Recent website additions: Sospel 1944 and 2008 Pvt. Richard Whidden, D Company Col de Braus battle - 64th anniversary Sospel 1943 and now 3rd Annual 517th Commemorative March, August 2008 Visit to Southern France 2008 with Ignatius Bail, 460th PFAB

Dear Lt. Col Osborne,

First let me commend you and the admiral -- you for your assignment with the Joint Chiefs and he as the chairman, as well as having an uncle of the caliber of Chuck Boyer.  I was a member of the OSD General Counsel's Office, International Affairs, from 1955 to 1967 and worked with the Joint Chiefs on many of the demanding international problems of that period.  So, I know something of your daily activities that sometimes run into the night.

I knew Chuck in two capacities, as Hq. Third Bn. first sergeant and as a member of the S-2 section where we patrolled two or three times a week during the Southern France and Battle of the Bulge campaigns.  Chuck died some years ago, but we were able to get his widow to join us at a reunion in Palm Springs.  There were seven of us in the S-2 section, but only three left -- George (Red) Meline who lives near Redding, CA and our French speaking Vermonter, Rene Benoit.  Rene has had a stroke or two.  George is in good shape and gets down here to see me frequently.  As you can imagine we were a close knit group.  George had the closest and longest association and friendship with Chuck and I am sure would be more than willing to share his sentiments with the admiral.

Chuck had three main interests, two of which were in conflict.  He was devoted to his future spouse and wrote her every day, sometimes only getting the letter sealed after midnight.  He was also a devout Catholic and wanted to become a priest; he always assisted the Catholic Chaplin in the services in camp or in the field.  When he left the service in 1945, it appears that the young lady won the day.  His third interest was in the Third Battalion 517th Parachute Infantry.  In every sense of the word, Chuck was trooper.  His posture and uniform always stood him apart from the ordinary.  He easily made first sergeant, but on a matter of principal turned in his stripes in a disagreement with his company commander.  So, we were delighted to welcome him back in the S-2 section. 

As a matter of interest we also had Frank Wakeman, the grandson of War Chief Little Crow in the section.  Little Crow was a Sioux who had a war named after him during the Civil War.

While in law practice in Traer, Iowa, I had some clients who lived nearby named Boyer.  We had lost track of Chuck and were always trying to get a lead on the missing.  Knowing that Chuck had come from Iowa, on inquiry I found they were related but did not have Chuck's CA address.  Here may be some of the admirals other relatives.

Thank you for your inquiry.  It brought back memories of one of the best troopers in the early days of the airborne.

Howard Hensleigh