Dear Sir : Congratulations ! I am so fortunate that GOD hasgiven me the
grace to stay above ground long enough to honor you as you accept the
CREIGHTON W ABRAMS MEDAL AT THE ANNUAL AUSA SYMPOSIUM in Washington nect
month . What a splendid recognition , and far too long in coming . But
bask in its meaning and take your deserved place amongst our renowed
war leaders . I salute you ! BobDalrymple

Ben:
The references to K. H. Higginbotham being in Co. E are correct. I was the original CO of Co. E and knew him well. He started out as Armorer/Articifer in Co. E and later promoted Supply Sergeant There is an interesting reference to him on Page 73 of William H. Breuer's book entitled Operation Dragoon. He was an excellent NCO. Dick Seitz and Bob Newberry will well remember the incident when Co. E discovered that some of the Ammo that Co. E was issued at the 2nd Battalion Departure Airfield at Orbetello was found to be defective and Dick Seitz rounded up a C-47 for me from the 440th Troop Carrier Group and I took Higginbotham and 1st Lt. Miley, 2d Bn S-4, on a fast trip to a 5th Army Ammo Dump in Civittavecchia to replace the bad
ammo in Co. E.
We were barely able to get the Ammo loaded in A-5 Aerial Delivery Containers and delivered to the correct aircraft before they taxied out
and were placed in their assigned take off position. Gene Brissey and Russ Brami, also of Co. E, knew Higginbotham very well and recount many interesting stories involving Higginbotham.
Regards, Tom Cross

Entry of Sep 27, 2003 at 11:36 [EST]
Name: Douglas G. Cowan
Unit: Son of Pvt. Ian Cowan, 1st Btn, Co-B
EMail: douglas34474@mfi.net
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: Dad never talked about his experiences with the 517. I could draw the "Buzzard" by the time I was six. If anyone recalls him please drop me a line. I would like to find out more about his experiences. Thank you.

Gentlemen,

I believe we can make some very nice things happen. I totally forgot about Bob Barrett's internet roster link. Between that and all of the other great information provided me, we will no doubt succeed. Bob's posting of roster revisions is certainly one great way to allow people to review the current information.

I will be focusing on some of these issues this weekend and I will update you soon. I am so awestruck at the interest of the people on the roster and also the size of the roster.

Take care!

Tom Reber

Dear Tom: WE appreciate your work, expecially on a day when Wisconsin opens its Big Ten Season. Don't slight your old alma mater. With our shoulders to the wheel, we shall overcome. God Bless, Howard Hensleigh

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Hi Ben,
     Attached is a photo taken of my father, SSgt. Nello R. Arterburn and his new bride (my mom), Dorothy Mae Schaumburg at Camp MacCall where they were married on Dec 3, 1943.
     They had a paratrooper wedding and reception. My father was a young 21 and my mother 18.   I have often wondered how many military men married their sweethearts before shipping out for the battle zones around the world.   My parents had a great marriage and five children with nine grandchildren so far.   I was the first born on Dec 21, 1944 as the 517th proceeded to the battle field at the Bulge.   Both my parents have passed on now, but I want to honor their memory of their marriage and while Dad was a member of the 517th.   I remember my mother saying that they did not get a Honeymoon because the 517th was in strict training and didn't get much time off the base to spend with my mother.   Priorities! Anyhow, thought you might find this interesting and wanted to share it with some 517th troopers who might remember it.
As soon as I get it scanned into my computer, I will send you a letter from my Mom to her father describing the wedding.   Her father, (my Grandfather) was so proud, he had it printed in his local newspaper.
Enjoy,
Michael N. Arterburn
Son of SSgt Nello R. Arterburn, 517th, 3rd Battalion, G Co.
Capt Mike

Hello Ben

RE Photo submitted by Brett Stadler in yesterday's mail call.

The personnel in the photo would be from 2/Bn, probably HQ or FCo.

It appears the fellow in the back row either has a kink in his neck or has suddenly fallen in love.

Regards

Tom Stadler

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Ben : Boy, have I got a lot to learn about this E-mail stuff ! Looking
at those "17 " pages I have just downloaded , I find that I have wound
up with about five copies of 551 , which I find is only three pages long
! "C'est la vie " ! Bob Dalrymple

************

Join the crowd Bob.-Ben

Dear Jesse and Lou , Boy, from all accounts Garnet and I must have
missed a real doozy !Congratulations and many thanks . All of your
hard,dedicated efforts paid-off in SPADES . A/BBL . Bob and Garnet
Dalrymple

Dear Mr President : Congrats on your first SL Column . I know how tough
those first one are whn one has so little lead tme . THANKS . Bob
Dalrymple

_Randolph Coleman. Randolph, you were kind to say such nice things and I
appreciate your e mail in Mailcall. Words coming from you, agreat
trooper of F Company means a great deal and brings back so many memories
of some truly outstanding paratroopers. With great admiration. Dick
Sritz.

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