I regret that Bette and I will not be able to attend the 517 PRCT
National Reunion in Washington D.C. due to medical restrictions that plague us
at this time. We will miss our friends and comrades at what may be our best and
final National Association Reunion.
It is unfortunate that we are faced
with major problems so late into the short remaining time left before new
Officers and Directors are elected at the coming 517 PRCT National Reunion.
These problems should be resolved before the National Reunion takes
place.
The following refers:
1. Officially announce that
Leo Dean has agreed to take on the duties of Association Treasurer in
addition to his present duty as Association Secretary.
2. Report the current status of the
Association's Funds at the coming National Reunion. Can this be done in
time?
3. Suspend the Publication of the Thunderbolt
until after the new Association Officers and Directors have been elected at
which time a new policy for the publication of the Thunderbolt can
be established. The present issues are too costly and duplicative of the 517th
Web Site E- Mail Call. The present policy of $30 per person Association Dues with
$10 subtracted for an annual subscription per person was intended to
be the Annual Budget for the Thunderbolt unless the need for
additional funds is granted by the Officers and Directors of the
Association. This policy is still valid.
4.The 517th PRCT Auxiliary and 517th PRCT Association
should start planning for future joint activities to include management and
operations. This was the original intent for organizing a 517th Auxiliary in the
first place so that they could take over at some given point of time. I have
discussed this with Howard Hensleigh who will present his views and
recommendations in due course
Howard Hensleigh
Note to Kent Immerfell. I have a copy of the blue
booklet. The front has a golden eagle perched atop the red part where the
words "My Life in the Service" are printed. All the details match your
description. This booklet followed me from Camp Dodge, Iowa, where I was
inducted, overseas, back to Ft. Bragg, home to Iowa City in my duffle bag.
From there on in my travels I gave it more of a place of honor and I still have
it today. It sometimes refreshes my memory. I took it out and jotted
things down in it when we were out of combat. There is a page in the front
that says "Presented by" then a blank space and below, "as a token of
appreciation for your service to our country". This leaves a question of
how I got it. If it was given me, the modest donor person or organization
did not fill in the blank. I have thought through the years that I
purchased it at the Camp Dodge PX, but that was a long time ago. I have
been tight on the purse strings, but if I did buy it, it was worth the
money. It is not for sale for any price.
It contains two
references to your uncle Floyd Stott, one where he and I sat on the tracks
discussing things in general waiting for the train to come in to haul us to
Patric Henry for our departure to the ETO, and again , a sad one, where he and
most of his I Co. platoon were wiped out by the big guns, not the 460th, as he
led the 3rd Bn. attack into Manhay, Belgium on December 27th, 1944.
If
any of the other troopers have such a booklet, it may help us solve the mystery
of how we got them.
Airborne regards, Howard Hensleigh
Gene Brissey
The last copy of the Thunderbolt was outstanding. I could comment on many
items but the items concerning the Bronze Star really caught my eye, especially
the one on behalf of Robert Newberry, written by Emily Newberry. Capt. Newberry
was my company commander and I am very aware of the missions for which he
received the medals. The first was for actions in the battle for La Roquette.
With the help of a French Guide, he led us across the Var River in total
darkness and into the little village high above the Var. We took 77 prisoners
and killed 15 or so Germans. We had only two casualties Both in my squad, our
squad leader Ray Helms and Pvt. Cecil Duncan.
The next was for action to
scale the hill called Mont de Fosse, near Trois Ponts, Belgium. This was an
extremely difficult effort because the Germans were dug in at the top of the
hill and Bob had an impossible task of taking the hill and moving forward. With
his efforts and help from other commanders and troops the mission was
accomplished. The details are impossible for me to include here but I know that
Company E lead by Capt. Newborn led the way.
He also led
us in other memorable missions, the last being in and around Bergstein, Germany.
If I recall correctly our primary objective was to chase the Germans from their
stronghold near the Roer and Kall Rivers. This was my last combat action. On the
way back to Bergstein my best friend, Roger Bender, was killed and I was blasted
by an 88. I was dragged to the aid station where I last saw Bob Newberry, he
gave me a cigarette and a medic gave me a shot of morphine. I responded by
vomiting on Capt. Newberry's boots.
Gene Brissey
PS: I am extremely sorry,
Bob, that you are unable to see. God bless
you.