I sure enjoy reading email everyday, seems to brighten up my day, and gives me a chance to relate the information to my dad. Thanks for all you and your son do for this site. You had referred readers to the web site to see new pictures. Those sure were good. I clicked on “Training and World War II photos” and scrolled down and saw some group photos of different companies. My question is does anyone have a group picture of HQ, First Battalion, or of the entire Battalion?

Lory Curtis, son of Bud Curtis, HQ, 1^st BN

Joyce and Leo Turco

Hi Ben,

It is with great interest that you put the picture of the booklet given during Christmas in 1944. Leo has this original and we made 50 copies and even though we can't remember which trip we were on going somewhere on a bus with the 517th. Our daughter Gail made the copies which we put together and handed them to many members. So if you want to know where there is an original we have it slightly aged but very clear.

I have tried so hard to get Leo his "Thanks America" by the French. When it was first offered I sent copies of Leo's discharge, filled out the form we got from the computer, sent a cover letter with a self addressed stamped envelope to the French Embassy in Atlanta, GA which which serves SC. Time went by about a year and I tried again, same deal, but this time sent to Albany, NY which serves NY State where Leo was from. No answer from either. I followed up again to Atlanta, GA and still no answer. Wonder what they did with my stamps. Merle told me to send all to him and he gave it to the Embassy in Chicago. At least that finally brought a phone call from a French lady over a month ago saying she has his application and sees no reason why he did not get it. Well, she did say she was overwhelmed with applications but we thought it was a done deal but still not a thing in over a month. So I give up. ( I am Joyce, Leo's wife of 62 yrs coming Nov, 16th. You can only do so much for a husband but we thank Merle for trying to help. Just would like to have it for the family to put in with all Leo's history of WW11.

Well, at least I got his picture put in the WW11 Memorial in Washington. At least it is on the web site.

Best wishes to all of the 517th and especially the keeping us in touch through Ben and Bob.

Leo and Joyce Turco

Matt Skovera

Subject: Matt Skovera HQ 3rd

Dear Mr Hensleigh,

My dad served with the 517 from beginning to end and was in a mortar squad. I am trying to find some stories about his war years for his grandkids to hear. He loved them very much and enjoyed watching them grow until his death in 1985. Now that they have all watched the Band of Brothers and know that I read the 517 web site regularly, they ask me to contact others that may of known dad. I would appreciate any stories you may have of my dad or information you could pass on about him. Thanks for all you and others have done to keep this country free.

Sincerely

Matt Skovera Jr.

Howard Hensleigh

Dear Matt:

Thank you for your message and the interest of you and your father’s descendants in what he did on behalf of our freedom. You saw in Band of Brothers what Matt, Sr. went through running up and down the mountain, jump school etc. The 506^th went to England. We were in combat in Italy about the same time the Normandy invasion took place. We went from Rome up the "boot" nearly to the Po River and then were pulled out for the invasion of Southern France on August 15, 1944. I was with Hq. Company, 3^rd Bn. from the beginning of 1944, until after the Southern France drop. The heavy mortar platoon was part of that company. Whenever the went on a run or did anything as a company, your father and I did it together. I was in the machine gun platoon led by Joe Largan, whose children and a grandson recently discovered Mail Call and our other means of keeping in touch. The 81 mm. mortar platoon was led by Bob Reber, whose son, Tom, is one of our mainstay descendants. Silas (Don) Brown was the mortar platoon Sgt. He and several of his children attended the Florida reunion last year for the first time. His daughter, Donna Hilliard, has helped us republish "Paratroopers’ Odyssey" our Combat Team History. It was written several years ago. It is on sale; details should be in our next Thunderbolt. If you and members of your family are not already receiving the Thunderbolt, let us know and Tom Reber will put you on the roster. Bob Reber and Silas Brown would have known you father well. Silas should be able to shed some light on Matt Sr.’s activities. The mortar platoon was a tightly knit outfit. They all got along well together, ably led by Bob Reber and always laid in a barrage to assist the rifle companies advance toward our objectives. You are rightly proud of your father’s service in that outfit.

Again, we thank your for your interest and look forward to your Dad’s descendants becoming part of our 517^th family. Howard Hensleigh

I will put this in Mail call with your message so that other men in the mortar platoon and Hq. 3^rd. may get a crack at responding.

Kelly Edwards

I have a new e-mail address. It is: kedwards@door.net

Kelly Edwards (Mel Edwards’ daughter)