I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Patrick Walden for his efforts as webmaster; without his dedication, this content would not be possible. Patrick willingly volunteered after I shared with him my personal interest in this project and my need for website development support. Patrick is a Creative Marketing Executive Expert in Brand Identity, Multimedia & Communications. linkedin.com/in/patrickwalden

     I also wish to thank Harvey Dexter for providing After Action Reports, journal reports, maps, and photographs that greatly motivated me and helped save time, thereby fueling my enthusiasm for this endeavor.

     Jan Tůma, residing in the Czech Republic, has become a driving force behind this project. He was responsible for arranging the placement of the 244th Memorial Plaque and organizing the Memorial Service at Kostel sv. Vavřince, Hrádek, Czechia. Each year, Jan continues to honor the memory of the 244th with several commemorative events and is always available to offer guided tours of the Czech Republic.

     My appreciation also goes to Guy Eisen from Ermsdorf, Luxembourg, who discovered the website and has contributed significantly to our understanding of the 244th in Luxembourg during the Battle of the Bulge.

     Guy Eisen, based in Ermsdorf, Luxembourg, is an expert on the Battle of the Bulge and has long maintained the graves of the four 244th soldiers at the Luxembourg American Cemetery by placing fresh flowers. Since reaching out through this website in March 2021, Guy has provided valuable information about the movements of the 244th and uncovered the circumstances surrounding the deaths of four soldiers on patrol—clarifying previously uncertain stories and suspicions.

     Special appreciation is due to Roland Gaul and the Musée National d’Histoire Militaire (National Museum of Military History) in Diekirch, Luxembourg. This museum honors the 244th by naming its 155 mm Long Tom “Bunker Buster,” after the second gun in “A” Battery. Roland Gaul and Harvey Dexter contributed to this recognition prior to the development of this website.

     Finally, I would like to share a personal note. My father wrote in a letter to his mother on February 23, 1945, that the 244th would be remembered as a “jack of all trades” battalion. Unfortunately, I have found that this history is largely neglected, and existing information online and elsewhere is insufficient.

     It is my sincere hope that others will recognize what we have accomplished here and understand the importance of remembering the past to secure the future. I encourage the sharing of personal letters, photographs, and documents from those who served in the 244th so that this information can be preserved and appreciated by future generations.

     While there were over 550 members of the battalion, we have heard from only about twenty-five families. We hope more will come forward, along with contributions from those who have the last viewed battery scrapbooks and photo albums from previous reunions. We would be grateful to add their valuable contents to this site.

     This is “Life in the Battalion”: an account of what we know about the 244th Field Artillery Battalion and its service members.

Thank you.

Jim Marriott
Son of 1st Lt. Thomas B. Marriott, Jr.
Headquarters Battery

Please note: This website is not affiliated with the United States Army or the Department of Defense. The information provided has been gathered from various sources, including individuals who served with the 244th Field Artillery Battalion.