SS Dagger - Robert Klass with shipping crate & capture paper

**Rossi** · 12-02-2014, 12:50 AM

Hey All,

Larry our trusted moderator encouraged me to post here. This was from a soldier named Elmer R. Lundgren. Below is some history on him and the 82nd Engineer Combat Battalion in which he served. The hand crafted wood crate made specifically to house this dagger perfectly is very nice. He shipped it to good friend Art Mattson in Duluth, MN in 1945 after the war.

Elmer R. Lundgren - WOJG / CWO - US ARMY - Member of the 82nd Engineer Combat Battalion

- Elmer R. Lundgren was born in Duluth, MN on April 23rd, 1920.
- He was 5' 11" and weighed 150 lbs.
- Was married to Grace Lundgren.
- Worked in Duluth, MN as a printer, clerk and did general office work.
- Completed 2 years of college at University of Minnesota, Duluth
- In Minnesota he lived in 5 cities: Duluth, Minneapolis. Excelsior, Chaska and Edina.
- Was in the National Guard from December 8th, 1941 until enlisting in the US Army in 1942.
- Enlisted in WWII into US Army on April 29th, 1942. His US Army number was W - 2121163
- Was assigned to 82nd Engineer Combat Battalion and activated for WWII in January, 1943.
- Served with the 82nd until November 21st, 1945.
- While he served in WWII he and the 82nd were engaged in the following countries: Africa, England, France & Germany.
- His rank to start with the 82nd was Warrant Officer Junior Grade (WOJG)
- Elmer was promoted to (CWO) Chief Warrant Officer during WWII while in England in February 1944.
- On May 6th, 1945 the 82nd Engineer Combat Battalion along with the US Forces won the war.
- The 82nd pulled out of their position and returned to the base in Normandy, France.
- Elmer returned with 82nd Combat battalion to Camp Miles Standish in Massachusetts in 1945.
- In 1997 Elmer R Lundgren died at age 77 in Edina, MN.
- He is buried at Fort Snelling Veterans National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN. His gravesite is in War Section 9-A, Row - 0, Site 471.

Highlights of the 82nd Engineer Combat Battalion - WWII:

- Captured 469 prisoners
- Destroyed 145 pillboxes.
- Used over 64,000 pounds of explosives.
- 16,000 loads of rock, cinders, gravel, and rubble and put it on roads to keep the fighting troops going from Normandy to the Elbe
- 40,000 tons of material in total moved by these troops
- Laid 2600 mines and removed 2800 enemy mines.
- Used dozers & other borrowed equipment; total of 2000 hours; buried 142 head of livestock, 105 road blocks & removed 84 vehicles
- Distributed over 2,500,000 gallons of water under all conditions.
- Constructed 26 bridges for a total length of more than 2200 feet, and, with fully as much heartache, they removed seven bridges.
- Put up 5200 feet of snow fence and 6000 feet of concertina was erected, most of it in “rotten” weather.

If you want to read the entire history please go to 82nd Engineer Combat Battalion Association. You can see Elmer’s name and rank in the history of the 82nd on this website and read all about their history and accomplishments.

SS Dagger - Robert Klass with shipping crate & capture paper

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 12-02-2014 12:50 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**maximus71** · 12-02-2014, 01:01 AM

The title made me think you were selling it but I would hold onto that beauty forever!

**Larry C** · 12-02-2014, 01:03 AM

Totally Lovely... I have removed Honeymoon photos from my wedding album to place a few of these in there. This is a splendid bring back example complete with time portal container. Typical "text book" Klaas SS dagger..tight fitted grip..excellent crossgrain.

Seeing the dagger inside this carefully crafted tomb..is almost the same as when a youngster enters their grandparents attic for the first time..taking them back to yesteryear. It just doesnt get any better than this...yet there have been some great preserved attic and barn finds..but a specially made box to accommodate the safe transport of History..is priceless. Thanks for sharing this Kirk.

Regards Larry

**weller** · 12-02-2014, 02:13 AM

Excellent Kirk, thanks for posting.
Jeff

**Walkwolf** · 12-02-2014, 02:25 AM

What Larry said.......!

**Rossi** · 12-02-2014, 03:04 AM

Thanks. Appreciate the excitement and passion each of you brings to this forum endeavor. We certainly love this game and I have to say it is great to be playing it with some super guys!!!