Dear Ben,

 

I'd like to publicly thank Terry Casey for showing me the picture of Jim Birder and my dad.  I honestly did not recognize him in that photo.  Not that I really doubted Howard Hensleigh, I still had to verify it with Jim Royer.  I just really missed the recognition of my father.  I only knew him long after he lost his mobility and his lack of mobility affected his physique.  There are very, very few photos of my dad in uniform, as he lost everything after he was injured, even his wallet.  Maybe my memories are dimming, as we lost him nearly 30 years ago.  Regardless, I am very grateful for this photo.

 

I would really appreciate the opportunity to scan the photo of Terry is open to the idea and then I would gladly return it to her.  I can be reached at:  reber83@insightbb.com

and then we can exchange information.

 

Thanks! 

 

Tom Reber

son of Lt. Bob Reber HQ 3rd

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 The World War II Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation has set its sights on attending and making a commemorative static line parachute jump from a WW2 era C-47 at Le Muy in August 2007.

 Our team made jumps in 2004 in Normandy, Holland (Veghel/Eerde and Son) and Bastogne at the 60^th anniversary events.

I wondered if you and your organization could help us achieve this by providing your support to this jump and contacts that we can approach within the cities for Mayor who we can approach for authority.

 Thanks

 Gordon Stewart

Executive Officer

WWII Airborne Demonstration Team

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Bill Edwards

Ben:

     My name is Bill Edwards. I joined Regimental Headquarters Company at Camp Toccoa before the 517th was activated. We sailed on the Santa Rosa to Naples, Italy and returned to the United States after the war was ended on the Madawaska Victory.

    Some of my friends were Tom McAvoy, Don Murphy, David Barry, Carl Votti, and Bob Hackett.

     My wife, Alyce of 60 years; my sons, Neurologist Doctor; Keith Edwards, and Patrick Edwards, a lawyer with J.P. Morgan,  Chase and I are going to attend the Portland, Oregon Reunion in July.  

     Talk about a small world: My son's Medical Degree from Duke Medical School was signed by Terry Sanford,  who was Duke's president.

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Jean-Loup Gassend

 

Dear Mr Hensleigh
Thanks for your reply. So maybe Mr Joe Calder could
help identify this quarter Master named James.
I will once again say that this James was apparently
one of the main quartermasters of the 517th in
southern France. He was stationed in one of the
villages behind the lines, and was responsible for
distributing weapons and equipment, and recycling
equipment of men killed in combat. One characteristic
that could help identify him is that he liked alcohol
a bit to much.
A local french civilian who new this James well would
like to know what his family name was, and possibly
get a picture of him.
I checked on the Christmas roster of the HQ and HQ
company, and saw that there is a Master Sergeant James
Pease listed. Could this be the man?

Thanks again

Jean-Loup

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Bill Christian

 

Ben Some one sent me a message informing me of the death of Harold Fulton of Wall New Jersey. I'm sorry I don't know the Trooper, but I'm sure if you mention the news someone will remember Harold.   Thanks  Bill

                                          *********

We reported Harold's passing in Mail Call 1102.                                            - Ben

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Andreana  Polk

 

Received cards from the following Co. D men:

 

Jim Benton

Robert Cooper

Roger Goodsell

Robert Hart

Tom Hill

Calvin Johns

Bernard McKeon

Joe Molina

Andrew Olson

Alex Sierra

Donald Dillon

Frank Gallucci

Robert Cooper's e-mail

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Ben:  Please add Gene Harms to the 517 Mail Call.   Gene is still living in Girard Illinois.   He made it to Europe in early 1945 but did not see a combat jump.   The following is the information that will get Mail call to him.

 Gene Harms (his formal name is Harold Eugene Harms but he went by Gene during the war so list him as Gene).

 Email Address:  genedotharms@fbconnect.net

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Entry of May 05, 2006 at 15:51 [EST]
Name: Shawn Seithel
Unit:
EMail: sseithel@doerun.com
How I found the 517th page: unknown
Comments: I was looking at my fathers discharge papers. They say that Leo J. Seithel 20 728 879 sergeant, 517th PRCHT INF was honorably discharged, etc.

I am not sure if that was his unit because in a picture in 1944, 1945 in his uniform, he has a patch of the 17th ariborne division.  I remember him telling me that he was attached to the 82nd airborne division.

I was wondering if anyone could explain. the record center in St. Louis is no help. thanks

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