Welcome
Welcome to A Red Devil's Home. Digital resting place of Albert W. (Bill) Giegold.
Hello and thank you for visiting this website! The content found within these pages comes from many declassified source materials relating to WWII and the 82nd Airborne Division, including specific information in regards to the 508th PIR that Bill was attached to during that war. He was a Tec 5 Machine Gunner with the 2nd Battalion of the 82nd Airborne, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fox-Company, commanded by Lt. Goodale & Lt. Pollette (both KIA). During the first month of the Normany Invasion, Bill spent quite a bit of time with mixed forces, some 82nd, members of other companies, even glider troops who were most likely part of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment. The Tec 5 rank was discontinued after World War II and the "Specialist" rank was introduced, it was one rank above Corporal, but carried no leadership responsibilities.
For their actions during WWII, the 508th was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and surviving members were assigned to Eisenhower's Honor Guard.
The "tec" part of the rank meant the soldier's promotion was based on his training. The insignia itself was 2 stripes on the sleeve with a "T" underneath. Paratroopers carried around 100-pounds of gear when they jumped. A "leg bag" was attached to a 15-foot rope that was to be deployed below the trooper. In most cases, the snap of wind once the trooper stepped out the door of the C-47 was so intense, they were unable to drop the leg bag, as such, many were injured just from their jump. Others weren't so lucky and were shot in the air by various anti-airborne landing groups.
All content on this website is documented information provided by Bill or others during reunions or through correspondence, taken from stories related after Bill's return from the war, and/or taken from depositions and declassified materials. All images are copyrighted by either the 508th PIR, the 82nd Airborne or A Red Devil's Home/A+ Web Designs.
The stained glass windows on the left and right are public photographs taken at the Sainte Mere Eglise Church (top left and top right photos), and the Angoville-au-Plain Church outside Carentan (bottom left and right - duplicated).
82nd Airborne Choir singing "All American"