Newspaper articles about 17th Armored Engineer Battalion veterans, afhabetical order:
Names F up to and including Z
(Source: Newspapers.com)
Bernard G. Factor, Jr. Bernard G. Factor, Jr., 95, passed away on July 8, 2014. Born in Zanesville, March 8, 1919, to the late Bernard Sr. and Margaret (Kunkle) Factor, his family came to Akron where he attended St. Ber-nard’s Grade School and then St. Paul’s Grade School. He attended St. Vincent High School, Garfield High School and St. Joseph Academy in Rensselaer, Ind. before. Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942. He was attached to the 2nd Armored Div., 17th Engineer Battalion, Co. B and saw action in N. Africa, Sicily, Omaha Beach at Normandy, St. Lo and the Ardennes in the Battle of the Bulge, and was part of the first occupation force of Berlin. After the war, he returned to his trade as a printer and worked for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in the print shop run by his father, Adcraft, Akron Typesetting/Danner Press, and the Beacon Journal. He served as Steward for the In-ternational Typographical Un-ion. In 1947, he was married to the love of his life, Mary Agnes Plazo Factor at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. A dedicated family man, he found time to pursue his love of sports. He played Fast Pitch Softball on a Firestone Industrial League Team and in 1996 was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Akron District Golf Association and bowled and played golf in the Print Craft League. An 88 year member of St. Paul’s Parish, he sang in the men’s choir and served as an usher. He was also a member of the Third Order Secular of Mt. Carmel, invested in 1954 and professed in 1955. He loved watching his kids, grandkids and greatgrandkids play sports. His survivors include wife of 67 years, Mary A (Plazo); children, Bernard III (Kathleen), Maureen (Dick) Cannon, Michael (Sue), Ri-chard (Lori), Ed (Marianne), Rosemary (Don) Tarosky, Margaret Factor, William (Pam), Robert (Becky), Gerry (wife, Becky, deceased); 24 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be on Fri-day morning from 10 a.m. to Noon at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Fr. Matthew Pfeiffer and Fr. Ralph Thomas will concelebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at noon. In-terment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery where Firestone VFW Post 3383 will render military honors. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Please go to www.dunn-quigl ey.com to view Bernard’s Book of Memories or to leave
Bernard G Factor Jr – The Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Summit, Ohio, United States of America) · 10 Jul 2014
James R.
James R Feeney – The Post-Star (Glens Falls, Warren, New York, United States of America) · 1 Mar 1993
TICONDEROGA — James R. Feeney, 72, of 209 The Portage, died unexpectedly Saturday (Feb. 27, 1993) at his home. Born on June 23, 1920, in Ticonderoga, he was the son of John and Florence (Elsperance) Feeney. Mr. Feeney was a lifetime resident of Ticonderoga. He served in the Army as a member of the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion in the Aleutian Islands and Germany during World War II. He was a member of Ticonderoga American Legion Post 224 and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Feeney worked for Republic Steel Corp. in Port Henry, International Paper Co. and Reale Construction Co., both of Ticonderoga. Four brothers, John Feeney, Albert Feeney, George Feeney and William Feeney,
Survivors include three sisters, Margaret Witherell of Fort Edward. June Small of Syracuse and Ann Deyoe of Bishop, Calif, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be conducted at 3 p.rn. Tuesday at Connery and Gunning Funeral Home, 26 Father Toques Place, Ticonderoga, with the Rev. Garvin Dcmarais of St. Mary’s Church, Ticonderoga, officiating. Spring burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may call from I to 3 p.m. prior to the services at the funeral home. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorials be of one’s choice.
TOM HARRELL ARRIVED HOME LAST FRIDAY Tom Harrell arrived home last Frl day after receiving an honorable discharge from the United States Army at the Separation Center Forst McPhearson, Georgia June 27, 1945. Tom was a Pfc with Hq. Co. 17th Armd Engr. Bn. and was inducted TTflhrnn vu OR 1fil tt . 3 seas 2 years 8 months and 1 day MO aim 1 Qd.y, leaving the States on October 19,1942, and returning June 20, 1945. Battles and campaigns engaged in were Central Europe, Fr. Morocco, France Ardennes and Rhineland. He was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, European African , Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with seven Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Ribbon. without a scratch. He is the son of Mr. G. Harrell of Melvin. and Mrs. A. Tom was one of the few and lucky American soldiers to complete the whole European war and come out without a scratch. He is the son fo Mr and Mrs A. .G. Harrell of Melvin.
A. J. !sacks Jr. A. J. lsacks Jr., 80, of Orange-burg, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, in Freeport, Texas, sur-rounded by his loving family. Born in Baton Rouge, La., he was a resident of Orangeburg, and a former resident of Texas, Flori-da and Louisiana. He was a graduate of LSU, a chem-ical engineer, and an avid outdoor sportsman. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Second Armored Di-vision, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, participating in the liberation of Europe. He was preceded in death by his parents, AJ.”Ike” Isacks and Gladys Doherty Isacks. A loving husband and father, he is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Joyce Adams (sacks; his chil-dren, ArJay” ‘sacks III, and his wife Mary Beth, of Dauphin Is-land, Ala., Anthony A. Isacks, and his wife, Debbie, of Freeport, Texas, Pamela Joyce Isacks, and her husband, Allen Mackey, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Thomas Scott Isacks, and his wife Madeline, of Baton Rouge, La. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His was a good life, and he lived it well. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Greenpeace. Visitation will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at St. James Episcopal Church Parlor, fol-lowed by services at 3 pm. In-ternment will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
A. J. Isacks The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States of America) · 11 Sep 2004
A. J. Isacks Jr. A. J. lsacks Jr., 80, of Orange-burg, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, in Freeport, Texas, sur-rounded by his loving family. Born in Baton Rouge, La., he was a resident of Orangeburg, and a former resident of Texas, Florida and Louisiana. He was a graduate of LSU, a chemical engineer, and an avid outdoor sportsman. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Second Armored Division, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, participating in the liberation of Europe. He was preceded in death by his parents, AJ.”Ike” Isacks and Gladys Doherty Isacks. A loving husband and father, he is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Joyce Adams (sacks; his children, ArJay” ‘sacks III, and his wife Mary Beth, of Dauphin Island, Ala., Anthony A. Isacks, and his wife, Debbie, of Freeport, Texas, Pamela Joyce Isacks, and her husband, Allen Mackey, of Charlotte, N.C.; and Thomas Scott Isacks, and his wife Madeline, of Baton Rouge, La. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His was a good life, and he lived it well. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Greenpeace. Visitation will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at St. James Episcopal Church Parlor, fol-lowed by services at 3 pm. In-ternment will be in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr. (sacks
KOZUCH, Alphonse A.
Private Alphonse Aloysius Kozuch 1918 – 2005 Hartford Courant (Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America) · 16 Sep 2005
Alphonse Aloysious Kozuch, 87, died peace-fully with his daugh-ter Susan at his side, Tuesday, (September 13, 2005) at the Mid-dlesex Memorial Hospital Hospice of complications resulting from his courageous battle with lung cancer. He was the husband of the late Harriet Catherine Ko-zuch. Born August 3, 1918 in Mer-iden, he was the son of the late Frank and Catherine Muszynski Kozuch. Al attended local school and served the United States Armed Forces during World War II from July 11, 1941 until August 11, 1945. He first served in the 17th Combat Engineers, 2nd Ar-mored Division. He transferred to the Army Air Force, completed air force training, graduated as a commissioned officer and bom-bardier from the San Angelo Bombardier School in Texas. He served overseas with the 381st Bomb Group, 532nd Squadron. He was credited with 30 combat missions over occupied Europe. He was awarded the Distin-guished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the European Campaign Medal, the Bronze Battle Star and the World War II Victory Medal. He became a member of the “Gold-fish Club” when his plane went down in the English Channel af-ter being shot up over Germany during one particularly danger-ous mission. Thankfully all crew-members survived. A long-time employee of the International Sil-ver Co, Al retired from Factory R in 1982. He was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church and a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus. Al leaves a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Don-ald Evarts of Essex with whom he made his home the past two years. He is also survived by two grandsons and their spouses, Todd and Dawn Evarts of Col-chester and James and Renee Evarts of Essex. “Happy”, a name given him by his oldest great granddaughter as a toddler, leaves four adoring grand daugh-ters whom he deeply loved: De-anna Renee and Danielle Lindsay Evarts of Colchester and Britney Elizabeth and Alyssa Michelle Evarts of Essex. Mr. Kozuch was predeceased by his wife Harriet Catherine who died October 8, 1999, by two brothers, Stanley and Edward Kozuch and three sis-ters, Stephanie (Sally) Gmitrzuk, Mary Cichocki and Margaret Ko-zuch. A loyal and witty fighter with a sense of humor, Al will be sorely missed by all his family and friends “who bid him to go in peace to be with the Lord”. His military funeral will be held Sat-urday, September 17, at 9:15 a.m. from the Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Church. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects, TODAY from 4-8 p.m. at the Stempien Funeral Home.
William Labenburg Jr.
William C Labenburg – The Morning Call (Allentown, Lehigh, Pennsylvania, United States of America) · 11 Oct 2004
William C. Labenburg Jr 82 of South Avenue, Jim . Thorpe, died late Saturday evening in his home. Born in Frackville, he was a son of the late William C. Sr. and Maryanne (Judd) Labenburg. Bill was a longtime companion to the late Rachael Penberth. Bill retired from the Jim Thorpe School District as custodian in the high school for several years. Previous employment was with Corning Glass Works, Corning, N.Y. and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Bill was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to entering World War II. He was an Army veteran of World War II, participating in the European Theater and serving with the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion. He was a member of the American Legion Post, Jim Thorpe and the Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame. Survivors: Brother, Harry T. of Beaver Run; several nieces, nephews. Services: At the conve-nience of the family. Arrange-ments, Miller Funeral Home, Lehighton. Contributions: Hospice St. John, Hazleton 18201.
Veteran Mel LaScola; owned Wayne Sign Co.
By Rose Meals
Statt Writer WAYNE — Mel LaScola, 70. of Wayne. who died Tuesday, “was with Patton’s Army and one or the first troops in Berlin. Then they had to pull out to let the Russians go in first, which General Patton was very angry about,” said Hen-ry Marrocco, owner of Marrocco Memorial Chapel in Clifton. Marrocco met LaScola 35 years ago in the Optimist Club of Clif-ton, as did Judge Joseph J. Saler-no of the Superior Court in Paterson. Judge Salerno recalled that Mr. LaScola was a reconnai-sance motorcyclist with Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army during World War II. “He was an affirmative, for-ward-looking man, who had an excellent outlook on life, fudge Salerno said,”He was good to his children and had a real lovE. match with his wite. “He was a good friend. When you had trouble, he was sure to come and tried to help you over the rough spots,” he said. Mr. LaScola. who was a mem-ber of the Hollow Rod and Gun Club in Garfield, was a great —sportsman, Judge Salerno said. “He loved the outdoors,” the judge said. “We always had veni-son dinners at his house. He was a great host and enjoyed a good, funny story.”
He was also a good golfer, his wife, the former Helen Kaseta, said. “He was always busy,” she added. “He was the best,” Mr. Marroc-co said. “He was very tough, but had a heart of gold. He loved peo-ple, and he loved to do things for people. If anyone needed him, he was there.” Mr. LaScola was also a member of the Clifton Good Fellowship Club, he added. Born in Lyndhurst, he lived in Clifton before moving to Wayne 28 years ago. He was the owner of the Wayne Sign Co. the last 28 years. Prior to that, he was owner of Center Sign Co. in Garfield. He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation Church in Wayne. Mr. LaScola was also a member of the Clifton Memorial Post NO 347,—Aiiiefican the Wayne Township Board of Adjustment and the Wayne Re-publican Club. In addition to his wife, survi-vors include two sons, Mel Jr. of Green Pond and Steven of Cleve-land, Ohio; a daughter, Mrs. San-dra Ormsby of Wayne; a brother, Donald of Nutley: a sister, Mrs. Marie VonderHeyden of Wayne, and seven grandchildren. Services will be 9:30 am Friday at Marrocco Memorial Chapel, 326 Parker Ave., Clifton, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart R.C. Church in Clifton.
Leonard W. Lulls Sr. Leonard W. Lulis Sr., of Mountaintop and formerly of North Wilkes-Barre, died Saturday in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. He was born Dec. 4, 1920, son of the late John and Sophie Czekalski Lulis. Before retiring in 1982, Mr. Lulis was employed 40 years as a federal protective officer in the General Services Administration headquartered in Wilkes-Barre. He was recognized as one of a group of civil servants who had been with the GSA since its creation in 1949, and received numerous awards including out-standing performance commendations for duties during the Flood of 1972, and meritorious service in the Cuban Resettlement Program at Fort Chaffee, Ark., during 1980-81. Mr. Lulls served in the Army with the Headquarters Co., 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, and in battles including those in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Ardennes and central Europe. He received decorations and citations which include the Belgium Eour-ragere, European, African and Middle Eastern services medals with six Bronze Stars. Mr. Lulls was a member of St. Jude’s Church, Mountaintop. Brothers, Walter, Peter and John, and sister, Katherine, preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, the former Dolores Langel; sons, Leonard W. Jr., Mountaintop; Robert P., Bethlehem; daughter, Deborah Ann, at home; six grand-sons; sister, Joan Mayo, Plains; nieces and nephews. Funeral will be held Tuesday at 9:30 from Desiderio Funeral Home, 436 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountaintop, with Mass of Chris-tian Burial at 10 in St. Jude’s Church. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Byzantine Cemetery, Dallas. Friends may call Monday, 2to4and7to9. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Church or the American Cancer Society.
Leonard W. Lulis Sr. – Citizens’ Voice (Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States of America) · 28 Sep 1992
Pvt. Raymond Nichols Co. D. 17th Armored Engineers APO 252 32200514 Fort Bragg. N. C.
Raymond Nichols – The Brockway Record (Brockway, Pennsylvania, United States of America) · 25 Dec 1942
Pfc. McConnell, Hurt In Action Pfc. Richard F. McConnell, son of Mrs. Nellie McConnell, 87 Grand this city, has been wounded in action in Luxumburg. ‘ He was attached to the 17th Engineer’s Combat Battalion serving in Gen. Patton’s Third Army. Pfc, Mc Connell has been overseas since July 1944. A graduate of Long Branch high school in June 1943, he has been in the Army since Aug. of the same year. ‘
The Daily Record (Long Branch, New Jersey, United States of America) · 12 Mar 1945, Mon · Page 1
On Wednesday, July 7, 2010, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Paul Wesley McGrew, passed away peacefully and with loving family in St. George, UT. Paul was born Oct. 9, 1924 to William & Jesse McGrew in Pittsburgh. Paul is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy, and his four sons Paul, Michael, Edward and David. Paul was also blessed to have 11 grandchildren, Kim, Phillip, Carole, Christopher, Jonathan, Erik, Evan, Ian, Samantha, Taylor and Logan. He also has countless friends and family that are blessed to have known him during his life. We would like to honor Paul for his service to our country as a veteran of WWII. As Americans we are truly in debt to Paul and other veterans for their service and sacrifice. Thank you. Paul loved the outdoors, bowling and golf. We would all be so fortunate to have 2 holes in one in our lifetime. The competitiveness and humor provided by the McGrew Family Card Games will be cherished memories for life. Friends received Friday 5-9 PM at the Griffith Mortuary, Inc., 5636 Brownsville Rd., Broughton-Curry South Park Twp. Additional visitation Saturday from 11 AM until time of services at 1 PM at the funeral home under the direction of the McGrew family. Even though this is a time of great sadness, we all must be reminded that we will see him again. We will greatly miss you, but your memory lives on within each of us. www.griffithmortuary.net
MECLER 12e On August 10, 1987, LEO F., beloved husband of Anna F. (nee Bena). De-voted father of Leo M. Mecler and Agnes M. Musgrave, loving grand-father of Kimberly D. and Jason S. Mecler and Jes-sica C. Musgrave. Also survived by four brothers and four sisters. A Christian Wake Ser-vice will be held at the Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk, Inc., 7922 Wise avenue, on Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Sacred Heart of Mary Church on Thursday at 9 A.M. lntermernt, St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday and Wednesday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Family requests contributions be made to the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Development Office, 553 N. Broadway, Suite 801, 21205.
Private Leo Frank Mecler, The Evening Sun (Baltimore, Maryland)12 Aug 1987, WedPage 50
Harold Norton, 78 Retired Army colonel Retired Army Colonel Harold Norton, of Peabody and Swamp-scott, died Friday in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton. He was 78. He was born and raised in Salem and graduated from Salem High School in 1938. During World II, he served as an engineer co at unit commander with the 17th. Armored Engineer Battalion. He participated in many campaigns in Europe and re-ceived a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He then served with the 26th Infantry, Yankee Division, as com-mander of the Lynn Armory, and was later assigned to the Army Re-serves. He retired in 1980. For many years he worked at the GE River Works Plant in its medium steam turbine generator depart-ment, from which he also retired in 1980. Col. Norton was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Yan-kee Division Veterans Association, the Army Reserve Officers Association, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a former Swampscott Town Meeting member, former president of the Upper Swampscott Improvement Association, and com-municant of Our Lady of the As-sumption Church in Lynnfield and of St. Anthony’s Church in Sanborn yule, N.H. He leaves his wife, Emelia (Picariello) Norton; his daughter, Susan Tague of Providence; and three grandchildren. A funeral Mass will be said on Monday at 11 am. in Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Lynn-field.
Colonel Harold Norton – The Boston Globe (Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, United States of America) · 2 May 1999
Corporal Edward J Sammons 17th Engineer, Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia)17 Jun 1945, SunPage 18 (Source Newspapers.com)
DEATHS
Private Wilfred Strom – Daily Press (Newport News, Newport News, Virginia, United States of America) · 14 Oct 1942
STROM, Private Wilfred, 36, of Company D, 17th Armored Engineers battalion, Fort Braggs, N, C., died here Octoner 10, 1942.
Native of Pine City, Minnesota. Only survivor known here his father, George W Strom, of Pine City. Body sent October 13 with millitary escort to Pine City for funeral services and interment. (Carder Funeral home in charge.)
GARLAND F. WHEATLEY
Garland F Wheatley – The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Madison, Tennessee, United States of America) · 6 Sep 1944
Corp. Wheatley Gains Purple Heart Medal
Corp. Garland F. Wheatley has been awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in ac-tion in France with the Armored Engineers, according to word received by his sisters, Mrs. L. L. Evans of Bemis and Mrs. Elizabeth McBryde of Humboldt. Corp. Wheatley enlisted in the army in December. 1940, and was assigned to the 17th Armored Engineers. He took part in the invasion of North Africa, Sicily and Italy before being transferred to action in France.
Mrs. Maggie Williams, who is visiting her children, Carl Williams and Mrs. Williams, Seymour Rl and Mrs. Edna Fitch, Seymour R2, has received some interesting photographs from her son, Cpl. William Williams, who is a mem ber of the 17th Engineers, 2nd Armored “Hell On Wheels” Divi sion, now in Berlin. i The photographs show bridges over the Elbe, Rhine and Roer rivers which Cpl. Williams’ divi sion built. An enclosed clipping also tells of the accomplishments of the division and reports that 5,485 feet of treadway bridge were constructed in Europe by the en gineering group. Landing in Africa, the division was sent to England, where, prior to the invasion of France, they practiced building bridges late at night over the Thames. Bridges of all sizes were constructed in all parts of Europe by these engi neers, and the little one placed just as important parts as the large ones, the article concludes. Cpl. Williams, who formerly lived in Oakland City, was inducted into the army from Seymour in one of the first groups of county men to enter the armed forces. In the army over four years, he has been overseas thirty-three months and has over 100 points under the army service plan. At the time of his induction he was employed by the Riverview Cemetery Association. He has been in Africa, England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His division, the 2nd Armored, was due to arrive in Berlin this week
Corporal William Williams, 17th Armored Engineer Battalion,The Tribune Seymour, Indiana 07 Jul 1945, Sat • Page 4
ARRIVES IN NORTH AFRICA Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zimmerman, of Wiconisco, have received word that their son, Cpl. Charles F. Zimmerman, has arrived safely in North Africa. He is serving with the 17th Engineer’s Batalion, of the 2nd Armored Division. Cpl. Zimmerman received his training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zimmerman, of Wiconisco, received word from their son, Charles, that he is now in Sicily and seeing a lot of action. He stated that it is almost over in that section and that he is enjoying good health. He took part in the African campaign and has been in service two and a half years with the crack 2nd Armored Division known as “Hell on Wheels.” He trained at Ft. Benning, Georgia. His present address is: Cpl. Charles F. Zimmerman, 33010883 Co. A, 17th Engr’s Bn., A. P. O. 252 co Postmaster New York City, N. Y.
Discharged With 32 Months Overseas Service Charles F. Zimmerman, Technician Fifth Grade, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Zimmerman, Center street, Wiconisco, was given an honorable discharge from the military service of the United States, at the Separation Center, Fort Dix, N. J ., June 29, 1945. He was inducted February 12, 1941 at Harrisburg and spent 32 months overseas. He was a member of the 17th Arm’d Engr. Bn. of the 2nd Arm’d Division which has won fame as the “Hell On Wheels Division.” Zimmerman saw service in the battles and campaigns of Algeria, French Morocca, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Sicily and Tunisia. He holds the American Defense Service Medal, European, African Middle Eastern Service Medal, WArrowhead and the Good Conduct Medal.