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2014-06-05 - Tina Santospago wrote: My father was Henry Pasquale in the 66th, 262nd regiment, served in France. He was in the anti-tank division, and received two bronze stars. He was on the Cheshire in the caravan with the Leopoldville on Christmas Eve, when it was hit by a missile. He is still with us, thank God. The soldiers used toilet paper to clear the area that they had check for mines. A French Allied solider crossed over, and blew to bits, blowing my father back. The Germans were fire 88s short and when my father regained consciousness, he was ordered to go to a tower, and report coordinates for air support. Men were coming up the ladder, when he realized that they 88s fire was head right in the direction of the tower. Still disorientated from the previous blast he yelled for everyone to get down, and out. The tower was hit, and in was diminished to rubble. To this day my father still has a tremor in his head. It was not until MRIs were develop, did the discover what was causing his tremor; the blasts had created a crack in his skull, and a nerve was being pressed. I am so proud of my father for continuing to fight on. After Germany surrendered, my father was then transferred to the Rainbow Division, but upon reviewing his records, they realized he had in excess of combat time. My father came home and never spoke about his experience until his aged years. They seem as real today, as they did in 1944. Love you Papa.

2014-05-25 - pat hurtuk wrote: my mom's brother died on the leopoldville. he was from the Bronx ny. he was an army medic. name: james p coen. yes would like to connect with anyone regarding this ship hailmary5@yahoo.com

2014-04-15 - G. Jackson wrote: My grandfather was Malvin Jackson, a Staff Sergeant and part of Company A, 262nd Regiment of the 66th Black Panther Division. As with many of the others on this message board he talked very little of the war. I am curious if there are any surviving members of this Company, or family members who have any records of their movements. Any information whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.

2014-03-28 - C.Young wrote: I have a 66th Infantry Division Black Panther photo book... If anyone is interested in purchasing this book I would be happy to let go of this book. I found it while digging thru an abandoned storage unit that we purchased a few weeks ago.

2014-03-16 - Charles Anthony Smith wrote: Hello, I have a picture of G Company, 263RD Infantry, Panther Division at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, Dec 1943 and am interested in providing access to any interested party...

2014-02-27 - Harley Arnett wrote: I'm trying to locate information about my father - Lewis F. Arnett. He was a staff sergeant with the 3rd Platoon, 263 infantry regiment, 66th infantry division Black Panthers. He served as an artillery spotter as well as overseeing a battery of 4 mortars. After initial service in France, he was in Belgium, Germany and Austria. If anyone has any personal knowledge of the regiments movements I would be interested in hearing. Thanks!

2013-12-26 - Randy Walker wrote: My Father, William E. Walker, served as a combat medic in the 263rd infantry of the 66th Black Panther Division. He was originaaly from Thomasville, NC. He entered into service at Camp Croft, SC, and his basic training was at Camp Rucker, Alabama. Fortunately, he missed the SS Leopoldville. The other brave men were not so lucky. He never spoke much of the war, as these men saw so much death and destruction. It was very hard for me to get him to talk about it in any detail. He often spoke of two good friends that served with him. Time has passed, and I do not recall their names. However one lives in Star, NC, and the other in Joplin, Misssouri, if the are still alive. Would love to make some type of contact with their family. My father passed way in Statesville, NC in 1995.

2013-11-22 - Jerome Yesavage wrote: Hello,

My Dad of the same name as I was reportedly on a "burial detail" related to this. Unfortunately I have no records. I sent in a FOI request... no response.

2013-11-19 - Elizabeth Turner Buerkle wrote: I'm looking for information about my father Capt. William J. Turner, 262nd regiment, 66th Infantry. I don't know if was on the Leopoldville,another ship, or already in Cherbourg at the time of the sinking. I do know he was a Personnel Officer, and that he was assigned to identify casualties and survivors of the Leopoldville. His commanding officer was Col. Leander Syme; Commanding General was Herman F. Kramer. I'd appreciate any information that someone may have.

He died in Omaha, Nebraska in 1986.

Thank you, His youngest daughter, Elizabeth

2013-11-05 - Harold Shull wrote: RE: 2013-10-08 kimberly henretta post. There is a book (40,000 Black Panthers of the 66th Division) if you can locate one, that has an "In Memoriam" section listing members of the 66th Division that died in WWII. The names are alphabetical, there are several from Company L 262nd.Inf. Reg. The book is long out of print but an occasional copy can be found in stores specializing in military books or maybe on ebay. The book itself is a listing of all "Black Panthers" listed alphabetically by state.

2013-11-01 - Jerome Yesavage wrote: Thanks to everyone for this page. My Dad was a light machine gunner. In the photo below he is seated third from the right on the bottom row.

Any further information appreciated... but this is 70 years ago. I guess since I am writing this he was on the lucky ship across the channel. My condolances to the families of those on the lost ships.

2013-10-28 - James wrote: My grandfather was in ww2. I am looking for DI crests for 262,,263, and 264 infantry regiments. I have checked all over. Non of the insignia producers make them,or have any. I have been looking for years.

Thank you " God bless our troops present to past"

2013-10-08 - kimberly henretta wrote: My great uncle perished with the S.S. Leopoldville. His name was Robert Grad. He was in the 66th 262nd division company L. We have very little information.His death has always been a mystery to the family. I specifically was wondering, if anyone knows, where the different companys were located on the boat. I have only been able to locate one other name from company L, although I know that the company had 181 men in it, and 74 of them were lost. thanks any info would be appreciated!

2013-09-01 - William Maynard wrote: The non-fiction book, "Panthers Under The Rainbow" about the 66th Black Panther Division is now available as a E-book through Amazon.com for $9.99 It is a highly researched book covering the divisions history with many first hand accounts.

2013-08-11 - Ben Schwartz wrote: My grandfather served in Company H, 30th Infantry, 3rd Division from December 1942 until late 1945 or '46. His records were burned in the fire and I am seeking more information about what exactly he did in the war. If anyone has any information or any tips on where I could find more info him, I'd be very grateful.

2013-08-09 - Cassandra wrote: I am looking for any information on the 384th Military Police Battalion during WW2. History, location, unit awards. My late grandfather served in this unit. Any help is greatly appreciated.

2013-08-09 - Dana B Riney wrote: My dad, James Edward Riney, was supposed to be on the Leopoldville, but was on furlough at the time of deployment and caught the next ship out,(probably the Cheshire)as the Leopoldville was already loaded. He was in the 263rd Infantry, Co F, and never spoke of his military service in the Aleutians nor France. He was awarded two bronze stars, one for crawling under enemy machine gun fire and repairing a communication line, and I suppose with the award in 2005, that would make three. He passed away in May of 1989. I didn't find any of this information until an article in our newspaper related by Jack Foley, who was on the Leopoldville, was published after my dad's death.

2013-07-25 - Jean Ornellas wrote: My father, John Wozencraft, served with the 66th division, 264th battalion, Hq company. He did not talk about action he saw, and I would like to know more about his experiences. Wondering if anyone who served with him can give me any information. I know he was on the SS Cheshire, had several sniper awards, but little else.

2013-07-11 - Peter perroncello wrote: Thank you for producing the letter from general Kramer about the bronze star.

It shows indebtfulness to those who rproudly served, albeit as others have chimed in, it took the DOD over 35 years plus to get the medals to the recipients.

You have closed one chapter in the book. My hot summer thanks from our family.

2013-07-08 - Sean McLoughlin wrote: My uncle, James Richard Kern, served in the 66th and survived the sinking of the Leopoldville. Sadly, he passed away, but my 13 year old son would like to interview any surviving veterans of WWII for a history of WWII class that he is taking this summer. If you know any WWII veterans who would be willing to take a telephone call from my son and answer his questions, please email me at seanmac@pacbell.net before July 12th. Thank you.

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