Surviving Combat and a Tragic Aviation Disaster; a HQ-Co 417th Veteran's Story

Born in May of 1923 James R. B-U-R-N-E-T-T grew up in Lansing and upon graduation, joined the United States Army with dreams of commissioning. With the war raging, he was pulled from Officer Candidate School in late 1944 to become a late war replacement for the 417th Regiment which sustained heavy losses in February of 1945. Joining HQ-Co, 417th, 76th Division in March of 1945, James was authorized two bronze campaign stars and the Combat Infantryman's Badge for his service. Interestingly enough, after serving on occupation duty with the 787th AAA BN, he was released from service as a T/4 overseas in April of 1946 for Civil Employment in the ETO hence the patch on the non-combat sleeve.

James went on to have a distinguished career at Michigan State University as a Professor of Zoology until his unfortunate passing on August 23, 1987.

Northwest Airlines Flight 255, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, crashed shortly after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport on August 16, 1987, about 8:46 pm EDT, resulting in the deaths of all six crew members and 148 of its 149 passengers, along with two people on the ground. The sole survivor was a 4-year-old girl who sustained serious injuries. It was the second-deadliest aviation accident at the time in the United States. It is also the deadliest aviation accident to have a sole survivor.

This group comes with much of his original laundry marked combat gear, his complete uniform, hundreds of photos and his original scrap book.

B-Company, 417th Regiment Veteran Added Alongside His Brother in Arms!

Technician 5th Grade Jack F. K-O-U-N-T-Z was born on Thursday January 10, 1924 in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Bloomsburg High School in 1941. Following his education, Jack enlisted in the United States Army on February 4, 1943. Upon his completion of basic training, he was assigned to B-Co, 417th Infantry Regt, 76th Div. He served in all three combat campaigns with his Co and upon the cessation of hostilities was discharged on December 5, 1945. Through most of his adult life, Jack was employed by Sylvania Electric Products Inc. in both South Williamsport and Montoursville. He passed away never marrying in December of 2012. He was an avid animal lover especially his cocker spaniels and his cat "Dusty"

This uniform comes with a beautiful set of felt T/5 insignia and gorgeous pinback 417th Regt DUIs.

He joins the 76th lineup with SGT Krauter also with B-Co!

An Intelligence & Reconnaissance 301st Combat Engineer Officer Out of the Woodwork

1LT Arthur C. M-c-G-O-W-A-N was born in 1923 in the New York City suburb, Westchester. He grew up in a middle class family and was enrolled in Yale University in 1940. He was a member of the Glee Club, was an actor, and also an avid soccer player with the school. He enlisted voluntarily at Fort Devens, Mass in February of 1943 and he began his Army journey which culminated in him getting commissioned as an engineer and joining the 301st Engineer Combat Battalion, 76th Division at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin as the battalions Intelligence Officer. He served 3x campaigns in the ETO with the 76th and came home to find love in an Olympic figure skater and married her in 1950. He passed away in 2003 in Arizona. This uniform was found by H.R. Curtis in a Tucson Army surplus store and I can’t thank him enough for helping me snag it!

It is 200% all original and I am in love with the 301st DIs over the green combat leader stripes.

He served in the New York National Guard after the war in the 77th Division and the last ribbon is for being a member of the Society of Military Engineers!

 

 

A Family Service of Sacrifice; A 901st FA Bn NCO That Lost a Brother in the 17th Airborne

Robert W. C-R-O-L-L was born on December 7th, 1941 in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. He raised his right hand in July of 1942 and received training as a Field Artilleryman at Fort Sill, OK. He was then assigned to HQ Battery, 901st Field Artillery Bn in the 76th Division.  Robert deployed overseas on December 9th, 1944 two days after his 23rd birthday. He served in all three campaigns that the 76th Div received credit for. In late August of 1945 the 76th Division was inactivated and he was transferred to the 30th Division (along with my Grandfather) for combat in the PTO. Fortunately, that day never came and the 30th sailed back to the United States. 

Interesting enough, Robert moved back to La Crosse, Wisconsin after the war. La Crosse is the location of Camp McCoy which is where the 76th completed their combat training and maneuvers that he was a part of. 

Robert passed away in July of 1998 at the age of 76. He is buried in La Crosse.

His, brother Daniel W. C-R-O-L-L, 4 years younger than Robert, also answered the Nation's call and enlisted as a Paratrooper that served in the 194th PIR, 17th Airborne Division. He was killed in action on January 7th, 1945 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal for his sacrifice.