The 9th Infantry Regiment in WWII
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The 9th Infantry Regiment in WWII
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"Keep Up The Fire"
Book is based on unit histories and personal interviews with veterans and their families. Written by the son of a former 9th Infantry veteran. In his book Al Castillo covers the history of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in the Second World War from Fort Sam Houston, Texas to the bitter fighting in Europe and it's return home in 1945. Covered in the book are important subjects overlooked by other military historians. Men from the 9th who landed on D-Day in the first assualt wave, the part the X-Platoon played in the Regiment, an experimental platoon made up of Black soldiers who volunteered for combat in rifle companies.
Book contains a complete list of all Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross reciepents, along with what they did in combat to receive their decorations. A list of men killed in action, figures on losses. Lists of officers who lead the Regiment and complete list on the Regiment's campaigns.
Photos top to bottom. Cover of the book shows men from the 9th celebrating in the rain in Germany April 1945. Sgt. George Marciniak Company I back home after being wounded in combat. The 9th Infantry Regimental Crest. The X-Platoon takes a break after a fire fight near Lepzig, Germany in 1945. Cpl. Luis Castillo and Pfc. Pat Sullivan resting after months of combat. The Combat Infantry Badge, the prize possession of every Infantryman, to wear it meant you had paid the price in combat.
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From the book
ABOUT LIFE IN IRELAND.
"One Manchu who was having a hard time was a short Mexican-American from Texas. It seemed that Pvt. Luis Castillo was having a hard time getting on buses. Most of the bus drivers would not let him on thinking he was an Italian POW, due to his dark complexion."
IN COMBAT
S/Sgt. Marciniak was sent to the 2nd Platoon, Company I in the 9th. His first indication of what combat would be like was when the platoon leader handed him a lenestic compass and said "This belong to the last platoon Sergeant."
In his foxhole in the snow covered field, Pfc. William Soderman sat all alone. His thoughts wondered to home and the up coming battle, he thought to himself "This is a heck of a place to die." Somehow he had expected the battle field to look different, but it looked like any old meadow around his home in West Haven, Connecticut. Pfc. Soderman did not know it but he was about to gain a place in Manchu history.
They went in, Lt. Sorell, Sgt. Bammer and twelve men from the X-Platoon. It was hand-to-hand combat with a lot of firing and grenade throwing, a vicious fight that did not last very long. When it was all over only, Sgt. Bammer and one of the black enlisted men were the only ones left with out a scratch.
From the Diary of Sgt. Hanford M. Rice:
August 24, 1944(Thursday): K-rations are sure getting old (We have had) no hot coffee for days (Finally) the sun came out.
August 25, 1944 (Friday): We attacked pillboxes all day. (We had) 20 casualities. Three of our tanks were knocked out. I took over the platoon.
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Life in the Ninth
Book is a hard cover limited publication 8.5 X 11 with approximately 211 pages with many unpublished photos, the book also covers what equipment the men used, weapons and food. Perhaps one of the best referances on life in the 9th Infantry Regiment during WWII. A tribute to every soldier who fought in WWII. Published by Southern Heritage Press in 2001
Cost of book is 60.00 includes shipping and handling. Remember this is a limited edition of a number of copies.
Anyone wishing to purchase a book or having any information (documents, photos or artifacts) about the 9th Infantry Regiment they wish to sell may contact the author.
EMAIL Warhist@aol.com
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