Doing some research on (The Black Devils Brigade)

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by slimsilver, Jun 18, 2010.

  1. slimsilver

    slimsilver Junior Member

    I remember when i was growing up a gentlemen talking about his brother and the black devils of WW2 in Italy.
    And when doing some research on the unit my son is in today in the Canadian Forces i came across some info on the black devils brigade and that got me interested in researching this unit. (First Special Forces Unit)
    I have a list of names of some of there members and the name of One Cemetery were 62 members are buried (Beach head war Cemetery, ANZIO).
    Other then that i don't have much.

    -----------------------------------------------
    First Special Forces Unit
    Killed in Action
    Lt. W. A. Airth, May 23, 1944
    Pfc. E. Albert, May 23, 1944
    Sgt. R. V. Alexander, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. A. Allain, December 4, 1943
    T5 F. S. Alvarado, December 4, 1943
    T4 H. A. Amtsbeuer, May 31, 1944
    Pvt. R. C. Anderson, September 13, 1944
    Pfc. E. J. Aponik, May 23, 1944
    S. Sgt. W. J. Ardiell, December 6, 1943
    Lt. A. J. Ariott, December 4, 1943
    S. Sgt. E. A. Armatta, September 16, 1944
    Pvt. W. L. Arrington , May 25, 1944
    T4 C. H. Atkinson , December 5, 1943
    Lt. F. B. Atto, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. Roland Anbry,December 25, 1943
    Pvt. L. J. Bader, December 25, 1943
    Sgt. C. T. Bailey, December 25, 1943
    Pvt. M. E. Barbeau, September 16, 1944
    Sgt. F. C. Bardgett, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. W. G. Barnhill, February 13, 1944
    Sgt. P. F. Barnhizer, May 12, 1944
    Pvt. M. Baron, June 4, 1944
    Pvt. R. J. Baron, June 4, 1944
    Pfc. Clifford M. Bartow, August 25, 1944
    Lt. A. W. Baughman, December 6, 1943
    Sgt. C. W. Beal,, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. J. Belanger, September 16, 1944
    Sgt. M. H. Bell, December 6, 1943
    T4 J. R. Bent, February 9, 1944
    Pfc. H. A. Bernier, May 25, 1944
    T4 B. Z. Bernstein, December 3, 1943
    S. Sgt. S. M. Biblowitz, September 12, 1944
    Pvt. R. C. Bielen, February 4, 1944
    T4 W. W. Birge, May 1, 1944
    Sgt. E. S. Bivins, May 29, 1944
    Pvt. J. A. Blais, October 6, 1944
    Pvt. J. C. Bogue, May 25, 1944
    Pvt. J. Boich,> December 3, 1943
    Pvt. H. W. Borchers, May 30, 1944
    Capt. E. C. Borders, December 6, 1943
    T4 E. H. Bork, June 4, 1944
    T5 L. V. Boschet, May 3, 1944
    Pvt. Foster V. Bowden,, August 23, 1944
    Lt. W. E. Boyce, December 5, 1943
    Pvt. G. M. Brady, December 5, 1943
    Pvt. W. W. Brannon, January 14, 1944
    Pvt. W. C. Bray, May 25, 1944
    Pvt. F. G. Braybrook, May 23, 1944
    Pfc. F. J. Brenny, December 24, 1943
    Sgt. W. L. Brewer, December 24, 1943
    Pvt. R. G. Briddon, May 10, 1944
    Pvt. A. M. Brindel, Jr., December 4, 1943
    S. Sgt. W. E. Brotherton, January 14, 1944
    Pvt. F. S. Brown, Jr., August 23, 1944
    Pvt. N. E. Brown, February 29, 1944
    Pvt. Robert S. Buckley, September 18, 1944
    Pfc. P. W. Burdick, May 23, 1944
    T4 D. R. Burgess, February 18, 1944
    T4 B. L. Burk, February 16, 1944
    Sgt. E. N. Butler, February 9, 1944
    Sgt. D. C. Byron, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. G. A. Campbell, January 7, 1944
    Pvt. R. D. Calloway, April 2, 1944
    Pvt. Charles H. Camden, September 26, 1944
    Pvt. D. W. Capps, August 15, 1944
    Pvt. W. R. Caragher, December 3, 1943
    Pfc. T. L. Cardwell, May 25, 1944
    Pvt. E. H. Carlisle, May 2, 1944
    Pvt. D. Carrywater, February 9, 1944
    Pfc. F. A. Carter, May 21, 1944
    Pvt. B. A. Casey, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. S. W. Chenery, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. E. E. Childers, December 25, 1943
    Sgt. E. Chipchase, March 31, 1944
    T4 A. J. Chontos, May 3, 1944
    Pvt. S. R. Coffman, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. V. Coja, January 11, 1944
    Lt. G. R. K. Colmen, May 3, 1944
    Sgt. John G. Colflesh Jr., November 1, 1944
    Pvt. E. E. Conaway, October 26, 1944
    Pvt. J. J. Constantine, June 4, 1944
    Pfc. O. Counce, June 5, 1944
    Lt. F. E. Cox, June 5, 1944
    Lt. A. R. Coyston, September 17, 1944
    S. Sgt. O. H. Crane, September 17, 1944
    Pvt. F. J. Crook, December 25, 1943
    Sgt. B. Cullen, December 25, 1943
    Pvt. W. G. Cutmore, September 16, 1944
    Pvt. R. E. Daigle, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. S. E. Dainard, September 7, 1944
    Pvt. E. A. Damon, December 7, 1943
    S. Sgt. J. A. Danner, December 3, 1943
    Cpl. G. K. Davidson, May 19, 1944
    Pvt. A. E. Davis, December 6, 1943
    Pvt. G. J. Davis, December 7, 1943
    T4 James M. Davis, November 6, 1944
    Pvt. M. E. Davis, May 23, 1944
    S. Sgt. T. W. Davis, January 7, 1944
    Sgt. C. H. Dawson, December 25, 1943
    Pvt. C. E. Dean, January 3, 1944
    Pfc. Bernard J. DeCamilla, September 8, 1944
    Sgt. Decil L. Deen, December 6, 1943
    Cpl. G. H. DeHay, December 4, 1943
    Sgt. M. C. L. DeMacdeo, December 3, 1943
    T4 G. S. Dewey, December 3, 1943
    T4 H. N. Deyette, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. W. F. Douglas, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. J. A. Driscoll, Jr., October 6, 1944
    Sgt. J. R. Driscoll, January 8, 1944
    Pvt. T. F.Durate, August 23, 1944
    Pvt. B. Dubin, February 8, 1944
    Pvt. W. R. Dubuque, April 2, 1944
    Pvt. J. Ducharme, December 25, 1943
    Pvt. R. J. Duncan, December 4, 1943
    Sgt. A. C. Durrant, May 23, 1944
    Sgt. J. Dykun, December 6, 1943
    S Sgt. J. M. East, January 14, 1944
    Sgt. D. G. Edgelow, August 15, 1944
    Sgt. G.M. Edwards, December 3, 1943
    Lt. F. W. Eiwen, December 3, 1943
    Lt. D. J. Ekberg, January 4, 1944
    T4 R. D. Ekins, May 28, 1944
    T4 R. Evansich, May 8, 1944
    Pvt. E. N. Farmer, February 27, 1944
    Sgt. L. J. Farr, February 17, 1944
    Pfc. C. S. Farrell, September 8, 1944
    T4 A. J. Faso, December 24, 1943
    T4 J. P. Feeney, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. E. S. Fines, May 28, 1944
    T4 J. H. Fitzpatrick, June 4, 1944
    Sgt. K. J. Folsom, May 21, 1944
    Lt. E. J. Fortune, May 23, 1944
    S. Sgt. I. P. Fox, May 28, 1944
    Pvt. F. Friel, February 13, 1944
    Sgt. G. E. Froom, January 11, 1944
    Sgt. J. Furiga, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. H. Gable Jr., May 30, 1944
    Cpl. E. J. Gallant, September 16, 1944
    Cpl. J. M. Gallardo, September 16, 1944
    Pvt. A. D. Gallegos, December 25, 1943
    Pvt. G. B.. Gardner, October 30, 1944
    Pvt. S. Gath, December 3, 1943
    J. S. Gibbon, February 16, 1944
    Pvt. P. A. Gibson, Jr., February 16, 1944
    Pvt. G. P. Gilbert, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. R. R. Gilberts, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. G. H. Gile, June 1, 1944
    Pvt. J. A. Glassen, June 1, 1944
    Sgt. J. F. Glenn, December 25, 1943
    T5 O. F. Gould, June 5, 1944
    T5 H. L. Grainger, July 5, 1944
    Sgt. R. L. Gray, May 21, 1944
    S. Sgt. D. Green, December 24, 1943
    Pfc. V. P. Gregorie, May 28, 1944
    Pvt. J. W. Grieder, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. H. J. Groves, February 29, 1943
    Sgt. A. O. Gunderson, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. C. N. Guynup, October 3, 1944
    Pvt. P. H. Hahn, May 24, 1944
    T4 K. V. Hall, January 11, 1944
    Sgt. N. A. Hansen, August 15, 1944
    S. Sgt. B. T. Hardman, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. W. B. Harry, August 17, 1944
    Sgt. R. P. Hartl, May 30, 1944
    Sgt. B. D. Harvey, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. P. B. Harvey, May 24, 1944
    Pvt. E. T. Hawkins, December 6, 1943
    Pvt. T. C. Hayden, January 6, 1944
    Sgt. A. K. Hendrickson, February 9, 1944
    Pvt. M. J. Higgins, June 4, 1944
    Pfc. G. H. Hignight, December 6, 1943
    Pvt. D. M.M. Hill, January 15, 1944
    Pvt. J. R. Hoblitzell, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. B. Hoffard, May 28, 1944
    T5 R. F. Holbrook, March 30, 1944
    Pvt. W. J. S. Hole, September 30, 1944
    Pvt. Robert M. Houck, September 30, 1944
    Pvt. A. L. Hudson, May 24, 1944
    Pvt. C. M. Hughes, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. L. L. Hulbert, May 22, 1944
    Pvt. E. J. Hutnik, March 28, 1944
    Pvt. R. S. Irwin, December 3, 1943
    CSM J. W. Jamieson, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. R. Jamieson, February 11, 1944
    Pvt. C. P. Janze, February 11, 1944
    Pfc. E. J. Jedlicka, June 2, 1944
    Pvt. F. W. Jenkins, December 7, 1944
    Sgt. L. P. Jensen, January 11, 1944
    T4 G. L. Jewett, May 21, 1944
    1 Sgt. C. F. Johnson, December 25, 1943
    Pfc. E. W. Johnson, August 3, 1944
    Pvt. T. G. Johnson, May 23, 1944
    T4 R. D. Johnston, March 27, 1944
    Pvt. J. D. Jones, May 24, 1944
    Sgt. R. C. Jones, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. C. F. Joy, January 14, 1944
    Pvt. W. H. Juve, September 12, 1944
    Pvt. John A. Kenna, October 27, 1944
    Pvt. J. F. Keyes, December 5, 1943
    T4 Reynolds J. King, August 15, 1944
    (awarded Silver Star)
    Pvt. F. K. Kleink, February 18, 1944
    Sgt. L. S. Knapp, June 2, 1944
    Pvt. H. Kolapack, April 2, 1945
    Sgt. W. Kotenko, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. N. M. Kramer, March 4, 1944
    S. Sgt. W. A. A. Knight, December 9, 1943
    Cpl. H. Kolapack, October 6, 1944
    Pvt. O. F. Kuehl, October 6, 1944
    Pvt. F. L. Kuhlman, January 14, 1944
    T4 W. L. Ladd, August 27, 1944
    T4 H. W. Landy, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. J. H. Laporte, February 3, 1943
    T4 R. M. Larson, Janmaury 15, 1944
    Sgt. J. H. Laughren, Janaury 13, 1944
    (Mention In Dispatches)
    Pvt. R. R. Lavalle, June 2, 1944
    Sgt. E. H. Lawrence, May 30, 1944
    Pvt. R. F. Lay, May 4, 1944
    Pfc. E. J. Lazarski, May 23, 1944
    S. Sgt. W. A. Ledford, December 25, 1943
    Pfc. L. V. Leibli, May 27, 1944
    T4 Merle M. Lynch, February 12, 1944
    Pvt. C. W. Lyons, February 16, 1944
    S. Sgt. B. MacDonald, February 16, 1944
    Pvt. J. MacIver, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. D. MacDonald, May 23, 1944
    Lt. Col. T. C. MacWilliams, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. W. Maki, May 23, 1944
    Sgt. W. T. Mann, December 3, 1943
    S. Sgt. T. E. Marks, May 30, 1944
    Col. A. C. Marshall Jr., June 4, 1944
    Sgt.D. J. Martin, May 23, 1944
    T4 F. Mateja, Janaury 6, 1944
    Pvt. B. Mays,, May 24, 1944
    Sgt. H. W. McCarthy, June 6, 1944
    S. Sgt. W. T. McCarty, Jr., December 24, 1943
    S. Sgt. E. L. McDonald, May 29, 1944
    Pfc. E. M. McDonald, May 23, 1944
    Lt. K. D. McDougall, September 15, 1944
    S. Sgt. D. J. McLachlan, February 29, 1944
    T4 G. J. McLeer, May 21, 1944
    Pvt. D. G. McMasters, May 23, 1944
    Sgt, O. McNally, January 9, 1944
    Capt. W. H. Merritt, August 17, 1944
    Pvt. P. H. Michaels, January 5, 1944
    T4 E. Mills, January 11, 1944
    Pfc. E. T. Mitchell, April 29, 1944
    Pvt. E. V. Mitchell, May 29, 1944
    Pfc. J. H. Mitchell, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. H. O. Molesworth, May 23, 1944
    Sgt. F. F. Montgomery, February 18, 1944
    Pvt. D. H. Moore, May 28, 1944
    Pvt. Harry J. Moore, October 26, 1944
    Lt. J. D. Moore, September 6, 1944
    Pvt. J. P. Moser, February 18, 1944
    Pvt. F. A. Murphy, May 29, 1944
    Pvt. T. R. Murray, December 4, 1943
    S. Sgt. W. E. Murray, June 4, 1944
    Sgt. G. E. Nelson, May 30, 1944
    Pvt. R. S. Nelson, December 25, 1943
    S. Sgt. J. N. Newman, May 25, 1944
    Pvt. M. L. Nielson, February 20, 1944
    Pvt. George Nixon, August 16, 1944
    Pvt. J. C. Ogle, February 16, 1944
    Pvt. W. H. Orvis, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. R. P. Overton, February 16, 1943
    T5 C. F. Page, April 1, 1944
    Lt. R. J. Painton, September 13, 1944
    Sgt. A. C. Palmer, January 14, 1944
    Pvt. L. J. Pardis, December 7, 1943
    Sgt. K. A. Parrington, December 8, 1943
    T4 E. F. Patenaude, October 6, 1944
    Maj. T. E. Pearce, Jr., January 9, 1944
    Pfc. J. G. Peet, May 10, 1945
    Capt. W. B. Perry, January 11, 1944
    Sgt. L. E. Phillips, December 25, 1943
    Sgt. M. P. Phillips, December 4, 1943
    T4 P. M. Piazza, June 1, 1944
    Pvt. J. Pike, December 24, 1943
    Pvt. John A. Pinciak, November 6, 1944
    Pvt. R. J. Poe, Jr., May 4, 1944
    Pvt. P. E. M. Pollender, August 30, 1944
    T5 W. F. Presnall, December 24, 1943
    Pvt. C. J. Purcell, May 23, 1944
    Sgt. R. E. Purvis, May 1, 1944
    T4 S. L. Rader, September 12, 1944
    Pvt. S. B. Reddy, May 10, 1944
    Pvt. Emmett U. Reed, September 6, 1944
    Pvt. V. D. Rhoads , May 24, 1943
    Pvt. J. J. Rice, March 21, 1944
    S. Sgt. G. C. Richardson, February 9, 1944
    Pvt. H. K. Richardson, December 4, 1943
    Lt. J. H. Richardson, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. G. J. Robinson, February 18, 1944
    Pvt. H. G. Rodeheaver, December 6, 1943
    S. Sgt. B. S. Roderick, January 14, 1944
    Captain W. T. Rothlin, December 3, 1943
    T4 P. E. Rounds, February 15, 1944
    Capt. Walter D. Ruark, Jr., October 29, 1944
    Pvt. M. J. Ryan, May 28, 1944
    Sgt. H. G. Sabean, March 7, 1944
    Cpl. J. P. Sabourin, March 7, 1944
    Pvt. A. S. Sanders, June 1, 1944
    Pvt. O. B. Sanders, Jr., May 22, 1944
    Pvt. T. W. Sandifer, December 6, 1943
    Pvt. M. Sceremko, February 20, 1944
    Sgt. F. S. Schmidt, August 27, 1944
    Pvt. H. G. Schmidt, Autust 15, 1944
    Sgt. J. R. Schneider, December 5, 1943
    T4. T. T. Schultz, February 9, 1944
    Pvt. V. G. Schwartz, February 18, 1944
    Lt. C. R. Scoggin, February 2, 1944
    Major J. M. Secter, May 28, 1944
    S. Sgt. D. Serrick, May 29, 1944
    Pvt. R. Sheppard, May 24, 1944
    Pvt. P. T. Shook, December 3, 1943
    S. Sgt. Stanley Slatumas, December 4, 1943
    (Silver Star)
    T4 Wilbert Slaughter, May 3, 1944
    T4 G. H. Smith, December 24, 1943
    Lt. O.H. Smith, December 25, 1943
    Sgt. H. A. Sorber, May 30, 1944
    Pvt. J. W. Springer, February 20, 1944
    Sgt. L. M. Steffke, June 4, 1944
    T4 R. A. Stewart, December 5, 1943
    Pvt. P. L. Stockton, December 24, 1943
    Pvt. H. J. Storey, May 23, 1944
    T4 L. B. Sullenger, February 8, 1944
    Pvt. S. R. Suotaila, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. Glenn W. Swank , October 6, 1944
    Pvt. Edward J. Tighe, May 21, 1944
    Sgt. A. Tomory, Jr., May 29, 1944
    Pvt. W. A. Tourangeau, May 28, 1944
    Pvt. D. R. Traxler, June 2, 1944
    S. Sgt. W. M. Upchurch, January 11, 1944
    Sgt. C. F. Veitenheimer, February 24, 1944
    T4 Charles E. Vickers, October 7, 1944
    Pvt. N. B. Vinson, May 30, 1944
    Pvt. D. Wade, December 3, 1943
    Pvt. C. C. Waldrum, February 16, 1944
    Cpl. A. Wall, May 23, 1944
    Sgt. R. B. Weide, May 23, 1944
    T4 A. J. Wesolowski, May 21, 1944
    Sgt. C. W. West, December 8, 1943
    T5 Harley L. White, October 9, 1944
    Sgt. H. W. Wickstrom, May 24, 1944
    Pvt. G. J. Wilcos, May 30, 1944
    T4 A. Williams, December 5, 1943
    T4 C. J. Williams, Jr., January 7, 1944
    Pfc. J. Williams, May 28, 1944
    Pvt. A. R. Wilson, May 30, 1944
    Pvt. G. Wilson, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. H. M. Wilson, December 3, 1943
    S. Sgt. L. A. Wilson, January 27, 1944
    Sgt. R. Wilson, December 25, 1943
    Pvt. C. S. Wisniewski, May 28, 1944
    T4 R. S. Wittbrodt, May 29, 1944
    Sgt. W. M. Wocalewski, December 5, 1943
    Pvt. F. J. Wood, May 23, 1944
    Lt. R. E. Woolhiser, January 10, 1944
    Sgt. W. J. Wray, December 4, 1943
    Pvt. F. B. Wright, January 15, 1944
    Pvt. S. J. Wright, September 13, 1944
    S. Sgt. R. B. Wudarcki, May 24, 1944
    Pvt. D. F. Yancey, January 14, 1944
    T4 J. F. Zebley, May 23, 1944
    Pvt. J. Zekkey, May 24, 1944
    T4 J. Zier, January 4, 1944

    Died of Wounds
    Sgt. A. A. Arsennek, September 13, 1944
    Pvt. R. C., Ashley, May 26, 1944
    Pfc. E. W. Ball, May 29, 1944
    Pvt. H. F. Brendle, January 9, 1944
    Sgt. A. M. Brittingham, May 24, 1944
    Pvt. H. A. Brown, May 24, 1944
    Sgt. B. G. Carson, March 11, 1944
    T4 J. C. Cokely, May 28, 1944
    Pfc. James T. Collins, October 10, 1944
    Capt. M. A. Cotton, December 26, 1943
    Sgt. L. C. Cross, February 10, 1944
    1 Lt. D. W. Cuddy, February 3, 1944
    Sgt. P. M. Cugeber, June 6, 1944
    Sgt. G. T. Darg, February 19, 1944
    M Sgt. George E. Durham, September 3, 1944
    Pvt. L. B. Edwards, June 2, 1944
    Pvt. W. K. Ellis, May 31, 1944
    Sgt. A. C. Everett, April 26, 1945
    Pvt. E. T. Fogarty, June 6, 1944
    Sgt. K. G. Garratt, April 16, 1944
    Pvt. H. Garza, April 3, 1944
    Pvt. G. W. Gew, August 17, 1944
    Sgt. G. O. Godin, February 22, 1944
    Pvt. E. D. Granger, March 29, 1944
    Sgt. R. H. Granger, May 2, 1944
    Sgt. N. Griswald, June 8, 1944
    Pvt. J. E. Guerin, May 28, 1944
    Pvt. H. W. Haller, June 8, 1944
    S. Sgt. F. A. Harvey, January 8, 1944
    Pvt. H. J. Hebert, January 6, 1944
    T5 A. F. Henning, May 29, 1944
    Pvt. L. E. Hicks, May 29, 1944
    Sgt. W. J. Johnson, May 30, 1944
    Pvt. R. M. Kerr, January 8, 1944
    T4 F. Kufta, May 29, 1944
    Lt. P. G. LaPorte, September 9, 1944
    Pvt. A. C. Leamons, May 24, 1944
    Pvt. James E. Lee, November 1, 1944
    Sgt. G. F. Lindsay, March 24, 1944
    Pvt. C. Madson, June 2, 1944
    Pvt. R. C. Mann, September 7, 1944
    Sgt. E. Mattila, May 30, 1944
    Lt. R. G. McLean, August 16, 1944
    Pvt. R. L. Mills., Jr., February 18, 1944
    T4 J. E. Mustard, February 18, 1944
    Pfc. A. E. Ott, May 27, 1944
    Sgt. E. S. Parks, April 20, 1944
    Sgt. T. C. Potenza, November 2, 1944
    Pvt. C. H. Prestwich, June 7, 1944
    Sgt. K. W. Richer, May 30, 1944
    Pvt. Don A. Rigby, October 13, 1944
    Pvt. J. R. Ross, December 10, 1943
    T5 W. E. Saathoff, April 7, 1944
    Lt. R. L. Samuel, August 27, 1944
    Pvt. J. D. Schofield, March 13, 1944
    Pvt. G. B. Scholl, Jr., May 31, 1944
    T5 H. R. Starr, August 24, 1944
    T4 Frank J. Tomasoski, August 20, 1944
    Cpl. J. M. Violette, December 12, 1943
    S. Sgt. J. C. Walden, February 26, 1944
    Sgt. J. L. Walkmeister, August 16, 1944
    T4 Edward J. Wall, Jr., October 25, 1944
    Pvt. H. G. Walsh, May 24, 1944
    T4 H. F. Zobel, December 6, 1943

    Missing in Action Presumed Dead
    S. Sgt. P. M. Biglow, December 5, 1943
    Sgt. C. A. Byers, February 29, 1944
    Pvt. Louis J. Christensen, December 7, 1943
    Sgt. R. Colbridge, February 14, 1944
    T4 Bert L. Cook, April 2, 1944
    Pvt. George G. Frongillo, April 18, 1944
    T4 Gail D. Hubbard, February 8, 1944
    Pvt. A. James, February 20, 1944
    Lt. J. Kostelec, March 4, 1944
    Sgt. John Lanzi, February 9, 1944
    Pvt. Edwin C. Martin, March 4, 1944
    Pvt. James J. McCabe, February 7, 1944
    Pvt. Theodore M. Macdonald, September 9, 1944
    S. Sgt. E. McDow, April 25, 1944
    Pvt. Charles McMeekin, Jr., February 9, 1945
    Sgt. C. E. Mills, February 18, 1944
    Major S. V. Ojala, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. E. O. O. Peterson, February 7, 1944
    Sgt. E. D. Phillips, December 3, 1943
    Sgt. J. W. Ranger, March 21, 1944
    Sgt. C. F. Reynolds, February 6, 1944
    Pvt. Lawrence H. Russelll, April 9, 1944
    1 Sgt. Arthur L. Schumm, February 24, 1944
    Pvt. G. A. Smith, December 6, 1943
    Pvt. L. P. L. Weldon, May 21, 1944
    S. Sgt. Nicholas J. Wibben, December 7, 1943

    Died While POW
    Cpl. F. P. F. Cope
    S. Sgt. N. Murdie
    Sgt. L. R. Roziere

    -----------------------------------------------
     
  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Slimsilver -
    Only the German's called them the "Teufel's Brigad" = Devil's Brigade - we always called them the 1st specials...

    try "googling" for Tommy Prince - the Ojib'we from Manitoba - he was one of their best ...
    Cheers
     
  3. slimsilver

    slimsilver Junior Member

    Thanks tom
     
  4. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

  5. martin14

    martin14 Senior Member

  6. lrgraham

    lrgraham Junior Member

    I am new to forum and saw your post. While we were cleaning items from my Mom's house recently we came across some information related to my Mom's 1st husband. She was a war bride married in Jan 1944 in NY, NY. and according to papers we found he died Oct 27, 1944 and appears to have been part of the Devils Brigade. His name is listed with the Slimsilver post. My interest is now piqued and I am trying to research further. I have his US service number and his rank and unit. Any suggestions from anyone?
     
  7. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Ingraham
    Get in touch with the American Service records people and they will be able to send you a full description as to what he got up to in the US army- someone will be along with the address of that office shortly
    Cheers
     
  8. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

    Excellent book on the Devil's Brigade written by James A. Wood. Title " We Only Move Forward". ISBN 1-55125-112-4.
    The Regiment served with distinction during the Italian Campaign. Disbanded late in 1944. Anyone know why?

    cheers
     
  9. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Randy
    probably by Mark Clark who was overall boss by then and he was a bit miffed that they did an end run around him to get into Rome first....
    Cheers
     
  10. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Tom, read a lot of critisism of Mark Clark, what is your opinion?
    Difficult question I know asking opinions of a General, but what did you and your colleagues think of him?
     
  11. Assam

    Assam Senior Member

  12. 17thDYRCH

    17thDYRCH Senior Member

  13. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Mike L -
    we tried not to think of him as he caused as many allied deaths as the Germans did - bloody menace !
    Cheers
     
  14. martin14

    martin14 Senior Member

    I am new to forum and saw your post. While we were cleaning items from my Mom's house recently we came across some information related to my Mom's 1st husband. She was a war bride married in Jan 1944 in NY, NY. and according to papers we found he died Oct 27, 1944 and appears to have been part of the Devils Brigade. His name is listed with the Slimsilver post. My interest is now piqued and I am trying to research further. I have his US service number and his rank and unit. Any suggestions from anyone?


    Interesting.

    In October 1944, the 1st SSF would have been somewhere along the Franco-Italian border.

    If he was not repatriated, he would probably be in the Rhone American
    Cemetery in Draguignan, France.

    the US would list this unit as the 1 SP SV Force
     
  15. A-58

    A-58 Not so senior Member

    Mike L -
    we tried not to think of him as he caused as many allied deaths as the Germans did - bloody menace !
    Cheers

    He should have been sacked during the Anzio debacle. Not much generalship displayed at all by that man. The more I read about him the less I find to like.
     
  16. martin14

    martin14 Senior Member

    Oh, my.

    5 minutes of poking around and I have the list of casualties buried in Rhone.

    There are 11 of them, but since Irgraham hasn't posted a name, I wont go any further.
     
  17. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Oh, my.

    5 minutes of poking around and I have the list of casualties buried in Rhone.

    There are 11 of them, but since Irgraham hasn't posted a name, I wont go any further.
    Martin was it here you found them:unsure: quite a bit of useful info on the FSSF .FSSF - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour
     
  18. martin14

    martin14 Senior Member

    Martin was it here you found them:unsure: quite a bit of useful info on the FSSF .FSSF - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour


    I went a different route..

    American Battle Monuments Commission


    You can search by Unit, and by Cemetery.

    Since I knew the Unit, and following the FSSF history, I knew the young man
    would most likely be in Draguignan.
    Since I also have the Date of Death, it becomes pretty clear after that,
    and there is a casualty listed in Rhone, from New York, with this DOD.

    Here's where it gets better: Last year, I took a trip to the South of France,
    visited both the Commonwealth Mazargues Cemetery and Rhone.
    Made sure to get pictures of all the FSSF members there.
    As a result, I have a picture of the headstone. :)

    Your link provides some confirmation: When you click on the name,
    there is a post from a user with basically the same name as he is using here.

    So, if he comes back, I'll have something for him.


    If you are registered on this Special Forces site, let's get together,
    I can at least send the pictures I have of these brave young men
    they can put up on their site.
     
  19. C_Cokely_Kane

    C_Cokely_Kane Junior Member

    I am a relative of a scout who, as my Dad put it, "led the charge" for his 1st Special Service Force in Anzio, Italy, during WWII. His name was James C. Cokely, and this paratrooper was a Technician Fourth Class (or Fourth "Grade") in 1 Regiment (5 Company), and he died of his injuries from the Anzio service, perishing on May 28, 1944. He was included in the list that "Slimsilver" posted on this forum (of the First Special Forces Unit members 'Killed in Action' and 'Died of Wounds,' at Anzio in '43 and '44).

    He was my father's uncle, and he is cited on grave markers, one in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Italy (Plot D Row 11 Grave 12) ...(to see a link, visit: American Battle Monuments Commission and Tec4 James C Cokely ( - 1944) - Find A Grave Memorial ). And the second marker in the Strickland Hill Cemetery in Springville, Pa., U.S.A., in Susquehanna County (which is south of Montrose, Pa., U.S.A.).

    I wish I knew more to the story of his rush into the charge at Anzio, and about his unit.

    My father, also a veteran, remembered a number of things, only a few of which he imparted to me. For one, he said this paratrooper (b. 1927- d.1944) was among the first to die when U.S.-Canadian troops went into Anzio. (Looking back on the dates, though, he may have meant to say "to have been injured, and later to die" for entering Anzio -- unless he led the charge during the Breakout, 4 months after the Allies first strived to take control in Anzio.)

    The other tidbit my Dad mentioned was that James C. "Jimmy" Cokely was "real good looking," and featured on the cover of either Time or Life magazine back during his time of service. Kind of silly stuff, really. But it sticks in my memory.

    I do recall seeing that magazine pic when I was a young girl in my great-grandmother's house ... she'd cherished it, and kept it stored away, and one day took it out for me and my Mom.

    From what I've read, the 1st Special Service Force (or 1st SSF) was withdrawn from mountain duty and on Feb. 1, 1944, was landed at the beachhead which Operation SHINGLE had made at Anzio, replacing the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions. They were to hold the raid .... The SSF took over the Mussolini Canal "sector", and its patrols -- aggressive and constant with night raids -- included reconnaissance raids "as deep as 1,500 feet (460 m) behind enemy lines," according to a Wikipedia descriptive of the SSF.

    Furthermore, supposedly it was the Germans who dubbed them "black devils" or "devils brigade" as they'd put black polish on their faces for night raids, moved silently and always with surprise, and with frequency were thought to be division-sized, and not the few in number they really were. I read, too, that they were prone to leave behind cards or stickers with their unit's insignia on it with German words printed on them, indicating "The worst is yet to come."

    The 1st SSF supposedly fought in Anzio without relief for 99 days.

    And the "Breakout Offensive" began (by the 5th Army) on May 25, 1944. The 1st SSF was then sent on May 27, 1944, to take two major locales (at least one a municipality on the approach to Rome), along with seven bridges.

    An Anzio 1944 website on the whole conflict (ANZIO 1944) describes the combat since the 5th Army first swarmed ashore at Anzio (and Nettuno), as four months of "some of the most savage fighting of World War II."

    Regards, and in hopes of hearing more from others about the WWII Anzio conflict(s), and the 1st SSF,

    Cindy K.
     
  20. Linda Roussy

    Linda Roussy Junior Member

    My father was in the Black Devils Brigade ( Sgt Ludger Edmond Roussy ). He died in 1965 when I was very young so I joined this to try to find out more. I have a number of pictures, pay book, newspaper clippings and a book "The First Special Services Force - a war history of the north americans 1942-1944 by lieutenant colonel Robert D. Burhans, first edition March 1947. It basically goes through all the areas the black devils fought in.The book actually lists all those enlisted in the 1st Special Service Force. Do you know if there are any members of this unit still alive?
     

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