Two hundred World War II veterans and their
families are wrapping up a week in Savannah. The 517th
Parachute Regimental Combat Team is marking 61 years
since their famous jump over southern France.
Sixty one years ago, the all volunteer unit was on
a mission half a world away, defending the beaches of
southern France. Sergeant Major Leo Dean remembers
every minute.
"We jumped at about 4:30 a.m. It was dark. It was
the last night parachute jump of WWII," he said. "They
just scattered us over hell."
The men would jump over a 40-mile radius. Still,
they managed to accomplish their goal.
"Our mission was to seal off all the roads, stop
the reinforcements from getting down to the beach and
stop the troops on the beach from retreating,"
explained Sergeant Major Leo Dean, "which we did."
It was a big task; however, these men chose to be
part of the unit. Lieutenant General Richard Seitz,
then a battalion commander, chose most of them.
"Most of them were handpicked by me," he said, "and
more eliminated were than accepted. I say to this day,
these 517th men are the finest to put on a pair of
jump boots."
The men received an extra $50 a month pay for
volunteering, but Sergeant Major Leo Dean had another
reason for signing up.
"I wanted to win the war," he said. "I wanted to be
in action. I wanted to be with the good guys. As a
matter of fact, I didn't even know they were going to
pay me to do it. I would have done it for free."
Even though those sacrifices were made sixty-one
years ago, they are still being remembered by the
people of France, today. Patricia Orengo and her
husband, Roland, befriended some of the men when they
visited their town of Sospel, France a few years ago.
"They give us the liberties of freedom," she
explained, "so yes, it is a very proud moment for us."
Bill Cathcart, WTOC'S general manager, served as a
special guest speaker. Sergeant Major Leo Dean is
still parachute jumping. On Friday, the 81 year old
WWII veteran made a tandem jump.
Reported by: Liz Flynn, lflynn@wtoc.com
Chris Brann
Thanks, Ben
I would appreciate being on the
Mail Call roster.
Unfortunately, my Dad passed away
about 4 years ago in Sebastian, FL.
He never really
told us much about his service. I'd like to tell
his
grandchildren (and great grandchildren)
something more about those years.
Thanks for your
service with this web site, very
commendable.
Chris Brann
