On July 28, 1942 Edmund Panek at the age of 21 enlisted in the US military and entered into active service on April 19, 1943 at Camp Livingston, Louisiana. Assigned to the 243rd Signal Operation Company, it was stationed at Camp Livingston until March 1944 when the Company received it’s over seas duty orders. Although, dangerous enough to be the follow up troops to set up communications in liberated areas of North Africa and Italy, he was fortunate to not have to serve in a combat position but instead was assigned to being a communications switch-board operator among other duties. His World War II Active Duty Service took him to and through Cassablanca, French Morocco, Oran, Algeria, North Africa, Naples, Salerno, Pompeii, Rome, Santa Marinella, Casenza, Caserta, Follonica, Livorno, Piombino, Florence, Bologna & Alassio, Italy. His remaining days in Italy basically on R & R, before being shipped back home were in Florence and Alassio, Italy. His active duty service included eleven months state side and one year, eight months foreign service for a total of two years, eight months. He received his Honorable Discharge on December 14, 1945 at Fort Dix, New Jersey
Historical Record of the 243rd Signal Operations Company
June 1943
The 243rd begins physical fitness testing and training.
September 1943
The 243rd ordered to Louisiana Maneuver Area to relieve the 92nd signal battalion at Leesville, Louisiana for operation of communication services for Director Headquarters.
December 1943
The 243 ordered to Camp Maxey, Texas for further training and operations with the X Corps.
January 1944
243rd recalled back to Leesville, Louisiana for assisting with Western Union in the operation of commercial services.
February 1944
243rd returned to its permanent station, Camp Livingston Louisiana and alerted for over-seas service.
March 1944
243rd leaves Camp Livingston for it’s over-seas journey with 287 enlisted men, 9 officers and 1 warrant officer.
April 1944
243rd arrives at Cassablanca, French Morroco on Easter Sunday and shortly thereafter proceeds to Oran, Algeria where it was assigned to the Mediterranean Base Section 2624th Signal Regiment.
June – July 1944
The 243rd leaves Oran, Algeria and heads to Naples, Santa Marinella, Casenza, Salerno, Caserta, Livorno(Leghorn) & Follonica, Italy where it conducts communications operations and expansion of communications for the Advance Echelon, Peninsular Base Section and rendered material assistance in maintaining radio communications in the port of Piombino, Italy
August 1944 – April 1945
The 243rd rendered signal operations of the Peninsular Base Section emergency radio net and emergency message center throughout the Livorno(Leghorn) “Tuscany” region.
April 1945
The 243rd moved to and commenced signal operations throughout Bologna, Italy on the heels of retreating German forces who continued to strafe the liberated city and highways.
June – September 1945
The 243rd moves to Florence, Italy to render operations of communications for the Florence Area Command.
October 1945
The 243rd ceases operations of the Florence Area Command being relieved of duties by British Troops. On October 20th the 243rd signal operations receives orders for inactivation with some personnel transferred to other signal operations.
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