More on Maj. Balcom

Last week I was able to discover a bit more about Major A.A. Balcom.  He was the 24th's first wartime commanding officer (http://24engineers.blogspot.com/2012/12/wartime-commanding-officers.html).  

Using the VA's Nationwide Gravesite Locator and the National WWII Memorials Registry, I was able to turn up the following information.  

First name: Alonzo

Born: 7/22/1919

Died: 6/8/2000

He was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and ended his service in the Army as a Colonel.  I am under the impression that he left the 24th for a promotion.  
 You can see a picture of him here; 
http://www.dixiestones.net/details.php/listing/1231

In Memory of ?

On the night of 11 September, 1944, most of Company "B" was committed as infantry to secure a bridgehead.  During this action, one of the injuries was the commanding officer of "B" Co.  He was evacuated to an aid station, and returned to his duties on the16th.

Only 8 days after returning to duty, the 24th received a heavy enemy counter-attack south-west of Chateu-Salins, France.  One of the unfortunate casualties of this action was the C/O of "B".

Now, you are wondering why I titled this "In Memory of ?" .  I did this because his name is never mentioned in any reports.  He is, unfortunately, another name lost to the ages.

In memory of "B" Company Commanding Officer
24th Armored Engineer Battalion
KIA 24 September 1944
Anonymous, but not forgotten

Wartime Commanding Officers

 During the War, the 24th had three commanding officers.  The first wartime C/O (commanding officer) was

• Major A. A. Balcom, Jr.  

He landed with the battalion on Utah Beach.

  

 

















The second C/O was

• Major Donald W. Hatch

Their third and final wartime C/O was

• Lt. Col. W. L. Nungesser

He also was the C/O during their occupation duties after the war.  He took command of the 24th at some point after the Battle of the Bulge.  Previously, he held the command of the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion.     

 

Photos taken by author of documents contained in the Eisenhower Presidential Library.