Seeking records of 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team

I'm interested in finding any records relating to the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team (consisting of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and the 596th Parachute Engineer Company). I'm very interested in obtaining morning reports from the companies and the various General Orders for the regiment. Thanks for any help you may be able to provide!

Parents
  •  Hey   and others! 

    My grandfather was Horace Edell Melton and he served in the 517 prct, Battalion 3, Company I, as a Rifle Squad Leader. He was a Corporal, wounded in the Battle of Manhay (apparently one of only a few that survived given he was "presumed KIA" on the Christmas Day roll call). I have some information on him, but he NEVER talked about the war, so everything is just my own research and putting the pieces together. 

    I'd love if you could find some information on his Purple Heart being awarded. Also, I have some of his original medals and ribbons, but for some reason he has the Silver Star ribbon although we have no record of him being awarded the Silver Star. There are plenty of explanations, but if you could find out anything, that would be AMAZING! 

    I hope you can help. Thanks so much for your time and service in this way of honoring our relatives who are literally heroes. 

Reply
  •  Hey   and others! 

    My grandfather was Horace Edell Melton and he served in the 517 prct, Battalion 3, Company I, as a Rifle Squad Leader. He was a Corporal, wounded in the Battle of Manhay (apparently one of only a few that survived given he was "presumed KIA" on the Christmas Day roll call). I have some information on him, but he NEVER talked about the war, so everything is just my own research and putting the pieces together. 

    I'd love if you could find some information on his Purple Heart being awarded. Also, I have some of his original medals and ribbons, but for some reason he has the Silver Star ribbon although we have no record of him being awarded the Silver Star. There are plenty of explanations, but if you could find out anything, that would be AMAZING! 

    I hope you can help. Thanks so much for your time and service in this way of honoring our relatives who are literally heroes. 

Children
  • Hi there ! I am the webmaster of the website 1stabtf.com speaking also about the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. I am writer about the 517th PIR for the book "The 517's Gang" you can purchase through my website to know more about the 517th.
    To answer to your question chrisherrin, Horace Melton was awarded the Bronze Star Medal but not the Silver Star about the records I have on the outfit.

    Cheers, Loïc.