World War II: 576th Bomb Squadron win an excellent crew, 23rd Infantry Regiment regroups from initial shock of Battle of the Bulge

On this day in Clarksburg World War II history:

December 19, 1943: Lt. Jack Morris’ B-24 crew (pictued left) gets assigned to the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group, 576th Bomb Squadron based at Wendling, England.

December 19, 1944: Dwight Overly enlists in the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, Ohio. Willis Cleary and the remainder of the Provisionary Reserve Group leave their defensive position along the Elsenborn Ridge near Berg, Belgium, pair off for safety and march 12 miles back to Camp Elsenborn through the cold and snow, to reform the 23rd Infantry Regiment’s Personnel Section. Visit this excellent site featuring the 2nd Infantry Division monument erected in the Twin Villages (Krinkelt/Rocherath, Belgium) by Pierre Constant to honor the men from the 2nd Infantry Division who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Battle of the Bulge rages for the 2nd Infantry and 82nd Airborne, Satchell returns home

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history the Battle of the Bulge continues to rage in Belgium for Clarksburg soldiers engaged in the fighting...

December 18, 1944: Charlie Jobe (325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 80th Airborne Artillery Battalion, F Battery) supports 82nd Airborne ground troops with artillery fire near Spa and Liege Belgium (photo: Jobe, far left holding helmet). Willis Cleary’s convoy departs Camp Elsenborn by truck toward the front line and ultimately the small village of Berg, Belgium to form a secondary line of defense to support retreating 2nd Infantry Division troops withdrawing from the forest, twin villages (Krinkelt/Rocherath) and Wurtzfeld to regroup.

December 18, 1945: Donald Satchell’s ship docs in the United States returning from the South Pacific, following his service with the 618th Engineer base Equipment Company as a motion picture projectionist in New Guinea and Australia.

T/5 Cokonougher Awarded Bronze Star during Battle of the Bulge, Army Air Force Training continues

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

December 17, 1942: Thomas Pearce receives his wings following the completion of training in Midland, Texas.

December 17, 1943: Solon Graham departs the San Antonio Classification Center and enters Pre-Flight School.

December 17, 1944: Solon Graham Departs Ellington Field, Texas bound for Westover Field, Massachusetts following flight training in the Beech AT-10 (AT-10 cockpit). Wayne Cokonougher, Artillery truck driver for the 740th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery A, (photo top left) was awarded the The Bronze Star for evacuating heavy equipment and artillery pieces from the front line during German attack on St. Vith, Belgium (Battle of the Bulge). According to military records, “T/5 Cokonougher distinguished himself by meritorious achievement on 17-18 December, 1944 in Belgium. According to the actual citation “Cokonougher, serving as a tractor driver, distinguished himself during the evacuation of vehicles, howitzers, and ammunition, from positions threatened by enemy action. Despite enemy artillery time fire over {his} battery’s position near St. Vith and small arms fire into the area near Poteus, T/5 Cokonougher did not at any time seek cover or cease his efforts to evacuate threatened material. Under adverse conditions of weather and in muddy terrain presenting extremely difficult traction, T/5 Cokonougher’s resourcefulness and untiring efforts were directly responsible for the evacuation of considerable amounts of ammunition and material. The determination and devotion to duty without regard for his own safety displayed by T/5 Cokonougher served as an inspiration to all members of his unit and reflects credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.” Read the After Action Report following this action, it's fascinating.

Germans Breakthrough American lines, 8th Infantry moves into place, 463rd AAA surrounded

This day in Clarksburg, Ohio World War II history:

December 16, 1943: Archie Wright of the 28th Infantry Regiment, Anti-Tank Company is officially stationed in Castle Coole, Ireland preparing to train for the invasion of Normandy and Carl Dinkler (pictured left) of the 28th Infantry Regiment, A Company arrives Breandon, Ireland.

December 16, 1944: German forces cross the Siegfried Line, surprising Allied forces in the Ardennes Forest, starting the Battle of the Bulge. Roy Hawkins of the 463rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery is cut off by the German offensive. Hawkins, along with other men of the 463rd are ordered to stand by their artillery pieces with grenades in preparation of destroying the guns in case they are captured. Harold Dawson returns to Clarksburg from his base in Massachusetts on a 12-day furlough. Howard Fay transfers from Great Lakes Training Center to Naval Station Jacksonville, Florida.