HEADQUARTERS
146TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION
H I S T O R Y
1 January 1945 to 31 January 1945
4. STATIONS
a. Forward Echelon at Eupen, Belgium.............from 28 December
1944 to .................
b. Rear Echelon at Henri Chapelle, Belgium...........form 22
December 1944 to 24 December January 1945.
c. Rear Echelon at Membach, Belgium............24 January to........
8. COMMANDING OFFICERS IN IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENTS
a. Command section of the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion.
Major Cecil F. Clark, Battalion Commander
Major Willard B. Baker, Executive Officer
Captain Steven Pipka, S-3
Captain James L. Nichols, S-4
Lt. Luverne Paterson, Acting, S-2
Lt. Harold D. Brown, S-1
Captain Sam H. Ball, Commanding Officer, Company "A"
Captain John K. Howard, Commanding Officer, Company "B"
Captain Vincent L. Wall, Commanding Officer, Company "C"
Captain Arthur J. Hill, Commanding Officer, Company "H&S"
Lt. Stanley L. Goldman, Commanding Officer Medical Detachment
9. LOSSES IN ACTION - - OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN
a. Engagement - - During patrol and maintenence of a minefield,
part of V Corps barrier plan, near Mutzenich, Germany on
26 January, 1945.
(2) Wounded
Cothron, Howard, , Cpl, 34016111
b. Engagement - - While doing general engineer work on roads in the vicinity of
Mutzenich and Monschau, Germany, during the month of January.
(2) Wounded
............................... Bratton, Joe E., Pfc, 38414136
............................... .........Grey, Otis, T/5, 38340961
10. FORMER AND PRESENT MEMBERS WHO HAVE
DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES IN ACTION
a. Engagement - - Action at Vossenack, Germany on
November 6 and 7, when the 146th
Engineer Combat Battalion (less Company "B") was
committed as infantry to reinforce
the 2nd Battalion, 112 Regiment, 28th Infantry
Division in defense of that town and
driving the enemy out of it.
AWARD OF THE OAKLEAF CLUSTER TO THE SILVER STAR
Pvt. Alroy J. Broadwell
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR
Lt. Col., Carl J. Isley
Major Willard B. Baker
Captain Sam H. Ball, Jr.
b. Engagement - - When the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion layed a
minefield in the town of Vossenack, Germany on 9 November, 1944.
T/5 Bernard E. H. Johnson
T/5 James C. Shrum
Pvt. John L. Blue
Pvt. Walter Mayer
Background:
Archive Photo:
Company "A"
building road in
Mutzenich, Germany
January 1945
c. Engagement - - The 146th Engineer Combat Battalion was heavily shelled by German
artillery while in bivouac at (K860214) near Mutzenich, Germany on 26 December 1944.
AWARD OF THE PURPLE HEART
T/Sgt. Sam A. Gregory, Jr.
T/4 William F. Staples
Pvt. Eugene Baker
Pv. Robert M. McCoy
d. Engagement - - While doing general engineer work on roads near the vicinity of Mutzenich and
Monschau, Germany during the month of December.
T/5 Raymond L. Knowles
S/Sgt. James C. Putnam
STEPHEN PIPKA
Captain, CE
Historical Officer
HEADQUARTERS
146TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION
3 February 1945
MONTHLY REPORT AFTER ACTION AGAINST THE ENEMY
3. OPERATIONS
(a) Combat Missions.
(1) The Battalion had no combat Missions during the month of January 1945, but performed routine Engineering
missions in the Corps areas, and the division area when supporting division Engineers.
(b) Roads.
(1) During the month of January 1945, the primary mission of the battalion was the maintenance of roads in
Corps and Division areas. Continued snowfall during the month caused the roads to become very slippery
making it necessary to continually sand important road junctions, curves through streets in towns and villages.
Drifting snow also caused some difficulty in keeping the roads open. All of the heavy equipment of the
battalion, snow removal equipment and some borrowed heavy equipment was in use daily during the month.
This equipment was used primarily for keeping roads open. Secondary missions consisted of removing snow
from air strips, removing snow-bound vehicles which were under direct observation of the enemy. Snow fences
were erected along the roads at critical points in order to cut down the amount of snow drifting across the
roads. Typical snow fence consisted of pine trees erected so as to break the force of the wind thus causing the
snow to drift before it reached the road. Vehicle casualties were reduced during the month by having stock-piles
of sand available along all the main roads in Corps and Division sector for use when the roads became slippery.
Vehicle casualties were also reduced by erecting shoulder guide markers along the main roads in the sector.
(d) Mines and Barriers
(2) Battalion maintained guard on bridges prepared for demolition at ..............from 1 January 1945 to 14 January
1945. Battalion released form responsibility of bridge by 172 Engineer (C) Bn on 14 January 1945.
(e) Miscellaneous.
(1) Co "B" cleared gun position for one battery of artillery.......... and for two batteries..........on 28 January 1945.
(2) Co "C" completed pulling out snow bound combat vehicles from outpost ..........on 27 January 1945.
(3) Co "C" completed clearing snow paths to self propelled guns of 102 Cav Gp..........on 28 January 1945
(5) Battalion constructed four mess halls in battalion area from 15 January 1945 to 27 January 1945.
(6) Co "B" cleared air strip for 406 FA Group............ on 27 January 1945.
(f) Water Points
(1) One water point was operated during the month which produced a total of 107, 206 gallons.
(g) Divisional Support Missions.
(1) From 25 January 1945, for indefinite period, the 146th Engineer (C) Bn., was put in support of the 9th
Infantry Division for Engineer Operations.
(j) Enemy Activity
(1) On 13 January 1945, four enemy shells landed in vicinity of MSR ........... One tree was felled across the road
as a result of the shelling. The tree was removed the same night by the 15th Engineer (C) Bn.
CECIL F. CLARK
Major, C.E.
Commanding
