Operation Shingle

Tech. 4 Anthony J. Chontos – 1st Special Service Force Casualty, 1944

marionohioveteransLeave a comment
Tech. 4 Anthony J. Chontos

Anthony J. Chontos was born 26 January 1911, and was the son of Albert B. Chontos & Mary H. (Zavatsky) Chontos. Anthony Chontos graduated from St. Mary High School. Prior to service he worked with the Isaly Dairy Company. He had also been a carrier for the Marion Star for five years.
After entering service, Chontos trained at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana and Camp Roberts, California. He was the assigned as a paratrooper at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. Chontos was assigned to the 1st Special Service Force “Devil’s Brigade.” From there the Force, as members referred to the unit, which was composed of American and Canadian troops, were part of the spearhead at Kiska, Aleutian Islands. Members of the unit were called “forcemen.”


The truly unique commando assault force created to carry it out—the 1st Special Service Force (SSF)—later made quite a name for itself with its successful combat record and its colorful approach to fighting, earning it a raft of nicknames during its year and a half in service: “The Thugs,” “Freddy’s Freighters,” and “The North Americans.” The Germans invented a particularly endearing nickname after encountering the 1st SSF in battle: the “Devil’s Brigade.”

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/what-the-devils-brigade-did-in-world-war-ii/

Tech. 4 Chontos later was part of the combat at Anzio Beach in Italy, where he was assigned to the Headquarters Detachment, 2nd Regiment. Sadly Tech. 4 Chontos was killed in action on 3 May 1944, at Anzio Beach.

The remains of T4 Anthony J. Chontos were buried in a temporary grave in Italy. On 7 July 1948, his remains arrived back in the United States aboard the United States Army Transport Carroll Victory. Tech. 4 Anthony J. Chontos is buried in Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.
Tech. 4 Anthony J. Chontos is remembered on the Honor Roll at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio, on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse and World War II Veterans Memorial Wall at the Marion Cemetery.

Ray M. Pinney Veteran of North Africa Dies at Anzio – 1944

marionohioveteransLeave a comment

Ray Millison Pinney, Jr., was born 17 January 1917. Ray M. Pinney attended school at Edison Junior High and had worked as a cook at Paulson’s Grill. Ray M. Pinney was drafted into service. Pinney served in the United States Army and was a veteran of the invasions North Africa and Anzio during World War Two. Pinney’s father died on 27 March 1944, only months prior to his own death. Pinney attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was killed in a vehicle accident while serving in Italy with the 94th Quartermaster Rail-head Division. He died 3 Jun 1944, in Italy.
Staff Sergeant Ray M. Pinney, Jr. is buried in the Marion Cemetery, Marion, Ohio.
Ray M. Pinney, Jr., is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the World War Two Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery; and on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse.

From The Marion Star dated June 23, 1944

Soldier From
Marion Killed

Staff Sgt. Ray M. Pinney
Meets Death in Anzio
Beachhead Accident.

pinneyStaff Sgt. Ray M. Pinney Jr., 21, stepson of Mrs. Sadie Pinney of 720 East Center street, and son of the late Ray M. Pinney, was killed in a vehicle accident June 8, in Italy, according to word received by Mrs. Pinney.
No details were given in the telegram received by her from the War Department yesterday afternoon. It stated, however, that a letter would follow.
In the last letter received from Sgt. Pinney, written June 5, he told his mother he was at a small villa near Rome. He had been at Anzio Beachhead with the 94th Quartermaster Railhead Division.
Sgt. Pinney attended Edison Junior High school and before enlisting in the service on March of 1941 was employed as a cook at Paulson’s Grill. He had been overseas since January, 1943, taking part in the invasion of North Africa and Sicily.
Survivors include, with the stepmother, his wife, Mrs. Mae Pinney of 466 West Center street and a sister, Mrs. Wayne Ruby of 563 Henry street.