The Mulligan Guards

per Tom Cross, January 2004:

Richard:

You have the words to the "Mulligan Guards Song" nailed. It has been along time since I have heard/read those words.

John Lissner, Co. F introduced that song to the 2nd Battalion 517th at Camp Toccoa in 1943. He then organized a 517th Chapter which held regular weekend meetings at the Hidey Ho (approximate spelling) Restaurant just outside of Camp Mackall on the road that led to the Town Of Toccoa. I believe that the County was dry at the time which made little impression on the owner at the time as long as arrangements were in place with the local Sheriff.

John explained to us newly introduced numbers to this Society that the song originated in McSorley's Saloon in Brooklyn and was revered by all who attended this elite bastion of Irishness. John's approach was not very democratic as he very early on established his standing as the Number One "Himself" and personally selected those he considered to be privileged enough to join the 517th Chapter of the Mulligan Guards. It was a small membership as I recall and although I do not remember all of the members selected I do know that Dick Seitz was high on the Membership List as was Carl Starkey Co. D., Bob Newberry Co E., Dave Armstrong Co. D, Bob Clauer 2nd Bn Hq. Co., and a few others were also include. I made the cut as did my wife Bette who. I believe was the only female permitted membership. She still has her Mulligan Guard Membership Card to this date. (see above)

The normal pattern for the Hidey Ho Mulligan Guards Meetings always included a ritual marching up and down the long table used for these meetings by "Himself" who lustily bellowed the Mulligan Guard Song, you so ably recalled, and without pausing or losing his marching cadence managed to poke several holes in the ceiling. This made the evenings a rather costly affair. Needless to say this restaurant was rebuilt many times over by not only the 2nd Battalion but by the 1st and 3rd Battalions as well, Sometimes the final event was a rather poorly executed version of close combat activities that took place in the parking lot with little or no damaged being done to the contestants due to their relaxed condition at the time. The restaurant may have been named the Hidey Hole but my memory conjures up the name of Hidey Ho. However, this could be settled by one of the most active of the participants who no doubt remembers most of the events that took place there and a few he might like to forget. I refer to none other than our glorious leader, the C.O. of the 2nd Bn. who had, at various times the SCR  300 Radio call sign of "Dangerous Dick".

Richard, I want to thank you for helping me to revive some wonderful memories of the past. I only wish that John Lissner were present to tell his version of the Mulligan Guards History and the numerous spell binding and harrowing close calls with the US Army Manual For Military Justice that tested this valiant social group.

Regards, Tom Cross (A proud member of the original Co. E 517 PIR)

continuing...

Ben,

I finally found Bette's Mulligan Guard Card after turning my office upside down as a result of Bob's Message.

I am mailing the card to you tomorrow. You can return it to me at the Florida Mini Reunion. It would be difficult to send it by e-mail as you will note when you read it. I will however try to describe the card as best I can. Here goes:

The Mulligan Guard Membership Cards were not issued to the membership until 1953. Bette's card was signed by John Joseph James Lissner as Chief Guardsman on January 18, 1953. Her Card is Numbered Number 26. The top of the Card indicates John's assignment at the time the card was issued was with the 3rd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment. I believe it was commanded at that time by our own then Colonel Lou Walsh. The card reads: " This Is To Certify That Guardsman Mrs. Bette Cross #26 is a Loyal and Tested Member of the Airborne Mulligan Guards. Date of Warrant: 18 Jan 53. Signed John Joseph James Lissner."

 The following comment was written on the reverse side of the Membership Card: "Includes spouse if an original Guards Man."  It was initialed JJJL. The reason for this comment was twofold. First, I had lost my card and he wanted to make it clear that I was beholding to Bette for membership perks. Secondly, the Chief Guardsman had ordained that Members who did not have a card in their possession at the time of a social engagement could be challenged and if they did  not have their card or some special dispensation such as being officially authorized, as in Bette's case, to have an endorsement initialed by John then that
Guardsman had to stand payment for all drinks consumed by fellow Guardsmen then present. It was his way of making certain I was fined if Bette was not present.

This cost me a lot of jump pay because wives were not encouraged to visit their husbands during the work week while we were at Camp Toccoa. Lou Walsh did permit the married officers, which were few in number, to go home to their wives in the Town of Toccoa on Saturday night and Sunday nights but come Monday, AM had to be present for the early morning run. I guess this does it for now.

Regards, Tom Cross

Tom Cross

I did not proof read the message that I sent a few minutes ago.
The error pertains to the date of issue of Bette's card which is 1953. That date is correct. The problem is that I give the reader the impression that the card was in use at Toccoa which it was not. The card challenging did not come until 1953 at our Reunions and other social gatherings. So as far as I know we did not have official cards until the 1953 date. My comments about the married officers at Camp Toccoa being allowed to go home on Saturday and Sunday still holds although Saturday at Camp Toccoa was a work day for the most part.
Tom

Tom Cross

Guys:
I have done it again. Here is Correction # 2A. Had to get out of the sack for this one. Was almost asleep when I realized that Lou Walsh was not commanding the 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment at the time period I stated in my message. In fact he was on his way to becoming an Army Aviator and a Major General. If you are going to place this in a e-mail message for Mail Call would appreciate your doing some editing of my original message on this subject.
Have finally traced all of these errors to a problem with the operating nut directly in rear of the key board. This is a new computer and was OK until the operating nut behind the keyboard began a series of malfunctions.
Hope you understand my problem. Now back to the sack.
Tom

Dot Lubic:
In a message dated 1/9/2004 9:09:09 AM Central Standard Time, Tomx517 writes:

      "I believe it was commanded at that time by our own then Colonel Lou Walsh."

FYI. Andrew said he thought the commander at that time was Col. Charlie Davis, a medal of honor winner.

Tom Cross:
Charlie Davis is correct. I now recall John Lissner telling stories concerning Charlie. I believe that he held the CMH but can not substantiate. *

Tom

*  From the Medal of Honor web site (www.medalofhonor.com)

DAVIS, CHARLES W.

Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Guadalcanal Island, 12 January 1943. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Birth: Gordo, Ala. G.O. No.: 40, 17 July 1943. Citation: For distinguishing himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy on Guadalcanal Island. On 12 January 1943, Maj. Davis (then Capt.), executive officer of an infantry battalion, volunteered to carry instructions to the leading companies of his battalion which had been caught in crossfire from Japanese machineguns. With complete disregard for his own safety, he made his way to the trapped units, delivered the instructions, supervised their execution, and remained overnight in this exposed position. On the following day, Maj. Davis again volunteered to lead an assault on the Japanese position which was holding up the advance. When his rifle jammed at its first shot, he drew his pistol and, waving his men on, led the assault over the top of the hill. Electrified by this action, another body of soldiers followed and seized the hill. The capture of this position broke Japanese resistance and the battalion was then able to proceed and secure the corps objective. The courage and leadership displayed by Maj. Davis inspired the entire battalion and unquestionably led to the success of its attack.