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My father, John T. Harrison (1922-1985) served in Co. D of the 594th of the 4th Engineer Speical Brigade. He was from New York City and his dates of service were February 8, 1943 through January 6, 1946. Unfortunately, his records were lost in the St. Louis fire in the '70s, but I've been trying to reconstruct a history of the regiment for the dates he served. I have been lucky enough to obtain a brief but interesting account of the Company's activities from February 1943 through January 1945, written by Captain Glenn W. Kennedy, from the National Archives. I'm attaching a copy of this account for your use. Maureen Harrison Gelber Company “D” 22 September 1944 Subject: History of Company “D” To: Commanding Officer, 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, APO 503, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, California 1. In compliance with letter, your Headquarters, Subject: “History”, dated 18 September 1944, the following is submitted: 1 February 1943 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts saw the activation of Company “D”, of the 594th Engineer Amphibian Regiment, Fourth Engineer Amphibian Brigade, with a cadre of one Officer, 2nd Lt. Melvin R. Best, Company Commander, and thirteen Enlisted personnel headed by First Sergeant C.M. Hanks, direct from the Third Engineer Amphibian Brigade, Camp Carrabelle, Florida. Approximately two to three weeks thence, one hundred and fifty raw recruits from every reception center in the country began the rigors and hardships of basic training. Added to the misery of the rookies was the extreme cold weather, interrupted frequently by a typical Massachusetts snow blizzard which often left the Company area under a blanket of snow, necessitating training being carried on within the barracks. During the middle of the basic training schedule twenty-five Enlisted Men and one Officer from Company “D” moved to Washburn Island to form a Composite Shore Company. It was there that they received their advanced training, to enable them to qualify as instructors in Engineer Shore work for the remainder of the unit. Sunday morning, 4 April 1943, at 0500 Company “D” moved via truck to Washburn Island, Massachusetts, annex of Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, to get their first taste of “Technical Engineer Training”. With their dreaded basic training behind them the now hardened “Vets” together with the Enlisted Men from the Composite Shore Company, plunged into the next phase of training with renewed vigor. Our very enjoyable stay at Washburn Island both from training and social standpoint was interrupted by a move to Cotuit Base on 1 May 1943. With the entire 594th Engineer Amphibian Regiment assembled at the Cotuit Base, enabling closer relationship with our First Battalion brothers, the technical phase was completed in favor of our specialized work as Amphibious Shore Engineers. To further our rapidly growing knowledge of beach roads, beach defense, and handling of resupply, several boat problems were conducted in the environs of Cotuit. The month of July was an outstanding one for Company “D,” first because fifty percent of the unit were transferred to form an Amphibian DUKW Company destined for immediate overseas shipment. S/Sgt Roland E. Soule, Communications Chief, was promoted to First Sergeant to lead the new unit to its secret destination, and second because the company underwent a complete reorganization receiving replacements from other units of the Brigade to make up for the men transferred out. Soon after, First Sergeant C.M. Hanks, was transferred to the newly formed Provisional Training Battalion to impart his army experiences to the new recruits. T/Sgt Alvin Gibbs became First Sergeant for approximately one month when his love for line duty took him back where he was more contented. The new “Top kick” was T/Sgt Fraser, who took the reins of Company “D” and at this writing is still doing a good job as the “Zebra” of Company “D”. During our stay at Cotuit higher Headquarters saw fit to rename the Fourth Engineer Amphibian Brigade, the Fourth Engineer Special Brigade, and the individual Regiments, Boat and Shore Regiments. Around the fifteenth of August 1943, the entire 594th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment embarked for a two week stay at Martha’s Vineyard designed to give the bulk of the Regiment their first feel of “Life in the field”, shelter halves, field ranges. Boat problems and an occasional storm, coupled with the bright lights of the Vineyard, made the two weeks a memorable stepping stone in our army life. Returning to Cotuit, Company “D” received orders to move back immediately to Martha’s Vineyard on detached service from the Brigade to engage in a construction project, which to this day is a mystery to the majority of the Officers and Enlisted Men. The move back to the Island completed, the camp set up in working order, Lt. Best, was then ordered by higher Headquarters to return to Cotuit to prepare to move with the entire Brigade to Camp Gordon Johnston, Florida. To say this was demoralizing to the men was putting it mildly. However we soon forgot and chalked it up to army experience. The day after Labor Day, Tuesday, 5 September 1943 at 1630 with Lt. Melvin R. Best as train commander, Company “D”, plus Headquarters Company, First Battalion and the Fourth Engineer Special Brigade Band proceeded via Pullman to renamed Camp Gordon Johnston, Florida. The entire trip was a luxury and lasted for three days and two nights before the majority of the men received their first look at “Horrible Carrabelle.” No sooner were we settled in our dark green barracks overlooking the famous Gulf of Mexico, then in came the Fourth Infantry Division from Fort Dix, New Jersey with a hot reputation as a crack outfit, and a Clover leaf as a shoulder patch. The ensuing six week period saw a close cooperation between the “Amphibs” and the “Doughboys” in all their combined maneuvers. Their Amphibious training completed, the “4th” moved on for greater things while the Fourth Brigade sat back and listened to latrine rumors. Incidentally, we might add that it was this same clover leaf which spearheaded the D-day landing in France. Getting back to Company “D”, we might mention the first Company party which took place on 25 October 1943 in the company mess hall. Pvt “Doc” Hall and Pvt William Garber shared the duties of master of ceremonies. Plenty of beer and shrimp, plus Ollie Petrini and the 594th Swing Band highlighted the evening. Captain Hope, Battalion Commander accompanied by Captain Austin, Battalion Executive Officer, were the evening’s invited guests. Next came the holiday season which proved very dull except for the fortunate few who were able to eke out a furlough at the coveted time. The following months saw the activation of Camp Gordon Johnston, as Army Service Forces Training Center with Colonel Hutchings, Jr., Fourth Engineer Special Brigade Company succeeding Colonel Walter H. Smith as Commanding Officer. In conjunction with the newly formed Army Service Forces Training Center came the organization of the Harbor Craft Companies which called on the Fourth Brigade to furnish a certain number of Enlisted Men and Officer personnel as cadreman. To replace men transferred out, the Fourth Engineer Special Brigade received a fresh batch of recruits of which Company “D” received their share. This meant one thing to the NCCs, basic training once more. However, with the help of a few Offices from Chemical Warfare School the recruits were changed from “Rookies” to soldiers by completing basic training and POM requirements. During our stay in Florida, Lt. Best was advanced to the rank of Captain. Winding up our duties at Camp Gordon Johnston, was an all Brigade parade and address by our recently promoted Commanding Officer, now Brigadier General, Hutchings, who explained in detail what the future held in store for the sea-going soldiers of the Fourth Engineer Special Brigade. April first was the date of departure for sunny California and Camp Stoneman, where the finishing touches for “overseas” were to be received. As in the past, our movement was very enjoyable with the accommodations the best. Card playing and sleeping occupied the majority of our seven day trip. After ten preparatory days at Stoneman, which incidentally was termed a paradise by all, we boarded a ferry for the first leg of our long water journey destined to take us over ten thousand miles. We arrived at Oakland Port of Embarkation at 1900 on 1 May 1944, and after an hour’s wait which was interrupted by doughnuts and coffee, courtesy of the Red Cross, we tramped up the much previously discussed gang plank of the USAT Sea Devil, with all thoughts of fear driven from our minds by extreme fatigue. Our huge steel home for the next 25 days passed under the famous Frisco Golden Gate Bridge, 2 May 1944 at approximately 1200 and headed out to the blue Pacific, for in reality a very boring and uneventful three weeks. One outstanding memory of our boat ride will always be Captain Johnson, troop commander, better known as Captain Bligh, whose wise remarks were always good for a laugh. Our first look at New Guinea came on the twenty-second of May when the Sea Devil anchored overnight at Milne Bay, where we were greeted by our other half, the 594th Boat Battalion. The following morning we proceeded to Oro Bay, arriving at 1100 hours, embarking immediately in LCMs. We waded ashore to be greeted by General Hutchings. The weather seemed, and was extremely hot, especially after a hike of two miles to our prospective camp site which was strictly brush and good old New Guinea jungle. The following two weeks were spent erecting our new home, getting accustomed to the daily does of atabrine and sleeping under our mosquito bars. Our first real job in New Guinea was the construction of thirty-five WAC barracks at the Intermediate Section, which was accomplished in the record time of six short weeks. For this outstanding work, Company “D” received a special commendation from USSOS. Naturally, as things progress, changes must be made which explains our loss of Lt. Bovard to Company “E” and Lt. Watson to Headquarters Company, Second Battalion. In exchange we received Lt. Serota from Company “E” as Recon Officer with Lt. Steeples and Lt. Prescott joining us from Headquarters Company, Second Battalion. The greatest misfortune ever encountered by Company “D” befell us when the one and only Company Commander the majority of us had ever known was stricken with a jungle disease and returned to the United States. In Captain Best’s place we received the ever popular Lt. Kennedy, who until his transfer to Headquarters Company, Second Battalion as Commanding Officer was just as much a part of Company “D” as anyone could be. Simultaneously Lt. Kennedy was promoted to Captain and assumed command, which makes September 1944 a memorable month in Captain Kennedy’s military career. In this history of what we think is the best company in the whole United States Army, we might add that we are very anxious to carry the name of Company “D” all the way to Tokyo. Glenn W. Kennedy Company “D” 25 January 1945 Move From Oro Bay, New Guinea To Present Time Company “D”, less Lt. Frank E. Riegel and a small rear eschelon, departed from area Base ‘B’, Oro Bay, New Guinea at 2000 hours on 4 November 1944, and proceeded by truck to the embarkation area where Navy PA boats were boarded at 2245 hours. Men arrived on board APA George Clymer at 2305 hours; a delicious supper being served immediately. We left Oro Bay at 1100 hours on the fifth of November for our new destination, which the rumor mongers held as Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Incidentally there wasn’t anyone sorry to leave the wilds of New Guinea so prevalent for its dusty roads, terrific sun, and over supply of bully beef. The day and a half spent aboard the George Clymer were memorable ones in our overseas carrier, mostly from the standpoint of “chow.” We arrived Cape Gloucester, New Britain at 1300 Hours and proceeded to embark via Navy PA boats. Our first view of New Britain was anything but impressive, not from the fact that we were expecting to see bright lights, but the dense jungle and its surroundings made one feel that we were going backward in civilization, rather than forward. Our camp that night was set up in the Battalion area cleared by Company “F” who had arrived a few days prior to the rest of the Battalion, which incidentally was quite a break for us. Shelter halves comprised our camp for the first night. The ensuing few days saw pyramidal tents erected, orderly room and kitchen put in place and the usual housekeeping duties completed. I might add that our location was excellent facing the ocean where swimming and a cool breeze were enjoyed by all. As New Britain was to be our staging area, we immediately became associated with the 40th Infantry Division, whom we were to be attached to in the forthcoming operation. Our first job in this staging procedure was to construct an embarkation area which consisted mainly of the building an maintaining of LST jetties. Much to our misfortune during our stay at Cape Gloucester we lost five men who were evacuated, because of a tropical skin disease. Slowly but surely the many and varied diseases contacted during our stay in New Guinea were taking their toll. For a while at New Britain the chow situation picked up considerably, even to the extent where we had steak, however, our good fortune was shortened, because soon after the first couple of weeks we dropped back in the doldrums of bully beef and more of it. After approximately one month of building jetties and constant running from one office to another filling out what seemed like thousands of forms, we were again ready to move and this time it was “the real thing,” which we heard about ever since our snowbound days at Fort Devens, Mass. I am quite sure no one was sorry to leave Cape Gloucester as all they want to remember, is the story of the famous hill 606 which the Marines waged such a terrific battle over, that is in case it becomes the topic of conversation somewhere, preferably in a home town tavern in years to come, and then we can say “I was at Cape Gloucester.” The 9th day of December saw our departure from New Britain amidst a terrific rainstorm, which we stood in until thoroughly drenched to the skin - strictly Army style. We boarded the U.S.S. Lindenwald, 114 Enlisted Men and 6 Officers, the remainder of the company being on L.S.T.’s, at 1330 hours after taking a “joy ride” in the driving rain all over the Cape to make sure everyone was wet to the core. The accommodations aboard ship were fair, however, the freedom allowed the men was the most pleasant surprise. At 0630 hours we steamed out of Gloucester - on our way at last so we all sat back and talked of how many Japs we were each good for, and all sat back and talked of how many Japs we were each good for, and how we would go hog wild in the night life of Manila. Only two days out we pulled into Manus Island of the Admiralty Group to lay over for a few days, and to regroup the convoy for a “dry run” in preparation for the coming operation. While at Manus we enjoyed several shore parties at the expense of the Naval recreation facilities. As per usual the EM were restricted in their consumption of all alcoholic beverages, this time to two (2) bottles of beer per man, but being old hands at this restricting business Company “D” soon had all the beer they could consume, in fact, in many cases they had a lot more than they could consume. On the 18th of December a dry run was held at Lae, New Guinea, after it was rumored we were going to hold it everywhere from the Island of Guam to the San Francisco Port of Embarkation. In keeping with traditional Army standards on dry runs, everyone was a bit confused as to what was going on, however, the high command was satisfied and we returned to our respective ships the same night. After leaving Lae for return trip to Manus, we were given permission to write letters, however, I might add with no definite assurance they would ever go out. We arrived back at Manus at 1200 hours on the 21st to spend the “Holidays”, and also hold another dry run at Las Negros Island on the 26th. On 31 December we left Manus Island and the dry runs behind us - “this is it” everyone was saying. Our trip from then on was very uneventful, that is up until the night of 8 January 1945, when we saw our first Jap plane; the ensuing fifteen to thirty minutes we were privileged to witness a thrilling air battle in which four enemy planes were shot down with damage to one of our carriers. The 9th of January was “S” Day for the 594th. We tumbled out of our sacks, as they were so affectionately known in the Navy, at 0400 hours proceeded to the Mess Hall for a breakfast of hash and dehydrated eggs, naturally this was cause for much grumbling and moaning among the men. Those of us who finished chow early immediately went topside to see what we could, which because of the darkness was nothing. The time dragged until 7 am, when the order came over the ship’s loud speaker system saying “All Army personnel board your landing craft”; almost simultaneously with this announcement a Jap Zero sneaked in and politely dropped a bomb off our starboard bow - any case of nervousness we might have had was immediately increased to the DT'’, the phrase “that was too close for comfort” was on everyone'’ lips. Settled in our LCTs, which were going to carry us ashore, we squatted down under every available piece of heavy equipment and proceeded on our way under the heaviest Naval bombardment we had ever experienced or ever hope to experience for that matter. Hitting the beach, we waded ashore like true Amphibians in 5 foot of water and not knowing whether there was 1 Jap or 5,000 waiting for us, however, after flopping down in the sand and hearing no fire we began to look around to make sure this wasn’t “Dog Island” - soon the word was passed that the Nips had retreated inland and the beach was secure - everyone immediately put on their best disgusted look, however, inwardly they all felt just the opposite. The company was broken down into two sections, the Pioneer Platoon under Lt. Van Schoick were in charge of Orange Beach II, while Lt. Serota and the Supply and Utility Platoon worked Orange Beach I. The succeeding 9 days were probably the toughest the majority of the men and Officers ever experienced. With a terrific, uncontrollable surf and an endless stream of ships to be unloaded, plus air raids twice a day, the men battled to the end completing their job on schedule - that of getting the supplies to the Infantry when and where they wanted them. On 17 January the entire company moved from Orange Beach to a temporary bivouac area further inland where we stayed until orders were received sending us to Dagupan, the next town to Lingayen to commence work on the construction of storage oil tanks, which brings us up to the present date. Glenn W. Kennedy |
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