Andrew Brozyna
"Through firsthand accounts, historical photographs, and original maps, Longshore Soldiers recounts the war time experiences of Cortland Hopkins and ten other port battalion veterans... He [Andrew Brozyna] is the grandson of Cortland Hopkins,
veteran of the 519th Port Battalion" and a former ALCO worker.
Longshore Soldiers
veteran of the 519th Port Battalion" and a former ALCO worker.
Longshore Soldiers
1. What was the atmosphere for workers like in the ALCO factories during the war?
"I know my grandfather was pleased that his work was contributing to the war effort—especially because he had been turned down by the Navy recruitment office."
2. Did ALCO workers know how their products were faring in the field during the war?
"I'm not sure what kind of feedback the ALCO workers received. The Army/Navy E-Award (discussed in my book) was there to make the workers feel appreciated, but I don't know if they were given specific information on how their tanks were faring in the field. I know that ALCO produced a wartime newsletter called Attack. I haven't seen an issue, but it's possible they might have written about how well their tanks and M-7s were doing in battle."
3. Did your grandfather get to attend M7 Day? If so, what was the atmosphere like?
"My grandfather missed the first part of the M-7 celebrations, but he was at the Erie Theater for the premier of the documentary "Desert Victory". He was very pleased to see how the Brits won the battle with the help of their work."
"I know my grandfather was pleased that his work was contributing to the war effort—especially because he had been turned down by the Navy recruitment office."
2. Did ALCO workers know how their products were faring in the field during the war?
"I'm not sure what kind of feedback the ALCO workers received. The Army/Navy E-Award (discussed in my book) was there to make the workers feel appreciated, but I don't know if they were given specific information on how their tanks were faring in the field. I know that ALCO produced a wartime newsletter called Attack. I haven't seen an issue, but it's possible they might have written about how well their tanks and M-7s were doing in battle."
3. Did your grandfather get to attend M7 Day? If so, what was the atmosphere like?
"My grandfather missed the first part of the M-7 celebrations, but he was at the Erie Theater for the premier of the documentary "Desert Victory". He was very pleased to see how the Brits won the battle with the help of their work."
