My Grandfather's brother, Philip Skoloda, served in the 100th Infantry Division 397th Regiment Company F. He was killed in France on December 5, 1944. I have been doing research to learn more about Philip, his service, his death, etc. and haven't been able to find much. Thank you in advance for anyone who can help.
Hello,
From your question, I'm not sure how much information you have or what, if any, documents you have or have requested. So, some of this info may be redundant.
If you have not already done so, I would request his military records/OMPF. See here:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
Also, I would suggest requesting his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for more detailed information on his death. See below:
To request copies of an IDPF from 1940-1976 of personnel with surnames that begin with M-Z, write to U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Casualty & Memorial Affairs Operations Division, ATTN: AHRC-PDC, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Department 450, Fort Knox, KY 40122-5405. I have seen some contributors state that these need to be submitted as a Freedom of Information Request (FOIA). You may want to do some more research on this or, maybe, another contributor/NARA can chime in with updated info on this topic.
His draft card:
Source: NARA via FOLD3
His enlistment Record:
Source: NARA
His Hospital Admission Card File:
Source: NARA via FOLD3
His burial headstone record:
Source: NARA via Ancestry.com
Based on his enlistment record mentioning the Coastal Artillery Corps (CAC), it is possible that his first unit after his initial training was a CAC unit. By 1943, many of these were deactivated/disbanded or converted to other branches, e.g. AAA or other artillery. After June 1944, many of these units, in turn, were deactivated or stripped of personnel in order to provide infantrymen for the infantry divisions about to be sent to the ETO/or already there. So, he may have been assigned to one or units before being assigned to the 100th ID. It appears that when he got married during February 1943, he was stationed at Fort Eustis, VA, which was a Coast Artillery/AAA Replacement Training Center.
Brief information on the 397th INF REG and 100th ID:
Source: Stanton, Shelby. WWII Order of Battle. Various editions.
For more detailed information on the 397th INF REG, see here (in two parts):
https://3db4bd.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/397th-Infantry-Part-1-WM.pdf
https://3db4bd.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/397th-Infantry-Part-2-WM.pdf
For the 100th ID, see here:
https://archive.org/details/TheStoryOfTheCentury-nsia/mode/2up
Note: both of the above publications mention PFC Skoloda.
Good luck with your research.
Dan
From: World War II: a chronology, November 1944 and December 1944, published by Military Intelligence Division, War Department, 1941-1944, Washington, D.C.
Nov. 5: Units of 397th Inf, 100th Div, enter line in Baccarat area, relieving elements of 179th Inf.
Nov. 12: The 100th Div jumps off on its first full-scale attack at 0900 with 397th and 399th Regts attacking on Bortrichamps-Veney road, N of the Meurthe R....While rcn troops S of river place diversionary fire on Raon l'Etape, 397th Inf attacks toward it. Dense woods, mud, snows and considerable SA and arty fire make progress slow.
Nov. 13: At 0900, 397th Inf of 100th Div continues attack toward Raon l'Etape from N'W and N. German counterattack is quelled by heavy arty fire that kills about 75 of the enemy.
Nov. 14: On third day. of attack toward Raon l'Etape by 100th Div, 397th Inf occupies Clairupt, just W of Raon l1Etape, In woods to the N, heavy casualties are caused
by intense enemy fire.
Nov. 16th: High ground N of Raon 1'Etape is taken by 397th Inf, 100th Div, which meets with little resistance there, although enemy arty fire is heavy in other parts of its sector.
Nov. 18th: Attack toward high ground SE of Raon l'Etape is launched by 100th Div. The 397th Inf moves through E of city and is stopped at outskirts by heavy fire from enemy entrenched in near-by quarry.
Nov. 20th: The 100th Div completes occupation of hill SE Cont of Raon lt Etape. Resistance at stone quarry on city outskirts is overcome and 397th Inf pushes on up the river to St. Blaise.
Nov. 22nd: TF-Fooks is organized under l00th'Div'to press forward up the Rabodeau R. valley. Mined road blocks on outskirts of Senones at once slow down the advance, but elements of 397th Inf pass through the TF and, by-passing the core of enemy resistance, advance under heavy mortar, SA, and automatic weapons fire, occupying la Petite Raon, 1 mile NE of Senones, and Vieux Moulin to the S.
Nov. 23rd: Enemy resistance slackens as 397th Inf-of 100th Div leads Div drive E, from the Rabodeau R. valley, and the advance is hampered only by sniper fire, road blocks, and mines, Towns- of Belval and St. Blaise are taken.
Nov. 24th: Little enemy resistance remains in 100th Div zone.; only sniper fire- and mines hamper front-line elements. The 399th Inf passes through the 397th to take lead in attack E:-toward Grandfontaine-Schirmieck road. Both 3d and 100th Divs are now attacking along the
Bruche R. Towns of Plaine, Diesbach, and Fouday are captured during the day.
Nov. 30th: Elements of 397th Inf (100th Div) hold position along edge of Vosges forest in Sparsbach-Weinbourg area, about midway between Saverne and Zinswiller.
Dec. 1: Attached 397th Inf (100th Div) remains in position on rear L flank of Div, N of Moder R. near edge of Vosges forest, blocking Ingwiller-Wimmenenau pass.
Dec. 2: The 397th Inf, still attached to 45th Div, attacks Ml from Rothbach to outflank Wimmenau-Wingen area from N, and meets very heavy resistance.
Dec. 3: The 397th Inf, still attached to 45th Div, attacks NW from Rothbach to outflank Wimmenau-Wingen area from N, and meets very heavy resistance.
Dec. 4: attached 397th Inf elements on extreme L flank attain Hill 375 overlooking
Rothbach stream. Advance units reach Moder R(iver)., on the S. At 2400, 397th Inf is detached from 45th Div, passing to control of 100th Div.
