This channel is dedicated to the experiences of my grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, in the Second World War.
Mel was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1922. In 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. At first he was trained to be a medic, but by late 1943 had changed specialties and was in training to become a paratrooper. Eventually he was a member of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 82nd Airborne Division.
The 507th took part in the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. The regiment took many casualties during the campaign. My grandfather was wounded in battle a day after landing in France. He spent the next five months in England recovering from injuries.
In January 1945 he was sent back to France and assigned to a new unit, Battery D of the 431st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. While with the 431st, he helped liberate towns and villages throughout France, Germany and Austria.
In July 1945, Mel was reassigned to Battery D of the 468th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. The 468th was a part of the Army of Occupation. The soldiers in the battalion were sent to areas around Berchtesgaden, Germany. My grandfather spent the rest of the summer living and working at a hotel operated by the Army in Berchtesgaden.
My grandfather never talked much about the War. Our family has gotten a better idea of his experiences from letters, photographs, and other souvenirs that were sent home.
I will be adding more photos and postcards from time to time. Please check back periodically for updates.
If you have any questions or comments please email me at:
stefansongstad1@gmail.com
Historypin Repeats are created using the Historypin Smartphone App. They are modern replicas of your photos taken by other people or modern replicas of other person’s photos taken by you.
This Channel has no Historypin Repeats
Comments posted to your media by you or by other people.
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. He participated in the liberation of many villages and towns ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was in the U.S. Army during World War II. His family back home in Minneapolis sent him many letters and photos ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. In the summer of 1945 he was stationed in Berchtesgaden, Germany. From time ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. He participated in the liberation of many villages and towns ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. In the summer of 1945 he was stationed in Berchtesgaden, Germany. From time ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. In the summer of 1945 he was stationed in Berchtesgaden, Germany. From time ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
This is a photo postcard of the alpine village of Ramsau. It is located a few miles west of Berchtesgaden, near the Austrian border. The name ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
This is a photo of the Obersee, a lake that lies just south of Berchtesgaden. It is surrounded by the Bavarian Alps, which makes for some ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather was living in Berchtesgaden during the summer of 1945. He sent home this postcard. It has a panoramic view of the town of Berchtesgaden. ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war ended, he became part of the Army ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
This is a photo of Adolf Hitler's house. The residence, which was known as Haus Wachenfeld, was located in the mountains of Obsersalzberg, not far from ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
My grandfather, Melvin J. Songstad, was a soldier in the U.S. Army during World War II. In June 1945, he was a member of Battery D ... (read more)
A Soldier's Journey: M.J. Songstad in World War II
We have noticed that javascript either isn't supported or is disabled in your browser. This website requires javascript.
