Hello all! Laura here. I stumbled upon this site and I hope you all can help! My grandfather was Capt. Donald Everett Baker of the 392nd Engineer General Service Regiment. I am trying to find out as much as possible, if not about him, at least about where he was throughout his time served. I am also working with the National Archives. He wouldn't really ever talk about the time he spend in the army. Places/events that I've heard mentioned were Bay of Pigs, Normandy, France, Pearl Harbor, marching through France to build bridges, then blow them up after the military had crossed over them, St Michael's Church in France (he used to tell my mother when she was little that one day he wanted to go back to a church in France that you couldn't get to when the water was high because the road would be completely flooded) Please forgive my tossing out of random events there... The stories were few and far between and have been passed down through many different people. I'm not sure that he has a direct connection with all of them or not. He was in construction before enlisting. He married right before leaving (he left the day after I believe- again not sure) After being over seas, he was a drill sergeant for some time before retiring. (I was always amused by this as a kid - he was a very quiet, peaceful man at home, it was hard for me to believe that he did that for a job He passed away from emphysema in 1997. I have attached what little information that I have found. Any and all information on where he traveled, fought, etc would be great! (Is it better for me to put this post in a thread below? Let me know )
Thanks McCabe I will add that to the list! I have my mother looking for any pictures that she has with his ribbons/metals if that would help
Welcome to the Forum, Laura. The 392nd Engineer GS Regiment was an all black regiment. You may find this 392nd veteran's story of interest: Army engineer at Hawaii for Pearl Harbor attack
Hi Tommy Yes I saw that they were an all black regiment. That confused me when I saw that. When I asked my mother she said he used to talk about training some of the black gentlemen with full gear etc - he realized that a few of them were having a much easier time training than the others. When he lifted their packs, some of them had emptied the required contents of their packs and put in a stove pipe to make it appear that it was full. Needless to say he did NOT take that lightly! New info - he was on burial duty while at Pearl Harbor. He also had the attached picture among his things. Is it possible that he was with the 34th here too just like the article you posted? Thank you for the article! I will see what I can find. Edited: I also attached a later picture of him as well. I've never seen any of his pins, patches or ribbons but I'll see if I can find more pictures with these showing
There were all black units in various branches of the Army. I believe the majority had white officers, though I do know that there were some with black officers. I like the story about the stovepipe in the backpack. That sort of "ingenuity" does cross racial lines. I've got a couple similar stories from when I went through BCT. I would imagine that it is possible that he could have been with the 34th Engineers. If you are able to get his personnel file from the NARA, that should answer the question.
Oh yes of course. I love those stories as well I have an email over to NARA already. Should hear within a few weeks!
Welcome to the forums Laura, hope you enjoy your time here and have success in your search for more info on your grandfather.
You're father mentions the Mont Saint Michel in Normandy . When tide is high it is an island and this Unseco Hertiage Monument is over 1200 years old. The speed of the tide is faster than a running hore so many were drown. No surprise your grandfather loved this mysteriious place. The Abbey is surrounded by a village nad there is even a museum with a mediaval torture chamber. More here ! http://www.maxisciences.com/mont-saint-michel/wallpaper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel
Mont Saint Michel in 1944 http://www.irwinshaw.org/world-war-2 http://enfantsdelhistoire.com/documentaire-seconde-guerre-mondiale-du-jour-j-a-l-allemagne-jack-lieb/robert-capa-devant-mont-saint-michel-1944-jack-lieb/#sthash.ONqHjkSh.dpbs
Hi Laura. Welcome to the forum. According to Stanton's OOB, members of the 392nd were entitled to credit for the following campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.They landed in England 29 Jun 43 and landed in France July 44. I hope this helps.
Hi Laura. Hope you'll read that... After having signing in to join this forum, I started to read posts about what I'm searching for and found yours. As I said in my first post, my Grand-Father has a friend who served as an interpreter in the 392nd Eng. GS Rgt. Last week, he told me about Captain Donald Baker ! So I share with Bernard your post (even if he's 90, he's got an Email adress...) and what a surprise : it is not your Grandpa that Bernard crossed during the WW2 ! Bernard explained me that Donald is a popular surname and Baker a popular name, but what an hasard !!! If I could speak longer with Bernard, I'll try to know another names of guys from this Regiment and I'll create a post relative to Bernard Paumier. If anybody find something about Bernard... Thanks, Jean-Baptiste.
Hi there Jean-Baptiste! Yes it sure was a popular name. How crazy. Thank you so much for checking for me! I appreciate it. Laura
Hi LAURA, i'am Francois PAUMIER from france, my father Bernard PAUMIER (91 years old) has served under your grandfather's orders as an interpreter from Le Havre (Normandy) to the Ardennes in sept/december 1944 in the 392nd engineers general services. He perfectly remembers your grandfather if you want to know more, just let me know, and i'll get you in contact with my dad.