1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Has anybody had a family member who was in the 1st Aviation Engineer Battalion? It was later renamed the 1st Separate Engineer Battalion.
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Yes, I had a family member in that Battlion, my Dad. How can I help you?
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Hi, Was your dad ever stationed in Auckland, NZ from late 1943 to mid 1944 and does he remember many of the men from those days?
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Carolyn, my dad passed away in 1976 but I have access to some of his records as well as his little bible he carried with him it listed the places he was at and he was in New Zealand in April 14th 1943, where in New Zealand it doesn't say, I do have names on a battalion promotion order with the date of 6, April 1944. There are more records to search but he never mentioned any names of fellow Marines. If I can help more let me know!
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Thanks for the prompt reply. Can you tell me where your father went after leaving NZ? Did he return to the US? I'm trying to locate a serviceman who was in Auckland in April 1944 but I don't have his unit details. There weren't many marines remaining after July 1943, only the 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion. The info I have is that his name was Harold or Harry Preston and he was an engineer. As I cannot find any trace of him so far, I'm wondering if his surname has been misspelt. His friends called him 'Hap'.
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Hi Carolyn, Dad went back to Guadacanal 1944 then on to Guam, Siapan, and Tinian Aug-1944 and back home in 45'. I went through about 200 names from the promotion orders dated April, 1943 and April 1944 and there wasn't a name that came close to Preston, there were only three named Harry and none Hal or Harold. There is a list of engineer personnel (13) July 20, 1943 but he's not found there. Maybe if you want that list of names maybe one of those engineers is still alive and can help? Sorry! But please let me know if I can still aid you. Dave
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Hi, I really appreciate your help. Would you be able to email me that list of names and I will see what I can do. Many thanks once again, Carolyn carolynjohns162@gmail.com
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
My father Joe Alvarez was staff sergeant 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion - branch line served on Guadalcanal, Guam, Palelou, Okinawa - now 92 and lives in California -
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
Hi, Did your father talk about his time on R&R in Auckland, NZ? I suppose, like many men who returned from the war, he preferred not to talk about it.
Regards, Carolyn
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Re: 1st Marine Aviation Engineer Battalion
HE talks a lot about New Zealand - I heard about it all my life. He loved that country and has some really interesting and at times spicy stories to tell! We were from Pennsylvania but he originally was from Kansas and his nickname was "Kans". He was a tall good looking Marine - he still is !!!
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