Website www.517prct.org

Mail Call Ben517@aol.com

Mail Call Archives www.517prct.org/archives

Roster www.517prct.org/roster.pdf

Reunions
Save the Dates!

Annual West Coast Party 2005
April 10-16, 2005
Palm Spring, CA

2005 Biannual Reunion
August 15-19, 2005
Savannah, GA

Wayne Cross

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Walsh family. I only had the pleasure of meeting Gail on two occasions (each time sadly accompanying the passing of a good 517th friend) but I was very moved by her attachment to her father's legacy. Gail understood, as few did, that the men who served with the 517th were the fitting legacy of a brave and honorable man. General Walsh was the architect and the inspiration for the 517th. Like the 517th troopers he faced great adversity in his life and career and in the end showed that the character and fortitude that he instilled in each of you was come by naturally by overcoming and succeeding when little hope or help was offered. I know that Gail and Trooper understood this and therefore reflected back on you the love and respect of their father. As plans develop for Gail's memorial service please keep me informed.

Tom Cross

Dear Trooper:

I am sad to learn of Gail's passing. I first met Gail when she was a little girl and was with your Mother and Dad at Southern Pines, NC in 1943. She, like you, was proud of her family heritage. Your Dad was well known and respected as a early pioneer in our airborne heritage. He was also my first Company Commander when I joined his Co. "M" of the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia on February 20th, 1941. I remember this date well for it was a year later on February 20th 1942 that I received my Regular Commission as a 2nd Lt. through a Competitive Appointment that was due to your Dad's training and guidance during this formulative period of my military career.

Your Dad selected me as a Company Commander in the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment when we were activated at Camp Toccoa, Georgia in early 1943. Throughout my military career he was my role model as he was for others like Dick Seitz and John Lissner.

I was present when he left the 517th and it was with deep regret and sadness when he left us at Camp Mackall after we had done so well in the Tenn. Maneuvers. His relief from the 517th was unwarranted yet he went on to command three other Regiments during his military career before retiring as a Major General in 1966. The three Regiments were: the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division in 1945 when the C.O. of that Regiment was killed in action and although this was only for a brief period of command time he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for heroism during this period. His next period of command time was as Regimental Commander of the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment from 1951-1953. He also commanded the 224th Infantry Regiment but I am not familiar with the details of this period. Gail was familiar with all of his military assignments and in the old ways of the Army traditions she can be known as the Daughter of the Regiment, the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. She was a wonderful supporter of her Dad's Regiment and she will be well remembered by those of us who knew her well.

I will not be able to be present for Gail's final farewell but the Cross Family will be represented by my son Wayne Cross who will pay our respects and love to the Daughter of the Regiment.

I am taking the liberty of forwarding this to Ben Barrett so that he and others might be aware of our pride of association with the Walsh Family and the other commands held by your Dad.

With respect, Tom Cross, former: C.O. Co. "E": 2nd Bn Ex and C.O. 3d Bn, 517th PIR.

Trooper Walsh

Dear Tom...

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words...! It was particularly with family-folks like you and Dick Seitz that I had in mind when I posted about Gail's passing on the 517th web site. The 517th continued to be a huge part of Gail's life until the end, and she often spoke about you and others with warmth and fond memories.

One of the things I will miss about Gail is her firm recall about Dad's military history / family friends, and related stories, as she was around for much more of this period than I was. In this sense she continued to be a strong link for me to Mom and Dad for the almost 20 years since their passings. And now it is only through the 517th web site, and more specifically the ties and memories of fine Soldier-friends such as yourself that I maintain such ties...and for this I am very grateful.

I am sharing this and other e-mail postings from the 517th related to Gail with her children, Jeff and Suci Tayler, in the hope they too may be comforted through these relationships and memories - not only of their Mother, but of their Grandfather and Grandmother as well. With these thoughts in mind we would very much appreciate any and all further postings shared on the 517th web site from those with ties / memories / stories to share about Gail our parents. And likewise - please feel free to pass on the information about Gail's death and funeral arrangements to other friends who may not be on line with the 517th site.

Again, Tom...thank you so very much for your kind words and memories shared, and I look forward to seeing Wayne later this week. I also appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the remainder of the Walsh family during this difficult time.

With warmth and respect...TW<<

Trooper Walsh / Managing Director / ZooGenesis, LLC
2393 North Edgewood Street
Arlington, VA 22207 USA
Tel:703.528.8562 / Cell:703.346.4432
Fax:703.528.4971 / TWALSH@juno.com

Trooper Walsh

Hi Ben...!...

Thank you for your kind words, and I will be sure to pass them on to Gail's Son and Daughter. Thank you too for the love effort you have made of the 517th web site and Mail Call. I can't tell you how much they meant to Gail (and me, of course), they are almost a living entity linking us past and present as if socializing at one of my Father's former Military dinner parties...!

I wish you and yours all the best in this new year, and thanks again for being there for all of us...!!!...TW

Boom Boom Alicki

My deepest heartfelt sympathy in the passing of Gail. May her soul rest in peace.

Boom Boom Alicki

Darrell Egner

Ben

How could anyone miss Jack's hair. The pictures came through perfect. The hair was there as long ago as the Reunion in Albany, NY in 1986. As I remember Jack "slept" through that one.

I have an Ex Brother-in-law that married a cousin of Jack's. They live in San Diego and after a fashion I am posted on Jack through my niece. She is also a lawyer.

Happy 90th Jack.

Darrell Egner

Hq 2nd Bn

Bill Boyle

Picture of Dunaway was clear here. We have invited guests

in the past -- Maria Gaspar, the Targnions, and others. We did

provide some support--Whether from our funds or voluntary

contributions, I am not sure. Seems that whatever is permitted

and approved by the Board

Gene Brissey

Ref. Gene Frice's note with respect to aiding foreign friends to come to our reunion. I agree completely. He mentioned Irma and Arnold Targnion of Trois Ponts among those to consider. YES! But lets not forget Maria Gasper who has been president of THE CADUSA for years.
Gene Brissey

Merle McMorrow

"Although I never knew Lou Walsh personally, we realized he was responsible for creating a Unit that was capable and ready for combat. We were not happy when we found out he would not be with us when we shipped out for Italy on May 17, 1944.

I have a picture of him in my book on the 517th as a two star general with the caption that reads:

Colonel Louis A. Walsh graduated from West Point in 1934. He was an observer of some of the early combat against the Japanese in the South Pacific. The Colonel was the first commander of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment when it was formed in March 1943. As a result of what he had seen in the South Pacific, he set some very high standards as to what established a unit as being combat ready.

So sorry to hear of your sister's passing. Our association with the Walsh family goes back more than 60 years."

Lory Curtis

I was talking with my Dad, Bud Curtis, about the time the 517^th was at Camp Mackall. Dad said in November or December 1943, the 517^th was asked to make a jump for a motion picture that starred Erro Flynn. Dad said the weather was mostly bad, and lots of wind. Does anyone remember the details of that jump? It would be nice to hear what others have to say about it. Also, does anyone remember the name of the movie?

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

**********

I believe the name of the movie was "Objective Burma. - Ben