Seeking Information About Grandfather's Friends
Brendan Walsh Jan 23, 2021 6:20 PMMy Grandfather, Edward F. Walsh, serial# 31031752, served as a Staff Sergeant in the Anti-Tank Company, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry "Yankee Division" in World War 2. The family story was that several of his friends in his unit were killed on Christmas eve 1944, while attending a church service that was hit by German artillery. I have been unable to find much information that confirms this event. I know it must have happened, but would like to find out more. I have the Anti-Tank Company's Morning Reports from 12/24-1/12, and aside from 1 KIA 12/26, there is no mention. 2 men from F Company were killed 12/24, In Koetschette, Luxembourg, which has led my search to widen. There was only 1 Anti-Tank Co in the 101st, and based on the Morning Reports, their 4 Platoons (unknown which my grandfather was in) would be assigned to support different Battalions of the 101st, on a near daily basis. The regiment had 3 Battalions, 12 companies, as far as I know.
My Grandfather had been in the AT Co since the war started, and in his pre-Europe photos (I have none from wartime), his comrades were nearly all Sergeants by the time they deployed (confirmed by mentions of 2 of them in Morning Reports). I have 1 postwar document that lists all his previous military assignments, and from 13 Sept 1944-3 July 1945, he listed his duty as Mess Sgt. for the AT Co. His 2 pre-Europe comrades were both Squad Leaders. This has led me to wonder, since the 26th took very heavy casualties in the Lorraine Campaign of Nov '44, if perhaps he was transferred to another unit as a Squad Leader. I have read that they replenished their ranks with many non-combatant type MOS', like clerks and band members and cooks. An experienced S/Sgt may be a valuable person at that time, and maybe he didn't mention in in his service record, because he'd rather forget. He also didn't list the Bronze Star on his commendations, and I know for sure he was awarded it. Is there someplace I could easily look to see if he was transferred? Is there someplace that would have a record of a casualty event like this? Thanks