Ordinary Men Build A Legendary Road
Black Engineers & The ALCAN Highway
Alaska Highway. Company C. Born: 14 February 1915, Ft. Wayne, Allen, Indiana. Died: 29 December 1999, Colorado Springs, El Paso, CO. Civilian occupation: Foreman, Falstaff Brewery. In 1940 census he was a clerk at a retail grocery store. Education: four years high school. The segregated 97th Regiment landed in Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942….
Alaska Highway. H&S Company. Born: 1 July 1917, New Britain, CT. Died: 19 July 1999, Johnson City, Washington, TN. Enlisted: 14 July 1941 Hartford, CT. He lived in Syosset, New York before moving to Johnson City in 1981. Education: Four years at New Britain High School, Norwich, CT. He attended Academy Vesper George Art School…
Alaska Highway. Company F and D. Born: 19 September 1916, Mercersburg, PA. Died: 26 Sept 1971, Montgomery, AL. Enlisted: 12 March 1942, Ft. George G. Meade. Discharged: 3 September 1943. Education: four years high school. Civilian occupation: foreman construction and in 1940 he was a laborer at his father’s sawmill. The segregated 97th Engineers landed…
Alaska Highway. Company E. Born: 15 September 1915, Hennepin, Minnesota. Died: 26 December 1984, San Diego, CA. Enlisted: (1) 25 February 1941. (2) 25 November 1942, Los Angeles, CA. Discharged: 21 January 1946. The segregated 97th Engineers landed in Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942. Three feet of snow covered the ground. The 97th built…
Alaska Highway. Company C. Born: 9 September 1919, Asotin County, Washington. Died: 6 September 2006, Gilbert, Maricopa, Arizona. His headstone reads “A Great Leader”. Enlisted: 16 September 1942 and discharged on 6 June 1946. Highest rank Lt. Colonel. Veteran of WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Education: State College of Washington. Military Register: (NGUS FA Capt 14…
Alaska Highway. Company B and D. Born: 29 August 1914, Tyrone, Blair, PA. Died: 29 October 1962, Kittaning Armstrong, PA. Enlisted: 5 June 1942, Greensburg, PA and discharged 13 December 1945. Added service: 21 March 1946 and discharged 1 April 1953, Corps of Engineers USAR. The 97th Engineers arrived at Valdez, Alaska on 29 April…
Alaska Highway. Company B. Born: 18 October 1919, Raleigh, NC. Died: 1 September 2002, Ft. Walton Beach, Okaloosa, FL. Enlisted: unknown. Education: one year college. Civilian Occupation: employed by Moran Construction Company. The 97th Engineers arrived at Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942. Two to three feet of snow covered the ground. The 97th built…
Alaska Highway. Company C. Born: 1 May 1918, Nome, Alaska. Died: 24 May 1998, Auburn, King, WA. Enlisted: 16 September 1942 and discharged 2 May 1946. Education: University of Washington. Civilian occupation: Civil Engineer and in the 1940 census he was listed as an Ironworker apprentice for building construction. The 97th Engineers arrived in Valdez,…
Alaska Highway. Company H&S, Headquarters and F. Born: unknown. Died: unknown. Enlisted: unknown. The 97th Engineers arrived to Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942. Two to three feet of snow covered the ground. They built the northern section of the Highway. Lt. Smith arrived to the Alaska Highway in December 1942 and was assigned to…
Alaska Highway. Company E and Headquarters. Born: 7 October 1920, Muskegon, Michigan. Died: 29 January 2015, Bradenton, Manatee, FL. Enlisted: 2 May 1942, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Education: two years college. Civilian occupation: heat treater, annealers, temperers and metallurgist. The 97th Engineers arrived in Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942. Two to three feet of snow covered…