CONNECTICUT M E N

of the 85th - Custer - Division

D e m o b i l i z a t i o n , Fort Devens, Massachusetts

August 1945
 85th DIVISION BATTLE L O G
Italy — C r a c k i n g of the G u s t a v L i n e ,
a part i n the l i b e r a t i o n of R o m e , breaching
of the v a u n t e d G o t h i c L i n e a n d the final
d r i v e w h i c h broke the backbone of
G e r m a n resistance i n I t a l y are highlights
of the c o m b a t action of the 85th I n f a n t r y
D i v i s i o n . T h e d i v i s i o n was sent to I t a l y
i n M a r c h 1944 a n d took over the sector
near M i n t u r n o . O n M a y 11, 1944, it
j o i n e d the great offensive against the
Gustav Line.
Anzio — A f t e r four days of b i t t e r
fighting the 85th broke t h r o u g h the
enemy's defenses a n d began to drive the
G e r m a n s n o r t h across the m o u n t a i n s a n d
a l o n g the coast, opening the road to the
A n z i o Beachhead before the end of M a y .
I n t h a t first push the d i v i s i o n fought
w h a t is considered to be one of the most
b i t t e r a n d costly battles of the I t a l i a n
c a m p a i g n i n c a p t u r i n g H i l l s 66 a n d 69.
Solaccianno R i d g e , Castellonorato, Ter¬
racina a n d Sonnino were a few of the
objectives captured.
Rome — D u r i n g the first days of J u n e
the d i v i s i o n took u p the drive on R o m e
f r o m near L a r i a n o a n d , after r o u t i n g the
f a m e d H e r m a n G o e r i n g P a n z e r Grenadier
D i v i s i o n , leading elements entered R o m e
on J u n e 4. A f t e r a short rest period i n the
summer, d u r i n g w h i c h it defended a 26-
mile front on the A r n o R i v e r west of
Florence, the d i v i s i o n prepared for the
assault on the G o t h i c L i n e . T h e 85th a t -
t a c k e d Sept. 13 a n d h a m m e r e d at the
fortified towering m o u n t a i n s — A l t u z z o ,
V e r r u c a a n d P r a t o n e . B y Sept. 17 the
line h a d been breached.
Po Valley — T h e d i v i s i o n went on into
the Saterno R i v e r V a l l e y a n d b y c a p t u r i n g
M o n t e M e z z a n o almost at year's end
was at the threshold of the P o V a l l e y . I n
3
the first months of 1945 the division
held the i m p o r t a n t M o n t e G r a n d e sector
of the winter defense line, facing one of
the best G e r m a n divisions i n I t a l y — the
1st G e r m a n P a r a c h u t e D i v i s i o n . O n A p r .
18, 1945, the d i v i s i o n entered the a t t a c k
t h a t was destined to shatter the G e r m a n
forces i n I t a l y . O r i g i n a l l y c o m m i t t e d
west of the R e n o R i v e r a n d n o r t h of
Vergato, the d i v i s i o n swept t h r o u g h Gesso,
T i g n a n o , Casalecchio, advanced into the
P o P l a i n w i t h a series of l i g h t n i n g - l i k e
thrusts a n d continued n o r t h w a r d . D r i v e n
from his Apennine stronghold, the
enemy fell apart, his retreat changing
into a chaotic rout. T h e impetus of the
drive carried the 85th across the P o R i v e r
despite the fact t h a t no bridges spanned
the stream w i t h i n the d i v i s i o n zone. R a f t s ,
D U K W s , a n y t h i n g t h a t could float was
used to span the river a n d it was q u i c k l y
reduced as a p o t e n t i a l barrier.
The Alps — O n A p r . 26 the d i v i s i o n
swept n o r t h t h r o u g h V e r o n a into the
A l p s a n d breached the A d i g e L i n e , last
organized G e r m a n defense i n N o r t h e r n
I t a l y . T h e 85th then swung to the east
a n d claims for itself the honor of being
the first sizeable force to seal off the I t a l o -
A u s t r i a n border at the B r e n n e r Pass. T h e
maneuver succeeded i n completely t r a p -
p i n g the G e r m a n T e n t h A r m y a n d forced
a n u m b e r of G e r m a n divisions to surrender
i n t a c t to the 85th. S h o r t l y after the ter-
m i n a t i o n of hostilities i n I t a l y on M a y 2,
1945, the d i v i s i o n liberated a group of
i n t e r n a t i o n a l celebrities who were held as
hostages b y the G e r m a n s . T h i s group i n -
cluded such m e n as L e o n B l u m of F r a n c e ,
C h a n c e l l o r K u r t Schuschnigg of A u s t r i a ,
Paster M a r t i n Niemoeller a n d many
others.
 HERE ARE THEIR STORIES
W a r c o r r e s p o n d e n t s of W o r l d W a r I I f r e q u e n t l y e m b e l l i s h e d a n d o f t e n o v e r w r o t e t h e a c t i o n s t o r i e s of
modest soldiers. T h e aggregate result pleased editors, made headlines, a n d , on occasion, embarrassed the
soldiers. I n retaliation, the correspondents a n d their v i c t i m s were labelled, i n characteristic G . I . language,
" J o e B l o w " . A c t u a l l y , t h e " J o e B l o w s " w e r e f e w a n d f a r b e t w e e n i n t h i s A r m y . T h e p u r p o s e of t h e s e s t o r i e s
i s t o r e c o r d w i t h o u t e m b e l l i s h m e n t , t h e m o o d , t h e i m p r e s s i o n s , t h e e x c i t i n g e v e n t s , of t h e w o r s t a n d b e s t
of t h e g r e a t d a y s , before t i m e b l u r s m e m o r i e s w i t h r e s u l t i n g c o n f u s i o n as t o e v e n t s , d a t e s a n d places.
T h e s e a r e s o l d i e r s ' s t o r i e s , h e r e r e c o r d e d as n e a r v e r b a t i m as p o s s i b l e i n s o l d i e r s ' w o r d s . — The Editor.

Barnes, K e n n e t h G . , P v t . , 310th E n g r . Division's 135th Infantry in North

Bn., New Haven. Africa and I t a l y . "
" M y greatest t h r i l l was when the Pope Dorman, A r t h u r , P f c , S v . C o . , 135th
touched m y rosary beads i n the Sistine Inf., (34th D i v . ) , H a r t f o r d .
chapel. I went there d u r i n g a five d a y pass " I t was a long, tough war I w a n t
f r o m T u r i n , I t a l y , where the fighting was to forget. T h e 34th h a d more t h a n its
going on. H e held an audience for us. share. I n the h i l l fighting they t o l d us
T h e r e were quite a few people there. H e there was just one more m o u n t a i n a n d
came i n , blessed a l l the rosaries a n d said a t h a t ' s a l l . B u t when we reached i t , there
p r a y e r i n a l l the A l l i e d languages. H e was another beyond. I n the m o u n t a i n s
t a l k e d to a few people i n their o w n tongues. it was always the K r a u t s on top a n d us
H e touched the rosary I w a n t e d blessed. on the b o t t o m . "
I c a n ' t explain the t h r i l l I got when his Gaudiosi, Charles, P f c , D i v . H q . ,
h a n d touched i t . " Waterbury.
Cota, L e o n A . , P f c , C o . I., 168th Inf. " G e t t i n g home was what I thought
(34th D i v . ) , H a r t f o r d . about most while overseas. I t a l y sure is
" A f t e r 25 m o n t h s of combat, the t h i n g battered u p . W h a t y o u saw made y o u
I w i l l remember longest i n this life is the feel sorry for the people. I was 14 m o n t h s
U S S W e s t P o i n t . W e c l i m b out of the w i t h the F i f t h A r m y H e a d q u a r t e r s a n d
t r u c k a n d look d o w n at the water i n felt at home best when I met a couple of
N a p l e s , a n d there she is at the foot of the home-town b u d d i e s . "
wide street on the docks, straight ahead. Jacobs, A n t h o n y J . , 1 s t / L t . , C o . F . ,
She looks so good a n d so b i g . Prettiest 168th Inf., (34th D i v . ) , N e w B r i t a i n .
t h i n g I ever saw. T h e b a n d plays a n d " T h e second t i m e I got wounded is
e v e r y b o d y yells as we m a r c h d o w n the something I ' l l always remember. I t was
wide street to the ship, past the 48 one of those ' M i l l i o n D o l l a r W o u n d s , ' not
A m e r i c a n flags for the 48 states. W h e n I fatal, b u t enough to need h o s p i t a l i z a t i o n .
step on b o a r d , I k n o w they can't get me W e were p i n n e d d o w n b y a counter-
off." attack below R o m e , at L a n u v i o . I got it
Digliani, A r m a n d , P f c , A n t i - t a n k C o . , i n the shoulder. W e h a d a lot of casualties
339th Inf., W a t e r b u r y . a n d no a i d could come u p . I crept out of
" W h i l e i n I t a l y I f o u n d the I t a l i a n s a draw, sneaked t h r o u g h grapevines a n d
v e r y f r i e n d l y . W e G I s k n e w we h a d a job w o r k e d back to the a i d station a n d sent
to do a n d we d i d our p a r t e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y . u p some litter teams. T h e y h a d a h a r d
N o w we're glad i t ' s a l l over. I ' m glad to time getting i n u n t i l the G e r m a n s w i t h -
be back after h a v i n g been over two years drew. I recovered i n N a p l e s a n d got back
w i t h the F i r s t B a t t a l i o n of the 34th later w i t h m y o u t f i t . "

4
 Johnston, George M . , 1st/Lt., C o . A . ,
135th Inf. (34th D i v . ) , H a r t f o r d .
" I remember the l i t t l e children s t a n d i n g
along the road, everywhere y o u went,
c r y i n g 'chocolate a n d c a r a m e l l i ! ' "
Kowalczik, Francis, C p l . , B t r y B . ,
125th F . A . B n . , (34th D i v . ) , N e w B r i t a i n .
" O n the A n z i o beachhead at F e r r i e r a I
h a d a nice foxhole b u t just before d a y l i g h t
every m o r n i n g a K r a u t t a n k m a n w o u l d
send over just two shells, one l a n d i n g on
either side of the hole. One m o r n i n g he
blew up the reserve a m m o d u m p . I
figured it was t i m e to move a n d b u i l t a
better foxhole w i t h two other m e n . I t
was p r e t t y nice a n d we even h a d electric
lights. A b o u t 2 a.m. one m o r n i n g t h e y
dropped personnel bombs. T h e y were
p r e t t y close so I got u p a n d looked out.
T h e c o m m a n d car was on fire a n d i t
threatened to spread to the a m m o ; so I
got out, found the extinguisher a n d doused
t h a t fire. I t was a l l over i n a few minutes.
L a t e r I get a B r o n z e S t a r for t h a t . I
d i d n ' t w a n t the t h i n g b u r n i n g because it
made a t a r g e t . "
Laraia, D o m i n i c k J . , T / 4 , 785th
Ord. Co., Hartford.
" T h e 85th was a great outfit for t e a m -
work. A t M i n t u r n o the o n l y place I could
leave the t r u c k was b y the road next to
this old monastery. I t was a hot day. A n
officer gets out of a jeep — I can't see his
u n i f o r m for dust — a n d asks w h a t I ' m
doing there. I tell h i m things are b a d , a n d
I ask h i m , ' H o w do y o u expect men to
keep the war going w i t h o u t guns a n d a m -
m u n i t i o n ? ' N e x t d a y a three-quarter-ton
t r u c k comes up full of s m a l l arms. T w o
days later the officer gets out of his jeep,
there's no dust on h i m now a n d I see his
stars, a n d I salute G e n e r a l C l a r k . H e
asks how things are now, a n d I say equip-
m e n t is c o m i n g m u c h better, a n d he says
he's glad to hear i t . ' A n d if y o u need
a n y t h i n g more, send for i t . ' "
5
Macri, Pasquale A . , 1st/Sgt., C o . C ,
310th M e d . B n . , N e w H a v e n .
" T h e toughest p a r t of the c a m p a i g n i n
I t a l y was when we started the offensive
on the G o t h i c L i n e i n September of 1944.
J u s t take E a s t R o c k a n d m u l t i p l y it b y
six, imagine troops a t t a c k i n g it w i t h v e r y
little cover a n d y o u ' l l have a fair idea of
w h a t i t was like. T h e G e r m a n s h a d a
clear v i e w of our troops. T h e r e were v e r y
h e a v y casualties. T h a t was the first t i m e
t h a t I a c t u a l l y r a n into a case of G e r m a n
snipers firing at medics. T w o of the m e n
f r o m our collecting c o m p a n y were hit —
b o t h of t h e m i n the leg — b y snipers w h e n
they went out to pick u p wounded.
A n o t h e r m a n h a d the c h i n strap of his
helmet almost cut i n half b y a sniper.
O n l y a few strands held the strap to-
gether. T h e m a n h a d it w r a p p e d a r o u n d
the back of the h e l m e t . "
M a r a n , Jacob M . , C p l . , C o . I., 339th
Inf., W a t e r b u r y .
" T h e r e ' s no place like good old A m e r i c a .
Some parts of I t a l y are nice to look at b u t
the l i v i n g conditions are p r e t t y l o u s y . "
Mazur, L u c i a n J . , C p l . , C o . C , 135th
Inf. (34th D i v . ) , N e w B r i t a i n .
" I t was from the headlights on t r u c k s
there i n B i e l l a up at the top of I t a l y t h a t
I got m y first real i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t the
war was over. F o r a few days before t h a t
the bells used to be r u n g i n the t o w n at
reports the war was over, b u t t h e y were
wrong. T h e n one d a y we got an order not
to fire a n y more. T h a t night I saw the
t r u c k s passing t h r o u g h w i t h the lights on
a n d then I believed the war h a d ended.
T h a t was right after we h a d the c o i n -
cidence of our 34th D i v i s i o n c a p t u r i n g the
G e r m a n 34th D i v i s i o n . I was h a p p y t h a t
we w o u l d n ' t have to c l i m b those A l p s
we could see i n front of u s . "
Petrecca, M i c h a e l A . , T / 5 , Q M C o . ,
(34th D i v . ) , H a r t f o r d .
" I was 32 months over there, a n d some
times I got so disgusted I wished I ' d get
h i t . A t first I was w i t h the 52d D U K W
B a t t a l i o n attached to the F i f t h A r m y ,
d r i v i n g a d u c k ashore i n four invasions.
M y closest came when the A n z i o E x p r e s s
d r o p p e d a shell five feet f r o m our dugout.
I t was a good dugout located under the
k n o l l where the shell burst. T h e ground
shook like a n earthquake, b u t I wasn't
scratched. L a t e r I saw the Express, a
r a i l r o a d gun on two flat cars, a n d so b i g I
could c r a w l inside. E v e r y guy h a d so
m a n y troubles of his own he just l i v e d
from d a y to day. I w o u l d n ' t ask to go
t h r o u g h it a g a i n ; b u t n o w when y o u look
back i t seems different. I w o u l d n ' t have
missed it for a m i l l i o n d o l l a r s . "
Robbins, M a x , T / 5 , C o . F . , 16th
M e d . Regt., 142d Inf., (36th D i v . ) ,
Hartford.
" T h e worst was Salerno. T h e first three
6
days on the beach were the longest three
days I ever l i v e d — no food or sleep.
E v e r y time the cooks set u p some coffee,
there was a r a i d a n d we threw i t away. W e
were a l l scared. N o one said so, b u t y o u
saw i n a m a n ' s eyes t h a t he was w o n d e r i n g
if w e ' d lose the beach. I thought — not
once b u t m a n y times — t h a t I ' d never
see m y home again. L a t e r I was w i t h the
232d A . G . F . B a n d . I never expected to
p l a y before the K i n g . W e h a d m a n y
visitors at headquarters. C h u r c h i l l l o o k e d
fatter t h a n i n his pictures. W e p l a y e d for
K i n g George at a buffet l u n c h . W h i l e he
was eating, one of the aides came to the
bandmaster w i t h a message t h a t there
was one tune the K i n g w o u l d like to hear.
W e p l a y e d i t . I t was ' L i l y M a r l e n e . ' "
Roy, A r t h u r J . , T / 5 , 310th E n g r . B n . ,
Waterbury.
" W e were a swell b u n c h of boys —
t h a t ' s the best I can say about m y ex-
periences w i t h the F i f t h A r m y ' s 185th
C o m b a t Engineers B a t t a l i o n i n I t a l y . "
Simeone, R a l p h P . , P v t . , 310th M e d .
Bn., New Haven.
"We h a d a ' C o p s grab' d u r i n g a crap
game at the time of the P o V a l l e y p u s h
i n I t a l y , b u t there weren't a n y cops a r o u n d
— they were J e r r y planes strafing. W e
were shooting dice next to a m a i n h i g h -
w a y — about six or eight of us, a l l cooks.
I was shooting the dice and kept y e l l i n g
there was five dollars open. J u s t about
t h a t t i m e the J e r r y plane came over
shooting u p the place. Some of the bullets
r i p p e d t h r o u g h the dice tables thereby
covering m y bet. W e grabbed our dough
a n d 'faded.' "
Subataitis, Joseph J . , P v t . , 310th
Engr. B n . , Waterbury.
" I d i d n ' t care for snow, m u d a n d sleet
i n I t a l y . W h i l e w i t h the F i f t h A r m y ' s
185th Engineers, we h a d to fix bridges
b o m b e d out b y the G e r m a n s a n d keep
7
traffic m o v i n g . I helped b u i l d the famous
R o a d 65 to B o l o g n a where I saw p r e t t y
girls a n d m a n y historic spots. I d i d n ' t
care for the I t a l i a n f a r m e r ; y o u c o u l d n ' t
trust t h e m , b u t I got along a l l r i g h t . "
Wilson, A r t h u r K . , 1st/Lt., H q . C o . ,
339th Inf., W e s t H a v e n .
" I t was h e a r t b r e a k i n g to see the I t a l i a n
people when we went i n to liberate a t o w n .
T h e y kissed us, t h r e w their arms a r o u n d
us a n d gave us wine a n d flowers. T h e y
seemed to be v e r y f r i e n d l y . T h e P a r t i s a n s
rounded u p the Fascists. T h e y went
a r o u n d i n bands to chase t h e m out of
their houses. I t was more of a parade
going t h r o u g h towns t h a n a n y t h i n g else,
b u t sometimes we got a little sniper fire.
T h e happiest feeling for me over there
was when we l i b e r a t e d a t o w n because I
felt t h a t we were really doing something.
W e liberated a lot of I t a l i a n towns, b u t
n o t h i n g like when we went i n t o R o m e .
R o m e was the most interesting place I
have ever seen."
 Yushkas, Alfred J . , Pvt., Co. B.,
133d Inf., (34th D i v . ) , H a r t f o r d .
" I t a l y was tougher t h a n F r a n c e or
G e r m a n y because of the t e r r a i n , and the
toughest spot was the G o t h i c L i n e . W e
h a d to take mountains thousands of feet
high — go on top a n d chase J e r r y off.
W e h a d to attack up the side of M o u n t
Belmonte through mortar and artillery.
T h e rest of the fellows made i t — t h a t ' s
where I got shrapnel i n the a r m a n d was
evacuated for four months. U p to B e l -
monte I ' d been w i t h my platoon six
months. O n l y 12 of the original 40 men
were still w i t h us. If y o u want to give
credit to someone, the front line medics
deserve i t . "
Zaretsky, H a r o l d S., 1st/Lt., 151st
F . A . B n . (34th D i v . ) , H a r t f o r d .
" T h e great t h i n g i n the A r m y i n c o m b a t
was t h a t we were not conscious of rank,
religion, color or race. E a c h m a n was
p r e t t y well assured t h a t the m a n next to
h i m was on the job. A n d yet, i n spite of
all the cooperation, it is still the foot
soldier who does the work a n d the f i g h t i n g . "

THE 85th COMES HOME

T h e 85th D i v i s i o n , w h i c h fought f r o m P o r t of E m b a r k a t i o n P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s
M i n t u r n o to the B r e n n e r Pass, was Offices. T h e y were t a k e n on the a r r i v a l
officially i n a c t i v a t e d at H a m p t o n R o a d s , of the West P o i n t i n A u g u s t .
V i r g i n i a , on A u g u s t 25, 1945. A c t u a l l y
the d i v i s i o n was t o r n apart when h i g h Shoulder Patch — A circular p a t c h
a n d low point men were separated i n containing the initials " C " a n d " D " i n
I t a l y some weeks after V - E D a y . T h e red on k h a k i b a c k g r o u n d . T h e initials
85th's high-pointers, along w i t h other stand for C u s t e r D i v i s i o n , i n honor of
high-pointers from the 34th, 36th a n d M a j . G e n . George A . Custer, famous
10th M o u n t a i n D i v i s i o n s , a n d f r o m the officer i n the C i v i l W a r , who was later
5th A r m y came home on the N a v y t r a n s - k i l l e d d u r i n g the Sioux W a r . C a m p where
port U . S . S . W e s t P o i n t , formerly the d i v i s i o n was a c t i v a t e d d u r i n g the W o r l d
crack l i n e r S.S. A m e r i c a , e m b a r k i n g at W a r was named for G e n . C u s t e r .
N a p l e s a n d d e b a r k i n g at H a m p t o n R o a d s .
There were 5,113 high-pointers on the
W e s t P o i n t of w h i c h only 86 were C o n -
necticut m e n . T h e y were staged t h r o u g h
C a m p Patrick H e n r y , Virginia, and ar-
r i v e d at F o r t Devens, Massachusetts, for
separation from the service on August
27. Pictures of two groups of men t a k e n
on A u g u s t 28, at Devens, appear on
Page 5. T h e cover i l l u s t r a t i o n of the W e s t
P o i n t , a n d the reproduction of the 85th's
banner (on the center spread of this book-
let), are f r o m A r m y S i g n a l C o r p s p h o t o -
graphs, supplied b y the H a m p t o n R o a d s

S
 85th DIVISION FACTS
Nickname — C u s t e r D i v i s i o n . Sept. 23 to 29, 1944: C o m p a n y B of the
History — T h e d i v i s i o n was a c t i v a t e d 338th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t received the D i s -
A u g . 25, 1917, at C a m p C u s t e r , M i c h . tinguished U n i t C i t a t i o n for a c t i o n o n
A f t e r t r a i n i n g for a year, the 85th m o v e d M o u n t A l t u z z o , I t a l y , Sept. 23 a n d 24,
overseas d u r i n g J u l y a n d A u g . 1918. L a n d - 1944: C o m p a n y G of the 339th I n f a n t r y
i n g in F r a n c e , it began f u n c t i o n i n g almost R e g i m e n t received the D i s t i n g u i s h e d U n i t
at once as a depot d i v i s i o n , a u n i t f r o m C i t a t i o n for action near T r e m e n s u o l i ,
w h i c h replacements for other units were I t a l y , f r o m M a y 11 to 14, 1944.
furnished. L a t e r the d i v i s i o n became p a r t Successive Commanding General —
of the R e g i o n a l R e p l a c e m e n t D e p o t of the M a j . G e n . J o h n B . C o u l t e r f r o m F e b . 1943
Second A r m y i n F r a n c e . D u r i n g 1918 the to present.
339th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t was dispatched Component Units — 337th, 338th,
to A r c h a n g e l , R u s s i a , a n d served for a 339th I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t s ; 328th, 329th,
t i m e under B r i t i s h c o m m a n d there d u r i n g 910th ( L ) a n d 403d ( M ) F i e l d A r t i l l e r y
the N o r t h R u s s i a n C a m p a i g n . T h e 8 5 t h Battalions.
was returned to the U n i t e d States d u r i n g
M a r c h a n d A p r i l , 1919, a n d was de-
m o b i l i z e d at C a m p C u s t e r .
CONNECTICUT VETERANS
Training — T h e 8 5 t h was reactivated COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET
i n this war, M a y 15, 1942, at C a m p
Vol. 1 A u g . 2 5 , 1945 No. 19
S h e l b y , M i s s . , a n d was assigned to the
I V C o r p s a n d X V C o r p s successively CARLETON B. CLYMA, Editor

while at t h a t station. Between A p r i l a n d

T h i s b o o k l e t o n t h e r e t u r n of t h e men
J u n e , 1943, i t p a r t i c i p a t e d i n T h i r d A r m y of t h e 8 5 t h ( C u s t e r ) D i v i s i o n f r o m t h e E u r o -
maneuvers i n L o u i s i a n a . F o l l o w i n g these pean w a r was p r e p a r e d b y the Office of t h e
maneuvers the d i v i s i o n was transferred to Governor, as a n a d d i t i o n t o t h e i r souven-
i r s a n d m e m o r a b i l i a of p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e
C a m p Y o u n g , C a l i f . , where it maneuvered
d e f e a t of t h e o n c e g r e a t A x i s A r m i e s .
a t the Desert T r a i n i n g C e n t e r . I n O c t . The courtesies a n d assistance of public
1943, the 85th was sent to F o r t D i x , N . J . , relations officers, at the Hampton Roads
a n d assigned to the X I I I C o r p s . Port of Embarkation and at the Fort
Devens Reception Station, greatly facili-
Left this Country — December 1943
tated the gathering of the material for
for E u r o p e a n T h e a t e r of Operations. this booklet. The group and ship pictures
Overseas Training — D i v i s i o n re- are from Signal Corps photographs. The
ceived amphibious t r a i n i n g at A r z e w , B a t t l e L o g a n d F a c t s herein were prepared
by the Office of Technical Information,
N o r t h A f r i c a ; a n d three or four m o n t h s '
Army Ground Forces.
intensive preparation on I t a l i a n soil. A l i m i t e d n u m b e r of c o p i e s a r e a v a i l a b l e
Awards — C o m p a n y C of the 337th for distribution to Connecticut men of
I n f a n t r y R e g i m e n t received the D i s - the Division. They can be secured by
written request to the Veterans' Booklet
tinguished U n i t C i t a t i o n for action on
Division, Office of the Governor, State
M a y 12 to 16, 1944, near T r e m e n s u o l i , Capitol, Hartford.
I t a l y : C o m p a n y F of the 337th I n f a n t r y Reproduction of o r i g i n a l m a t e r i a l i s p e r -
R e g i m e n t received the D i s t i n g u i s h e d U n i t missible only with written authorization.

C i t a t i o n for action near R o c o , I t a l y , on

9
THE MUSTER OUT ROLL CALL
T h e n a m e s of t h e o f f i c e r s a n d m e n w h o came h o m e w i t h the 85th D i v i s i o n were t a k e n f r o m the official
s h i p ' s p e r s o n n e l r o s t e r of t h e U . S . S . W e s t P o i n t .

A D L E R , Edgar T., Capt. K O W A L C Z I K , Francis, C p l .

10 A s h v i l l e A v e . , R o c k y H i l l 42 B o o t h S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
A R G O , James, S/Sgt. L A R A I A , Dominick J . , T/4
36 B e l m o n t A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t 175 M a p l e S t . , H a r t f o r d
A S A Y , Joseph, T / 5 L E E M H U I S , Arthur H . , S/Sgt,
B o x 77, E a s t W o o d s t o c k East Norwalk
B A R N E S , Kenneth G., Pvt. L E F E V R E , Theodore R., C p l .
810 O r c h a r d St., N e w H a v e n B o x 124, S a y l e s A v e . , D a y v i l l e
B A T T A G L I A , Thomas V., Pfc. L E M E N , Robert N . , Capt.
27 B a l d w i n S t . , D e v o n 206 F a r m i n g t o n A v e . , H a r t f o r d
B R O W N , Benjamin K., T/Sgt. M A C R I , Pasquale A . , 1st/Sgt.
R F D 2, T h o m a s t o n 208 Greene St., N e w H a v e n
B R O W N I N G , R a y W., Pfc. M A R A N , Jacob M . , C p l .
328 H o w e A v e . , S h e l t o n 24 B i s h o p S t . , W a t e r b u r y
B U R N E T T , Joseph J . , C p l . M A Z U R , Lucian J . , Cpl.
14 W e s t A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t 211 B r o a d S t . , N e w B r i t a i n
C L A R K E , Francis E . , Pfc. M E Y E R , Henry A., 1st/Lt.
171 B a r k e r S t . , H a r t f o r d 45 M a s o n A v e . , O a k v i l l e
C O T A , Leon A . , Pfc. M I S K U S , William C , Pfc.
78 C h e s t n u t S t . , H a r t f o r d College H i g h w a y , G r a n b y
D A V I S , Leslie, Pfc. P A S S A R E L L A , Gaetano T., Pfc.
R F D 1, B o x 1 9 2 , D a n b u r y B o x 6, E a s t H a d d a m
D E L A N E Y , William L., T/5 P E T R E C C A , Michael A., T / 5
24 S h e r i d a n S t . , B r i d g e p o r t 96 P a r k S t . , H a r t f o r d
D I G L I A N I , Armand, Pfc. P I Z Z U T T O , Sam N . , T / 5
1383 N o . M a i n S t . , W a t e r b u r y 230 D e w e y St., S t r a t f o r d
D O B S O N , Edward L., Cpl. R E A L E , Joseph G . , Pfc.
330 D e l e v a n A v e . , E a s t P o r t C h e s t e r 198 B r o a d S t . , P l a i n v i l l e
D O R M A N , Arthur, Pfc. ROBBINS, Max, T/5
495 F e r n St., H a r t f o r d 10 E s s e x S t . , H a r t f o r d
D U M S C H A T , Richard W., T / 5 R O Y , Arthur J . , T/5
R F D 3, P o r t e r A v e . , M i d d l e b u r y 336 W e s t g r o v e St., W a t e r b u r y
D U N N , Leroy F., 2d/Lt. S E D E L N I K , Peter, Sgt.
25 Senford P L , B r i d g e p o r t 1800 S e a v i e w A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
F A R K E N , Paul F., T / 5 S I M E O N E , Ralph P., Pvt.
N e w Germany R d . , Collinsville 24 L y o n s S t . , N e w H a v e n
F I E L D S , Bernard L., T / 5 S I R Y , Peter H . , T / 4
93 E l m St., W i n s t e d 49 N o . P o n d S t . , B r i s t o l
G A U D I O S I , Charles, Pfc. S O K O L S K I , Stanley A . , 1st/Sgt.
79 S a v i n g s S t . , W a t e r b u r y 522 F a i r f i e l d A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t
H A L V E R S O N , John E., T / 5 S O R E L , Oswald F., Pfc.
244 W h i t i n g St., N e w B r i t a i n . 55 W a l n u t S t . , P u t n a m
H A N S E N , George O., Pfc. S T E F U R A C K , Frank, Pvt.
Turner Ave., Oakville 99 C a s t l e A v e . , F a i r f i e l d
I N N A C E L L , A n t h o n y R., Sgt. S T O K E S B U R Y , James E . , Sgt,
533 G a r f i e l d A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t 71 C h e s t n u t S t . , S e y m o u r
J A C O B S , Anthony J . , 1st/Lt. S U B A T A I T I S , Joseph J . , P v t .
21 O l i v e S t . , N e w B r i t a i n 3 James P L , Waterbury
J O H N S T O N , George M . , 1st/Lt. S W E E N E Y , Richard A., Capt.
62 S i s s o n A v e . , H a r t f o r d Brookside R d . , Westport
J U D S O N , George M . , T / 4 T A N G A R O N E , Robert C , T/Sgt.
2020 F a i r v i e w A v e . , N o r w a l k 125 B r o w n S t . , H a r t f o r d
K A M I N S K Y , Alexander J . , Pfc. T A N G R E D I , F r a n k , Sgt.
607 W i l l i a m s St., B r i d g e p o r t 6 H e n r y St., D a n b u r y
K A S S A B I A N , Levon H . , T / 5 T A Y L O R , Leonard F., Pfc.
295 C u r t i s St., M e r i d e n 194 M a i n S t . , G l a s t o n b u r y
K E L L E R , Edward A., T/5 U N A S , Peter P., T / 4
32 O r c h a r d S t . , R o c k v i l l e Shaker R d . , Somersville
K E N D Y , Stephen F., T / 5 V E C C H I T T O , Vincenzo, Pfc.
26 P a r a d i s e S t . , S o . N o r w a l k 158 B r o a d S t . , M i d d l e t o w n
K I R B Y , Albert L . , Pfc. W I L S O N , Arthur K., 1st/Lt.
669 I r a n i s t a n A v e . , B r i d g e p o r t 349 S a v i n A v e . , W e s t H a v e n
K O L O D Z I E J , F r a n k M . , Sgt. Y U S H K A S , Alfred J . , Pvt.
28 P u l a s k i S t . , J e w e t t C i t y 15 C h a r t e r O a k A v e . , H a r t f o r d
K O L O D Z I F J , Michael L., Pfc. Z A R E T S K Y , H a r o l d S., 1st/Lt,
420 Webster St., N a u g a t u c k 452 W e t h e r s f i e l d A v e . , H a r t f o r d

10
 STATE AIDS AND BENEFITS
T h e l a w s of t h e S t a t e of C o n n e c t i c u t p r o v i d e f o r m a n y f o r m s of a i d , b e n e f i t s a n d p r e f e r e n c e s f o r v e t e r a n s ,
and for t h e i r n e x t of k i n i n v a r y i n g degrees. T h e f o l l o w i n g digest is d e s i g n e d t o i n f o r m of t h e a i d s , benefits
and preferences, a n d to designate the local or state agency charged w i t h p r o v i d i n g full i n f o r m a t i o n t o
veterans. T h e r e are t h i r t y - f o u r f u l l - t i m e a n d eight p a r t - t i m e V e t e r a n s C e n t e r s o p e r a t i n g w h i c h serve 86 of
t h e 169 cities a n d t o w n s i n t h e S t a t e . I n s o m e s m a l l e r t o w n s t h e T o w n C l e r k s a c t as a " V e t e r a n s C e n t e r " .

Tax Exemptions — File discharge with your "2. T h a t i t s h a l l be t h e p o l i c y of t h e S t a t e u n t i l

Town Clerk; n o t i f y l o c a l assessors a n d collector. July 1, 1 9 5 0 , t o g i v e preference to veterans of

Local Taxes — A n y veteran is exempt from World W a r I I i n a l l State positions outside the

taxes on real or personal property u p to $1,000 i n classified service of t h e m e r i t s y s t e m a c t a n d i n a l l

positions i n v o l v i n g c o n t r a c t u a l services a n d part
valuation. Disabled veterans are exempt up to
t i m e services a n d i n a l l cases w h e r e compensation
$3,000, according to disability ratings. This ex-
is paid b y the State whether o n a fee b a s i s or
e m p t i o n is i n p a r t v a l i d f o r v e t e r a n s ' w i v e s , a n d
otherwise.
next of k i n , as specified by the Statutes. See
Local T a x Collector. "3. T h a t u n t i l J u l y 1, 1 9 5 0 , i t s h a l l a l s o b e t h e
Local Business Taxes — (Personal property) p o l i c y of t h e S t a t e t h a t a p p o i n t i n g officers of t h e
on stock, fixtures a n d e q u i p m e n t of n e w businesses S t a t e , as d e f i n e d b y Sec. 2049 of t h e G e n e r a l S t a t u t e s ,
established by veterans, for three years. See shall, other conditions being equal, give preference
Local T a x Collector. t o v e t e r a n s o f W o r l d W a r I I i n filling S t a t e p o s i t i o n s
Old Age Assistance Taxes — Servicemen are from registers of e l i g i b l e c a n d i d a t e s furnished b y

exempt, during active service i n armed forces, the State Personnel D e p a r t m e n t . "

and veterans m a y secure r e f u n d if t h e y p a i d while Educational Aids — W i t h satisfactory cre-

in active service. See L o c a l T a x Collector. d e n t i a l s , a v e t e r a n c a n s e c u r e free a g r a m m a r s c h o o l

State Unincorporated Business Taxes — O n or high school diploma from t h e S t a t e B o a r d of

E d u c a t i o n , S t a t e Office B u i l d i n g , H a r t f o r d .
new businesses established b y a n y veteran, good
for three years. See T a x C o m m i s s i o n e r , State Free instruction i n secondary subjects (high
school courses) will be furnished by the State
Office B u i l d i n g , H a r t f o r d .
B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n i f y o u r t o w n c a n ' t d o i t . S e e
Free Business Licenses — Most licenses are
y o u r l o c a l school officials.
free; renewals usually unnecessary for varying
F i n a n c i a l a i d for college e d u c a t i o n s for c h i l d r e n ,
periods. See y o u r T o w n Clerk.
16 t o 2 3 , o f s e r v i c e m e n k i l l e d i n s e r v i c e . Consult
Professional Licenses — Qualified veterans can
t h e S t a t e B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n .
be a d m i t t e d t o t h e p r a c t i c e of l a w or c h i r o p r a c t i c
Aid for Needy Veterans — If y o u are being
w i t h o u t e x a m i n a t i o n i n m o s t cases. Contact your
c a r e d f o r u n d e r l e g a l d i r e c t i o n of t h e V e t e r a n s H o m e
county B a r A s s o c i a t i o n , o r t h e B o a r d of Chiro-
Commission, your children under 16, husband,
p r a c t i c E x a m i n e r s , S t a t e Office B u i l d i n g , H a r t f o r d .
wife or w i d o w e d mother c a n receive weekly finan-
State E m p l o y m e n t Preference — Veteran pas-
cial assistance u p to $10. for a n a d u l t a n d $6. for
s i n g s t a t e c i v i l s e r v i c e e x a m i n a t i o n h a s five p o i n t s
a child. A p p l y to the Commission, through the
added to score; t e n , if he has a disability rating.
Veterans H o m e , R o c k y Hill.
N a m e s placed o n list of eligibles i n t h e o r d e r of
If you need temporary financial assistance
such augmented score.
b e c a u s e of a service d i s a b i l i t y , c o n t a c t t h e V e t e r a n s
The State's general policy on veteran's job Home Commission, Rocky Hill.
preference, w h i c h h a s n o t t h e effect of l a w , w a s Soldiers, Sailors a n d M a r i n e s F u n d — Many
established b y the 1945 General Assembly, with of t h e v e t e r a n s ' a i d benefits set o u t a b o v e a r e p a y -
p a s s a g e of t h e f o l l o w i n g : able f r o m t h e i n c o m e p r o d u c e d b y this f u n d w h i c h is
R e s o l v e d b y t h e S e n a t e a n d H o u s e of R e p r e s e n t a - t o b e a u g m e n t e d b y a p o r t i o n of t h e C o n n e c t i c u t
tives: tax o n cigarettes u n t i l t h e p r i n c i p a l of the fund
"1. That it shall be the policy of t h e S t a t e , reaches $15,000,000. Disbursements of these
acting through the Connecticut Veterans Reemploy- funds to carry out a i d provisions to veterans, a n d
ment and Advisory Commission, to encourage certain relatives a n d next of k i n of veterans
Connecticut employers t o v o l u n t a r i l y set aside a pursuant to statute, are through the State Treasurer
m i n i m u m of 2 5 p e r c e n t of p o s t - w a r j o b s f o r v e t e r - of the American Legion, State Office Building,
a n s of W o r l d W a r I I . Hartford.

11