Gerald F. Kropp - Company K
The Museum received an email from Mr. Kropp in early June of 2005 requesting our help in having his name replaced on the Brauer Park Memorial Monument on Payne Avenue south of City Hall. He informed us that his name had appeared on the original monument. We have put him into contact with the City Engineering Department, which handled the replacement of the names on the monument. We would like to thank Mr. Kropp for his donation of this wonderful image of him in khakis during his military service. Below is a small gallery of photos of Company K, also donated to the Museum by Mr. Kropp during June 2005.
 |
CAMP SMITH- JUNE 1944 COMPANY K- 74TH REGIMENT- NYG 1st row: Corp. Masiak, Sgt Smith, Sgt. Gillian, Sgt. Marchewska, Sgt. Horan, Capt. Wolf, Lt. Black, Lt. McIntyre, Lt. Oldenburg, Lt Bushover, Sgt. Merrifield, Sgt. Kinzer, Sgt. Demler 2nd row: Cook Fritz, Corp. Hy, Corp. Stoeckel, Corp. Aganski, Pvt. Long, Pvt. Annis, Corp Licht, Corp. Conway, Cook Rosie 3rd row: Pvt. Finley, Pvt. Dolcp, Pvt. Soca, Pvt. Sommers, Pvt. Eaship, Pvt. Kovacs, Pvt. Brody, Pvt. Metticki, Pvt. Griel, Pvt. Toellner, PVT. GERALD F. KROPP, Pvt Tussing, Pvt. Kuligowski, Pfc. Bushover 4th row: Pvt. Fahldick, Pvt. Keenan, Pvt. Ellman, Pvt. Wejack, Pfc. Buzzeli, Pvt. Miller, Pvt. Arnst, Pfc. Horan, Pvt. Patterson, Pvt. Lawrence, Pfc. Lujack, Pvt.Rexinger, Pvt. Smoyer 5th row: Pfc. Metticki, Pfc. Licht, Pvt. Soca, Pvt. Greenburg, Pfc. Goldpenny, Pfc. Hedges, Pvt. Kopera, Pvt. Sidinski, Pvt. Leverentz, Pfc. Goodwin, Pvt. Osipewski |
 |
A photo of Company K, 74th Regiment, N.Y. Guard, June 22, 1944 Gerald Kropp is standing, fourth from the left . |
 |
The New York Guard included all of New York State. Company K used to go to camp two weeks a year, per Gerald Kropp. Regiments from all over New York State met together in Camp Smith for military training. The rest of the year, Company K trained at the Tonawanda Armory one weekend a month. |
 |
Company K poses for a photo in front of the Tonawanda Armory when they were activated for snow removal in January 1945 because the Tonawandas were buried in snow. Perhaps older residents will still remember that snowstorm. Click HERE to view Mr. Kropp's memories in our Letters & Comments to go along with this image. |
 |
Left to Right: Robert G. Gaul - Capt. US Army; John R. Forton - SFC US Navy; Gerald F. Kropp - PFC US Marines |