Approach to Leyte: Co. A's apporximate route to the Philippine Island of Leyte in October 1944

Approach Channel to Leyte: Co. A landed on Red Beach.

Shipping for Operation King-Two

U.S. medic treats a Filipino child, 23 Nov 1944. Sgt. Louis Iannuzzi, New Rochelle, NY, medic with 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion, gives aid to Francisca Mendoza, Calubian, Leyte. National Archives 111-SC-325947

Third Platoon, Company A, 727th Amphbian Tractor Battalion on Leyte at Christmas, 1944

Lt. Corbin with Tractor named "Awgowan"

Third Platoon, Co. A Non-Coms: Sgt. H.G. Copeland; S/Sgt. Owens, Sgt. Good, St. Pekola, Sgt. Kelly

LVT "Guinea Gal-II"

Battalion Bivouac at Camiris Point

 

These three photos were taken at about 1300 hours, 25 December 1944. About an hour later five of these men were killed and one was injured when a P-47 has a faulty takeoff at Tanauan Airstrip and crashed into their LVT.

Back on Leyte prior to Lingayen Landing

John, Moe and Alex on LVT

Sacramo and Kitchen Help

Payday on Leyte: 31 December 1944

Sketch by 34th Infantry Regiment of Amphibious Operation dated 3 Nov 1944. Our Battalion LVTs were used in this overwater landing. The infantry had to be evacuated shortly after the landing due to heavy enemy resistance. Obtained from Eisenhower Museum.

Lt. Corbin, Cpl Cush, Cpt. Keim, Lr. Garfinkle, and Lt. Blake

Joe (Magnano) Danver's photo of water buffalo

Muster Roll dated 9 October 1944 for USS Hercules (AK-41) carrying Wilbur Sorenson, Donald Jenny and Donald Johnson, 3rd Platoon, Co. A, 727th Amph Trac Bn from Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea to Leyte, Philippines. Part of invasion force landing 20 October 1944 a few hours before Gen. MacArthur landed on Red Beach (Pawing-Palo area).**

Sketch by 34th Infantry Regiment of Amphibious Operation dated 3 Nov 1944. Our Battalion LVTs were used in this overwater landing. The infantry had to be evacuated shortly after the landing due to heavy enemy resistance. Obtained from Eisenhower Museum.

Page 1, Muster Roll dated 17 November 1944 for LSM-310 carrying Maintenance Detachment, 727th Amph Trac Bn from Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea to Leyte, Philippines. **

Page 2, Muster Roll dated 17 November 1944 for LSM-310 carrying Maintenance Detachment, 727th Amph Trac Bn from Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea to Leyte, Philippines. **

A-Day: 20 October 1944: 1st and 3rd Platoons, Co. A plus elements of Hq. Co. landed on Red Beach at H+95 minutes. Each LVT was overloaded with 40 ton of 105mm artillery shells. Spent the first evening on the beaches with the artillery firing at targets as close as 100 yards.

21-25 Octboer 1944: The remainder of Hq. Co. and 2nd Platoon, Co. A landed at Red Beach on 22 October amid a Jap aerial attack while the Navy was annililating the Jap Navy in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Continued to support the advances of the 34th and 19th Inf Regts.

26-29 October 1944: Company LVTs were used to haul men and supplies of the 19th Inf Regt to Pastrana as well as making re-supply runs to forward positions of the 34th Inf Regt. On their return, casualties would be returned to the aid stations.

30 October 1944 to 2 November 1944: Co. A was moved forward to provide direct support for the X Corps Advance.

3-15 November 1944: 3rd Platoon, Co. A provided LVTs for amphibian assault landing on 10 November and provided direct support to the 34th Inf. Regt over the following 25 days in its Battle for Kilay Ridge. The battalion also supported the 21st and 19th Inf Regts as they battled the Japs on Breckneck Ridge and Limon Valley.

15 November 1944 to 14 December 1944: Co. A provided support for the 34th Inf Regt. in its Battle for Kilay Ridge while supporting the advances of the 127th and 128th Inf Regts. as they advanced across Limon Valley.

Situation as of 7 December 1944: Co. A is Capoocan and Pinamopoan (Hq and 1st and 2nd Platoons) while 3rd Platoon, Co. A is at Calubian. Three members of the Battalion witnessed the Jap counter-invasion at San Isidro and made the first rep[ort back to X Corps Headquarters.

Situation as of 31 December 1944: Co. A is at Camiris Point, near Tanauan Airfield.