Note to JC Miller–We appreciate your difficulty in making sense out of the jargon used in your Father’s Army records. I won’t tackle the whole thing, but will shed some light on the one that gives you the most trouble. We got the European Theater of Operations (ETO) ribbon merely for being in Europe during the war. Everyone there got one, even the MPs and the quartermaster corps. It is what went on it that counts. You list the five major battles in which we were engaged. One small bronze stat goes in the ETO ribbon for each battle. After you have been through five major battles, you can substitute one small silver star for the five bronze ones. I did this until the civilians who thought they understood decorations attempted to diminish my service by stating that I had only participated in one major battle. So to shield them from further embarrassment, I stuck all five on the ETO ribbon. We are not quite done with that ribbon. Participation in an invasion entitled your Dad to add a small bronze arrowhead to the ETO ribbon. This makes it a little crowded but we stuck them on. Your father was also entitled to wear the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (CIB). Recently the Army authorized all who wore the CIB to be awarded a Bronze Stat Medal. The Bronze Star and the Silver Star are medals awarded for heroic action, but on an Army form they are easily confused with the little bronze stars that go on the theater ribbons.

I was in G Company for a few months at Camp Mackall Undoubtedly, I knew your father. There probably was nothing in his mind to distinguish me from the other men in the company. I have to say honestly that I remember a Howard Johnson there, but the recollection is not strong. Your father was in a good company that performed admirably through those five major battles up until the last day or two at Bergstein. Germany. There, the company, along with the rest of the Combat Team, was up to its ears in what they termed the largest mine field encountered in Europe. We were fighting German paratroops who were no more willing to surrender than we were. We only took one prisoner; we knocked this guy out with a concussion grenade and carried him to regiment. When he came to, he was ready to continue the fight. This gave Capt. Bill Young the opportunity to flatten the guy. In the middle of this attack, which Col. Graves later termed a diversionary attach, the G Company commander was given an attack order he refused to carry out. He was relieved of his command and later court martialed for this refusal. The executive officer who was then in charge broke down and had to be evacuated. This is no reflection on your father or G Company. It was just a very bad day for every member of the Combat Team who was still on his feet. The men and officers of G Company who were left stayed in the lines, held on, and the Germans did not break through.

I have spoken of the Bergstein incident candidly, perhaps too candidly. I has been a long time ago, but all who were there will remember it. Howard Hensleigh

  Hi Ben.  I think Darrell's suggestion is great.  Those of us who have been gifted with men who served in this Association could write some brief memories.  I know the young ones don"t know the history of Monk Huffman and his contribution of all the invasion maps, or of the short histories of the past Presidents.  I plan to contribute.  Thanks Ben for all that you do!!!!!   Dorothy

  Hi Ben.....Just reread the last suggestion from Darrell.......and I must say I'm a nut case.  He suggested Roster listings and I went ahead and figured he meant a column for the Thunderbolt.  Anyway, I don"t think my idea is too bad.  What do you think?              Dorothy

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Join the crowd. I think it is a great idea.We are interested in anybody who is interested in the 517.-Ben                           

Dear Ben:

Thanks to Darrell Egner for suggesting we have a column for wives in Tom’s roster. As a confirmation of this good idea, right under that suggestion in Mail Call 577 is Jerrie Long’s announcement of Dallas and her 60^th wedding anniversary. At that time Dallas was first serg3ant of G Company. That wedding must have taken place at Camp Mackall. I received another 60^th wedding anniversary announcement from Rene and Mattie Benoit. Rene was in I Company at that time, but the language capabilities of that former French Canadian soon put him in the S-2 section. Rene’s other capabilities were patrolling and liberation vehicles. Jeeps and mayor’s Fiat sedans were his specialty. These ladies and many others went through the war with the 517^th Combat Team. Others got hooked up later and have been loyal spouses and Team members since. Some of their husbands have hit the final drop zone, but they still have an interest and we want them included. We were impressed by the number of wives of our former members attended the OKC reunion or have been in touch through Mail Call.

We will include them in Tom’s roster with a special designation and include them in the Association with activities to their liking. Howard Hensleigh

U.S. Army Individual Decorations

Chapter 3, Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards)
25 February 1995

The Medal of Honor
[ Distinguished Service Cross | Distinguished Service Medal | Silver Star | Legion of Merit ]
[ Distinguished Flying Cross | Soldiers Medal | Bronze Star | Meritorious Service Medal ]
[ Air Medal | Army Commendation Medal | Army Achievement Medal ]

Exonerate Lt. Col. Allen B. West from Criminal Prosecution - ... - ...