551st PIB Grouping - From the Family
It has been quite a while since I posted anything of significance. Not so long ago, I was able to purchase one of my best airborne groupings. This group comes from the nephew of the vet, the only person who is actually able to remember him.
Wilbur Banks enlisted in April 1942 and volunteered for the airborne. As often occurred in the early months of the war, paratroopers were shuffled from one regiment to another to fill the gaps of needed cadre, etc. Banks went from the 503rd and finally came to rest with the 551st PIB. He was sent to Panama.
By 1943, the 551st returned to the states, Camp Mackall. Banks was able to return home, for a short time and give his favorite nephew a couple of souvenirs from Panama, a machete and an inert bazooka round.
In 1944, they departed the states for intensive training in Sicily, in preparation for Operation Dragoon. Banks participated in the jump and was in nearly continual combat until November 1944. The 551st was attached to the 82nd Airborne in Christmas day, 1944.
The first week of January 1945, saw the 551st being decimated while on a steady advance through the Ardennes, moving towards Rochelinval, Belgium.
On January 3rd, SSGT. Wilbur Banks was wounded in the head from what the aid station Dr. described as shrapnel. Initially believed dead, Banks survived, albeit unconscious, until 9 January 1945 when he succumbed to his wounds.
Author Phil Nordyke, while gathering accounts of the actions seen by the 82nd, received a specific account of the 551st returning to the field to gather the wounded amidst the heavy snow. Specifically mentioned was SSGT. Banks, as he was wheeled to the aid station in a wheelbarrow.
Upon receiving his personnel file from the national achieves, detailed notes were enclosed from the Dr.’s at the field hospital, describing his wounds.
This is SSGT Wilbur Banks grouping.
Wilbur Banks enlisted in April 1942 and volunteered for the airborne. As often occurred in the early months of the war, paratroopers were shuffled from one regiment to another to fill the gaps of needed cadre, etc. Banks went from the 503rd and finally came to rest with the 551st PIB. He was sent to Panama.
By 1943, the 551st returned to the states, Camp Mackall. Banks was able to return home, for a short time and give his favorite nephew a couple of souvenirs from Panama, a machete and an inert bazooka round.
In 1944, they departed the states for intensive training in Sicily, in preparation for Operation Dragoon. Banks participated in the jump and was in nearly continual combat until November 1944. The 551st was attached to the 82nd Airborne in Christmas day, 1944.
The first week of January 1945, saw the 551st being decimated while on a steady advance through the Ardennes, moving towards Rochelinval, Belgium.
On January 3rd, SSGT. Wilbur Banks was wounded in the head from what the aid station Dr. described as shrapnel. Initially believed dead, Banks survived, albeit unconscious, until 9 January 1945 when he succumbed to his wounds.
Author Phil Nordyke, while gathering accounts of the actions seen by the 82nd, received a specific account of the 551st returning to the field to gather the wounded amidst the heavy snow. Specifically mentioned was SSGT. Banks, as he was wheeled to the aid station in a wheelbarrow.
Upon receiving his personnel file from the national achieves, detailed notes were enclosed from the Dr.’s at the field hospital, describing his wounds.
This is SSGT Wilbur Banks grouping.
Comment