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World War II
Award of the Distinguished Service Cross!
This photograph is of an award ceremony, in which Cpl. James R. Flannigan of A Battery, is
presented with the Distinguished Service Cross. This was the highest award given to
a soldier of the 29th Field Artillery during World War II. Commanding Officer, John Ausland, made the recommendation!
Irv Smolens Near Munich!
Irving Smolens (foreground) in this photo taken on May 7, 1945, south of Munich, about
six miles from the Austrian border.
Germany had actually "surrendered", but the surrender documents were not signed until the next day,
hence, V-E Day was May 8, 1945.
Ft. Benning, 1941
Bill Ventrelli has provided us with this photo, taken in September 1941, at Fort Benning, GA.
Bill is the 2ND from the LEFT in the FRONT ROW, holding the helmet marked # 5!
He is quite sure these men were in Headquarters Battery at this time.
A Weekend Pass ?
We have been provided with this photo of Al Donatello and Glen LeBeau, taken in Raleigh, NC sometime in 1942.
They were probably on a weekend pass. Al is on the left, and is now 81 years old!
"Peggy" the Jeep
John (Jack) Lester sitting in "Peggy", his
jeep. Peggy, at that time, was his girlfriend whom he married shortly after
the war. Nobody knew how to use the camera very well (an obvious double exposure). The man standing next
to the jeep is Corporal Vokovich (don't know his first name). The first name
on the Memorial Tribute Page is 1LT Jacob Armeen. He and Jack Lester were with the
infantry in an attack when a mortar shell landed near them and the concussion
knocked them to the ground. Lester was shook up but not hurt. When he got up
Armeen was still laying where he had fallen. Jack says Armeen never knew what
hit him. Jack took his gun belt and pistol and wore it for a while until an
officer spotted him with it and took it away from him saying that his rank
didn't warrant that type of weapon. His brief biography! Note: John Lester and Peggy are still married and doing well!
London, March 1944!
Bill Ventrelli also provides us with this photo of members of Headquarters Battery in London, March 1944.
The person on the FRONT LEFT is S/Sgt. Edgar Gregurvich, and FRONT RIGHT is Sgt. Bill Ventrelli.
Ernest Hemingway!
"Hemingway traveled with the Fourth Infantry Division during the rapid
pursuit across France
when we were moving in motor columns and was seen frequently."
Forward Observer Party, C Bty, 29th FA Bn!
Bill Cole has provided this quality photograph taken August 25, 1944. As you view the photo (left to right) are:
S/Sgt. Bernard Mayer, T/5 Joe Gochenauer, T/5 Richard Fitzgerald, and Pvt. Peter Prokop. Forward
observer party, C Bty, 29th FA Bn, 4th Infantry Division, in Paris August 25, 1944. These men spent
most of the war months in Europe with the Infantry working with Lt. Cole and Lt. Cunningham. The
4th Infantry Division was the first US unit to enter Paris.
Even In War: Laundry & A Rest - 29th FA Bn!
Left to Right: Sgt. Glenn Warren, Cpl. Harry Turnier, (sitting) 1st. Lt. Jacob L Armeen,
(background) - Probably - Sgt. Bernard Mayer.
Picture furnished by Glenn Warren
