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Re: Seeking records of 255th Engineer Combat Battalion
Hi Maureen,
Welcome to History Hub
Found this on findagrave.com.
Is this your uncle?
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16253437/hugh-francis-o'donnell
Alice Lane
Research Volunteer
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Re: Seeking records of 255th Engineer Combat Battalion
Hi Alice, Thank you for looking into this, but that isn't my uncle's grave. My uncle was killed by sniper fire in the Po Valley in northern Italy in 1945 and his body was eventually returned to the US; he is buried at Calvary Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. I'm looking into the history of the 255th Engineer Combat Battalion in 1943 - 45. They went into North Africa and then into Sicily, and eventually up into Italy. I'd like to know more about the places he stayed in this area, and the bridges he helped to build. What the men in this campaign went through is both fascinating and horrifying.
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Re: Seeking records of 255th Engineer Combat Battalion
Hi again Maureen,
So sorry for your loss, and belated thanks to you and your family for his service to our country.
I found this about the the 255th. It was part of the 1108th Engineer Combat Division. This is some
of their history,
http://www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/docs/1108th/1108th%20History%20Part%202002.pdf
They have listed some of the Purple Heart Recipients, but not in his 255th.
Alice Lane
Research Volunteer.
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Re: Seeking records of 255th Engineer Combat Battalion
Hi Alice, Thank you! This is wonderful. Exactly what I was looking for! My uncle was newly married and his wife was pregnant when he was deployed. Our family lost track of his widow and daughter for years, until his daughter found us a few years ago. She will be delighted to have this information about what was going on around her father when he died. Uncle Bud received a Silver Star after his death. Thank you again, Alice. I really appreciate your help!
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Re: Seeking records of 255th Engineer Combat Battalion
Joshua Schroeder
Oct 9, 2020 4:07 PM
Dear Ms. Graybill,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the World War II Operations Reports, 1940-1948 in the Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1917-1985 (Record Group 407) that may include records of the 255th Engineer Combat Battalion. For access to these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.
The information you seek may be contained in his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF). For the IDPFs from 1940-1976 of personnel with surnames that begin with M-Z, please 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.
We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!
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Re: Seeking records of 255th Engineer Combat Battalion
Thank you! Great information and help. I wrote to the National Archives, and will patiently await their response.
I really appreciate your good help. Kind regards.
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