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Cherry
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My father was in the 508th PIR, and the 541st PIR during WWII. He died in 1959 from a heart attack, so I don't remember much about him. I'm hoping someone out there will recognize his name: HARRY C. MONROE from Alabama, and will get in touch with me. I want to know more about him.
Thanks,
Becky Monroe Sawyer
Becky Monroe Sawyer
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Hard Charger
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Not from your fathers era but here's some things you might already know or might try.
You could request his military records from from the National Archives and Records Administration.
NARA sites
Information page.
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records.html
Military records request.
http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/
You can also request a issuance or replacement of awards.
http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/awards_and_decorations.html
It may be harder to locate anyone from the 541st PIR there's little information and no unit Association I can find online. However there is some information of what the unit was and did.
http://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/541/541_trp.html
541st Parachute Infantry Regiment
The 541st Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated on August 12, 1943 at Fort Benning, Georgia under the command of Colonel Ducat M. McEntee. Because it was comprised of men whose scores on the Army's Intelligence tests were exceptionally high, the 541st PIR became one of the best-trained and disciplined regiments in the U.S. Army.
The regiment was kept in strategic reserve in the Untied States. Although the member of the regiment were highly motivated it was never involved in combat action. However, in July, 1945 the 541st was ordered to Manila but was immediately disbanded upon it's arrival. It's troopers were eventually absorbed into the 11th Airborne Division, which was preparing for the invasion of the Japanese Islands.
http://www.ww2-airborne.us/18corps/reserve_overview.html
Since the 541st was reformed into the 11th Airborne you could also try the 11th Airborne Association page, they have a quarterly newspaper "Voice of The Angels" and allow inquirys. I know there's reunions still held by the 11th Airborne.
http://www.11thairborne.com/
The 508th PIR does have a WWII Association and you might find someone there.
http://www.508pir.org/
Here is a brief unit history of the 508th in WWII.
http://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/508/508.html
During WWII the 508th PIR was attached to the 82nd Airborne, I believe the 1/508th now exists with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Good luck with your search.
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Seasoned Vet
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I am of no help, but I wish you the best of luck in finding the information you are looking for.
Abraham Lincoln (quiet, reserved and selfless): “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here” -Gettysburg Address
Obama (egotistical): “Now the world will watch and remember what we do here”
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Anti-social
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You can also try posting a message here. Its the guestbook at the 508th Chapter website http://www.red-devils.org/_guestbook/default.asp
1/508th Abn Inf, 82nd Abn Div 81-83 1/4th Inf (Mech), 3rd Inf Div (USAEUR) 83-84 SGT\EIB\Recondo "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." - Groucho Marx
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Cherry
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Thanks to everyone who wrote me with information about my father. I haven't heard from anyone who knew him, but there's been a wealth of information about his Regiment. Everyone has been so nice and helpful. I appreciate that!
Becky Monroe Sawyer
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Stare Master
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www.staticlinemagazine.com
I am pretty sure there is a 541st PIR Association, although I am not surprised they are not on the web. Several of the WWII unit organizations are close to folding things up due to the dwindling number of veterans from those units. I know the 13th Airborne Division decides whether or not to do another reunion while they are at the current year's event.
The Static Line newspaper is probably your best source. Subscription is $30 per year. When you send in your money for the subscription include the information you have about your father. Don Lassen will publish it. The paper will also list the contact information for all of the Associations in the front. Good luck.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Hard Charger
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LONG LIVE THE 508th! 
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Jumpmaster
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| I hear that brother....Red Devils all the Way!!!!!!!!!!!
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