Mail Call: MailCall@517prct.org
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Administrivia:
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¨ If you have trouble reading this MailCall, or seeing the images, you can read it online at http://www.517prct.org/mailcall/1988.htm ¨ At any time, if you want to be added or removed from the MailCall list, just let me know. ¨ Donations for any programs involving the 517th should be sent to our treasurer Leo Dean at 14 Stonehenge Lane, Albany NY 12203. ¨ New address for MailCall: MailCall@517prct.org I will also continue to search Ben's gmail and AOL accounts for a while as well. ¨ If you send me email that you do not want included in MailCall, just label it as “FYEO”. ¨ Who knew that 65 years after the 517th was deactivated, that there would still be so much news about them to be reported? ¨ I said I might not get another MailCall out until the weekend, but the messages have been piling up. ¨ I now understand how Ben could get confused about what he already posted and what he didn’t. If I miss something, please just send it again.
Bob Barrett
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2010 517th PCT West Coast Party
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Website www.517prct.org Mail Call MailCall@517prct.org Mail Call Archives www.517prct.org/archives Roster www.517prct.org/roster.pdf
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Recent website additions: 1943 May 10 - Letter to parents of new recruits from Lt. McKinley Officers of the 2nd Battalion at Camp Toccoa, 1943 Arlton Bearden, Demo Platoon, I Company (KIA Italy) Video of A Company in Italy, Aug 14, 1944 Le Muy infos magazine - selected pages of the August 2009 celebration
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MailCall News
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Dear Sir,
First of all, I am sorry for the loss of Ben Barrett. My best wishes to you all.
If my request is inappropriate, I apologize. I am a 40 year old male, from Norway. Actively researching and studying all aspects of WW2. I have some input regarding the 517th's enemy in Sospel, France thru the eyes of a german soldier who fought there, and some questions about the 517. Operation Dragoon is a little-known side of WW2 here in Europe.
Would you have the time and strength to discuss some of these things?
Best Regards,
Frode Steine
Frode,
Actually, I did visit Sospel myself last summer with my Dad (Ben), and others of the 517th, and met many of the local citizens. Unfortunately, I know only a little about Sospel's WWII history myself, but there are a number of the 517 soldiers who were there in 1944 and can tell you plenty about the battles in Sospel, Col De Braus, and the surrounding area.
What do you want to know about? I can probably find a few men who can answer your questions.
Bob Barrett webmaster@517prct.org
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reply. How was the area? I have only seen it thru pictures and video myself, but plan on taking a trip next year.
I am most interested in the fights around Hill 1098 from 12th september to 20th september or so, when the Hill was liberated by the 517th. I have some documents from a german senior sergeant, awarded one of nazi germany's highest award for bravery during that battle (Knight's cross of the Iron Cross). He served in Grenadier-Regiment 80, part of 34th Infanterie Division. At least 2 of his fellow squad members died during this fight, and while I can't pinpoint it, it seems the battle deeply affected the german soldier.
The german news reports about the fight are pretty much useless as a history source, so looking for any input from soldiers who was there.
Sorry about my english, hope this makes some sense to you,
Frode
Frode,
Sospel is a beautiful and friendly town, built along a river valley. It has a small downtown which has some churches and buildings dating back to medieval times. But then, I find most of the towns in Europe to be quaint and beautiful and friendly.
To learn about the battles at Hill 1098, you should start with the 517th history book.
See: http://www.517prct.org/documents/odyssey/paratroopers_odyssey.htm#the_fight_for_col_d_braus
And your English is very good.
Bob Barrett
For Col
Dalrymple... re: MailCall No. 1976 - 517 PRCT - March
10, 2010
You had responded with the right answer in this mail call; http://www.517prct.org/mailcall/1321.htm
Bill's initial comments were related to the official records that had the mis-spelling.
- Steve Markle –
Picnic at Col de Braus
Dear Friends of the 517th,
On Easter Monday Frederic Brega, his family and I went up to Col de Braus for a Picnic. We had a special thought for our friends of the 517th. Here are a few pictures.
Kind regards, Gilles
Dear Sir,
I would like to be added to the 517th Mail Call.
Many thanks , Best regards from South France ,
Marc PAOLI
Bob, I see Craig Pierce is asking if anyone knew his father. When I saw he was in Headquarters, 1st Battalion, it made me think of a couple of guys who were in that company that might remember his Dad. They are Joe Clark and John Russell. I am not sure if they are on mailcall or not. My Dad was in the communications section so I know a little about 1st BN from what my Dad told me. Craig could email me if he chooses at lcurtis@utah.gov.
Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1st BN
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Bob,
I received this poignant remembrance of what it is like to be in the military and I thought our 517th family would enjoy reading it. Gosh, I sure miss being in it! Those 10 years in the Marines and 17 years in the Army went by way too fast.
Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1st BN
You Can Leave the Military, But It Never Really Leaves You - By Ken Burger
The Charlestown Post and Courier Thursday, March 4, 2010
Occasionally, I venture back out to the air base where I'm greeted by an imposing security guard who looks carefully at my identification card, hands it back and says, "Have a good day, Tech Sergeant."
Every time I go back onto Charleston Air Force Base it feels good to be called by my previous rank, but odd to be in civilian clothes, walking among the servicemen and servicewomen going about their duties as I once did, years ago.
The military, for all its flaws, is a comfort zone for anyone who has ever worn the uniform. It's a place where you know the rules and know they are enforced, a place where everybody is busy but not too busy to take care of business.
Because there exists behind the gates of every military facility an institutional understanding of respect, order, uniformity, accountability and dedication that becomes part of your marrow and never, ever leaves you.
Personally, I miss the fact that you always knew where you stood in the military, and who you were dealing with. That's because you could read somebody's uniform from 20 feet away and know the score.
Service personnel wear their careers on their sleeves, so to speak. When you approach each other, you can read their name tag, examine their rank, and, if they are in dress uniform, read their ribbons and know where they've served.
I miss all those little things you take for granted when you're in the ranks, like breaking starch on a set of fatigues fresh from the laundry and standing in a perfectly straight line that looks like a mirror as it stretches to the endless horizon.
I miss the sight of troops marching in the early morning mist, the sound of boot heels thumping in unison on the sidewalks, the bark of sergeants, and the sing-song answers from the squads as they pass by in review.
To romanticize military service is to be far removed from its reality, because it's very serious business, especially in times of war. But I miss the salutes I'd throw at officers and the crisp returns as we crisscrossed on the flight line. I miss the smell of jet fuel hanging heavily on the night air and the sound of engines roaring down runways and disappearing into the clouds. I miss the “wop-wop-wop” of the Huey’s blades as they beat the air into submission. In awe I remember the long formations (seemingly from horizon to horizon) of Huey’s enroute to distant jungle LZs carrying young Infantry troops into battle.
I miss associating with men of honor and integrity every day. Some of those men I knew as 20 year old boys in combat and to this day I respect them more than all others with whom I have associated since. I trusted them then and I honor and trust them today. I named my sons for them and they named their sons for me and never once was formal respect and love offered or expected.
I even miss the hurry-up-and-wait mentality that enlisted men gripe about constantly, a masterful invention that bonded people more than they'll ever know or admit. I miss people taking off their hats when they enter a building, speaking directly and clearly to others and never showing disrespect for rank, race, religion, or gender.
Mostly I miss being a small cog in a machine so complex it constantly circumnavigates the Earth and so simple it feeds everyone on time, three times a day, on the ground, in the air or at sea.
Mostly, I don't know anyone of sound mind who has served who regrets it, and doesn't feel a sense of pride when they pass through those gates and re-enter the world they left behind with their youth...
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New Guestbook Entries
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Trooper Trivia
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Play midi file (hopefully the link will work this time) And what does this have to do with the 517th? And the correct and quick answer from Jerry Wofford: NAME THAT TUNE That tune is probably the theme song of the "Order Of The Society Of The Mulligan Guards". According to my readings it was John Lissner who stated that it originated at McSorleys Saloon in Brooklyn. Of course the 517th had to have their own version which he helped to promote. This was done at the "Hidey-Ho Restaurant" located on the road that leads to Toccoa GA, it was the birth place of the "Society of the Hidey-Ho Mulligan Guards" Of course John would march up and down the long table there to the tune of the Mulligan Guards while others sang along. I feel sure that there were liquid refreshments available. It definitely sounds like my kind of place. I would say that the new order of the Mulligan Guard fit in quite well with the high spirited troopers of the FIVE_SEVENTEEN. There are several later escapades written about in the paperback version of "The Battling Buzzards" and was most likely instrumental in allowing war worn troopers an avenue to lighten-up and let off some steam. N E P H E W O F A B U Z Z A R D
See: http://www.517prct.org/documents/mulligan_guard.htm
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Tell Your Story
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I recently posted Ray Hess’ biography: http://www.517prct.org/bios/ray_hess/ray_hess.htm
We’re still waiting for more entries for the Meet the Troopers section of the Web site. There were 2500 soldiers in the 517th, and we only have 63 bios on the site! It is an important part of the 517th history. There’s no time like the present to make a few notes about your life. Start simple. You can always add more info and more photos later. Where is Leo Dean? Gene Frice? Lud Gibbons? Families and friends, please get after your troopers to get their story in. Just get a few words down.
Material submitted is completely up to the soldier, or to their family and relatives. Take a look at the biographies already submitted -- Jesse Darden's bio is a great example. So is Merle’s -- if he would send me some better pictures. http://www.517prct.org/bios/merle_mcmorrow/merle_mcmorrow.htm
But feel free to be as creative as you like. It's your story. This information can be as long or as short as you like. We would like to see any or all of the following items:
¨ photos - then and now ¨ memories from 517th training and WWII ¨ biography - before and after the 517th ¨ comments, philosophy, opinions ¨ anything you want to say to your friends and relatives
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Send your news to MailCall@517prct.org