Dear Ben, Thank you for all the updates. I will be going to the Palm Springs Reunion without my husband this year. He would have wanted me to go as we never missed a Palm Springs Reunion.

I downloaded the music to the Paratroopers song but some how missed the words. Is it possible to e-mail them to me?

I really enjoy reading all the information from everyone. It's nice to see the families wanting to participate.

O. E. really enjoyed reading all your information also, I miss him so very much.

Many of his friends sent me notes or called , you are all a wonderful support group.

 

Mrs. O. E. Downey Hdqtrs, 1st, 517th

Judy Downey

 

 

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Gene Brissey
I have read much about those white outfits that some men wore and which most didn't. My experience as follows: We in Company E wore ODs with rare exception.
Don't remember seeing any white outfits as we approached a large forest, Auf der Hardt woods I think. The going was very difficult slogging thru the deep snow with a lot of German guns unloading on us. As we entered the wood under heavy fire the company was spread around. I was following the platoon leader with the third platoon when he stopped us and directed that I remain with the platoon while he went looking for the rest of the company. He never returned and as we waited I heard troops walking a few yards near us. we didn't know who they were so we kept quite for 20 minutes or so. Finally I sent word back that we were moving out. As we walked forward and I fell into a ditch in the snow. Couldn't see a thing so we followed the ditch with my legs guiding us by feeling the banks of the ditch. Finally we caught up with the company just at the break of dawn. Soon word was passed back asking if the third platoon E. Company was back there. If so send them forward. We went forward and some officer directed us to go into the woods to look for Germans. Soon we came face to face with them. We tried to get them to surrender. We had two guys who spoke German. Our request was denied. They made the same request to us. No deal. Someone fired a shot and all hell broke loose as we chased the Germans through the woods and returned to the other troops. We all moved into a holding position and dug in. Now what does this have to do with white outfits? Well, some officer sent for me and offered me a white outfit. I objected because I would be the only one with white. He insisted saying after what you did this morning we don't want to loose you. He made no mention of what I had done. Anyway I wore a white outfit for a few days until we helped capture St. Vith, the last battle of the Bulge.
Gene Brissey

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517th PRCT Annual Reunion