6 posts total
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wlazarus
Junior Member
Member # 35182
Posts: 1
From: NC
Registered: 4/14/2016
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posted 4/14/2016 8:41:04 PM    
My Grandfather
Joseph Sainacki
351 Westbury Ave, Carle Pl LI NY 56th Arm Inf Battalion HQ
Our name is actually spelled Sajnacki.
I was wondering if someone could help me located more exact records of his tour, (where he was and battles) and perhaps locate a picture for my son (his great grandson) who is currently doing a project on WWII.
We were told he was a machine gunner on a half track, and was wounded in action. He received a purple heart. Which was lost to a side of the family who probably didn't care for it.
Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. To help connect my son to his past.
Will
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MikeWoldenberg
Junior Member
Member # 16
Posts: 985
From: University at Buffalo (NY)
Registered: 6/1/2004
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posted 4/15/2016 9:21:57 PM
Hello, I recognize the name and I recall the name was
spelled with a j. I will get back to you soon.
Mike
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BarryEagel
Junior Member
Member # 35089
Posts: 5
From: Frederick, MD
Registered: 2/25/2016
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posted 4/15/2016 11:19:20 PM
Hi Will,
I don't have specific info on your Grandfather, but there is an article on the origin of the 56th Armored Infantry Bn. on Wikipedia that I drafted, and how it was formed from the 56th Infantry Regiment at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/56th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States). It's an interesting story that goes back to the Civil War, and there's a section on what the unit crests mean that your son might find interesting for his project. Regards, Barry
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MikeWoldenberg
Junior Member
Member # 16
Posts: 985
From: University at Buffalo (NY)
Registered: 6/1/2004
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posted 4/16/2016 7:58:56 AM
Hello Will, Pvt Sajnacki was wounded on February 4th
1945 in or near Colmar in Alsace. He was in Company
C of the 56th Armored Infantry Battalion. (He was not in HQ company). The next day
the 12th Armored closed the Colmar Pocket. Company C of the 66th (yes, 66th) AIB linked up with a French Morrocan Mountain Division in Roussef, just south of
Colmar. This cut off a fairly large number of German troops who were trying to cross the Rhine and get back to Germany. Check out the Wikipedia article on the battle for the Colmar Pocket. I will look a bit further for more details on the battle for the city of Colmar.
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MikeWoldenberg
Junior Member
Member # 16
Posts: 985
From: University at Buffalo (NY)
Registered: 6/1/2004
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posted 4/16/2016 8:09:38 AM
Will, to see the source of my information:
Look to the left column. Click on BOOKS AND WRITTEN
EXPERIENCES. Scroll down to the 56th. Click on
HISTORY OF THE 56TH AIB. Go to page 14 to see the
day Pvt. Sajnacki was wounded (Feb. 4th).
Also go to Appendix 2 and look for Feb. 4th.
Also, your son might like to see the videos of veterans.
Go to ORAL HISTORY VIDEOS on the left column.
Click on the word BATTALION. This will sort the battalions. Find the 56th. Then look at the videos by the men from Company C. Also, look at other videos for men from th 56th.
Also consult the History Books at the top of the
BOOKS AND WRITTEN EXPERIENCES list. Look for the
Colmar Pocket. (Also look for Herrlisheim in January,
because the 12th--and Pvt Sajnacki--- went through
a very, very tough battle there.
Mike
Mike
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harry dhans
Junior Member
Member # 9107
Posts: 317
From: Abilene,TX
Registered: 5/24/2012
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posted 4/16/2016 4:45:32 PM
Hellcat News archive - August 2009, pg 7
has an article about him. just type in Sajnacki and it should take you there
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