![]() ![]() WARREN WEIDENBURNER April 16, 1921 - July 20, 1994 United States Army Veteran of the China-Burma-India Theater of World War II ![]() ![]() My Dad never talked much about his years of service in CBI (to me or to anyone) and I never pressed much to hear about them. Unfortunately he passed ten years before I began work on these pages. As a result, as I compiled these pages as a tribute to him, I had mostly only images to tell the story. The images do however tell a story. The story is not of a soldier, but of a working man who happened to spend three years of his life working for the U.S. Army. Dad was a Sergeant stationed at Headquarters Company, Advance Section 3 in Ledo, Assam, India from 1943 to 1945. The mission was to supply the Ledo Road Engineers and Mars Task Force by air. Dad worked in the office of an air supply warehouse where supplies were prepared for air drop to Ledo Road engineers and combat troops operating in forward areas. Dad went to India in 1943 as part of the "4201 Shipment" of Quartermaster, Engineer, Ordnance and Medical personnel for the Ledo Road project. That project was part of the larger U.S. Army Services of Supply effort to keep China supplied and in the war against Japan. More about his time in CBI remains to be discovered . . . SCROLL DOWN OR CHOOSE FROM SECTIONS BELOW TO CONTINUE
Never having sat down to discuss his war experiences, there is very little I know about Dad's time in CBI. What I do know about his Military Service is that he was a Sergeant at Headquarters Company, Base Section 3 in Ledo, Assam, India. Base Section 3 was responsible for building the Ledo Road and supplying troops in Burma. Although he received Quartermaster training in Depot Supply and his discharge is signed by a Lieutenant Colonel in the Quartermaster Corps., there is no indication that he was in the Quartermaster Corps. He did work in the Services of Supply (SOS) which was created to deliver lend-lease aid to China and supplies to the troops in Burma. His Separation Record indicates that he "Worked in an Air Supply Office; Supervised and operated the enlisted personnel of the office." Dad's area coordinated air-drops to the Ledo Road engineers, Merrill's Marauders and the Mars Task Force. I know he had Malaria during his first year in CBI as his Christmas V-Mail for 1943 was from the 48th Evacuation Hospital. After returning to the United States in 1945 his discharge was delayed about a month by an appendicitis attack (on the way to a University of Virginia football game) and appendectomy. Included in Dad's Tribute is a brief history of people, places, and events in the CBI Theater. After visiting this site you should have a basic understanding of the CBI Theater. Links at the end will take you to other sites which will help broaden that knowledge. This site is dedicated as a remembrance to ALL who served in World War II's Forgotten Theater. Thank you for taking the time to visit.
![]() Order to Report for Induction Click image to view complete enlarged document
![]() Sgt. Warren Weidenburner 32 557 327 HQ Company Base Section, APO 689 San Francisco, California Inducted into the Army 22 September 1942 at Linden, New Jersey. Entered Active Service 6 October 1942 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Departed California for India 20 January 1943 and arrived Bombay 3 March 1943. Stationed at Headquarters Company, Base Section 3, in Ledo, Assam, India. Served 2 years, 6 months, and 1 day in the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). Departed Calcutta for the United States 21 June 1945 and arrived Newport News 20 July 1945. Mustered out 27 October 1945 at Camp Lee, Virginia. Served a total of 3 years, 1 month, and 6 days in the U.S. Army.
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![]() Camp Deolali, India. 9 March 1943. One week in India. The blanked-out word is most likely Doolally which was the common (and wrong) English spelling of Deolali. This card was actually sent to the Linden Observer and may have been published. Greetings from India 1943 Victory Mail ![]() Note the Return Address: 48th Evac. Hospital, Malaria for Christmas 1943. 84% of American Servicemen had Malaria during their first year in CBI. Cpl. W. Weidenburner 48th Evac., Hosp. APO 689 Postmaster, New York, N. Y. 18 Nov., 1943 Mr. Joseph Weidenburner 213 East Blancke Street Linden, New Jersey First of all I visited the 48th Evac. Hosp. This hospital is inactive (reserve) they have a camp just off the Assam Truck highway, about 1 mile from Margherita, between the latter town and Digboi. The Personnel live in Bashas and tents. It consists of 47 officers, 53 nurses and 235 Enlisted men. Read more of the Colonel's diary. ![]() "And a Happy New Year, old timer. Love, Warr" Sgt. W. Weidenburner - 32557327 Hq. Co. Adv. Section 3 APO 689 %PM, New York Nov. 9, 1944 Mr. Joseph Weidenburner 1586 York Avenue New York City, New York The V-Mail System ![]() Learn more about World War II Victory Mail. ![]() A closer look at the V-Mail logo shows the dot-dot-dot-dash Morse Code for the letter V indicating Victory. ![]() Most of the pictures of India were sent by Dad to his Father and had to pass the censors. Christmas Greetings Card ![]() ![]() A more traditional Christmas Card although with a CBI theme. Christmas 1943 or 1944. ![]() ![]()
Land of charm - and mosquito bites, Cobra, lizard and deadly krites! Moonlight and sun - and heat exhaustion, Walk at night with plenty of caution! Cool whispering breezes - and then the gale, With thunder, lightning, and plenty of hail! A gentle rain - and then all too soon, The endless, ceaseless, moldy monsoon! Weird music - and a jackal's howl, When he and the hyena go out to prowl! Flowing rivers - and contaminated well, Germs that make you sicker than....! Lovely butterflies - irritating ants, Especially those in the seat of your pants! Majestic buildings - and coolie's novel, Dirt you can't move without a steam shovel! Haunting perfumes - and nauseating stench, If you take a deep breath your stomach will wrench! How about the Jap and his bombs out of the blue, Hell, I forgot that he's here too! MARTHA J. WRATNEY - Red Cross ![]() Three friends were sitting around a bar, each one smoking a big black cigar, And each one's eyes were filled with tears, Each one had decided to go to war, to keep the Japs from his back door, But, each by some unearthly chance, had joined up in a different branch. The Marine rose on unsteady feet, his eyes were filled with conceit, When the war is over we'll meet again, and I'll tell you stories of real fighting men, The Sailor smiled; you will learn, when you hear upon my return, The Soldier didn't say a word and acted as he hadn't heard, I'll never brag or boast, my men until I'm sure I'm home again. They made a farewell parting bet, one that they would never forget. The one whose story was the best the beers would be paid for by the rest. The war was over and they came back drinking beer in the same old shack. The Marine with ribbons on his chest, rose to his feet before the rest, I saw action in the South Seas and shot Japs right out of the trees, I downed them like a bunch of fleas, now beat that if you please. The Sailor rose with a great big smile and laughed at the Marine for a while. Friends, he said, I really saw the flight, In Italy, England and the Reich, I killed Germans to my delight But you would lose your appetite, if I told you of every fight. The Soldier didn't say a word, and acted as though he hadn't heard, Then he hit the bar with an awful slam, and said, I WAS IN BURMA AND ASSAM. The Marine jumped up, the Sailor too, "Brother, we owe the drinks to you." For each one heard and knew too well that THERE SAT A MAN RETURNED FROM HELL. Author Unknown ![]() ![]() The staff of the China-Burma-India edition of YANK - The Army Weekly created a souvenir booklet for soldiers to take or send home. ![]() Take a flight on YANK's Magic Carpet and check out YANK - The Army Weekly ![]()
Sergeant Smith Dawless - Ledo, Assam, India, 1943 View this poem Full Screen or Other Verses by Smith Dawless. ![]() When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today. (Appears on a monument erected at the British military cemetery at Kohima, Assam, India, in memory of those who died in World War II's largest Asian land battle near there in 1944) Read about The Kohima Epitaph
USS General William F. Hase (AP-146) ![]() This is the ship my Dad sailed on for his return trip to the United States. She arrived Calcutta, India, 14 June 1945, embarked 2,500 homebound soldiers, then sailed 21 June 1945 for the United States via Ceylon and the Suez Canal, arriving Pier 8 at Norfolk 20 July 1945. More about USS General William F. Hase. Counting the days... A USS Hase crew member's account of Dad's 30-day Voyage Home in 1945 21 June - Left Calcutta India and started down the Hooghly River to the Bay of Bengal 23 June - Finally hit the open sea of the Bay of Bengal 25 June - Arrived in Trincomalee Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) 26 June - Left Trincomalee, Ceylon, homeward bound 2 July - Entered the Gulf of Aden 3 July - Passed from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea 6 July - Arrived in Suez, Egypt. Anchored. Received mail. Then entered the Suez Canal 7 July - Arrived in Port Said at the end of the Canal 8 July - Left Port Said (entered the Mediterranean) 9 July - Passed Sicily 10 July - Coast of Algiers in sight off port side all day 12 July - Passed Rock of Gilbraltar (into the Atlantic Ocean) 20 July - Arrived in Newport News Virginia Although it is nice to read now, this crew member was breaking an important rule. Keeping diaries or journals was forbidden because of the chances of one falling into enemy hands and endangering this or future sailings. The rule may have been relaxed at this point since this trip took place after V-E Day, 8 May 1945. Approximate route Dad traveled aboard USS Hase from Calcutta, India to Newport News, Virginia ![]() Another view of the USS Hase. Unlike Monticello, this ship was built in 1944 specifically as a Troop Transport and served through the Korean War. The Navy designation "AP" stands for Auxiliary Passenger, or Troop Transport. ![]() Another view of the USS Hase returning more CBI Veterans home in 1946. So you don't get lost on the ship. Cover of the program from the show aboard USS Hase. ![]() Not quite Bob Hope. Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation Ships at the Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia) Port of Embarkation. The Hase and Dad arrived here July 20, 1945. ![]() Trains carried returning soldiers to Camp Patrick Henry ![]() Then it was on to Camp Lee for separation. Around The World The journey home completed Dad's circumnavigation of the world!
Cover of General Information Pamphlet for Camp Patrick Henry. Camp Patrick Henry General Information ![]() If you read this it seems there was no time for anything! Camp Patrick Henry Map Special Service Guide Map of Camp Patrick Henry. Welcome Home Dinner ![]() Two and a half years in the jungle entitles you to a free meal! Another Welcome Home "Loose Lips Sink Ships" no longer applies.
This timeline helps to put Dad's service in the Army into better perspective by overlaying it with other events in the China-Burma-India Theater and in World War II in general. Events in Dad's military service are indicated in blue. His birthdays are marked in red and help indicate the passage of five years of a man's life. ![]() 1941 29 JAN - SECRET TALKS WITH BRITISH TO CO-ORDINATE WAR POLICY 08 FEB - ROMMEL HEADS AFRIKACORPS TO TUNISIA 11 MAR - LEND-LEASED ACT SIGNED 16 APR - DAD'S 2Oth BIRTHDAY 14 MAY - BRITISH REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE IN SINGAPORE 14 JUN - U.S. FREEZES GERMAN AND ITALIAN ASSETS 10 JUL - FIRST FLYING TIGERS DEPART SAN FRANCISCO 26 JUL - U.S. FREEZES ALL JAPANESE ASSETS 16 AUG - ANGLO-SOVIET EXCHANGE AGREEMENT SIGNED 07 SEP - JAPANESE FINALIZE PEARL HARBOR ATTACK PLAN 16 OCT - TOJO COMES TO POWER 26 NOV - JAPANESE FLEET SETS SAIL FOR PEARL HARBOR 07 DEC - JAPANESE ATTACK PEARL HARBOR 08 DEC - UNITED STATES DECLARES WAR ON JAPAN DEC - UNITED STATES OFFICIALLY ENTERS WORLD WAR II ![]() 1942 JAN - JAPANESE INVADE BURMA FEB - JAPANESE INVADE SINGAPORE 03 MAR - CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER ESTABLISHED MAR - SERVICES OF SUPPLY (SOS) ESTABLISHED 06 MAR - JAPANESE TAKE RANGOON 02 APR - INDIA-BURMA CAMPAIGN BEGINS 16 APR - USS MONTICELLO COMMISSIONED 16 APR - DAD'S 21st BIRTHDAY 18 APR - DOOLITTLE RAIDERS BOMB TOKYO 04 MAY - STILWELL RETREATS FROM BURMA JUN - BATTLE OF MIDWAY 04 JUL - CHINA DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN BEGINS 06 JUL - FLYING TIGERS BECOME PART OF CHINA AIR TASK FORCE AUG - MARINES LAND ON GUADALCANAL 22 SEP - INDUCTED INTO U.S. ARMY AT LINDEN, NEW JERSEY 06 OCT - ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AT FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY 05 NOV - MERRILL PROPOSES ROUTE OF LEDO ROAD DEC - PROMOTED TO CORPORAL AT FORT DEVINS, MASSACHUSETTS 16 DEC - CONSTRUCTION OF LEDO ROAD BEGINS ![]() 1943 10 JAN - ARRIVED CAMP ANZA, CALIFORNIA 20 JAN - DEPARTED FOR INDIA ABOARD USS MONTICELLO 26 JAN - CROSSES THE EQUATOR 28 FEB - LEDO ROAD REACHES INDIA-BURMA BORDER (36 miles) 03 MAR - ARRIVED BOMBAY 09 MAR - CAMP DEOLALI 21 MAR - ARRIVED LEDO 16 APR - DAD'S 22nd BIRTHDAY MAY - AXIS POWERS SURRENDER IN NORTH AFRICA JUN - PROMOTED TO SERGEANT JUL - MUSSOLINI OVERTHROWN AUG - SOUTHEAST ASIA COMMAND (SEAC) ESTABLISHED SEP - ITALIAN CAMPAIGN BEGINS 17 OCT - GENERAL PICK PLACED IN CHARGE OF ROAD BUILDING 31 OCT - MERRILL'S MARAUDERS (GALAHAD) ARRIVE IN BOMBAY 18 NOV - V-MAIL FROM HOSPITAL 27 DEC - ROAD REACHES SHINGBWIYANG (117 miles) ![]() 1944 JAN - ALLIES LAND AT ANZIO FEB - MASSIVE ALLIED BOMBING OF GERMANY BEGINS MAR - GERMAN TROOPS OCCUPY HUNGARY 03 MAR - ONE YEAR IN CBI 05 MAR - OPERATION THURSDAY - AERIAL INVASION OF BURMA 16 APR - DAD'S 23rd BIRTHDAY 17 MAY - ALLIES TAKE MYITKYINA AIRFIELD 06 JUN - D-DAY ALLIED INVASION OF OCCUPIED FRANCE 06 JUN - USS HASE COMMISSIONED 26 JUL - MARS TASK FORCE CREATED JUL - AWARDED GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL 03 AUG - ALLIES TAKE MYITKYINA SEP - ALLIES ENTER GERMANY 18 OCT - STILWELL REPLACED BY GENERAL ALBERT C. WEDEMEYER 27 OCT - CBI THEATER SPLIT INTO CHINA AND INDIA-BURMA THEATERS OCT - ROAD WITHIN 80 MILES OF MYITKYINA 13 NOV - CBI THEATER INSIGNIA/PATCH APPROVED 15 DEC - ALLIES TAKE BHAMO 15 DEC - WORLD WAR II DEMOBILIZATION PLANS ADOPTED ![]() 1945 12 JAN - FIRST CONVOY DEPARTS LEDO JAN - SIGNAL CORPS PHOTO 28 JAN - INDIA-BURMA CAMPAIGN ENDS 28 JAN - STILWELL ROAD NAMED 04 FEB - FIRST CONVOY ARRIVES KUNMING, CHINA 03 MAR - TWO YEARS IN CBI 07 MAR - ALLIES TAKE LASHIO 20 MAR - ALLIES TAKE MANDALAY 12 APR - PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT DIES 16 APR - DAD'S 24th BIRTHDAY 03 MAY - ALLIES TAKE RANGOON 04 MAY - CHINA DEFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ENDS 08 MAY - VICTORY IN EUROPE (V-E DAY) 12 MAY - ASR SCORE COUNT END 20 MAY - STILWELL ROAD OFFICIALLY OPENED 21 JUN - DEPARTED CALCUTTA FOR THE UNITED STATES ABOARD USS HASE 20 JUL - ARRIVED NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA 06 AUG - ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED OVER HIROSHIMA 09 AUG - ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED OVER NAGASAKI 15 AUG - VICTORY OVER JAPAN (V-J DAY) 02 SEP - JAPANESE SIGN INSTRUMENT OF SURRENDER 27 OCT - HONORABLY DISCHARGED FROM U.S. ARMY AT CAMP LEE, VIRGINIA NOV - NUREMBERG TRIALS BEGIN DEC - SENATE VOTES TO JOIN UNITED NATIONS ![]() 1946 JAN - TOKYO WAR CRIMES TRIALS BEGIN FEB - BEGINNINGS OF THE COLD WAR 02 MAR - ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN ENDS MAR - MILITARY USE OF STILWELL ROAD ENDS 16 APR - DAD'S 25th BIRTHDAY APR - CHINESE CIVIL WAR RESUMES MAY - IRON CURTAIN DESCENDS ON EUROPE JUN - REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT ORGANIZED IN ITALY JUL - BIKINI ATOLL ATOMIC BOMB TESTS AUG - GREECE VOTES RETURN TO MONARCHY SEP - VIETNAM DECLARES INDEPENDENCE FROM FRANCE 12 OCT - GENERAL JOSEPH W. STILWELL DIES NOV - ENIAC WORLD'S FIRST ALL-ELECTRONIC COMPUTER 31 DEC - PROCLAIMED END OF HOSTILITIES - END OF WORLD WAR II
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![]() More about Dad's Uniform Jacket This diagram depicts Dad's uniform jacket at the time of his discharge from the Army. Added are standard "U.S." insignia on the right collar and Army Service Ribbons above the left pocket. This is a typical U.S. Army World War II era enlisted man's jacket. There are no Distinctive Unit insignia or Unit Crest on the lapels, and no Branch insignia on the left collar. This is because Dad was not attached to any specific unit. The Services of Supply (SOS) in CBI was not a distinct unit but rather a group of many units comprised of many branches of the Army. On the right uniform sleeve (left side of image) is the Ledo Road insignia (stars on red field variation), representing the Previous Overseas Parent Unit. On the left sleeve are the CBI Theater insignia representing Current Parent Unit, Overseas Service Bars (each representing six months overseas service for a total of 30 months), and Service Stripe (representing three years honorable service). On both sleeves are Sergeant rank stripes. Above the right breast pocket is the World War II Honorable Discharge emblem. Above the left breast pocket are Good Conduct, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, and World War II Victory Service Ribbons.
![]() Click on document to view detail ![]() Click on document to view detail ![]() As far as I know, Dad always carried this laminated Honorable Discharge and Separation Record in his wallet. ![]() When original documents are not available, this form from the National Personnel Records Center can be obtained and used as proof of Military Service. Click on document to view detail
More about information in Dad's Military Documents
No Time Lost Under AW107
![]() About The Photograph The photograph has the Signal Corps. symbol on the front bottom right and has Signal Corps. markings on the back. The photo was taken and processed by the 164th Signal Photo Company (assigned to CBI). The names of the subjects are handwritten on the back as shown below: ![]() My father, Lieutenant James Savage, General Robert Cannon and General Lewis Pick are the only personnel I am able to confirm as being in the photograph. My parents visited Lt. Savage in Virginia (I believe) after the war. From research I believe I have correctly identified them as shown in the caption. The general at center appears to be General Dan I. Sultan, based on facial features, and not General Wheeler. Captain Robinson may have been Air Supply Operations officer. I am still seeking further information about the photograph. Please contact me if you can help identify the other men in the photo or have any additional information. More information from the photograph ![]() "Processed by the 164th Signal Photo Co. Laboratory Production Hq." Also indicated is "IBT" (India-Burma Theater) and "No. 153". ![]() "WHEN AUTHORIZED FOR PUBLICATION CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN PHOTO BY U.S. ARMY SIGNAL CORPS"
![]() ![]() During World War II, India was part of the British Commonwealth. Thus the King George coins. ![]() Souvenir Pillow Case ![]() Hand made souvenir from the Taj Mahal ![]() ![]() ![]() Religious books provided by the Army
![]() These CBI Veterans publications were always at hand in the magazine rack. Garden State Basha ![]() Minutes from Organization Meeting for Garden State Basha ![]() Minutes from Dinner and Installation Meeting ![]() ![]() Program from Dinner and Installation Meeting (Click to enlarge) ![]() The charter for The Garden State Basha of the China-Burma-India Veterans Association ![]() At the end of his service as Commander, he thanked everybody, especially my Mom. And they thanked him. ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The passage of time dwindled its membership and the Basha held its last official meeting long ago. The China-Burma-India Veterans Association ceased to function in September 2005. ![]() The banner of the Garden State Basha of the China-Burma-India Veterans Association. It now hangs at the New Jersey Veteran's Home, Paramus, New Jersey. ![]() ![]() "For Warren Weidenburner - Who was there, and remembers well how it was there - particularly on the Ledo Road - in Myitkyina - etc." ![]() ![]() |
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Just A Baby! (1922) SCROLL DOWN OR CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW NEXT OR VIEW AS SLIDE SHOW
Dad at age 5 Nice bicycle! (1926)
Pony Ride
Dad with Duke
The Joseph Weidenburner Family (Dorothy, Chester, Warren, Joseph)
Junior High Graduation (1935)
Linden High School Graduation (1939) ![]() December 8, 1941 ![]() 1942 - 1945
Wood Ave., Linden, N.J. - Summer 1946
Wood Ave., Linden, N.J. - Summer 1946
Dad marries Frances Laura Kapitan (September 18, 1948)
Mom, Dad, and Diane (1951)
The Warren Weidenburner Family (Warren, Diane, Frances, Jill, Carl) November 1963
Here we are again In Living Color
Mom and Dad (1973)
Mom and Dad
With grandson Joseph (1985)
Mom and Dad (1991)
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