With the Fifth Army, Italy – A number of South Carolinians are members of the 689th Field Artillery battalion, whose big guns recently fired the first shells into the Po Valley of Italy for Lieut. Gen. Mark W. Clark’s Fifth army.

Operating six 240-mm. howitzers and two eight-inch guns, the battalion has been knocking out bridges, pillboxes enemy guns and entire towns at extreme ranges throughout the Italian campaign.

The battalion was activated in 1941 at Fort Bragg, N. C, and has played a leading role in actions before Cassino, on the beachhead around Onzio, and in the Liri Valley, in the drive on Rome and in offensives across the Arno river and through the Gothic Line. The 698th has received commendations from every American army corps of the Fifth Army, the New Zealand division and French and Polish corps then attached to the Fifth Army and the Eighth Army for services in support of each of these organizations. The French cited the 698th and awarded the battalion the Croix de Guerre.

South Carolinians serving with the 698th include the following;

Pvt. William J Martin, 944 Heidt street, Columbia, cannoneer, Pfc. Henry W. Gaffney, 2301 Marion street, Columbia, driver, Sgt. Joseph B. Elkins, Allendale, chief of signal section: Cpl. Hubert P. Brown, Arcadia, machine gunner; Staff Sgt. Willie L. Collins, Barnwell, motor sergeant: Pfc. James T. Padgett, Batesburg, truck driver, Cpl. Gary C. Hand, Belton, tank driver; Pfc. Eddie Hornsby, Jr., Blaney, cannoneer.

Pvt. Howard J. Frame, Burton, truck driver; Cpl. Boyce W. Johnson, Campo Bello, auto mechanic; Pvt. Nathan C. Tucker, 38 Bull street, Charleston, truck driver; Cpl. Ashton T. Freeman, Cheraw, truck driver.

Cpl. Frank A. McGinnis, Chesnee, truck driver; Sgt. Andrew W. Hoover, Clover, ammo sergeant; Cpl. Larry B. Cogdill, Cross Anchor, truck driver; Cpl. George H. King, Darlington, mechanic; Cpl. Alex K. Henderson, Darlington, radio operatior; Cpl. Leon C. Fincher, Easley, driver; Cpl. Fred A. Griffin, Eloree, radio operator; Pvt. Charlie R. Kemmerlin, Elloree, cannoneer; Pfc. Leroyh Jackson, Enoree, driver; Sgt. John J. Simons, Jr., Eutawville, artillery mechanic; Pfc. George M Phillips, Fountain Inn, mechanic.

Sgt. James Belue, Gaffney, crane operator; Pvt. Bold L. Welchel, Gaffney, cannoneer; Cpl. Donald Jenerette, Galivants Ferry, switchboard operator; Pvt. George Cape, Greenville, cannoneer; Cpl. Roger C. Tate, Greenville, tank driver; Sgt. William D. Jordan, Greenville, motor mechanic.

Pfc. Grady Yeargin, Greenwood, truck driver; Cpl William J. Hill, Greer, gunner corporal; Cpl. Arthur E. Forrester, Greer, instrument corporal; Cpl. Gary L. Cauthen, Heath Springs, truck driver; Pfc. Wiliard S. Ridings, Inman, truck driver; Cpl. Raymond C. Jones. Inman, ammunition corporal.

Staff Sgt. Benjamin F. Jemnkins, Kershaw, motor sergeant; Cpl. James H. Sutton, Kershaw, truck driver; Cpl. Lewis R. Plyler, Lancaster, gunner corporal; Pvt. James Wilson, Lando, T. and T Lineman.

Pfc. Willie D. Collins, Leo, cannoneer; Pvt. Joe S. Palmer, Liberty, artillery mechanic; Pvt. Don Cox, Loris, truck driver; Sgt. Luther L. Clark, Lowrys, chief of section; Pfc. Albert D. Clark, Lowrys, cannoneer; Cpl. William H. Worthy, Moore, truck driver: Pfc. Forest L. Welchel, Pacolet, truck driver; Sgt. Hoy O. Rish, Pelion, auto mechanic.

Pfc. Leo Jameson, Piedmont, cannoneer; Cpl. Broughton M. Williams, Piedmont, supply clerk, Cpl. Lennie T. Padgett, Ridge Spring, heavy truck driver; First Sgt. George H. Huggins, Rock Hill, first sergeant’s duties.