Hi Ben :

 Greetings to all the fine men of the 517th. esp G Co. characters. I know that guy that Biddle is hauling to Savannah, he came to 3rd. platoon, G Co. at Joigny, let's see how good Howard's intelligence sources really are. Watch him tho, he is really a professional gambler from Vegas !!

  I'm trying to get another "lost" member to make the trip. He has lived within 12 miles from me for ages, said McKensey( sp?) used to fly a float plane in to visit him. (he lives on a river) Lester Holdridge (whitey) of H Co.

  I have the Christmas card that Howard described, but I also have one from 1943. It has our wings in silver over a sprig of holly also in silver with red berries on the stems. Printed on the front beneath the wings is printed "CHRISTMAS GREETINGS from the Men of Five Seventeen".. no "the" preceding the Five and those four words are in script rather than print. It is accordion fold of five "pages", pictures of the training starting with the tower-mock-up in April, Obstacle course in May, packing 'chutes in June etc. thru Nov where the outfit was honored by the Com. General

"All known physical test records have been broken by your organization!" The Month of March has a photo of our fearless leaders (at the time)   Col. L.A. Walsh, Jr. with exec. officer, Lt. Col. George R. Walton. I'll have it with me when I come down, yes I'll be there,  just waiting to make sure our country holds together that long, 

  I also have the colorful history booklet cover in color and loaded with Spencer's art work, and approved for mailing home, by the censors.  Also a valuable pamphlet.. The Parachute school Airborne Command  Fort Benning, Georgia 1943.... Students' Text. Also a light blue Paratroop Training book $2.00, containing the new infantry march song, the paratroopers prayer, and the song Blood on the Risers! AND believe it or not, a basic field manual FM 31-15( I could really put Howard to the test on this one!) However it is entitled,  Operations in Snow and Extreme Cold.  SURE could have used that during he Bulge !!(to start a fire with to get warm.)

 If the hotel has good security I'll cart all this stuff with me.

Jumping tomorrow at Green Bay, Wisconsin from a Twin Beech, 14,000 to 14,500 for $21.00

                                           Blue Skies

                                                   El (see you in Savannah)

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Ben, reference request by Gene-Loup Gassend in mail call 1001 concerning
the attack in Southern France against the town of La Roquette.
Operation La Roquette was a daring and very successful night attack
conducted by E Company.  The attack consisted of a night crossing of
the Var River and an early morning attack to seize the town of La
Roquette, a strong dominating German defensive position ,  Eugene
Brissey, a member of E Company   took part in this important operation
and is the most qualified to provide the requested information.  Dick
Seitz

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Thanks Howard for the information about the Christmas card.  This is invaluable information and needs to be remembered.  I am going to make sure your explanation goes with the Christmas card I have so my children will have it. 

All my Best

Lory Curtis

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A Bill Mauldin Cartoon