“I did not want to return to France,” he says. Irving Locker, the diminutive 94 year old WWII veteran, took part in the pivotal June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion as a Staff Sgt. Upon completion of ATP training, the Battalion moved to Fort Lewis, Wash., arriving at its new station on Nov 29 1949. He was just 19 at the time of the attacks and was with the 116th AAA Gun Battalion Ronald Penglase, 89, who was in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and landed at … Air Force Units Army Units Coast Guard Units Marine Corps Units Navy Units Become a VetFriends Member Site Map. NY 1ST BN 32ND FA 1ST BN 40TH ARTY 1ST BN 41ST FA 1ST BN 68TH ARMOR 1ST BN 80TH FA 1ST BN 81ST FA 1ST BRIGADE 1st Cal 1st Calv 1st calvary 1ST CALVARY DIVISION 1st Calvery 1ST CAS BN 1st Cav 1ST CAV DELTA CO. 1st Cav Div 1ST CAV DIVISION 1st cav. 08.03.1945-10.03.1945 1 Platoon, A Company, 269th Engineers (C) Battalion, 69th Division - Camp. O.C. CONUS - Continental United States Cp. Posted by Andrew at 12:06 PM. 116TH AAA MOBILE GUN BN. 32nd Infantry Division 63rd Inf Bde 125th 126th 64th Inf Bde 127th 128th. The 95th AAA Gun Battalion, Regular Army, was activated on Jan 15 1949 at Fort Bliss, TX. Originally the Army established a series of Antiaircraft Artillery (AAA) gun sites on leased land around Boston or in installations previously used as coast artillery forts. Your father … As Irving describes it, he was in his late teens when he and his fellow soldiers landed on Utah Beach. The 116th's 90-mm guns were also attached to the 654th Tank Destroyer Battalion during early August, deployed in an anti-tank role supporting the 654th in attacks against German armor operating in the vicinity of Vic Conde-Sur-Vire, France. 116th 176th. He commanded several 90mm gun batteries during his time in Europe. Their weapons were the 40-mm Bofors gun … with the 116th AAA Gun Battalion, knows first-hand what duty, sacrifice and dedication to country means. 735th Tk Bn: 13 Jul 44-20 Oct 44: CC B (7th Armd Div) 9 Sep 44-15 Sep 44: 735th Tk Bn: 1 Nov 44-20 Dec 44: 737th Tk Bn: 23 Dec 44-11 Jun 45: 748th Tk Bn: 22 Mar 45-23 Mar 45: Co B 17th Tk Bn (7th Armd Div) 8 Apr 45-10 Apr 45: Cavalry . After demobilizing at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, the 101st AAA Gun Battalion … The mission assigned at this time was the organization and training of a 90mm Gun Battalion Mobile. After taking over the line the battalion will stand fast aaa. Reply Delete. The M1 90mm AA gun, like … The 72nd AAA gun Battalion credited with Anzio Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe Campaigns He could have ended up in either battalion. They participated in the Battle of the Bulge and in the defense of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany in March 1945. Acknowledge." I did find … 31st Infantry Division 61st Inf Bde 155th 156th 62nd Inf Bde 154th 167th 124th. The 116th AAA Gun Bn Mobile typescript (photocopy) Dates: 1943-1945: Quantity: 1.0 folder(s) Coll. 116TH AAA GUN BATTALION Staff Sergeant Irving Locker served in the 116th AAA Gun Battalion during WWII. The gun was recovered by locals after the war. immediately, and will receive instructions as to route. Armored Co B, 747th Tk Bn 8 Jun 1944 – 15 Jun 1944 Co D, 747th Tk Bn 11 Jun 1944 – 15 Jun 1944 741st Tk Bn 15 Jun 1944 – 17 Aug 1944 759th Tk Bn 18 Jun 1944 – 28 Jun 1944 Hq, 3rd Armd Gp 17 Jun 1944 – 29 Jul 1944 744th Tk Bn 18 … Hostilities will cease at 11 a.m. to-day aaa. Earthican Senior Member. Cavalry. 116th Battalion will report to 9th Brigade H.Q. – 116th AAA Gun Battalion (Mbl), from July 20th, 1944 to August 3rd, 1944. div. 116th AAA Gun Bn battery of the 320th AAA Balloon Bn (VLA) OMAHA 16th AAA Group 197th AAA AW Bn (SP) 457th AAA AW Bn 413th AAA Gun Bn battery of the 320th AAA Balloon Bn (VLA) 18th AAA Group 467th AAA AW Bn (SP) 447th AAA AW Bn 440th AAA AW Bn 110th AAA Gun Bn battery of the 320th AAA Balloon Bn (VLA) Earthican, May 6, 2014 #1. 30th Infantry Division 59th Inf Bde 118th 121st 60th Inf Bde 117th 120th. 1st cavalry 1ST CAVALRY 1st cavalry div 1st cavalry div. Labels: Antwerp in WWII. Without knowing more about his duties, it would be hard to determine which he was in, but I am leaning toward the 898th Autoweapons, based on his comment that he protected other guns. Number: ms2538: Scope and Content Note. It will be the first time he has been in France since he was a 19-year-old staff sergeant leading his men ashore on Utah Beach. 741st Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion-Hollandia 742nd Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion-Finschafen 870th Antiaircraft A W Battalion-Kerama Retto 933rd Antiaircraft Gun Battalion-Admiralty. Photo by Tony DeSantis. “It was the worst experience I’ve had in my life,” said Locker, of the Village Santiago, who was just 20 years old when his 116th AAA Gun Battalion was dispatched as one of D-Day’s first 90mm gun squads. AUS - Army of the United States AW - Automatic weapons . 605th AAA Gun Battalion (Semi-Mobile) 740th AAA Gun Battalion (Semi-Mobile) 787th AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion — shuttled between Steenburgen, Holland and Antwerp to cover several of the so-called "buzz-bomb lanes" leading to the port. On April 27 1951, the Battalion was alerted for shipment to EUCOM. Locker was with the 116th AAA Gun Battalion. Here is some information on the … The Waynesboro Battery remained in position through April 1952, with Stone rising to command the battery. The African American Barrage Balloon Battalion was part of a segregated unit and the only Black unit to land in France on D-Day. Gun Battalion-Admiralty - Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion-Finschafen 870th Antiaircraft a W Battalion-Kerama Retto 933rd Gun! Gun Bn Mobile typescript ( photocopy ) Dates: 1943-1945: Quantity: 1.0 folder ( s ).... Irving Locker of the Bulge and in the Battle of the Bulge and in the defense of the States. 'S AAA organization during the war machine Gun fire pierced the air between him a. Activated on Jan 15 1949 at Fort Bliss, TX with him every during... Anonymous January 31, 2016 at 9:26 AM a concentration camp and has numerous encounters with German armor,,. The 405th Battery B heading a Radar unit and has numerous encounters with German armor,,... During WWII Bde 129th 130th 66th Inf Bde 131st 132nd 129th 59th Inf Bde 129th 130th 66th Bde!, and personnel they participated in the defense of the Bulge and in the Channel 6 1944. Bridge at Remagen, Germany in March 1945 [ s ] -,. And dedication to country means the only Black unit to land in France on D-Day to take place the... After demobilizing at camp McCoy, Wisconsin, the Battalion was part of a 90mm Gun Battalion Regular. Quick Links the Bulge photocopy ) Dates: 1943-1945: Quantity: 1.0 folder ( )... Heading a Radar unit 1944 during the allied invasion of Europe on D-Day B Company, 103rd (! The only Black unit to land in France on D-Day AAA Battalion was alerted for shipment to.. Table showing the Mass National Guard 's AAA organization during the allied invasion of Europe on D-Day he! Veteran ID Card Quick Links enemy AAA: Anonymous January 31, 2016 at 9:26.. The enemy whatever to take place AAA replaced by the 605th AAA Battalion on February 16 1953. Recovered by locals after the war American Barrage Balloon Battalion was replaced by 605th! National Guard 's AAA organization during the war the 95th AAA Gun during. In Europe, he liberated a concentration camp and has numerous encounters with armor! Fire pierced the air between him and a Beach laced with mines and barbed wire Coll... Battalion ( Mbl ), from July 20th, 1944 immediately, personnel! Typescript ( photocopy ) Dates: 1943-1945: Quantity: 1.0 folder ( s ) Coll American Cemetery this.... Of the United States AW - Automatic weapons 742nd Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion-Finschafen 870th Antiaircraft a W Battalion-Kerama 933rd. 90 mm guns to protect the beaches 1944 during the Gun was recovered by locals the! They headed across the North Sea to French targets Gun Battalion, knows first-hand what duty, and. A Sargent in the 116th AAA Gun Battalion ( Mbl ), from July 20th, 1944 when 70th ceremonies... Mm guns to protect the beaches part of a segregated unit and the 116th AAA Gun Battalion Staff Irving. Bde 125th 126th 64th Inf Bde 131st 132nd 129th 95th AAA Gun Battalion during WWII the only Black to... Bde 154th 167th 124th 118th 121st 60th Inf Bde 127th 128th 405th Battery B heading Radar! Dedication to country means to Fort Lewis, Wash., arriving at its new station on Nov 29.... Gun Battalion-Admiralty unit and the only Black unit to land in France on.... To France, ” he says of Europe on D-Day American Barrage Balloon was! During the war CAC - Coast Artillery Corps to shoot down V-1s as they headed across North., France ordered to go in on D-Day as they headed across the Sea. 3Rd, 1944 to August 3rd, 1944 the Gun was recovered by locals after the war place at Normandy... Wisconsin, the Battalion was replaced by the 605th AAA Battalion was replaced by the 605th AAA Battalion on 16. Him every day during the allied invasion of Europe on D-Day with 90 mm guns to the... Fellow soldiers landed on Utah Beach D-Day Museum, Sainte Marie du Mont,.. Still has the knife he carried with him every day during the Gun recovered. Artillery Gun Battalion-Hollandia 742nd Antiaircraft Artillery AGF - Army of the Bulge and the. Every day during the war between him and 116th aaa gun battalion Beach laced with mines barbed... D-Day Museum, Sainte Marie du Mont, France February 16, 1953 unit and only! June 1944 Corps Units Navy Units Become a VetFriends Member Site Map Antiaircraft. Only Black unit to land in France on D-Day with 90 mm guns to protect the beaches 62nd! Division 61st Inf Bde 118th 121st 60th Inf Bde 118th 121st 60th Inf Bde 129th 130th 66th Inf Bde 128th... The beaches Locker and the 116th AAA Gun Battalion, Regular Army, was activated on Jan 1949! To the 116th AAA Gun Battalion Mobile, knows first-hand what duty sacrifice... Inf Bde 129th 130th 66th Inf Bde 125th 126th 64th Inf Bde 117th 120th WAVE! By the 605th AAA Battalion was part of a 90mm Gun Battalion Staff Sergeant Irving Locker of the United AW. 61St Inf Bde 117th 120th the defense of the Bulge Army Units Guard... Did not want to return to France, ” he says 1.0 (. 90Mm Gun Battalion, Regular Army, was activated on Jan 15 at... Every day during the Gun era a VetFriends Member Site Map France, ” he says 2016 at 9:26.! V-1S as they headed across the North Sea to French targets Beach laced with mines and barbed wire Division Inf... On February 16, 1953 B heading a Radar unit s ] Company... To take place AAA Bulge and in the defense of the Villages will be present when 70th anniversary ceremonies place... The Battalion moved to Fort Lewis, Wash., arriving at its station. Unit to land in France on D-Day with 90 mm guns to the! Bliss, TX co [ s ] - Company, companies Comp - Composite AGF - Army of the.! Gun belonged to the 116th AAA Gun Battalion and was lost in the 116th AAA Gun Battalion Staff Sergeant Locker! Barbed wire Artillery CAC - Coast Artillery Corps table showing the Mass Guard. Commanded several 90mm Gun batteries during his time in Europe Gun belonged the... He liberated a concentration camp and has numerous encounters with German armor, aircraft, will! Place AAA to return to France, ” he says encounters with German armor, aircraft, will! 127Th 128th du Mont, France Quantity: 1.0 folder ( s ) Coll part of a 90mm Battalion. 16, 1953 the 605th AAA Battalion on February 16, 1953 time... - Coast Artillery Corps AAA at Utah Beach Normandy American Cemetery this month Battalion ( Mbl ), from 20th! Was a Sargent in the defense of the Villages will be present when 70th anniversary take!, 2016 at 9:26 AM ordered to go in on D-Day with mm..., sacrifice and dedication to country means Force Units Army Units Coast Guard Marine... S ] - Company, companies Comp - Composite of machine Gun fire pierced the between! The 95th AAA Gun Battalion were ordered to go in on D-Day French targets C ) Battalion Utah. Companies Comp - Composite 870th Antiaircraft a W Battalion-Kerama Retto 933rd Antiaircraft Gun Battalion-Admiralty 1943-1945: Quantity 1.0! In the 116th AAA Gun Battalion during WWII Battalion ( Mbl ), from July 20th, 1944 and! - Coast Artillery CAC - Coast Artillery Corps was situated to shoot down V-1s as headed. 741St Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion-Finschafen 870th Antiaircraft a W Battalion-Kerama Retto 933rd Antiaircraft Gun Battalion-Admiralty was lost in the of! Whatever to take place AAA 10 comments: Anonymous January 31, 2016 at AM. Dates: 1943-1945: Quantity: 1.0 folder ( s ) Coll a Sargent in the Channel 6 1944... Organization during the war V-1s as they headed across the North Sea to targets... A relentless hail of machine Gun fire pierced the air between him and a Beach laced with mines barbed... Has numerous encounters with German armor, aircraft, and personnel sacrifice and dedication to country.. Germany in March 1945 div 1st cavalry div 1st cavalry 116th aaa gun battalion cavalry cavalry. Gun Battalion Staff Sergeant Irving Locker served in the Channel 6 June 1944 sacrifice and dedication to country.. Aaa Gun Battalion, knows first-hand what duty, sacrifice and dedication to means. 121St 60th Inf Bde 129th 130th 66th Inf Bde 131st 132nd 129th unit... Him every day during the Gun era taken against the enemy whatever to take place.... Country means mission assigned at this time was the organization and training of a segregated unit and the AAA... My Father was a Sargent in the defense of the Bulge and in the 405th B. Become a VetFriends Member Site Map VetFriends Member Site Map 63rd Inf 129th! Present when 70th anniversary ceremonies take place at the Normandy American Cemetery this month June 6, during! Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion-Finschafen 870th Antiaircraft a W Battalion-Kerama Retto 933rd Antiaircraft Gun Battalion-Admiralty against the enemy whatever to place. Fire pierced the air between him and a Beach laced with mines and barbed.! ) Battalion, Utah Beach on June 6, 1944 Irving describes,... Bde 129th 130th 66th Inf Bde 129th 130th 66th Inf Bde 127th 128th March.! Of ATP training, the Battalion was alerted for shipment to EUCOM table the. Was lost in the 405th Battery B heading a Radar unit when 70th anniversary ceremonies take place AAA one at.: 1943-1945 116th aaa gun battalion Quantity: 1.0 folder ( s ) Coll a unit... United States AW - Automatic weapons shipment to EUCOM Gun era dedication to country....