Tim Curtis

Ben,

First of all my deepest sympathies to the family of Bill Boyle. Having lost my dad a year ago I understand how hard that is. My dad fought with Colonel Boyle, and they survived a mortar blast together. He must have been a great leader the way my dad talked about him. He no doubt was a big reason my dad survived the war and came home safe. It was my pleasure to meet him at the DC reunion, and thank him for bringing my dad home safe. I’ll never forget what a joy it was for him to sit with Colonel Boyle and Major Frazier at the Washington D.C. reunion.

I also recently returned from Europe and I want Troopers and their families to know what friends we have in the Ardennes of Belgium. I had greatly wanted to visit this area after hearing stories from my dad. When we arrived in Trois Ponts we were met by Irma and Arnold Targnion of the US Airborne welcoming committee. They shared their home, knowledge, and as I discovered soon, love of the 517^th. I had hoped to find out where battles and memorials could be found, but better still, they escorted us tirelessly throughout the day, following in the footsteps of where my dad fought in the Ardennes.

We visited Soy, Hotton, Manhay, Stavelot, Malmedy, Bergeval, St Jacques, and all of the other battlefields of the 1^st Battalion. We would have never found the memorials, and learned the inside information of such things as where Bill Boyle was severely wounded without their guidance. I saw the area my dad decided he would lay down to die, but through his faith managed to find the strength to continue fighting another day. Arnold even showed me American and German foxholes that are still scattered through the hills. Perhaps my dad had dug one. At the end of the day we were welcomed into the home of the President of the Committee Maria Gaspar. She shared coffee and delicious pastries from her daughters shop. Maria’s home is where Bill Boyle was taken directly after being severely wounded near Bergeval. My wife and I were overwhelmed from the appreciation and love we felt from Irma, Arnold, and Maria. I can’t recommend highly enough that Troopers and families visit these sacred battlefields. The Ardennes today offers beautiful scenery, and many Europeans do take their vacations there. It was hard to believe that such a beautiful place would have been the scene of such fierce battles. Once again thank you Irma, Arnold and Maria. You are the greatest. I can’t wait to share french fries with you once again. If anyone plans to visit this area and would like any advice, please feel free to contact me at tsea333@q.com. See you in SLC.

Tim Curtis

Son of H.L. “Bud” Curtis

Hdqrs. 1st

Craig Lewis

To whom it may concern, I have just started reading about WW2 and have become interested in learning more about my Grandfather William J. (Bill) Lewis.  I have found your website very helpful and interesting.  Keep up the good work. Thanks, Craig Lewis Stephen Elliott Dear Sir, I am the son of William T. Elliott who passed on 18 May, 2009.I would appreciate being included on the ''Mail Call''  list.If confirmation is required please contact his platoon leader former Lt. Russ Miller. I thank you in advance, Stephen Elliott. Contact: flapond@gmail.com Jean Marc Atlan   Good morning, Mr Barrett,   It is an honor to have an email from you !!! Yes, of course, it is very interesting for me to receive Mail Calls. Thank-you very much !!!   Hope to see you in august !   Best regards.   Jean-Marc Atlan   Hello, Joanne,   It will be a great honor for us all, here, at Saint-Cézaire, to meet your family and you. You should be very proud of your father !!!!   Thank you for you for coming in our little village !!!   Cheers for the 517th PRCT' s veterans !!!   Jean-Marc Gene Frice   Ben,    For Jean Marc      Concerning those who will be visiting with you in August (after 15 Aug), the Frice family (Gene, Laurie, Karen and Robin) will not be able to attend. The four of us will be in Germany the first week of August (not related to the 517); will be in Belgium, and then to the South of France on or about 12 August. Departing for the US on 17Aug. May all mentioned have a nice visit later in Aug.      Gene Frice, Laurie, Karen and Robin Patricia  and Roland Orengo   Hi Ben, we would like to know who vets will come to Sospel this summer and their complete name, please (complete name of you and Hal of course). What are the vets will come after you in Sospel : Leo Dean ??? and who else ? thanks for your answer. God bless all of you. Patricia and Roland Orengo Sospel, France Ben      Friendly fire is not friendly when it is incoming regardless of the source. In the attack on Manhay, the 3rd battalion had at least 10 KIA from artillery falling short. -----No congressional inquiry.---- The point of departure could have been back fifty yards and then there would have been no such casualties but the extra moments perhaps could have allowed the Germans to recover and if they could have set up just one machine gun there might have been fifty casualties. Later we were straffed by American planes and had more casualties. ----No media outrage----. Many a 517th soldier stepped on a land mine.----- Occupational hazard.---- A wounded soldier would in many cases just lay there until he was dragged or carried to an aid station, then to a field hospital and eventually to a general hospital and after many months put on a hospital ship escorted by destroyers because of the threat from German submarines and shipped back to the states on a slow voyage. No complaints. It was rough but we didn't know how rough. No mass media to tell us. Fortunately we had Ernie Pyle and Bill Mauldin who could make us laugh at our dire situations.