Gentlemen,
I am trying to piece together information which would shed some light on the 517th PRCT Service Company career of my father in law, Enlisted Man Larry P. Shipp, during his time from Italy to VE Day.
Larry is in very poor health and his memory of that time is faulty and unreliable. His body still bears the evidence of his injuries, shown first in the one Casualty Report on the 517th web site, and includes a metal head plate from his last wound in early 1945. Other Casualty Reports are not readily available for review. His name does appear in the 1944 Christmas Roster so he must have been in the Company from Italy to his final wound which brought him home for medical treatment around VE Day.
I understand that Service Company personnel were constantly being shifted around from one company to another for specific assignments and the records are sketchy at best. Still I am trying to pin down what I can about Larry so his descendants will have some insights down the road. My friends who have written records about Civil War, WW I and WW II ancestors tell me that information is one of the most treasured things they possess.
Larry was a motorcycle rider in carnivals before his Army experience and I understand he worked with some motorcycles acquired by the 517th during the early days in Italy. I have no idea what sort of paratrooper he was during this time - and that is incidental for me - as my interests lie in trying to document his wounds and combat experiences. He jumped in Dragoon with the 3rd Bn and landed near Callian.
In any event, I would appreciate any information you might have on Larry or suggestions of contacts that might prove useful. Finally any guidance on how to pursue this would be most helpful.
Many thanks.
Harris Johnson
4857 Woody Mill Road Greensboro NC 27406
Wayne
Cross
Dragoon- After Action Reports Record of Events Company "E" was assigned the mission of
seizing and holding the high ground to the W and SW of the assembly area which
commanded the approaches into the valley leading to the beaches. The
assigned DZ was as prescribed for the Bn. Co. "E" enplaned at Ombrone Airfield
at 0200 hours, 15 Aug 44. The men jumped over France at 0435 hours and
landed generally in the vicinity of La Motte, France. That part of the Co.
which assembled, moved toward its objective near Trans-on-Provence vis La Motte
arriving at 1045 hours. It was there by the Battalion Commander, Lt. Col.
Seitz, who ordered it to move into the predesignated defensive position at
1143. It held that position until it was relieved by the 551st Prcht. Bn
at 2100 hours. During the day no organized resistance was
encountered. Small patrol action by members of the Co. were the only
contact made. With a rifle grenade, Pvt. E. M. Magelo killed two Germans
riding a motorcycle in the vicinity of La Motte. Near Le Muy, Pvt. C. C.
Simon was killed by a small enemy tank. Pvt. Little and Short were
captured and held prisoner by the enemy in Le Muy until the town was taken by
the 550th Glider Inf., Bn. the following day. They were released and
returned to the Co. on the following day. Upon relief by the 551st Prcht.
Inf., the Co. moved to the Regtl. CP area N of Loe Arcs and remained there until
the morning of "D" Plus 1. "D" Plus One The Company then moved into defensive
position in the vicinity of Les Arcs at 0900 hours relieving part of Co. A. 1st
Bn. From the 1st Squad of the 3rd Platoon, a patrol led by 1st Lt. J. E.
Bearley killed 12 Germans and captured one. The Co. remained in the
position until the evening of "D" Plus Two. During the afternoon of 16 Aug
44, in the shelling of the left flank, three casualties were suffered.
Pvt. Ware was shot in the hand while on patrol with Lt. Bearley. "D" Plus Two ROBERT H. NEWBERRY
Company "E"
"D"
DAY
The Co. moved back to
the 2nd Bn. Cp in the evening of 17 Aug 44 and stayed until 1330 hours 18 Aug 44
when it moved to defensive positions NE of La Motte, arriving there at 1630
hours and remaining until 0500 hours 20 Aug 44. During this time, no enemy
were contacted.
Capt.
Infantry
Commanding