Hello,
Fifty eight years ago today was the last day of combat for the 517. I have in this Mail Call an Assessment Of Force Levels from June 44 to Feb 10 ,45.This chart was provided by Clark Archer
Ben___________________________________________________
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Date: 2/8/2003 3:04:07 PM Eastern Standard Time
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*****************
ALL I CAN DO IS SEND OUT THE MAIL. NO CONTROL OVER WHAT HAPPENS AT THE OTHER END.
BEN
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-Subj: 58 Years Ago-Good Bye 517th
Date: 2/8/2003 2:54:04 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: Genedie77
To: Ben517
Fifty-eight years ago today the 517th participated in combat for the last time, I believe. Bergstein, Germany area. I would like to know how many troops remained after Bergstein. I know that approximately 40 remained in Company E and I was not one of them because I was blasted while attempting to get back into Bergstein. As I understand it, the 517th moved back into France to regroup. The war ended before it was required to return to the front. My last contact with the unit after Feb. 8, 1945 was a letter from my platoon leader, Lt. Brearley, which reached me while I was in a hospital in England. As I understand it the 517th was disbanded and the troopers were spread among other airborne outfits never having received the credit it deserved as a combat team. Not that I did anything worth raving about but having been with the 517th from Italy to Bergstein, I know a lot of guys who did. This web site has brought us much of the history of a great Combat Team. Thanks to all who have contributed and continue to contribute.
Gene Brissey
Company E
____________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Fw: MAURICE WHITE 517
Date: 2/8/2003 5:03:13 PM Eastern Standard Time
From: acdoty@southwind.net
To: Ben517@aol.com
Just mailed this letter to Becky. I remember Wnite and had many good time
with him. Doty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Cecil H. Doty" <acdoty@southwind.net>
To: "Jim Martinette" <saltaire@pinn.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 1:15 PM
Subject: Re: MAURICE WHITE 517
> Becky; Yes I remember your father, how could forget him. He was with the
> Medical Detachment of the 517th and was attached to Company H of the
517th.
> I was honored to have him line up with my squad for all formations. When
we
> were not in combat it was my responsibility to know where he was. But in
> combat he was on his own. "White" as we all called him was fun to be
> around, but in the heat of combat, with disregard for his own safety, we
> would se him caring for the wounded. He was a very brave man, with the
only
> protection he had was the Red Cross arm band.
>
> On VE Day those of us who had enough points to get out ,were transferred
to
> other units with high points men, your father was one who had enough to
get
> out but he told me he wanted to go to the fighting in Japan. Therefore
I'm
> not surprise he stayed in after the War ended. I don't remember when he
was
> given the Bronze Star, but he should have had many more.
>
> You said you had some pictures,if you have one with five troopers, and
you
> father is the second from the left, top row, I'm setting to left of the
> table,I believe I'm the only one still living. The picture was taken
when
> we were stationed in Joigny France The guy setting to right of the table
> was not an American, He was from Chesolvakia, One day he showed up and
said
> he wanted to be part of us.He stayed with H Co. to the end.I was told
some
> of our troopers tried get him on the ship when they sailed for home. It
> wouldn't surprise me your father was one of them. When we would go on
pass
> for fun and ??? the Chec would be our interpreter.
>
> If you don't have this picture I'll have one made and mail it to you.
I'll
> need your address because I'm new at this computer and have not learn how
to
> e mail pictures.
>
> Cecil H. Doty
*******************
I remember the Chec very well. We called him George. Joe Proctor looked after him.When went into the Bulge, orders camer down to get rid of all "camp followers" and that was the last seen of him untill he was smuggled aboard the Onieda Victory and after coming to America he vanished.
Ben
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Martinette" <saltaire@pinn.net>
> To: <acdoty@southwind.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 8:14 AM
> Subject: MAURICE WHITE 517
>
>> Hello,
> > My father was Maurice White.. He was in the 517 .. I am interested in
> > any
> > information that you may have about him.. I received an email from Ben
> > with
> > the 517 , and he said that he thinks you may have some information.
> > My children have so many questions about his time at war, and I really
> > have
> > very little information... My father was quite a character, and I think
> > it is important
> > that the history to be remembered.. I would appreciate any information
> > that you
> > could share...
> > Thank You
> > Becky Martinette ( father Maurice White)
____________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Re: MAIL CALL NO. 420 517TH PRCT
Date: 2/9/2003 12:00:57 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: coonas@webtv.net ( June Huffman )
Hello Ben, I appreciate the mail call info, but the blue print will not
come thru on my machine. Darrell Egner sent the other to me. Thanks I
think your doing this will help keep 517 alive. Did I meet you in
Orlando at the Mini? I met several whom I had heard about all of these
years, Thanks for your efforts.
________________________________________________________________________
Subj: Reunion Info.
Date: 2/9/2003 11:48:20 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: CofGirl
Hi Ben
Just read my V.F.W . magazine. There is form To put our reunion in the magazine.
To do so you have to be a nmember in good standing. When audrey gets back from shopping I can have her send a copy of the form t o you. By the way, I called Ed Flannery yesterday and talked to him for just a few minutes. He said he probably miss the Okie reunion. Always Airborne Fritz Coffman
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