I will try to answers your questions in the following narrative.

When the Bulge hit, all the airborne troops on the continent were under General ridgway’s 18^th Airborne Corps. This included the 517^th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. We with all others were rushed to the front to plug holes in the lines and to stop and reverse the German assault. General Rose had lost his main fighting forces, Combat Commands A and B, which were assigned to other commands. He was given a 12 mile front to hold with only his Combat Command Reserve. General ridgway promised him the first of the 517^th battalions to show up. We left in serials with the first battalion leading the way. Bill Boyle was its battalion commander and Don Fraser was his executive officer. Most of the trip was at night with black out conditions. In the move to the front, the battalion became disjointed with Bill in charge of a good share of it and Don in charge of the rest. Bill reached ridgway’s CP first and was ordered to report to Rose. Don reported to Howze who was in command of Combat Command Reserve. In the face of a desperate situation, with the main thrust of the German attack headed for Manhay where Rose had his Hq., Rose ordered an attack. Our first battalion under Bill and Don was instrumental in carrying out that attack which was instrumental in stopping the Germans. But they took Manhay. Our third battalion was ordered by ridgway to retake it at all costs.  We did that in the early morning hours of December 27, 1944.

At our recent mini-reunion in Florida, we were fortunate to have both Bill Boyle and Don Fraser in attendance.  This is an experience that should not be missed by those who can attend.  We are grateful to have young people in Europe who are interested in these events.  We trust you will be able to pass your accounts of them on to succeeding generations.  

Having moved recently myself, I appreciate your taking time from opening the boxes to drop us a line.