Tec/5 Edward P. Reynolds (32233918)
Troop D, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Armored Division
Embedded Files
Edward Phillip Reynolds was born May 1, 1917 to Philip A. Reynolds (abt 1881- abt 1968) and Alice E.Flood (abt 1890-U) in Troy, NY. His parents were married June 21, 1909. He was the youngest of their three children. His father worked for the D&H railroad, first in Plattsburg, NY and then he moved to its Oneonta, NY hub. The family lived on Cliff St. in Oneonta for a time before moving to Watkins Ave. He attended Oneonta schools and was a graduate of nearby Laurens Central High School class of 1938 where he excelled in football and basketball. His father reported being a widow on the 1940 Census but still working at the D&H Railroad as a clerk. His older brother James was also working for the railroad by then. Edward reported that he was looking for work.
1938 Laurens Central School Graduation Program (click to enlarge)
Courtesy Laurens Central School
He was inducted into the Army on February 12, 1942 at Fort Niagara Youngstown, New York. He trained with the 87th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion at Camp Polk, La. then at Camp Coxcomb (Desert Training Center), California. The Battalion departed from Camp Coxcomb California in August 1943, and arrived at Fort Benning, Georgia before leaving for overseas duty in June 1944.
He served in England, France, Belgium and Holland. On September 10, 1944 he was awarded the Bronze Star medal for "meritourious duty". The 7th Armor Division was famous for its gallant stand in southeasten Holland in October 1944 and for fighting it out during the Battle of the Bulge. It was during the Battle of the Bulge, near Regne , Belgium, on December 21, 1944 that Tech/5 Reynolds was reported missing. Approximately a year later, in November 1945, he was confirmed killed in action. He was the gunner in a tank that took a direct hit from an enemy shell "one and one half miles west of Regne Belgium."
The morning reports from his company for that day describe the action in which he was killed (they are transcribed below).
Transcription follows:
"Joubival, Belgium VP6886 / Hq & 1st Plat moved fr 1/12 Mi W. Regne, Belgium to Joubiveal, Belgium by round-about way for other route was under direct fire of enemy weapons, both arty and small arms. Distance marched 8 Mi, 1st part of march under small arms fire. At 0200 was lightly attacked by enemy Inf. At 0400 another attack occurred in force but repelled same. 3d attack at 0545, attack repulsed with heavy losses to the enemy. Captured approximately 17 between units, 7 killed, wounded known 13. The rcn platoons had been forced to withdraw as far as the rd junction inflicting losses on the enemy. 1st Plat on a rcn mission at Douchaups was baited into a trap, Results 1 Officer MIA, 1 EM LWA, 1/4 ton truck lost. Tr reassembled at 375832 [first digit may be wrong] Rd junction and given mission to hold at all cost. Enemy again attacked in force at 1240 and kept pressuring until 1700. Total casualties 1 off MIA, 4 EM LWA, 1 EM SWA plus [?1?] under investigation. Situation remains critical though reinforced by 8 medium tanks fr 3d Armd Div at 1800"
On June 14, 1947 his dad, Phillip A. Reynolds was awarded Edward's Purple Heart and his Bronze Star in a ceremony at the Elks Flag Day observance at the Elks Club in Oneonta, NY. Edward's remains were returned home in August 1950 and buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY, Grave No. 13571, Section J.
If you notice anything erroneous in this profile or have additional information to contribute to it, please contact Jim Greenberg at nez13820@gmail.com.
Author's note: Many thanks to Wesley Johnson for providing the morning reports of Troop D and their transcription for the days leading up to Reynold's death. His excellent site on the 7th Armored Division can be found here: 7th Armored Division Document Repository
Sources
1938 Laurens Central School Graduation Program, provided by William F. Dorritie, Superintendent, Laurens Central School in email to author, February 6, 2023.
7th Armored Division Document Repository, accessed at https://www.7tharmddiv.org/docrep/, February 4, 2023. In particular the 87th Recon Morning Report Stations and Record of Events which notes Bronze Star citation.
"Corporal Edward Reynolds Killed When Shell Strikes Tank in Battle of the Bulge", Oneonta Herald, Oneonta, NY, Nivember 1, 1945, pg. 1
Find a Grave entry for TEC 5 Edward P Reynolds, accessed at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2796668/edward-p-reynolds, February 4, 2023.
Individual Deceased Personnel File for Edward P. Reynolds, #32233918, National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.
National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for New York State, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147
National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, USA; Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946; NAID: 1263923; Record Group Title: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007; Record Group: 64; Box Number: 04842; Reel: 148
Troy Irish Genealogy Society, Rensselaer County Marriage Index Vol 1, Surnames: Fa – Fl, accessed at https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nytigs/MarriageIndex-Vol1-Fa-Fl-Webpage.htm, February 4, 2023.
Year: 1930; Census Place: Oneonta, Otsego, New York; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0034; FHL microfilm: 2341370
Year: 1940; Census Place: Oneonta, Otsego, New York; Roll: m-t0627-02717; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 39-43
Supporting Files
1938 Laurens High School Senior Class (Ed is top row last one on the right). Also in this picture is William Webster, killed during WWII. William is also in the top row, furthest to the left.
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