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A thank you to a helpful Rogue

Discussion in 'Military Service Records & Genealogical Research' started by LRusso216, Jan 29, 2010.

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  1. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I joined WW2F a year ago partly because I was researching my father's experience as part of a little known unit, the 473rd Infantry Regiment. I managed to find some further details and several Rogues showed me places I could go for more information. However, unitl recently, most of what I had was still lacking detail.

    Two weeks ago, I received an email and then a phone call from a Rogue whose father served in the same regiment and company. Since that brief intro, Ron (473rdSon) and I have exchanged several emails and calls. Fortunately, Ron lives near the National Archives and has made several trips to photocopy documents related to that unit. He graciously has sent me copies of various papers that further explain the actions of the 473rd and its predecessors, the 900th AA/AWB and the 505th Coast Artillery. In exchange, I sent him a photo album that I had been given by my mother that contained pictures of many men in Co. K. Ron has very few memories of his father, and only a few pictures. We're hoping he recognizes some of those I could not identify. He hopes to return to the Archives to get more material on the earlier units.

    From my perspective, this last month has been as rewarding as any of the last five years. Reading the summaries and reports has been eye-opening and somewhat humbling. It has given me a whole new view of my father's service.

    I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank Ron for his assistance, but also to extend my thanks to the entire WW2F community of Rogues. This is an amazing place that has given me rewards far beyond anything I could have hoped for. I can only hope that others searching as I was have the same good fortune.

    Cheers.
     
    LRusso216, Jan 29, 2010
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    Otto likes this.
  2. luketdrifter

    luketdrifter Ace

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    What a great experience you had, Lou. I know that we are all quite lucky to have such a vast collection of knowledge available to us at no charge.
     
    luketdrifter, Jan 29, 2010
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  3. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    What is his full username? I can't find 473rdSon.
     
    Slipdigit, Jan 29, 2010
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  4. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    That is his full username. I can see it in the Active list. He was last on tonight at 20:57. He has never posted, but he evidently reads through the posts.
     
    LRusso216, Jan 29, 2010
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  5. Erich

    Erich Alte Hase

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    in part this is what this forum is all about.........helping others.

    small world isn't it Lou ? congrats. research takes time and yet sometimes it comes in flowing

    E ~
     
    Erich, Jan 29, 2010
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  6. Fgrun83

    Fgrun83 Member

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    Lou that is fantastic! its great to hear that a fellow member of the board has been able to help you with such valuable information and documents to help fill in the pieces of your fathers service to his country.
     
    Fgrun83, Jan 29, 2010
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  7. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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    this is good news and I am glad you are having such a great time on WW2F.
     
    Skipper, Jan 30, 2010
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  8. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Good on him.
     
    GRW, Jan 30, 2010
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  9. sniper1946

    sniper1946 Expert

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    good post lou,giving knowledge and learning too,thats what its about,ray...
     
    sniper1946, Jan 30, 2010
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  10. brndirt1

    brndirt1 Saddle Tramp

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    Nice post Lou, it is heart warming when exchanging information is beneficial to both the sender and the recipient isn't it.
     
    brndirt1, Jan 30, 2010
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  11. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Thanks all for the encouragement. Reading these reports has been an eye opener. It's jsut a shame that Ron has never posted. He's been a member for a year, but hasn't put anything up. Nonetheless, I'm glad he conatacted me.
     
    LRusso216, Jan 30, 2010
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  12. 473rdSon

    473rdSon recruit

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    Lou, This is my first post. I enjoyed talking with you and I am very happy that I have met a son of a a soldier that fought with my dad. You've already helped me learn a lot about my dad's experience. I have been researching my dad's WWII history sporadically for the last 5 years. I have more information on the 505th CA(AA), the 900th AAA, Task Force 45 and the 473rd Inf Reg, but I haven't organized it to a point that I even know what i have. I'm happy to share it with you and others. I am also looking forward to learning as much as I can about our father's experience through this forum.
    World War II was a war of survival. Our fathers were in their 20's and what they went through and did to save the world for us is amazing.
     
    473rdSon, Jan 30, 2010
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    luketdrifter, macrusk, Fgrun83 and 2 others like this.
  13. brndirt1

    brndirt1 Saddle Tramp

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    Welcome aboard Ron, I too am in amazement of what those young (and not so young) men did to save the globe from totalitarian militarism.

    Look forward to more posts from you!
     
    brndirt1, Jan 30, 2010
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  14. sniper1946

    sniper1946 Expert

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    well done ron,good to see your 1st post,regards,ray..
     
    sniper1946, Jan 30, 2010
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  15. 82nd Trax

    82nd Trax Member

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    Another little known fact was the 473rd was commanded by Col. William Yarlborough later a General, designer of the airborne wing, jump boots, and even the green beret. I wrote to him several years ago and asked about his experience with the 473rd. He sent me copies of maps, newspaper articles etc. He was a very generous and kind man. I think i am correct in that he commanded the 509th in Italy before the 473rd.
     
    82nd Trax, Feb 15, 2010
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  16. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I'm surprised that anyone else has even heard of the 473rd. If it is possible, could you make copies of what you have and email them to me? I'm trying to collect whatever I can about this short-lived unit that my father was so proud to be part of. Unfortunately, everyone that I knew who was connected with the unit has passed away, so I have no sources that I can deal with. I was not aware that Col. Yarborough was part of the 505th. Thanks for the information.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 15, 2010
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  17. 82nd Trax

    82nd Trax Member

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    I apologize, that was a typo. I meant to say 509th and will go back and edit that.

    Do you have the unit history for the 473rd?? It shows up occasionally on ebay. One of the first pictures in it is Gen. Mark Clark and Col. Yarborough. There is a brief mention of his service with the 473rd in the book, Bail out of North Africa. I think that may be available through amazon.com
    I will have to dig everything out to scan. It may take a little while. send me your email.

    Thought this might be of interest. I think it was a couple of years ago a lady was selling off some theater made DI's of the 473rd on ebay and maybe a patch or patches. She knew a vet in kentucky and had gotten the items from him as a child. Her dad knew him and they used to have coffee together. She gave me his name but he was almost blind at that time. I will see if I can find the name and address. He lived near Somerset. I dont know if he is still living or not but if so you might could talk to him.
     
    82nd Trax, Feb 15, 2010
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  18. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I have the Battle History of the 473rd, along with various other publications about Salerno and the fight through Italy. I uploaded the Battle history on my profile page. I would love to have one of the unit patches. I understand they were sort of unauthorized, but I have seen some. You can also email me through my profile page. I'll try to send you a PM with it as well.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 15, 2010
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  19. 82nd Trax

    82nd Trax Member

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    Lou
    I am still pretty new to this website. I now see how to email you. The Battle History had the picture I was talking about. It is behind the cover sheet. It is missing from your upload, so i hope you have it. Actually the patch is just a scroll and I have seen it sewn below the 5th army patch. I will try to post a couple of pics. I asked a vet how they got the DI's and he said some Italians came through the camp and made them for them. I think the same is true of the patches.
    Robert

    Lou
    I am going to post some pics here.

    Here is the page of the unit history that shows Gen. Clark and Col. Yarborough.
     

    Attached Files:

    82nd Trax, Feb 15, 2010
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  20. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Thanks for the postings. I do have that page. Actually, my copy of the Battle History is in very good shape. I've also seen the regimental patch and the plaque with the bayonet. I don't know if my father ever had one of the patches. If he did, it's long gone. How did you learn about the 473rd? It isn't a very well known unit.
    View attachment 10633
    Here's a picture of the plaque that was sent to me.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 15, 2010
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