I believe that someone has inquired about a 517 trip to Europe
in 2007. I do not know of any such plans.
I knew Sgt Jim Pease of Regt. Hdq .Co. (Communication Section very
well)
No way in the world could this be the guy your looking
for?? Jim has
been afflicted with Alzheimer's disease for some time and
doesn't know or
remember anyone (according to his wife) (if he is still
living) Last
time I heard from her was at least 30 years ago?? Tom
McAvoy
Jerry Markle
Hello Ben,
It was a pleasure to meet you in Palm Springs last
April.
My mom, Elaine Markle called yesterday and informed me that she had
received a call from Cicely Fulton about her husband, Harold Fulton,
another member of the 517th (unit unknown). Mr Fulton, of Wall, NJ passed
away on April 29,2006 of a heart attack.
Sincerely,
Gerald (Jerry) Markle
Boom Boom Alicki
Hello Mr. Alicki,
I just wanted to tell you how much I
appreciated the
book and your autograph. I have read it and enjoyed
it. I
have two sons who will live a better life
because of what you, my dad and
anyone who put on a
uniform did to defend our country. I am sorry
for
getting the e-mail to you so long after receiving it,
but i wanted to
read your book first. I am glad that
you made it though the mock tower
incident. Thank you
again and God Bless.
Best Regards,
Rick
Vasquez
Son of Nacho Vasquez
Headquarters 3rd Battalion Heavy Mortars
Don Gentry
Hello Shawn, Don Gentry here. Are you a daughter or son?
Will try to help you find more info but need more input from your dad's
Form 53 Enlisted Record and Report of Separation. Any chance you could scan and
send my way? If not, will need the entries in the military history area, blocks
22 through 41 please.
There should also be an Honorable Discharge Certificate that will show
name, service number, rank and the company and unit discharged from at
separation.
Regarding the reference to the 82nd, in my file I have a page from the 82nd
AA Div. which shows the following attachment periods:
517th Prcht Inf (Non-Div)
1 Jan 45 - 11 Jan 45
517th Prcht Inf (-2d Bn) (Non-Div) 23 Jan 45 - 26 Jan
45
517th Prcht Inf (-3d Bn) (Non-Div) 3 Feb 45 - 5 Feb
45
517th Prcht Inf (-3d Bn) (Non-Div) 9 Feb 45 - 10 Feb
45
Regarding the 17th Airborne patch the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment was
originally part of that Division but became an independent Combat Team at some
point, sort of like a small division within itself with the addition of the
460th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and the 596th Parachute Engineer
Battalion. My cousin Dick Baysinger, B Company, wore this patch on his
uniform.
The 517th RCT was attached to the 30th Division from 17 December 44 - 20
Jan 45 less the period shown above. I'm glad that we can gain this much
information out of the chaos the breach in our lines caused.
The 517th was assigned to the 13 Airborne Division on 1 March 1945. I
believe the Combat Team was more or less a thing of the past after that. The
organization chart shows the 460th PFA Bn assigned to the 13th Division
but the 596th Para Eng do not show up in the 13th, 17th,, 82nd or 101st Airborne
Divisions on that date. My data source for this is the "Organic Composition of
Airborne Divisions" from the internet on July 2002 search.
I hope my information is useful and accurate. It should be close.
I looked through the Christmas 1944 list and did not see your dad's name. I
may have overlooked him or he may have been assigned after that document as many
were. It is just a quick check in the units time line and a handy
reference.
Looking forward to your response.
Don Gentry
MSG US Army (Ret)
Entry of May 06, 2006 at 12:33 [EST]
Bucky
Simmons
Comments: Currahee Military Weekend Oct 12-15, 2006 The
Toccoa/Stephens County Historical Society invites you to attend our third annual
Camp Toccoa Reunion and Reenactment Events. Camp Toccoa, now made famous by Band
of Brothers, was the birthplace of the 501st, 506th, 507th, 511th, and 517th
Parachute Infantry Regiments as well as the 460th Arty Battalion, and 596th
Combat Engineers (Airborne). We will have Veterans, or their families, from all
these regiments attending, along with Veterans of all conflicts since WWII. The
501st, 506th and 507th Vietnam - present day will also have members attending,
as well as from the 101st, 82nd, Rangers, and most other units of the U.S.
military.
This year we are expanding our focus for the reunion and reenactments
to include all WWII units, both Allied and Axis. There has been great response
throughout the U.S. and Europe. We hope to have several hundred re-enactors take
part along with several different military vehicle associations. There will also
be displays and aircraft from today’s military. The event will take place at the
Toccoa Airport, October 12-15, 2006.
One of the Weekend events will be the dedication of the new Currahee
Military Museum which is housed in the restored Toccoa train depot, the
debarkation point for most of those men who trained here. Tour the stables used
for quarters by first A, then E company of the 506th P.I.R brought "across the
pond" from Aldbourne England. This $325,000+ ongoing project is being paid for
with donations and proceeds from reunions. During the Currahee Military Weekend
we will dedicate the Currahee Military Museum to honor all of our Veterans.
Those interested may participate in the Currahee Challenge Road Race,
the "three miles up and three miles down" we saw in Band of Brothers.
This year I am sending invitations to all Military Academies and many
military colleges urging them to send a class/corps of cadets to the Currahee
Military Weekend. We have lost so many veterans in the last few years, this may
be the last opportunity to meet and talk with living heroes.
Our invitation is extended to everyone: veterans, active duty
personnel, military buffs, history buffs and each and every American who wishes
to show their pride in out Veterans. If you know of others who may be
interested, please pass along our invitation to them.
Photos of 2004, and 2005 reunion and Information. www.camptoccoareunion.com
Bucky Simmons
Vice President, Toccoa/Stephens County Historical
Society
Toccoa, Georgia. United States