Two days later, with the company now in Fontoy, Colonel Grubbs was relieved from duty as Division
Ordnance Officer and Major James F. Sinclair assumed the position.
September 14th – and campaign number two was ended. The Battle of Northern France was won.
What, precisely, was the role of the 790th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company in this march to
victory? Statistics make difficult reading, but they are necessary to properly evaluate the worth of a unit. In the
six mouth period, from 10 March 1944 to 10 September 1944, the figures speak thusly:
One month prior to the 90th Division’s debarkation in the United Kingdom, an advance group of three
officer and three enlisted men drew the greater percentage of all Ordnance material for the Division. Upon the
Company’s arrival in the United Kingdom, they continued with utmost efficiency and speed until the Division
was fully equipped and prepared for invasion landings on the hostile shores of France. During the period 10
April to 1 June 1944, the Company’s maintenance work consisted of the highest priority jobs as follows:
a.
Installed all types of A.A. gun mounts on vehicles.
b.
Installed armor plate in combat vehicles.
c.
Constructed and installed litter racks for all Medical 1/4 ton and 3/4 ton vehicles.
d.
Accomplished modifications on Artillery weapons.
Due to the expeditious and efficient manner in which the company supplied the Division with all
Ordnance Material, the 90th Infantry Division landed on the shore of France completely equipped to engage the
enemy in combat. The period 8 June to 10 September 1944 was devoted to combat operations with the 90th
Infantry Division during which time the following jobs were accomplished:
a. Automotive
1142
b. Artillery
178
c. Small Arms
402
d. Instrument
708
e. Direct Exchanges
Mortars
112
Artillery
14
Small Arms
856
Instrument
87
Artillery contact parties were constantly avai1able for on-the-spot repairs in gun positions. Armament
and Automotive repair teams worked in Battalion positions whenever the situation permitted. The Recovery
Section maintained road clearance and recovered much Ordnance material. The following is an example of
Battlefield Recovery, in which the divisional units assisted, for the period 10 July to 10 August 1944:
Binoculars
30
Bayonet, Ml
355
Carbine, cal. 30, Ml
170
Rifle, cal. .30, Ml
750
Launcher, rocket, AT, 2.36
95
Rifle, auto Brng, M1918A2
45
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