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Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Re: Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Posted: 5 Feb 2012 4:52PM GMT
Classification: Query
Greetings,

This is exciting! I've had this posted for years with no replies or inquiries. My grandfather is still alive! His name is John Sowa. He recently turned 90 years old. To be completely honest, he is still very with it mentally; however, his hearing is very poor, particularly from WWII combat. I don't know how good his memory is, but I'm sure that it is not verbatim. I discussed this with him and he was very intrigued. My grandfather has been my biggest role model and his greatest accomplishment has been defending this country's freedom.

We all live in the Chicago area. If you live around here, we would love to meet up and discuss this with you. If not, maybe a phone call/skype session would hold true. Also, a few years ago, my grandfather and grandmother did some research with regards to his war history. I have an entire packet that explains his history and that of the 773rd. I would be more than happy to send this to you if you'd like.

I believe that he was in Co B 773rd T-D Bn. I have another document that states, "John Sowa, 367 IOI38, Private First Class 773rd. Tank Destroyer Battalion, United States Army".

Please let me know if you would like more information. I would be glad to help.

Thanks,
Mark

Re: Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Posted: 5 Feb 2012 9:19PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Halley/Sowa
Mark,
Likewise excited to receive your reply. My father, William Earl Halley, was also with Company B, the 2nd Platoon, but has been deceased since 1987. I have several items of memorabilia but have also just completed a fairly large writing project on my father's life focused mostly on his wartime experiences with several pictures of the unit. I would be happy to forward a copy if you supply your email address. My address is: stephenhalley@abbnebraska.com. We are located about twenty miles north of Omaha, Nebraska. Would also enjoy visiting with you via telephone if possible. Will share number to your direct email.
Thank you for responding,
Steve Halley
Arlington, Nebraska

Re: Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Posted: 7 Feb 2012 9:05PM GMT
Classification: Query
Mark & Steve,
I would love to talk to you both about your loved ones' experiences with the 773rd. Mark, I am thrilled to know that your grandfather is still living! I live in the Dallas area and don't have any plans of visiting Chicago anytime soon. With my daughter's help, I might could Skype. I need to learn how to do that since my daughter will be attending grad school at Vanderbilt this fall and it would be helpful to know how! I could also call you both. My email address is write2harriet@gmail.com.

If you haven't discovered the following website, I would suggest that you check it out. It has been very helpful... http://www.tankdestroyer.net/index.php?option=com_content&am.... Under the 773rd newsletter and roster, I couldn't locate your grandfather's name under Co. B or even your dad's name, Steve. I could have overlooked it, though, too. The list could be incomplete, also.

I have several questions...were they in a tank? or support? What postition? Did they go over to England on the Acquitania the end of Jan, 1944 with the unit? While in England what all did they do? I know that they were able to take leaves into London, Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford, etc. What kind of things did they do on these leaves? My uncle wasn't a drinker or womanizer, so what kind of things would he have done? What was it like living in the tanks once they were in France? Did they participate in the Battle for the Falaise Gap? What do they remember? What about Paris? They went around it but I know that they rested for 2 weeks and got 18 hours passes into Paris. Any memories? What do they remember about the battle for Lunneville and the Parroy Forest?

In my story, I do want it to be factual but I also want it to be a human interest story. I don't want just facts but I want the book to tell the human side of serving during WWII in a TD. I want to put muscles, flesh, and feelings on the bones of this story! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I will also contact you both by email so we can exchange personal information.

Thanks,
Harriet Wright

Re: Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Posted: 15 Jun 2012 8:54PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hello Mark,
I am very interested in talking to your family. My FIL was in 773rd as well. We live only 2 1/2 hrs from DT Chicago, so not far for a visit, or we can Skype. Any information you have to pass along would be great.
I look forward to hearing from you.
JulieHopper@mac.com
Thanks
Julie

Re: Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Posted: 11 Aug 2013 7:27PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Sharp, John O'Conner
I see that this discussion is very old, but I am trying to find information on my Grandfather who was killed during the war, while serving with the773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion. This would have been from at least 1943 until I am not sure when. My father was just a baby, and he and my grandmother are both deceased. My information comes from letters home to my grandmother and a stein with the 773 Tank Destroyer Batallion emblem. If there is a roster available, or any records of how he was killed,I would appreciate knowing how to find them. Thank you so much

Re: Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Posted: 15 Aug 2013 5:27AM GMT
Classification: Query
Try looking at the web site for tank destroyer battalions. There is a lot of information and a roster that was included in their news letter call "The Jerk". Believe the site is www.tankdestoyer.net, best of luck.

Re: Unit members of 773rd Tank Destroyer Batallion

Posted: 16 Aug 2013 8:19PM GMT
Classification: Query
What was your grandfather's name?
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