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M/Sgt. Michael Allegra, 26, of 84 Bay St., Brockton, Mass., has served with the 212th Armored A. F. A. Bn., CCA 6th Armored Division, Headquarters 76th Medical Bn., and then with Headquarters Battery. Mike, who is Communications Chief, is probably the best source of information on wire communications in the battery. Division Artillery has had an enviable record for maintenance and accessibility of communication which was largely the result of the planning and supervision of M/Sgt. Allegra. This work has earned for him the Silver Star Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
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T 5 Michael Andino, 23, alias the "Duke of York" is really a sharp article with moustache and dapper togs. Duke is a first class draftsman and designer. Etching, painting, drawing, it maters not, the New Yorker can compete with the best of them. Mike is going to continue his arts course and either go into business for himself or follow up his mechanical draftsman's position in New York. It would not be surprising if Mike moved to California, where he found the climate to his liking. His New York City address is 89 East 4th
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T/5 Stanley A. Baker received his call to arms in July, 1943, in a unique manner, a letter from the President that began with "Greetings." Baker is another wireman who helped his section maintain its high degree of efficiency. Throughout the campaigns, he was always ready regardless of time, conditions, or his physical well being. These untiring efforts earned for him the Bronze Star Medal. Prior to his coming to Division Artillery in April, 1944, he had basic training at Fort Bragg, N. C., and ran the gauntlet of Replacement Depots. The 20-year-old student hopes to further his education after returning to Route 1, Carrollton, Missouri.
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Cpl. Peter E. Balbier, 38, of 2547 Lombard St., Baltimore, Md., left his native city in April, 1942, to begin his basic at Camp Lee, Virginia. Pete was sent to Tank School at Fort Knox and has wondered why. Since then he has never worked with tanks. Back in pre-war days Pete was a skilled tailor and sheet metal worker. As a liaison corporal he participated in all our mad races without an accident. His knowledge of German was of great value to the command. Pete served his country well in many capacities.
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Cpl. Cecil R. Bardine, the 20-year-old sheik from Canton, Ohio, first graced the Army with his presence in July, 1943. After completing his basic training at Fort Bragg, he spent most of his time going to and from Replacement Depots and the Port of Embarkation. He joined the Division Artillery circle in April, 1944. As a Wire Corporal he did so excellent a job in helping to establish and maintain wire communications in spite of all the difficulties into which wiremen run, that he is the proud possessor of the Bronze Star Medal. When things are normal again Tete will be found at 607 High Ave. SW, in Canton, Ohio.
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Pvt. Robert W. Barnes, one of "Pop" Walker's 20-year-old charges, hails from 106 South St., Greenfield, Ohio. Bob went through the five campaigns "shooting" his balloons with unerring accuracy and keeping the artillery battalions posted on local temperature and weather changes. Due to the high caliber of the work done by him and his cronies, Corps Artillery relied heavily on their weather data, especially at Bastogne. Bob will undoubtedly return to college to complete his studies.
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T/4 Henry W. Belliveau, the little man from Rhode Island, handles quite a big job. His duties as Motor Sergeant makes him responsible for the maintenance of all the vehicles in the Battery, a duty which is easily conceded to be a very important function in combat. Henry made his first appearance in khaki in July, 1943. He had basic training at Fort Bragg, N. C., after which he came to Division Artillery via a replacement center in April, 1944. The 31-year-old automobile mechanic intends to continue his work as well as indulge in some motorcycle racing after he returns to 39 Bucklin St. in Pawtucket.
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Tec. 5 Chester O. Bowman is another Division Artillery original, having been transferred in February, 1943 to Artillery Command from Division Service Company, where he was assigned upon his entry into the service in November, 1942. Chet demonstrated his worth as an airplane mechanic and a good soldier by helping to keep the planes in flying order despite the adverse weather and combat conditions under which he worked. As a reward for his efforts he has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The former mechanic's helper and labor foreman, who is 23 years old, is the other Kansan in the Air Section and will have all his civilian mail addressed to Route No. 1, Chanute.
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Pfc. Paul M. Brewer, 21, attended Oklahoma University before receiving induction papers. From then on Paul's story assumed an olive drab color. Paul received his training at Fort Bragg and was then shipped overseas. In England the battery was introduced to a new member of the Survey Section, and the chapters of good fellowship included Paul Brewer from then on. Surveying may sound like a peaceful occupation, but take it from Paul, it is no pastoral pastime in combat. Paul resides at 403 E. 7th St., Wewoka, Oklahoma.
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T/5 William F. Bridges, the 34-year-old former Municipal Court Judge, and associate newspaper publisher, had the honor of being the first member of the Illinois State Police force to leave that department during World War II. He came to Headquarters Battery in April, 1945. After leaving his home in Vienna, Illinois in March, 1942, to enter the service, he was assigned as a Linotype operator in the Reproduction Plant at the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and then as a draftsman in the Range Office at the School. In the short time that he has been with the battery he has proven his worth by his fine work as a draftsman in the Operations Section.
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