Company "D", 39th Combat Engineer Pfc. Paul R. Umstead of Eagle Grove Iowa, arming anti-tank mines at the Anzio Beachhead, Italy - March 1944
Note that he has a M1903A3 Springfield rifle slung over his shoulder, an M1 Thompson SMG is leaning against the wooden mine transport box
Postscript for Paul Russell Umstead thanks to John Klear;
Paul Russell Umstead, born December 3, 1916 in Eagle Grove, Iowa. In 1937, he was listed as working for the Chicago & North Western Railroad as a snow shoveller. In the 1940 census, he was still listed as a ‘snow worker’
Enlisted in the Army April 21, 1942 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. Departed for overseas January 14, 1943. Returned from foreign service September 29, 1945, honorably discharged October 13, 1945
Married Maxine Sanders in 1948. Paul died and was buried in Eagle Grove in 2001, Maxine died two years later and was buried beside him.
TimeLIFE_image_1055619