Veteran Yankee Division Members Remember Call For WW II 20 Years Ago-This Day in Norwood History-January 12, 1961

BY LT. PETER F. CONNOR

Two veteran members of the 26th “Yankee Division”, Platoon Sergeant Oscar F. Magnuson and Sergeant First Class Vincent J. Saccone, presently members of Company E, 1st Battle Group, 101st Infantry, stationed at the Norwood National Guard Armory, remember back to that day 20 years ago when on January 16, 1941, the 26th was called into Federal Service just prior to the outbreak of World War II, on order of the President of the United States.

Sgt.Magnuson was men a member of Company G. 101st Infantry Regiment, stationed at the Norwood Armory. “Private” Magnuson reported íor drill in the same manner as always but instead of the usual notices read off by the company commander, Capt. Henry F. Barry, the men were informed that they would be placed in Federal Service for a period of one year. As it was, this year turned into a pretty long one for it wasn’t until 1946 that the division was released from Federal Duty. After spending a week at the Armory in Norwood, the men moved to Camp Edwards on Cape Cod where they began intensive training with what equipment they had.

On that fateful day in 1941, December 7th, it was realized by the men that they were in for more than a short training period. The division moved down South and continued intensified training for what they now knew was the real thing. During this time Private Magnuson was transferred from the 101st to the 328th Infantry Regiment, still a part of the Y.D. In 1944 the Yankee Division moved into the European Theatre and for seven months was engaged in combat until the final surrender in 1945. During this time, in addition to other honors, Sgt. Magnuson was awarded the Bronze Sur and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

After the war was over and the YD had been relieved from Federal Service, Sgt. Magnuson was one of the first men to join the newly organized Company M, 101st Infantry in Norwood. Sgt. Magnuson rose up to become the 1st Sergeant of Company M. After a short break in service he returned to Company M as a Master Sergeant and is now a Platoon Sergeant ln Company E since the division was reorganized into a Pentomic-type unit in 1959. Sgt. Magnuson lives with his wife and his four children at 27 Park Avenue, Walpole.

The story of Sgt Saccone closely parallels that of Sgt Magnuson. Sgt. Saccone was a member of Medical Detachment, 101st Infantry Regiment stationed at the East Newton St Armory in Boston. He spent his first week of activation going to all the armories of the Regiment immunizing the men. He spent all of his service in the 101st Infantry until it was released from Federal Service in 1946. Sgt Saccone also earned, in addition to other honors, the Bronze Star with three Clusters, and the Combat Medic’s Badge.

After he joined up as a full time Guardsman of the Vermont National Guard at Northfield, Vt He then moved back to Boston and joined up in his old outfit. Medical Company, 101st Infantry. He was the Supply Sergeant of this Company and a full-time Guardsman until May of 1959, when the division was made Pentomic, he transferred to Company E in Norwood where he is presently the full-time Supply Sergeant. Sgt. Saccone lives with his wife and six children at 33 Roel Street, Randolph. Incidentally, it might be mentioned here that Sgt Saccone’s wife is an ex-Army Nurse who tended him while he was in an Army Hospital, and since she was an officer we know who is the boss of that family.

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