After al these years we are gratified to learn of Joe Largan, his wife, his six pack of daughters, his son (king John the First) and his grandson who made the contact with Mail call, Joe Bisch. It is not surprising to learn that Joe Largan was the same type of father as he was a platoon leader. The manifest for the August 15, 1944 jump Joe Bisch found in his foot locker contained notations for each man on the list. Joe kept track of each one. Unfortunately some of the names were marked with the note "KIA" but Joe did his best to prevent that notation.
We appreciate the details provided by his daughters, Anne and Dorothy, and the list of items in the foot locker provided by Joe. If John can dig out some of those pictures, we will be glad to see them.
You should know that you are part of a large family of 517th members, wives, widows, descendants, nieces and nephews who have vowed to keep an organization going even after many of us have "hit the final drop zone". We have picked up the Navy therm, "Welcome aboard", which means the red carpet is rolled out for you. One of the main purposes of our Association is to perpetuate and honor the names of the Combat Team members, as well as the Combat Team’s WWII accomplishments.
Please keep in touch and enjoy being part of the 517th Family. Howard Hensleigh
Darrell Egner
Ben
Was just thinking about my Dad and wondered if any of the 517th men could answer a question I never got to ask my father before he passed away.
I recall that he had said that he was an instructor at a demolition school and that the reason he volunteered for the 517th was because he figured he would rather die fighting overseas than be killed teaching men about pyrotechnics. I seem to remember him talking about several instructors being injured from an explosive that was like a putty substance that you could wrap around the trunk of a small tree and sever the tree. Reminded me of primer cord we used when I was in the service in the 60's. Does anyone remember whether I am just imagining this demolition weapon or was there such a thing in the 40's?
I suppose it would have been used to clear trees, blow up bridge supports, etc.
Michael N. Arterburn
Son of SSgt Nello R. Arterburn, 3rd Bat., G Co.
Capt Mike
Army soldier
in
in
front of his tent.
It's
heartwarming!
Here is a soldier
stationed in
He
asked his wife to send him dirt, fertilizer and
some
grass seeds so
he can have the sweet aroma and feel
the grass grow
beneath his feet.
If
you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair
of scissors.
Sometimes we are in
such a hurry that we don't stop
and think about the
little things that we take for granted.
Upon receiving
this, please say a prayer for our soldiers
that give (and give
up) so unselfishly for us.
You don't have
to send this on, but who wouldn't...?
