SFC US ARMY WW II KOREA
contributed 2020 by Rick (48788381):
Lineage of 112th, Smethport native's service intertwined
By JOELLEN WANKEL [email protected] Nov 14, 2020
Some of the stories at the Eldred World War II Museum have many layers, some that begin as early as World War I. The 112th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard is one such story, as the regiment played a key role in both World War I and World War II. One local veteran's story of service and survival adds yet another layer.
In World War I, the 112th Infantry Regiment was part of the 28th Infantry Division and is considered the first war-strength National Guard regiment in the U.S. The regiment was sent to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force and fought alongside members of the French Army, British Army, Australian Army and Canadian Army.
The 28th was involved in numerous campaigns in France and lost 3,239 soldiers during the fighting, according to information at the Eldred World War II Museum.
Wearing the Red Keystone shoulder patch that earned them the nickname the "Bloody Bucket" division, in World War II, local soldiers were part of K Company, Third Battalion, 112th Infantry.
As part of K Company, East Smethport native Sgt. Robert Black earned two of his three Purple Hearts during the fighting in Germany and Belgium during World War II.
Appleby shared Black's story, which was not something he made well-known. Like most World War II veterans, he considered it his job and focused on his life after the war, leaving the memories in the past.
Black was at Hurtgen Forest in November 1944. During this battle, three divisions had already suffered staggering losses. Despite this, K Company was assigned to take Schmidt using a frontal assault. While that was successful, the victory was temporary. The Germans counter-attacked.
Black was wounded and taken out of the area on the hood of a Jeep just before the company was overrun by the Germans. He was med-evaced for treatment.
Meanwhile, the battle lasted a week and cost the U.S. Army more than 6,000 men total. The 112th Infantry numbered 2,200 men before the battle and 300 afterward. The 110th Infantry had 57 men left of one battalion, even after receiving reinforcements.
Once Black was better, although not fully recovered, he was assigned back to his unit. They had been sent to a "quiet area" — the Ardennes Forest.
This area was known as the "Ghost Front" because nothing happened there. That too, would be short lived.
A month later, the Germans attacked. This is what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Black, despite not being fully recovered, was fighting. He was wounded again. The Germans overran the company. The Germans walked among the wounded, bayoneting those who moved and those who did not, testing for life. They bayoneted Black, who played dead, striking his kidney (which he would lose as a result of the trauma). He didn't make a sound.
Once it got dark, he began crawling west, through deep snow. He crawled roughly a mile and a half before miraculously being recovered by an American Patrol. He was med-evaced back to England.
Black was discharged and returned home, but that would not be the end of his service.
Black was reactivated, served in Korea and was injured there — which is when he was awarded the 3rd Purple Heart.
"A lot of men volunteered to serve again (in Korea) because they knew they had the experience and they could help save the life of someone who did not," Steve Appleby said.
The "Boys of Barbour Street," as Appleby called them, have relocated to the Bradford Airport. However, despite a new company designation, the 112th is still in the area.
"K Company is now known as Charlie Company. The First Battalion of the 112th is still an active guard unit, which is well thought of. They are a Stryker Brigade and continue the lineage," Appleby said.
Appleby is a veteran himself, and K Company was his inspiration to serve, "I wanted to be these guys."
contributed 2020 by Rick (48788381):
Lineage of 112th, Smethport native's service intertwined
By JOELLEN WANKEL [email protected] Nov 14, 2020
Some of the stories at the Eldred World War II Museum have many layers, some that begin as early as World War I. The 112th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard is one such story, as the regiment played a key role in both World War I and World War II. One local veteran's story of service and survival adds yet another layer.
In World War I, the 112th Infantry Regiment was part of the 28th Infantry Division and is considered the first war-strength National Guard regiment in the U.S. The regiment was sent to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force and fought alongside members of the French Army, British Army, Australian Army and Canadian Army.
The 28th was involved in numerous campaigns in France and lost 3,239 soldiers during the fighting, according to information at the Eldred World War II Museum.
Wearing the Red Keystone shoulder patch that earned them the nickname the "Bloody Bucket" division, in World War II, local soldiers were part of K Company, Third Battalion, 112th Infantry.
As part of K Company, East Smethport native Sgt. Robert Black earned two of his three Purple Hearts during the fighting in Germany and Belgium during World War II.
Appleby shared Black's story, which was not something he made well-known. Like most World War II veterans, he considered it his job and focused on his life after the war, leaving the memories in the past.
Black was at Hurtgen Forest in November 1944. During this battle, three divisions had already suffered staggering losses. Despite this, K Company was assigned to take Schmidt using a frontal assault. While that was successful, the victory was temporary. The Germans counter-attacked.
Black was wounded and taken out of the area on the hood of a Jeep just before the company was overrun by the Germans. He was med-evaced for treatment.
Meanwhile, the battle lasted a week and cost the U.S. Army more than 6,000 men total. The 112th Infantry numbered 2,200 men before the battle and 300 afterward. The 110th Infantry had 57 men left of one battalion, even after receiving reinforcements.
Once Black was better, although not fully recovered, he was assigned back to his unit. They had been sent to a "quiet area" — the Ardennes Forest.
This area was known as the "Ghost Front" because nothing happened there. That too, would be short lived.
A month later, the Germans attacked. This is what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Black, despite not being fully recovered, was fighting. He was wounded again. The Germans overran the company. The Germans walked among the wounded, bayoneting those who moved and those who did not, testing for life. They bayoneted Black, who played dead, striking his kidney (which he would lose as a result of the trauma). He didn't make a sound.
Once it got dark, he began crawling west, through deep snow. He crawled roughly a mile and a half before miraculously being recovered by an American Patrol. He was med-evaced back to England.
Black was discharged and returned home, but that would not be the end of his service.
Black was reactivated, served in Korea and was injured there — which is when he was awarded the 3rd Purple Heart.
"A lot of men volunteered to serve again (in Korea) because they knew they had the experience and they could help save the life of someone who did not," Steve Appleby said.
The "Boys of Barbour Street," as Appleby called them, have relocated to the Bradford Airport. However, despite a new company designation, the 112th is still in the area.
"K Company is now known as Charlie Company. The First Battalion of the 112th is still an active guard unit, which is well thought of. They are a Stryker Brigade and continue the lineage," Appleby said.
Appleby is a veteran himself, and K Company was his inspiration to serve, "I wanted to be these guys."
SFC US ARMY WW II KOREA
contributed 2020 by Rick (48788381):
Lineage of 112th, Smethport native's service intertwined
By JOELLEN WANKEL [email protected] Nov 14, 2020
Some of the stories at the Eldred World War II Museum have many layers, some that begin as early as World War I. The 112th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard is one such story, as the regiment played a key role in both World War I and World War II. One local veteran's story of service and survival adds yet another layer.
In World War I, the 112th Infantry Regiment was part of the 28th Infantry Division and is considered the first war-strength National Guard regiment in the U.S. The regiment was sent to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force and fought alongside members of the French Army, British Army, Australian Army and Canadian Army.
The 28th was involved in numerous campaigns in France and lost 3,239 soldiers during the fighting, according to information at the Eldred World War II Museum.
Wearing the Red Keystone shoulder patch that earned them the nickname the "Bloody Bucket" division, in World War II, local soldiers were part of K Company, Third Battalion, 112th Infantry.
As part of K Company, East Smethport native Sgt. Robert Black earned two of his three Purple Hearts during the fighting in Germany and Belgium during World War II.
Appleby shared Black's story, which was not something he made well-known. Like most World War II veterans, he considered it his job and focused on his life after the war, leaving the memories in the past.
Black was at Hurtgen Forest in November 1944. During this battle, three divisions had already suffered staggering losses. Despite this, K Company was assigned to take Schmidt using a frontal assault. While that was successful, the victory was temporary. The Germans counter-attacked.
Black was wounded and taken out of the area on the hood of a Jeep just before the company was overrun by the Germans. He was med-evaced for treatment.
Meanwhile, the battle lasted a week and cost the U.S. Army more than 6,000 men total. The 112th Infantry numbered 2,200 men before the battle and 300 afterward. The 110th Infantry had 57 men left of one battalion, even after receiving reinforcements.
Once Black was better, although not fully recovered, he was assigned back to his unit. They had been sent to a "quiet area" — the Ardennes Forest.
This area was known as the "Ghost Front" because nothing happened there. That too, would be short lived.
A month later, the Germans attacked. This is what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Black, despite not being fully recovered, was fighting. He was wounded again. The Germans overran the company. The Germans walked among the wounded, bayoneting those who moved and those who did not, testing for life. They bayoneted Black, who played dead, striking his kidney (which he would lose as a result of the trauma). He didn't make a sound.
Once it got dark, he began crawling west, through deep snow. He crawled roughly a mile and a half before miraculously being recovered by an American Patrol. He was med-evaced back to England.
Black was discharged and returned home, but that would not be the end of his service.
Black was reactivated, served in Korea and was injured there — which is when he was awarded the 3rd Purple Heart.
"A lot of men volunteered to serve again (in Korea) because they knew they had the experience and they could help save the life of someone who did not," Steve Appleby said.
The "Boys of Barbour Street," as Appleby called them, have relocated to the Bradford Airport. However, despite a new company designation, the 112th is still in the area.
"K Company is now known as Charlie Company. The First Battalion of the 112th is still an active guard unit, which is well thought of. They are a Stryker Brigade and continue the lineage," Appleby said.
Appleby is a veteran himself, and K Company was his inspiration to serve, "I wanted to be these guys."
contributed 2020 by Rick (48788381):
Lineage of 112th, Smethport native's service intertwined
By JOELLEN WANKEL [email protected] Nov 14, 2020
Some of the stories at the Eldred World War II Museum have many layers, some that begin as early as World War I. The 112th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard is one such story, as the regiment played a key role in both World War I and World War II. One local veteran's story of service and survival adds yet another layer.
In World War I, the 112th Infantry Regiment was part of the 28th Infantry Division and is considered the first war-strength National Guard regiment in the U.S. The regiment was sent to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force and fought alongside members of the French Army, British Army, Australian Army and Canadian Army.
The 28th was involved in numerous campaigns in France and lost 3,239 soldiers during the fighting, according to information at the Eldred World War II Museum.
Wearing the Red Keystone shoulder patch that earned them the nickname the "Bloody Bucket" division, in World War II, local soldiers were part of K Company, Third Battalion, 112th Infantry.
As part of K Company, East Smethport native Sgt. Robert Black earned two of his three Purple Hearts during the fighting in Germany and Belgium during World War II.
Appleby shared Black's story, which was not something he made well-known. Like most World War II veterans, he considered it his job and focused on his life after the war, leaving the memories in the past.
Black was at Hurtgen Forest in November 1944. During this battle, three divisions had already suffered staggering losses. Despite this, K Company was assigned to take Schmidt using a frontal assault. While that was successful, the victory was temporary. The Germans counter-attacked.
Black was wounded and taken out of the area on the hood of a Jeep just before the company was overrun by the Germans. He was med-evaced for treatment.
Meanwhile, the battle lasted a week and cost the U.S. Army more than 6,000 men total. The 112th Infantry numbered 2,200 men before the battle and 300 afterward. The 110th Infantry had 57 men left of one battalion, even after receiving reinforcements.
Once Black was better, although not fully recovered, he was assigned back to his unit. They had been sent to a "quiet area" — the Ardennes Forest.
This area was known as the "Ghost Front" because nothing happened there. That too, would be short lived.
A month later, the Germans attacked. This is what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Black, despite not being fully recovered, was fighting. He was wounded again. The Germans overran the company. The Germans walked among the wounded, bayoneting those who moved and those who did not, testing for life. They bayoneted Black, who played dead, striking his kidney (which he would lose as a result of the trauma). He didn't make a sound.
Once it got dark, he began crawling west, through deep snow. He crawled roughly a mile and a half before miraculously being recovered by an American Patrol. He was med-evaced back to England.
Black was discharged and returned home, but that would not be the end of his service.
Black was reactivated, served in Korea and was injured there — which is when he was awarded the 3rd Purple Heart.
"A lot of men volunteered to serve again (in Korea) because they knew they had the experience and they could help save the life of someone who did not," Steve Appleby said.
The "Boys of Barbour Street," as Appleby called them, have relocated to the Bradford Airport. However, despite a new company designation, the 112th is still in the area.
"K Company is now known as Charlie Company. The First Battalion of the 112th is still an active guard unit, which is well thought of. They are a Stryker Brigade and continue the lineage," Appleby said.
Appleby is a veteran himself, and K Company was his inspiration to serve, "I wanted to be these guys."
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