The 267th Activation
Mar 1, 1943 Camp Shelby MS

3/1/1943 Camp Shelby MS 267th Field Artillery Battalion activated as part of the 3rd Army to fire 105mm Howitzers (Truck drawn and nondivisional). Officers were Reservists called to Active Duty and recent graduates of the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School, Ft Sill OK, and the enlisted members were almost entirely from personnel called to active duty with the Georgia National Guard and transferred from the 179th FA Group Camp Shelby. The Field Artillery Replacement Training Centers at Fort Bragg and Fort Sill furnished the majority of filler enlisted. Most of them were draftees. The enlisted medical detachment was from the 78th Infantry Division, Camp Butler NC. Lt Col Walter Hinsch CO. Battalion was attached to the 403rd FA Group

Mar 1 to Sep 23, 1943 Camp Shelby MS (In Garrison).

3/1/1943-12/24/1943 Camp Shelby MS The 267th FAB was billeted and trained in the area of 38th to 42nd Streets and 9th to 15th Avenues.

In 2017 the site where 267 FAB was quartered is fields and a tank wash area.

3/5/1943Camp Hood TX Charles Asztalos is transferred from HQ 127th Training Battalion to CO 267 FAB, Camp Shelby MS, Character Exc, Soldier Sat

3/8/1943 Camp Hood TX Charles Asztalos departed for Camp Shelby
3/10/1943 Camp Shelby MS Charles Asztalos arrived Camp Shelby, Assigned Battery C, 267th Field Artillery Battalion

3/25/1943 Garfield NJ Charles Asztalos on 15 Days Leave home, Reported back 4/9/1943

4/27/1943 Camp Shelby MS 267th FAB proceeded with training as outlined in Unit Training Programs for Field Artillery but was somewhat hampered by lack of equipment. Completed Physical Fitness Test with a 93% score

4/29/1943 Camp Shelby MS Pvt Joe Shelton of Elizabeth AR was visited by his wife at Camp Shelby. Hattiesburg American

4/29/43 - 5/1/1943 267 FAB completed Individual Training with a satisfactory score in May

5/3/1943 Camp Shelby MS Pvt Joe Drauch left for a 15-day furlough. He will spend it visiting New York City. Hattiesburg American 5/5/43

5/10/1943 Camp Shelby MS Charles Asztalos completed Cannoneer School

5/14/1943 Camp Shelby MS Pvt Howard Marsh of Headquarters Battery 267 FAB composed a song entitled "267th F.A. March." He attended Mansfield College for music and then was a music teacher for ten years in Pocono, PA. The song was played for the first time at the activation dance for the 267th at Service Club 5. Soldiers and guests were given copies of the words and joined in singing of the song. Hattiesburg American 5/22/43

5/20/1943 Camp Shelby MS Mrs Dennis Dureck recently arrived to make her home with her husband, Pvt Dureck, at 413 Southern Ave. Hattiesburg American 5/20/43

5/21/1943 Camp Shelby MS Mrs Marita Cummins and Miss Marie Hamm from Cuba City WI are visiting Pvt Keith Cummins, Battery C. They are staying at Guest House No. 3. Hattiesburg American 5/21/43

5/27/1943 Camp Shelby MS Charles Asztalos completed Infiltration Course Training

6/19/1943 Camp Shelby MS Pvt Joseph Costa returned to Camp with his wife after spending a furlough in Joliet Il. He visited his parents and his wife's parents. Hattiesburg American 6/19/43

Charles Asztalos on leave in Garfield NJ with his mother, Bertha and friend.

6/23/1943 Camp Shelby MS The following promotions are being announced: To be sergeant: T-5 Ernest Jenkins Battery C, To be corporal: PFC John Agnelli Battery B, PFC Allen Carmichael, Battery C, PFC Theodore Federowich, Battery C, PFC Dominick Notarianni, Battery B, PFC Sidney Slan Battery C, Pvt James DeArmitt, Battery B: To be Technician 5th Grade: Pvt John Bibby HQ Battery. Hattiesburg American 6/23/43

6/26/1943 Camp Shelby MS Recent promotions in the Service Battery: To Sergeant, T-4 Carl Abramson, Cpl John Gardell, Cpl Raymond Pittman: To Technician 4th Grade, T-5 Henry Medinas: To Corporal, PFC Lionel Gagner: To Technician 5th Grade, PFC Carl Finkeiner, PFC Frederick Scribner, PVT Lawrence Neusius. Hattiesburg American 7/23/43

7/3/1943 Camp Shelby MS Sgt Green's wife returned to Manchester NH after visiting her husband. Hattiesburg American 7/3/43

7/5/1943 Camp Shelby MS Charles Asztalos promoted to Private First Class

7/19/1943 Camp Shelby MS The following men had recent promotions: Russell W. O'Steen and Joe Dekker of Headquarters Battery have been promoted to Tech 4th Grade. William J Book, Battery C Richard W Birkenstock, John Bliznick and William H Heffner of Battery A have been promoted to corporal. Robert A Christopherson, Eulace L Morris, Joseph J Romo and Donald F Croake of Battery C, Randolph Sylvan Jr, Louis Warrior and Johnnie Yates of Headquarters Battery; Joseph M Giesler and Patrick R O'Brien of Battery A have all been promoted to Technician 5th Grade. Hattiesburg American 7/19/43

7/22/1943 Camp Shelby MS The 403rd Artillery Group organized wrestling bouts at the boxing ring on 13th Ave and 51st St. Private Mercuri won a lightweight wrestling bout over Private Meza from the 265th Field Artillery Battalion in the semifinals. Hattiesburg American 7/22/43

7/23/1943 Camp Shelby MS Results of the 403rd Field Artillery Group Obstacle Course Race on the newly opened course had Battery C 267th win first place with an average time of 119 seconds. The four man team and their times were: Sgt Walker 113 seconds, PFC Perez 114 seconds, PFC Small 113 seconds and PFC Brierly 139 seconds. Second place went to Battery B of the 268th FAB with an average time of 121 1/2 seconds. Hattiesburg American 7/27/43

7/31/1943 Camp Shelby MS The 403rd Artillery Group organized boxing events at the ring at 51st and 14th Ave. One of Charles’ Sergeant, Everett Walker made his way into the finals losing to Theodore Pysh from the 265th. Hattiesburg American 7/31/43

8/4/1943 Camp Shelby MS Captain Henry Mayfield Jr. assumed command of Headquarters Battery and Major Heenan Jr. received his promotion from Captain. Staff Sergeant Lester Swain, Headquarters Battery recently received his promotion from Private. Hattiesburg American 8/12/43. Recent promotions: To Technician Grade 4, T-5 Willard Walters: to corporal, PFC Donald Wright: To Technician Grade 5 PC Burnis Beal, PFC Howard Marsh PFC Wilford Redd, T Saunders, PVT Harold Moore and PVT John Souders. Hattiesburg American 8/4/43

8/13/1943 Camp Shelby MS 267 FAB completed Battery Test I with 89% and Battery Test II with a 84% score. The troops did occasionally mix fun with their training. When the 403rd Field Artillery Group held its first obstacle course race, Battery C won it hands down. The prize for winning was that the Battery had to put on a clown act on the course for the second race that was held on August 13. Hattiesburg American 8/12/43

8/16/1943 Camp Shelby MS PFC Brierly with Battery C was visited by his wife Gail for about two weeks. Hattiesburg American 8/16/43

8/23/1943 Camp Shelby MS PVT John Carol's wife Margaret of Yonkers joined him and they reside at 422 W 4th St. Hattiesburg American 8/23/43

8/25/1943 Camp Shelby MS Private Marsh participated in the 403rd Field Artillery Group Sing Off gave a monologue on his experiences as a soldier which was well received by the crowd gathered around the open-air stage. Hattiesburg American 8/25/43

9/8/1943 Camp Shelby MS Robert O Duden has been promoted to Corporal. Private William H Trippe and PFC Walter Bensi was promoted to Technician 5th Grade. Technician 5th Grade John C Bibby was promoted to Technician 4th Grade. Captain Gordon Murphy will attend S-2 School at Camp Polk LA. Major William B Collins will attend Officer Advanced Course at Fort Sill OK. Master Sgt G J Donnelly announced his engagement to Miss Veronica Russell. Hattiesburg American 9/8/43

9/15/1943 Camp Shelby MS PFC George McCready had been transferred from Battery B to Headquarters Battery

9/16/1943 Camp Shelby MS Charles Asztalos completes Articles of War Training

9/15/1943-9/19/1943 Camp Shelby MS 267 FAB completed unit training program with completion of Battalion Test III. Battalion Test I on 9/15 with 68%, Battalion Test II on 9/17 with 85% and Battalion Test III with 81%

9/23/1943 Camp Shelby MS 85 enlisted personnel transferred from 267 FAB to the 65th Infantry Division

Sep 24, to Nov 17, 1943 Fourth Period 1943 Louisiana Army Maneuvers/Camp Van Dorn

9/24/1943 267 FAB departed Camp Shelby to participate in Louisiana Army maneuvers. Battalion left Camp Shelby at 0630 and marched to U.S. Army Recreation Area, Natchez MS arriving at 1500, a distance of 165 miles. The weather was fair and the roads good. In 2017 the site was a city recreational area and hosted an Army Reserve Center. A few WWII buildings are still standing.

9/25/1943 267th FAB left Natchez at 0730 and marched to a bivouac area in vicinity of Zimmerman LA arriving at 1430, a distance of 133 miles. The roads were good and the weather fair

9/25/1943-11/1/1943 Leesville LA 267 FAB participates in Fourth Period 1943 Third Army maneuvers.

11/1/1943 267th FAB left bivouac area six miles north of Leesville (Fort Polk) for Camp Van Dorn at 0715 arriving at 1800 having covered a distance of 209 miles over good roads in fair weather

11/1/1943-11/17/1943 Camp Van Dorn MS Temporary change of station. Participated in Combined training with the 364th Infantry, an all-black unit

11/1/1943-11/17/1943 Camp Van Dorn MS Temporary change of station. Participated in Combined training with the 364th Infantry, an all black unit

11/15/1943 Lt Col Hinsch was killed and 2 other officers wounded by a short round from an 81mm mortar. The Army released the following statement: "During the execution of routine aritllery practice with live ammunition on the range at Camp Van Dorn, Miss, a shell from a trench mortar fell short, killing Lt Col Walter H. Hinsch of Chicago and injuring 2nd Lt James Pollard of McMinnville Tenn, 2nd Lt Clair K Sparks of Philadelphia and Pvt. Clyde R Minshall of Tyrone Ok." The injured all members of the 267th Field Artillery battalion, were immediately hospitalized and are expected to recover." Johnson City Press 11/19/43. Officers here said 1st Lt Leonard Wisniewski, who was standing arm's length of Col Hinsch at the time of the accident, escaped unharmed." Clarion Ledger 11/19/43

11/17/1943 267 FAB left Camp Van Dorn and completed march to Camp Shelby, a distance of 148 miles. Battalion departed at 0700 and arrived at 1215. The roads were good and weather fair but cold

In 2017 Centreville had the Camp Van Dorn Museum with a wealth of information about the Camp. Remnants of the base remain including the former USO Club, foundations, roads and range embankments.

Nov 17 to Dec 24, 1943 Completed 155mm Cannon Training Camp Shelby

11/17/1943-2/24/1943 Camp Shelby MS 267th FAB conducted post maneuver training

11/19/1943 Camp Shelby MS Charles Asztalos completed Ammunition Handling Course

11/22/1943 Camp Shelby MS S Sgt H G Ford, Service Battery, spent the weekend in Macon GA visiting his mother. Hattiesburg American 11/22/43

11/23/1943 Fort Bragg NC The 697th FAB (successor to the 79th FAB) responding to an urgent request by General Marshall for heavy artillery in the Italian Theater, is the first 240mm FAB alerted for overseas duty.

11/23/1943-12/7/1943 Garfield NJ Charles Asztalos takes15 Days Leave; Return to Camp Shelby MS

11/24/1943 Camp Shelby MS Major Heenan, Lt Ainslie, Lt Berkowitz and Capt Huron were visited by their wives. Hattiesburg American 11/24/43

11/25/1943 Camp Shelby MS Thanksgiving Day. Capt Jack Fugate from Battery C was married to Marilyn Hrdlicka in Houston TX at 11 am by the Rev Norman Anderson. Fugate's father was the best man. Thanksgiving dinner was served after the ceremony at the home of the bride's parents. Hattiesburg American 12/8/43

12/2/1943 Camp Shelby MS 1st Lt Frank J Bostic who came from Ft Sill OK, has been assigned staff officer of the 267th. Lt Borsic's home is Pittsburgh PA, where his wife now lives. 1st Lts Jame Pollord, McMinnville, TN, Samuel Burdick Jr, Chicago, Roy Scott, Springfield Il, Douglas Southerland Jr, St Joseph Mo, William Fleshman, Leavenworth KS, Walter King, Philadelphia PA, Leonard A Green, Manchester NH and Leonard Wisniewski, Cleveland Oh recently received their promotions from 2nd Lt. Hattiesburg American 12/2/43

12/11/1943 267 FAB completed Air Ground Test with 93%

12/14/1943 Major William B Collins assumes command and will command the 267th FAB throughout the war.

12/22/1943 Camp Shelby MS T-4 Andrew F Anderson Jr. was promoted from Pvt, Hattiesburg American 12/22/43

Camp Shelby Museum items in 2017

Camp Shelby is outside the town of Hattiesburg MS. and its train station in 2017 bears a resemblence to how it looked in the 1940's when its served as an entry for servicemen to the Camp

Dec 24, 1943 to Apr 22, 1944 Reassignment to a 240 mm Howitzer Battalion/Fort Bragg, NC

12/24/1943-4/22/1944 Fort Bragg NC 267 FAB transferred to Fort Bragg NC. Departed Camp Shelby on 12/24 arriving Fort Bragg on 12/26. Relieved of assignment to 3rd Army and attachment to XIX Corps and 403 FA Group and assigned to 2nd Army, XII Corps and 402nd FA Group

12/24/1943 Fort Bragg NC Charles Asztalos was assigned 2nd Gun Section, Battery C, 267 FAB. 267th FAB, Battery C, 2nd Gun Section consisted of 19 Personnel: SGT William F Potter, Atlanta GA; Sgt Everett L Walker, Sacramento CA; Sgt Henry A Jones, Hemlock, NC; Sgt Herbert C Myers, Wise VA; Cpl Elmer L Toth, Cleveland OH; Monroe Bailey, Monroe WV; Austin Bishop, Cincinnati Oh; Frank A Percival, Ravena NY; John C Johnston, Corning NY; Rogelio Herrera, Mission TX; Richmond Howse, Atlanta GA; George I Basher, Cavalier ND; James F Janhke, Marshfield WI; John D Mussey, Salisbury NH; Oliver W Privett, Swayer KY; Charles Asztalos, Garfield NJ

1/1/1944 3rd Army is alerted to deploy to European Theater of Operations

1/1/1944-2/13/1944 267th FAB converts from 105mm Howitzers to 240mm Howitzers (M1918M1A1 Modified Tractor Drawn for training purposes) and conducts training on new material. It is then issued 240mm M1 Howitzers which are deployed with the Battalion. Enlisted personnel were sent to Tractor School at Fort Sill OK and Tank Drivers School at Fort Knox KY. The 240mm howitzer fires a 360 lb. shell a maximum range of 14.3 miles.

1/5/1944 Charles Asztalos completed Night Infiltration Course

1/15/1944 Charles Asztalos completed Carbine Course as Marksman with score of 152

1/24/1944 Charles Asztalos reduced to Private from PFC

1/30/1944 Milano ItalyThe 697th FAB fires the first 240mm round of World War II

2/13/1944-4/22/1944 Intensive training preparatory to movement overseas when the 267th FAB departed for NY Port of Embarkation

3/9/1944 Charles Asztalos completes Hygiene and Sexual Conduct Training

3/11/1944 Charles Asztalos completes Malaria Control Training

3/14/1944 Charles Asztalos completes Articles of War Training

3/31/1944 267th FAB completed Battalion Test II with a score of 80%. Battalion received movement orders for overseas shipment (Shipment No 4945-C)

4/5/1944 267th FAB completed a modified Battalion Test III with an excellent rating

4/22/1944 267th FAB ships out by rail from Fort Bragg and arrives at Fort Slocum outside New Rochelle NY the following day

Apr 23, 1944 to Jul 23 Awaiting Deployment to European theater of Operation/New York Port of Embarkation

4/23/1944-5/5/1944 Fort Slocum NY 267 FAB was staging for deployment at Fort Slocum, NY, Fort Dix, NJ and Camp Kilmer, NJ

5/5/1944 267th FAB moved by rail from Fort Slocum to Fort Dix. Arrived the same day

5/5/1944 -6/26/1944 Fort Dix NJ 267th FAB resumed intensive training for deployment overseas. Because of its heavy weaponry and limited shipping space for units deploying for the D Day Invasion, the Army made a tactical decision to delay the deployment overseas of 240mm units until after the D Day Invasion.

5/8/1944 Charles Asztalos received vaccinations

5/17/1944-5/24/1944 Garfield NJ Charles Asztalos granted eight days leave

5/25/1944 Fort Dix NJ Charles Asztalos returned from leave

6/2/1944 Charles Asztalos receives vaccinations

5/8/1944-7/30/1944 England 267th Field Artillery Battalion Advanced Detachment was in Llanover, Monmouthshire (Cheshire county) around 5/8/1944. On 6/7/1944 it was located at coordinates VP 2394, Peover England and moved to Cornwall in July 1944

6/26/1944 267th FAB departs Fort Dix by rail and arrives Camp Kilmer NJ the same day

6/26/1944 -/22/1944 Camp Kilmer NJ267th FAB at Camp Kilmer NJ awaiting transportation overseas

7/22/1944 267th FAB departs Camp Kilmer on the ferry SS NY 22 up the Hudson River for the Queen Mary in New York harbor. Board the ship

7/23/1944 New York City Departed NYPE for European Theater of Operation aboard the SS Queen Mary at 0700

Camp Van Dorn During WWII

Centreville in 2017 has the Camp Van Dorn Museum and Remnants of the Base Remain

Camp Van Dorn Museum (above) USO Club Still Serves as Police Station (right)/Below Bunkers and Foundations Still Can be Found in Fields

The site that Camp Kilmer was located on is Rutgers University. In wooded areas the Camp's roads, bunkers and fences were still visible in 2018 as seen by these pictures. The Officers Club is still in use, as well as an old barracks. Former base buildings are still used by the Maintenance Department.

Charles sitting on porch of Dewey Street Garfield House with a Friend on Leave in 1943. That House in 2017

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The 267th Activation Mar 1, 1943 Camp Shelby MS

Mar 1 to Sep 23, 1943 Camp Shelby MS (In Garrison).

Sep 24, to Nov 17, 1943 Fourth Period 1943 Louisiana Army Maneuvers/Camp Van Dorn

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Nov 17 to Dec 24, 1943 Completed 155mm Cannon Training Camp Shelby

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Camp Van Dorn During WWII

The 267th Activation
Mar 1, 1943 Camp Shelby MS