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Son of veteran--517th Port Battalion

Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by Troysterr, Dec 5, 2009.

  1. Troysterr

    Troysterr recruit

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    My dad passed way a couple of months ago, and since then I've taken an interest in learning about his experiences in the war. He rarely talked about it, but my siblings and I did capture about half an hour of video of him sharing his experiences.

    I also have a few dozen photos (primarily around Antwerp) and most (if not all) of the letter that he wrote home during his service (Feb 1943-Dec 1945). I'm putting a book of them together, and am always looking for pictures and historical accounts to flesh out the stories.
     
    Troysterr, Dec 5, 2009
    #1
  2. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Welcome Troysterr,
    This is the place to find answers and share the stories. Look forward to reading your posts. The letters home are always interesting and I hope you can post a few of them here. It is a great way to Honor our Veterans, our Friends and our Families and reinforce why they were The Greatest Generation. My condolences and best wishes.
     
    Biak, Dec 5, 2009
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  3. sniper1946

    sniper1946 Expert

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    welcome to the forum troysterr...
     
    sniper1946, Dec 5, 2009
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  4. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Welcome aboard, Troysterr. Your story sounds like that of so many others on this site. Post what you can, and we'll try to help you flesh things out. There's a lot of knowledgeable folk about.

    Happy posting.
     
    LRusso216, Dec 5, 2009
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  5. Tomcat

    Tomcat The One From Down Under

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    Welcome to the forum.

    I am sorry to hear about your father, it is always hard to lose someone close to you. Just remember the good they brought to your life, and honour them by remembering there name.

    It would be an honour to view your fathers photo's and letters from his time in the military and please start a thread and post them for us to see.
     
    Tomcat, Dec 5, 2009
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  6. dgmitchell

    dgmitchell Ace

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    Hello and welcome! I am sorry for your recent loss but grateful to your family for your father's service. You will find a lot of knowledge here, so please ask any questions you may have about general aspects of your Dad's service and I am sure you will receive some excellent responses.

    Cheers!
     
    dgmitchell, Dec 5, 2009
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  7. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    Welcome Troy, by all means we would be pleased to hear more
     
    Skipper, Dec 6, 2009
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  8. 519th Andrew

    519th Andrew Member

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    Hi Trosyter,

    My grandfather was in the 519th Port Bn., also serving in Antwerp. I have been researching for a book too. I've read alot about Port Company work in Antwerp. I'll bet we could help each other out. Please swing by my blog and shoot me an email. Have you seen the book, A Moment in History: the story of the American Army in the Rhondda in 1944, by Bryan Morse? It was published in Wales and discusses your dad's unit.
     
    519th Andrew, Dec 8, 2009
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  9. panzer kampf gruppen 6

    panzer kampf gruppen 6 Dishonorably Discharged

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    Hi Trosyter welcome to the forums!I hope u learn more about your father here.I am sorry but what's a port battlion? Do they operate captured enemy ports in war time?
     
    panzer kampf gruppen 6, Dec 8, 2009
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  10. 519th Andrew

    519th Andrew Member

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    The Port Battalions were Army units that moved supplies on and off of ships. They performed guard duty, oversaw civilian dock workers, and sometimes guarded supplies on the way to the front.

    I pinpointed the exact docks where the 519th Port Bn. worked in Anwerp. I posted some maps on my blog: 519th Port Bn in WWII: Luchtbal Docks in Antwerp
     
    519th Andrew, Dec 8, 2009
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  11. panzer kampf gruppen 6

    panzer kampf gruppen 6 Dishonorably Discharged

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    Ah thanks for the info.
     
    panzer kampf gruppen 6, Dec 8, 2009
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  12. Kevin Kenneally

    Kevin Kenneally Member

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    Welcome and enjoy visiting all the forums.
     
    Kevin Kenneally, Dec 24, 2009
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