From: Howard Hensleigh

To: Clark Jo Spencer

Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 3:30 PM

Subject: Art Ridler

We will put the Alfredo Vorshirm story on the back burner until we can get more verification. I's interesting. Perhaps too interesting.

Shirley Catterson has sent us some interesting photos of her dad, Edward Smith, and other members of D company? Can you help identify some of the members ? Check Photos section on the website. We are always adding pictures.

Mail Call Ben517@aol.com

Mail Call archives www.517prct.org/archives

Dad,

I tried to do some research on Vorshirm when I first found his books a couple of years ago. But the info on the web is very old, and his email didn't work, and his book disappeared. It resurfaced under the new name, but the author info is still old. I'm not sure if he's still alive or not.

I was also skeptical of the story, since I never heard of foreigners "joining" the US army and being assigned uniforms and equipment. His story has plenty of details and people's names, but there are plenty of authors (and diplomats) out there who now how to use such details and drop names. So you guys will have to vouch for the authenticity.

Bob

______________________________________________________________________________

Bob Hart

Thanks so much, Ben. I appreciate it! Can I receive "Mail Call," too?

I have quite a few photographs, news clippings, and such from my Dad. Would you like to see/post any of them? If so, just let me know.

Shirley Catterson -- daughter of Edward J. Smith, 2nd Battalion, D Company

Dear Ben, Neither Jack Castiglione nor Geroge (Red) Meline remember Alfredo. That does not mean that he was not there. He was evidently doing things that may have been quite important, but did not have a direct relation with the S-2 section. Thanks for his email address. I will try him. Howard H.

A little more follow up on Alfredo's story. Writes a pretty fair tale..but to sell books you use a lot of imagination also. the names he bantered about were correct like Morgan-Wiickersheimer=Knerr- were in Reg't S-2 and Sturgeon=Childs-Globaker were part of Boom Boom troops and the other's mentioned were commo; Weiss-Goldsmith-Jay Robertson. will try and find out where the book is published.. Hi boom boom...old sarge Holzworth

Hello -

Don't know if I told you that I have a new home email address. It is:

nancy.steinfurth@comcast.net

Nancy

Entry of Feb 16, 2004 at 12:44 [EST]
Name: jered woody
Unit:
EMail: baseball91383@aol.com
How I found the 517th page: unknown
Comments: i want to find my grandpa his name is john woody and he was in the 517th paratrooper infantry E company if you have any information about him please email me.

*********

I just talked to Jered on IM. He is 12 years old. John Woody was awarded a Bronze Star. "I recall a boy, we called Woody, was lying right out in the open firing his machine gun like crazy. The Germans kept firing artillery and " from Gene Brissey's Wartime Autobiography on our website-Ben

Entry of Feb 17, 2004 at 10:08 [EST]
Name: Ronald J. Rock
Unit: my father was Sargeant Robert J. Rock Co. C 517th
EMail: DAROCKS4@sssnet.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: My father passed away in 1978. I am checking to see if anyone from his unit is out there and remembers him. I would love to hear some stories about my father. Please let me know. Sincerely, Ronald J. Rock

Ronald Rock

Does anyone have any information about my father Robert J. Rock

Co. C 517th. Anything, stories to share, pictures, etc.

Thanks Ronald J. Rock DAROCKS4@sssnet.com

Boom Boom

Attention Loius Holzworth.....Today received Photo copy of "Dearing's Bung Hole Raiders." Many thanks. I am sending the photo copy to Ben Barrett our super Mail Call operator to be included on our Website for posterity.
I always was under the impression according to my records that you were a member of my Demolition Platoon. When did you transfer to the "Dearing's (Regt S2) Bung Hole Raiders.?
The photo was taken in front of our Regimental Command Post somewhere in the Nice, Southern France area after we were pulled off the front lines for some rest, and prior to moving out in the 40 and 8 Box cars to the Bulge.
Boom Boom Alicki

Shirley Catterson

Group 12 -- top left photo. Man on the left is Ed Smith. (Going through Mike Kane's pictures bit by bit, but that's my Dad in that one.)

Lou Holsworth

Hi Boom Boom.....I was with you all the way until we left the rest area in Joiny France an I transferred over to S-2 when they started up recon platoon size..called the I&R unit. Then in the bulge I was attached to the 551 which got wiped out in one of the big attacks early in Jan 45. Hope you make the next reunion ..I will.. Always..Lou

Just checked them out, Ben. Awesome! My Dad would have been so tickled to see this. Really.

----- Original Message -----

From: Howard Hensleigh

To: Jo Clark

Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 2:02 PM

Subject: Re: Art Ridler

Ben: You may find the first para of Jo's letter and part of the second newsworthy. This is typical Art Riddler. He was loyal to his friends and his men. I wish we could contact some member of his family. I am sue the G Co. men will remember him. Highest regards, Howard H.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jo Clark

To: Howard Hensleigh

Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 1:13 PM

Subject: Re: Art Ridler

Dear Howard: Re: Art Ridler, when Spence was wounded at Col de Bra, Art had dragged him across a road and into a ditch, saving Spence from cross fire. At the time that Art was killed, Spence said that Art was having terrific head aches and was eating aspirin by the handfuls. I don't remember any of the details of Art's death, but I know it upset Spence. ----- Thank you for having the Mail Call sent to me, some names are familiar. I remember when, Stotsy was killed by friendly artillery in the Bulge, when Capt. Mac was killed, when Marty Fastaya freaked out in a fox-hole, and the photos that Spence had of Malmady, My best. Jo and the girls!

Howard Hensleigh