Description

THE 136TH ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY GUN BATTALION
Historical Record Summary
Army of the United States • 1945 • Printed in Antwerp, Belgium
288 pages scanned

Overview
This document is the official historical record of the 136th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile), commanded by Lt. Colonel Wallace R. Langston. It was printed in Belgium by De Vos-Van Kleef, Antwerp, in 1945, and documents the unit’s training, combat service, casualties, awards, and commendations during World War II.

Major Headlines
Battalion Prayer & Dedication
The record opens with a prayer delivered by Chaplain McCaslin on July 16, 1944, upon the battalion’s departure from Camp Davis. It is followed by a dedication to the men who gave their lives, buried in France, Belgium, and Holland.
Defense of Antwerp Against V-1 Flying Bombs
The battalion’s central mission was the anti-aircraft defense of Antwerp, Belgium — the main Allied supply base for both 12th and 21st Army Groups. The unit was part of a combined American-British anti-aircraft team that raised the kill rate of incoming V-1 flying bombs from 65% to over 97%, a record described as unprecedented at the time.

Battle Participations
• Northern France
• Rhineland
• Ardennes
• Central Europe

Awards & Decorations
The document includes a full listing of awards presented to battalion members:
• Soldier’s Medal — 5 recipients
• Bronze Star Medal — 7 recipients including Lt. Col. Langston
• Purple Heart — numerous recipients
• Purple Heart with Cluster — Cpl. Joseph Boyer

In Memoriam — Killed in Action
The record includes biographical sketches for all 12 men killed in action:
• S/Sgt. Gilbert H. Bailie
• Tec. 4 Ewald F. Morganroth
• Tec. 4 John E. Costa
• Cpl. Lee R. Goodwin
• Cpl. Garland Z. Nightman
• Tec. 5 John D. Salvers
• Pfc. Frank M. Dziedzic
• Pfc. Raul Cajigas
• Pfc. Allan F. McGregor
• Pfc. Frank S. Avia, Jr.
• Pvt. Joseph J. Mattes
• Pvt. Frederick N. Thomas

Commendations
The battalion received formal letters of commendation from senior Allied commanders:
• Field Marshal B.L. Montgomery, 21 Army Group — praised the unit’s role in keeping Antwerp fully operational as a supply base
• General Courtney H. Hodges, First United States Army — commended the 49th AAA Brigade (of which the 136th was part) for Normandy through Central Europe operations
• Brigadier General Clare H. Armstrong, 50th AAA Brigade — praised the battalion’s initiative, energy, and skill in its Antwerp mission.

Roster with home addresses.

Individual names appear throughout the awards, memorial, and commendation sections. The unit was organized into A, B, C, and D Batteries operating 90mm anti-aircraft guns and radar equipment.