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Colonel S.M. Wallace
Sends:
I am in Baghdad on this fine Memorial day, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My father, Charles Wallace, who lives back in Nashville, TN, was in the G. Co./3rd Bn/517th. I enlisted as a Private First-Class, twenty five years ago, in Special Forces, and was just promoted to Colonel here by MG McChrystal. I am completing the Army War College, where Barrie Zais, Col Ret, is an instructor (son of Mel Zais). Down the road here is Logistics Base Seitz, named in honour of LTG Dick Seitz. Thanks to all who served with the 517th, it was a proud unit. Regards, Stevenson M. Wallace COL, USAR CJTF-7, Baghdad Mark Baird
Howdy Ben, At this late date, I would like to
memorialize my best buddy who was KIA the last day the outfit was in action. I was in hospital in England at the time and had sent James L. Baney (Co. A) a letter asking him to take care of my duffel bag while I was away, and the letter came back with (deceased) written on it. He had gotten married just a few days before shipping out and was just as certain he was coming home as I was that I wouldn't. A swell guy and and a good soldier. Would also like to commend a Co.A officer... 1st Lt. Dan Cook who gave me his last pair of dry socks along about the 5th/6th? of Jan.1945. He and I were among the few that I knew of, that had a cattle/country background, so we got along. The 517th PRCT was filled with good officers.... can only remember one, (who shall remain nameless) who in my estimation didn't measure up.. Mark Baird Bud Wyatt
Ben: on 29 May 2004 the above Memorial was Dedicated , there are four
categories for those we lost during the war etc., fourth being the living veterans
to be Honored by public enrollment in the Registry of Remembrances.
If 5l7th Veterans will go to web site http://www.wwiimemorial.com/ their
names will be placed on the memorial for WW II. Bud Wyatt
Entry of May 31, 2004 at 21:22 [EST]
Name: Johnny Ingram Unit: EMail: rsq602@aol.com How I found the 517th page: From a search engine Comments: My uncle, Arlton E. Bearden, was KIA in WW2. According to our records he died June 22, 1944 with the 517th PRCHT INF 13 ABN. On one of the web sites for this group lists him as a member of Co. I. This is all the info I have , I am trying to piece together how he died. A story from a friend said he was killed in a drop by a machine gun, (his body looked like a flour sifter according to story) but I have read and found no drops on or around this date, esp. the 517th. My mom thought he was in the Normandy Invasion, but 517th wasn't there per history. Did anyone know Arlton Bearden or remember how he died? Or where? Could the date of his death be wrong? Thank you so much for this site and your part in WW2. Bob Dalrymple
Dear Ben, I want to express my deep appreciation to our President,
Howard
Hensleigh, for his splendid message on Memorial Day. He aroused in me those bittersweet memories of the past , which often get pushed aside by the vicissitudes of daily life . We must, and will always and forever, remember to Honor and Exalt those who gave' the "last full measure". LEST WE FORGET ! God Bless you and yours Howard. In A/BBL Bob Dalrymple |