Col. Pat Little, Jr

Pat Little and Martha Fielis
AP Little and Martha Fielis at West Point

Augustine Patterson Little, Jr. (Pat) was born on 17 November 1914 in Louisville, Ga. to Augustine Patterson Little (“Gus”) and Laura Landrum Lee (“Miss Laura”). He was the second of three children and the only boy. He was an excellent student and graduated from high school a year early (at the age of 14). His ambition was to attend Georgia Tech for an engineering degree, but family finances made that impossible. To ensure that his younger sister could also attend college, he sought a free education at West Point. Family legend says he memorized the eye chart in order to pass the physical.

Pat attended the University of Georgia for two years before receiving an invitation to the United States Military Academy at West Point. It was at UGA that he met his future bride, Martha Helen Fielis, of Jackson Heights, NY. They continued their relationship during weekends at West Point, at dances and on Flirtation Walk.

Pat Little in MTO
Pat Little in the MTO

Pat had a typically difficult but very successful career at West Point. His many letters home focus on lack of money and long hours spent studying. In one letter he explains why he spent more than his usual 30 cents per week that month, and asks his father to send a dollar. He also describes some West Point requirements that might surprise us in the 21st century: proficiency in the Fox Trot, Waltz and One-Step. He graduated in 1937, eighth in his class, and was married the next day, 13 June 1937, to Martha Fielis in the West Point Cadet Chapel.

He was first posted to Fort Benning, GA and then to Fort Belvoir, VA. He then attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. In December 1941 he was briefly posted to McChord Field, WA but was called to Savannah, GA immediately after Pearl Harbor to help form the 8th Air Force.

Pat Little in Normandy
Col Pat Little in Normandy

Col Little’s first command was the 814th Engineer Aviation Battalion and he lead them during the Africa Campaign, through the Invasion of Sicily, and then into Italy. During the Africa Campaign, he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal and the Legion of Merit.

He was then called to England to command the 922nd Engineer Aviation Regiment and led them into Europe on D-Day. He landed on D+1 and one of his battalions built the first evacuation airfield following the landings. His unit remained at the forefront of the Allies’ invasion of Europe.

Pat Little Croix de Guerre citation
Pat Little’s Croix de Guerre citation

It was in late August 1944 that Col Little’s regiment was inspecting Le Bourget Airfield outside Paris. Portions of the airfield were still under German control and Col Little’s command car came under fire. His driver was wounded and while Col Little and his XO, Lt Col Gil Hall, attempted to pull Corporal Farr to safety, both Col Little and Lt Col Hall were hit. Lt Col Hall died immediately and Col Little died two days later from his wounds.

Col Little was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Croix de Guerre with Palm.

WWII MEMORIAL REGISTRY

IX Engineer Command Unit COs and Heads of Staff

This list is dated 16 April 1945


ROSTER OF COMMANDING OFFICERS AND HEADS OF STAFF SECTIONS OF UNITS ASSIGNED TO IX ENGINEER COMMAND

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
CaptainCunningham, James T208th Med Disp (AVN)
O-484750
MCCommanding Officer
CaptainSeward, Lynn J209th Med Disp (AVN)
O-482299
MCCommanding Officer
CaptainDanof, Norman B215th Med Disp (AVN)
O-407319
MCCommanding Officer
CaptainLeisowitz, Paul A218th Med Disp (AVN)
O-169897
MCCommanding Officer
Captain Pulvino, John L 220th Med Disp (AVN)
O-1691438
MC
Commanding Officer
1st Lt.Sehiff, Israel395th Signal Company (AVN)
O-1644050
SCCommanding Officer
1st Lt. O’Hare, John J471st Engr Maint Co.
O-387648
CECommanding Officer
CaptainBaldwin, William J475th Engr Maint Co
O-427830
CECommanding Officer
CaptainTharp, LeRoy F973rd Engr Maint Co
O-456333
CECommanding Officer
Lt. ColAlgee, Harold L1193rd HC Co Engr Base Depot
O-117966
CECommanding Officer

816th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColParkhurst, Don AO-284478CECommanding Officer
MajorSampson, JamesO-357965Sn CExecutive Officer
1st LtWhite, Charles TO-1114330CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainDyer, John WO-1100960CEAdjutant
CaptainJackson, Edgar R, Jr.O-432819CES-3 
CaptainPlunkett, RobertO-390769CES-4

818th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorMinahan, John EO-22949CECommanding Officer
MajorBauer, Emil DO-389847CEExecutive Officer
1st Lt.Brandt, Michael J, Jr.O-1110394CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainCorral, James JO-1100056CEAdjutant
MajorDenney, Lawrence RO-907160CES-3 
CaptainHill, Landon PO-412355CES-4

819th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColMcCrory, Max GO-303321CECommanding Officer
MajorMedealf, Laurence RO-366216CEExecutive Officer
1st LtLinett, Abe (NMT)O-1115329CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainCarlock, Watson WO-447144CEAdjutant
MajorSnow, Russell KO-468894CES-3 
CaptainGalassi, James LO-1100111CES-4

820th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColTrumbull, Thomas JO-365915CECommanding Officer
MajorHudson, Charles HO-387084CEExecutive Officer
1st LtMcMillin, Kelly KO-447149CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainKirk, Robert LO-400308CEAdjutant
MajorHendricksen, William EO-343041CES-3 
CaptainGloyna, Earnest FO-447145CES-4

825th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColTalman, Woods GO-280393CECommanding Officer
MajorFox, Carlton AO-306982CEExecutive Officer
1st LtMcKinley, James RO-2041042CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainSawtell, LeRoy MO-1101203CEAdjutant
MajorCorutti, John EO-1101373CES-3 
CaptainReimer, Emery EO-1101180CES-4

826th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorSellers, Albert RO-1100326CECommanding Officer
CaptainWilcox, Edmund GO-1100826CEExecutive Officer
1st LtWiesen, Carl FO-1844612CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainSalzberg, Lawrence LO-1105160CEAdjutant
MajorWeed, James EO-310328CES-3
CaptainWood, Clarence BO-365840CES-4

827th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorR. T. DrakeCECommanding Officer
MajorJones, Wilson LO-1100173CEExecutive Officer
CaptainStrom, Elbin JO-285648CES-3

829th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorPhillips, Raymond MO-270641CECommanding Officer
CaptainJones, Jack JO-393882CEExecutive Officer
1st LtEmmons, Weldon NO-1108643CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainWeil, Donald JO-1100385CEAdjutant
CaptainMiadom, Howell EO-356572CES-3
CaptainConkle, Darrel OO-1105355CES-4

830th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColMelody, Philip BO-357675CECommanding Officer
CaptainWheedler, Henry MO-906530CEExecutive Officer
1st LtBitter, JosephO-1106594CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainHeskett, Virgil LO-1109360CEAdjutant
MajorJohnson, Harold EO-283171CES-3
CaptainLough, Jack SO-363803CES-4

831st ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorThomas, Owen DO-1100363CECommanding Officer
CaptainCorden, Frederick WO-1100499CEExecutive Officer
1st LtKoloseus, Herman J, Jr.O-1116166CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainBogart, James RO-353477CEAdjutant
CaptainMarusich, Anton JO-391839CES-3
CaptainGoodall, James BO-315008CES-4

832nd ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColCurradi, Alfred DO-909092CECommanding Officer
MajorShaffer, Roy EO-907595CEExecutive Officer
2nd LtArnold, Wendell HO-1108455CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainWright, GailO-1100840CEAdjutant
CaptainGary, James B, JrO-1101449CES-3
CaptainO’Neal, Lewis MO-1100710CES-4

833rd ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColGalt, Edward AO-328703CECommanding Officer
MajorKrawitz, WilhamO-324728CEExecutive Officer
2nd LtKresso, Andrew ZO-1058055CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainShannon, Harry FO-343131CEAdjutant
MajorLoebs, Elmer MO-285379CES-3
CaptainPeterson, James OO-1100284CES-4

834th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColLivingston, John JO-248350CECommanding Officer
MajorSexton, Robert MO-405100CEExecutive Officer
1st LtSquire, William E, JrO-1105203CEPersonnel Adjutant
1st LtWojcicki, Alexander SO-1113065CEAdjutant
MajorDilts, Ira J, JrO-388248CES-3
CaptainFrantz, John LO-466397CES-4

840th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorKeane, John MO-306984CECommanding Officer
CaptainThomas, Morris GO-1103960CEExecutive Officer
1st LtCovill, Glenn WO-1104740CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainMorio, George J, JrO-1103824CEAdjutant
MajorSlagle, William KO-915644CES-3
CaptainSzur, Geza AO-1102593CES-4

843rd ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColManson, George PO-257114CECommanding Officer
2nd LtKatz, Herman EO-1114986CEExecutive Officer
CaptainRice, Richard MO-118548CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainLaibmen, William CO-1105326CEAdjutant
CaptainArchambeault, James AO-1110031CES-3
CaptainReed, Sam HO-456604CES-4

844th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColStenberg, Jack EO-271825CECommanding Officer
MajorKrudener, Arthur AO-032617CEExecutive Officer
2nd LtKindt, Evan HO-1114989CEPersonnel Adjutant
1st LtAnderson, Carl EO-1106975CEAdjutant
MajorBurns, Robert EO-1101761CES-3
CaptainWhitcomb, Karl BO-919009CES-4

846th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorBattison, William J, JrO-376352CECommanding Officer
CaptainSchwinn, George W, JrO-1105801CEExecutive Officer
Personnel Adjutant
CaptainFeeney, Francis RO-1104902CEAdjutant
MajorVan Swayek, Lester DO-913017CES-3
1st LtBunts, James HO-908462CES-4

847th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColHargett, James AO-379220CECommanding Officer
MajorLane, Francis CO-1104941CEExecutive Officer
1st LtMcCutcheon, Robert RO-511660CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainRawlinson, Frederic WO-1105132CEAdjutant
MajorCarlton, Winston BO-921151CES-3
1st LtPeters, Leone JO-1115343CES-4

850th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColRay, Werner JO-364645CECommanding Officer
MajorThomas, HaroldO-237194CEExecutive Officer
CWOHanson, Herbert GO-2112408CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainLaing, John BO-1107534CEAdjutant
MajorNelson, Frank KO-1105058CES-3
CaptainHudson, Theodore KO-1104871CES-4

851st ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorHayes, Harrold HO-342877CECommanding Officer
MajorReddington, Joseph DO-488072CEExecutive Officer
1st LtHolbrook, Charles EO-1108024CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainDeyo, Bradford BO-1104610CEAdjutant
CES-3
CaptainAllen, John WO-1102602CES-4

852nd ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColHasen, Arlon GO-408487CECommanding Officer
MajorVogel, Lawrence WO-24661CEExecutive Officer
1st LtPapay, Andrew EO-1110706CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainLehman, Robert HO-1101913CEAdjutant
MajorZiebe, Otto EO-237399CES-3
CaptainSender, Albert FO-910658CES-4

859th ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColMiller, Eugene LO-412360CECommanding Officer
MajorTouart, Robert LO-322688CEExecutive Officer
1st LtHuff, Franklin RO-384456CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainLoueks, William DO-1105624CEAdjutant
MajorThompson, Ralph MO-910532CES-3
CaptainCoward, John SO-1104287CES-4

861st ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorCrumb, Francis FO-1100062CECommanding Officer
CaptainBishop, Stanley WO-456506CEExecutive Officer
1st LtMathews, James EO-1111765CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainStrohbook, Robert CO-1104415CEAdjutant
MajorCarter, Leory CO-1105317CES-3
CaptainMarvin, William BO-1104287CES-4

862nd ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt ColDiets, Jess CO-386313CECommanding Officer
MajorDepp, John M, JrO-378154CEExecutive Officer
2nd LtJacobaen, Karsten CO-1102313CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainFlourney, Ralph LO-1103632CEAdjutant
MajorMark, Frederick AO-910567CES-3
CaptainWeintraub, Irwin HO-1105262CES-4

877th A/B ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt ColSmotherman, Robert MO-378855CECommanding Officer
MajorSeppenfield, Herman JO-920127CEExecutive Officer
WOJGJustice, John NW-2128756NONEPersonnel Adjutant
1st LtLeiter, MiltonO-1100644CEAdjutant
CaptainEichen, Orville YO-919282CES-3
CaptainRatliff, Harold EO-1102922CES-4

878th A/B ENGR AVN BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColCollart, Joseph HO-023447CECommanding Officer
MajorCantrell, Leion TO-919616CEExecutive Officer
WOJGCumowitz, Joseph HW-2128775NONEPersonnel Adjutant
Adjutant
CaptainMcGovney, George FO-1115350CES-3
CaptainDi Berto, Fernand MO-1108617CES-4

922nd ENGR AVN REGT

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColArmstrong, Charles AO-21375CECommanding Officer
MajorBarber, Charles MO-499632CEExecutive Officer
CWOSmith, Donald LW-2123496NONEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainJanoff, Murray MO-1105541CEAdjutant
MajorWheeler, William CO-386082CES-3
1st LtRandall, Russell BO-1100292CES-4

923rd ENGR AVN REGT

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
ColonelHallock, Houghton RO-20612CECommanding Officer
CaptainPfeil, Walter G, JrO-1102904CEExecutive Officer
1st LtWinn, Henry JrO-2040918CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainHoke, Peter JO-1105523CEAdjutant
MajorHooker, Thomas PO-1102772CES-3
CaptainSimpson, Joseph E, JrO-1105186CES-4

924th ENGR AVN REGT

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColGraf, John AO-22892CECommanding Officer
MajorCable, John GO-257745CEExecutive Officer
1st LtHall, Roger CO-1107459CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainSchwinn, George W, JrO-1105801CEAdjutant
CaptainGrant, John WO-918906CES-3
CaptainSchaefer, William JO-1103907CES-4

925th ENGR AVN REGT

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
ColonelGlass, Thomas AO-18997CECommanding Officer
Lt ColHaley, John JO-392232CEExecutive Officer
1st LtHuerta, Luis WO-1115259CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainJennison, Philip SO-1100166CEAdjutant
MajorJackson, Robert JO-372684CES-3
CaptainMcGriff, Gordon LO-244373CES-4

926th ENGR AVN REGT

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
Lt. ColCook, Edward J GO-22927CECommanding Officer
Lt ColCrimm, Nelwin, CO-361250CEExecutive Officer
CaptainJohnson, Edwin SO-1104231CEPersonnel Adjutant
CaptainJohnson, Edwin SO-1104231CEAdjutant
MajorKelley, John JO-418472CES-3
CaptainNorton, Joseph LO-1108892CES-4

902nd ENGR AF HQ CO

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtSponenburgh, Mark RO-1106497CECommanding Officer

937th ENGR AVN CAM BN

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorHenry, Alan PO-306060CECommanding Officer
Executive Officer
CWOBrown, Harold PW-2112910NONEPersonnel Adjutant
1st LtGordon, MarvinO-1113712CEAdjutant
CaptainBaker, Maurice KO-1102613CES-3
CaptainHowells, Wade JO-1103705CES-4

1294th M.P. CO (AVN) LESS DET “A”

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
CaptainSherman, Earl FO-290360CMPCommanding Officer

ATTACHED UNITS

8th ORD BOMB DISP SQUAD (SEP)

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
CaptainOgden, Leadlay HO-1549802OrdCommanding Officer

43rd ORD BOMB DISP SQUAD (SEP)

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtJuzwiak, Michael NO-1557311OrdCommanding Officer

68th ORD BOMB DISP SQUAD (SEP)

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
CaptainGordon, George DO-1548812OrdCommanding Officer

76th ORD BOMB DISP SQUAD (SEP)

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtStoddart, Jonathan DO-1558343OrdCommanding Officer

82nd ORD BOMB DISP SQUAD (SEP)

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtSohakenback, Leslie TO-1558333OrdCommanding Officer

86nd ORD BOMB DISP SQUAD (SEP)

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
2nd LtHaskett, Paul NO-548120OrdCommanding Officer

1st PLATOON, 32nd SPECIAL SERVICE CO

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtGold, George (NMI)O-1046101CACPlatoon Commander

126th ARMY POSTAL UNIT

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtHauan, ChriskO-1318165AGDPostal Officer

160th ARMY POSTAL UNIT

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
2nd LtHayes, Robert WO-19996697AGDPostal Officer

319th STATION COMPLEMENT SQ

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
MajorShelton, Stephen MO-922711ACCommanding Officer

DET “A”, 752nd ENGR PARTS SUPPLY CO

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtChristensen, ViggoO-1111014CECommanding Officer

DET “A”, 1052nd QM CO SV GP (AVN)

RANKNAMESERIAL NO.BRANCH OF SERVICEDUTY
1st LtEpperly, John RO-1591699QMCCommanding Officer