Son of Battle of the Bulge vet and POW

npalma · #1 (**permalink**) August 9th, 2009, 10:35 PM

My father who just passed away on July 5th this year, served in the 301st infantry rgt., 94th division under Patton. Over the span of the last several years, I have done searches on the internet to see if I could find if anyone documented what exactly my dad went through. I was never able to find anything, with the exception of small bits of information I found on the 301 inf. 94th division.

Several days ago, I remembered my dad used to always mention one of the officers in his company that he was very good friends with throughout the war. His name was Capt. Herman Straub. The name came up, and I found out that someone who was also in my dad's company, and very close friends with my dad, actually wrote a book (!!) called Unsung Valor by someone named A. Cleveland Harrison.

I found out the author of the book was close to my dad because someone put a few pages of the book on the web, and I came across this quote from the book- The NCO I eventually knew best and spent the most time with was Anthony Palma, a buck sergeant in charge of the communications squad in the headquarters platoon. Tony was steady, compulsive, and theatrical.

Anthony is my dad. It was quite a shock to read that!

I also stumbled on a website that talks about everything the 94th went through in the Battle of the Bulge:

-http://www.angelfire.com/va2/worldwar2family/or1.html

My dad and I talked about the war a few times before dementia took his mind from him. I never really knew how bad they had it during the war. I can't wait to read the book!

Thanks for your time,

Nathan

JagdtigerI · #2 (**permalink**) August 9th, 2009, 10:39 PM

Hello Nathan, great intro, welcome to the forum!

jemimas_special2 · #3 (**permalink**) August 9th, 2009, 10:41 PM

npalma,

I am honored and greatful for your Fathers service... I will definitely check out Unsung Valor. I am always looking to add books to my library collection. Have fun here, and good luck on your search!

special

SPGunner · #4 (**permalink**) August 9th, 2009, 10:54 PM

Sounds like an interesting book.

sniper1946 · #5 (**permalink**) August 10th, 2009, 06:53 AM

welcome to the forum nathan...

dgmitchell · #6 (**permalink**) August 10th, 2009, 11:38 AM

Nathan -- Welcome to the forum and thanks for a great introductory post! I am sure you will enjoy your time here so jump right into the discussion!

Cheers!

PzJgr · #7 (**permalink**) August 10th, 2009, 12:14 PM

Howdy Nathan and welcome to the forum. That sure is an awesome bit of info to find. Glad to have you with us. Good luck on your research and happy posting.

Slipdigit · #8 (**permalink**) August 10th, 2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npalma

Several days ago, I remembered my dad used to always mention one of the officers in his company that he was very good friends with throughout the war. His name was Capt. Herman Straub. The name came up, and I found out that someone who was also in my dad's company, and very close friends with my dad, actually wrote a book (!!) called Unsung Valor by someone named A. Cleveland Harrison.

I found out the author of the book was close to my dad because someone put a few pages of the book on the web, and I came across this quote from the book- The NCO I eventually knew best and spent the most time with was Anthony Palma, a buck sergeant in charge of the communications squad in the headquarters platoon. Tony was steady, compulsive, and theatrical.

Anthony is my dad. It was quite a shock to read that!

Thanks for your time,

Nathan

Unsung Valor: A GI's Story of World War II

I have the book and I enjoyed it. Order it, go the bookstore, whatever, you will enjoy it too.

npalma · #9 (**permalink**) August 11th, 2009, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slipdigit

Unsung Valor: A GI's Story of World War II

I have the book and I enjoyed it. Order it, go the bookstore, whatever, you will enjoy it too.

I ordered it, can't wait to get it! Thanks again.

LRusso216 · #10 (**permalink**) August 11th, 2009, 12:42 AM

It's pretty amazing to find that your father is mentioned in a book. I'll definitely ahve to check it out.

Skipper · #11 (**permalink**) August 11th, 2009, 08:30 AM

Hello Nathan, this is quite an introduction, welcome to this great forum !

BLewis22 · #12 (**permalink**) August 11th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Hi Nathan, My story is similar to yours. I have my dad's discharge papers but am not sure about a lot of things. He passed away in 2001. I didn't really know him as a child, but when I was 22 yrs old we contacted each other, and became very close. I am now 62. We never talked about the war much, as we had so many years to catch up on. Now I regret very much not making time to talk about the war and his service. I have a citation he received with his Bronze Star, saying he served in Luxembourg and was injured there on Jan. 25, 1945. I think that had something to do with the Battle of the Bulge, but not sure. It also says that he was "a Battery B assistant radio operator of an artillery forward observer party, went forward with advancing elements of Company G, ***Infantry, to engage in the hazardous night crossing of the ***River." I believe I read on another paper something about the Clerf River, but have been unable to find that in any history documentation. This citation was directed under the provisions of Circular 6, Hdqs. Third United States Army. I wonder if that means the Third Army is the group he was with. This was written by B M McFadyen Colonel, GSC Chief of Staff, copy sent to C A Hileman, Lt. Col., AGD. Does anyone here recoginze those names?

Thanks to anyone who can help with answers.

bigfun · #13 (**permalink**) August 13th, 2009, 01:48 AM

Welcome Nathan! Thanks for sharing that story! I would love to hear more about your Father if you would like to share more!