US Army 338th Harbor Craft Company stationed at Cherboug, France

Hi,
I am new to this sight. We have been doing research on Ancestry and WWII information on my father in law. He was stationed overseas from 1944-1946 . He has passed away and we were givin his leather pouch with all his service papers in it. We have gotten some information, but some will take maybe 4 months to hear back.

In amongst his papers was the port passes so we have an idea where he went. We also have a undated, sort of censored letter commending the 338th Harbor Craft Company 11 man crew that aided in the rescue off the English Channel of a torpedoed troop ship. I had found out that the USS Leopoldville, carrying US soldiers was torpedoed Christmas Eve, just 5.5 miles from the shore of Cherboug. I am guessing that he had aided in that terrible tragedy. For many years he didn't like to celebrate Christmas. I asked him why once and he said Christmas reminds him of recovering soldiers from the water. Is there anyone out there that has any information they can share with me about that company. Thanks.

I also have some of his pictures while stationed over seas and the tug boats. ST-751 and some of his friends or crew mates.

 

How would I go about posting pictures when I get them scanned? I will post them under the 338th

 

I am posting some pictures that were in my father in law's Honorable Discharge pouch. His basic training photo from May 1943. US Army Infantry

 

Morris Gibbs on leave from overseas on the farm in ND.

 

Morris Gibbs in Antwerp at a shooting gallery. He was stationed with the 338th Harbor Craft Company, but according to his port passes, was in the 352nd during this time. Does anyone know what the arm badge means. I don't know where to search. Thanks.

 

Morris Gibbs overseas,1944

 

Some photos Morris took from shoreline.

 

338th Harbor Craft Company crew on ST-751 tug boat

 

ST-751 tug boat photos and some of Morris's crew and friends. One photo ST-776, not sure if he was associated with this tug or part of another crew of 338th stationed at same port.

 

A very nice collection of photos. Thanks for posting them here. It's fantastic that you have photos of the boat on which he served as a crew member.

In post #7, he appears to be wearing the insignia of the HQ ETOUSA. See an example here: Insignia HQ ETOUSA

He is also wearing the rank of Staff Sgt. (3 chevrons with one rocker).

 

One of the papers in with his service papers, showed 41 soldiers in the 338th Harbor Craft Company with promotions with Morris included in it while in Europe ( APO 507) Dated July 1, 1944.

I scanned it but was a little to large to post.

 

Thank you, I have more photos but haven't got them scanned yet. Have the letter he received for his part in the victory, a president letter. Was told he signed up for infantry to be a foot soldier and they put him on a tug boat and was a ship master. He joked he couldn't swim a lick and learned very fast how to get past that.

 

I just read your added comment, that is amazing to see the badge and the information. I went to the link and got to see it in color. On one of the other photos, he has a badge on his chest, it sort of is a split oval with like a jagged cut or lightening bolt of sorts have looked for that one, but hopefully will have luck too. Thanks again.

 

Hi again,
This is my father in laws large picture. I am guessing it is the basic training group 338th. It was taken in 1943.

 

Great photos, thanks for the update and posting them. Usually the group photos have an ID across the bottom, too bad this one doesn't.