***************************************************************************
2.) Error messages: Who has the new email adresses ?
Hello veterans and friends of the 75th Division !
This now is our jubilee edition no. 50, a christmas edition.
I imagine that over the peaceful days, you throw on your computer to see, if there is an email from your friends. Then you´ll find this newsline.
In this newsline, there are a lot of questions from veterans, sons and grandsons. Do you want to give a special christmas present ? Take some time and try to answer some of the questions. Can you imagine how glad somebody out there will be to renew a contact that he made 55 years ago ? Ask Jack Graber what a great christmas this could be.
So come on: The family is together now, print out the newsline, ask around for infos and send them out (with a CC to the newsline.)
If you are a vet that survived: Help those that ask for infos about
a vet that didn´t.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year !
Rolf G. Wilmink
Plettenberg, Westphalia, Germany
PLEASE UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARK: OUR WEBSITE IS
www.plbg.de/75th
*Keep five yards.
(*Means spread out so one round won't get us all.)
Rolf G. Wilmink
„German by birth, american by heart, P.I. by profession„.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For your calendar:
75th Div reunion year 2001: Denver, Col.
(more infos as soon as we have them or contact the 75th Div Vets. Assn.
President Parker, see adress below).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
List of contents:
1.) Feedback regarding newsline No. 48 ( 29 July 2000)
2.) Error messages: Who has the new email adresses ?
3.) Merry Christmas
4.) Merry Christmas and a Happy New year
5.) A letter from Donald C. Kennedy
6.) 75th Div photos
7.) Who knew Robert W. Bosley K Co., 290th Inf Reg ?
8.) Who knew Quentin Hogan ?
9.) Who knew Capt. Silas T. Dunn Jr., 75th Div., WWII ?
10.) 75th / 289th / A co.
11.) Who knew JAMES CLIFFORD JONES, PFC COF 289 INFANTRY ?
12.) New newsline member William Zimmer
13.) New newsline member Scott Peters
14.) James L. Steele, 390th of the 75th
15.) 395th Infantry
16.) 75th in Hiesfeld on 29 Mar. 1945
17.) Need book or books about the 75th involvement in WWII
18.) Film about 75th Div
19.) Info request 99th Inf Div
20.) THE GIFT
21.) A poem
22.) ME 262 S
23.) Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home Delivery
24.) MEDAL OF HONOR
25.) The Origins of TAPS - The Real Deal
26.) GI HUMOR
\\|//
(o o)
------------------oOOo-(_)-oOOo------------------------------75th DIVISION
online
**********************************************************************************
DON'T BE A LURKER.... GET INVOLVED... YOU ARE A MEMBER... MAKE THE
MOST OF IT
**********************************************************************************
(actual count: 260 members online worldwide
!)
1.) Feedback regarding our last newsline:
From: BLTYDINGS@aol.com
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 08:38:28 EST
RE: 75th Inf Div newsline no. 49 (13 Dec. 2000)
thank you very much!!!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "elmer ake" <eaker@kemba.com>
Re: 75th Inf Div newsline no. 49 (13 Dec. 2000)
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:12:23 -0800
HI ROLF
Like you I changed computers and updated and have a new ISP.I missed
your news letters very much.Now I have your new address i'll send you several
new items.
Dan Shine kept me informed on everything.Your a fine gentleman.
Elmer Ake
eaker@kemba.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jackheig@aol.com
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:15:28 EST
Re:Confirmation of Address
Goodmorning Rolf,
My address is still the same and greatly appreciate what you are doing
for the 75th Vets and their friends and realitive. Have a Great Xmas and
I will be looking forward to more news letters, keep up the good work.
Jack Heighton Co. A, 375th Medical Bn.
"The Ole Man"
Jackheig@aol.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "jcweisinger" <jcweisinger@email.msn.com>
Re: 75th Div
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 18:53:03 -0600
Address is correct and thanks for your efforts.
J. C. Weisinger
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "J.R. Puckett" <puckett5@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 22:22:55 -0600
Thanks again Rolf for sending the Newsline and for posting my Dad's
information. Keep up the good work!
Jay
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: GoddessBQ@aol.com
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 10:06:15 EST
Rolf,
This address is still good for me, but I also have a more usual one
of "bjkeltner@aol.com" that I tend to use more often, and would prefer
you send the newsletters to. (I've been using this one on message
boards debating the US election, and want to be able to block e-mail
in case I anger anyone weird.)
Hope this finds you well and looking forward to the holidays. Any updates on the historical items you had been attempting to get back? I remember that you had found some in Pennsylvania and that the man wouldn't recognize the law regarding illegal plunder. Send me some details and I may be able to devote some time to it. I live in Ohio and could try to visit the store and get a little better leverage on the situation. (Pennsylvania is huge, though, so arranging a trip depends on which end of the state he's in.) Anyway, let me know. I'm a retired attorney (not licensed in PA, just OH), and former prosecutor, so I can go in either as a customer or with the law in hand, or both.
I'm sorry I haven't volunteered sooner, but it wasn't until now that I've had much extra time for this kind of thing. I am not offering representation at this point - I must be clear about that, but I will do as much as I can to help you regain some of your town's history. I also remember someone writing that his keeping the items was a violation of a specific regulation or statute. Knowing that would be a great starting point.
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Brenda Keltner
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 05:38:41 EST
From: RWC1975@aol.com
thanks - got it - i appreciate reading the news letters via email...i have some stuff from my grandfather CPT BILL CORNER 289th cannon co. 75th i will check come stuff out and mail some photo copies to you, i am still stationed in germany in Bamberg.
CPT Rich Corner, FA
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: CTG880@aol.com
Date: Wed, 6 Dec 2000 10:50:22 EST
Hello Rolf,
Season Greatings!!!!!! My E-Mail address is still <
ctg880@aol.com >
My regular mail address is : Charles T. Gorman
6210 Latta St.
Dallas,Texas 75227-6256
Hope you are doing well and enjoying this time of year, the wife and
I are wishing you the best for this time of the year and a Happy New Year.
Thanks so much for what you have done for the 75th.
Yours truly,
C.T.
***************************************************************************
2.) Error messages: Who has the new email adresses ?
Lawni Zimmermann (75th, 289 E)
lawni@sunlink.net: User unknown
Patricia C. Gregory (daughter of L.C. G. Cooper, cook)
pgregory001@sprintmail.com: User unknown
David Savage, 289th Combat Engineers
David.Savage@wa.ngb.army.mil:
all relevant MX records point to non-existent hosts
Peter J. Van Dyke (son of vet)
svandyke@iserv.net: User unknown
Glenn Booker (75th Div UK historian)
glenn.booker@net.ntl.com: 550 Invalid recipient
Frank Zavorka (Co C.)
553 zavorka@freewwweb.com... User unknown
John F. Gassner
gass0015@tc.umn.edu: User has no email address
Dorthy McGill (75th Div HQ)
<zippedee@home.com>... User unknown
Susan D. Camp
<aprl1396@aol.com> User unknown
Pat Yooper
<yooperpat@aol.com User unknown
Don Wallace (99th Div, 394th Inf., Co L)
dwall@azstarnet.com... Can't create output
Edward Trost (75th Div SSG George Paul Trost)
egtro@email.msn.com: The intended recipient's mailbox is full.
***************************************************************************
3.) Merry Christmas
From: "J.R. Puckett" <puckett5@hotmail.com>
RE: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 20:52:52 -0600
Merry Christmas!
Here's wishing you all a very safe and Happy Holidays. I hope
you all get everything you want from Santee Claus! As you can see,
my greetings are not quite as "fancy" as they use to be...I sure miss my
MSN outlook email! God Bless you and yours.
Jay
***************************************************************************
4.) Merry Christmas and a Happy New year
From: "Jan Bos" <circle82@wishmail.net>
Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2000 13:53:16 +0100
Dear Friends, December 2000
The Bos-bunch wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and
a good start on the new year, again another year has past, time really
went fast. May the new year be a good, a peaceful a prosperous and above
all be a healthy year for all of us. Have to work again at the end of the
year, now until 2300 hrs and then off to Ans' her work. She has to work
until 0200 hrs. Just like last year I am working in the Communications
Room of the Nijmegen Police Department, 31 December will be my last day,
then back to the "old' outfit: Precinct North.
Retirement: do not know, we have to go until 60, so 13 more years to
go.
Our daughters Judith and Linda: Judith is still working at a call center/service center of an insurance company, although she likes her job, she is looking for more activity at her work. Linda is in her last semester of college and then next year she want to study some more: Management Mode, she is going in clothing.
Ans is still working at the nursing home. Se works with deaf and blind
persons, living in the home, she had to learn the sign language, very interesting
and she enjoys it very much. Linda
also learned it and I am doing my best, although having lots of trouble
with it. Ans and I were married on 31 October 2000. We celebrated our 25th
wedding anniversary on the Dutch island Vlieland, on the northern coast.
We have been there often, but now it stormed and the sea was wild, we had
a good time over there. Judith and Linda, their boyfriends and my mother-in-law
were also with us. We spent our summer vacation in Switzerland, A beautiful
country, we saw a lot in the Jungfrau region (Berner Oberland) and went
to the Jungfrau joch (the highest point in Europe) and walked in/on the
eternal snow, unfortunately, times "flies" and our vacation was over. Maybe
another time.
As for myself. I am still a Sergeant at the Nijmegen Police Department
with 26 years of active service on 1 September 2000. My hobby: still the
same, always busy with the history of World War Two. The name of our Liberation
Museum 1944 changed into "National Liberation Museum 1944-1945" in 1999
and the re-opening will hopefully soon. There has been a major expansion,
progress is slow - still working with volunteers in the museum. There is
a diorama dedicated to the brave paratroopers of the 504th Regimental Combat
Team. The scenery has a beautiful background painting, showing the river,
boats in the river, the opposite bank, the bridges of Nijmegen, explosions
around the boats, men swimming for the lives. In the
foreground sand (taken from the original landing site of the Waal River),
a boat and some 6 mannequins in uniforms (M-43 / M-44 models). There is
also a replica of a Waco CG-4A glider cockpit. Beautiful done. Models of
a C-47 and Waco glider will be up again, hanging from the ceiling, pictures
have to be added, etc. Still a lot to do.
I still think that E-mail is very great, about 95% of my correspondence
is by E-mail. I have over 750 contacts in my E-mail address book, almost
all in the United States. Others of course in Holland, Vicenza (Italy),
Belgium and England.. Since early March 1998 I discovered the advantage
of going on Internet and corresponding by E-mail. I joined the Dutch Dakota
Assn.
The Association has two flyable DC-3s, a DC-4 and several smaller planes.
It was a birthday gift. I have been in the hanger once and enjoyed it very
much. One day I'll fly with that wonderful plane.
I missed Memorial Day on the American Military Cemetery at Margraten (again), but went another day to pay my respects to the men and women buried at Margraten. Members of the Groesbeek Airborne Friends presented a wreath on Memorial Day.
Three years ago we (Historical Section of the Liberation Museum) published
the book Roll of Honor 82nd Airborne Division World War Two. We are still
working on a similar book for the 106th Infantry Division and the 101st
Airborne Division. The one for the 101st is almost ready and will be printed
next year. In the meantime our Historical Section was asked by Turner Publication
in Kentucky to make a Roll of Honor for the 75th Infantry Division and
our Roll of Honor is in the history book of their division, although not
as we wanted to have our Roll in it. In the meantime we were asked by Turner
Publication to make a Roll of Honor for the 26th Infantry Division, again
we agreed to cooperate and three members (including myself) are working
hard on that Roll of Honor, takes time to complete it, but I was really
disappointed that the book went to Turner's presses without our Roll of
Honor, a waste of time.
Nobody informed us about the deadline, although we asked for it several
times. But still working on.
I started to make a Roll of Honor for the Troop Carrier Groups, and I think that I have them all. But there is still a lot to do. I have to check microfiches, check the information with the Weekly Burial Files we have, check this again with other sources, like the National Cemeteries in the United States. Their Directors are very helpful supplying us with information. The only thing we ask them are the dates of burial (if not known to us), and the plot and grave number, once in a while I ask for a picture to add to our books. When the book will be ready for print: do not know, hopefully in 2002. There are so many units I would like to get done and one day others divisions will follow. Our small committee (four persons) have all full time jobs and families to take care off and everything has to be done in our free time.
Sicily 1943-1999-2001:
Since I would like to write a manuscript on the invasion of Sicily
and especially about the "friendly fire" disaster of 11 July 1943, I flew
to the island on 19 October 1999. I stayed 5 days in Sicily. I visited
the invasion beaches, the Ponte Dirillo monument on Highway 115 (here the
505th Parachute Infantry had a hard time beating off the attacking Germans
- the paratroopers lost many men on the ridge and bridge). I visited places
like Gela, Licata, Scoglitti, well known names to the men who were there
in 1943, also visited several locations were C-47s (shot down by "friendly
fire") crashed. Also met a group of veterans from the 505th paratroopers
and three veterans from the 316th Troop Carrier Group. One of them (John
Hoye) was shot down on 11 July 1943 with his plane, his crash site was
between the mountains and Biscari (renamed into Acata in the early 50's).
The hotel owner (Salvatore Mancini) just found out about a crash site some
400 yards from his hotel. I already had information on that crash and I
gave him copies of documents of that C-47, that belonged to the 61st Troop
Carrier Group.
His (grand)parents had buried the crew, killed in the crash next the
wreak. Salvatore showed me the fields and we found all kinds of glass from
the cockpit window, pieces of aluminum of the plane, pieces of leather,
just below the surface. One morning a friend of his came with a metal detector
and we found more. Salvatore wants to erect a monument dedicated to the
crew in the field and wants to have a ceremony. The highlight of my stay
in Sicily was a flight in Salvatores plane. His hangar with his plane was
between the 61st crash site and the hotel, we took off, headed out to sea,
turned around and flew exactly the same course as the Troop Carrier planes
with the 504th and 505th Regimental Combat Teams did during the nights
of 9-10 and 11-12 July 1943. I took many pictures of the places I had visited
on the ground.
Friends of Salvatore are scuba divers and know the location of a C-47 below the surface off the coast of Scoglitti, the divers already had retrieved a propeller from the plane. I asked to go out again when time and the weather permits since I would like to have a souvenir from the plane. I want to have one of the clocks from the instrument panel. Do not know when they will dive again, the water is very dirty around the location, due to a oil refinery, some 10 miles further west, a lot of oil tankers come there to get the oil.
I will be back in Sicily next year. I want to visit the region again and be part of Salvatore's commemoration at the crash site. With me will be Gerrie Franken (he is a member of the Historical Section of the museum too). >From the States John and Bette Hoye, Ben and Cecilia Kendig, Lee and Esther Ross (the men were veterans of the 316th Troop Carrier Group (John Hoye who wants to find the location where he crashed on 11 July 1943) John and Mary-Ann Vidumsky (his brother Stephen - a 505th paratrooper - was killed at Ponte Dirillo), maybe Sue Smith a niece of James Daniels - 505th - killed near Vittorio, hopefully Wanda Dishman (niece of Lt Shetterly of the 61st Troop Carrier Group, killed in the crash near Mancini's hotel. It might be possible that there will be more friends from Holland or the United States who wants to attend the ceremony and see around in souther Sicily. I am working having paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (including 508th Parachute Battalion) - stationed at Vicenza in northern Italy to jump on the fields near the crashsite prior to the ceremony - this in honor of the paratroopers killed in Sicily, also would like to have US fighter planes flying over in a "missing man formation"in honor of the Troop Carrier men killed. I am in contacts with several officers at Vicenza, who I have met at dropzone N at Groesbeek when they jumped there a couple of weeks ago. Hope the drop/jump can be arranged.
Best wishes from Nijmegen, hope we will meet again, on behalf of the Bos bunch,
Jan Bos E-mail circle82@wishmail.net
Dukaatstraat 5
6532 RE Nijmegen
Holland
***************************************************************************
5.) A letter from Donald C. Kennedy
I recieved this letter months ago and just found it again. Please help !
From: Donald C. Kennedy, Mashpee, MA
Dear Herr Wilmink,
altough I have a computer it has no internet capability and I am unable to thus contact you in that manner. I am in the process of writing my memoirs of WWII at the request of family members so that all is not lost to them.
A friend obtained your name from the internet and I am writing you hoping that you can answer a question for me, prior to which I should inform you that I had been a member of the 422nd Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division in April 1944 but was trasnferred to I Company of the 290th Regiment of the 75th Infantry Division and fought in Bilge, Alsace Lorraine and the Ruhr. I am pretty well set with the details leading up to the end of the war in Europe but have trouble locating the town in which I believe I Company was quartered administrating and policing the town and perhaps the local area.
As I now recall these many years later the name of the town was Werenhausen,
Weringhausen, Uber Finnentrop, Westphalia. (from the moderator: it was
Weringhausen, part of the city of Finnentrop)
My memory is not good about the war and the name might well be wrong
but I hope you can set me straight as to whether or not there is or was
such a town.
In I company I was a PFC in the forth platoon as a member of a 60 MM Mortar crew. Two of us, myself and another enlisted man along with an officer remained in the town for several days after the Division moved back to France. We remained there until replaced by members of the British Army who took over control of this area.
I have spent most of the intervening years trying not to recall the war and find it difficult to remember things now. Any help you can give me will be appreciated.
Sincerely
Donald C. Kennedy
12 Watson Drive
Mashpee, MA 02649
United States
++ From the moderator:++
I have no phonenumber here, but if you have some infos, could you call
him ? Thanks !
++ ++
***************************************************************************
6.) 75th Div photos
From: "Eddy LAMBERTY" <eddy.lamberty@village.uunet.be>
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 01:00:46 +0100
Dear Sir,
Thank you for the check-up message. I'm also very late in writing to
all my friend in the U.S.A. I had hope to send to you sooner some pictures
of my meeting with veterans of the 75th Div last October. I followed the
group during their three days in Belgium. What a great chance for me to
spend time with our liberators and their families.
I'm joining two pics of that visit. Are interested to get more pics
for the next issue of the Newsline.
With my best wishes
Eddy Lamberty
***************************************************************************
7.) Who knew Robert W. Bosley K Co., 290th Inf Reg ?
Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2000 06:23:42 -0800 (PST)
From: bill murray <wmurray70@yahoo.com>
Hello...My grandfather, Robert W. Bosley was in K Co., 290th Inf Reg.
I grew up hearing war stories. My grandfather is now dead. I want to thank
you for keeping the memory of those veterans alive. I am very interested
in any phothographs or publications about the Division. My family had two
Army publications given too veterans at the end of the war. They have been
dispersed among the family. I would like to purchase a republication of
these books or any new work your group may offer. If possible please respond
to this mail. It is a very dear issue to me. Also I am sorry to say our
family has done of the artifacts you are looking for. Its a shame we don't
have any because we would return them. I wish your town luck in recovering
these pieces of history.
Bill
-------------------
Dear Sir,
thank you very much for your message. It will be published in the next
issue of our 75th Div email newsline. The latest issue was coming out yesterday,
I will send it to you with a seperate email. You are already in the subscription
list for the newsline, so you will get in contact with all the veterans.
The 75th Div also has a veterans association, you can find the adress of
their president at the end of the newsline.
If you are looking for the latest book about the 75th, here it is:
"75th Infantry Division"
Turner Publishing Company
Paducah, Kentucky
(270) 443-0121
Published 1999
ISBN: 1-56311-443-7
I hope I could help you with these first informations.
Greetings from Germany
Rolf G. Wilmink
***************************************************************************
8.) Who knew Quentin Hogan ?
From: CDADBayer@aol.com
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2000 17:16:30 EST
Request for 75th Divison Information
Dear Mr. Wilmink,
My great uncle asked me to make inquiries. His cousin and close childhood
friend--Quentin Hogan-- died Jan. 15 1945 serving with the 75th Division.
My great uncle wants to know what happened to his childhood friend.
I believe I need to find which regiment Quentin served with in order
to find out more about his last days, as requested by my great uncle. If
you could direct me where I could find the regiment or suggest sources,
your help is appreciated.
Thank you,
Chris Bayer
***************************************************************************
9.) Who knew Capt. Silas T. Dunn Jr., 75th Div., WWII ?
From: "Si Dunn" <sidunn@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Nov 2000 20:16:25
Hello,
I am trying to find anyone who might have known my father, Capt. Silas
T. Dunn Jr., or have information about him. He was a classification officer
with the 289th regiment of the 75th Infantry Division and was from Pine
Bluff, Arkansas. He received a Bronze Star in 1945. He also was awarded
the Purple Heart, but my memories from childhood of why he received it
are not clear. I think he may have been wounded in January 1945, possibly
when a German plane bombed the 289th HQ. I believe that several enlisted
men and an officer were killed in that incident. And several others were
injured.
Any information from anyone would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Si Dunn
Denton, Texas
sidunn@hotmail.com
***************************************************************************
10.) 75th / 289th / A co.
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2000 22:39:26 -0600
From: Mark Bain <mbain@InfoAve.Net>
Hello;
My dad was in the 289th during WW2. I was wondering if anyone knew
of a good book or something with some helpful information on the 289th,
and any good books on the 75th would also be appreciated. Thanks.
I was looking through your lists of documents and ran across "From Breckinridge
To Braunlauf". What is that, a book? Can I get a copy of it. Looks as if
the author who wrote the book was in my dad's Battalion.
Thanks
P.S. Thanks Mr. Wilmink for all that you have done, and do.
Mark Bain
Rock Island, TN
***************************************************************************
11.) Who knew JAMES CLIFFORD JONES, PFC COF 289 INFANTRY ?
MY DECEASED FATHER WWII VETERAN
From: james jones <jones75@ivnet.com>
Date: Mon, 04 Dec 2000 23:35:39 -0600
GENTLEMAN, I AM TRYING TO GATHER ANY INFORMATION ON MY FATHER THAT SERVED
IN THE 289TH INFANTRY REGIMENT THAT WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 75TH INFANTRY DIVISION
IN WWII.
I KNOW HE RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART AND OTHER MEDALS BUT I DONT HAVE
ANY OTHER INFORMATION. INFORMATION ON HIS TOMBSTONE IN MEMORIAL PARK TULSA
OKLAHOMA READS AS FOLLOWS,
JAMES CLIFFORD JONES, PFC COF 289 INFANTRY WWII BSM +OLC-PH AUG 14 1925 AUG 15 1962.
I AM A SURVIVING SON THAT DIDNT GET THE CHANCE TO KNOW MY FATHER, HE PASSED AWAY WHEN I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD AND NOONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT HIS ARMY HISTORY FOR SOME REASON. I THINK I SHOULD KNOW WHAT HE DID AND WHAT HE SACRIFICED FOR THE PEACE OF THIS GREAT NATION. MY KIDS ASK ME WHAT GRANDPA DID IN THE ARMY AND I CANT EVEN TELL THEM, THATS SAD DONT YOU THINK. IF YOU CAN HELP ME IN ANY WAY PLEASE LET ME KNOW, IT WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED.
HIS SS# WAS 445-20-9976. SERIAL # 38590980.
XC#22007997, HONORABLE DISCHARGE 2-13-46 CAMP CHAFFEE ARKANSAS.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. JAMES R. JONES
***************************************************************************
12.) New newsline member William Zimmer
From: "WSZsr" <wsz@earthling.net>
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 07:26:38 -0600
Rolf,
Thank you.
My father, George J. Zimmer, was in the 75th. I found your website
about a year ago and told him about it. He recently found the son
of his commanding officer (who died recently) and started to exchange stories.
Thank you for your hard work.
William Zimmer
Round Rock, Texas
***************************************************************************
13.) New newsline member Scott Peters
From: "Scott Peters" <scottrpeters@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2000 11:41:06 -0500
Herr Wilmink,
Please add me to your subscriber list. I am the grandson of a
75th div, 290 regiment soldier who was killed in Ardennes Jan. 19th, 45.
I am seeking any information I can find on Lawrence Craig Fenstermaker,
my grandfather that I can.
Thanks so much!!
SCOTT PETERS
9225 Union Church Rd
Covington, Ohio 45318
USA
(937)473-3594
scottrpeters@hotmail.com
***************************************************************************
14.) James L. Steele, 390th of the 75th
From: James Connelly <jconnell@azleg.state.az.us>
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 09:06:37 -0700
Dear Mr. Wilmink:
I am doing research on an individual named James L. Steele who was a
member of the 75th and KIA on March 29, 1945.
I was wondering if you could help me find more information on him.
James L. Steele
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
39334815
390th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Division
Entered the Service from: Oregon
Died: March 29, 1945
Buried at: Plot E Row 5 Grave 7
Netherlands American Cemetery
Margraten, Netherlands Awards: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Thank you
James Connelly
++ From the moderator:++
As far as I know, the 75th Inf Div did not have a 390th but a 290th
Regiment, but it seems that on the margraten gravestones, the numbers are
wrong. Is my information correct ?
++ ++
***************************************************************************
15.) 395th Infantry
From: "Craig/Holly Peton" <peton@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2000 19:42:18 -0500
Dear Sir,
My name is Craig Peton and I am currently a LT in the U.S. Navy.
My grandfather fought in the Battle of the Bulge under the 395th Infantry.
His name was Stanley J Peton. I was trying the find out more information
about his time over there when I came across your website. Do you
know of a similar website for the 395th?
Any help you could give would be much appreciated.
Very respectfully,
Craig Peton
***************************************************************************
16.) 75th in Hiesfeld on 29 Mar. 1945
From: "Gary Osterbeck" <goste@gaslightmedia.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2000 15:09:02 -0500
The 75th was in Hiesfeld on 29 Mar. 1945. Is there any history you can send to me. My ancestors owned s big farm in the immediate vacinity.
Thank You,
Gerhard F. Osterbeck (Oesterbeck)
-----------------
Rolf,
Thank you for the reply and listing of Oesterbecks. I correspond regularly
with Friedrich who lives on Tannenberg Str. in Oberhausen. I have
been there a few times to visit.
I will pass the list of names on to them for I am sure they are all
relatives.
Thank you for your help, I am also most interested in the history of
Hiesfeld.
Gary Osterbeck
***************************************************************************
17.) Need book or books about the 75th involvement in WWII
From: JBenner123@aol.com
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 16:47:07 EST
Please send me any info on such books, so I can purchase for my father
who was in WWII in the 75th.
Thanks for your help
Jack Benner
33 Susquenita Hill Road
Duncannon, Pa. 17020
***************************************************************************
18.) Film about 75th Div
Return-Path: <DCampbell@oiltools-eurafr.com>
From: Donald Campbell <DCampbell@oiltools-eurafr.com>
Datum: Fri, 24 Nov 2000 13:44:21 -0000
Dear Mr. Wilmink
I would be grateful if you could send me some information regarding
the footage taken by 75th division in Germany, as per your website
http://www.plbg.de/75th/footage.htm
including prices etc. Can I specify the sequences I wish to purchase or ? Is it possible to order stills?
Thank you in advance,
Regards
Donald Campbell
donnycam@netscapeonline.co.uk
++ From the moderator:++
Does somebody know, if there is a video existing with all footage about
the 75th Div ?
++ ++
--------------------------
From the newsline:
Dear Sir,
we do not sell these films, we just listed them for interested persons.
You can purchase the films from the National Archives. The webadress
is www.nara.gov and the email adress for the motion picture deprtment
is: mopix@nara.gov
I will include you in our 75th Div email newsline, so you can get in
contact with all veterans of the 75th that are online. I will publish your
request there, maybe someone already has the films.
Greetings from Germany
Rolf G. Wilmink
-------------------------
Dear Rolf
Thank you for your kind reply and offer. I am particularly interested
in the surrender ceremony filmed in Iserlohn if you could mention this
in your newsline. Thank you once again,
Regards
Donald
++ From the moderator: ++
If I remember right, Iserlohn surrendered to 99th and not to the 75th.
++ ++
***************************************************************************
19.) Info request 99th Inf Div
From: "Sales Department" <sales@ncmt.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 11:03:08 -0600
Dear Sir,
Where would I receive info on the following:
"Battle Babies" The Story of the 99th Inf. Div. in WWII
My father was a communications chief with:
HQ Company, 1st Bn,16th
Infantry regiment.
I just want to find out a little more about their activities.
Kind regards,
Bud Moore
Bud@ncmt.com
***************************************************************************
20.) THE GIFT
From: "carol bradley" <bradley_carol@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 03:39:41
THE GIFT
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SANDS,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KIND,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.
The following is his request. I think it is reasonable....PLEASE. Would
you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can?
Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S. service
men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make
people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves
for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed.
***************************************************************************
21.) A poem
From: "Eddy LAMBERTY" <eddy.lamberty@village.uunet.be>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 16:51:54 +0100
>> > As I was walking down life's
>> > highway many years ago
>> > came upon a sign that read
>> > Heavens Grocery Store.
>> >
>> > When I got a little closer
>> > the doors swung open wide
>> > And when I came to myself
>> > I was standing inside.
>> >
>> > I saw a host of angels.
>> > They were standing everywhere
>> > One handed me a basket and said
>> > "My child shop with care."
>> >
>> > Everything a human needed
>> > was in that grocery store
>> > And what you could not carry
>> > you could come back for more.
>> >
>> > First I got some Patience.
>> > Love was in that same row.
>> > Further down was Understanding,
>> > you need that everywhere you go.
>> >
>> > I got a box or two of Wisdom
>> > and Faith a bag or two.
>> > And Charity of course
>> > I would need some of that too.
>> >
>> > I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost
>> > It was all over the place.
>> > And then some Strength and Courage
>> > to help me run this race.
>> >
>> > My basket was getting full but
>> > I remembered I needed Grace,
>> > And then I chose Salvation for
>> > Salvation was for free
>> > I tried to get enough of that
>> > to do for you and me.
>> >
>> > Then I started to the counter
>> > to pay my grocery bill,
>> > For I thought I had everything
>> > to do the Masters will.
>> >
>> > As I went up the aisle I saw
>> > Prayer and put that in,
>> > For I knew when I stepped outside
>> > I would run into sin.
>> >
>> > Peace and Joy were plentiful,
>> > the last things on the shelf.
>> > Song and Praise were hanging near
>> > so I just helped myself.
>> >
>> > Then I said to the angel
>> > "How much do I owe?"
>> > He smiled and said
>> > "Just take them everywhere you go."
>> >
>> > Again I asked "Really now,
>> > how much do I owe?"
>> > "My child " he said,
>> > "God paid your bill a long,
>> > long time ago."
***************************************************************************
22.) ME 262 S
From: "elmer ake" <eaker@kemba.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2000 12:05:38 -0800
Hi Rolf
Maybe you can use this in your next news letter.I seen a letter from
a friend and remembered this.
Either March or April1945 we captured an air field at Inglestadt. (Ingolstadt),on
the tarmac and in a hanger was two strange planes with no engines or propellers.Because
of booby traps we were afraid to touch them.We notified Batt,Hdqs,They
went through channels and in a couple hours a c47 landed with Air
Force personnel.
Heavy equipment and mechanics dismantled and took the planes away.
Two weeks later they were at Wright Patterson field at Dayton Ohio.
One is still on display.These were the first ME 262 jet planes.Several
times we had been strafed by strange sounding planes.These were them/Istill
have the Luftwaffe insignia the base personal threw away.That I sent home
as souvenirs
Elmer Ake
SPITFIRE
Sometimes a
winner can be weak and small
Sometimes a few hundred men can take it all.
In 1940 England had her back to the wall
The retreat from Dunkirk left her Army weak and small.
Now Goering promised the English will crawl
When the Luftwaffe brings them too their knees this fall.
Proud people don't crawl on their knees
You stand and fight and don’t give up your arms to please
Some mad dictator in a foreign land
Who surveys his marching soldiers with upraised hand
Too rule the world is what he has planned
But in his forward march,the proud English stand.
The Luftwaffe
was a magnificent flying German arm
The flyers well
trained and feared no harm.
In Poland and
in the mad dash West
They proved
their superiority,they were the best.
Now England
stands alone to meet the test
Only the RAF
stands to stop Hitler’s quest.
Airmen on the
island bases rose to ward off the German power
With a secret
weapon known only as Spitfire.
With their Spitfires
the RAF faced the Stukas that fall
Now we can’t
say the airmen had a ball
Because too
many of them heard the trumpets call
And now as hero’s
they sure stand tall.
How many Germans
saw as they flew over
Spitfires waiting
at the white cliffs of Dover,
And witnessed
their comrades go down in flames
And saw Stukas
plunging into the river Thames
And people at
home who read the list of names
Of men who died
knowing the British Lion can’t be tamed.
Now the English
channel is a watery grave
For German Airmen
who crossed in wave after wave,
With the Radar
towers that streched along the coast
The RAF with
it’s Spitfire’s and Radar sure can boast
They were Englands
only fighting host
And the Germans
learned to fear them the most.
Looks likeSir
Winston seems to have said it best
In a speach
he praised the men who met the test
Never in the
history of man have so many owed
Their all to
so few who bore the load
We thank and
praise these men who rode
Their Spitfires
while the seeds of Victory they sowed;
Elmer Ake
GRETA
My name is Greta
i'm 35 years old and I was a soldiers spouse
My home in Berlin
is now a bombed out house.
My husband died
fighting the Russian foe
He sleeps some
where in a grave thats hidden by snow
He can no longer
see the battle eb and flow
And my misfortune
he cannot know.
Our fourteen
year old son grew up a Hitler youth
Too young to
seperate the lie's from the truth.
He believed
the Nazi party would always win
Now he too perished
in the ruins of Berlin.
And thousands
more innocents sleep with him
The rubble of
our city is bloody and grim.
The bombers came
every day and every night
They destroyed
every thing in sight.
Like Dresden
the city of Berlin burned for days
The people survived
in sewers and under ground cellar bay's
No food and
sleepless nights,and now Russians in the month of May.
Are here to
make us pay for the wickedness of our ways.
Night and day
the battle for Berlin filled our hearts with fear
We lost every
thing that we held dear.
We heard that
Hitler in his underground bunker also died
And Joseph Goebels
and his family all comitted suicide
And how the
women pleaded begged and cried
And from the
Russians crawled and tried to hide.
In May when the
once great city of Berlin died
The survivors
crawled out of the ruins,looked around and cried.
Too the victor
belongs the spoils it has been said
And these are
the victors we began to dred
All civilized
thoughts they quickly shed
And showed us
the horrible side of Ivan the Red.
All females from
nine to ninety were subdued and raped
The Russian
masters were now being shaped.
Any female that
fought and wouldn't comply
Soon learned
to accept the master or die
You couldn't
resist you didn't even try
After ten or
twenty soldiers had their way,you couldn't even cry.
Now I close my
eyes and look back in time
And remember
things that once were mine
I remember Deutschland
über alles we would sing
And the loves
that were my reason to cling
To my Berlin
and all we lost to war that spring
My Fatherland
I gave you my everything.
Elmer Ake
***************************************************************************
23.) Chicken Soup for the Soul: Home Delivery
From: "carol bradley" <bradley_carol@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2000 23:20:03 GMT
Scattered Memories
And now the tears come, two and a half decades later. I ache for all we lost in Vietnam - our buddies, our relatives, our innocence.
I'm no heroine. I joined the Army Nurse Corps to go to Europe; that's
what my recruiter promised me. I was 21 years old when I was ordered to
Vietnam. I stayed 364 days. I cared for the sick, the wounded and the dying.
I did the best I could. I am only coming to know that now.
For almost 20 years, I never spoke about that time, that place - I
buried my memories, my anger and a large part of "me" deep, so deep, just
wanting to forget; wanting to feel peace.
I only spoke to Sue about it because she was there too. Years later
in the Army Reserves, once again in fatigues and combat boots out on field
exercises, we'd turn to each other, never making the connection of physical
circumstances.
We'd tell each other funny war stories, and we'd laugh. Then one of
us would remember, and share, and then we'd cry.It would be months or maybe
a year before we would repeat the scenario.
In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) was placed in our nation's capital. I saw pictures of it and the vets on television or in magazines, and it brought out emotions in me that went way beyond tears. And I, like many vets, knew it wasn't over. We knew we had to go there. We didn't know why, we just knew we had to go. The Wall was calling us home.
It took me five years to answer. Sue and I went together. At first, we stayed far away in the trees. "Tree-Vets," we're called. Then a picnic on the grass behind. The Wall where we could see the visitors' heads moving along as their walk took them deep into the V of the black granite. Our first frontal maneuver came at night - arm-in-arm, supporting each other, ready for retreat, we walked the length of those names, our tears camouflaged by the night. Even there, even then, we rarely spoke about the war, not even to each other. And we never wore anything or said anything that identified us as Vietnam veterans.
1992 was the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Sue
couldn't come, and I did two things I'd never done before - I went alone
and I went in uniform. I wore my current dress uniform with the rank of
Lieutenant Colonel, and all the insignia, medals and decorations that tell
a very specific story to those who know how to read it. I could never have
anticipated what happened to me there. I wrote Sue that night:
I carried you with me when I went to The Wall. I had the strength to
be there, but I didn't feel the entitlement. I did put on a brave front.
No raggedy remnants of faded fatigues or sun-bleached boonie hats for me.
I stood heads above the crowd - proud (at long last) in my Class A's. My
chest of ribbons saying loud and clear, "I'm a vet, too. I was your nurse.
Honor me. Reach out to me. Please, help me to heal."
And they came. They were there for you Sue. Oh, I wish you could have been there! You would have been so touched; and it was you who deserved what I received. God, but it felt so good to cry the tears that for so long we held, and covered with our laughter, and let the years bury so deep. They came, the 40-something vets looking so much older than their years. Some with the same eyes that we saw back then, the pain still very much with them. They hugged me and held me, and most smiled through tears as they tried to speak. They want you to know they remember that you were there for them, and they're grateful. You saved some of them and cared for them and for their buddies. They love you. You were their nurse.
I saw him hesitate at the edge of the crowd, then urged on by a friend
the WWI vet came forward. With crippled and deformed hands, he stood as
tall as his 86 years allowed and saluted me. I smiled as my eyes filled
with tears and returned his salute. He was mortified that he might cry.
I hugged him as his friend took our picture. He spoke volumes in the simple
words, "Thank you."
It was a strange déjà vu. Remember when the GIs would
always take our pictures? They still do. And all those eyes looking at
us - how we learned to look right in them and say, "It's okay, you're gonna
be just fine."
It's not so hard to see The Wall now, to be near it, to feel its presence, to feel their absence. We're going to be okay. It's time to heal, my friend...to know that you did everything you could, and more; that it mattered that you touched those lives.
Next year we'll stand together when the Women's Memorial is dedicated, and we can begin to forgive ourselves for our imagined slights and shortcomings and our human frailties. And we can begin the process of healing ourselves and coming to peace with our memories. I love you, my friend.
Veterans Day 1993, the Vietnam Veterans Women's Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. Thousands of women vets attended, and we were overwhelmed. We led the parade - the nurses, Red Cross workers, entertainers, women who worked in supply, administration, logistics and intelligence. The streets were lined with people applauding and crying. A vet sat high up on a tree branch yelling, "Thank you! Thank you!" A man in a flight suit stood at attention for over two hours, saluting as the women passed by. People handed us flowers and hugged us. One GI had a picture of his nurse taken July, 1964. He was trying to find her.
The women veterans find each other. We know, at last, that we are not alone, that we are not paranoid or crazy, but that we have a lot of work to do in order to heal. We talk to each other and find comfort as well as pain in our words and our tears. Now after so many years, the process has finally begun and we hold each other close and say, "Welcome home."
By Lt. Col. Janis A. Nark
Excerpted from Scattered Memories – A Woman's Journey to War and Back.
Reprinted by permission of Lt. Col. Janis A. Nark, from A 4th Course of
Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Hanoch
McCarty & Meladee McCarty, (c) 1997.
***************************************************************************
24.) MEDAL OF HONOR
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed.: December 19Th: It was freezing cold with dark gray
skies, blowing snow, and ice over everything - and the chapel was nearly
full. William Crawford was a well-liked and respected guy.
There were four MOH recipients there to see him off. He was buried
at the Air Force Academy cemetery with full honors. We may have told
you once before about the Medal of Honor recipient who lived in Palmer
Lake near Monument, CO -- Bill Crawford. Crawford had spent 19 months
as a POW in Germany, re-enlisted in the Army after the war, served until
1967 and retired as a Master SGT. He then worked at the Academy as a janitor
until he retired. Imagine a MOH recipient as a janitor at a service
academy. I wonder how many of the cadets knew his story. President
Reagan honored him in 1984 at that year's graduation saying he embodied
the best of what it is to be an American.
If you know of any MOH recipient who is hospitalized or has passed recently,
please write James H. Also, if you would like more info on MOH recipients
and their stories, please email James H at bulldogleader@mindspring.com.
***********************************************************
CRAWFORD, WILLIAM J.
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 36th Infantry Division. Place
and date: Near Altavilla, Italy, 13 September 1943. Entered service at:
Pueblo, Colo. Birth: Pueblo, Colo. G.O. No.: 57, 20 July 1944.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life
above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Altavilla,
Italy, 13 September 1943.
When Company I attacked an enemy-held position on Hill 424, the 3d Platoon, in which Pvt. Crawford was a squad scout, attacked as base platoon for the company. After reaching the crest of the hill, the platoon was pinned down by intense enemy machinegun and small-arms fire. Locating 1 of these guns, which was dug in on a terrace on his immediate front, Pvt. Crawford, without orders and on his own initiative, moved over the hill under enemy fire to a point within a few yards of the gun emplacement and single-handedly destroyed the machinegun and killed 3 of the crew with a hand grenade, thus enabling his platoon to continue its advance.
When the platoon, after reaching the crest, was once more delayed by enemy fire, Pvt. Crawford again, in the face of intense fire, advanced directly to the front midway between 2 hostile machinegun nests located on a higher terrace and employed in a small ravine. Moving first to the left, with a hand grenade he destroyed 1 gun emplacement and killed the crew; he then worked his way, under continuous fire, to the other and with 1 grenade and the use of his rifle, killed 1 enemy and forced the remainder to flee. Seizing the enemy machinegun, he fired on the withdrawing Germans and facilitated his company's advance.
MEDAL OF HONOR
Ed.: The Battle of the Bulge lasted from December 16, 1944 to January
28, 1945. More than a million men participated in this battle on both sides.
At the conclusion of the battle the casualties were severe: 81,000 U.S.
with 19,000 killed, 1400 British with 200 killed, and 100,000 Germans killed,
wounded or captured. Here is the story of one of our heroes who helped
turn the Fuehrer's last gamble into strategic defeat.
If you know of any MOH recipient who is hospitalized or has passed recently,
please write James H. Also, if you would like more info on MOH recipients
and their stories, please email James H at bulldogleader@mindspring.com.
***********************************************************
SODERMAN, WILLIAM A.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company K, 9th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Rocherath, Belgium, 17 December 1944. Entered service at: West Haven, Conn. Birth: West Haven, Conn. G.O. No.: 97, 1 November 1945.
Citation: Armed with a bazooka, he defended a key road junction near Rocherath, Belgium, on 17 December 1944, during the German Ardennes counteroffensive. After a heavy artillery barrage had wounded and forced the withdrawal of his assistant, he heard enemy tanks approaching the position where he calmly waited in the gathering darkness of early evening until the 5 Mark V tanks which made up the hostile force were within pointblank range.
He then stood up, completely disregarding the firepower that could be brought to bear upon him, and launched a rocket into the lead tank, setting it afire and forcing its crew to abandon it as the other tanks pressed on before Pfc. Soderman could reload. The daring bazookaman remained at his post all night under severe artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire, awaiting the next onslaught, which was made shortly after dawn by 5 more tanks Running along a ditch to meet them, he reached an advantageous point and there leaped to the road in full view of the tank gunners, deliberately aimed his weapon and disabled the lead tank. The other vehicles, thwarted by a deep ditch in their attempt to go around the crippled machine, withdrew.
While returning to his post Pfc. Soderman, braving heavy fire to attack
an enemy infantry platoon from close range, killed at least 3 Germans and
wounded several others with a round from his bazooka. By this time, enemy
pressure had made Company K's position untenable. Orders were issued for
withdrawal to an assembly area, where Pfc. Soderman was located when he
once more heard enemy tanks approaching.
Knowing that elements of the company had not completed their disengaging
maneuver and were consequently extremely vulnerable to an armored attack,
he hurried from his comparatively safe position to meet the tanks. Once
more he disabled the lead tank with a single rocket, his last; but before
he could reach cover, machinegun bullets from the tank ripped into his
right shoulder. Unarmed and seriously wounded he dragged himself along
a ditch to the American lines and was evacuated.
Through his unfaltering courage against overwhelming odds, Pfc. Soderman
contributed in great measure to the defense of Rocherath, exhibiting to
a superlative degree the intrepidity and heroism with which American soldiers
met and smashed the savage power of the last great German offensive.
***************************************************************************
25.) The Origins of TAPS - The Real Deal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed.: The article on the origin of "Taps" published on November 8, 2000
was a piece of historical nonsense that circulates among veterans' publications
like a computer virus. One of our readers, Robert L. Hencken, did some
research for us and sets the story straight. Bob Hencken is a lawyer and
history buff. He served in the USMC from 1966-68.
*********************************************
Researched by Robert L. Hencken
The history of "Taps" is well known and documented. All histories of the Civil War agree that "Taps" was written by and for Union General Daniel Butterfield, who, by the way, was a good officer and a winner of the Medal of the Honor.
THE ORIGIN OF "TAPS"
During the Civil War in July 1862, when the Army of the Potomac was
in camp, Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield summoned Pvt. Oliver Wilcox Norton,
his brigade bugler, to his tent. Butterfield, who disliked the colorless
"extinguish lights" call then in use, whistled a new tune and asked the
bugler to sound it for him. After repeated trials and changing the time
of some notes, which were scribbled on the back of an envelope, the call
was finally arranged to suit Gen. Butterfield and used for the first time
that night. Pvt. Norton, who on several occasions, had sounded numerous
new calls composed by his commander, recalled his experience of the origin
of "Taps" years later:
In the western armies the regulation call was in use until the autumn of 1863. At that time the XI and XII Corps were detached from the Army of the Potomac and sent under command of Gen. Hooker to reinforce the Union Army at Chattanooga. Through its use in these corps it became known in the western armies and was adopted by them. From that time, it became and remains to this day the official call for "Taps". It is printed in the present Tactics and is used throughout the U.S. Army, the National Guard, and all organizations of veteran soldiers.
Gen. Butterfield, in composing this call and directing that it be used
for "Taps" in his brigade, could not have foreseen its popularity and the
use for another purpose into which it would grow. Today, whenever a man
is buried with military honors anywhere.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Here is some information about Gen. Butterfield:
The composer of "Taps" was born Oct. 31,1831, in Utica, N.Y., and joined the Army in Washington, D.C. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in the U.S. Volunteers on June 27,1862. After his brigade lost more than 600 men in the Battle of Gaines Mill, Butterfield took up the colors of the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. Under heavy enemy fire, he encouraged the depleted ranks to regroup and continue the battle.
Butterfield died July 17,1901, and was buried at the U.S. Military Academy
at West Point, N.Y. "Taps" was sounded at his funeral.
***************************************************************************
26.) GI HUMOR
Modern Zen for the US Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed.: Recently adopted by the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
*********************************************
1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either; just #$%^ off and leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a flat tire.
3. Don't be irreplaceable; if you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
4. No one is listening until you make a mistake.
5. Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.
8. It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.
9. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
10. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
11. If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
12. Don't squat with your spurs on.
13. If you drink, don't park; accidents cause people.
14. Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield.
15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
16. Duct tape is like the force; it has a light side and a dark side,
and it holds the universe together.
GI HUMOR - Don't mess with a Vet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed.: SFTT does not endorse the overuse of alcoholic beverages to boost
morale or combat courage...(maybe 1x six-pack...)
A teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment: Get their parents to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it.
The next day the kids came back and one by one began to tell their stories.
Kathy said, "My father's a farmer and we have a lot of egg-laying hens.
One time we were taking our eggs to market in a basket on the front seat
of the pickup when we hit a bump in the road and all the eggs went flying
and broke and made a mess.
"And what's the moral of the story?" asked the teacher. "Don't put
all your eggs in one basket!"
"Very good," said the teacher.
"Now, Lucy?"
"Our family are farmers too. But we raise chickens for the meat market.
We had a dozen eggs one time, but when they hatched we only got ten live
chicks.
And the moral to this story is, don't count your chickens until they're
hatched."
"That was a fine story Lucy.
Johnny do you have a story to share?"
"Yes, ma'am, my daddy told me this story about my Uncle Bob. Uncle
Bob was a pilot in Vietnam and his plane got hit. He had to bail out over
enemy territory and all he had was a bottle of whiskey, a machine gun and
machete. He drank the whiskey on the way down so it wouldn't break and
then he landed right in the middle of 100 enemy troops.
He killed seventy of them with the machine gun until he ran out of
bullets, then he killed twenty more with the machete till the blade broke
and then he killed the last ten with his bare hands."
"Good heavens," said the horrified teacher, " what kind of moral did
your daddy tell you from that horrible story?"
"Don't mess with Uncle Bob when he's been drinking."
GI HUMOR - The Polish Virus
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed.: The latest Internet scare originated from the Polish cyber warfare
center.
As we don't have any programming experience, this Virus works on the
honor system.
Please delete all the files on your hard drive manually and forward
this Virus to everyone on your mailing list.
Thanks for your cooperation, the authors of the "Polish Virus"
GI HUMOR - Redneck Medical Terms
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed.: For all of you that were upset about the non-politically correct
Polish Virus joke...here is one more for PC. It took me years to speak
the lingo but one year on a Southern tank crew did it. Might help some
of you Yankees that have lived in isolation...
* Benign - What you be after you be eight.
* Artery - The study of paintings.
* Bacteria - Back door to cafeteria.
* Barium - What doctors do when patients die.
* Cesarean Section - A neighborhood in Rome.
* CATscan - Searching for kitty.
* Cauterize - Made eye contact with her.
* Colic - A sheep dog.
* Coma - A punctuation mark.
* D & C - Where Washington is.
* Enema - Not a friend
* Dilate - To live long
* Fester - Quicker than someone else.
* Fibula - A small lie.
* G.I. Series - World Series of military baseball.
* Hangnail - What you hang your coat on.
* Impotent - Distinguished, well known.
* Labor Pain - Getting hurt at work.
* Medical Staff - A Doctor's cane.
* Morbid - A higher offer than I bid.
* Nitrates - Cheaper than day rates.
* Node - I knew it.
* Outpatient - A person who has fainted.
* Pap Smear - A lie about someone's Pappy.
* Post Operative - A letter carrier.
* Rectum - Damn near killed him.
* Secretion - Hiding something.
* Seizure - Roman emperor.
-------------------
GI HUMOR - A visit at the Russian Staff College
Ed.: Hilarious, enlightening and undeniably politically INCORRECT.
At the Russian War College, the general is a guest lecturer and tells
the class of officers that the session will focus on potential problems
and the resulting strategies.
One of the officers in the class begins by asking the first question,
"Will we have to fight in a World War Three?"
"Yes, comrades, in all likelihood, you will," answers the general. "And who will be our likely enemy, Comrade General?" another officer asks. "The likelihood is that it will be China."
The class looks alarmed, and finally one officer asks, "But Comrade General, we are 150 million people and they are about 1.5 billion. How can we possibly win?"
"Well," replies the general, "think about it. In modern war, it is not the quantity, but the quality that is key. For example, in the Middle East, 5 million Jews fight against 50 million Arabs and the Jews have been the winners every time."
"But sir, " asks the panicky officer, "do we have enough Jews?"
GI HUMOR - The Master Chief and the TRUTH
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ed.: A Navy Master Chief tells nothing but the Truth and no one believes
him - not even his wife. Warning: This
joke is not PC.
A Master Chief Petty Officer and his female yeoman are having an affair, so one afternoon they get a motel room and engage in strenuous lovemaking. He's not used to the pace, so he falls asleep afterwards and doesn't wake up until about 2030 that night, at which time he realizes it's late and that he has to get home.
So he says to his yeoman, "Quick! While I get dressed, you take my shoes outside and drag them around through the grass and mud." Puzzled, the secretary complies.
When the Master Chief gets home about 9:30 his wife confronts him and asks him where he's been. The man says, "I cannot lie to you. I spent the better part of the day with my secretary in a motel room, then I fell asleep, woke up later, and came right home."
His wife looks down at his shoes and says, "You lying bastard, you've
been out playing golf again!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
GI HUMOR - Some Dogs are different
Ed.: Dogs oftentimes reflect the qualities of their masters...Keep the jokes coming!!!
Four men were bragging about how smart their dogs are.
The first man was an Engineer, the second was an Accountant, the third a Chemist, and the fourth was a Government worker.
To show off, the Engineer called to his dog. "T-Square, do your stuff."
T-Square trotted over to the desk, took out some paper and promptly drew
a circle, a square, and a triangle.
Everyone agreed that was pretty smart.
But the Accountant said his dog could do better. He called his dog and said, "Spreadsheet, do your stuff." Spreadsheet went out into the kitchen and returned with a dozen cookies. He divided them into four equal piles of three cookies each. Everyone agreed that was good.
But the Chemist said his dog could do better. He called his dog and said, "Measure, do your stuff." Measure got up, walked over to the fridge, took out a quart of milk, got a 10 ounce glass from the cupboard and poured exactly 8 ounces without spilling a drop!
Everyone agreed that was good. Then the three men turned to the government
worker, and said, "What can your dog do?" The Government worker called
to his dog and said, "Coffee Break, do your stuff."
Coffee Break slowly got off his feet, ate the cookies, drank the milk,
crapped on the paper, sexually assaulted the other three dogs, claimed
he injured his back while doing so, filed a grievance report for unsafe
working conditions, put in for workers' compensation, and went home for
the rest of the day on sick leave.
------------------------------------------------------------
From: "elmer ake" <eaker@kemba.com>
Fw: Password
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 17:45:51 -0800
A woman is helping her computer-illiterate husband set up his computer, and tells him that he will now need to choose and enter a password that he wants to use when logging on. The husband is in a rather amorous mood and figures he will try for the shock effect to bring this to his wife's attention so, when the computer asks him to enter his password, he makes it plainly obvious to his wife that he is keying in "penis"...
His wife nearly falls off her chair from laughing so hard when the computer replies: *** PASSWORD REJECTED. NOT LONG ENOUGH ***
***************************************************************************
And in the next newsline...............
........your feedback to this newsline !!!!
Greetings from Germany
Rolf G. Wilmink
75th Inf Div WWII Veterans Association Unofficial homepage
www.mknet.de/75th
**************************************************************************
**************************************************************************
Who are you? What's your specialty and/or interest? Let
us know about your unit... What would you like to see on the list? Post
it. Let us know... Do you have something to contribute? We'd like
to hear it...
We want to know EVERYTHING and ANYTHING about the 75th
Division and Plettenberg, Germany, the last command post of the HQ in 1945.
... Remember: who, what, where, when, how & why... we want ALL the
details...
(If there are developments in the today´s 75th
Division (Exercise), that are public and could be interesting for the veterans
of the Division, please e-mail the info also to us. )
Do you have a question? Post it... A little free time?
Help a member...
With the INCREDIBLE brain power on this list, someone
should have the answer ;-)
P.S. Don't be a LURKER... Members take the time to post
info for us all...
give something back... Don't just take... Your input/knowledge
is valued...
**************************************************************************
Send Postings to: mkw-detective@t-online.de with
"Post" in subject field with subject
**************************************************************************
Subscribe to: mkw-detective@t-online.de
In the subject field type: subscribe-75th list e-mail
address
**************************************************************************
Unsubscribe to: mkw-detective@t-online.de
In the subject field type: unsubscribe-75th list e-mail
address
**************************************************************************
If you want to become a member of the 75th Div VeteransAssociation,
please contact the president of the Association:
Geoffrey
Parker (75th Recon)
1104 Tanner Rd.
Plant City, FL 33756
USA
Phone: 1-813-752-6988
..The Simple Rules of the 75th Div List...
The 75th Div List Owners may remove a list member for
violation of the following rules. The list owner may also reject any posts
that are/contain:
1) Info Unrelated to 75th Division in WWII and today,
or WWII in the ETO.
2) Flames or Negative posts (if you must flame do it
in private)...
3) E-Signatures that are considered excessive...
4) Advertisements not DIRECTLY related to the list topics...
5) Attached Files... (sent them, but we have to see how
to include them)
6) Oversized Posts... (May be edited to save room - <snip>)
7) Spamming list members will result in removal from
list.
8) Thou shalt not lurk ;-)
***************************************************************************
The information transmitted on this list may not be reproduced,
reposted or forwarded to any non-list member without expressed written
permission of the List Owner. (Everyone can be a member, and if we have
informations about each recipient, we can bring members with special interests
together).
(The 75th Div newsletter „Bulgebusters„, secretary Jim
Warmouth, hereby has the permission to print everything out of our newsletter,
as long as we as the source are mentioned with e-mail and internet-adress)
Violation of U.S. copyright law is a criminal and civil
offense...
***************************************************************************
The 75th Division list is moderated by Rolf G. Wilmink,
Plettenberg, Germany.
The List Owner will make EVERY effort to protect subscribers
from spam...
The membership list is NOT available for loan, sale or
rent. It is private. All Rights Reserved...
***************************************************************************
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
end of transmission