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863d
Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Semimobile)
The excellent unit history published
by the 863d AAA AW Bn is presented here in PDF format. Sgt
Benjamin Gise was tasked as the book's Editor-in Chief. T/Sgt
Van Ness Richards was assigned duties as Assistant Editor.
Both men served in the battalion's HQ Battery. While much of
the editorial work was performed in Germany during 1945, the volume
was published a little later by The Marbridge Printing Company of
New York City. The report of the unit's involvement in the
Battle of the Bulge presented in this history was based on a story
that originally appeared in the July-August 1945 issue of The
Coast Artillery Journal. Appended to the main narrative
are unit rosters, a listing of attachments and stations, an honor
roll of those killed and wounded, statistical summaries, and copies
of letters of commendation.
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The 863d, serving
under the Antiaircraft Command, Eastern Defense Command,
provided stateside antiaircraft protection to the vital war
industries located around Buffalo, New York. After
receiving orders for foreign service, the battalion embarked
for England in March 1944. The organization received
credit for participation in five European Theater campaigns.
The battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for
its action during the opening days of the Battle of the Bulge.
Battery A was twice presented with the Belgian Fourragere for
defense of Liege and subsequent operations along the Meuse
River. |
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Lt. Col.
William H. Warrick, CAC
Commanding Officer, 863d AAA AW Bn
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