PFC Allan P. Atwell

This page is dedicated to PFC Allan Atwell, who served with the 28th Military Police Platoon during World War 2. We are proud to have him as an honorary member of the 28th MP Retired Association, and thank him for reaching out to us and providing us with so much valuable history regarding our unit. The following photos and story have been contributed directly from him to our organization.

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Allan P. Atwell, PFC, U.S. Army

above: An 18 year old Allan Atwell joined the Army in 1944 and attended basic training in Camp Croft, SC.

Photos from Allan's Tour of Duty

PVT Allan Atwell, Camp Van Dorn, Miss. (USA) 08/44 just before his embarkation for Europe 

​Allan Atwell & Antonio Mirabito 05/45 Kaiserlauton 

​Allan Atwell at the Siegfried line 03/45 

Allan Atwell on guard at the Bureau de Finance Regimentaire Niedming  03/45 

above: Allan receiving the French Legion of Honor from Ambassador Francois Delattre on 6 June 2011



below: The final three remaining soldiers of the 28th MP Platoon
left to right: William Bull, Richard Baker, and Allan Atwell
Richard Baker has since passed away.

Allan's Testimony

The day following my 18th birthday I visited all the recruiting offices trying to enlist. For some reason they were not taking any enlistments, but suggested I contact my local draft board and maybe they could help. Within a week I received an official invitation from Uncle Sam to join the ranks. When my folks left me at the train station, it was the only time I ever saw my dad cry. ​

Basic Training and Beyond

  I reported first to Camp Upton on Long Island and then to Camp Croft, SC for my basic training. (In talking with fellows since who live nearby, the area has been turned into a housing development.) At that time I only weighed 155 lbs. During hand to hand combat training, I was paired with a 200 pound opponent. In practicing hip throws, you would stiffen your body when stretched over your opponent's hip. He did not throw me, but I felt something pop in my lower stomach. I suffered an inguinal hernia on the left side. 
This happened mid way during the 17 week training and was quite difficult at times. Especially during the 25 mile hike with full gear. They operated on me at the base, with no ill effects since.​
  From there I reported to Camp Van Dorn, Missouri for further training. I remember being on the rifle range when word spread that troops had stormed the beaches of France, June 6th. When word was received that we were on our way, our lst Sergeant knew he was going to be seasick. They carried him aboard, he never left his bunk, and was carried ashore. I was lucky to be assigned to the French liner "Mamitania", it was next to the Queen Mary.
  Barrels were located at the stairway. After only a short time at sea the barrels came very useful for those with seasickness. Having taken several cruises and looking back now, I was fortunate to have been assigned to what must have been the bar lounge on the top deck. I have never forgotten those poor souls assigned to decks below the water line. Being so fast we sailed alone instead of in a convey. One dark night we heard this announcement, "This is the captain speaking, we have made contact with several submarines and are taking evasive action". Following that you could feel the ship going one direction and then another. Some of the boys got their beds out and started mumbling while the rest of us started praying. Thank God none found us, because it would have been a long walk home. 

Arrival in Europe
​  We landed on the west coast of England at night in a rainstorm, then boarded a train and crossed the country, arriving on the east coast by morning. We went aboard a ship that took us near the coast of France. We climbed down landing nets, jumping into LCI's when the waves raised them up the highest. I walked ashore on Omaha Beach on Labour Day. There was still a lot of damaged equipment everywhere. As a replacement, I worked my way 
through many depots towards the front. I noticed elements of the 17th Airborne as we moved forward. Riding in the back of a 2 ½ , I hallowed, "Hi Bob." Back came the reply, "Hi Al". Robert Campbell, he was to become my future brother-in-law but neither of us knew it at the time. I tried to get permission to go back and see him but it wasn't granted. 

Assigned to the 28th Infantry Division
  Nearing the front, I was assigned to a rifle company of the 28th ID. It had been a National Guard Division from Pennsylvania before being federalized. Thank God the sector was quiet, but looking over the no man's land at night gave your imagination a lot to work with. One day another fellow and I were ordered to report back to Battalion headquarters. It was a hot sunny day with us walking across this large open field when an 88mm artillery shell burst some distance ahead of us. It had missed us and we thought nothing more until another shell burst behind us. If you have ever seen cartoon characters with little legs running that was somewhat how we may have looked. First this way and then that. Whatever, that third round never came - obviously, because you're reading this. At this point I was assigned to help guard the Div. Finance Office. Sitting around a German Bunker one dark night, the fellows were telling each other where they were from. Come my turn, I said New York. Someone asked 'What borough?" I replied, "Not the city but upstate." Another question came from the darkness, "Where?"  I replied, " Elmira." The questioner was persistent: "Where in Elmira?" "Well, not really Elmira", I replied, "but a little spot called Breesport." "Well, where in Breesport?" He turned out to be Fred Allen, who lived next door to Neva in Erin. Thousands of miles from home when you run across someone who lives four miles from you. Strange ...

Battle of the Hurtgen Forest
  In November, winter settled in with lots of snow, mud, and freezing temperatures. During the battle of the Hurtgen Forest, I lived outside in whatever shelter we could make. Days on end my feet were wet, with freezing temperatures at night. I came down with frostbite or trench foot. My feet were numb with no feeling in them. The sector was quiet, so I reported to an Aid Station. I was taken to a Field Hospital where I laid on a cot with my feet sticking out from under a blanket. If they turned black, they were amputated. There was no treatment to be had. In looking back to my medical records, I was in the 4th Convalescent Hospital from 11/24-12/13. I don't remember much about it except that we were told it had been a Belgium Cavalry facilities. 
  One day I was ordered to this room filled with many people. I was helped to stand on a table where a doctor took a sharp needle and stuck it into my toes to show I had lost feeling in them. Looking back now I wonder if that may have been a seminar of doctors looking into this problem. During this period the Germans were sending Buzz Bombs (Vl) towards England. There was little control, except they were headed west. They would be sputtering, leaving a long trail of sparks. We were just interested that they kept going. 

Battle of the Bulge, becoming an MP
 December 16th, Battle of the Bulge ! ! ! The hospital was emptied of all who could walk. I was headed forwards Bastogne as a rifleman replacement when asked if I would be interested in becoming a Military Policeman. I made a quick decision and became one on the spot.
  Our biggest concern as MP was to look for Germans dressed up as American soldiers. If a jeep had black canvas covering the lights, that would have cause for further investigation. Passwords at road blocks were a big thing. As I remember, there would not be a particular password , but one that only an American would normally know. Like players on baseball teams, or what states certain cities were in, or possibly where a river might flow and what direction. It was a little scary. I, myself, never confronted a German under these conditions - that I was aware of, anyway. 

A Glimpse of General Patton and VE Day
I saluted General Patton one day as he rode by in his sheepskin jacket and pearl pistols. VE day came along shortly afterwards with a welcome trip home. I happened to be on leave when VJ Day was announced. What a wild town Elmira was that night! Thank God! I have read since that our Division would have been in the third wave assaulting the shores of Japan. They were well fortified and would have fought to the last person. 
  The war was over and we were mustered out in a short order. I had been in the States just about one year total, and overseas one year. About a month after being discharged, Warren Skinner, (who lived across the street from 28 Dennison Avenue and a couple houses toward Chenango Avenue) worked for NYTEL CO. and interviewed me for a job. The rest speaks for itself. 

Following His Service to the Country
Allan settled in Clifton Park, New York, in 1969. His wife Neva and he had three sons, two daughters, two granddaughters and twin grandsons. ​He retired from the NY Tel Co.(later Verizon) in 1985 but continued doing telephone work for small businesses. He was also a volunteer fireman for over fifty years. He collected over 2000 miniature fire trucks from 24 counties with at least 50 fire stations. 
PFC Allan P. ATWELL 32945174 
28th MP Platoon 
28th Infantry Division 

Allan was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and European Campaign with 4 Battle Stars for his military service.