US AIRBORNE

Allan A. Blatherwick

The 129th Airborne Engineer Battalion was constituted on May 13, 1943, and activated on July 15 at Fort Bragg under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Allan A. Blatherwick. The Executive Officer was Major Elbert C. Wallace. A month later, on August 13, 1943, the battalion was assigned to the 13th Airborne. After the formation of two glider companies for the headquarters and service company, the 129th moved to Camp Mackall to prepare for redeployment across the Atlantic.

At the end of September 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Blatherwick was transferred, and Major Elbert C. Wallace took command.

On January 19, 1945, the 129th moved from Camp Mackall to Camp Shanks in New York in preparation for redeployment across the Atlantic. After six days, the battalion arrived by train in New York and boarded the USAT George Washington bound for France. They arrived in Le Havre, France, on February 7. The battalion then stationed at Camp Lucky Strike.

In February 1945, the battalion was reorganized, changing to two parachute companies and one glider company with three sections.

Stanley TB Johnson

On March 1, 1945, the 596th Airborne Engineer Company of the 517th RCT was incorporated into Company B of the 129th, commanded by 1st Lieutenant Raymond Hild. During this time, the 13th Airborne was put on alert several times for operations, but each time they were canceled.

On May 7, 1945, the German forces surrendered, and the 13th and 101st Airborne were informed that they would be redeployed to the Pacific front. In June 1945, Major Wallace was transferred to the 17th Airborne, along with Lieutenant Colonel Stanley T.B. Johnson of the 139th AEB. The 17th assumed command of the 129th.

Division preparations were halted by the atomic bombings of Japan, which brought an end to the war in August 1945. In the same month, the regiment embarked on the USAT Thomas Barry. The 129th AEB arrived in New York on August 20, 1945, and was deactivated at Camp Kilmer.