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Neal McAfee

Mr. Barrett,

I was wondering if you had a chance to check with the 517th historian. I received an email from Mike Spano. I've included it.

Thanks again,

Neal McAfee

NEAL......I WAS IN A FOX HOLE WITH BROWNING IN MANHAY WHEN FRED BEYER ASKED THAT I SWITCH FOX HOLES WITH HIM. I THINK FRED WIPED OUT THE SWITCH FROM HIS MIND BECAUSE IT RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF HIS ARM. HE WANTED THE SWITCH BECAUSE HE AND BROWNING WERE GOOD FRIENDS, SO HE TOLD ME. BEYER AND I DIDN'T KNOW EACH OTHER PRIOR TO JUMPING INTO THOSE ALREADY DUG FOXHOLES. I DIDN'T KNOW HIS NAME WHEN I TOLD THE STORY ABOUT THE P-38 DROPPING A 100 POUNDER AND BLOWING OFF HIS ARM. AND HE DIDN'T KNOW MINE. I REMEMBER THE NAME BROWNING BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT REFERRED TO HIS BEING A BAR MAN [BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE]. AS IT TURNED OUT IT WAS HIS NAME. I SPENT THE NIGHT OF THE ATTACK WITH BROWNING IN THE FOX HOLE BEFORE MAKING THE SWITCH. I REMEMBER BOTH OF LAUGHING A LOT FOR REASONS THAT ESCAPE ME NOW. WE HAD MODIFIED OUR. FOX HOLE WITH A SHELF LOADED WITH HAND GRENADES. I REMEMBER SHOOTING A CHICKEN WITH MY M-1 AND THE BRASS RUNNING OUT BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A COUNTERATTACK. LIKE I SAID. THE ONLY REASON I MADE THE SWITCH WITH BEYER WAS THAT BEYER SAID BROWNING WAS HIS CLOSE BUDDY. WHEN THE SHELL BLEW OFF BEYER'S ARM I THOUGHT BROWNING WAS KILLED BY THAT SAME BOMB. I CAN'T TELL YOU MUCH MORE THAN THAT. IN BATTLE YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU WILL END UP IN A FOX HOLE WITH, ESPECIALLY IN A NIGHT ATTACK .I WISH I COULD TELL YOU MORE. I DON'T KNOW WHY HE WASN'T LISTED AS KIA. MAYBE CLARK ARCHER CAN HELP YOU. HE IS THE 517TH HISTORIAN...........MIKE SPANO

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

Clark Archer is trying to find information about Cleo Browning--Ben

Fred Beyer

Cleo Browning was I think killed in Manhay at the same time that I lost my arm, when we hit by the p 38 that bombed us. He was in the same fox hole with me. He was a friend of mine, I know he was from Cheyenne Wyo.

If you read the story Mike Spano sent in, Browning was the one who changed fox holes with him. I could be wrong about him being killed at that time but it is what I heard later. Mike might know for sure.

Fred Beyer

Hi Ben

Tough to believe. I have to drive to a family reunion in Wyoming in
early August. So, I started to lay out the trip from Florida. Lots of
folks to see on the way, coming and going, of course.

Anyway, as I started to plan the return trip, I wanted to make sure to
visit JG Ward (my radio operator in HQ 460) in Tennessee. I finally got
to that slot on the calendar.

Guess what! I will arrive at his house at about noon on August 15th,
just 60 years after we jumped out of the same plane into S. France.

I had no clue! But I sure to look forward to seeing him again and I sure
as the devil will try to keep him from jumping again!

Best

Jim Mortensen

John A. Alicki

BRANCH OF SERVICE
U.S. Army

HOMETOWN
Brooklyn, NY

ACTIVITY DURING WWII
VETERAN OF PEARL HARBOR. SERVED WITH THE 517TH PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM IN ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE, PARACHUTE ASSAULT, RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE AND CENTRAL EUROPE CAMPAIGNS.

Entry of Jun 01, 2004 at 12:29 [EST]
Name: Joe Pettit
Unit: 121st NCB,att: 4th Marines(1944-46)
EMail: joepettit2003@yahoo.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: To: Ben Barrett, "h" Co. Ben, My Bro-in Law (deceased), Sgt. Bernard Donohue, told me that he was one of the "originals"; he mentioned Cols. Zais & Graves. His shoulder patch was an Eagles Claw grasping a bolt of lightning. He was wounded in Italy (June "44", and again in So. France Aug "44" (Opr Dragoon). Thanks! Joe Pettit