Soft launch: Soldier biographies and research notes vary in completeness. Prefer class-roster, NARA, newspapers, and other cited sources for contested facts — treat Research notes as leads, not settled history. Anyone can correct a page; contact us with questions.
1st Mobile Radio Broadcasting Company: Difference between revisions
Add 1st MRBC Unit History cover + Consolidated Roster (linked transcription) |
Link Zimmermann/Inzer/Kamenetzki/Johnson/McFall/DeGregori/LaPatta roster titles |
||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
| [[Westbrook, Andrew J. (0446708)|Andrew J. Westbrook]] || O-in-C, 2nd Radio Section | | [[Westbrook, Andrew J. (0446708)|Andrew J. Westbrook]] || O-in-C, 2nd Radio Section | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | [[Zimmerman, Carl G. (01844876)|Carl G. Zimmermann]] || Radio Program Officer; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 106: | Line 106: | ||
| [[Salemson, Harold J. (19063388)|Harold J. Salemson]] || T/Sgt. — Editor and Leaflet Chief; transferred to OWI, Mar/45 | | [[Salemson, Harold J. (19063388)|Harold J. Salemson]] || T/Sgt. — Editor and Leaflet Chief; transferred to OWI, Mar/45 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Inzer, Paul D. || S/Sgt. — Mess Sergeant; transferred to Repl Depot, Jun/43 | | [[Inzer Paul, D. (6227599)|Paul D. Inzer]] || S/Sgt. — Mess Sergeant; transferred to Repl Depot, Jun/43 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Massi, Rudolph L. (36336146)|Rudolph L. Massi]] || S/Sgt. — Supply Sergeant | | [[Massi, Rudolph L. (36336146)|Rudolph L. Massi]] || S/Sgt. — Supply Sergeant | ||
| Line 147: | Line 147: | ||
| [[Hainebach, Hans J. (35666425)|Hans Hainebach]] || Propaganda Technician | | [[Hainebach, Hans J. (35666425)|Hans Hainebach]] || Propaganda Technician | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | [[Kamenetski, Michele (32524881)|Michele Kamenetzki]] || Propaganda Technician | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Landry, Guy T. (38171618)|Guy T. Landry]] || Power Generator Repairman | | [[Landry, Guy T. (38171618)|Guy T. Landry]] || Power Generator Repairman | ||
| Line 214: | Line 214: | ||
| [[Janis, Adolph W|Adolph W. Janis]] || Tec. 4 — Cook | | [[Janis, Adolph W|Adolph W. Janis]] || Tec. 4 — Cook | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Johnson, John S. || Tec. 4 — Machinist | | [[Johnson, John S. (01166095)|John S. Johnson]] || Tec. 4 — Machinist | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Knickerbocker, Elton L. (15115969)|Elton L. Knickerbocker]] || Tec. 4 — Radio Repairman | | [[Knickerbocker, Elton L. (15115969)|Elton L. Knickerbocker]] || Tec. 4 — Radio Repairman | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | [[Mcfall, William R. (34168943)|William R. McFall]] || Tec. 4 — Rigger and Truck Driver | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Petyko, William (36397330)|William Petyko]] || Tec. 4 — Teletype Chief | | [[Petyko, William (36397330)|William Petyko]] || Tec. 4 — Teletype Chief | ||
| Line 269: | Line 269: | ||
| [[Cunningham, Elvin H. (35371062)|Elvin H. Cunningham]] || Tec. 5 — Transmitter Attendant; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 | | [[Cunningham, Elvin H. (35371062)|Elvin H. Cunningham]] || Tec. 5 — Transmitter Attendant; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | [[Degregori, Bartolo (36523427)|Bartolo DeGregori]] || Tec. 5 — Rigger | ||
|- | |- | ||
| Deraway, Raymond H. || Tec. 5 — Driver; transferred to 1st MRB Co from Repl Depot, Jun/45 | | Deraway, Raymond H. || Tec. 5 — Driver; transferred to 1st MRB Co from Repl Depot, Jun/45 | ||
| Line 304: | Line 304: | ||
| [[Lamb, Q. D. (38180595)|Q. D. Lamb]] || Intercept Operator; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 | | [[Lamb, Q. D. (38180595)|Q. D. Lamb]] || Intercept Operator; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | [[Lapatta, John (32450918)|John LaPatta]] || Heavy Truck Driver and Rigger; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Laudando, Ignatius (36705053)|Ignatius Laudando]] || Driver | | [[Laudando, Ignatius (36705053)|Ignatius Laudando]] || Driver | ||
Latest revision as of 04:17, 17 September 2026
The 1st Mobile Radio Broadcasting Company (1st MRBC / 1st MRB Co) was a U.S. Army psychological-warfare radio unit in World War II. Many of its linguists and propaganda specialists trained at Camp Ritchie and/or Camp Sharpe before serving under Allied Force Headquarters and later with Fifth Army, Seventh Army, and Twelfth Army Group channels.
This page publishes a scan of the unit’s printed Unit History booklet cover and the Consolidated Roster section (original pages 46–51). The PDF in hand is the cover plus that roster extract — not the full narrative history. Provenance is uncertain; the packet is consistent with Fold3 / U.S. WWII unit-history scans, but no Fold3 image ID has been confirmed yet.
Cover[edit | edit source]
Cover art shows the Signal Corps insignia (Pro Patria Vigilans) with corner patches for AFHQ, Seventh Army, Fifth Army, and Twelfth Army Group.
-
Unit History cover — First Mobile Radio Broadcasting Company
Consolidated Roster[edit | edit source]
Names below follow the printed roster. Where a clear soldier page exists on this wiki, the name is linked. Roles and transfer notes are transcribed from the booklet (abbreviations expanded lightly for readability).
Majors[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Darrell T. Rathbun | Commanding Officer |
| Edward A. Caskey | Commanding Officer from Apr/43 to Sept/43; transferred to MITC, Camp Ritchie, Md. |
Captains[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Thomas L. Anglin | Executive Officer from Apr/43 to Apr/45; transferred to Mobilization Branch, AGF |
| Warren S. Bell | O-in-C, 1st Radio Section from Apr/43 to Apr/45; transferred to Ft. Monmouth, N.J. |
| Neill G. Carpenter | Radio Engineering Officer |
| John T. Dabinett | Radio Officer; transferred to 1st BSOD, Aug/43 |
| Alfred J. De Grazia | Propaganda Officer; transferred to PWB, Oct/44 |
| Martin F. Herz | Propaganda Officer; transferred to PWB, Nov/43 |
| Weldon I. Hogie | O-in-C, 3rd Radio Section; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Edward C. Lockwood | O-in-C, 1st Radio Section |
| Jerome A. Stern | Supply Officer; transferred to PWB, Apr/45 |
| Andrew J. Westbrook | O-in-C, 2nd Radio Section |
| Carl G. Zimmermann | Radio Program Officer; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
First Lieutenants[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Charles D. Fosdick | Asst. O-in-C, 1st Radio Section |
| Robert M. Frazier | Radio Engineering Officer |
| Alfred L. Grigis | Propaganda Officer |
| Hans Habe-Bekessy | Propaganda Officer; transferred to PWB, Nov/44 |
| William Kuluva | Asst. O-in-C, 2nd Radio Section |
| Joseph Lombardi Jr. | Printing Section Chief |
| Gus S. Malpee | Radio Engineering Officer; transferred to AAF, Apr/43 |
| Charles H. Tacquey | Propaganda Officer; transferred to 1st MRB Co from OSS, Jun/45 |
| Ira Tesser | Executive Officer |
| Hans Wallenberg | Propaganda Officer; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
Second Lieutenants[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Matthew P. Lankford | Asst. O-in-C, 3rd Radio Section; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
Master Sergeants / First Sergeant / Technical Sergeants / Staff Sergeants[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Paul R. Kelleher | M/Sgt. — Sergeant Major |
| Elvio Sadun | M/Sgt. — Propaganda Technician; transferred to PWB, Aug/43 |
| Marshall B. Gibbs | 1st Sgt. — Redeployed to U.S., Apr/45 |
| Leo Arcoletti | T/Sgt. — Radio Engineer |
| Stirling B. Lentz | T/Sgt. — Chief Rigger, 1st Radio Section |
| Thomas A. Lonergan | T/Sgt. — Radio Engineer |
| McNemar, Charles P. Jr. | T/Sgt. — Radio Engineer |
| George H. Norman | T/Sgt. — Chief Administrative NCO |
| Harold J. Salemson | T/Sgt. — Editor and Leaflet Chief; transferred to OWI, Mar/45 |
| Paul D. Inzer | S/Sgt. — Mess Sergeant; transferred to Repl Depot, Jun/43 |
| Rudolph L. Massi | S/Sgt. — Supply Sergeant |
| Francis H. Matchan | S/Sgt. — Chief Rigger, 2nd Radio Section |
| Richard G. Mayer | S/Sgt. — Motor Sergeant |
Technicians Third Grade[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Joseph J. Baicich | Propaganda Technician |
| Richard W. Brabeck | Intercept Operator |
| Enzo Calabi | Propaganda Technician |
| Fabio Coen | Propaganda Technician |
| Procope S. Costas | Propaganda Technician |
| Thomas J. Curtin | Radio Repairman |
| John W. Dodson | Rigger |
| Fritz Egerter | Propaganda Technician |
| Riccardo Guetta | Propaganda Technician |
| Daniel A. DeLattre | Propaganda Technician; transferred to American Consulate, Algiers, Aug/43 |
| Eugene Fodor | Propaganda Technician; transferred to OSS, May/45 |
| Annis R. Fowler | Radio Repairman; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Walter J. Gralewski | Radio Repairman; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Hans Hainebach | Propaganda Technician |
| Michele Kamenetzki | Propaganda Technician |
| Guy T. Landry | Power Generator Repairman |
| Hans Lehmann | Propaganda Technician |
| Hilary E. Lindsey | Radio Repairman |
| Helmut W. Meyer | Propaganda Technician |
| Dewey W. Miles | High Speed Radio Operator; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| William Ninos | Mess Sergeant |
| Telemaque A. Paladini | Propaganda Technician |
| Vern L. Petersen | Transmitter Operator |
| Otto F. Reiss | Discharged Sept/43 |
| Abe D. Schwartz | Propaganda Technician |
| Thomas E. Smith | Chief Automotive Mechanic |
| George V. Sponenberg | Redeployed to U.S., May/45 |
| Earl L. Tewksbury | Chief Rigger, 3rd Radio Section; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Robert Harari | Propaganda Technician; transferred to PWB, Nov/43 |
Sergeants / Technicians Fourth Grade[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Luther D. Baker | Sgt. — Asst. Chief Rigger, 1st Radio Section |
| Frank A. Gulasy | Sgt. — Chief Printer |
| McNees, Charles R. | Sgt. — High Speed Radio Operator |
| Nathaniel T. Ackerly | Tec. 4 — Driver for Commanding Officer |
| Gaza C. Berta | Tec. 4 — Rigger and Heavy Truck Driver |
| Reuben K. Bolles | Tec. 4 — Transmitter Attendant; transferred to 7th Army |
| Kelzer E. Burgoyne | Tec. 4 — Machinist; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Herbert E. Cantwell | Tec. 4 — Intercept Operator; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Chester Damiani | Tec. 4 — Propaganda Tech. and Monitor Chief |
| Henry Finlaw | Tec. 4 — Cook |
| Eric M. Goetz | Tec. 4 — Propaganda Technician |
| Thomas R. Grimes | Tec. 4 — Clerk and Driver |
| Joseph Hendrick | Tec. 4 — Transmitter Attendant |
| Frederick W. Henschel | Tec. 4 — Announcer and Script Writer; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| William R. Humphrey | Tec. 4 — Asst. Chief Rigger, 2nd Radio Section |
| Adolph W. Janis | Tec. 4 — Cook |
| John S. Johnson | Tec. 4 — Machinist |
| Elton L. Knickerbocker | Tec. 4 — Radio Repairman |
| William R. McFall | Tec. 4 — Rigger and Truck Driver |
| William Petyko | Tec. 4 — Teletype Chief |
| Arnold T. Rowe | Tec. 4 — Mechanic and Heavy Truck Driver |
| Rex Van Tassel | Tec. 4 — Radio Operator |
| Floyd H. Wade | Tec. 4 — Asst. Supply Sergeant |
Corporal / Technicians Fifth Grade (selected through Caldwell–Harris)[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Eugene D. Pressly | Cpl. — Propaganda Technician; transferred to Med. Base Sect., Aug/43 |
| Sidney E. Barricks | Tec. 5 — Mechanic and Driver |
| Kalman Bartok | Tec. 5 — Cook |
| Robert P. Baskerville | Tec. 5 — Rigger and Driver |
| Casper J. Biedenkopf | Tec. 5 — Power Generator Repairman |
| Mario J. Borghesi | Tec. 5 — Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Leland A. Brack | Tec. 5 — Redeployed to U.S., Apr/45 |
| Paul V. Buda | Tec. 5 — Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Eddie Byers | Tec. 5 — Motorcycle Courier; transferred to Dis Trng Cntr, Jan/44 |
| Leon H. Cagan | Tec. 5 — Intercept Operator |
| Paul E. Caldwell | Tec. 5 — Intercept Operator and Audio Equipment; killed in line of duty |
| William B. Carpenter | Tec. 5 — Transmitter Operator; transferred to U.S., Apr/45 |
| Ernest F. Cart | Tec. 5 — Rigger and Driver; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Austin M. Cassidy | Tec. 5 — Rigger and Driver |
| Cichara, Joseph D. | Tec. 5 — Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| John C. Clapp | Tec. 5 — Rigger and Driver |
| Clancy E. Craigo | Tec. 5 — Power Generator Repairman; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Elvin H. Cunningham | Tec. 5 — Transmitter Attendant; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Bartolo DeGregori | Tec. 5 — Rigger |
| Deraway, Raymond H. | Tec. 5 — Driver; transferred to 1st MRB Co from Repl Depot, Jun/45 |
| Walter E. Ellegaard | Tec. 5 — Rigger and Heavy Truck Driver; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| John W. Ellington | Tec. 5 — Cook |
| Funaro, Sergio F. | Tec. 5 — Propaganda Technician; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Gallagher, Bernard F. | Tec. 5 — Clerk and Low Speed Radio Operator |
| Thomas E. Gossett | Tec. 5 — Rigger and Heavy Truck Driver |
| George J. Hatton | Tec. 5 — Automotive Mechanic and Driver |
| Harry V. Hults | Tec. 5 — Intercept Operator |
| Almon Harris | Tec. 5 — Rigger and Truck Driver |
Technicians Fifth Grade (Hayes–Sparrow)[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Hayes, William C. Sr. | Motor Pool Assistant |
| Harold F. Holmes | Truck Driver |
| Raymond A. Jacques | Cook |
| William C. Jones | Photographer; transferred to U.S. Military Academy, Jun/43 |
| Q. D. Lamb | Intercept Operator; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| John LaPatta | Heavy Truck Driver and Rigger; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Ignatius Laudando | Driver |
| Lee, Hugh M. | Mechanic and Truck Driver; transferred from Repl Depot to 1st MRB Co, Dec/44 |
| Lennon, Jacques E. | Intelligence NCO; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Liebowitz, Harold H. | Cook |
| Michael Leone | Photographer; transferred to PWB, Feb/45 |
| Benedict F. Lewandowski | Intercept Operator |
| Mayer, William C. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Hervey T. Morton | Electrician; redeployed to U.S., Apr/45 |
| Petersime, Harland F. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Ritzo, Arthur J. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Rugroden, Leslie J. | Printer; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, Feb/44 |
| Glen P. Queck | Rigger and Truck Driver; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Ramey, Harry F. | Intercept Operator; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Schum, Courtney P. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Schy, Albert A. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| George Shachno | Rigger and Truck Driver; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| George R. Skaggs | Rigger and Truck Driver |
| Orrin E. Smith | Transmitter Attendant |
| Sparrow, Lionel E. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
Technicians Fifth Grade / Privates First Class / Privates (Sorenson–Weber)[edit | edit source]
| Name | Role / notes |
|---|---|
| Sorenson, William F. | Printer; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, Feb/44 |
| Stohn, Alexander C. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Tansey, Thomas E. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Thompson, Joseph V. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Timos, Albert | Truck Driver |
| Luther C. Turner | Rigger and Truck Driver |
| John Tuero | Clerk; transferred to 2nd BSOD, Nov/44 |
| Vandenberg Lee, L. | Mechanic and Heavy Truck Driver |
| Peter R. Viereck | Propaganda Technician; transferred to PWB, Jun/43 |
| David Williams | Message Center Clerk |
| Leo Wilson | Mechanic and Truck Driver; transferred to Dis Tng Cntr, Jan/44 |
| Wunderlich, John W. | Radio Repairman; transferred from PWB to 1st MRB Co, May/45 |
| Yater, Morris C. | Driver; transferred to 7th Army, Nov/44 |
| Roland W. Harper | Pfc. — Rigger and Truck Driver; transferred to NATOUSA Dis Tng Cntr, Jul/43 |
| Richard H. Lee | Pfc. — Propaganda Technician; transferred to OSS, Jul/44 |
| Terdich, Frank J. | Pfc. — Heavy Truck Driver; transferred to 1st MRB Co from Repl Depot, Jun/45 |
| Ward, Arthur R. | Pfc. — Heavy Truck Driver; transferred to 1st MRB Co from Repl Depot, Jun/45 |
| Sheridan, Michael | Pvt. — Light Truck Driver; transferred to 1st MRB Co from Repl Depot, Jun/45 |
| Weber, John P. | Pvt. — Light Truck Driver; transferred to 1st MRB Co from Repl Depot, Jun/45 |
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Unit History — First Mobile Radio Broadcasting Company (cover + Consolidated Roster extract) (archival source not yet confirmed; likely Fold3 / U.S. WWII unit records)
- Cover scan
- Related background: Beverley Driver Eddy, Camp Sharpe’s “Psycho Boys”: From Gettysburg to Germany; see also Ritchie Boy Programs and Books
See also[edit | edit source]
- Camp Ritchie
- Training materials
- Ritchie Boy Programs
- Photos
- Introduction (Hans Habe and Mobile Radio Broadcasting Companies)
