I have attached some picture cards that my deceased "big brother", Ismael( Mayo) Ramos ( Pvt., 517th PCRT, Company H, 2) had given my sister Lupe. She recently gave them to me to assemble a collection of his memorabilia.

 

I have transcribed his notes from the back of the cards that he wrote expressing his thoughts about his first jump. I can imagine similar thoughts were shared by his fellow troopers during the first jump experience.  I have given a title to each card that captured his impression.

 

I hope you all enjoy them. 

 

Note: I sent this to all his grand nephews and nephews (Viet Nam)

                                                ***********8

Click on Paratrooper Training - Fort Benning 1943 or go to the website to see these terrific photos. It tells the story of your first jump in photos.--Ben

---

 

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

---

 

 

---

Frank Ramos

 

 

I can send you the text for you to play with if you wish. Please advise.

 

I have some other stuff that I will contribute as I find time to organize it. My older sisters and and brother have given me there memorbilia of Ismael.  I was 7 year old when he came from Germany at house home from the war with another trooper buddy Shiloh Poulter, who I have recently contacted.

 

The Fresno, CA newspaper printed stories of  impression of WWII by family members.  They published the article I wrote. Would you be interested? 

 

A Major General friend I invited to speak at a 50th Anniversary Commemoration of  WW II event that I organized at Arlington Cemetery spoke about that families also are casualties of war as they lost family members, sweet hearts, husbands, etc. and live on without them.   He reflected during the Viet Nam War when he had to find a family at an family outing on a holiday at a lake in New Mexico to tell the family their son was killed in action. He described the impact of their loss and mourning as profound.  The article kinds relates what I saw as a kid growing up in that era reflecting on my "older brother" a paratrooper coming home and experiencing the news of my older sister losing her husband in the recapture invasion of the Aluetians, the forgotten battle.

---

John,

I would be honored to add these photos and items to the 517th web site.  I
should have them posted very soon.

Thanks,

Bob Barrett
webmaster@517prct.org

-----Original Message-----
From: John Carrigan [mailto:carrij38@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 3:42 PM
To: webmaster@517prct.org
Subject: Private Elmer J. Anderson


Sir:
The attached photographs, newspaper clippings and
letter are part of the keepsake album the family has
relating to Private Elmer J. Anderson a member of the
517th Parachute Regiment and recipient of the Silver
Star and Purple Heart during World War II. My brother
Paul suggested that we send them to you for inclusion
on your web site.
Elmer is my uncle, my mother's brother. I was six
years old when he died, August, 1944, in Southern
France. We do have copies of letters sent by a friend
who was with Elmer when he was killed. We also have
copies of letters sent to his sister, my mother, and
his girlfriend, Isabel. They were censored before
arriving at their destination.
Please let me know if you will use any of the
memorabilia attached.

John Carrigan
__________________________________________________

Jim Lathers

 

Jim Lathers

 

Hi Ben,    I hit on the paratroopers song with your second link and it was a blast down memory lane. Could almost taste that 2 % beer that went along with those god awful sing-alongs with a bunch of guys who couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I cranked up the volume and had the whole house rocking.

 

As to this parka thing:  C Company was issued a reversible white and OD parka some time before the bulge. It extended well below the knees with a draw string to bring it snug around the waist. It had some rabbit fur around the edge of the hood. I still have mine and use it on occasion when I take the Harley out near enemy lines.

 

Fact:  These parkas where cute and would fit in at a ski resort but they couldn't hold a candle to that bulky, ugly, GI overcoat when things got cold.   I often wondered if those sharp dressers that had their coats shortened and altered in Nice had any regrets.

 

Keep the light on Ben, many thanks and much respect.

 

Jim Lathers     " C "

---

Lory Curtis

 

Ben,
    For what it is worth I asked my Dad about the white parka/jackets.  He of course said he never had one.  He said all he had was an O.D. overcoat and long underwear.  He also said as time went by he and others would obtain a second pair of trousers and another pair of socks to keep warm.  He was in HQ, 1st BN and doesn't remember anyone in that company having a white parka/jacket.  Maybe only the line companies were issued white parka/jackets?  Does anyone remember?

As a side note, my only experience in the snow was when I took winter survival training in the Army, and then during a deployment in February to Korea I lived in a tent during the "Team Spirit" exercises.  As cold as I was I cannot image how all of you kept warm and continued to fight in combat.  When I asked my Dad that question his reply was, "You never stopped moving."  My hat goes off to all of the 517th for what you had to do with so little equipment and clothing in the most adverse conditions.  You will always be my heros.  Thank you.

Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ 1st Bn