VIII Corps and 8th Infantry Division ·from 1200 7 July to 1800 9 July. (c) ~Attached to XIX Corps and Brd ,Armored Division from 1800 9 . July to 2400 15 July. (d) .Attached to VII Corps ,and 5rd Armored Division from 2400 15 July to 2400 51 July. !!. Strength, Commissioned ,and enlisted: (1) At beginning of period; Comrrdssioned:2; Comrrdssioned (reserve): 55; Warrant Officers:5; Enli,sted:182; Enlisted (reserve) :0; Selective ,Service:599. (2) Net increase: Commissioned:O; Commissioned: (reserve) :0; .Warrant Officers:O; Enlisted:O; Enlisted (reserve) :0; Selective Service:O'. (5) Net decrease: Comlnssioned:O; Commissioned (reserve);l; Warrant 1 Officer.s:O; Enli,sted:6j En:li.sted(reserve) ;0; Selective Service:6. \ (4) ,At end of period: COmmissioned:,2; Commissioned (reserve) :52; I Warr~t Officers:3; Enlisted:176; Enlisted (reserve) ;OJ Selective J i$erv:lce:595• .!. .Stati0WS· af unit or parts thereof: :See ·APpendix #1. f. Marches:' :See ~pendix #1. E.. Ce.mP&isn;s: Present cam~gn in Normandy, France. h. Battles: .See .Appendix 111. Narrative Report on operations for the menth of July 1944. 1. Commanding~fficer.8 in important engagements: (1) .EB~!.g~ent: Present ee.mpaign in Normandy, France• . '. (~2) Lieutenant Ca10ne1 George F. Barber. on Narmandy, France. '~1t;~S1~~~~~~~~' ts Charles E. J'Oy, 'Faa K;ieb:zak .-' ':T~e~~icialol FGurth Gr.~de Dean Bo~e'~ Tec~1 . I ~ I !
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/ Corporals Jacob Win~cur, Pa.l F. Davies, Technicians Fifth Grade John J Borosky, Michael F. Pedone, Walter M. Vajdich, Private First Class George W. Si~emore, Privates Roland J. Lacroix, upton S. Apling, William,C. Halley, Nick Geletka. (5) Missing: None. (6) Taken prisoner: None. k. Former and Er_~:§'~Ilt~~belZS who have distinguished themselves in action: (1) Engagement: Present czmpaign in Normandy, France. (2) Names: First Lieutenant Harold W. Harbourt, Sergeant Frank Herron. (5) Act: Gallantry in action. . (4) Reward: First Lieutenant Harold W. Harboart, Battery A, 87th' Field Artillery Battalion, was awarded the Bronze star Medal for gallantry in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on . 10 June 1944, per authority contained in General Order #18, Hq Third .Armored Division,APO 250, US Army, dated 25 July 1944. Sergeant Frank Herron, Battery A, 87th.Armored Field Artillery Battalion, was awarded the Bronze star Medal for gallantry in action against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 10 June 1944, per authority contained in General Order #l8, Hq Third Armored Division,AP025B, US ,Army, dated 25 July 1944.• 1"· Photographs of Personnel, important scenes or events: None. , "" For the Battalion Commander: , J .J
~/~··lEARL C. SCHRAlIDER ..' .... . 1st Lt IDA ',' 2 Incla: Battalion :8-1! 1. Appendix #1, Narrative Report on operations for he month of July 1944.• ·· .•-..·•. 2. APpendix #2, Unit Journal .ands1,lpporting documents: ·.l:.....·.'.· t' .. ': , .
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.. If' .:-~.' ""(\ ,. "t.."" HEA~u~.trr- .~ ./-·\TTALION vffice of the,. ]3;JJJ!I:!.~a..-'R'''S'i!lL. !;o4o~UUlAlLUl.l':".V APO Number 230 RESTRICTED
4 August 1944
APPENDIX /fl
NARRATIVE OF ACTION AGAINST THE ENElvIY FOR MONTH OF JULY
• 1 July 1944 Battalion in position near Crossville, Normandy, France; atchd to VIII Corps and further atchd to 82nd Airborne Division. Missien of the 82nd. Airborne Division to defend and hold their bridgeh$ad .cross the Douve River south of Etienville. This Battalion's primary.mission to reeinforce the fires of the 320th Glider FA En, and secondary plission as general support of the DivisionoBattilion moving into new positions south of Etienville at 2200 B after a short read march, CP 274903, A 272900, B 270897, C 266892. Service Btr,r remainea at 265948. Liaison Offie er wi 82nd Airborne Division Artillery; ForwO!.rd Observers wi 325th Glider Infantry Regto Defensive firing only. I
J 2 Ju~ 1944 Mission of 82nd Airborne unchanged. A·and C Btry! of the 87th reeinforehing the fires of the 320th FA Bn. B Btr:y in direct s't:lpp:>rt of the 2nd Bn 507tlt Parachute Infantry Regt. Liaison Officer wi 84nd l Airborne Division Artillery, 2nd Bn 507; Fbrward Observers wi 325th Infantry and 2nd.. Btl 507. Defensive firing only.
3 July 1944 . Mission 82nd Airborne to sieze and hold Hill 131 SWof Etienville and ridge line NE of La. Haye de Puits. Mission unchanged. Preparations and offensive fires. Liaison Officer wi 82nd Airborne Div Arty, 2I:ld Btl 507; Forward Observers wi 325 Inf and 2m Bn 507. B Btry reId of direct support mission of 2nd En 507 at 2400 B.
4 July 1944 Attack of 82nd Airborne continues. :&ntire 87 FA En reeillforcing the fires of the 320 FA B'l ,~hich is in direct suppert of the 325 If!£'. Preparations and offensive fires. liaison Officer wi 82nd Airborla•. Div Arty, 3rd En 507; Fbrv,ard Ct>servers wi 325 Inf, 3rd Bn 507.
5 July 1944 Attack of 82nd AirbO.rna continues. Mission of 87 FA unchanged; preparations and offensive fires. Liaison Officer wi 82nd AirborR. Div Arty, 3rd En 507; Forward Observers wi 325 Inf, 3rd En 507. •
6 July 1944 All objectives of 8200 Airborne takenp Mission of 8.7 FA U&oo changed; defensive firss. Liaison Otricer wi 8200 Airborn. Div Arty; Forw.lrd Observers wi 325 In!. .
7 July 1944 82m Airborne Div still in defense of their objectives waitiAg to beaqueezed rut of the front by the 90th and 79th Divisioz:ls. 87· FABz:l reId from attachm~nt to '82nd Airb0rne Div and attached to 8W Biv effective 1200, all Liaison Of'ficers and Ftlrward Observers reId.. Bla now reeinforcing the fires of the 45th FA :en. Liaiser:l Offieer wi 8 Inf DiVArty~ 45 FA En, Fbrmrd Observers wi 28th Int. Bn moved 'by s~rt roaa march into new positions. CP 243869, A 242868, B .238869, C 233874. Serv Btry wemaine.d at 26 5948. . .
8 JUly 1944 Mission of the 8 In£' Div te attack soutll of La Hay. de Pl:li~s,. Mission of 87th unchanged, preparations and offensivs fires. Ltaison Officer wi 8 In! Div Arty, 45 FA En; Forward Observers wI 28 In-r.
9 July 1944 :l4ission ef 8 llaf Div and 87th. FA Wlchanged~, -I offtmsive fires. S'7th FA r.ld f:~m'attac,hment'(Jt;(;) Div a;nd attaihecl toH~ [(fir' -ta.s ~r.~~d son Officera .ana F'r;)l~.:;L!i'd
• .-.,...... ,~--- • ''I' •• J~. _:1\ '( " RESTRICTED NARRATIVE OF ACTICN AGAINST THE ENEl1Y FOR MONTH OF CONTI NlJIlD.
10 July 1944 Bn moved out of bivouac 1300 Band by short road march into positiono CP 531725, A 52~727, B 532726, C 529726, Serv 555753. Bn moved out of position 1800 ,B and after short r~,d. march went into position SWof Airel CP 439737, A 483736, B 483734, C 486737. Serv . remained at 5557530 3rd ArOO Div Arty reeinforcing the fires of the 30 In! Div Arty attacking soutl:1 of Airel to Pont Herbert and high grou~ NWof sto LO. V..ission of the 87th to assist 3rd Annd Div Arty. Liaison Officer wi 3rd Armd Div Arty. Air OP moved to 543754. Preparations and offensive fires.
II July 1944 Mission unchanged. Two German snipsrs tilled in Bn Area.• Preparations and offensive fires.
12 July 1944 Mission unchanged. Air OP moved to 523731. 87th FA attached to 3rd Arllid Div 2400 Bo Preparations am offensive fires.
13 July 1944 Mission unchanged. Ons Germ~n prisilDel';" taken in Serv Btry Area. Preparations and offensive~fires.
14 July 1944 Mission unchanged. One Germ:rm prisoner t~en in Serv Btzy Area•. Preparations and offensive fires.
15 July 1944 87 FA En attached 2000 B to 3rd Armd Div FA Groupment (391 Armd FA, 58 Armd FA, and 87 Annd FA Bns) which is in direct support of CC "B" 3rd Armd Div. CC "B" is reeinforcing 30 Inf Div. 87 FA Bn is now reeinforcing the fires of the 391 Armd FA Bn. Mission of 30 Inf Div unchanged. Liaison Officer reld 3rd Armd Div Arty 2000B. Liaison Officer wi 391 Armd FA Bn. 87 Armd FA Bn atta.ched to VII Corps 2400 B, remaining atta.ched 3rd Armd Div. Preparations am offensive fires.
16, 17, 18 July 1944 Mission unchanged. Preparations and offensive fires.
19 July 1944 Bn moved out of position f!fl15 B and after short ro~d. march occupied positions CP 462750, A 456750, B 459749, C 460746, Serv . 48973 7. 87th FA along with 3rd Armd Di v Arty is to reeinforce the fires of the 9 In! Div in case of a major counterattack by the enemy. Liaison Officer reld from 3rd Armd Div Arty 1845 B.
20 JuJ:y 1944 B7 FA En attached to cb itA" 3rd Armd Div for direct support of TQ.'I!k Ferce "Z". Mission of Task Force "Zit to break through the enemy's lines between Marigny and st Giles and road march as an armd celumn to sieze and hold Ceri~ La Salle and Mont Pinchon. liaisen Officer wi 2nd .Bn 26 Inf Regt. FOrward Observers wi 2nd Bn 26 Inf, 1st En 32 Armd Regt.
21, 22, 23, l4tssion unchanged. Rain am mud prevented offensive operations. 2,4, 25, 26 No firing. Liaison.Officer wi 2nd Bn 26 Inf. Forward Observers wi J~ 1944 2nd Bn 26 In! and 1st Bn 32 Armd Regt.
,27 July 1944 , CC "A" started their attack and breakthrough 0600 B. ~ moved eut at pesition 1630 B am marched Qlong route 462750, La Desert, Le Hanmet, Arthenay" Amigqy, La Chapelle en-Juger and Le Meshil Amey. Sert> Btry meved te 462750. Li.aison Officer wi 2nd Bn 26 Inf, TF "z" Headquarters. FerwQrd Observers wi 2nd En 26 In! and 1st En 32 Armd Regt. c ~"?(~.]~ 1s]44 MiSSiOR ef Task Force "Z" changed to sieze and hold high ground ~"~.'\".'. . _ .. _:...... S0.'U.~h ef co~tances. Leading elements.. of CC "A" running into st.iff ~ ~"';. '" ;"~esist~ee ·near Censy La ~e. Bn read march 412623" 419618, 382606, ,-. . ~<;; .- .• . •. 366562" aFld meved iRte pesitien, 1800 B. CP 34456'lt, ! .342565. IRterdicti@n aRd offensive fires_ . cI".ash l~ded,. jII:~iGJ;~.n·" against the. rs. Fo~rd
tmRICTEO r..;
-..... RESTRICTED NARRATIvE OF AeTION AGAINST THE ENM FOR MONl'H OF JUU, 1944 OONTINUEDo
29 Ju.l1 1944 Serv Btl)" position.bombed .0200, 14 m wounded. Mission TF "Z" changed to road march to high ground south of Coutances and go into bivouaco Bn moved out of position 2030 B and marched 305556, 1 Belv.,.l, 290550, 291551, 259549 and moved into position. CP 247539, A 21+5537, B 249538, C 249540- Liaison Officer wi 2nd Bn 26 Inf, TF 1 "Z" Hea.dquarters. Forw.. rd Observers wi 2nd &1 26 In! 1st Bn 32 Armd Regto .' J 30 July 1944 87th Armd FA Bn attached to CC "B" 3rd Armd Div to reinforce the fires of th~ 391 Annd FA Bn. Mission of CC "B" to road march as am.d column thru Rortcey and Hambye to sieze the high ground SWof Ville dieu-tes-Pocleso. ~n moved out of position 1200 B and marched 250543, 275532, 302528, 319514, Roncey, Hambye and meved into position. CP ?P7437, A 370436, B 366436, C 369435. Serl remained at ~Jca:BlU:ll;,a: 4627500 Li.,.ison Officer wi 391 FA. Forward Observers wi Team 1,2,and. 3 of CC "B".
,31 July 1944 Serv Btry position bombed. 1 EM wounded-En moved out of position 1200 B and marched 367437, 356434, 364393, and went into position 1900 Bo CP 357384, A 362383, B 363382, C 3603$2. Serv Btry moved t9 Carantilly 393569. Mission CC "Bit unchanged, harassing and offensive fires. Liaison Officer wi 391 FA En, Forward Observers wi Team 1,2, and 3 CC "B" 3rd Armd Div. . For the Battalion (X>mmander: ~~ : ri lst·Lt . FA . , Battalien S-l
•
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~p ~~8 ~(!"fh@lQ\1§ ~b,,~ fuljj ~o J!!:,o ~i0'\tlb@@8 ~@@l .!f&~if~ ;)1,1) J\OC~~W@ If.@,8'~ @lID @~g\tit@~~ fj,@lf i0lM. l6Jm~ @j!, ~ !~o 0 r9 ~mnlC1ED i. 1.,0:: ~E::c. in Co ctivn. vL.icers W'lu enlistee... r;,en: (1) Int;li;:,cu::;Jt: ~rGlt.8nt cc1:.,t-'C:..i~n in ler.tern ]:ul'o-"e. (:_) ~;u!.€::.: Cal- taillS LYfm u. FX'ensley, John P. Orrans, fjone.le... F. p;:Llcn, firf)t Lieutr:.nants John 1. :.cCGi.rtl(i Jr., J \.1&e}Jh c. Iv:ouc..j·, Carro.Ll 1. Harrou, ~econQ Lieutenants Eicherci J. DU6Gan, ])ulaney G. Logan; ,'::crgeant EUrIJan C. fnic..cr, Gor,t-orol::, r~u::-.::,ell N. Trecr, limos C. ::.&rs, Joseph 1-. ;.E.igh&.n, Cumby J. Jsnes, V'illiam H. Bliglan, fherv;ooci c. [rpu:t, TE::chnicic:i.l1s Iiith Grade Janl€S A. Pen(. ergast, 1Iue:;r:TJ. Ja(;1\.son, y;crrE::n f. c·.; cry, Jobl1 P. r.hev" ~onald J. Girton, Priv8.tes Yirst ClaE:S Earl B. }'irkey, IJerbert Ii. G00uTl.on, Thomas Ii. fines, Lynus. r.:. Yeager, 'i.illiam J,.. J&(;,K., 1)5.ni81 I •• Ch"...,t-'ruan, ·,.illis V;. il:cConnell, Unler J. hu~teG., i1illaro A. h.atnerne , Glen V. Da.vison, Y;E:sley ~. Giesser, George f. TholTll' son , Y.illiam F. Pullum, LeRoy L Loffr.;an, Privates Frank E. }-]encirie,.Jallie::;J. Tone.r, Alfrea T. CantlOn, l"oran L. Green, Henry E;. f/ullins, Geralu " • Lun-,-oerg, PasC:\uale J. Christiano, Tallie G. :'r.itE:, Th()l~oo A. Ola.ring Jr., Gilbert A. I,:ersch, John L. l\aczJ:{b., harry F. Lonesky, Jesse t. Hall, Albert ft.. l';;..rgnoli, F.;gic..io P. DiF'illipjJO (b) Kil·J.bo: "C&rta;.n Lyn!l o. F'r",nsley, TE1chn.cian Fifth Grade Donald J. Girton, Privates First Cla:;:; Glen V. Davison, V'esley i'. Giesf.er, George E. Thompson, LeRoy E. Hoffman, ~.. illiWlJ r. Pullum, P.ivate AliJert A. Fargnoli. (4) r,ounuE:l.l: C~.i.,t&.ins John .p. OmMs, JJono.ld L. Allen, First Lieutenc.!jt~ JOM 1'. i'.:cC&rtny Jr., Jose~.. h C. ~:OUCly, Ca.rro]. lJ. liarroL., 2.econu Lieutenants Richa.ru J. ])Ugban, Dulaney c. Logan; [t.:rgeant Burman C. Snider, caporals Rus~ell N. Ireer, Ai;;o:; c. r,jars, Jose~h A. L;eightan, Cwnby J. Jones, \ illianJ H. BagJ.sn, ShE:r\\ood C. Bryant, Technicians Fifth Grade JaJes A. Penuergast, Hugh L. JIiI.ckson, i'tarren E. _ (uery, John P. She"", Privates First Cla.ss Earl B. Pirkey, HerbE:rt H. Gooul!Jon, Thome.s H. Sines, Lynus rll. Yeager, tillialn 1•• Jack, Daniel r. Ch&pman, Willis W. }.f.cconnell, Elrr.er E. Husted, Willard A. iiatherne, Priv8I.tes Frank E. lLE1ndrie, Jruil'es J. Toner, Alfred T. C8I.nnon, Noran L. Green, Henry E. Mullins, Gerald E. Lundberg, Pasquale J. Christiano, Tallie G. v.hite, Tnoma,s A. Oldring Jr.• , Gilbert A. rersch, John L. Kaczka, Harry F. Lonesky, Jesse h. Hail, Lgiuio P. DiFilJ..ippo (b) kissing: None. (6) ToKen Prisoner: None. Former and jJresent members who have distinguished th~;mselves inaction: (1) r~gagement: Present c~mvaign in western Europe. (2) N&mes: Lieutenant Colonel George F.Barber, Cs.ptail1 Ferd L. Moyse' First LiE:utenant John H. Hughes; Corporal Allen W. Booher, Cor!-,oral (then Private) Keith E. Parkyn, Technician ll'ifth Grade Joe A. Cordell. . (S)Act: For gallantry in action and heroic achievement in action against thE:) enemy. (4) Reward: Lieutenant Colonel George F. Barber "as a'lfllrded the Silver Sbar for ~aJ.lantry in .action in Fr.~Ge on2 _August 1944, per f.l.uthor~ ty con11ained in Gener;al Or,ti'ers NUJnbsr 39, Hq, Third Armored Divi.sion, APO ,255, --\, .._-- - .. \._-~ _. ..--.- --- ·, .-'". PmRJCfm Corporal jl~len I. Booher, Battery C, Cort--oral (then Private) Keith E. Pa.rkyn, SIll! Technician Fifth Gracie Joe A. CorCiell, both of i;;eciical Detachment, were awe,raea. 'the Bronze star i\iedal. for hE,roic achieverJent in action against thE' 6n6liiY in France on 2 August 1944, per authority contained in Gener~ Orciers KUll'.ber 40, Hq, Third Armoreo. Division, j~O ~55, Qaten 22 £ugust 1944 • .!. Photographs of personnel, iJr.l-,ortant scenes or events: Eee fo.v~EnC:ix #2, Unit Journal and sU~fiorting Qocuments. }'or ~f~ captain FJ.... 2 Inc1s: F:>~ecutive ", ' 1. APpendix #1, Narrative Report month of Augustt19j:4l+ 2. APpendix #2, Unit Journal and. M1SCL. .If ~. .' I,j : ~. , !" '.: !t ~ i ~~~V",'... mlRICltI ---~~~=------·------______~L._ ~ The. following image(s) may be of poor quality due to the poor quality of the original. "\ ' o 1 ' ..: ! ~~~~ ! 4 ..: • " ., .!~ /. /Wi;y;'jJ~.,.~ ~~ ~ ~ @lr ~D ~ o . ."-'. ~~~~ • ~~~~~~~~~~O rf,ffi ~~~~~~~~~~ ~m~~~~tW~~~ ~~~ ~~~~M~~~ @n?~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ • ~~~ ~ ~ ~00Jm) ~ ~ ~ @.® ~€b ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~@M~~~~ @m~~oo~\lR)o I.h ~ ~~ ~~ M.\ ~ (§@ @00)00 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ m!,oo\ ~ ~ (f) ~ '. 0 o @~~ lI®~ ®~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ mill ~ ~ ~ ~'~ r;Jro ~~~ ~~0 lm~~~ ~~O " .--..,- ~. ------• ~ ~ g@ffi fiiffiI! @@l ~D J1~ ~ ,..' .." . ~@~~~@~~~~~\!.fu ~~~~ ~~W@~@O ~~~ .. ~~~~~~~~~ ~•. 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'1 '" In cOIIlWliance with paragraph 10, AR 345-105 dated 18 Nov(lmber 1929 as '0 \ / amended by €~ange 3 dated 9 March 1943, the following report after action ..gainst ~l t the enamy is'submitted: 01.0 Original Um. t: '{I') Designation: 1st Battalion, 87th Field Artill~ry (Mechanized)o (2) natelof organization: July 15, 19400 (3) Place of Organization: Fort ~ D. n-.vis" Canal Zone. (4) Authority for Organization: 1st Bi- ttalion, 87th Field Artillery activated pursuant to ()ul4Iral Order N;) 0 36, Hq P~n-.ma ca.nal ~partment, 10 July 1940, and letter, AG580 (4-30-40)M-O, WG.r Department, 14 June 19400 (5) SOurcss from Which personnel was obtained: (a) Officers: BY transfer from 2nd Field Artill~ry; (b) Enlisted men: .BY transfer from 13th Infantry. b. . (llanges in Organization: (1) Change in designation of unit: None. (2) Change in r-bles of Organization: Non~. (3) Attacrll.11ents and Detachments: See Appendix 1, Narrative Re.port on 'ope~tions for the month of septemb c. strength, Corrunissionttd and enlisted: ~l) At beginning of period: Cow£issioned: 1, commissionod (reserve): 30, tI,Qrr.mt Officers: 3, Enlisted: 163, Enlisted (roserve): 0, Se1ectiVii Service: 333. (2) Nat increase during period: Commissioned: 0, Con~~ssioned (r$serve): ,2, ~rrant Officers: 0, Enllsted: 0, Enlisted (rsserve): 0, selective service: 00 (3) Net decre.se during period: COrnWissioned: 0, Commissioned (reserve): 0, w-rr.nt Officers: 0, E.'1list~d: 3, Enlisted (reserve): 0, Selective servic.: 6. (4) At end of period: Commissioned: 1, Commi.ssioned (reserve): 32, Warr-..nt Officers: 3, Enlisted: 160, Enlisted (reserve):- 0, Selective ,service: 3270 / St~tions of unit or. parts thereof: Sell Appendix 1, Narrative Report on oper.... tions for the month of Septemb6lr 19440 00 Marches: See Appendix 1. Narrativ~ Report on 0per.tions for the month of september 1944. f. ~mpaigns; Pres~nt c.mpaign in ~estern EUrope. 1 __ ,',' RESTRIC~ ~I} Battles: See Appendix 1, ~rrativ. Report on operations for the month 0 f september 1944. Coirunanding Officers in important @~~: 'tI) Enga.gement:.· Present campa~gn in Wsst'ern Europa. (2) ~me: I.;ieutel1ilmt ():)lonel GEORGE F Btl.RBER. . Losses in action, officers and enlist0d men: (1) ~agement: Present campaign in western Europoo (2) Names: First Lieutenant JOHN T MAGUI·RE, sergeant Clifton li' Edgerton, TeChnician Fourth Grade Everett R Dugdale, Corporal Keith E Par~n, Private First Class Anthony Mercadoo ..(.3) Killed: Sergeant clifton F Edgerton. (4) WOunded: Technician Fourth Grade Ev~rett R DugdallJ, 'Corpo,ral K~ith E Parqn, Private First Class Anthony Me rcado o· • (5) Missing: First Lieutenant JOHN T MAGUIRE. (6) Taken Prisoner: None Former anj present members wh~~ve distinguished themselves in action: m BbgagCJment: Present campaign in 'tTe stern EUrope. (2) Names: captains LYNN 0 FRENSLEY, MURRY M PAULL, First LieutenAnt G.4.RROLL D HARROD, second Li eutenant JOHN T MAGUIRE, ROBERT C CAMPBELL; First Sergeants Lester C Hadley, Chester A Block, Sergeants Martin·J MCDonnell, Frank santos, Raymond van Ee, Technic:i:ans l"'ourth Grade Donald Bishl, Dennis WCoffey, Wilson S Huffstutler, P-..ul G Taylor, Corporals Robert J GuastapagU., Williaru. Howe Jr, Hugh Jackson, Charles R Kirchen, Robert G Murray Jr, Keith E Par~n, Technicians Fifth GradCl Hobert E Baker, Lee S Cr;amer, Howard E Holsti, Frank A Hilborn, frank lin L Myers, Priv.tes First Class Lawrence J Boggs, Edward T OJoney, \I1ill:iam B Dicid.nson, Manu8l V Garcia, Bltrt:M Henderson, Leroy E Hoffma.n, ThOll'.a.s P McLaughlin, Clarsnce J Rooney Jr, Privat0s l)i 'RESTRICTED I tI, " " I'0 second Lieutenant JOHN T MAGUIRE was aw... rded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action against the enen~ in France on ~O July 1944. Per authority cent"ined in General Orders Number 48, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, dated 5 september 19440 ... Second Li. eutsnant IDBERT C CAMPBELL was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds rGceiv<.'Id "in action against the ene.my in France on 30 July 1944 ~r authority contained in General Orders Number 48, Hq, 'lhird Armored Di visio~, APO 253, dat®d 5 september 1944. First sergeant Lester Hadley was awarded the Bronze, star for heroic achiaV$Lfl~nt in action a,gainst the enemy in France on 2 August 19440 Per authority contained in General Orders Number 61, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, dat~d 28 september 19440 First sergeant Chester A Block ~.s awarded the Silver star for gallantry in action in France on 2 August 19440 Per authority con bin~d in' General Orders Number 57, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, dated 18 S'J ptember 19440 0 sergeant Martin J MCDonnell was awarded the Purpl$ Heart for wounds red.eived in action against the enemy in Belgium on 17 september 1944 Per authority contained in General Orders Number 2, Hq, 87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, APO 230, dated 19 SeptGmber 1944. sergeant Frank santos w... s awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action against tho enwny in Fr...nce on II June 19440 Per authority contained in General Orders Number 48, Hq, Third- Arrflored Division-, APO 253, d...ted 5 september 1944.. scrge...nt Ro-ymond Van E}: was awarded the Purple Heard for wounds :recoived in action against the enenlY in France on 2 August 1944. Per autnority contained in (J4lneral Orders Number 48,. Hq,; Third Armorad Division, APO 253, dated 5: September 19440 Tochnician .Fourth Grade Donald H Bi'ehl was awarded tho Silver star for gallantr,y in ...ction in France on 2 August 1944. Per .uthority contained in General Orders Number 57, Hq, Third Armored. Division, APO 253, dOl ted 18 $I ptembor 19440 He was a,lso awoo.rded the Purple, Heard for woundS received in action against ~he enemy inFr~nce on 2 August 1944. .per authority contnnod in Qeneral Orders NUmbor 48, Hq, Third Armorod Division, APO 253, d... ted -5 September 1944:. Technician Fburth Grado Dennis 'Iv Coffey was awarded tho 'p,urplo Heart for wounds I'0ceivcad in action agatnst th.aenWl\Y in France en 28 ,. It August +944.0' Per authority contained in~n'ral,'Orders. Numboor 1, Hq,o 87th A:rmored Fi~ld Artillery Ba,ttalien, dated 16 9tpto.rnber 1'9440 , ! Ii Tochnician Fourth Grage Wifson S Huffstutler was awarded tho Bronzo star for h(4roic achievemont in action against th:t 1Jnemy in Franco on 2 August 1944. per authOrity containod in General' Orders Number 61, Hq, Third Armored ,J):i vision, APO 253, da~od ·28 soptember 1944. Tochnici...n Fourth Grado Paul G ,.ifaylor was awarded the Si1vsr star f0r ' " gallantrY in action in France OIl 2 August 1944. Per authority contaiaed in ~nera1-0rcl.rs Number 57, Hq, Third Armored Divivion, APO 253, .datod 18 septomber 1944. ,.., ' corporal Robert J (JIlastapaglia \vas awarded the l3ronzo star' f0r'h~~&e ' achievoment ·in action against .the enomy in Franco on 24August J.944;,tI Per authority containod in Gonor..1 0rd~rs Number 61" Hq,Third, Armor,.d' Division, A1'O 253, d~t ' " "i,;' ,; ----<;-~;:·?-··-;.;;;,;~i'WNljP.":tJi "-..\ Corporal ;\illiarn Howe Jr, Vias ,awarded the Bronze star for heroic achievement in action against the enemy in France on 2 August 1944.. Per authority cont4ilined in Qeneral Orders Number 61, rq, Third Armored Division, AFo 253, dated 28 September 19440 corporal Hugh Jackson' was awarded the Purple He ... rt for wounds received in action against the enemy in France on 2 August 1944.. Per authority contain_d in ~i1erd.l Orders ~!umber 48, Hq, Third Armored'Divison, APO 253, dated 5 september 19440 , Corporal Charles R Kirchen was awarded the purple Heart for wounds received in action ~.gainst the eneII'.y in France on 2 August 19h4o Per authority contained in General Orders Number 48, Hq, Third Armor=d Divison,t\PO 253, dated 5 september 19440 Corporal (then Pfc) Robert G Murray Jr was awarded the Silver star for gallantry in action in Ft':mce on 2 August 1944. Per authority contained in Qener;o,l Orders Number 57, Hq, Tp.ird Armored Division, APe 253, dated 18 September 19440 Corporal Keith R Parkyn was awardt!ld the Purple He .. rt for wounds received in action against the enemy in Belgium on 19 september 1944. per authority contained in General Orders ~~mber 38, 2nd General Hospital, APO 562, dated 28 September 19440 Technician Fifth Grade Hobert E Baker was awarded the Bronze star for heroic achievemont in action again·st the enomy in FN,nce on 2 August 1944~ Per authority contain*d in General Orders Number 61, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, dated 28 sep tember 1944. Technician Fifth Grade Loe S Cram6r was aWlil.rded the Bronze star for heroic achievement in action against the encIP.y in France on 2 August19440 Pe r ;;,uthorlty cont..ined in Gener.. l Orders Number 61, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, d.. ted 28 September 19440 I Technici.m Fifth Grade How..rd E. Holsti w.. s awarded the Silver star for g.. Uantry in action in France on 2 August 1944. Per t authority containad in General Orders Numbs r 57, Hq; Third Arm ored Division, APO 253, dated 18 Scpte.iilb~r 1944. Technician Fifth Grade Frank A Hilborn was aWC?rded the Bronze , star for heroic achieVCUlent in action against the erll:m.Y'in FN.nce on 2 August 1944. Per authority contained in General Orders Number 61, Hq, Thlro ArmoredDivision, ApO 253, dated 28 I septsmber 19440 , f Tochnician Fifth Grade Fr..nklin L l~ers was awardGd the Bronze star for heroic achievement in action against the onemy in Francl!) on 2 August 1944. Per authority contained in General Orders Number 61, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, dated 28 Septornber 1944. Privah First Class Lawrence J Boggs was awarded the Silver star for gallantry in action in France on 2 A'ugust 19440 Per Authority cont..ined in GOneI'fil,l Orders ~'Ul.llber 57, Hq, Third Armored Di vision., APO 253,. dat&d 18 September 1944. Privat. First Class Edward T cooney was awarded the Bronz'star 'for hereic achievomsnt in action against the enemy in France on ... 2 August 1944·. Per authority contained in General Orders Ntlmber 61, Hq, Thi,rd Armored APO 2 date,d 28 september'1944. ..i RESTRICTED /'. . . .._--_.. - ~ . -_ . . - .. ~:--:-: .. --~-:- .• -.\ -~ ..~': .-'. --..... 'r. .- .. ,. '", '. ,,,:" ':~ .':-.' ~.- . ./ '.'. ,.;' . . :',. .::. t .. ~ . 'r<; • :... ~. ~ .. .RESTRICTED, . .. Private First Class William. B Dickinson'wa,s'G):warded the Bronze st."r for hQroic achicv®ment in action a.gainst. too ®nemy in FranC!l; on 2 August 19440' Per authority contcdned i~ Ger~ra1 Orders Number 61, H:!', Third Armored Division, .APO 253, dated 28 Septeml?er 1944• . Priva.h Fi rat Class Miil.nu(~l V Garcia wa.s~:.awa rded the Purple Heart for wounds.recGiv~d inaction against th@ en~mY in Franae on 11 Jun® 19440 Per authority contained in Q®nera1 Orders Number 48, Hq, Third ArmoNd ntvision, APe 253, dated 5' Sept@mber 191",'4 PrivaltCD Fi rat Class Bert M Hendersonw3.s aw&'.rdl2d the Bronze star for hsroic achi~v®ment in action against the enew in Franc.. on 2 August 1~4o 'Per authority contained in General Orders Number 61, . Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, da.ted. 28 septernber 1944~ Private First class Lorey E Hoffman wa.s aWiil.rded the Bronz€) star for heroic achievement in action against the; enli}my in Franc(fJ on 2 ~August 19440 (Posthumous) Per authority contained in'Qen(f.ral OrdGrs Number 60, Hq, Third Armored nLvislbon, APO 253, dated 24 SGlptember 1944.. Private First Class Thomas P A,icL.aughlin was awarded the Bronze star for heroic achi6iveruent .in action against the enomy in Franc e on 2 August 19440 Per authority c"ontained in Gent!:F.l.1 Orders Nwuber 61, Hq, Third Armored !)i.-vision, APO 253, dated 28 September' 1944. Priv.),te Fi. rst Class Clarence J P..ooney Jr was avno.rdad the Bronze star for heroic .:tchievement in~Action against the enenlY in Fr.mc® on 2 . August 19441 FfIilr authority cOl1t~ined in G~meriil1 Orders Number 61, Hq, Third Armored Division, .APO 253, da.ted 28 September 19440 Priv...te Diego Chavez was awarded the Purple H(\lart for wounds rec~ived in action '.\tgainst th~ enemy in FN,nce on 2 August 1944.. Fer authority contained in General Ord6rs Number 48, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, 'dated 5 septenibillr 19440. Private P J Christi... no wasa/',arded the Purp1G Heart for wounds ractl:ived in action ag&dnst th~ Illl1CJny in Frii.nce on 2 August 1944. P~r authority contained in G~nera1 Orders Number 48, Hq, Third Armored Division, APO 253, dat@d 5 SQ:ptember 1944. . Private Mario Crispino Vias award(-J;d th~ Bronztl star for heroic achiGlve ment in action ag;,;.inst tl~e enemy in Fr:;.nce on 2 August 19440 Per authority contained in Genera;.l Orders Number 61, Hq, Third Armor.;d Division; APO 253, dated 28 Septe.rr.ber 1%4~ Privat'e Homer G Henline was awarded the BronzG St.. r for heroic achieve ment in action ag<:Jinst the e!le:my in Fr;;:.nc e on 2 August 1944 0 Pfil~; a uthority contained in Gen"rc,l Ordara NUlnber 61, Hq, Third Arn:,ored Di vi.sion, APO 253, d".ted 28 Septerr,ber 1944. Private LeonGird J sa.cioh was aw;;.rded the Furple Heart fer wounds re . ceived in .action .\i.g.;;.inst th~ sn@fq in FrQP.ce on 11 June 19440 ps r authority con:t~.ined in Gen~ral Orders Number 48, YIq, Third i"rrr.ored Division, APO 253, dated. 5 September 19440 Private Israel Karisl~ VJas aw...rded the Silver star for g... llantry in action in Fl'anc~ on 2 August 1944. Per authority contain~d in Gen~ral Orders ~JurJ]ber 57, Hq, Third Arlllored Di vi sian, A.PO 253, dAted 18 S~p- . te.m.ber 19440 l $ ! ",i;' .' '(e" • \'.,. Private ,Jackson R Hopplilr was awarded the Purple [email protected] for wounds r6 eeived in Ol.ction :a.g • For \\ r7 ~,. U' I WIu 2 Inc1s: 1 ;l.ppendix #1, N"rN.tiv~ Report on operations for th,:') n:onth of Sept\i)mbc;r 19440 .....} ."i!, t. e( /. '). 'S~'}'\--:<:: t.(.t.f 2 )_ppendix #2, Unit Jourml Hnd supporting documents. r'v1}~'1 v ••' -n 1'1.. 1,= RICTfD . . • 7f!llll'~;', HD~D-;}U/.._RJ',::,,-LS 87TH APJ.:ORSD -FIELD ARTIL1J!;IiY'.TTALIO{\~ t;~ ri.',l;V~irtg():1 Office of th~ B:.. tt""llonCoInm~_nde;:r :. . "';r~!tn~ APO Number 230, US Arn'.y 6 October 1944 .lE?3NDI X if 1 1 ,s~pt~1'Jlber 191,·4 Verbal ord 2 s~pt~[Lb'i.C 1944 The 4th cav Ren GP, Me:cz, with attaehn,ents, pl'ul:.l'~d to 'move to thiZ i\orth€Zast towiJ.rd Ch~\'r1svi11~ and l';G:zieres in 0. diversionary alOYelii,s;nt eoordin",ted with VII Corps, Ylith thea.rtil1<:;rJ' in direct supportc 3 S3pteif,be:r 1944. Th;,; grou.p, with ath,cb.rl1ents, mov!;!d out at 0745,,' The 87th Armd FA ;:in went into p01:,i tion at 1015 nea r I\:aubert-.F'ontaiu(\J, and at 1145 dLsploi.ccd tov{e1.rd. Charl€tvi11e. A Field Order received from 4th Ca v Ren Gp, li(!;ez with iii.ttachments alt~red the plan to aclv;mc@ North ,~ast tow&.rd Couvino 4 ,S,~ptOli:iLber 1944 Tne !87th Armd FABn moved 'out a,t 0830, with "i\.l' COITlp8.ny, 60th Inf Regt, 9th Inf Di v riding on tha a,rti11erys vtehiclcs~ Cro~scd B:'!lgiwu border a.nd 5 .s"'pterr,br::r 19/+4 No change in tacticiil.1 sitl.l.3,tion. 6SE'pt¢Ir 7 s~,pt::;J:ber 191+4 VII Corps to attack East to seize Lo~ige, tAlhi.le 9th Div crosses k~us0 River at Dinant, the 4th Cay Ren Gp, gecz, .Vii tho att<:'.chrrients v-ii11 scre:l1 a.rrd. protect the ri~h~ ~1ank a,n? rear of VII C?f.psw The 87th Armd FA En niov0dto Vl.C1.ru.ty of D1.mmton west SlaG of ... ) ... ------",,---- -,.,------, 8 scpteIl~bzr 1944 The 87th Armd FA En crossed the M(JluSO p.;i.vel' about 0800 and procedlld Northeast toward.4ywaille" Namur, BelgiuJlI<> Fired' from this position at enell,Y screening forces, road blocks, Q:tce , !' 9 Septe!l\be~ 194·4 Mov:,dten mi10s North(f;<;;.stnear Grande 10 september1944 ~tta1i.on.ruoved twi.ce during, day, most firi?g was il.1te~di~ti9n ..·.·No .. ' . -.-.;. '_,:r:.:;~' ..~'.--: -- 4 :-~.. -:; '~.-": change in r[tission"'t'';;;;~l·.:j' . , ",".' ,:,.. ".". ~. J .. _" ..,~,.-:..c•.:c.."",-~~,.1J_:,'·:~ ·iI:~~:;~J~~·L~~~: .~:~.~·u~" _'_::w':~_~.". " ' 87th•• Armd FA En moved 11 s~ ptemb~r 1944 'Ih6 onanemy, mostly ir'.fantry The Ba tt Again the 87th Anna F.ci. Bn moved twice, continuf7j firing, !Eostly interdiction. fica Btry dct~ched fired 223 rounds. One plc;;.toori, Comp... ny !fA" 635 TD En attach0do 11... Se ptember 1944 Visibility poor, re<.in, fir·ad prep~r""tion fire to cle:r..r' to,m of Ei senborn for Cavalry & 9th Inf Di vII little other firing. Visibility poor, rain, registration including TD' s, fired inter diction ;;>nd direct support missions. On th", wh01e little artill~ry ... ctivity. "A" and "311 Btr",fs c.ovt3ring ~ast sector-Hell stry hdndllng missions to North. 16 s~ pt~mbe r 194L~ B::tt~r visibility-:... oved to new position, neutNlized encu,:.y ba.ttery firing ne;;..r there v;ith Count(;tr BattQ)ry firGs~ 17 Se ptemb",r 1944 Rain, no visibility, no interdiction missions_ Fired prep;,;.Ntion I, firel for attiick into Fort t';fahlerscherd, large tOirget at Udenbreth taken under fire by batt.-tlioDo t 18 Se pt*lIlber 1944 Poor v.isibillty, little arti1l~ry 19 September 1944 Battalion in position 11.ear Rocherath.. Encn:y artillery f,;ll in the position inflicting a few ca.sual ti~s. Ba ttalion displaced to vicinity of \.t;:irtzfeld ~.nd continued mission of direct support during th0 day. and he<).vy ha.rassing i..nd interdiction at night .. , 20 september 1944 Investigation of town of Rocherath uncovered thrcli: enemy agents, causing belief that enen,y fires the previous dBY vwre observGd and directed. T~.ctic:al mission rl'ilIli«.ins the S 21 september 1944' No change .. 22 September 1944 )3S.ttalion displaced locally" 5i tuG. tion ren:i1ins· unch",nged" ------_.- '11. . . 23 soptember 1944 Command Post displaced locaI~'o SituatioD rerrdns unch,mgG'.d.' 24 sc ptembcr 1944 Situationu..rlCh...nged" IncIen.ent weather slowing down operations!> 2 5 .sep~e_m~cr~9t4 situation unchOlngGld.. P1 :\.\ ,:;- , I :~k'40..~' ~;' ;;. ~ ~' . -.. .. , l_~.'L .:: ~.._ .' RESTRICTBJ The 37th A.nnd FI\ ?n est.. bli shed :"0 C!'.:1"e. ::n~ILY shelled .. r~ .. , but ceased after this batt.lion ; ..... ~ndsd 96 rounds on a "shell report" of th.ir position. ~,;o ch.. r,::~ in t .. ctic.1 situ.. tion. l:.jor Gellor.. 1 COll.INS, VII Corps (pn.r:... nding Gonlilrii.l, a"H ..rd.d nledau to 12 men of this bat t.lion in jd'1nt ceren.ony with ths 4th C.. v GP, 1~.cz. 30 Ssptembsr 194.4 t;o ci'l.nGe in t .. ctic...1 situ..tion. Adv-.nce d.t-.i1s froLfl V Corps IInter.d .. r301. in prep;o.r",tion to tolking over. For thtJ Batt.lion COII1Illander: ~~~ RICHARD B HOLST Major FA Bn Ex O. 'RESTRICTED .;l, RESTRlClm ... Ltr fr 37th. Armel FA Bn, file ~l).l. s:lb~ect, "Aft9r Action fi.pt". £">1' month of October ~J+, dated 6 Nov 1'1: J~. vJ~to~ 1st Ind K I :~t;A;J,'_;A.1T£n.S 'ill CO:r·.PS. j~.P.O. ;1)7. U.s. Arny. 9 NOV '944 '1'0: TI1e Adjutant General. Washiru;ton 25, D.C. ('l':mu: Com;:J8nding General, First united States'"'Army. (Res.r). A.r.,"). 2?C. U.S. Army). I' .' _;. ~ ... ". . 2 Inc hI" nle "~l'" ,1 U j~l!v ,d44 . - , , ' " HtiDQUIu_ &AS 811'H _'V~IIII Oltice of the Battalion CC8I&nder APO ltBber 230, US A:rrq -----'.----' ." ItoTeltber 1944~'\ \0~ subjectr Reports Atter Action Againet the BneIV. To • '!he Adjutant (]Ineral, washington 25, DC. , Cthru 11111t&r7 Channels) r:z!, .. In cOlRpliallCe with paragraph 10, AR 345-J.05 dated 18 loftlllber 1929 as amend8d. b7 ChaDP 3 dated 9 lIarch 1943, the following. report atter action against the eniao ill eubmitt.U- . a. OriRnal tJnitl (1) J)eSignations lat. Battalion, 87th Field Artille~ (llecUaanized). (2) Date of Organisations Ju:Q- 15, 1940. (3) Place ot Organisations Fort. D- DaYls, Caw ZOM. (4) Authol"i't7 tor·OrganizatioDS 1at. Battalion, .87th Field Art.illery acti"fated pI.1I'8U&nt to Genal'lLl Order to 3), Jq pao.a CalBl Depart- . meDt., 10 Jul¥ 1940, all1 l.t.t.er, AG 580 (4-300.40)11.0, ar Depart _at, 14 June 191.0 (5) sourc.. traa 1Ib1ch personnel was obtaineds Ca) Officers: BY tranater frca 2Dd Field ArtiUe17; (b) lDliated men. By transter trca 13th IDtant17_ b. Chra;,ill 0f!aa1u.tioIU (1 Cb&iie Ii aeapatlon ot units Mona. (2) ChaJl&e 111 TabU. ot Organization. IfoMe (,) AttacbRenta aDd J)etachaental see Appendix 1, Harrative Report on operatioDe.tor the month of October 1944 c. ~.h, eo-Laa1oned and. eDl1ated. F beiGUitii or p.rIOdr COMiteaionedl 1, CoIIIII1asioned ("serve). 32, .1'1"&1& otticera. " }g1l1.tecls 157, Bnliated (rellerve). 0, Select!.," semeal 325. (2) .t !.nonaae dur.l.D& perioell CCIII1.a1oMCh 0, C~.ld.oned (resem) I 2, warrant Offic.r•• 0, lDliatecll 0, IDl1steel (re"l'W). 0, S.leoti.. sam.oa. 12. (3) .at el.oreue cl1ar1aI pa1''1041 a-lIlAoneclt 0, Cmm.aa1oDed (re..ne), 0, aznat Oftio.... 1, DU..... )~ .u.1ated (re••~), 0, . aeleoU.. S.rno.. I. . .. IU'.!!a' !t6'J.!'Ii...· s" ~lIUl1lt 1, larratift Report on .,." .... :tOrni , "I.r 19lft4;e •• .rou. ... .,pelMllz 1, ..zwati.....pozt;~ o..ratiou tor the aoDt.h 2. r 1...... t.. ,.".'...... -.,alp ill ...... ,.. .. . gl!l Battles: See Appendix 'Of october 19440'. h~ Commanding Officers in important. engagements: 1"1) Engagement: Present campaigliin western Europeo (2) Name: Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE F BfLRBERo i~ Losses in action, officers and enlisted men~ TI)Engagement: Present 'ca:mpaign in weS'tem Europe" (2) Names: second lieutenant EDWARD KLINGE and Private George E Canarleo (3) Killed: Nonco . (4) Wounded: Second Li.eutenant EDWARD KLINGE and Private George E canarie .. ( 5) Mi ss::i.ng~ None" (6) 'raken Prisaner: None~ jo Former ~E.5! present .membe~ .!!!!£ ~ distinguished themselves il!, action: "[I'J'""Engagement: Present campaign in western Europeo (2) Names: Captain FERn L MOYSE» First Lieutenant ROY H NELSON $ JR., second Lieutemnt ALVIN. COWlING JR.::> First sergeant Chester A Block, staff sergeant Charles A curtis.., Sergearlt ROy E Horton, Private George E Ganaric@ (3) For heroic achievement in action against the enemy; for wounds received in action against t. he enenw J and for heroic conduc t and outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemY4 (4) captain FERD L MOYSE was awarded the Distinguished Unit Badge for heroic conduct and outstanding perfcrmance of duty in action against the ene1W' during the assault of the coast of Normandy, France;" captain MOYS.E ",ras attached to Hq & Hq Btry,S2d AlB Div Arty during the period for vihich that unit wa.s citedi' per authority contained in Letter, Hq, 82nd AlB Div, APO 469, US Ar.n~, dtd 12 October 19440 Fi rst Li eutenant ROY H Nh'1.,SON , JR was awarded the ?.lrple Heart for wounds recaived in action against the enemy in Germal1.y on 18 Oct ober 1944" Per authority contained in General Orders Number J J HqJl 87th Arend FA. Bn, APO 230, dated 20 October 19440 Second Lieutena,nt ALVIN Cmf".LING JR was awarded the Bronze star for heroic achievement in action against the enemy i.n France on 2 August 1944" Per authority contained in Genera.l Orders N'urrber 67» EqJ) Third ArmoredDiv, APO 253, dated 7 October 1944,. First sergeant Chester A Block was awarded the Bronze star for heroic achievement in action against the enerr.y in Fra.Y1ce on 15 and 16 August 1944.. Per authority contained in General Orders Nutnber 80, Hq, Third Armored Div, APO 253, dated 25 Dc tober 1944.. staff sergeant Charles A Curtis was awarded the Bronze sta.r for heroic achievement in action against the enemy in France on 2 August 1944~ Per authority contained in General Orders Nu:nber 63, Hq, Third Armored Div, APC 253, dated 1 October 1944" sergeant ROY E Horton was awarded the Purple Heart for ·wo:.mds ;received in action against the enemy in Germarv on 18 October 1944.. Per autho:city contained in General Orders Number 4, Hq, 87th Armd FA l3-?l; jI..PO 230, ciated 24 o:;tober 19440 PrivateOOeoll"ge: E Canarie \\6.5 awarded the Bronze star for heroic achievement in action against the enemy in France on 15 and J..£ August 1944.. Pel" authority contair.ed in Genl!'ral Orders Number 80, Hq; Third Arlr:ored Div~ APO 2533 dated 25 October 194411 k" !:e.otograg~ oftrso~" important sce~s .2! ~__. Unit Jourrk'll o.nd supporti.ng document-sOli Fe r the Ba. tta.1ion Comrrandert , \ . . } i 2 Inch: 1 "'" Appendix ifI , Narrative Report on operations for month of Qctober1944... 2 .... Appendix #2, Unit Journal and supporting P'iperso HR~DQJlRS ~7!:!JMTrAU~RIGTm Office of the Battal ion Commander APO Nu!nber 23Q~ US Army APPE~Tf)I X #1 6 November 1944 NARRATIVE OF ACTION AGAINST THE ENEL'Y FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 1944 1 October 191+4 No change in tactical situation.. 2 October 1944 Battalion :relieved by 400th Armored Field Artillery Battalion.. Bat talio.n less "C'" Battery moved at 1400 hours to positions in vicinity K92527·', SW of Roetgen, Germal".\7c "C" B!lttery in position at 889208 supporting 24th cavalry Squadron.. Battalion closed in new positions at 1715 hourso All IIe.·terie1 present. 3 October 1944 No change in tactical situation. 4. October 1944 Command Po at moved to farm house at 9222770 5 october 1944 A. Btr,y mcved to alternate pas:! tion 920270.. Regular interdiction and harassing fires .. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 october 1944 No change in tactical situation.. 11 October 1944 Regular interdiction and harassing fire::,. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 October 1944 No change in tactical situationo 18 October 1944 Situation still stattco 19, 20, 21, 22» 23, 24, October 1944 No change in tactical situation.. 25 October 1944 Effective 1200A 87th Ar.nored Field Artiller.y Battalion and. 4th cavalry Group, Mechanized attached to V corps for operations onlya 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 October 19440 For the Battalion COlrl.l'nander: .Q;'1\ _\i~ RIC~ST Major FA 3n Ex. 0 icESTRlcrm 4.d I. , , ' Ltr Fr 87tih. Armd ~A I" File 319 .. 1, suos (tArter- Aotion Report" for the month of Sap 1944" dated 5 Oct 440 319 .. 1 1st Ind K -~ :~. I' /. 1...J i...,: ...1 fQ"'7~ TO: '.i.'he Adjutant General,\) Washington; D.C. ('l'HRU: Commanding General, First UoSe ArmygA~PoOo 2309 UoS. Army)a ~t:.c::;.-.. " 2 Inola"" o/c t~~ I:Rpf'l 4\1~- >• ~., .. , \lEAD~U~~ER~ (':1H ARMORED nELD ARTI.I.../..Uo.l!ln,.l.~-'o.n..~,.l..t1.J.f~ Office Glf the BattaliGE. CG.mm.alilder cAPO Number 230~ US Army!."" ., ,~ : 4 Jam. uar y ',1 Subject: Reperts After Acti0Jl. Against the Enemy. Tti The Adjutaat GeReral, Washingt0n 25, DC. (tJ.u:u mi1ita:;,y ohaJilRe1s). ' RESTRICTED In c omp1ianca with paragraph 10, Jill 345-105 dated 18 lifIDvember 1929 as amended by 'change 3 dated £) March 1943, the following report after actioID. a~aililst the enemy is submitted: ~. Origililal Umit; .<.., (1) Desigmatisn: 1st Battali'i)E., 87th Field Arti,llery (Mechan.i zed) • (2) Date ef Organization: July 15, i940. (3), Place <:)f Organizati0lil: F0rt William D~ DaviS, Panama Ganal ZGne. , (4) AuthG}rity for Orgallizatisfl: 1st Battali€ln,,8?th • Field Ax'tillery activated pursuant to Gel>l.eral Order Ne. 36, Hq Panruna Canal Department, 10 July 1940, aad letter, AG 580 \4 30-40) M-O, War :qepartmen.t, 14 June 1940. ' 15) Sour c.es fram whi ch pers0.lilRel was ®btaililee.: (a) Officers: By transfer fr@ID 2nd Field Artillery; (b) Enlisted IVlen: By tran sfer frGIrl 13th .Infij,ntry. . b. Changes in Organizati(1)l'l: (1) Changes in desigR8tion of unit; Nene. (2) Change in Tables ®f Organizati0m: NeRe. (3) Attachments and DetachmeRts; See Appendix #1, Narrative Report en eperatiel1s for the m®n.th 01; Decemoer 1944. c. strength. CGn~missiened aftd emlisted: , (1) At beginning of Period:' C®ml11issi®med-l, C01mnissie.lll.ed (reserve)-33, 'Warrant Officers-2, Elllisted-155, EJalisted ,(reserve)-- • 0, Selective Service-338.· , :~~ (2) Net increase during Pericd: Cem..rnissi0ned'-O, CG1!lmiss;" ioned (reserve)-O, Warrant Officers-a, Enlisted-a, En.listed (re serve)-O, Selective Service-O. " (3) Net e'1ecrease during Peri®d: Ce.mmissi@ned-O, CGill-' Elissioned (reserve)-iI:, Warrant Officers-a, Enlisted-2, Enlisted {reserve)-O S~lecti'Ve Service:f5. , ' (4J:ttt end of Period: Cemmissiened-l, Cemmissi®Pl..ed . (reserve)-32, ~:farr8nt Officers-2, Enlisted-153, Enliste'd (reserve) 0, Selective Se~vice-333. d. Stations of U!lit or Harts thereef: See Appendix #1, -Ii: Narrative report ®11 operatit9l1s f®r th e rp.0l'lth ef December 1944. (-~) RESTRICTED ---- eo Marches~ See Appendix #1. Narrative R epert on operatians f~l' the m.onth of December 1944. fe Ca.n:. Daigns : Present Campaign in Wes term Eur @pe • 8,. Battles~ See Appe.l.1dix #1, Narrative RepGrt '(DFl eperatiens for the month of Decemb er 1944. Co.Hlmanding Offic ers in imper tant engagement s: (1) Engagel1leflt; Presen t campaign in 'vVestern Europe. (2) Name: J:..ieutenant C010nel Gee>rge F. Barber. Losses in actien. officers aRd enlisted men: (1) Engagemen t: Present campaign ia Viestern Eurepe. (2) Names= Technician Fifth Grade Raymend P®rter. (3). Killed: TechRician Fit th Grade Rayma>n.d Porter. (4) Wounded:- None. ( 5) Taken Pri seme r: None. . 1. Former and pr esen t mem bers wh0 have distinguished the m , s 61v e s in a c ti 011 : (I) Engagement: Present campaign in Western Europe. (2) Names: Fir st Lieutenants Joseph C Meudy J Maur ic e E L€)"wks, w'ld Jeh1-1 F McCarthy Jr, Sec0nd Lieut61'Jal'lt Rebert T Stites, Staff Sergeant Tad Kiebzak, Sergeants Anth0RY Peliks, aRd ClifteR F Edgerton, aad Techflician Fourth Grade Everett R Dugdale 0 ,_ . (3) For hereic achieve.ment ifl acti 01& agai RSt the enemy, for meritori0us achievement while participatiNg ifl aerial, flight against the eflemy, and f0r woundsrec,eived in actien against the eJaemy. (4) First Lieuterum,t J0seph C ,Moudy was'award.ed the Purple Heart Medal f0r W®UI'lds received in enemy action in Fran,ce on 2 August. Per autherity General Orders Number 6, Hq, 87th Armd FA Bn, dated 18 December 1944. " Fir st Lieut e.naR t Maur ic e E Lowks was aV·Jsrded ,a SecoRd Bronze Oak-Leaf Clus ter in additi OFl to the Air Medal pr6vi ®usly awarded formeri t®riou.s achievement whi1e. parti~ipating in aerial flight) haviE.g c empleteGi. the required Rumber 0f~perati0Ral s0rties agaiE.st the eFlemy fr0.m 29 August to 11 S:eptember 1<;9;44 il1 France and Belgium. ,Per autherity Gelileral Ord.erE; Nlimber84'~ Hq, VII Ce'J:'p s, dated 12 December 1 944. . . . ,.. . :B"'i rst Lieut 611a.n:t J ehn F .McCarthy J r'· vya.-s award,ed the BroRze, Star Medgl fer meriteri"t\)us service in suppert ~f active 'cembat- operati0Rs frem gJu..ae to 1 August 1944 in Frru:.~0,:e'•. .. ~,]~C~ ~q;~CfJ o ~'.~U~U'l . '1["- Y"~ ,- ·I·r.... ~'r· '""'!!I'il~••_ .. \ ", (,...... , ~ADQUAh...:.tks 87TH ARMOR:a:r) 'F!EL~" , . at'fice of the Battalion OO_r:l~r pio NUIllber 230} US' .~..... ,,"~/ .' , . . , ,-' 4 Jap.uary 1945 \ . APPENDIX ---NUMBER 1. NARRATIVE'OF AC1'ION AGAINsT THE ENEMY FOR.THE 'MCfiTH OF BEJEMBER~1944 • ••• .' ' .. 'I, r , • . .. '.~ '. l. December 1944 - The 87th Armored 'Field Artillery Battalion in positicm in Weisweiler, Germ&1\'V (vK9948) supporting 104th Irif'ant17' DiVision ArtillerT, re enforcing t~ fires of the 385th' F.Leld Artillery Battalion and in general support of the 929th Field Artillery' BattaliGno Fair Weather" 2 December 1944 - The Battalion fired preparation fires~tarting atH~O .. mir:Jll~e's (2200 hours) lasting about 4 hours. Harrassing, and cGunter....ttackmissio~s during early morning notn's. .. . 3 December 1944 - At 1053 hours the 87th Armd FA Bn fired its 100,OOOth' rourxi', ~ll ~s fi red simultaneously. 4. December 1.944 - large quantity of ammunition was expended on a big counter-attack, • but only light interdiction.. fires for the day. 5 December 1944'" :eatteries were first of Division Artiller.v to fire defensive barrages. at count.er-atltack in early morni ng e At 1830 hGurs firErl missions Gn another counter...a.ttack on Lucherberg, G~rnaqy. Also fired emergency barrage at 2215 hours with.good effect. Expended 1423reunds 'from" 0600 to 1800 hours. Batta.lio·n reenfotcing fires of the 929th Field ArtillerY Battalion. 6 December 1944 olio Light emmunition expenditures for the. day. 7 & 8 December 1944 ... Con1;.inued to reenforce the 929th FA Bn, light ammunition expenditureo 9 I)ecem'Qer 1944 - Battalion OP established in Lucherberg, Germaqy.' I..'iiht _unition e:xpendi t ure s. 10 ~cember 1944 - During night of. 9/10 December Battalion, fired 28 harrassing missi0ns. 11 'December 1944 - Battalion eoved to Frenz, ~rmany (wF,625tS) at 1400 hou~s, closed in new position at 15l;'hours, supporting l04th Infantr.r Division Artillery 0 Weather-fair6' Battalion fired 385th FA Ens night . mission.~ because they were bombed about dusk. 12 Dece.rnb'er' 1944 - l:'I'eather rainy. Light night missions, usual quota of TOT'so 13 December 1944 - Weather raiqy. Fired preparation missions for attack on, Shophaven, Germany, 'Which was taken. . 14 December 1944 - Weather rainy. 87th A.rmd FA Bn fired 0nly 35 rounds dur.i'l&.dQ'1 Battery "0" recebred some ene~ large caliber rounis in their vic inity. BESTR'CTEi RESTRICTED ~j 15 December 19..4 - Batta1ion-"'reli.eved from assignment supporting l04th Infantzy D?- vi 5 ion Arti11ery, and mow d to Brand, Ge mali (vK8841) for Maintenance period at 0915 hours, closed at 1130 hOUrso No missions. 16 & 17 !)9cember 1944 - No missions, rest a.rrl maintenance at Brand, GermCJ1Y. 18 December 1944 - German Air Force active, one.EM from Service Battery killed from falling flak; 1 EM f rom Battery flAil killed by accidental discharge of 050 caliber machine guIlo No mis sions. . 19 December 1944 - No missions, rest and maintenance at Brand, ~rma.~o 20, 21, & 22 l»Cenober 1944 - NO mis sionso 23 December 1944 - 87th Armd FA :sn left Brand, Germarw at 0930 hours, route of march into Belgium through Aachen, 09rmany, Liege, Belgium, to destination a.t Ochain, Belgium, closed in new positions at 2000 hours. Bat,.:. talion 8,ttached to the second Al,nored Dlvisiono ,No missions• .21+ I)3cember 19..4 - 87th Armd FA Bn moved to battle positions at 1315 hours, closed at 1515 hours in Mc:nin, ~1gium (vp1694). No inissions-weather fair. 25 ~cember 19+4 - Batta1ioo moved out of position at Ci>30 hours, closed in new positions S)utheast of Ciuey, Belgium (vP129P) at 0930 hours. 87th Armd FA B'l in· diI'ect support of Task Force "B" of Combat Command "B", Second Armore'd Division. successful attack seizing Sainne, Belgium, relieved at 0025, 26 December by 'IF "A It of CC"BtI. DUring attack fired nunber of missions at enemY infantry arxl"tanks in woods, fire very effective. 26 D3cember l~ - At 1600 hours Battalion moved out of position, c10.sed in new pos! tion in Bragards, .Belgium (vPll89) at 1715 hours. Ba tter,y "C" stayed in old position ovemi31t. Night attack to mop up woods lIli8st of conjoux:, Belgium, 1903 rounds eK:pEIlded • 27 !)9cember 1944 ... Battery "C" closed in new battalion position at 0900 hours. Battalion moved at 1500 hours to conjoux, ~lgium (yp1¢85), closed at 1650 hours. Our fires broke up countel'-attack west of Conjoux: casued large enemy damage. }39.ttalion supported ~ttack ,of Task Force "B" on· Custinne all:d Verre, Belgium. Weather, f'oggJ'o 28 Dec ember 1944 - Moved out of position at 132:> hours ,closed .. at 1425 in new position at custinne, Belgi un (v!::¢983). Cont3.cted British on our boundaries•.. Weather stU1 foggy. . 29 December i~4 - '!be 87th Armd FA Bn to reenforce fires of the 83rdFiela"~'Brit~sh),'.. Regt, of 53rd Infantry Division, 158tb ~rigade, UX(BritisQ.x:eorpso , ' . 30 December r\).·.·~ ~. i o o ~ ~UIJ.ll!!)Uf.?lll) • :'\. ---...... : ~ .__"",",","__-,-~.____"--__.__' --.-.....,..-.- ...... ~- - .----.- -' -... - -: ;-v:-=:._= _. _.;;..~ .. ~. ~""- ---~---:;,.-:-. The following image(s) may be of , poor quality due to the poor quality of the original. \ \ .._--_._------_. ------._---. --- _. ------_._------_._---_._----_.-----_._--- .-. -' 1 IJ~_' ~ I( - t---. HEADQ,UARTERS ~)rH LLm.j~ATTALION , I Office of_the Battalion Commander .... ' I APO Number 230, US Army \.__F_~~~_' : I :L. -l I .u. -. I 3 February 1945 ~ r; i I \..-.;. t I . :.• 1_..::r l I Subject: Reports After Aotion Against the Enemy. ,~_ II r . C>cl~ ./ ': To .• The Adjut8I!t· Gener8.l., Washinston 25, DC. . (thru military channels). ~_l /, , . In comp11anee with paragraph 10, AR 345-105 dated 18 November 1929 as amended by Change 3 dated 9 March 1943, the :following report after action against the enemy is submitted: A. Original Unit: (1) Design~tion': 1St Battalion, 87th Field 'Artillery (Mechanized)'. - ,'. . (2) .Date of Organization: 15 July 1940. . (3)· Place of' OrganizatIon: Fort William'D. Davis, - .' Panama Canal Zone. _ (4) ..Authority for Organization: 1st .Battalion, 8.7th . I . Field Artillery. acti:vated pursuant to G_eral Order No. 56i~Hq Panama. Canal Department, 10 July 194:0, aad letter, All 580 \4- I 30-40) M-O, War Department, 14 June 1.94Q. '.- . - (5) Sources from which persoDllel was .obtain.l·: .-(~a'),: Officers: - By transfer from 2nd Field Artill,e~Y"; , ·(b') .. tn'~a.',e4 III Men: By,transfer from 13th Infantry,. , ~l~; .....>~ .. ~; • ~, , I. "':'...~~~ '. I '. .h. . Obanp;es !a OrsAAization:' , . 6e M:a.rches: See Appendix #1.. Narrative Report on oper= atlons for the month of January 1945.. 1... £..~a..isp.§.: Presen -t Campaign in Western Europe If} 8,.. Battles: See Appendix #1» Narrative Report on oper= a.tions for the month of January 1945" h.. Commanding .9fficers .!l1. imp.,2! tant 6a~emen t!t= (1) Engagement: Presen t campaign in Western Europe" (2) Name~ Lieutenant Colonel George F.Barbero 10 Losse...§. .lli~tioll, ,9fflcers ~~!lgsted ~: (1) Engagement: Present Campaign in Western Europe" (2) Names: First Lieutenants Otto A@ Zink and Dulaney Cs Logan1) Second Lieutenant Alvin Cowling p Sergeant Roy Eo Horton, Technicians Fifth Grade Jack C.Gardner and John Ro Cruse, Privates First Class Michael C" Perfetto and Gilbert 0.. CrovJ-Eagle, and Private Francis W.. Shimmel 0 . (3) Killed: Second Lieutenant Alvin Cowling~ Sergeant Roy Eo Horton, and Technician lJ'ifth Grade Jack C~ Gardner" (4) Wounded: First Lieuter~nts Otto A" Zink and Dulaney C$ Logan, Technician Fifth Grade John Re Cruse, Privates First Class Michael Ce Perfetto and Gilbert 0 0 Crow Eagle $ and Pri.vate Fran 01 s W\) Shimmel .. (5) Taken Prisoner: None., 10 Former ~ Rresent ~embers who ~ distinguished themselves :tn action: ~~--.--~-- -- (1) Engagement: Present campaign in Western Europee (2) Names: First Lieutenant l\,laurice E .. Lowks and Sergeant Anthony Polikso (3) For meritorious achievement while participating in aerial. flight against the enemyo . (4) First Lieutenant Maurice Eo Lowks was awarded a Third Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster in addition to the Air Medal previously, awarded for meri.torious achievement while participat ing in aerial flight~ having completed the required number of operational sorties against the enemy from 11 September to 4 Ootober 1944 in Belgium and Germany. Per authority contained in General Orders Number 3, Hq, v~I Corps, APO 307, US ~~y~ dated 20 January 19450 ' Sergeant Anthony Poliks was awarded a Second BrOn136 Oak-Leaf Cluster in additi on to the Air Medal previously awarded for. meritorious achievement whlls;-'perticipating in aerial flight, having completed the requir ad n1.UllOer of ope r ational sorties against the enemy from 22 Septalloer to 30 Nov... ember 1944 in Belgi urn M'd Germanyo Per authority contained in General Orders Number 3, Hq, VII Corps, APO 307 J dtd 20 Jan 45 0 The following image(s) may be of poor quality due to the poor quality of the original. "\ o o o o , . I '!;,:,' ," , ':::,?~;;~~' ~i~&@ffi\!§~ J1~® o o o , ,Hj \I ~~~~~ ~§ ~~w}o ~ ~~:=;~~~~\~ ~~ ~~ ~ r;m~~~ @@.ffi~o ~'~.:'.;.?'..~.~:.' •.:-;::::".:;'" ~~ ~ ~@~~ ~o w~~ @~D ~.. ;,,:,,~,. ,-,.~- ~~~0 ~~ oo\fffi@)§ ~~O '",' ~ ~~O 'il@~ ~~~ @)~~~~ ~ @1~ ~D(§fi§{} ~O 0 o 2!@ aJ0!1l!§l:W J},~ ill® 2ffi~o lliV aJ~ J},@ffi &$ &G.ffi\!ffi~\\ J},~ ~~~ 21m ~@~ @§@! ~~@ ~o E2?1 &~ 21~ @oo ®Sill1~ ~ ~ ~~o ~ ~®!,® 2}ffi@OO~~o ~o ~D §mO ~D ~ &~ J1~ ~O ffi'@2lffi~~@o ~ ~o W &[ffi~ 21IDffi) ~25> ~W!, ~~ ~~ 0\5 J1~ ~@ ~ ",' ~~~~~~@TI,(®~ 1!®/MJE 1I~.; @o , @IDo ~D ~D ~ &gm~~ J1~ ~D ~~~D ~@l ~o 0 o II •~.' ! ; iii III III! ~ - I '" ,..': . t J~~ . . . . .' r, 87T! ". FIELD"·ARTILVm:t BATTALI'ON"I~1IIV ·'~!i..~,.~;U:iV~R~~'~· 'lJ8;,~i' ... 3 March 1945 ,Subject: Reports After Action Against the Eilemy duri~g the month of February 1945. To The Adjutant General" Washington 25, DC. (thru military channels). In compliance with paragraph 10, AR 345-105 dated 18 November 1929 as amended by Change 3 dated 9 March 1943, the following report'after action against the enemy for the month of Februa17 '1945 is 'submitted: , : ) ~. Original Unit: ! ", (1) Designation: 1st Battalion, 87th Field Artillery (Mechanized). (2) Date of Organization: July 15, 1940. , ( 3) Place of Organization: Fort Vdlliam D.' Davis,' Panama Canal Zone. ,J. (4) Authority for Organization: 1st Battalion, 87th field Artillery activated pursuant to General Orders No. 36, Hq Panam8. Canal Department, 10 July 1940, and letter, AG 580 (~f')p,-40) M-t, War Department, 14,June 1940. , , (5) Sources from which· personnel was obtained: (a) Officers: By transfer from 2nd, Field Artillery; (b) Ehlisted iDen: By transfer from 13th , InfBD~ry. ,I I, Ch~ges in Organization: rt r! (1) Change in designation of unit: None. I (2) Change in Tables of Organization: None. l , _ , (3) Attachments and Detachments: See Appendix Number 1, Narrative . ,Report on operations for the month of February 1945. I, e' .,2,. strength, Commissioned and Ehlisted: ~; I (1) At beginning of period: Commissioned: 1, Commissioned (reserve ); 32, warrant Officers: 2, Enlisted: 148, Enlisted (reserve): 0, Selective Ser vice: 338. ',' (2) Net increase during period: Commissioned: 0, Commissioned .... (reserve): 0, Warrant Officers: 0, Enlisted: 1, Enlisted (reserve): 0, Selective Service: o. . ,( 3) , Net' decrease during period: Commissioned: 0, Commissioned (res~rve): 0, Warrant Officers:O, Enlisted: 0, Enlisted (reserve): 0, Selective Service: S. (4) At end of period: Commissioned: 1, Commissioned {reserve}: 32, , Warrant Off~c~rs: 2, Enlisted: 149, Enlisted (reserve): 0, Selective Service: 330. I ,1 ,i !!. Sta.tions of unit or parts thereof: $ee Appendix Number 1, riarrative ./ Report on operations for the month of February 1945. " I ~. .!. Marches: See Appendix Number 1, for the month of February 1945. , I ' IESmrCTED' !: ,,.,. -,f \II (r-" .. (~. t" \.\_j !. - Campaigns: Present RESTRICTED !!.Commanding· Officers in 1L-nportantengagements:, (~) Engagement: Present campaign Germallj" (NO.2). C.2) Name:., Lieutenant Colonel George F. Barber. 1. tosses in action', officers and enlisted men: . (~) Engagement: Present campaign Germany (No.2). (2) Names: Privates John -C. Tasco and Gavino Sanchez. (.3) Killed: None. . (4) Wounded: Privates John C. Tasco and Gavino Sanchez. (5) Taken 'Prisoner: None. 1. Former and present members who have distinguished tIlemse1.ves in action: (1) Engagement: Present- campaign Germany (No.2). (.2) Names: Major Richard B Ro1st, First Lieutenant Robert C Campbell. Jr, Technician Fourth Grade Virgil. F stander, and Corporal. Ha.rr.Y N Ericson. - (3) Act: For meritorious a!!hievement whi1e partiCipating in aeria1 night against the enemy and for wounds received in ac'tion against the enemy'. (4) Major Richard B Holst was awarded a Purple Heart Medal. for wounds race!vad in action against the enemy in France on .2 August 1944. Per author!ty contained in General. Order Number 8, Hq, 87th Armd FA Bn, dated 1.6 February ~~45. First Lieutenant Robert C Campbe~ Jr ~as awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, a second :Bronze Oak-Leaf Cl.uster, and a third Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster in add!tion to the Air Medal. previousl;y awarded for meritonous achieve ment while participating in aerial. flight, having comp1eted the required number . of operational. sorties agains the enemy frOlll 28 July to 'Z7 August 1944 in France, . from 27 August to 8 September 1944 in France and Belgi:um, and from 9 September to 2l September 1944 in Belgium. Per authority contained in General Orders Number 6, Hq, VII Corps, !PO 307, dated .27 February 1945.' , TeC?hnician Fourth Grade Virgil. F Stander Vias aViarded a Purple Heart Med8J. for wounds received in action against the enemy in Bel.gium on ·9 Janllal7 1.945 per authority contained in General Orders Number 8, Hq, 87th Armd FA Bn, dated 16 Februar.y 1.945. Cor-poral Harry' N Eribson was awarded a Purpl.e Heart Medal. for wounds received in action against the enemy in France on J August 1945 per authority contained in General Orders Number 8, Hq, 87th Armd FA Bn, dated 1.6 February ~945. . !.. P~tographs of personnel., important scenes or events. None. 1-uZ~ G'RG~BARBERa Lie~enant Colonel, FA Commanding . RESTRICTEQ I (r~" , ,¥ Ltr fr Rq ·Tlth Armd FA Bn, file 319.1, sub: E~,pqr1:;s .Aft-e 319.1 1st Ind. K: I' :!EAWlJARTZRS VII cores. ~o 307. u. S. Army,., ~ 1 MAk :345 TO: ..The Adjl.ltant General. ·~~ashington • .p.C •. :(T.!RU: Ccmnnanding Gene.ral# .First Unhed states lrmy (Rear). AP0230~ U.S. Army). /..' 2 In<;:ls: ~Incl 1 - Narrative of Action Incl 2 - Un i t J ourna1 0t fJ7 tJn ,- Armd FA Bn. ,'" ..... 1 .... ,;..;..... .. : .... . ~'Ir'""... !.,z....; -.~ :: ....!' . .,'., " ..... ; :: ~ > - ) ~, .J /'-', l/-'\ .P ( \ 1 '0 "- HEADQUARrERS 87TH ARMORED FIELD ARI'ILLERY BATTALION APO 230, US Amy 3 March ~945 NARRATIVE OF ACTION AGAINST THE ENEl4Y FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARl; 1945 APPmnIX 4 1 F~bruar.r 1945 87th Armored Fiald Artillery' Battalion in Rest Area at Vieuxvil.l.e, Belgium (vP450020). 2 FebruaI'7 1945 No, change in situation. 3 February 1945 Battallon pl.aced on a 24 hour alert by Headquarters, VII Corps Artil18J:7• 4 February 1945 All. Un!ts of VII Corps Artillery move into new Corps Sector, 87th Ar,md FABn move effective 5 Februar,y 1945. 5 Februar.r ~945 87th Al'md FA Bn is under Corps Contro1. Battalion moved out of positioD at 1700 hours. Order of March--Btrys C, A, Service, Headquarters, and B. Route' of March-Vieuxville, qwai.lle" Rou champs, Louve1gne, Theaux, Pepinster, Verviers, llUpen, and Eynattan Belgia, and Korne1.1munster, ~,;to Assembly Area at Dorff, Gennany' (vK919.390). During hours of darkness used h9adligbt~ column had some difficul.t)" on "beaten-up" roads in Gennany'. 6 February 1945 87th Armd FA an closed in Assembly Area at Dorff,Germ~ at 00.30 hours. 7 February- 1945 Battalion released from VII Corps Artillery Control and attached to 104th Infantry 'Division Artillery. Battalion ordered to move up under cover of darkness or rain on 8 February ready for their attack on the lOth of February ~945. . 8 FebJ;"U&l7' 1945 87th Armd FA an moved at 1700 hours under cover of dusk and darkness. Closed successi'u.ll.y in new positions at Echtz, Germany (wF07l484) at 1935 hours. Battallon in General Support of the l04th Infantr;y Division Artillery reinforcing. 929th FieJ.d Artillery Battalion• 9 February 1945 Forward Observer #2(l.st Lt Kublsta) with 1st Battalion, 4lSth Inf Regiment, 104th Inf D1v. Liaison Officer #2 (2nd Lt Stites) with . 1st Battalion, 4l5tb Inf Regt,104th Int D1v • 1st Lt 0 'l,eal., Liaison Offioer #J. with 929th FA Bn, 104th In.f D1v. Attack post poned for 24 hours. 1.0 February 1945 No change in taotical. situat,1on. 11 Febr\uu",y 1945 No, change in tactical situation. , 12 ,Feb1'Ual.'7 1945 Brigadier General. palmer (VII Corps ArtUlery Commander) visited Command Post. Total. ammunitiOD expend!tures for day-46 rounds. j RES1RJCTED, j. )L-._.__~___~_~~___~~_~~~ , '. '>'~" ,Februe.l.7 194? .. 14 February .1945 1st Lt Dawson ralieved 2I;ld Lt Btites as LD 0 #2 with 1st Battalion, 415 lIsf Regt, 'l.04t~ hi .Il1~. 15 February 1945' .,T~ta1 ammunition ':expendit\ir8s for the ciay-:-l.6 rounds~ \ 16, 17, 18, 19; aJid 20 Februar-y 194~ No change in tactical. situation. 21 February 1945 Rq.~ RLvercrossing schedUled at 0.330 hours 2.3rd of February 1945. 22 Februa.I7 1945 No change in tactical. situat10n-No rounds expended for. period 150600 to 220600 February 1945. 2.3 February 1945 Battalion CO returned to CP from seven (7) day leave to l!Dgland.. Roer R1ver I crossing effected as scheduled. Initial landings made without serious resistance. This attack was preceded by a very ].arge artillery preparation. The Battalion exPending lBl..3 rounds. :m #2 Sergeant wounded in anti-personnel minefiald. He entered. minefield in an attempt to rescue two wounded infantrymen, all. tlu-ee men were later evacuated bY' German PW's. FO#2 (1st Lt Kubista) relieved by 2nd Lt Keeler, FO with 1st Bn, 415th In! Regt, l.04thInf Div. 24 Februal7 1945 Heavy night counter-attacks, heavy fire missions all day-Battalion _ expended ~g l'OUllds., Brigadier General. Woodward (104th Int Div Arty Comdr) vis!ted CF. 25 February- 1945 87th Armd FA Bn ralieved trom attaohment to lO4th In! Div Arty and atta.ched to 4th Caval.r.1 Group, Mechanized. Battalion moved at 09.30 hours, lover Hovan-Birkosdorff bridge, cl.osed in new positions at Huchem-Stammeln, Germ~ (wF.10251.8) at llOO hours, crossing Boer Hivar north of Duren, Germa.n;r. Short~ attar closing OF under mortar fire, one half track, 1. jeep, and 1 trai.ler damaged bY' shrapna1., no casual.ties. 1st Lt's Hughes and Hartwig, and Sgt Rakl..ovits m's with 24th Cavalry Squadron which passed through 1.04th Int Div sector at Oberzier and Ellen, Germal:Iy, attacking up through woods and reaching edge of woods. Battery ItB It fired 95 rounds in 2 minutes supporting attack. Total. expenditures-3209 rounds. Period 23 to 25' Februa.7-German Air Force very active, using jet-prope1.l.ed ME 262's-f'al.l.ing fisk thick in position areas. 26 F~ 1945 Preparation fires in morning were VfSq successful. Brought in . assualt howitzers of 24th and 4th Cavalry' Squadrons and 929th FA Bn. Later 1ea.rned that this fire forced abandonment of three 8Smm guns~ f'our 2Qmn AA guns, 1 40mm AA gun, and destroyed 1 SP gun. 24th Squadron penetrated to Air strip in woods, slow advance. Battalion fired. many missions during woods march. 372 rounds ex pended. 87th Armd FA Bn moved out of' position at 1245 hours, closed in new positions at Oberziar, Gel'man3' (lUUJ53~) at 1500 hours, Battery ''Bit remaining in o1d position to cover move. ~..1 The following image(s) may be of poor quality due to the poor quality of the original. "\ - =. < ~~=="<~<=-='~ ',"",,<~ ~=~"'t" o v o o o o o . . o o • o I ~ ,(-, r'-\, J. ~j '- ..,,,.,,, C<-:unpaigns: Present valDPl:Ug~ RESTRICTED ,&. Battles: See Appendix Number 1, Narrative Report on operations ..for the month of March 1945 h. Commanding Officers in important engagements: (1) Engagement: Present campaign Germany (No.2) (2) Names: Lieutenant Colonel George F. Barber' Major George A. Aubrey i. Losses in action, officers and enlisted men: (1) llhgaganent: Present campaign Germany (No.2) (2) Names: Lieutenant Colonel George F. Barber, First Lieutenant Lewis Yoffee, Technical. Sergeants Harry L. Williams and Roy W. Patterson, Technician Fourth Grade Sam Silverman, Technician Fifth Grade stanl.ey L Danielson, Private LeRoy J., Baker. (3) Killed: Technic!u. Sergeant Roy W. Patterson and Private LeRoy L.. Baker. (4) Wounded: Lieutenant Colonel George F. Barber, First Id.eutenant Lewis Yoffee, and Technician Fourth Grade Sam Silverman. (5) Taken Prisoner: None. (6) Missing: Technical Sergeant Harry L 'Willia.."tls and Technician Fifth Grade ~anley L. Daniel.son. 1. .Former and present members who have distinguished themseJ.ves in actio~l: (1) Engagemen~: Present campaign Germany (No.. 2). (2) Names: Lieutenant Colonel George F. Barber, First Lieutenants RobertC. C?.Jllpbell Jr, and John L. Berry, Sergeants Clifton F Edgerton and Roy E Horton, Technician Fourth Grade ~verrett R. Dugdale, and Priv&te First Class James V. Col.amatteo. (3) , Act: For exceptional services rendered during War Operations for the liberation of France, for heroic a~~evement,in action against the enemy, for meritorious services in action against the enemy, for meritorious achievement whil.e participating in aerial. flight against the enemy, and for wounds recBived in action against the en~. (4) Lieutenant Colonel. George F. Barber was awarded a Croix de Guerre avec Palme for exceptional services rendered during War operations for the liber ation of France. Per authority contained in Decision Number 343, La President du Government, Provisaire de la RepubUque Francaise, Chef des Armees, dite. A Itordre De 1.' Armee. FAIT A PARIS 2!} January 1945. Lieutenant Colonel. George F. Barber was awarded a Bronze star Meda1 for mer!torious services in action against the enemy in support of active combat operations from 14 September to 10 November 1944 in Germany_ Per autnority con tained in General Orders Number il, Hq, VII Corps, APO 30'7, US Army, dtd 19 March 45~ First Lieutenant Robert C Campbell, Jr, was awarded a fourth Bronze Oak-Leaf Cluster in addition to the Air Medal. previously awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight, having C0mpleted the required number of operational sorties against the enemy from 2l September to 1'7 October 1944 in Bel.gium and Germany_ Per authority contained in General Orders Number 16, Hq, , VII Corps, JLpO 307, US Army dated 26 March 1945. - 2 I,... ,-",, t/--<",'\( ' First IJ.e~ jan ed t,_ /,A.1r Medal. \1 ~a:ritorious aChieVeillent 'while participating in aerial flight" having completed the'required munber of operational sorties against the enemy from 27 November 1944 to 1. March ~945 in Belgium and Germany. Per autnority contained in General Orders Number 1.6, Hq, VII Corps, APO 307, US Army, dtd 26 March 1945. Sergeaut Clifton F Edgerton was awarded a Croix de Guerre avec Etoile de Bronze for exceptional services rendered during War operations for the liberation of France. Per authority Gontained in Decision Number 332" La President du Governement Provisaire de la Republique Francaise, A l'ordre Du iegiment" PARIS, 25 January 1945. . ' Sergeant Roy E Horton was awarded a Bronze star Meda1 for heroic ac..uevement in action against the enemy on 4 January 1945 in Belgium. Per authority contained in General Orders Number 8, Hq, VII Corps, ,APO 307, us Army dtd 8 March 45. Technician Fourth Grade Everrett R Dugtia.le'was awarded a Croix de Guerra avec Etoile de Bronze for excei)tional services rendered during War operations for the liberation of France~ Per authority contained in Decision Number 332" Le President du Govarnement Provlsaire de la Republique Francaise, A l'ordre Du Regiment, PARIS, 25 January 1945. Private First Class James V Colamatteo was awarded a Purp1e Heart' Medal for wounds received in action against the enemy in Germany on 2 March 1945. Per _authority contained in General. Orders Number 2, Hq, 87th Armd FA Bn, APO 230 , \ US Army, dated 9 'March 1945. k. Photographs of personneJ., important scenes or events.. None. • 1st Ind HEADCNARl'ERS VII COlli'S A!.n'ILLE'i~.Y, AFO 307, V··' ~hnr#! 0 April 1945. '1'0: COr:JJ:12mdinS G-enera1, \,Tn CorjJs, APO 3i.~'.:u 'S':.·.ATriiy.~ , ,. "f • _1.1 - -::-: 10 APR ;~,S \.:.,. .~ 1 t-I . _ ~ .,.'-_..J .', .,-. ,r\ , lo"-"",,,"' . ~ . '" . ~'-~ ,&11,f/- l", .. '- .. ., f B E H RESTRICTED -. ~'- -~~-~~=,..------~~~~~-",~,-,-",,-_;;;c'''''~-'''Jf:J·'~$''':!t!I*!t!!IIJ''t,''!!=III,_II!I}~M,~"•."lgl!I,II*'t,'I.I"I'II!.,' , \ /~"'" I \ , ) ( . ~'HEADQUARTERS 'J 87TH ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION APe 230 US Army 4 April 1945 NARRATIVE OF ACTION AGAINS'I' THE ENEMY FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 1945 APPENDIX #! 1 'March - The 87th Armored Field Artillery Battalion in position at Esch, Germany (wF.lb16l0) attached te the 4th Cavalry Group, Mechanized, which is attached to the 3rd Armored Division, First US Army. liE" Troop, 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron attached to the 87th Armored FA Bn for operations. At 0830 hours Battalion less "C" Btry moved to Glesch, Germany, o~ edge of Erft Canal, cl.osed at 0930 hours, move was made under interdiction and mortar fire in town and on the roads.. Hq Btry Comdr wounded by shrapnel from enemy mortar round landing near cP~ "C" Btry remaining in ,Esch was able to take burden of firing from its rear position. Small preparation was fired for 4th Cay Rcn Sq. Nebe1.werfers were in quantity during day and one bomb fell near town during night. 87th Armd FA Bn attached to 4th Cay Gp, Mecz detached from 3rd Armd Div and attached to 99th Infantry' Division. Rounds expended 22 (computed from 0600 hours day previous to 0600 hours day::r~ported) • 2 March - 87th Armd FA Bn will cqntinue in direct support of operation. Vlill coordinate fires with 99th Inf Div Arty, and may call on 99th Inf Div Arty for reinforcing fires as necessary. Attack went off well, 4th and 24th Cay Rcn Squadrons se curing Bedburg, Wenkelheim, Buckhotz, and Neurath, Germany. "C" Btry' with "E" Troops of 4th and 24th Cav Ren Sqds moved at 1000 hours to Bedburg, Germany closed at 1045 hours (wFl90670) Registrations successful. Rounds expended 1107. 3 March - 24th CaY Rcn' Sq secured Frimmersdorf, Neurenrath, and Gravenbrolch, Germany so quickl.y that when Battalion displaced to Frimrnersdorf (wFl86726) less "C" Btry at llOO hours, there was a threat of being out of range. Closed in new positions at 1200 hours. "e" Btry with "E" Troop, 4th Cav Rcn Sq moved to Neurenrath, Germany (wFl91740) at 1200 hours, c1.osed in good pOSitions at 1245 hours. No combat targets during day. Battalion alerted for new pission to the East. Rounds expended 671. 4 March - 87th Armd FA Bn to give direct fire support to 4th Cav'Op, Mecz for next operation. 4th Cav Gp, Mec~ attached to 3rd Armd Div., Battalion moved at 0753 hours with fI'E" Troops, 4th and 24th CaY Rcn Sqds to stommeln, difficult road march, closed in new positions at 1000 hours. Route of march. Friuuners dorf, Bedburg, NiederhauseD, Busdorf. 4th CaY Gp, Mecz attack seizing Hacken broich, Del.hoven, and straberg after preparation fires from Battalion. 87th Armd: FA Bn moved at 1445 hours to Stommelerbusch ,(wFJ2472J) cl.osed at 1500 hours. At 2000 hours Battalion fired "Battalion One Volley" into the Rhine , River, all guns participating. Rounds expended 44. 5 March- Attack continues-Dormagen and Hurren, Germany taken. Battalion displaced at 1425 hours to Hackenbroich, Germany (wF351747) closed at 1.500 hours, Bn FOts sighted and sank with Battal.ion fires two ferries on the Rhine transporting enemy to the east ban)c, also shot at tanks being loaded on ferries al'ter dark. , Rounds expended 1.234. 41 _.__*L.~ ~_.__ 1_~_____ 'RESTRICTED ~----..'\ ~ ~"" \i .-:. (.'-"'\ \. RESTRICTED 6 March - Large pr~paratiori'-Ares aided by VII Corps • 4th Cav, Gp, Mecz took Reinfeld, Zons, and Sturzelberg, Germany, cleaning out final ground to the Rhine River, operation successful.. Rounds expended 1758. 7 March - 4th Cay Gp, Mecz with 87th Armd FA Bn detached from '3rd Armd Div and reverts to Corps Contr01, batta1ion has attached for' olleration to provide direct fire support and defensive fires for Gp operation and sector, "E" Troops, 4th and 24th CaY Ren Sqds, Assault Gun Platoon 759th Light Tank Battalion, and 1st Platoon Company "B", 635th TD Battalion. (Tota1 of 37 cannon under Batta1ion contro1.~ • 5 Battalion Observation Posts established on the west bank of the Rhine R1ver. Rounds expended 417. 8 March - 4th Cay Gp, Mecz took over the 99th Inf Div sector. 1 EM "Bn Btry killed by rifle bu1.1et (circumstances unknown). Battalion moved at 0920 hOurs, to Nievenheiui, Germany (wF329754). Successful.- registration of all battery-s. 635th TD Bn used "star Sh~n· for night illumination of the Rhine River. Rounds expended 288. 9 March - BY Btry moved to Anste1., Germany wF740280. Few fire missions durj"ng day, night missions at boats and activity on other side of Rhine River. Rounds expended .382. . . 10 March - 'll,3th Caval.ry Group, Mechanized, 9th US Army relieved 4th Cav Gp, Mecz-al.l attachments to 87th Armd FA: Bn are relieved. Batta1ion rElllained in direct support of ll3th Cav Gp untu 2ndArmd Div Arty, all three 'Battalions, p1.us 36 SP 9Omm's of the 702nd TD Bn could be brought up in the morning. Rounds expended 467. 11 March - 87th Arlnd FA Bn relieved of assistance to ll,3th Cava~~';)~ Qrou}:" iAecz. BRttalion moved out at 1.250 hours to rest area, Hq and C Btrys at Fliesteden, Germany (wF303664) with A and B Btrys at Busdorf (wF283669) and Sv Btry remaining at Anstal, Germany (wF290740). Cl.osed at 1320 hours. Rounds tired 416. 12 March - Rounds expended (before move to rest area) :;1.96. Maintenance and rest. 13 March - No change in situation-maintenance ~md rest. I 14 March - No change in situat1on-malntenance and rest. Batta.l..ion Commander left for pass to Paris, France. 15 March - No change in sltuation-maintenance and rest. 16 March - No firing during this period. 4th Cav Gp, Mecz committed to defense of the west bank of the Rhine River, 87th Armd FA Bn has attached for this operation Assau1.t guns 0.£ 4th and 24th Squadrons and 759th Lt Tk Bn.Battalion moved at 1§.30. hours to Weiler, Germany (wF,392702) closed at 1630 hours. Three Bat talion 'OP's established on bank of the Rhine River. Al1 registrations succes.sM.. 17 March -: Sv Btry moved to Pulhe1m, Germany wF660.340. -Battalion established 2 additional .' OP' s on Rhiine. Rtver bank. Rc?unds ~ended 16. 18 March - Received fropl the U3th Cavalry Group, Mechanized, Ninth US Army, letter of .... comm.endatlonit. Fired observed t'a.rgets across Rhine River•. Ro\mds fired 31.5• . :l' .. ' :RESTRICTED f.2 t Cav'-Rcn' sqat[~).i 4th CaY GP~Mecz ' _150,000th -_ TOW1Q,:liUring a Tar mission on \ ' ...... 104&1:' •. L Ro~ds e~.S!lc!Eiid,459. .. 20 March ..:. 87th ArmQ; FA En attached to 1.88th FieJ.d Artillery Group with mission of' counterbattery fires in sector from the Rhine Hiver to the ,_ town of Sieglar, Germany inc~usive. Battalion moved out of position at 1400 hours to' Buschdorf, Germany (n of Bonn), -wF520400, -av Btry to Buschhoven, Germany wF460310. closed at 1630 hOurs. Round:s expended 754.· 2l. March - B~ttalion fired-, norma1.observ~ missions on sma11 parties and single guns. . "B" B~ry fired 6 rounds of direct fire on a church steeple actoss the Rhine River (suspected enemy OF) 5 direct hits scored. Battalion Commander re turned toGP from pas~ to Paris, Fran·ce. 274 rounds expanded. ,22 Mardh - 87th Armd FA" Bn detached from 188th FA Gp and attached to the 142Ild Field Artillery Group. While"A" Btry was firing a mission to pennit some TD's to get out of an exposed pOSition, one M7 (No 1 gun section) was set on fire, and completely destroyed. Btry "A" moved to an alt~ate position for the evening. 413. rounds expended. 23 March - "A" Btry moved back to original position. Rounds expended 471. 24 March - 87th Armd FA Bn detached 'from 142nd FA Gp to revert to former attachment to 4th Cav Gp, Mecz. 4thCav Gp mission to screenJVII Corps left flank. Rounds fired 269.· 25 March - Harra~sing fires only.. 452 rounds expended. 26 Marc~ - Few missions. 1. EM wounded in action. 223 rounds expended • . 27 March - 4th Cav Gp, Mecz took over sector on Sleg River, 87th Armd FA Bn in direct support of operation. Battalion moved out of position at 0900 hours, 'crossed Rhine River at Bad Godesberg, Germany, near Bonn, on a US Army pontoon bridge at 0920 hours, closed in assembly area at Buchholz wF761323 at lWO hours. 87th Armd FA Bn moved out of assembly areaat 1500 hours to new positions at Kuchhausen, Germany wF871389 closed at 1700 hours. Liaison Air Observation Field shel1ed~ one Cub pl.ane (L4H) hit by artillery while on the ground. Tot~ destroyed (Lt Campbel.l's plane). - Rounds ex-p ended 481. . 2$ March - AssauJ.t Gun P1atoon, 759th Light Tank Battillon (three 1.05mm Hows) attac..1.ed to 87th Armd FA Bn. Battalion moved out of position at 1000 hours, closed in new positions at Birkenbeul, Germany wF920J78 at 1300 hours. "C" Btry was subj ected to 20 rounds of counterbatter.r fire shortly after start of registration. The enemy rotU'lds fell 50 to 1.00 yards over. nc" Btry did not fire and after dark moved to a defiladed position at wF916384. No rounds .tired during period. .';fJ March - 87th Armd FA Bn moved out of position at 0600 hours, move was made under enemy observation,. one vehi,cle at a time, closed at 1030 hours in Heupelzen, Germany wF920J60. 87th Annd FA Bn (less "CIt Btry) with the 957th FA Bn, and two Light Tank P1atoons~ 759th Lt Tk Bn attached will provide direct fire support for the 24th Cav Rcn Sq find general fire support for the 4th Cav Gp, Mecz, reinforced. Btry "CtI~ 87th Armd FA Bn attached to 4th Cav Rcn Sq, Mecz for this operation. Battalion fired as many as 6 missions simultaneously. Much German activity over the Siag River. Rounds expended 605. RESTRICTED ~: \ ~ ." - ('~-"" (-", ' i" I ''. - \ l )0 March - Battalion moved out"-",f po at .k~,l) hours, route of march .utenkirchen; Marlanberg, Dillenburg, Laasphe, Beddelhausen, Germany.. Moved into new positions at Beddelhausen, Germany wG520670 .. 24th Cay Rcn Sqoutposts took ap[Jroximatel.y 40 prisoners. Rounds BX".tJended 822. 31 March - "A" Btry and Fire Direction Center moved out of position at 1030 hours and closed in new positions at Elsoff, Germany wG589987 at 1100 hours. "Bit Btry and FDC moved out of positions at 1300 hours and1closed in new positions at Diedenshausen, 'qermany wG540765 at ~315 hours~ Remainder of Battalion moved into positions., ,at Iliedenshausen, Gennany wG549763 2030 hours. Total rounds ! expended 10.. ' ~ c.," )dD~_ G~AA;;;;;-? Major FA Comman~g.. • ~BESTRlCTED ..