Personal Search and Notices

Date: May 31, 2010 REQUEST #5231
Name: Walt Larimore, MD
Address: 54 Sherwood Glen South
City, State, ZIP Monument, CO 80132
Tel: Home 719-487-2940
Fax: 719-487-2940
Mobile: 719-761-1109
Email: waltlarimore@mac.com

Subject: Seeking those who may have known or served with my dad, Philip B. Larimore, Jr., in Anzio, Southern France, or Germany

Comments: I'm seeking men who may have known or served with my dad, Philip B. Larimore, Jr., in Anzio, Southern France, or Germany. Here are his assignments, all with the 3rd Division, 30th Infantry, 3rd Battalion: 1) HQ Company, Platoon Leader, Ammunition Pioneer Battalion Mar to Jun 44 2) HQ Company, Platoon Leader Jul to Oct 44 3) Company K, Ex O Dec 44 4) H 3, Platoon Leader Jan 45 5) Company L, Company Commander Feb to Apr 45 Thanks!

Date: 05/31/2010 REQUEST #5230
Name: Christopher Guiling
Location: Flushing, Michigan
E-Mail: cguiling@comcast.net

Unit: C co. 1/30th inf reg
When and Where: Schweinfurt, Germany 1987-1989

Comments: Want to wish all veterans a very happy memorial day. Would love any info regarding websites to contact fellow members of my old unit.

Date: May 30, 2010 REQUEST #5229
Name: Dr. Koura Gibson
Email: drkouragibson@yahoo.com

Subject: GEORGE GIBSON

Comments: Dear Sirs,
My Father served in the Korean War/ I am trying to have another Certificate of Proficiency from 3d Infantry Division. The one that I have of my father got ruined. He received his September 18, 1954. Thanks for your assistance!

Date: May 29, 2010 REQUEST #5228
Name: Bob Henry
City, State, ZIP: Cave Creek Az
Email: comsumer11@cox.net

Subject: Info - 10th. Field Artillery
Comments: I was with the 10th. Field Artillery. 3rd Inf. Div. service battery from late 1950 to late 1951. We left Ft. Devens Ma. In the early summer of 1950, which is just outside of Ayer Ma. Just wondering if anybody knows somebody from that unit.
Thanks a lot. Bob Henry, age 79, I live in Cave Creek Az.

Date: May 27, 2010 REQUEST #5227
Name: John Taylor
Address: 2201 s. 50th st
City, State, ZIP: KCK 66106
Email: johntaylor9126@att.net
John.Taylor@jocogov.org

Subject: Korean War - Robert Lee Taylor

Comments: I am still looking for records of when, where, and what my Dad Robert Lee Taylor of De Soto, Kansas his Service Number was 55-188-523 did when he was in the Army 3rd Infantry Division 10th Field Artillery Company A during the Korean War 1951 to 1953 and when he came back he was still in the Army until 1959. We would like to know what Battles he was in and what his medals are we found some in his things and want to be sure there the right ones. He passed away on June 6, 2008 so we can’t ask him. If anyone knew him or can help us with this that would nice. Thanks John Taylor 2201 S. 50th St. KCK 66106

Date: May 24, 2010 REQUEST #5226
Name: Ed Edgerton
Email: eded@triad.rr.com

Subject: Presidential Citations

Comments: How many Presidential Citations have been awarded during WWII and to what units?

Date: May 23, 2010 REQUEST #5225
Name: Matthew Isbell
Address: 1137 Ridge Road
City, State, Zip: Maryville, TN 37803
Tel: 1-865-712-5518
Email: izzyscout21@yahoo.com
matthew.isbell@us.army.mil

Subject: Help finding Information on Grandfather, Leslie Leon Jeans

Comments: I am trying to find any information about grandfather's service with the 3rd ID during WW2. All I have to go on is an old black and white photo and bits and pieces of information from the rest of the family. He never spoke of his experience with the rest of the family, so there is little information to go on. I have submitted a request via NPRC, but so far nothing.
His Name was Leslie Leon Jeans. I know from his photo that he was in th 3rd ID. He is wearing a CIB and several other awards. I have his old dog tags with his service number and an old, very tattered purple heart. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Matthew Isbell
SPC, US Army (Ret.)

Date: 05/22/2010 REQUEST #5224
Name: James M. Miller
E-Mail: jimil@aol.com
Location: Pompano Beach, FL

Subject: Records of 1st Lt. Jack R. Miller

Comments: Son of decorated 1st Lt. Jack R. Miller, WWII veteran, of North Africa and Sicily campaigns; DOB 11/17/14 (Died: 07/05/1973), whom I would like to get the records of.

Date: May 20, 2010 REQUEST #5223
Name: Tony
Email: tonytims@verizon.net

Subject: Earl Thomas Willis
Comments: I have been trying to find out information about my grandfather, Earl T. Willis. He was wounded and later killed in WW2. His name does not appear on any of the records for earning the "Purple Heart." I am trying to remedy that. My mom found him buried in El Paso, TX. She was only 6 weeks old when he was killed. She has his medal and his flag. His headstone reads the following:

Earl T. Willis
Texas
PVT 30 INF
3 INF DIV
WORLD WAR II
AUGUST 28, 1924
MAY 28, 1944
Thanks for any help or direction you could point me in.
Tony

Note from Tim Stoy:
Tony,
If your mother has his medal, then she should have received some sort of paperwork to go with it. Have you tried contacting the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO to see if his records survived the fire in 1970, or if they have been able to reconstruct his record?
The 30th INF Regt history and 3ID History both have him listed as having been KIA in the war, and that he served in C Company of the 1st Battalion. From the regimental history I can tell you that on 28 May 1944, the 1st Battalion participated in a regimental attack towards the town of Loriano, Italy, while breaking out of the Anzio beach head and attacking to cut Highway 6, the main German retreat route from the south of Italy to Rome.
Where is your grandfather buried, in a military cemetery or civilian? Does he have a government headstone or tablet?
Rock of the Marne!
Tim Stoy

Date: May 19, 2010 REQUEST #5222
Name: Kyle Oliver Morgan Leach U.S.A. Ret.
Email: stchnduck@comcast.net

Subject: SGT Oliver D. Leach

Comments: I have heard the stories of the deeds of our "Greatest Generation", both during and after the war. And I've felt pain. I have, over the years, heard of so many of these courageous, yet humble men dying at a rate of a thousand men a day. And I've wept. I have lost the most brave and good hearted soldier, father, provider, teacher and hero. And part of me inside has died.

I know that my Grandfather (who raised me and therefore is more a father) enjoyed coming here to this site to read stories and search for friends. It is my sad duty to pass along to you and your readers that SGT Oliver D. Leach passed peacefully last night; May 18, 2010 at 11:20 PM; after an eight year battle with bone cancer. He is now with my grandmother who has waited patiently for 11 years and 3 days (She passed on May 15, 1999). His love and presence here will be missed. But as he marches away from our shores and fades from sight, leaving us lonely and sad. He appears in the distance; marching towards those on a distant shore; and they welcome his presence and celebrate his coming home.
I love you. I can't wait to see you again.
Please add this to your site in the applicable area. Thank you in advance.
Kyle Oliver Morgan Leach U.S.A. Ret.

Date: May 18, 2010 REQUEST #5221
Name: Gregory A. Bishop
Email: Gregory.A.Bishop@usace.army.mil

Subject: Presidential Unit Award OIF 1

Comments: I was assigned to the 3ID Div Engineer from Apr 2003 to Aug 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq as part of Fac En Det B, 416th ENCOM. How do I get a copy of the order awarding the Presidential Unit Award and documentation of my units participation with the 3ID?
Respectfully,
Gregory A. Bishop
LTC, EN, USA
HQ USACE G3 PLANS
COM 202-761-4969
DSN 312-763-4969

Date: May 17, 2010 REQUEST #5220
Name: Ingrid Jackson
Email: zephers89@hotmail.com

Subject: WWII Sgt Eugene A. Jackson

Hi:
I am looking for advice on how to go about researching my father's movements during WWII. I know some high level facts from his letters, DD-214 and his VA medical record. He was in the 30th Inf. Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Cannon Company. He served from Torch through to several months after Anzio. He won a Bronze Star near Cisterna on Feb 2, 1944. I have the citation and the medal. He normally commanded some sort of tank but at the end of Sicily he was transferred to a MOUNTED RECONNAISSANCE outfit. For about 4-5 months he did reconnaissance behind the lines but the outfit was disbanded and he went on to Anzio. He was wounded at or near Anzio around March 1 1944. His VA medical record has the initial medic reports on small sheets of paper which I think are the ones tied around his neck before transportation to the field hospital. Those notes document his wounds and delirium, and how it happened -- he left his tank to relieve himself and it was hit by 88MM shell. He was the only survivor. The record notes that he was frantic and delirious over their status. Those records cover him all the way back to Sam Houston Hospital in San Antonio, TX. I can tell you his blood pressure on any day but I have little substantive information before that. I am particularly interested in the Mounted Reconnaissance Unit and what he or his outfit did in North Afica. One of his letters described him witnessing the naval Battle of CASABLANCA from his troop transport which was later torpedoed as witness by him from the beach.
Eugene died February 2, 1970 of Heart Disease (age 55). He had 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. I am the youngest born in 1958.
Any direction or information would be helpful.
Warm Regards, Ingrid Jackson

Response from LTC Tim Stoy:
Hello Ingrid,

I have referred to the 3rd Infantry Division's WWII history and can confirm that your father did in fact serve in both the 30th Infantry Regiment and in the Division's 3rd Reconnaissance Troop, and that he did receive his Bronze Star while serving with 3rd Recon at Cisterna on 2 February. I am including a link to a website which is the electronic version of the Division history which can describe the action in both North Africa and the following campaigns at the macro level. http://www.ranger95.com/3rd_id_history/index.html

I will scan the applicable pages on the North Africa operations of the 30th Infantry Regiment from the Regiment's WWII history and hopefully email them to you in the coming days. The Society archives unfortunately do not have a great deal of material on the 3rd Recon Troop.

Mr. Milo Moyano is the 30th Infantry Regiment Association Historian and may have more information on the North Africa and Sicily operations of that regiment. I'm including him the cc line of this email.

A visit to the National Archives in College Park, MD, would afford you the opportunity to look at unit reports and logs from WWII. Luckily the 3rd Infantry Division is known for having kept every scrap of paper it generated; unluckily that means there is a lot to search through!

Hope this helps.
Rock of the Marne!
Tim Stoy

Tim:

Thanks very much for your information. I started to read the division history but have to stop and finish my work. Very interesting so far what I did read.

Regards, Ingrid Jackson

Date: May 16, 2010 REQUEST #5219
Name: George Pieters
Email: pieters.georges@skynet.be

Subject: letter for help

Comments: Hello there in the US
This is a cry for help, as a former member of the 3rd Inf Div,7th Reg in the Korean war , with the Belgian battalion, I can't find badges from the division here in Belgium. I shall revisit Korea in Sept with a group of veterans, but I need to complete our uniform the bleu-white badges . Where can I purchase them here in Western Europe. Can you inform me please?
With thanks,
Veteran George Pieters

Date: May 14, 2010 REQUEST #5218
Name: Rodney Millner
Tel: 1-703-699-1268
Email: Rodney.Millner@osd.mil
Subject: DPMO - WWII Remains recovery effort

Comments: Was looking through your website (nicely done) and wanted to take the opportunity to advise you your membership
That the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) is upgrading its efforts to recover the remains of soldiers missing from WWII. While we have always worked the WWII issue (as well as other past wars), we recently created a new WWII Branch to increase the attention given to this period. As part of this effort, we would like to ask any WWII vets who may have information that concerns the loss/death of a fellow serviceman during the war, to contact our office with any information that could lead to the recovery of that soldiers remains. Also relatives or friends who may have such information from conversations with WWII vets, personal records, diaries, or other documents they may have, are also invited to call. Thank you for your help.
Rodney Millner
703-699-1268
Research Analyst
Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO)
Alternate: LTC Matt Kristoff 703-699-1240
Dave Rosenau 703-699-1269

Date: May 14, 2010 REQUEST #5217
Name: Sharon
Email: Oblong47@fuse.net

Subject: First Lieutenant James B. McConnell

Comments: My Great Uncle First Lieutenant James B. McConnell was in the 4th US Infantry, 3rd Division, AEF World War One and was killed in France July 23, 1918. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. I am interested in any pictures or information about him.

Thank You
Sharon

Date: May 12, 2010 REQUEST #5216
Name: ANDY T.
Email: andywt@suddenlink.net

Subject: VICTOR CARRY, DARBY RANGERS

GENERAL VICTOR CARRY DARBY RANGERS. HE WAS IN FORT SMITH A FEW YEARS BACK. DO YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS OR IF HE IS STILL
LIVING?
ANDY T.

Date: May 10, 2010 REQUEST #5215
Name: James Allen
Email: jta2007@hotmail.com

Subject: Virgil V. Laughlin

Dear Sirs / Ma'am
I know you get a bunch of requests and I'm sorry to become one. I have been working on this for almost two full years. Just so many dead ends.
the Background on what I've found out:

My Uncle Was a member of the 3rd Division 15 Infantry. I am trying to track down his military history for a family history. I got his military records from the US Archives but basically it's just a bunch of dates. What little I know of WWII this man was either a very good solider or very lucky probably both. He enlisted in 1939 in the Texas National Guard 142nd Infantry as a private and was assigned to the 15 Infantry in Maryland and became a SSgt platoon leader. On Paper, 28 Sept 1942 he went to North Africa as a SSgt and was a Lt. in Company M 15th Infantry as an "ETO" by 27 Feb 1943. He stayed with the 3rd Division till the War's end in 1945. According to his records, he fought in every major in Europe except for D-Day Normandy Invasions. He was a Lt. Col. as was released to go to college to get his degree and returned to active duty in 1948 as a Lt. During WWII he was awarded Distinguished Service Cross (for action on Dec 27, 1944), Silver Star, Bronze Star with oak leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and a host of Campaign Medals.

None of his Citations that accompany the awards are included in his records. We don't know how he became an Officer? He is not listed in the 3rd History. Extra: Many more questions than answers. So I guess what I am asking where do I go from here? I have the dates for each company he served with (only Company L and M but with different dates). He was assigned as an S-3 and 3rd Division Exec Officer and I have those dates from his records.

Any suggestions or guidance will be gratefully accepted.
James Allen

Webmaster's Note: 2LT Virgil V. Laughlin Co M, 15th Infantry, is listed as the recipient of the Silver Star for action in Sicily, August 1943 in the book "History of the 3rd Infantry Division, WWII" on page 395. Capt. Virgil V. Laughlin HQ 3rd BN 15th Infantry, is also listed on page 417 as a recipient of the Bronze Star for action in Anzio June 6, 1944. Major Virgil V. Laughlin is listed on the roster of the 15th Infantry Regiment on page 493.

His Distinguished Service Cross is listed at this link http://www.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=31747 .