Hello all! Pennsylvania checking in Stumbled in from a Google search looking for some info on the 18th INF (found the post from 2012 about Africa), my Father was in D Company 18th INF 81mm mortar crew. 1942-1945 8 Campaigns. I'm trying to follow his "footsteps" but am really interested in finding out more about what happened with him in Heistern Germany around 22 November 1944. After his death in 2019 I was going through his paperwork and found he was awarded a Second Device for his Bronze Star w/ "V" after the war. He had never discussed this with anyone in the family and never wore it on his medal(?) He served up till 1980 with the PA Air National Guard. I would really like to find out more about what happened, we did find a copy of the original citation and I found some info, basically a mini-citation like I have (less info) on the 1st Division website. I'm going to go do some searching now on here, thanks for the welcome. Bruce
Hi Bruce. Welcome. His name and any other relevant information would give us a leg up on finding more on his exploits.
Lou, Sorry I never followed up with your reply! My father (Richard Palsgrove) was in the 18th inf Co D 1st Div Heavy Mortar Crewman 1607 SSgt, From 2 Aug to 9 Sep 45, 8 campaigns Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia. Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes & Central Europe. 2 Bronze Stars 1 with "V" device for Heroic achievement in Heistern, Germany 22 November 1944. I've researched the battle reports on the First Division website and was able to kind of tracked his unit company movement during that time frame to get a better understanding of the battle that was going on. How would I find the large maps so I can place the position report maps correctly? Any info someone might have on the 18th inf. I do have some stories my father elated to me but he didn't share much. Have pics from his service also. Thanks!
If the maps survived, they are with the division records at NARA in College Park. The staff there is terrific, but can only spend a few minutes with each emailed inquiry. So, going yourself or hiring a private researcher are about your only choices for anything as extensive as you seem to suggest. If you can go yourself, it's a terrific experience. I've got plenty more tips if you do go. Somewhere around here in my piles are the box lists for WW2 U.S. Army units. If you are seriously interested in pursuing this, I will search for that list. If I were you, for now I would pick one narrow date range of special interest to you (no more than a couple of days) and email archives2@nara.gov and ask them to look for a map in the division's records in RG 407. Regimental maps is likely the lowest level you'll find. As this is a trial run, it'll suffice. S-3 operations maps are what you are after at regimental level (G-3 at division level). They might give you a freebie if you only ask for one map in a limited (but flexible) date range and they can go right to it. If any of your narrative reports list map coordinates (6 or 8 digits) I will try to remember a website that I frequently used about a decade ago that would translate those coordinates to latitude and longitude which, of course, would allow you to find the spot on a modern map. Seems like the 6 digit ones get you within +/- 50 yards. Good luck.
