38th Armored Infantry Battalion
Company "C" 1st Platoon
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Last updated: May 2, 2008 - What's New?
This page contains:
Platoon Headquarters
The Squads of the Platoon
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PLATOON HEADQUARTERS OF 1st PLATOON OF COMPANY "C" OF THE 38TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION:
The platoon headquarters consisted of the Commanding Officer, Platoon Sergeant, and Driver.
Platoon Leaders of 1/C/38 were:
1st Lt. Mario J. (Jim) Fortuna (States - 7 September 1944, wounded at or just after Gravelotte, France - won Distinguished Service Cross for actions north of Chartres, France on 16-18 August)
- ??(7 September - 13 October 1944)??
- 2nd Lt. Benjamin E. Jones, Jr. (13 October 1944 - 7 November 1944, wounded and captured - died of wounds 3 December 1944, as POW)
- 2nd Lt. Walter M. Schonour (16 November 44 - 26 January 1945, wounded at Wallerode, Belgium; returned 13 April 1945 - duration)
- ??(26 January 1945 - ???)??
Platoon Sergeants of the Platoon were:
- T/Sgt. Henry C. Thompson (States - 6 Sep 44, wounded at Gravelotte, France)
- ???
- T/Sgt. Harold R. Gano, Warren, OH (?? 15 Dec 44 ?? - Duration) [promoted from S/Sgt. 15 Dec 44; may have been acting Platoon Sergeant before then]
Drivers of the Platoon HQ were:
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THE SQUADS OF THE 1st PLATOON OF COMPANY "C" OF THE 38TH ARMORED INFANTRY BATTALION:
At this time, the membership of the squads is not yet known. An Armored Infantry Battalion rifle platoon consisted of the following squads, with the standard composition as shown:
- 1st or Headquarters Squad (Rifle): 12 men - Lt., 1st Sgt., S/Sgt., 8 Riflemen (one armed with sniper rifle), T/5 Driver
- Squad Leaders
- S/Sgt. Paul B. Dry (States - Duration?)
- ???
- Half-Track Drivers
- ???
- T/5 "Nick" De Rosa [Half-Track Nickname: Civilian] (promoted to T/5 29 Oct 44 - ???)
- T/5 ??? McMillan [Half-Track Nickname: Civilian] (??? - Duration?)
- ???
- Squad Members
- Pfc. Edward W. Kaminski, Jr. (20 Sep 44 - ?? Apr 44, wounded at ????, Germany)
- ???
- 2nd Squad (Rifle): 12 men - S/Sgt., Sgt (Asst Squad Leader), 9 Riflemen, T/5 Driver
- 3rd Squad (Rifle): 12 men - S/Sgt., Sgt (Asst Squad Leader), 9 Riflemen, T/5 Driver
- Squad Leaders of Unknown Squads
- S/Sgt. Robert C. Parker (States - 6 Sep 44, wounded at Gravelotte, France when half-track destroyed, killing most of squad -- records of Pvt. Phillip Chippas include a burial report for Parker, but no other record of his death have yet been found -- if anyone knows more about this. PLEASE CONTACT ME at wwjohnston@aol.com) [not certain that he was in 1st Platoon]
- S/Sgt. James W. Schmick (States - 6 Sep 44, wounded at Gravelotte, France) [not certain that he was in 1st Platoon]
- ???
- Half-Track Drivers of Unknown Squads
- T/5 John E. McElroy (States - 6 Sep 44, wounded at Gravelotte, France with S/Sgt. Robert C. Parker when most of squad was killed when half-track was destroyed) [not certain that he was in 1st Platoon]
- ???
- Machine Gun Squad: 12 men - S/Sgt., Sgt (Asst Squad Leader), 2 Gunners, 2 Ammo Handlers, 5 Riflemen, T/5 Driver
- Mortar Squad: 9 men - S/Sgt., Sgt (Asst Squad Leader), 2 Gunners, 2 Ammo Handlers, 2 Riflemen, T/5 Driver
Ed Kaminski submitted a list of names and addresses of 1/C/38, gathered in July 1945. The addresses are not included here for privacy, but I can give them to platoon members or their families who are researching the platoon.
- Lt.Walter M. Schonour (Platoon Leader)
- M/Sgt. Harold R. Gano (Platoon Sgt.)
- S/Sgt. Paul B. Dry (Ed's Squad Leader)
- Pvt Joe R. Gabardi
- Pvt Glenn C. Berry
- Pvt Frank J. D'Arrigo
- Pvt Lou Sciarrotta
- Pvt Columbus R. Slate
- Pvt Sidney Alexander
- Pvt Johnnie P. Vinze
- Pvt William J. Bishie
- Pvt Harold L. McMillian
- Pvt Rufus E. Fury
- Pvt Bernard A. Angone
- Pfc Edward W. Kaminski
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