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Register for the 2008 Annual Reunion Page 10 2nd Infantry Regiment celebrates 200 years Pages 13
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take full advantage of this exciting location. We have arranged a selection of tours that should meet most tastes and pocketbooks. You wont want to miss the Air Force Academy, the Olympic Training Complex, Old Colorado City or any of the other tours offered. There will be a trip to Cripple Creek for anyone interested in gambling and a little taste of the Old West. For complete information see the article below. Our Welcome Party will offer you a chance to mix and mingle and enjoy some unique local entertainment. Please dont miss it on Thursday night. Its free, and everyone, of course, is WELCOME! Our spacious Unit Command Posts, Supply Sarge and Museum CP will be in the conference center on the other side of the grand ballroom. Clockwise from top:Siamese Twins rock formation in the Garden of the Gods; Rocky Mountain Columbine, Aquilegia caerules, the Colorado state flower; the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Rock formation and Columbine photos courtesy of Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
LTG Rhame, Society President. rate of growth has slowed. It is a constant challenge to replace the losses among our older generations. You can help here. Almost everyone is in contact with at least Continued on Page 4...
N O M I S S I O N T O O D I F F I C U L T.
N O S A C R I F I C E T O O G R E A T.
D U T Y F I R S T!
Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 2279 Wheaton, IL 60187
MG Robert Durbin. our drive towards dramatically improving the quality of life even before the Army Family Covenant was signed. Since this last summer, weve improved and put into place a number of programs designed to take care of our families. We hired Family Readiness Support Assistants at brigade and battalion levels to assist our superb volunteers in meeting family needs before, during and after deployments. Additionally, we recently signed an agreement with Kansas State University that will put specialists from the college in place on post to provide enhanced services to our families through our Army Community Service programs. We are building three new child development centers by 2010 and expanding two other centers. Were building a new Post Exchangeto open this summerthat is twice the size of the old PX. Weve got plans to expand the Commissary. We are working very closely with the greater Ft. Riley community to improve quality of life for our families off-post as well, with initiatives in off-post housing, healthcare, education, child care, shopping, and dining. We are working very hard to take care of the Soldiers and families of your Big Red One. I know you understand the importance of this commitment, as your service and sacrifice in years past provide you an understanding of the challenges Soldiers and families face. I also know that the Society of the First Infantry Division has always been at the forefront of caring, and provides significant benefits to Soldiers and families. Should you wish to embrace the Soldiers and families of our Warrior Transition Battalion, you can contact Kathy Monge at 785-239-8367 or kathy.cintrodemonge@us.army.mil. Some of the battalions more pertinent needs are weekend excursions, phone cards, personal hygiene items andmost importantlyyour time. Monge said WTB Soldiers enjoy just communicating with vets and others who understand what theyre going through. For all you do on a daily basis, we thank you. You have truly provided us the basis for understanding the meaning of No Mission too Difficult. No Sacrifice too Great. Duty First! MG Robert Durbin Danger 6
Above: (Clockwise from top) 2nd Brigade Memorial Service at their memorial for those killed in OIF 06 07; 1/18th Inf Memorial for all those killed in Desert Storm and OIF; Lt Noyes, Walt Ehlers, MOH, and George Gentry, 18th Inf, 1967, Vietnam.
Bridgehead Sentinel
Samuel Bleichfeld [photo at right], who during WWII was Battalion Commander of the 1st Medical Bn from 3/43 to 5/45, and prior to that was Regimental Surgeon, 26th Inf. My uncle was with the BRO in North Africa, Italy, and Europe. He won numerous decorations, including a Silver Star for establishing the first clearing station for treatment and evacuation of wounded on Omaha Beach on D-Day. I am trying to find out more information about his activities. Howard Bleichfeld 256-325-8031 howard@robinsong.com
[ed. Currently the soldiers are believed to be Joseph T. Aiello, D Co, 18th Inf, and William D. Lutz, A Co, 18th Inf. If you have any new information please contact Mr. Sparla, Boehm or Gentry.]
LTC Samuel Bleichfeld, front row, third from the right, wearing glasses. Division HQ [photos below]. I assume this was the Main River. I am not being critical of the article, only of my own memory. I remember the airstrip up the hill, behind the HQ and Leighton Barracis in Wrzburg. But I have lost Hindenburg Kaserne. Maybe I never went there. I thought I went everywhere where the Big Red One was. Still, we are talking about 50 years ago. I am trying to put on paper my experiences serving with the 1st Div. If you could help me locate Hindenburg Kaserne. I would be most appreciative. Additionally, I would like to find out what other divisions were in the Seventh Army in Germany between 1953 and 1955. I remember the 2nd Armored Division HQ at Bad Kreuznach. Was another the 4th Inf? Where was its HQ? I dont know the other two. I think there were 5 divisions in Germany at that time. Westley Olmsted 12370 Hanover Road Silver Creek, NY 14136 [ed. Germany had a number of Kasernesthe German word for barracksboth before and after WWII named for the famous Paul von Hindenburg. A few cities that had a Hindenburg Kaserne in the post WWII era were Wrzburg, Weisbaden and Ansbach. Westley Olmsted in Wrzburg, Germany 1955, and the 1st MP company building in Wrzburg. Wrzburgs Hindenburg Kaserne was located on Weienburger Strasse] could help me to get some records cleared up. The two men I am looking for are SGT Donald Pappy Eakins And SGT Steve Sanhorn(sp?). Ray Collins 1/18th Inf, 1966 Vietnam P.O. Box 312 Yarnell, AZ 85362 928-427-6521
for anyone from B Btry, 32nd FA, Aschaffenburg, Germany, 195354. He would also like to find a roster of B Btry. Please contact him at 202 S 2nd Street, Nazareth, TX 79063 or phone 806-945-2635.
if you could help me to find two men [photo below]. I was in Vietnam with them, and if I could talk to them it would be great. They
[L to R] E-5 Donald Pappy Eakins, Ray Collins, and E-6 Steve Sanhorn(sp?), 1/18th Inf , Bear Cat, Vietnam. We were together at three different bases in Vietnam.
In the forest of Aachen, Germany, we found on two trees the names carved in of American Army soldiers [photos above]. We suppose they were serving in the 18th Inf Regt which was stationed at that time at Gemmenich, Belgium, and Vaals, Netherlands. It was the time of the battle of Aachen. The two trees are standing approx. 200 m east of the bunkers of the Westwall/Siegfried Line. The names are AIELLO and the date 09-13-1944, and the Second is [W.D.] LUTZ and Sept. (?) 1944. We would like to have some more information about these two servicemen because we try to conserve the trees as a historical monument. We hope they survived the war healthy and maybe can be contacted. Please contact p.sparla@orange.nl or caroline. boehm-de-roo@t-online.de; Or contact George Gentry HQ18INF@aol.com, phone: 562596-8097. Sincerely, Peter Sparla (historian of Vaals, in personal contact with Robert W.Baumer) and Roland Boehm
195052, I/3/18th Inf. Please contact him at 36446 County Road 42, Big Fork, MN 56628 or phone 218-743-3553.
Charles Meece, I Co, 18th Inf, 194850, is searching for a copy of the book 18th Infantry Regiment, 1950 by MG John E. Dahlquist. If anyone has a copy or could help him find one, please contact him. He does not have access to the internet. 1843 Quincy Street, Salina, KS 67401 or phone 785-827-3391.
On the front page of the Summer 2006 Bridgehead Sentinel, there was an article with a photo of SP3 Don Jensen [at] Hindenburg, Kaserne and the Thanksgiving menu (1955) for the 1st Signal and 1st Quartermaster Co. in Wrzburg, Germany. I was an M.P. in the 1st MP Co stationed at Emery Barracks in 1955 (the article misspelled it as Emory Barracks.) I have no recollection of the Hindenburg Kaserne, which the article stated was across the river from the 1st
The 16th Infantry Regiment Association is looking for past and present members to join their association. You may join by going directly online to www.16thinfantryregiment@org or go to the links page on the Big Red One Society home page. The benefits are too numerous to list but they include a data base to all eras of service, website with help lines and contacts as well as reuniting with your BROs from your time served. Your membership is needed and your support is appreciated
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Bridgehead sentinel
I had been a member of the 1st Division Society for the past few years, and I have enjoyed reading the informative articles in your newsletter. The article concerning Mr. Pete Piekos of the 18th Inf receiving his overdue Bronze Star was of particular interest since my father, SSG Earl W. Rogers, was also in the 18th Inf, Co H during WWII [photos at right] and was supposed to be awarded a Bronze and Silver Star, neither of which were received. Because of this article and the fact that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, I became inspired to pursue this. Even though my fathers military records were destroyed in a fire, I had enough documentation for the Bronze Star. Because I had a copy of his records, as well as an article written about him in his hometown newspaper in 1945, and the article about Mr. Piekos, I was able to present the information to my congressmans office and within a month, I had the Bronze Star in his memory. I will probably never receive the Silver Star, but I am happy to receive the Bronze Star in recognition of his service to the country. Unfortunately, my father passed away in 1978. He had belonged to the 1st Division Society and had even been to several reunions. This showed how much the Big Red One meant to him, and so it means a lot to me. Cathy Rogers
country that can support war after war can support housing for its soldiers. How about a program like Habitat? How about converting unused barracks into useable housing? I lived in a lot of converted barracks during my Army career. But what can we do as individuals? We can look for a buddywe can be a friend. Find a buddybe a friend. They are out there, your military companions, who cant cope with what they did, what they saw, what they recall from their military actions. You can find them sleeping in the doorways in the Bronx, living under a bridge in Oklahoma, or under a park bench in California. They dont want your money, just a little of your time, to listen and agree. A little understanding will go a long way. If you didnt march in their boots, you can [still] sympathize. If you did, you can empathize. As General Sherman said, War is Hell. Modern technology hasnt changed that. Where else do you find these comrades? Try the Chaplain at the nearest VA hospital. Try the Chaplain at the American Legion or VFW. Even your minister might know someone that you could help. Dont wait; you are needed today. It is said, Wear red on Friday for remembrance. I say wear red on Friday and find a buddy every day of the week. CSM George Garrett, Ret.
Above: Earl Rogers, a forward observer for a mortar crew, in Sicily, 1943. At Left: A homemade Easter card sent by Earl Rogers to his mother, Mary during WWII.
I was very surprised to hear a recent newscast that said 1/3 of all homeless in the U.S. were veterans. I would think that a
I have e-mailed you in the past concerning my dad, Jack W. Glass. He served with the 16th Inf from 1951 to 1954. He had left
school during his freshman year because older family members had enlisted and were serving during WWII. Years later, my dad enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Almost two years ago, I saw an article in the local newspaper about two WWII Veterans being given their high school diplomas. They had left school during WWII to serve and never went back to graduate. The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs has been granting these Veterans their diploma through the school district they had attended. I decided to check into this and see if my dad would qualify. He did. Here are pictures from the day my Dad got his high school diploma from representatives of Barren County Public Schools. He also received a certificate of appreciation from the local Marine
Corps League Detachment for his service to the U.S. during time of war. This took place on Dec 5, 2007 at my parents home in Valley Station, KY. Many stories of past days in Barren County, and several military tales (most pictured are Veterans), were told before and after the presentation. All present enjoyed them. My parents are so proud and excited that this is all they have talked about since. Semper Fidelis, Tony Glass USMC Veteran, 1974-78
tHanKs!
Thanks for placing my ad in the Bridgehead Sentinel [Fall 07]. I did get a response from a former member of G Co, 16th Inf from 194754, Cold War. It really perked me up. What a bond of brothers we have in the Big Red One. (ex SGT) Bob Boisse 62 Beachwood Terrace Wells, ME 04090 [ed. Bob Boissee was recovering from surgery and looking for buddies from G Co, 16th Inf 194854]
I was born Aug 13, 1924 and was raised in Greenville, TN. I was drafted into the army April 14, 1943 at the age of 18. I took 13 weeks of basic training at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1943 during the months of May, June, and July. I thought it was the hottest place I have ever been with temperatures reaching 100 degrees and the sand was a foot deep. I boarded the Queen Mary on Nov 14, 1943. Four days and 10 hours later I was in Scotland. I joined C Btry, 7 FA Bn, Dec 1 1943 in England. I landed on Normandy, Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944. I crossed France, Belgium, Aachen, Germany, and was in the Battle of the Bulge. I then went to the Hrtgen Forest, Rhineland and Central Europe. I was in Czechoslovakia on VE Day, May 8, 1945. I left C Btry in Aug. 1945 at the end of WWII and returned to Greenville, TN. I then moved to Bristol, TN in 1948. I was married in Sept 1950 and was in the Army Reserves. The Korean war broke out June 25, 1950. I was called up for active duty in Sept 1950. I was in Korea by Nov and was there for one year. I received the Korean Service Medal, three Bronze Stars and a CIB. I was with the 3rd Inf Div while in Korea. I was back home Oct 1951. I have lived in Bristol since with my wife Irene and two children. I retired in 1987. Henry B. Mitchell
Ralph Morton Sr. of Tecumseh, MI, is a proud Black Lion. He sent this photo of a custom air brush job he had done to his car. He served in C Co, 2/28th Inf, June 67June 68, Vietnam.
spring 2008
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