Hello,
I am the niece of one of your paratroopers from G Company. My Uncle Carroll
was wounded in battle.
Add me to your list.
Anne Eckert Valliere
Pat Holly
My uncle, Daniel T. Lopez, was a member of the 517th
until his death in the south of France in September 1944. My uncle
died 'on the mountain west of Col de Brau'. I was wondering if you had an
email address for D Co. members. I would like to talk with them about the
circumstances under which my uncle died.
Thank you,
Pat Holly
***********
I had to edit the above message.
- Ben
Wayne Cross
Dragoon- After Action Report
Capt., 517th Prcht. Inf., Commanding
Record of
Events
Company "H"
Co. H boarded their transport planes and took
off for France at 0220 hours from the Airfield at Orbetello, Italy. One
mishap marred a perfect take off. The plane in which Lt. Athey and one
squad of the 1st Platoon were riding, stalled on the runway and crashed.
However, only minor injuries were sustained. S/Sgt. Harmon, Pvts.
Villalba, Ostashen, Byaum, Denning, Pippin, Hamilton, Kaudy, Averill, Downs,
Helmer and Cpl. Graham were left behind in the hospital. Lt. Athey,
Cpl. Frucht, Sgt. Laeben,Pvts. Watkins, Schroeder and Cpl. Bischoff landed
on the DZ on D Day by glider.
Until the jump, the company’s flight was
uneventful. Early on the morning of D Day, scattered groups from the Co.
slowly were collecting themselves after dropping into the rugged hills behind
Callian at 0420 hours.
Lt. Bennett, Executive Officer, Pvt. Elliott
and Barnes landed close together. As it grew light, more men joined the
group. Lt. Callagher and Sgt. Copeland soon joined the Group. In a
short time, Lt. Bennett met Lt. Riddler and Pinkston and McKillop of Company
G.
The Co., now about 20 in strength, met
another group of men with Lt. Gibbons. After a brief reorganization, the
Co. moved off with Lt. Gibbons in command of the Bn.
Lt. Bennett in
Command of Co. Lt. Jackson, 1st Platoon, Lt. Garrett and Freeman with the
2nd Platoon and Lt. Thomas with the 3rd.
Now 70 in strength, the Co. started to its
objective 23 miles away.
Capt. McGeever, with approximately 60 men,
Lt. Co. Decarue and 100th British Parachustists, led by a British Maj. Joined
the Bn. three miles W of Callian. At 2200 hours, the Bn. stopped to rest
three miles NE of Bagnols.
On D Plus 1, H Co. formed the advance party
of the Bn. as it proceeded to the objective. Lt. Thomas now in command of
the 3rd Platoon was the advance guard of the Bn. The march proved to be
uneventful.
The Bn. Commander issued orders to all
Company Commanders and properly oriented them in regards to our forward assembly
area, at that the Bn moved out, H. Co. forming the advance guard. Company
formation, first Platoon, company headquarters, second and third Platoon.
Arrived at forward assembly area at 1900 hours. At the forward assembly
area, the Bn. was given orders to attack at 1945 on an azimuth of 230
degrees. H Co. to be on the L, I Co. on the R and G. Co. in the
reserve.
Supporting 4.2 mortars was to lay down a
concentration at 2000 hours and come at 2030 hours. H Co. attacked with
the 3rd Platoon on the L, 2nd Platoon on the R and 1st Platoon in support.
Co. Hdqs. To be in rear of 2nd Platoon.
During this attack, Lt. Freemand and 1st Sgt.
Caunce were killed by enemy small arm fire. Pvts. Watermand and Pastalouic
were also wounded. Casualties inflicted upon the enemy were estimated to
be 10 dead and 12 captured.
The Bn. reached its final objective 2100
hours and set up on high ground outside Les Arcs. Bn. remained at Les Arcs
throughout D Plus 2. Cpt. Morris, Sgt. Rickson, Saunders and Karatea
rejoined the Co. at 1500 hours, D Plus 2. The Co. moved out 0600 hours, D
Plus 3 to its former forward assembly area to pick up its mussette bags which
were left behind prior to the attack. Remained in this area until 1500
hours. At approximately 1630 hours, Co. moved to the high ground
immediately S (two miles) of Ragnols and remained there in a defensive position
until 0800 hours, D Plus 4.
MARVIN D. MORRIS
Capt. 517th Prcht.
Inf.
Commanding