Posted by Allan Wilford Howerton Link: An 84th Division Story
on March 11, 2008, 4:22 pm, in reply to "E334 Company Commander"
172.135.133.112
Per the Appendix (Page 258) of the division history, "The 84rh Infantry Division in the Battle of Germany" by Lt. Theodore Draper, Company E, 334th Infantry had five combat company commanders as follows: Capt. James D. Ledbetter,1st. Lt. Lauren L. Dustin, Capt. Cornelius V. Coady, 2nd. Lt. William W. Thompson, and Harry D. Kalbfleisch Jr.
The division roster notes that Ledbetter served only during the Rhineland campaign and was awarded a Purple Heart Medal for wounds in acion. His successor,1st Lt. Lauren L Dustin, of Del Bonita Alberta, Canada, was reported MIA (Missing in Action) December 1, 1944. Coady, who succeeded him, served during the Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns but there are no further notations beside his name in the roster. He was followed by Thompson who served with the division during all three of the division's campaigns. Thompson was succeeded by Kalbfleisch Jr who, per the roster, was on detached service from the 9th U.S. Army and who was also with the 84th during all of the division's campaigns. No dates or reasons for the changes of command of the company are given and none other than Dustin have PH, MIA, or KIA notations beside their names. If Dustin was killed in action rather than reorted missing, the 334th was in the general vicinity of Lindern, Germany on December 1, 1944. Regrettably, I have no further information. Suggest check Monthly Historical Data reports for E-334 which are filed with 84th Infantry Division records at the Suitland, Maryland facility of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Please post any further information you have as to a company commander of E-334 who was reputedly killed in action.
Many thanks for your compliments with regard to my efforts to preserve the memory of the men of the 84th Infantry Division. I am grateful to all who make use of the message board and who purchase or read my books which are publicized here.
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