329 "Buckshot" Infantry Regiment
Unit History of the 329th Infantry Regiment
This is a Unit History book of the 329th Infantry Regiment nicknamed "Buckshot". The book was published in Occupied Germany, July 1945, Edited by 1st Lt. Daniel P. O'Connor. Printed in the printing-office Ernst Fischer, Wolfenbüttel, Germany. The foreword is written by Colonel Edwin B. Crabill, Commander of the 329th "Buckshot" Infantry Regiment.
This copy once belonged to Richard D. Ferris (#33446688) who was with Cannon Company, 329th Infantry Regiment and it's signed by two members of Cannon/329 and one member of C/329. Folded up in the back was a copy of the WW2 Spearhead Newspaper. Also in the book are several notes made by Richard Ferris next to pictures or names of soldiers in the 329th.
Pfc Richard D. Ferris
Private First Class
Richard D. Ferris
Private First Class Richard D. Ferris
Richard Downing Ferris Jr. was born on August 25, 1910 in Harrisonburg, Virginia to Margaret Greta Christine Lorenzen () and Richard Downing Sr. (). Richard Ferris Jr. lived in Washington DC when he married Margaret Frances Shaw on October 3, 1939.
Richard D. Ferris Jr. enlisted on October 13, 1942 in Fort Myer, Virginia. At the time he enlisted his marital status was 'divorced wihout dependents'. He is listed in the Morning Reports as rank reduced from Corporal to Private as of September 18, 1944 and as promoted to Private First Class as of January 8, 1945. On May 14, 1945 he is listed as Non battle injury and duty to Clearing Station, 308th Medical Battalion and transferred to 108th Evacuation Hospital. May 26, 1945, he assigned and joined from 108th Evacuation Hospital his unit Cannon Company, 329th. His duty changed from (531) to Gun Crewman, Light Artillery (844) as of June 1, 1945. Richard Ferris was Aattached to 12 Corps, Recreation Command as of July 24, 1945 and returned to duty from 12 Corps, Recreation Command on July 30, 1945. For his service he was awarded, among other decorations, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and he is listed in the AAR from April 1945 as a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievment (G.O.#75 20 April 1945).
After arriving back home in the US, Richard Ferris married Nettie Elizabeth Kolpack. They had four children, Richard Ferris III, Steven Ferris, Linda (Ferris) Alexander and Robert Ferris. Richard D. Ferris died on June 11, 1988 and is buried together with his wife Nettie Ferris (1921-2011) at the Saint Pauls Lutheran Cemetery in Fulton, Maryland.
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The Names & The Research
Their were 3 young men that on one day decided to write their names in this 329th Unit History. A souvenir that was now marked with their names.
This overview is brought to you by Thijs Hodiamont, documents courtesy of various contributors with a special thanks to Myra Miller, PhD