ran across some info at the Fort Benning; US Army Infantry; Donovan Research Library archives.

They have digitized some WWII records, but not too much yet. But they do mention that they have microfilm copies of several 517th reports, including the following three accounts. Unfortunately, I cannot access these until they are digitized. If anyone happens to drop by or have connections at Fort Benning, maybe they can get a copy printed.

Bob B.

---------------------------------------------

Title:               Operations of the 81-mm Mortar Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1^st Battalion, 517^th Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team at Soy, Belgium, 21-26 December 1944. (Ardennes-Alsace Campaign) (Personal experience of an 81-mm Mortar Platoon Leader)

Author:            Townsend, James M. CPT

Subject:           81-mm mortar platoon supporting the attack of a Battalion to relieve a surrounded garrison and establish a main line of resistance

Location:         Archives, microfilm D-512

Title:                 Operations of the 1^st Battalion, 517^th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Soy, Belgium, 22-24 December 1944. (Ardennes-Alsace Campaign) (Personal experience of a Battalion Liaison Officer)

Author:             Marks, Sidney M. CPT

Subject:            A Battalion attacking to seize and secure critical terrain and to establish a main line of resistance.

Location:          Archives

Title:                 Attack of the 3d Battalion, 517^th Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team (Separate) in the vicinity of Bergstein, Germany, 4-8 February 1945. (Rhineland Campaign) (Personal experience of a Battalion Communications Officer, without emphasis on communications)

Author:             Gohmert, Roland L

Subject:            A parachute Infantry Battalion in the attack of a fortified position

Location:          Archived, microfiche, microfilm, D-498

Marion Hupman

I'm glad to see the dates for the next reunion, August 2005. I will do my best to be their. I used to attend the reunions with my father Frank P. Hupman 460th C. I look forward to seeing some of the guys, and hearing more stories of my father. My email has changed to mfhupman@aol.com see you all soon.

Entry of Jun 02, 2004 at 21:20 [EST]
Name: Robert Dickson
Unit: USMC 1979-1995
EMail: rjdckson1@aol.com
How I found the 517th page: From a search engine
Comments: My late father John B. Dickson (d. 23Mar1970) was a PFC in Co A of the 517th. He went by the name of "Jack Dickson" He was from Rochester, NY. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who might remember him or any remembrances they would like to share. Thank you Sincerely , Bob Dickson

Entry of Jun 02, 2004 at 21:57 [EST]
Name: Diane Mays Williams
Unit: HQ CO, 2ND BN, 517th PIR
EMail: diwill@comcast.net
How I found the 517th page: Link from another web page
Comments: I'm proud and honored to make an entry to your guest book. I have recently learned that my father, Charlie Mays, served with the 82nd Airborne as a radio operator in the 517th. He was a replacement, arriving 30 Jan 45 just prior to the Schmidt minefield incident. He served through the fall of Germany and was heading to the Asiatic Theater when the war ended - I believe he returned stateside to New York on either the USS Oneida Victory or USS Madawaska Victory on 20 Aug 45. These two ships were deployed to the Asiatic Theater from Le Havre on 14 Aug 45, but orders were cancelled when the Japanese surrendered, so the ships brought the troops home to New York instead. Lacking points for a discharge, he reported to Ft. Bragg and was discharged 8 May 46. He was killed in an auto accident in 1970 at the age of 44. I am researching his military history and would be grateful to hear from anyone who served with him and remembers him. He was PFC Charles W. Mays from Shelbyville, Indiana. Thanks for the privilege to add my family's name to the guest book, and thanks to all of you who served and protected our nation in the 517th.

Dick Havill

>To: Ben517@aol.com
>From: Dick Havill <dagenis@netzero.com>
>Subject: St. Cezaire
>
>    Ben: A few memories of St. Cezaire. We were marching along a
> road, it seems to me it was all of
> the third battalion when someone got hit by mortar fire and let out
> an unearthly yell. The next thing I heard
> someone hollering Captain Fastia do something about this, and the
> Capt yelled Lt. Stott do something
> about this, and Lt. STOTT said Sgt. Dallas do something about this. I
> don't remember if it was just our squad
> or not, but we went up that hill, there were olive trees planted on
> ledges all the way to the top and when a GI
> named Sherry and I got to the top, the others were already there. A
> wall about chest high was between us
> and the enemy and we had them pinned down in a field in front of us.
> Every time one of them raised his head
> we took a shot at him.   Sgt. Dallas and some of the others left.
> Sherry and I stayed and protected their rear
> I moved to my left to protect the flank, took a shot at one who took
> off on the run. Someone must have called
> in the Artillery, and when shells started falling in on us, we went
> back down and the first one I saw was Sgt.
> Carpenter, He asked me where i had been and I gave him the
> scoop.
>    Pfc Dick Havill Co, I

Leroy Johnson