Early in September, 1943, the 21st Independent Parachute Company landed with 1st Airborne Division in Italy with the objective of capturing the port of Taranto and securing a perimeter around the port. We were taken by vessels of the Royal Navy from Bizerta in Tunisia - and were treated like royalty whilst on board the cruiser, HMS Aurora- to Taranto, where we met little opposition to our landing on 9th September. Unfortunately, however, HMS Abdiel, carrying the 6th Parachute Battalion and most...
Alton served as a Private, Company D, 517th Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army during World War II. He resided in Pennsylvania prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on May 4, 1943 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Single, without dependents.
Clarence L. PALMER was born on July 16, 1911 in North Platte, Nebraska. He was incorporated on July 24, 1943 at Fort Brook, Nebraska. Incorporated into the 784th Engineer Petroleum Distribution Company. He will serve as automotive mechanic with the rank of Technician 4 (T4). On March 31, 1944 he was transferred with his unit to the European theater of operation more precisely in Italy, in preparation for the landing in Provence.