Ben, You asked for personal stories. Here's one I will never forget. I know that thousands of eerie events happened to lots of guys that made them believe in a guardian angel. Here's mine.

It was in Manhay. I was with I Company, Third platoon. We led the attack and were right in the middle of our own massive artillery barrage. That night we all jumped into already dug foxholes. The next morning, one of the guys in the foxhole only a few yards away asked me if I would switch foxholes with him. Can't remember his name, but he was a B.A.R. man. Without hesitation I said "sure", and made the switch. It was late morning, I believe, when a P38 lightning flew overhead. Because of its twin fuselage, it was one of the few planes I could recognize, so I jumped out of the foxhole to take care of a personal matter. Suddenly, the P38 dives and drops a 500 pounder. I dove back in the foxhole. That's when I heard that awful scream. I popped my head up just in time to see the guy with whom I had switched foxholes running with no right arm. Just shreds hung down from what remained of his shoulder. I slumped down in disbelief. If I didn't switch foxholes with him, that would be me. Neither he nor his buddy survived just that one bomb. Friendly fire did it to us again. For quite some time I suffered what is called survivor's guilt. Manhay wasn't the only rime my guardian angel was looking after me. I'll tell you about another incident in which I was shot when leading an attack as pointman at a later time. It boggles my mind. Incidentally, if the trooper who was with me in the foxhole is among our members, please write me.

Mike 517

Date: 10/13/2001 10:00:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Fred Beyer

I was in Manhay, and will never forget the artillery barrage the night before I lost my arm from that P38. It could be the one you are talking about. I was in a foxhole with Cleo Browning and believe he was killed. I do remember that Lt. Stott was killed that night.

I don't remember any one named Mike off hand. Refresh my memory, will you?

Sunday October 14, 2001
Fred Beyer

Date: 10/13/2001 10:51:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From Mike Spano

Hi, FT Beyer...

I was astounded to hear that you survived the P38 attack. When I saw you running, I thought you would never make it with all the blood loss. God bless you. It was either you or your buddy who switched foxholes with me prior to the attack. Do you remember? Believe me, the switch happened. Was it you or your buddy who was the B.A.R. man? Please let me hear from you. However, we are driving to Florida tomorrow to our winter home and need a week to get my PC turned on there. I can't believe it. All these years I thought you were dead. I don't think we knew each other very well, so I didn't expect you to remember me when I couldn't recall your name either. But I'll never forget the incident. I was in the foxhole next to you.

Mike Spano

Date: 10/19/2001
From: Bill Gearon
Subj: Manhay

I related the story of Mike Spano and Fred Beyer to my uncle, Lt. Ray Gearon. He remembers the incident with the P38 and the losses from the friendly fire. He was the platoon leader of the 3rd platoon, Co. I, 517th, and Lt. Stott ("Stozie" he called him) was the platoon leader of the 1st platoon. He relates that when it came time to move into town, the shells were coming in very heavy and falling short. My uncle wanted to wait, Lt. Stott did not. Stott left and my uncle followed him about a minute later. When the third platoon caught up to the first platoon, he found "Stozie" dead. He recalled the P38 dropping the bomb and strafing the encampment.

He related a story about Lt. Stott. They were in Nice and a number of children with no money were watching others on a merry-go-round, unable to participate. "Stozie" bought a roll of tickets and he told the operator that all of the children could ride.

My uncle also related another story. He had a man in his platoon (he could not remember his name) that always complained that "he was the last man in the last squad, in the last platoon in the regiment, and the first to go out as a scout."

God bless you all!

Bill Gearon, nephew