Forums - Thread Details
  • State Suggested Answer
  • Replies 21 replies
  • Answers 1 answer
  • Subscribers 13 subscribers
  • Views 29451 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Thread Options
Options
Related

Seeking records of the 94th Signal Battalion

David Howell

We would love more information on 94th Signal Battalion during WWII. My wife’s Grandfather was part of this unit. We do not have much information on his service other than a bring back pistol and the knowledge he crossed the Remagen bridge. His name was Ed Kegeris.

Parents
  • 0

    David,

    I think that I can help you as I myself spent the last 8 months researching the 94th Signal Battalion which my dad served during WW2.  I wanted to learn more about the unit as they received the Presidential Unit Citation (highest military award given to a unit) as well as really understanding what the unit did, etc. I am going to provide you with some information that you will be astonished with as it will provide everything that you want to know about the 94th signal battalion during WW2. After you read the following I can walk you through it if we are able to somehow connect safely via telephone, etc.  Not sure how we do that but here you go:

    There is a book entitled History of the 94th signal battalion written by Carl. E. Bennetts who was a Colonel within the 94th Signal Battalion. There are only two books on file as the book was never officially published.  One is in the U.S. Army Military Library Archives in Carlisle Pa. The other is with the Buena Vista University Library in iowa. I contacted both places who confirmed the book is on file. You can visit the U.S. Army Military Library once it re-opens as Covid has closed it for visitors. I actually have the other book now and am returning it to the Buena Vista University Library next week. Once I return it, you should be able to receive the book via an exchange program from your library who will enter the request which the University library receives and sends the book to your library for you to take out then return to them who then returns it to the University. That all said, the book is incredible as it provides the day the 94th Signal battalion was created May 18, 1942 starting with 9 officers and 24 enlisted men, my dad being one of the original enlisted. The book takes you through all of the U.S. training facilities they were at on through the day they left to go overseas in 1944 including the exact boat (USS West Point), where they landed (Utah Beach) then every town/city and country the unit was in during the war. My dad told me a few stories growing up that I was a bit hesitant to believe but those stories are documented in the book by several individuals who recounted the events. Example, One was in Arlon Belgium on New Years even 1945 where German planes bombed the building that the 94th was in and the bomb failed to detonate. Went right through the ceiling. Dad told me that story when I was a child. The book also describes the campaigns they were in: Rhineland Campaign (crossing of the Rhine which is where the unit received the Presidential unit citation award - highest military award given to a unit), Ardennes-Alsace Campaign (Battle of the Bulge) where the unit became famous because they got the first messenger to reach the famous 101st airborne unit who were holding down Bastogne. If you watched the TV mini-series Band of Brothers that was about the 101st airborne unit. Well the 94th became famous as they were the first unit to get a messenger to those guys for re-enforcements. Central Europe Campaign, They received a special award, "The Battle Participation Award (Metz). The book contains one thing that not many people know. The unit under Patton travelled so fast that they got ahead of the infantry. Also, part of the unit captured the Ludendorf Bridge which if you read history has no mention that ties it back to the 94th. It does and you will read it in the book. I can go on and on about the 94th signal battalion but there is not enough time. I hope that you can get your hands on the book as your wife will be extremely fond of it and proud of her grandfather. Among other things, The unit was responsible for creating the communication lines between company headquarters and the front line, created lines to direct artillery, coding machines and had a special secret team. They were experts in  "Cryptography" ...used extensively during World War II, with a plethora of code and cipher systems fielded by the nations involved. Those guys ciphered and deciphered secret code. basically, those guys were able to identify through the secret code when bombing would occur, date, time and up to how much artillery by example. Good news is they did not have to perform at the front line but you will read in the book that all men, regardless of job were told by Patton (think it was during the Bulge) that they are to drop normal responsibilities, pick up your rifles and defend your country so there was a point in the war that they had to actually engage.  I hope that this helps and it can enlighten your wife on her Grandpa. As there is only two copies on file, I made copies of the entire book so that I can share with my children/grandchildren. If you need more information I can discuss with you but we would need to figure out how to contact each other. Good Luck!

  • 0 in reply to Joseph Raniere

    My Dad was in the 94th and told me the story of the unexploded bomb. I remember many of the details you list in your write up.

    Sue Kocher Thomas

Reply Children