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Carlos O Haaland - 879 Views
honored by Penny and Candy Haaland-twin daughters

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Assigned: 5th Army, II Corps, 85th Custer Division, 338th Infantry Regiment,2nd Battalion HQ Company
Highest Rank: Private First Class
Entered Service: 8/1/1943
Exited Service: 1/4/1946
Foreign Service Length: 1 year, 9 months and 9 days
Continental Service Length: 6 months and 3 days
Location of Service: Italy
Gender: male
Basic Training: Fort Gruber, Oklahoma
Service Related Injury: 24th General Hospital-reason unknown
Military Position: Ammo bearer, truck driver, infantry rifleman
Place of Separation: Camp Grant, Illinois
From City: Chicago
From State: Illinois
Date of Birth: 02/1924
Date Deceased: 10/1987


	1943 Carlos Haaland entered the Army August 1943. He was assigned to Camp Gruber, OK and the 42nd Rainbow Division, 222nd Infantry, 1st battalion, anti-tank platoon, HQ company. Carlos was one of the original "Rainbow men".He trained there until Mar 1944 when he was transferred as a replacement to Ft. George, MD and shipped overseas. He was transferred to the 85th Division, 338th Infantry, 2nd BN, HQ Co. and deployed to Italy and the Gustav Line. The 338th infantry fought it's way "Up the Boot" of Italy.
	1944 The 338th, 2nd Battalion, was one of the first units to enter Rome 04 June 1944. Carlos and his regiment fought admirably in Rome-Arno, the North Apennines (Gothic Line), Mount Altuzzo, and Po Valley campaigns. They battled in 260 days of combat. For their efforts, the 338th Infantry regiment was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation (one of only 5) in this division for their performance at Mount Altuzzo. It was here the 338th broke the back of German resistance, despite incurring heavy losses. They created an important breach of the Gothic Line giving the Fifth Army passage into the North Apennines. The 338th endured the long and brutal “Lost Winter” of 1944-45 in the Northern Apennines. American Fifth Army Commander, Mark Clark, considered the Custermen the elite assault troops in the Italian campaign.
	9/18/1944 The Presidential Unit Citation reads as follows: “The 338th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy from 13 to 18 September 1944 in overcoming the German defenses on Mount Altuzzo, the key point of the Gothic Line in the division sector. Spearheading the penetration of this formidable barrier, the 338th Infantry Regiment waged a bitter hill-to-hill struggle against an enemy stubbornly defending and counterattacking again and again. This hard-fought, grim, and bloody operation, culminating in capture of Mount Altuzzo, and the stern determination of the 338th Infantry Regiment to hold this objective against powerful and fanatical counterattacks were outstanding contributions to the break-through of the Gothic Line, setting the stage for the final defeat of the Axis forces in Italy. By its actions in gaining its vital objective against the bitterly resisting enemy, the 338th Infantry Regiment, 85th Infantry Division, displayed heroism, determination, and teamwork in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army of the United States.” General Orders, No. 9, Dept. of the Army, 21 Oct. 1947.
	1945 After two ½ years of combat military service, PFC Haaland returned home from Naples, Italy on the USS Monterrey in December 1945. He was discharged on 04 January, 1946 at the Separation Center, Camp Grant, Illinois. Carlos returned home to marry Thelma (Patricia) Duncan; they had twin daughters. Carlos began his career as a life long Chicago iron worker, joining his father and younger brother. Though many years had passed, Carlos’s daughters remember his ability to sing every marching and military song he had learned in the infantry. Although, he did not talk about details of the war, Carlos had kept a photo album of his military service. When asked about the war, his reply was, “War is Hell.”

Army Good Conduct Medal
Bronze Star Medal (“for meritorious achievement in ground combat against the armed enemy during World War II in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations.”)
Combat Infantry Badge
Combat Service (Three bronze service stars for Rome-Arno, North Apennines and Po Valley.)
European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
M-1 Badge
Overseas Service (Three Overseas Service Bars-awarded for each six months of overseas duty.)
Presidential Unit Citation (For services in the 338th Infantry Regiment at Mount Altuzzo, Italy.)
Sharpshooter Badge (For rifle M-1.)
World War II Victory Medal

Click on the pictures to enlarge.


Carlos Haaland in center (dogtags), with his company in Italy at the front.	The Gothic Line, his handwriting.	His combat brothers and another adopted dog.
Carlos and his adopted dog.	Carlos in Italy, he is on the right.	The Lost Winter, Northern Appennines, Italy.
Three men in Italy. Carlos is on the right.	Carlos was sometimes assigned as a truck driver. This may be his truck, with Carlos in center.	Unknown building in Italy, possibly on return to Naples.
The USS Monterey., Naples, Italy to U.S., Dec. 1945. Carlos Haaland returns to the continental U.S.	The girls at home, with the guys hats. Top row: Cindy (sister-in law), Margie (his sister), Dottie (sister-in-law). Bottom row: Pat (his wife) and Joy (a family friend).	Carlos O Haaland before overseas departure.