'Wingen-sur-Moder'', January, 1945. These simple words bring memories of the bloody baptism of fire that turned Winter, green Trailblazers into combat veterans overnight. The battered village has been rebuilt and is the scene of a 1992 memorial to 70th men that was dedicated in September. Story on page 4 . Sept. 30 starts Reunion

Well, it's 1992, an even-numbered home of the Kentucky Derby, and Fort Distinguished 'Blazer year. That means a Trailblazer Reunion Knox, where you can check up on your nominations sought and it means the best one ever. Only gold that's stored there. You can also Still another committee is looking for final planning of details remains to be visit the Gen. George Patton Museum. your input. It's the Distinguished Trail­ done. They will be reported in the next Within the immediate area are four 18- blazer Awards Committee. Their request, issue of the "Trai Iblazer". But there are hole golf courses including the famous too, is given in detail a few pages on several things ready for you to do right and scenic Shawnee which you have from here. Dean Morgan is chairman; now. often seen on TV .... and five 9-hole he's at PO Box 54, Aurora, Nebraska Mark Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 on your courses. 68818. Other members are BiII Bergren, calendar for this important and exciting Two very important matters will be 14204 N.E. 154 St., Brush Prairie, Wash­ event at the Galt House Hotel in Lou­ discussed at the business meeting. isville, Kentucky. ington 98606; Dale Bowlin, 6712 Mon­ tana Lane, Vancouver, Washington Members to decide 98661; Hy Schorr, 1 09-15 Queens Reserve hotel now on Division monument Blvd., Forest Hills, New York 11375; for special rates The first concerns the erection of a and its secretary, Mickey Calegory, 2381 Use the reservation form just across monument to memorialize the 70th Di­ Delia Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 841 09. from here on the opposite page to make vision. We must decide whether we your hotel reservation ... and do it right want a monument and then where it Auction will replace now! We have been given a special rate should be placed. Should it be in the traditional raffle of$62, plus tax, for a room. This applies United States or in Europe and where A brand new event! We are going to to three days before and three days after specifically in any country. have an auction in Louisville. I'm sure the reunion. Your reservation form must Please make your opinions known, as that at one time or other we have all be accompanied by a check for at least soon as possible, to the Monument been fascinated and excited by the chant one night's stay, plus tax, or - much Committee so it can make the proper of an auctioneer. Well, we are fortunate easier- your credit card number. (You recommendation to the membership. to have a nationally known auctioneer may make a photocopy of the form if Ted Mataxis is chairman and you reach in our Association. He's Paul Alford of you don't want to cut up your maga­ him at PO Box 1643, Southern Pines, H/27 4 and Ada, Oklahoma. For a change zine.) North Carolina 28387. You may also of pace, the auction will replace our There are 550 rooms reserved for us. contact Charlie Pence, 285 Fairway successful raffles of past Reunions. We But there is a cut-off date of Aug. 30 so Lane, Sanford, North Carolina 27330, you'll want to avoid the fate of our or Jim Kidder, 2103 Pinewood Terrace, buddies who delayed too long on pre­ Fayetteville, North Carolina 28304. vious occasions and found the hotel sold out. History book No. 2 The Galt House is one of Louisville's finest. It's on the banks of the pictur­ comes off the table The esque and busy Ohio River, is right The second matter is the publishing tgzj~it Trailblazer downtown and within a few blocks of of another 70th Division History Book. Interstates 64 and 65. Our editor, Ed Arnold, who has volun­ is published four times a Louisville is a historic and exciting teered his services to produce the book, year by the 70th Infantry Division Association and city. It was named for King Louis of explains details elsewhere in this maga­ zine. A motion to publish the book and friends. Subscription: $12 France who aided the colonies in the annually. American Revolution. A free trolley will give a copy to every member, paying for take us anywhere downtown and there it out of our treasury, was tabled at the Editor are fine shopping places. The famous Las Vegas Reunion . Again I urge you to Edmund C. Arnold paddle-wheeler, the" Belle of Louisville" make your views known to any member 3208 Hawthorne Ave. will be the setting for the Ladies' Lunch­ of the Executive Board. Their addresses Richmond, VA 23222 eon. We are planning some interesting and phone numbers are listed at the (804) 329-5295 side trips such as to Churchill Downs, right of this page. Associate Editor* Chester F. Garstki 2946 N. Harding Ave. Chicago, IL 60618 The President's (312) 725-3948 Volume SO Number l Report Alex Johnson Winter, 1992 2 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER President Big Luke He went all the way I with the 70th Division (Continued) By ELBERT WILLIAMS H/276 must still depend on you members to I am probably one of the few men who Germany. From Europe I was assigned to donate items to be auctioned at our were with the 70th from start to finish. I Fort Sam Houston, Texas. I retired April 1, relaxed fun night Friday. enlisted in the Army in May, 1934, when I 1962, as CW4 with 28 years service. So I It's been suggested that WW2 memo­ was 17. I was in the Machine Gun Troop of have been in most of the military posts in rabilia would be good items. (Such con­ the 5th Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Divi­ the States and a lot of them overseas. tributions should be accompanied by a sion. When WWII started I was stationed at I knew Gen. Ted Mataxis real well. He short note telling something about the Fort Bliss, Texas. In April, 1942 I cadred was a Major and battalion commander at history of the item.) Craft projects, out as a platoon sergeant to help set up the that time. Col. James R. Michael (Retired) paintings, sewings and products of your 91st Division at Camp White, Oregon. Af­ was my company commander as a 1st lieu­ hometown, state or region are always ter about a year, I again cadred out to H/276 tenant. Most of the officers in 2nd Battalion popular. These items will be on display as 1st/Sgt. knew me as "Big Luke" (what a name!) If prior to the auction and the committee I was with the Division throughout its I had it to do over I would do the same thing will need help at Louisville and if you'd active service. I went overseas with it, came again. I also had a hand in getting four of like to lend a hand, drop a note to Paul back with it and assisted in its deactivation. our men appointed 2nd lieutenants - Alford, 1031 E. 16th St., Box 583, Ada, I reenlisted and was assigned to 2nd DeLyle Omholt, Charles Burt, James Oklahoma 74820. Infantry, and was shipped to Fort Lewis, Ross and John Newton. See you in Louisville! Washington, I was later transferred to the * Non-ComSchool, Fort Knox, Kentucky. In Robert Ginthner, G/276,joined the As- September, 1950, I was appointed to War­ sociation after learning about it from Ralph rant Officer JG and went to Korea with the Stockman, F/276. 24th Division. In January, 1952, I went Bob was a mail carrier for the post office from Korea to Fort Hood; three years later of Minneapolis, the city where he still lives. I was assigned as Acting Supply Officer, With Pearl, his wife, he has a son, a daugh­ HQnth US Army at Patch Barracks in ter and a pair of grandkids.

Send this form as soon as pos· You may make a photocopy sible to: of this form if you don't want to Galt House Hotel clip your magazine. You may 140 No. Fourth St. cancel your reservation without Louisville, Kentucky 40202 penalty if you find that neces· sary at a later date.

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Winter, 1992 3 Wingen Where men met in bitter combat, they unite to honor a battles dead Wingen weather! Reunion . Alongside a series of steps that Operation Nordwind that struck down It was at its worst in january, 1945. rise some 10 feet, is a wall of Alsatian upon the sector where 70th Division And on September 22, 1991 -while sandstone. Carved into it by Domique men fought. They wore green uniforms not nearly as bitter as it had been 47 Heintz, a young Wingen sculptor, are and carried sub-machine guns to render years ago, it was just petulant enough the arm of the Statue of Liberty that a salute. to maintain its reputation. carries the torch of freedom and a sym­ Uniformed in black was a contingent january, 1945, was the time of the bol from the coat-of-arms of Wingen­ of the local fire department with their Battle of Wingen, an engagement still sur-Moder, standing for the glass and trumpeter. Local citizens - members of taught at the War College as an example crystal artifacts that are typical of the a Franco-American friendship society of good small-group coordination. Sep­ town. - carried two flags . One was the French tember, '91, was the occasion of the just below the carvings are the two tricolor and the other was a unique dedication of two plaques honoring the bronze plaques, one in English, one in banner that showed that French flag on 274th and 276th Infantry Regiments French (see page 10 of the Fall, ' 91 one side and the American flag on the which fought the battles that stopped "Trailblazer"). These tell of the two regi­ other. Nordwind, Hitler' last offensive. ments' liberation of the village. Also marching was a local folk-lore But as the heavy snows failed to deter A colorful gathering of several con­ band that later rendered the national the ' 45 Trailblazers from a bitter task, so tingents lent a festive air to the occasion. anthems of the two countries. As a cour­ the thunder and rain of September could Dressed in the desert battle gear that tesy to the visitors, their " Star Spangled not dampen the pride of the 70th men they had worn in the Gulf War, was a Banner" was played first. who gathered in that Vosges village to six-man color guard from an American The crowd of spectators. was almost unveil the memorial to the 274th and unit in Pirmasens, Germany. They car­ as interesting. Among them were two 276th Regiments who blunted the ried the Stars and Stripes and two unit former American officers who had been southern pincer of the Battle of the banners. stationed in Germany and had married Bulge. Then there was a squad of French Alsatian girls from the Wingen area and Some 40 ' Blazers and spouses had soldiers from B itche, the nerve center of a Wingen-born man who had gone to come to Wingen as part of a Return-to­ Europe tour that had begun a dozen days earlier. Four couples had come to France on their own and met the larger group at Wingen. The tour group arrived punctually on that Sunday afternoon. They had come from the Black Forest, across the Rhine. Several vintage jeeps - one with "Wyoming" in big white letters on its front- and some Army 1 1/2-ton trucks lined the street. Two television camera crews were on hand, one from CBS and the other from the French Channel 3 in Strasbourg.

Memorial on stone wall near historic hotel The memorial is across the street from the Hotel Wenk. Located in about the center of the town, between the Catho­ lic and Lutheran churches, the hotel had been a landmark in the Trailblazers' battle. The people of Wingen had prepared a striking setting for the two plaques that the 70th regiments had bought with contributions made at the Las Vegas 4 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER Hotel Wenk: Memorial site was focal point in village battle

The Hotel Wenk has a vivid place in the recollections of the Trailblaz­ ers who fought in Wingen. Elements of the American 1OOth Division had taken the town on Dec. 6, 1944 and had used the hotel as a CP and for billets after that. On January 3, 1945, the Germans re-took Wingen, inflicting heavy blows on the 45th Division and espe­ cially on Co.B, 276th, which was surrounded and over-run. Madame Paula Felden, owner of the Wenk, had stayed behind when IN MEMORIAM ... most of the other inhabitants had fled. On a handsome wall of Alsatian sandstone, donated by the Her mother was seriously ill and people ofWingen, two plaques honor the Trail blazers who couldn't be moved. So the family liberated the village during the crucial battle. At the dedi­ huddled in the hotel basement along cation ceremony in September were (from the left): Jack with about 25 other civilians who had Kidder, H/274; William Stachel, 1/276; Eugene Burtner, straggled in over a 48-hour period. l/276; Frank Lowry, A/276; John Chavez, l/276, and As the battle raged overhead, the William Bergren, B/276. (Photo by Wolf Zoepf) hotel taking heavy fire of all kinds from carbines to artillery., a genera­ the States after the war and has now potable and the "gugglehopf cake" was tor furnished power so they could returned with his Michigan-born bride. totally delectable. follow reports of the battle on the All six of these people are tri-lingual. That evening some 150 attended a radio. A weird incident punctuated (Wingen itself is bi-lingual, speaking gala banquet at the Wenk. Fifty were their ordeal. Their lights suddenly French and German.) Americans, 149 were French - and went out and the eery darkness was one was from "the other side". Wolf sliced by the sound of the bells of the As Trailblazers come Zoepf, who had been the adjutant for Lutheran church just to the south of so does the rain the 3rd Battalion of the 12th Mountain them. Believing it was a signal of an Coincidental with the arrival of the Regiment of the German 6th 55 Divi­ armistice, the civilians gave fervent Trailblazers was the arrival of a tremen­ sion, which was "on the other side" prayers of thanks. But within mo­ dous rain storm. It rained "dogs and during the bitter fighting. They even let ments the thunder of guns resumed. cats" said one of the spectators. The Zoepf make a speech -among count­ Apparently one of the church bells rush of the rain and the accompanying less others who were interspersed with had been hit by a shell and its vibra­ thunder drowned out the many speak­ live- and lively- music by a local tions had set off all the other bells. ers. Gene Burtner, U276, who had con­ orchestra. The other hotel at the railroad sta­ ceived the idea of the plaques, and Jack He observed that he was enjoying the tion, where the reception was held Kidder, H/274, spoke for their regi­ company far more than he had 46 years after the unveiling, had been the ments. (Kidder was accompanied by his ago. Many, manyofthose in attendance command post of Zoepf's battalion. son, a major and executive officer of an hadn't been born at the time of the great During the reception he took a look at armored battalion stationed near battle. the cellar around the building. It has Bremen, Germany, who had partici­ been complete! y refurbished and there pated in Desert Storm. Marcel Fischbach, Former German foes join are no signs of the beating it took mayor of Wingen, spoke eloquently of in remembrance second day during the battle. "I looked down in his constituents' gratitude to their The next day there was a different­ the cellar," says Zoepf, "and couldn't American liberators. but just as warm - a reunion. A con­ make out a familiar feature. Instead The rain stopped and the skies cleared tingent of German 6th Division men, 17 of a vaulted masonry of the last cen­ a bit after the plaques were unveiled. veterans and 13 wives, met with their tury, so appropriate for an ancient Butthe party didn't end there. The mayor former American enemies for luncheon beer and wine cellar, it now shows a was host at a reception at the village at the Wenk. This group had spent whitewashed starlight plastered ceil­ recreation center, the former Hotel de ing. What a great pity!" Ia Gare. The French wines were totally (Continued on next page) Winter. 1992 5 Linda Bergman. She was the guiding spirit for the occasion - and for the town's part of the memorial itself. She Babies of Wingen had established the war museum in the village and arranged for the municipal­ the Battalions (Continued) ity to give the wall on which are the The youngest known members of the sculpture and the plaques. She also ar­ 70th Division are listed here with their ranged that Wingen would- unlike so dates of birth. Any other members born Sunday night in Ludwigswinkel about a many other towns- maintain the me­ in 1926 are invited to send their names mile across the German border. This morial in perpetuity. to the editor. tiny hamlet had been the jumping-off Mrs. Bergman, speaking for her fel­ 1929 point for the 6th Mountain Division's low townsmen, expressed pleasure that (?) William Burch Nordwind offensive. It has now been veterans of both sides were on hand and 1927 developed into a thriving, picturesque that they had shown a noble example of May 1, R. D. Kelly March 3, Hoyt Stinson tourist center. There were six Ameri­ the reconciliation of brave men after 1926 cans and eight Germans who had fought conflict. Oct. 10, Thomas Callahan in Wingen itself and they were intro­ Over the years Mrs. Bergman has Aug. 12, Matthew Warminski duced by Burtner and Zoepf with the made friends with numerous 'Blazers. July 20, James Suter latter acting as translator. (See her letter on page 14 "Mail Call.") June 27, Robert Sample After the meal, the group of about 90 All are unanimous in their praise for her June 26, James Bates went over to the memorial where the initiative, dedication and hard work in May 25, Nevin Rauch Germans laid a wreath under the setting up the museum and bringing the May21, Don Wilson plaques. It was decorated with green memorial to reality. May 17, Robert Worley ribbons, the color of the mountain troops. The jeeps and military trucks then May 16, Harold Osias Norman Grove One ribbon bore the legend: "To all were pressed into use. Driven by young May 12, Frank Frolich who died in the Battle forWingen, Janu­ Alsatian men dressed in '45 OD's, the May8, Everett Austin ary, 1945." Zoepf, in his presentation vehicles took 70th men wherever they May6, Wellstood Tipton talk, stressed the word "all". He said he wanted to go. All sought - and most April10, Edwin Gorsl(y and his comrades were paying tribute to found- the positions where they had April29, Gerald Thaw the innocent citizens of Wingen, to the fought so long ago. April21, Rudy Senser fallen men of Task Force Herren and to In rain as in snow, in a warm Autumn Bill Robinson their own dead comrades. as in a numbing Winter, Wingen again March 31, Charles Tite Many of the Wingen people who demonstrates that it has a special place March 21, Albert Ernes joined the festivities had not been born in the hearts and memories of Trail­ March 25, William Robinson at the time of the battle. Among them is March 20, Stuart Lucas blazer veterans. March 9, Walter Winebrenner John McGuire March 5, Vincent Ravitz March 3, Gene Krueger Dick Lykke Tanks Feb. 22, William Hines Feb. 28, Noah Kennedy Feb. 14, William Owen or guns? Feb. 11, Leon Hyatt, Jr. Feb. 10, Frank Kimble New view on 45-year-old puzzle Feb. 9, Raymond Wilkinson Feb. 5, Roy Shirrell William Griffin Feb. 3, AI Hedrick For 45 years there's been a difference banned commitment of Panzers early Jan. 29, Edwin Savois of opinion about German vehicles that during Nordwind and suggested that that Jan. 26, Jack Apostol fired upon 275th troops and 45th Division might disprove Gis' identification of Jan. 21, J. Lynn Hughes tank destroyers at Philippsbourg and German tanks in P-bourg, Baerenthal and Jan. 20, Herbert Gallahan Jan. 5, Jack Barton Baerenthal. The Gis on the receiving end elsewhere." Jan. 3, Paul Newman insist they were tanks. German sources That mention in the History book Jan. 1, Robert Clark insist, just as strongly, that the only brought emphatic repeats of the original "armored" elements in the Task Force claim that the armament really was tanks. Herren area were assault guns. But, as Charlie continues: New evidence is entered now by Donald "Recently I received a letter from Dick "Charlie" Pence, B/275. Longtime Becker, L/275. Dick was the original Association historian, he co-authored source of one identification of German the probability that the shelling L Company "Ordeal in theVosges" and was a valued tanks (on page 45 of 'Ordeal in the witnessed outside B-thal was by German consultant on "The Trailblazers." He Vosges'). You will recall he was a 30-year self-propelled guns, not tanks." writes: vet with combat service in Korea and Viet In retrospect: It really doesn't matter. "On page 102 of 'The Trailblazers' (in Nam prior to retirement. Dick now fully Those machines- whatever we call 'em a marginal item), you noted that Hitler had acknowledges the possibility of error and - had guns and they fired lethal rounds. 6 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER Item 275 bridges 36-year absences Five members of I/276, shook hands with WW2 buddies they hadn't seen for 46 years. The occasion was a mini-reunion of the company at Roaring River State Park near Carsville, Missouri in September. There were 12 members and nine wives. Bill and Jean Stachel had to count out because they were in Wingen, France, for the monument dedication that weekend. Bill Westmoreland, who we gather honchoed the gala, reports that the gang is looking forward to getting together again in Louisville to exchange some war stories they forgot on the river. Bill and his wife Sugar stayed a couple days extra to enjoy the lake country and on OH, SUSANNA! ... the way back home in Livingston, Texas, they stopped off to visit Dale Neighbors of The 70th Division had many notable musical organizations. Item's 3rd Platoon. Answering the roll at They ranged from the impressive Division Band to a concert the reunion were Chester and Jane Benton, orchestra, swing bands and various combos. A stellar Joe and Bernie Davis, George and Barbara group was this chorus, led by Sgt. Fordyce Waldo, a Fricovsky, Louis Galovics, John and prominent musician in his civilian days. Here the group holds its twice-weekly practice. Grace Krochka, Cecil Parker, Jack and The sergeant wears the canvas leggings that were part of Ginny Priestap, Paul and Lois Sheaffer, the work clothes of the early Trailblazers. The singers have John and Amy Simonetti, Bob Tetly, Don and Pat Wilson and, of course, Bill and shed theirs for off-duty apparel. Sugar. 'Werewolf' hunters identified A member of the Counter Intelligence from the right I am less positive about. I 0 0 0 and so do the Corps of the 70th, James Olsen, speaks up believe it is George McDonald, the CO of Recons about the photo on page 11 of the Fall, '91 the 70th CIC detachment. His hometown A too-brief note from Ed Baustian tells issue: It showed a group of 'Blazers who was Keene, New Hampshire and I think he us that the 70 Recon Troop had an August had inspected a French coal mine where it managed a shoe store there. mini-reunion at Corvallis, Oregon. No de­ was reported that Nazi sympathizers were I remember that coal mine incident very tails. holed up. well. Lassiter reported the exploit very viv­ Corvallis is going all out to mark the Says Jim: "I positively recognize the idly back at our CP in Merlebach. He was a 50th anniversary of Camp Adair and in­ man second from the left as Roy Lassiter slow-speaking Southerner but he sure was vites any group to consider that fme city for of Birmingham, Alabama. For a time I had a fast-talker about his descent into the bow­ its reunion. While they can't handle our his address but have been out of contact els of the earth." regular Reunion - only large cities can with him for 30 years. The second man accommodate our growing attendance-it has excellent facilities for smaller groups. hotel where the event was scheduled. He drove over the first day and not a single person at the hotel knew that the reunion * Noland tried- and tried was supposed to be starting. but couldn't find the Next morning he returned. No signs, no and 274 Anti­ note on the bulletin board. But he was told Rhine or Danube the hospitality room would be open at 1 Tankers p.m. Several hours late he came again. No A number of men of the 274th Anti­ one there! Now he was told the group had Tank Company and their wives gottogether When Bob Nolan, 70 MP, read in this traveled to the Gettysburg battlefield and in August at the home of Henry Clark in eminent journal that the Franco-American would be back at 4. Two hours to wait. By Saratoga, California. Joe Perino ofBenson, veterans organization, Rhin et Danube, was this time Bob, who walks with a cane, had Illinois had come a-visiting to West Coast having a reunion just 8 miles from his home had it. He asks: "Am I entitled to a visit to and the AT guys used that excuse to rally in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, he decided the Chaplain over this?" round. On hand were Cip Cipriano, Bob to drop in and meet some fellow Gis. It We'd say yes. We'd also say: "Bob, Whedon, Richard Shannon, Bill Proffit, wasn't easy though. come to Louisville in September and see AI Gonsalves, Chuck Lobel and Henry It took seven phone calls to locate the how the 70th does its thing in style!" Clark and their wives. Winter. 1992 7 The Editor's Edmund C. Arnold

Barracks Bag tioned that my son Dave drives a truck for Cliff Shrock. I should have made it clearer that Cliff was with the 70th Quatermasters and is owner of a trucking company here in There have been so many encouraging That will mean extra costs, of course, for Bend, Oregon. He has a whole fleet of huge letters recently about another 70th History mailing. We'd order some extra copies Diesel trucks, trailers and semis that are Book that I am contemplating making a because many members will want to give a especially designed for hauling wood prod­ specific proposal at the Louisville Reunion. book to each of his children or grandchil­ ucts, sawdust, shavings and chips. Wood When I proposed such a book at Las Vegas, dren. chips, not potato chips." the question was tabled. Meanwhile I invite At Las Vegas the meeting was misled I confess, it was my error. I added "po­ your comments. into believing we could not have such a tato" to Richard's chips. I propose a book in the size of the regular book and erect a monument. I sincerely I think it's interesting that a couple of old novel, 6 x 9-inch pages. It would be hard­ hope that there won't be this misapprehen­ Trailblazers continue their association in bound, probably in the bright red of the sion in Kentucky. their old home town. As I paste mailing second edition of "The Trailblazers" and labels on the magazine four times a year, I stamped in gold as that book was. To see what a great* bargain we got on our often wonder if guys in the same city know It would be titled "My Piece of History: first History Book we might take a look at each other and get together to swap war Personal remembrances by men of the 70th one that the 42nd (Rainbow) Division As­ stories. Infantry Division". Every man who sends sociation is subsidizing via a commercial in material will see his story in print. Many publisher. A brief, very brief, *7 -line note from Frank stories will appear just as they are written. Lise Pommois of Niederbronn, France, Kloiber, HQ 2nd Bn/275, telling that from But if you wantto send me arough draft, I'll has written the 416-page book. She has '47 through '67 he served with the Wiscon­ be happy to rewrite it. Because I can't guess used Charlie Pence's "Ordeal in the Vosges" sin 32nd National Guard Division for an how many men will respond, I can't esti­ as well as "The Trailblazers" as source overall total military service of 25 years. mate the number of pages yet. material as she covers the story of the I would write some explanatory back­ Seventh Army. Along with the 70th, the Sometimes I wish* this magazine were ground material so our children and 36th, 42nd, 45th, 63rd, 79th, lOOth and printed in color. Such a time was when I grandchildren, as they read the individual 103rd Infantry Divisions, the 12th and 14th received a photo from Carl Mathes, HQ stories, will know how they fit into the big Armored Divisions are saluted. 1st Bn/275. It shows a glorious cluster of picture. I gather that this book will be available to purple iris. They grew from bulbs that were There will be very few photographs. Trailblazers and when I get details I'll pass given to the ladies as a souvenir of the After the brilliant photography by Chet them along. banquet atthe Nashville Reunion in '88. I'd Garstki that made "The Trailblazers" such guess that the green thumb of Carl's wife a popular book, I fear another picture book All this, naturally,* reminds me to remind Mildred contributed to the beauty of the would be an anticlimax. I'll rely on 'Blazer you that we need your Archives form. It ran flowers. artists like Pete Bennett-and anyone else in the Spring '91 issue. If you are saving who volunteers -for the artwork. your "Trailblazers", you may make a pho­ If any ofyouse guys* are planning a mini- The printer who produces this magazine tocopy. If you've lost that issue, write to reunion at which there will be non-members has made a most attractive estimate and I Lou Hoger or me for a blank. But please do of the Association, you might like to give figure we can budget at $15 a copy, another get your information on the record. After them copies of the "Trailblazer". Lou Hoger tremendous bargain. this material has been used- in the maga­ The Association treasury can easily af­ zine and/or the proposed book-the forms ford to send a free copy to every member. will be sent to the Benton County Museum SOUVENIR MERCHANDISE in Philomath, Oregon. Revised Price List

While most of us went* from Camp Adair Plastic Coin Purses ...... 1.25 to Europe, Claude Inglish, 70 QM, was Bal!point Pens ...... 4.00 sent to Alaska. But he retained his interest Cottee Mugs ...... 3.00 in the Trailblazers. Although his health Belt Buckles ...... 8.75 kept him from attending Reunions, he av­ 50 letterheads ...... 2.75 idly read the magazine reports of such 50 Envelopes {Small) ..... 2.75 meetings. lapel Pins ...... 2.50 Decals {Octagonal) ...... 1.00 ~~~=,·· He was delighted to be in an Activation :~ " Day picture that ran on page 9 of the Win- History Books ...... 27.50 ter, 1984, "Trailblazer". Claude died on Caps ...... 6.00 June 20, '91. Order from Calvin Jones The author of the* Summer '91 piece 227 NE 105th Ave. Portland, OR 97220 1 about the Quartermasters adds an interest­ ing footnote to his story. Jiomecoming Sgt. Thomas Ford Richard Foster, 70 QM, writes: "I men- Co. C. 276th 8 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER "Outstanding" (address on page 2) will be happy to send tween a monument and another history you some back issues. And tell them they book, I shall not only vote but campaign may buy the History Book from Lou. vigorously for the latter. names sought I hear from a lot, a lot of members and The Association's highest Elmer Martin, I/275,* gave me a buzz know that many share my position in the honor, the Outstanding Trail­ recently to tell me that lst/Sgt Marion debate that has been going on ever since. blazer Awards, will be bestowed Dick had died in Korea. Unfortunately, I Finally, I have given men of the opposite at the Louisville Reunion. This didn't take notes during the conversation to viewpoint every opportunity to state their ceremony is always a highlight of get more details. But he told me that he and views in these columns. I have never re­ the Reunion. his wife Margaret have raised 18 foster fused to run a letter, no matter how Nominations should be sent children in their home in Hampshire, Ten­ vigorously it disagrees with me. I think immediately to Mickey Calegory, nessee. They have 1,500 acres of woods honest debate is good and that every mem­ secretary ot the Awards Commit­ there and that sounds like a fine place to ber - including me - has not only the tee, at 2381 Delia Drive, Salt raise kids and eventually retire. right but the responsibility to speak up. Lake City, Utah 84109. Again I remind you that the "Trailblazer" The nominee must have Tom Higley, C/275,* keeps the Tucson, is your magazine. If and when I don't do furthered the purposes of the Arizona post office in the black. He sends my editor's job properly the remedy is Association in some exemplary out so many letters he ought to get whole­ simple and easy. Fire me. way. Managing a membership sale rates. But when it comes to important campaign, handling public news, does he write us? NO! We have to Newest member *in the Bernards High relations, executing special learn from associate member Ed Lane that School Athletic Hall of Fame is Michael projects, handling Reunion "Tom had a little accident, his car was Castrilli, H/275. Mike lettered in football, activities - these are just some of totalled but he wasn't." This happened in basketball and track at his school in New the appropriate services. Past or July and Ed says Tom seems to be doing Jersey; he held the state javelin record for present officers may be nomi­ OK. We wish the ol' desert rat all the best. 17 years and the school's for 31 years nated but only for extraordinary before they were broken. He hurled the service outside the usual responsi­ One of the cadre *for the 70th has stood javelin far enough to be the only 70th Divi­ bilities of their office. his last formation. Edward Sikorski who sion first-place winner in the ETO-wide GI Posthumous nominations will be was company clerk for C/276, a job he had Olympics in '45 in Nuremberg, Germany. received. held with the 91st at Camp White, died in For that feat he received an engraved silver No man may win the Award June. He is survived by his wife Mary, a watch, a handshake and a salute from Gen. more than once. He must have daughter and two grandchildren. Edward George Patton. He was on the select ETO been a member for at least six Hawes, Sv/275, reports the unhappy news. track and field team that defeated the Medi­ years and have attended at least terranean Theater team in a special meet. one Reunion. Civic and commu­ Herman Wolach,* HQ 1st Bn/275, tells nity service may be noted in the us that his good wife of 44 years, Neva, A comparative rarity* is a wedding an- nomination but only as an passed away July 12, in Houston, Texas. nouncement in this magazine. We're mighty indicator of the man's character We share his loss. happy to tell the world that Marion Slater, and attitude. Nominations may be E/275, had a June wedding. The bride is made by a simple letter that I've been chided *- a fairly common Cozette. Marion's first wife, Helen, died in explains the reasons for this occurrence- this time for too much com­ '89. honor. mentary on the proposed 70th monument. Any member may make as But I shall continue to comment for a couple Frank Westbrook* never indicated what many nominations as he wishes. of reasons. I first proposed such a monu­ his 'Blazer outfit was when he joined the ment in the Spring '90 issue. Then I brought Association. When Lou Hoger phoned to up the idea of a monument and suggested ask, Westy said he had served with both K the only significant event of 1881. It was Wingen or some ETO site. Since then I and L of the 274th and didn't want to slight the year that the oldest continuously fam­ have changed my mind, at least about the either company. He got his baptism of fire ily-owned store in Kansas opened in Russell. location. And if it comes to choosing be- with K and was offered a commission. He So, in 1991, Dean Banker, G/27 4, staged a took it reluctantly, only on condition that he gala celebration of the 110th anniversary. could return to the company. But when he He's the third generation of Bankers to run was ready to wear the lieutenant's bars, he the business that started as a general store was persuaded by Col. Karl Landstrom that and now is a popular clothing store. The Co. L needed him. (But eventually the whole town joined in the celebration and all Roster showed him as a K-man.) we 'Blazers join in congratulations. It was Frank who loaned Lou his copy of "Snow Ridges and Pill Boxes" that was There are two military* outfits of which photocopied and is on sale today. Frank Rayburn Fraley was very proud. One was died in July, 1991. the 70th Division in whose K/276 he won a

The Shoot-out at *the OK Corral wasn't (Continued on next page) Winter, 1992 9 Editor - (Continued)

Purple Heart. The other was the 20lst In­ fantry Regiment with which he served before joining us at Adair. The 201st was the oldest active militia unit in the nation, having started as a British Colonial Militia in 1735 and then was one of the original companies in the Colonial Army. Ray died in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Oct. 13 after a life filled with profes­ sional and civic activities. Among his honorary pallbearers was Gus Comuntzis, Sv/275, first president of the Association. THE BLOODIED B ... One of the hardest hit Trail blazer units in the Vosges combat Death passed him* over once. Joseph Hoy, D/275, was the leader of a heavy was Company B of the 276th. Joseph Aceves sent in this post­ combat photo of part of the group. No individuals are identi­ machine gun section that was part of the ill­ fied and the editor welcomes such information. fated HMG roadblock positioned just northeast of Philippsbourg as Nordwind swept in. The unit was lost but he survived. learned about the Ax from him. But on Oct. 9, 46 years later, a sudden * Dues improvin' heart attack took him. Lee Miller, D/275, He's got lots and lots of war stories, says The dues situation is lookin' good. relays the sad news. John Wamsley,G/276, but his favorite one After Cal Jones, assistant sec-trez, re­ is that he lived to tell any of 'em. ported in these columns that there were too Gen. Ted Mataxis,* HQ 2nd Bn/276, He was with the ASTP at the University many overdue dues, the money started com­ was one of the participants in a multi-nation of Montana and joined the 'Blazers in the ing in. Then Lou Hoger, sec-trez, sent out military colloquium that was held aboard a big push of 1944 at Adair. After combat he 400 notices and in just a few days he re­ ship that cruised the Greek islands for two was assigned to the MPs and had a variety ceived 200 payments. weeks last summer. The event was part of of assignments in France and Germany. There has been little reaction to a pro­ the observance of the 50th anniversary of Discharge came at Camp Atterbury, Indi­ posal to start the dues year on New Year's the battle of Crete. This was the first major ana in April, '46. Day rather than July l. This seems odd battle that utilized airborne troops. Scores He has retired after working as a CPA for because many members earlier on had sug­ of veterans from both sides - German the federal government. His wife Alma and gested that they'd remember their dues paratroopers and soldiers from Great Brit­ he have one daughter and live in Las Vegas better at the start of the year than during the ain, Australia and New Zealand-marked after moving from Ohio. dog days. Your comments are invited by the occasion at a German military cemetery the officers. where 4,500 soldiers are buried. He was invited as a member of the U.S. Military History Delegation. Picturesque Monterey to host

Entering the Army* on the East Coast, at Fort Meade, Maryland, Robert Rutten­ Westerners' reunion in March hower, B/274, travelled partway across the The 1992 Western States mini-reunion variety of environment, scenery and recre- continent to Camp Custer, Michigan for will be held in Monterey, California, March ation. Monterey is famous for its breathtak- basic training. Then he continued to the 20- 22, 1992, at the Holiday Inn Resort, ing seascapes, championship golf, abun- Gulf Coast to Fort Hood, Texas with the 1000 Aquajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940. dant wildlife, wining, dining, and just hav- MPEG (whatever that means!) and then on Special reduced rates are $79 per night, ingagreattime.Trailblazerswithadditional to the West Coast to join the Trailblazers. single or double. time on their hands may wish to include a After ETO combat, he went to the 3rd Perched on the California coast, between coastal drive to the Big Sur area or visit Division at Kassel, Germany and came SanFranciscoandLosAngelesisMonterey, Hearst Castle at San Simeon. home for discharge in April, 1946. He has a city rich with history, natural beauty and All Trailblazers, regardless of their toea- retired after working as a Civil Service abundant attractions. Holiday Inn is lo- tion, are invited to join in the festivities. For railroad employee for the Army. cated only minutes from Fisherman's Wharf additional information, contact any of the He and his wife Dorothy live in Tampa, to Steinbeck's historic Cannery Row, to the following: Bob Crothers, B/27 5; 1000 S. Florida. They were married in 1985. Bob Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the beautiful Main Street, Suite 528, Salinas, CA 93901 has three children by a previous marriage. 17 Mile Drive. Carmel-by-the-Sea is only ( 408) 484-9358; He's the reunion chairman In the commissary at McDill Air Force five miles from the hotel. andcommitteemembersareHenryCiarke Base he met Walter Bogart, Sv/276, and Few destinations offer the quality and (AT/274) and Gene Lim (C/884). 10 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER We are intrigued by Edgar L. Smith's Citations from the Boys Club, Down immediately. After serving as a tech ser­ (E/275) membership in the Appalachian Town Council and Catholic High School geant through combat, he served with the Wagon Train Assn. Sounds interesting and - all in his native Beloit, Wisconsin - 7th Infantry at Kassel, Germany until com­ we hope he'll send us more details. Ed is attest to the civic activities of James Mow­ ing home for discharge in October, 1945. also a life member of the DA V and belongs ers, B/275 FA. He owned and operated a retail store and to the American Legion, Master Plumbers He was inducted in September of' 42 and now lives in Houston, Texas with his wife Assn., and several sportsman's clubs. took basic at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was Neva. They have a son and daughter, two He was inducted at New Cumberland, with the DCS Class 67 there and joined the grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Pennsylvania in March, 1944, took basic at 'Blazers at Camp Adair in July '43. Fort Knox and joined the 'Blazers at Leonard "Sgt. Gene Reagan called me after track­ Virgil Kelly, HQ 3rd* Bn/274,earned his Wood in August, '44. From the middle of ing me down through a telephone book in Purple Heart near Saarbrucken in March, January, in the Vosges campaign, he was the library," he recalls. (That's an activity '45. He also won the Bronze Star there. hospitalized until his discharge in August you might try when you're in a new town.") He came into service in April, 1944 and of '45. He joined the Association at once. joined the 70th in the Vosges. His civilian When he was discharged he learned the He was salesman for and eventual owner occupation was as a jeweler. He's a mem­ plumbing and heating trade and owned his of Otto Hirth Co. in Beloit. With his wife ber of the VFW and the DA V, in whose own business for 30 years before he retired Ruth he has three sons, a daughter and a magazine he first learned of the Associa­ in '87. He married Helen Rodkey in '47 in baseball teamsworth of grandchildren. tion. He lives in Arcata, California with his Johnston, Pennsylvania where they still wife Ethel. They have a son and daughter live and enjoy their four children and six As a soldier, William* Tipps, 70 Recon, and a half-dozen grandchildren. grandchildren. was a good cook. As a civilian he was a good carpenter. He's now retired in David Mitchell, F/276,* was taking Air A member of the ASTP* contingent who Fayetteville, Tennessee. He has a great­ Force basic training at the University of came to the 70th from Brigham Young grandchild in addition to two grandchildren Montana when he was moved to the Infan­ University in April, 1944,isEarleT.Smith, and three children. try during the manpower crunch of 1944. F/276. Inducted at Fort McPherson, Geor­ He took basic training at Fort Riley, He enlisted inNovember, 194 2, and went gia in November of'42, he served with the Kansas just before joining the 70th at to Anti-Aircraft training at Camp Callan, 13th Armored Division at Camp Beale, Leonard Wood in September, '44. After California. Then on to the Army Air Force California until going into the academic combat he was with the 3rd Division Recon and the 'Blazers. He got "that paper" in program. After combat, where he won the Troop and was discharged at Camp April, '46. Purple Heart, he was transferred to the 3rd Atterbury, Indiana in June of '46 Charlie After taking degrees from the Universi­ Division at Kassel, Germany and was dis­ Eldridge, a former Vice President/West of ties of Iowa and Northern Iowa, he was a charged in October of '46. the Association and a Reconner, too, re­ science teacher for 37 years. Then he went He returned to his job with National cruited Bill. into real estate where he remains active. In Cash Register until his recent retirement. 1985 he was among six fmalists from Iowa With his wife Betty, whom he married in "I celebrated my *37th birthday with a applicants for the NASA teacher-in-space 1949, he lives in Valdosta, Georgia and canteen of water at CP2 on December 11, program. enjoys their two daughters and a pair of 1944," recalls Herman Joseph Wolach, He and his wife Arlene have three each grandchildren. He was apprised of the 70th HQ 1st Bn/274. That makes him one of the of children and grandchildren. He learned Association by Bill Verburg of Albany, oldest Trailblazers. about the Ax from a Holbrook, Arizona New York. He joined the Army in Denver in July, newspaper. Whoever was responsible for * '43 and came to the 70th at Leonard Wood that story gets our thanks.

The Treasurer's Calvin Jones

Report Assistant Secretary Treasurer

7/1/91 Thru 9/30/91 BALANCE 6/30/91: DISBURSEMENTS: Mission Bank, Mission, KS - Checking . $ 556 Postage, Shipping & Mailing Permits .... $ 876 Mission Bank - Money Market Acct. . . . 18,942 Office & Mailing Supplies ...... 98 Mission Bank - Certs. of Deposit ...... 43,712 Trailblazer Printing (2 issues) ...... 5, 934 Citizens S. & l., Eureka, IL - C/D ...... 3,564 Telephone Expense ...... 16 Total Beginning Balance ...... $66,774 Trailblazer Caps Purch'd for Resale ...... 1,054 Total Disbursements ...... 7, 978 RECEIPTS: Regular Dues ...... $ 6,207 Balance 9/30/91: Life Member Dues ...... 2,490 Cash on Hand (Not yet deposited) ...... $ 522 Associate Member Dues . .... 214 ..... $ 8, 911 Mission Bank - Checking Account ...... 568 History Book Sales ...... -.-.-. -. -...... 312 Mission Bank - Money Market Acct ..... 10,538 Souvenir Merchandise Sales ...... 470 Mission Bank - Certs. of Deposit ...... 54,714 Interest on Deposits ...... ~ Citizens S. & l. - Cert. of Dep ...... 3,500 Total Receipts ...... 11 ,046 Ending Balance ...... $69,842 Winter. 1992 11 Seeds were planted in 1931 WW2 veterans remember 50th anniversary

Although United States participation in World War II officially 1938 began just 50 years ago last December 7, the seeds for the March 12 German Anschluss of Austria great conAict were sown a decade earlier. Here are some of September 29 Munich Conference opens (to September 30) the significant events that built up the momentum for eventual 1939 American involvement, first as a supplier of military materiel March 15 Germans enter Prague March 28 Madrid falls to Franco forces- end of Spanish and civilian goods, then, after Pearl Harbor, as a combatant Civil War on both sides of the globe. March 31 British Government abandons appeasement 1931 policy, announces aid to Poland September 18 Japanese Kwantung Army seizes Mukden, August 23 Soviet-German Nonaggression Pact signed Manchuria September 1 Germanr invades Poland -World War II begins 1933 Marshal becomes U.S. Army Chief of Staff January 30 Adolf Hitler appointed German Chancellor November 3 U.S. Congress passes "cash and carry'' amend­ October 14 Hitler announces withdrawal of Germany from the ment to Neutrality Laws League of Nations 1940 1934 May 14 Netherlands surrenders June 30 "Night of the Long Knives" in Germany May26 Allied evacuation at Dunkirk (to June 4) July 25 Nazis murder Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss May28 Belgium capitulates to Germans September 1 9 USSR joins League of Nations June 9 Norway surrenders 1935 June 10 Italy enters the war January 13 Voters in Saar plebiscite choose to rejoin Ger­ June 22 France signs armistice with Germany many July 26 First U.S. embargo on war trade with Japan March 16 Hitler decrees universal military service for August 27 U.S. draft law enacted Germany September 3 U.S. -British destroyer-cutter-bases deal May2 Franco-Soviet Mutual Assistance Pact signed September 16 Mobilization of National Guard begins (through (ratified by France February 26, 1936) October '41 ) October 3 Italians invade Ethiopia NovemberS Roosevelt elected to third term as U.S. President 1936 1941 March 7 Germans reoccupy Rhineland March 11 U.S. Lend-Lease Act signed May9 End of War in Ethiopia as the country is annexed April13 USSR and Japan sign Neutrality Pact by Italy April17 Yugoslavia capitulates July 17-18 Outbreak of Spanish Civil War June 22 Germany invades USSR 1937 July 1 U.S. forces begin occupying Iceland July 7 Sino-Japanese War begins August 9 Roosevelt and Churchill meet in Atlantic Confer­ December 12 Japanese attack U.S. and British gunboats in ence (to August 12); Atlantic Charter proclaimed Yangtze River, sinking Panay

Commemorative coins that might interest Trailblazers are Army honored by special medal those marking the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and of America's armed forces are honored on their bicentennial the U.S.O. Each is a silver dollar, a proof coin for $31 and an by a series of medals that the United States Mint has just issued. uncirculated one for $26. The Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are each honored by a bronze medal. The Army medal shows a soldier of the 1770s and one of our present era, side by side. The reverse is a rendition of the seal of the Department of the Army. All of the medals are 3 inches in diameter; they cost $21 each. A handsome presentation case is available for $7. Ther~ are no shipping or handling charges nor any sales tax. Cr~1t cards will be accepted. Medals may be ordered from Umted States Mint, 10001 Aerospace Road, lanham, Maryland 20706.

12 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER October 31 U.S. destroyer Reuben James sunk by U-boat March 30 MacArthur appointed Supreme Commander December 7 Pacific war begins with Japanese attacks on U.S. SWPA, Nimitz Cincpac and British posts (Pearl Harbor and Malaya) (8 April18 U.S. (Doolittle) B-25 raid on Japanese Dec . west of International Date Line) May4 Battle of the Coral Sea (to May 8) December 8 United States declares war on Japan May6 Corregidor surrenders December 10 Japanese take Guam, make first landings on MayS Germans begin preliminary offensives in USSR Luzon June 3 Battle of Midway (to June 6) December 11 Germany and Italy declare war on United States, June 7 Japanese invade western Aleutian Islands which takes reciprocal action June 9 Japanese conquest of Philippines completed December 20 King is appointed C-in-C of U.S. Fleet August 7 U.S. Marines and Army land on Guadalcanal December 23 Wake Island falls/U .S. Army troops arrive in August 17 U.S. Eighth Air Force makes first attack on Australia European target (Rouen-Sotteville) 1942 August 19 U.S. Marines conduct raid on Makin Island (to January 1 United Nations Declaration signed August 18) January 7 Siege of Bataan begins August 24 Canadian and British forces raid Dieppe January 31 U.S. Army troops arrive in Ireland August 24 Battle of Eastern Solomon Islands (to August 25) February 9 First meeting ot the Organization of the Joint September 12 Eisenhower assumes post as C-in-C Allied Chiefs of Staff Expeditionary Force (for Northwest Africa) February 15 Singapore surrenders to Japanese September 15 U.S. Army lands in New Guinea February 22 Roosevelt orders MacArthur to leave Naval battle of Guadalcanal (until November 15) Philippines

keep in close touch with one of them at all times. I agreed, and that wrote finis to my Las Vegas Reunion was attending the Reunion activities and fes­ tivities, except for taxiing to the Riviera and registering. a mighty brief celebration It continues to be painful for me to real­ ize that the entire Association program went By MICHAEL CASTRILLI and then Nature called, urgently! I called so smoothly without me! Thank you, I am H/275 for help. All I heard was "just a minute". fme, thank you. I attended my first 70th Reunion in Nash­ "Just a minute" became half an hour. It ville. (I will always regret being ignorant of became a case of dirtying and embarrassing * the existence of our Association prior to myself or pulling out all the "spider legs" Small World No. 1,784 that time.) I attended the Las Vegas Re­ attached to me. My briefs would never have Here's an it's-a-small-world story. union with my wife, my sister and a woman protected like a diaper. So I chose to re­ Last May we were at Mid-Pines Gold friend of the family. I "Reunioned" by move all the wires and needles attached to Resort in Southern Pines, South Carolina registering and obtaining my Reunion kit. me and visited the lavatory. for a Southern Seniors Golf Association We had taken a night flight from New­ Subsequently, I reported to the nurses' tournament. One day while I was playing ark, New Jersey. A short time before land­ station. Imagine the combined look of sur­ golf, Virginia, my wife, saw a car in the ing in Vegas, I suffered an attack which prise and disapproval on the doctor's face. driveway with a 70th Association sticker required my being transported by ambu­ He wanted to keep me overnight for "obser­ on its bumper. As soon as she told me I lance from the airport to a hospital around vation" (like I had already been "observed" rushed down to see if it was still there. It l a.m., local time, Monday, Sept. 17. half the night)? He discharged me "Against was. (What was wrong with me? Over a pe­ Medical Advice". I left a note on the windshield urging the riod of time preceding the incident, I had My wife had been locked in the waiting driver to get in touch with me. After he ingested too much medication, rendering room all the time. We summoned a taxi and phoned, we met later at a cocktail party and me "toxic". I was inadvertently "killing drove to the Excalibur where we had made talked at length that evening and the next myself'. My blood pressure was 90/60, reservations and where the other two ladies two days. He is Bill Stachel, 1/276. He's a bringing me close to shock and a potential already were. The ladies wanted to return to member of the golf association and the stroke.) New Jersey immediately, but I demurred. It 70th's. I was in the emergency room for about was because of me and the Reunion that It gave us great pleasure to meet and four hours, a cuff around my right biceps to they accompanied me, why should they be enjoy the Stachels and we look forward to digitally monitor my pressure; an intrave­ penalized financially? (Imagine the one­ renewing our friendship at both Trailblazer nous needle and tube on the back of my left way cost to New Jersey, and the accompa­ affairs. hand, and EKG discs attached to various nying loss of the "package" we had pur­ Les Edwards parts of my body. I was half-naked and cold chased.) They forced me to promise I'd B/274 Winter. 1992 13 Debate continues on monument Plenty of memorials here, Although Adair Village at Corvallis may I am proud to be an associate member of put monument in Spicheren be appropriate, it now seems somewhat your Association and I am a friend of these desolate and out-of-the way. If some of our old soldiers. I hope I don't upset you; I First of all, I agree with Ed Arnold that descendents were to make a special trip to understand your opinion but the world our Association can afford both a monu­ view a monument, it seems Portland would changes. Young people travel a lot. Many ment and another history book. No need to be much easier to get to. study in Europe. We have exchanges of save our money for our posterity. Calvin Jones young students. However, I do not agree that the monu­ Sv/883 Another point of view; The battlegrounds ment should be in the U.S.A. Our people­ are in Europe, so far away from the States. friends, relatives, citizens - have plenty * The children cannot feel the importance reminders ofthe work of the 70th. We have A vote for the book, and the greatness of their fathers sacrifice the Benton County Museum near Camp against monument in without knowning the country and the Adair and the Military Museum at Fort Europe people who live there. Leonard Wood, both of which have much That's why it is so important to have a material on the 70th. We have a colorful YES!! It will make me very happy to see memorial in Alsace and in Win gen. I thank sign on the entrance to Camp Adair. We another 70th History Book. I agree that the the friends who made the plaques possible. have the Trailblazer History Book and the Monument should not be in Europe. Who Fred Cassidy, Dave Davenport and the other personal histories of individual soldiers. would see it- or care? men are my friends, they are part of my Since, therefore, we have these many re­ More and more it looks like Desert Storm family, it's for these men and all who gave minders of the 70th here in the U.S., it is not was a waste of life mainly, and lots of war their lives in Europe that I am working to necessary to place another memorial within destruction. As has been said before, wars have the monument in Wingen. our borders. settle nothing. Linda Bergman However, it is important to place a per­ My wife and I hope to see you all in Wingen, France manent memorial in Europe. There are Louisville, and all in good health. several good reasons: First, the Europeans Oscar Coleman Vets Information* Center have a way of forgetting what the U.S. has C/275 done and they need reminders of their lib­ * helps 'Blazer find buddy eration, including the work of the 70th. French associate member For some years now I've been trying to Second, Europe is where the 70th fought locate Johnny Doyle who was in my squad, and where many died. It is appropriate to asks for Europe site of the 1st Platoon, E/274. Phone calls and place the memorial on the battlegrounds. In the Fall, '91 "Trailblazer", Archie letters to National Personnel Records and Third, the 70th has lacked recognition for Smith, E/274, urged that the proposed monu­ Army Locator Service got me nowhere its contribution in Europe. An example of ment "should be in the United States where even though I had his Army serial number this can be seen at St. Avoid Cemetery in our kids can see it. American Gls should be and his date of induction with the New France where the 70th is not listed on the recognized in the United States ofAmerica ." York National Guard. As an aside, I didn't campaign map. It would help satisfy this Linda Bergman, who is an associate learn till about 1960 that Doyle and my situation if we placed a memorial on the member and has been instrumental in set­ wife's brother were close friends and went battleground. ting up a museum in Wingen about the into the Army together. I hope the Association will, at the Louis­ 70th's activities there and who was helpful A local county veterans service officer ville Reunion, vote to place the monument in the placing of the plaques for the 274th suggested I try the Veterans Information in Europe, preferably on Spicheren Heights and 275th there, replied directly to Archie Center, 4614 Hamlet Place, Madison, Wis­ where all I saw were French and German and has sent this copy for "Mail Call" .­ consin 53714. Much to my surprise, they monuments. There on Hitler's "holy Editor. tracked him down. While I was sad to learn ground" it would be very appropriate to I take the liberty to explain the impor­ that he died Nov. 2, 1975, at least I can put have a permanent reminder of the action of tance in having the memorial in France, it to rest. Perhaps others may find this the 70th. especially in Alsace. information about the Veterans Informa­ Don Docken You came overseas as young men to tion Center useful. C/275 fight for our liberty and for human rights. I got a real kick reading Harry Sever­ We have to thank you for this and our duty ance's story "Satisfaction". I especially Portland park* location is to continue to honor these men and also enjoyed the fact that he told it on himself. to explain to our young generations what William Donofrio suggested for rem em­ American Gls did for our country. E/274 brance If it were up to me to choose a site for a * monument, I would probably select the area of the Park Blocks in downtown Port­ Mail land, Oregon. It's rather an attractive and appropriate setting for a monument and a place many of our members have probably Call visited in the far distant past. 14 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER ... and other topics bring letters

Jerry disliked bayonets Sicilia fabricated from sewer pipe while at you may want an account of the Battle of There was something in the "Trailblazer", Bischweiler, a wood or coal burning stove the Bulge by "Yank"Magazine in July, '45. some time, about the Army bayonet. When for the 276 Post Office. My original souvenir copy is beginning to I was a POW we heard that the Jerries did Sherman Manning deteriorate now after all these years. I made not like our having the bayonet on our belts. Sv/276 some copies as the Bulge article mentions They were never used in combat but Jerry Task Force Herren's contribution to this still didn't like them and never used them Old 70th friends* travel action. I purchased this copy in July, '45 at - they were for WWI trench fighting. Terryton, P.O.E. at Le Havre mainly be­ Yours for trivia, to Oktoberfest together cause of this article and the "Sad Sack" Roberts Ehrgott His military days were the proudest mo­ cartoon on the last page as I was leaving M/275 ments of my father (Harold Kline, H/274). Europe for the Pacific. This priceless sou­ In 1985 I coordinated a trip to Germany for venir cost a whopping 3 francs (6 cents). I * Oktoberfestfor Abbott Laboratories, a com­ only wish I could have read Yank series of Tom Higley tallies up pany I worked for. Due to terrorism in the other five articles written on the E.T.O. Greece at that time, we got a reduced rate Best regards to you and yours, Association's growth and I asked my Dad to come along. His Raymond F. Orr During my daily "throw away" cam­ roommate was a fellow employee of mine, F/275 paign against boxes ofGI material, ordered Clint Bell, (Sv/274), who had also been a by my Commanding General, Lutie, I ran 70th man. They had met in an earlier re­ Seeks copy of* column across a special roster of the Association union in Germany and we had a wonderful mailed to me by Lou Hoger, dated Sept. time, seeing many of the places they had on vets by Mike Royko 1982. I found the figures of interest in been during the war. This regards the photo on page 14 of the comparison with my updated Roster as of Dad dearly loved the many men he served Fall, '91 issue: Sept. 24, 1991. We do grow: My figures with and was very proud of his contribu­ I'd hazard a guess that it's a picture of are, of course, subject to my ballpoint pen's tions to the war. I guess that is what makes men of the Motor Pool of Sv /276. I didn't errors and not exactly as it would have been the 70th Division so important to me now join the Division until it had moved to Fort in the computer, but close enough: that he's gone. Leonard Wood but I'm sure Max Pryor, Carol Bradbury who was with it at Adair, would know these 9/1982 9/24/1991 Beach Park, Illinois men. HQ, Divarty and I think the officer in the front row is Capt. Special Troops 219 407 Woodrow Latham but I miss the faces of 274th Reg. 303 547 * M/Sgt. Elmo Chavez and Sgt. John Casey. 275 297 500 'Yes' on Book No.2 If anyone has the original column by 276 261 468 Yes! Do print a second History Book. Mike Royko that was summarized in the N/A units ____]§ ___1.2 There ought to be much material to fill it. I Summer, '91 issue, I'd sure appreciate their 1106 1941 will collect my thoughts so that any solici­ sending it to me. I loaned my copy out and Our growth is almost the Artillery's tation of war stories will be ready for that never got it back. But I like and agree with growth. They surely have done a fine job. second edition. it. The increase in this 9-yearperiod, 835 men, Jim Olsen Norman Gauch is quite good but I expect if more of us had 70CIC 1st/Sgt, Sv/276 not slowed down these past few years, it * PO Box 11166 would have been more. Ray Orr cherishes Rochester, New York 14611 I am again working on Ralph Crawford fading WW2 souvenirs to do a C/275 newsleter now that I am out Another vote* recorded of action since my washout accident in June I have been intending to send you some 1 joined Casey. accolades from the College of Southern for Spicheren monument Tom Higley Idaho for quite some time. They were very Recently I had lunch with Gen. George C/275 happy to receive the copy, "The Trailblaz­ Blanchard, C/274, at a Reserve Officers ers", I had purchased to donate to the library. meeting. He votes for the monument and * I still have my autographed copy by you for the placing on Spicheren Heights. With regard to the picture in Fall issue and enjoyed the history very much. Al­ Ted Mataxis (page 14) Trailblazer, I should like to in­ though I have some recall of the actions of HQ 2nd Bn/276 form you that it is most probably a group of towns and locations in the Vosges they motor mechanics at the 276 Motor Pool. I were not understood completely at the time base this on the fact that kneeling 2nd from and the history is a great help to fmd the left is Woodrow Wilson Latham, an Ala­ areas on some of the maps where my unit baman, and Capt. of Transportation at the was involved. above (276). Kneeling figure on right is You probably have a room full of his tori­ Philadelphia T/Sgt. Alex Sicilia, a welder. cal data about our action there. I thought Winter, 1992 15 AT THE LEFT ...... surveying his command, is Col. Frank Arnbrecht, HQ/ 882 FA. The Artillery was standing a full field inspection in September, 1943. Coffin Butte, a Camp Adair landmark, is in the left background. Yankees in German hospitals 'Friendly Fire' the right side of this trail we were on and Two months later the French liberated wounds POW Bowlin looked around to see the other three Ameri­ the town of Donaueschingen where I and By DALE BOWLIN cans and the one German guard going down two other Americans were in the hospital C/883 FA a steep bank on the left. I later heard they with some 1,200 wounded Germans. I've had an unfulfilled (and essentially were not injured. So you can imagine, my faith in God was unpursued) desire to meet the German sol­ About that time I discovered my left pant firmly established as the result of that expe­ dier who must have carried me to an aid leg was filling with blood and with a little rience. Phyllis and I have been in Europe station after I lost consciousness at the door investigating concluded an artery near my three times- the first in 1981. On that trip of a bunker behind the German lines. This left knee had been severed. As I tried to get I met one of the hospital staff, Rosmaria was around noon on Feb. 21, 1945. I was a my belt around my thigh a German soldier Wolzer, within 30 minutes of driving into member of a forward observer party (883rd came by; he attempted to help but the buckle Donaueschingen. There had been no con­ FA, Battery C- Capt. David Garrison, broke so he went on. The artillery rounds tact since 1945. CO)- and we were supporting two com­ · were still falling in the area. panies of infantry (275th, I believe) in an I could see a bunker about a hundred * attempt to get behind a small town or vil­ yards across a clearing so I crawled to that. Bertha Brown tells us that her husband lage believed to be occupied by German The last few feet were very difficult as I was Edwin, 883rd Field Artillery, died Dec. 28, soldiers. losing blood rapidly. 1990. "He had retired from Eastman Kodak Around noon we ran into heavy resis­ The last I remember, two German sol­ and we lived in Hawaii until1985 when we tance- including a tank-mounted 88- diers came out of the bunker and were moved to California to be near our daugh­ which resulted in significant losses. Both looking down at me and I was saying the ter. The Army units at the Presidio in San company commanders were killed, I be­ word "artz" (for doctor). Francisco arranged a military funeral and lieve, and at least four of us captured. The When I regained consciousness, prob­ Ed is buried there. infantry major leading the attack was one of ably that evening, I was in a German field "Ed stayed in the Reserves for 23 years those captured. hospital with wounded German soldiers. and retired as a lieutenant colonel. Bert is As the four of us were being led to the About three days later my left leg was looking for the wives of 883rd men with enemy rear, a shell -probably a 105mm amputated above the knee and that night I whom she corresponded after the war but from my own outfit - landed a few feet and other wounded were loaded onto a box has lost track of since. Her address is 21 Salt behind me. I dived into a shallow ditch on car and moved out of Saarbrucken. Landing, Tiburon, CA 94920. 16 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER STILL AT THE LEFT ... Col. Arnbrecht, by now the oldest Trailblazer in the Asso­ ciation is still the leader and the favorite of his men. Here he sw~ps lies with a gang of the 882nd gunners at the Nashville Reunion. He plans to be on hand at Louisville, as full of pep and vinegar as ever.

know though. First, there were many prayers being said on my behalf back home in Thick Skull? Arkansas. They sure were answered that night. Second, you can't hurt a German (my Prayers also helped father's dad came to America from Ger­ many when he was four years old) by hitting service bullet in head him in the head - thick skull, I guess. the German soldier hollered "Halt", we Stan Lambert was captured the next day By WILLIAM SCHAEFER knew it wasn't American. We immediately and brought by where I was. He thought I, 1/275 hit the road and scrambled for the nearest like some others from our squad, was dead. I was hit with a rifle bullet through the ditch just as the MGs opened up. Stan was When I first reached my second German head (one inch higher and I wouldn't be on the left side, away from MGs: I was on hospital in Heidelberg, a Dr. Lux and his here to write this note) on the road to Bitche the right side. Stan got back a little later that nurse came into the room where 10 German • on evening ofJan. 1, 1945. Stan Lambert, evening (so he tells me) but never reunited patients and I were. We had name tags our first scout, was the only man ahead of with the company. above the head of our beds. Dr. Lux looked me, the second scout, in the 1st Squad, 1st I took the rifle bullet some two hours at all of them then turned to his nurse and Platoon of Capt. Bill Long's company. We after the firing stopped when I opened up on asked, "Which one is the Americana?" I ran headlong into the ambush. Lambert and a fairly large group of German soldiers guess my name and my face didn't look any I didn't hear Capt. Long's order to "hit the which appeared to me to be marching four different from the Germans. I was a POW dirt". Of course, we didn't have to. When abreast down the road towards me. I got off patient until liberated by American troops several rounds with my M -1 before they all on April 1, 1945. Comes now Robert Bush, F/275. Born got off the road. As soon as I could tell from Virginia and I enjoyed the Vegas reunion on New Year's Day, 1926, he wonders how the German talk that several were directly as much or more than our fust one at Nash­ he stacks up among the Babies of the Bat­ across the road from me, I quickly tossed ville. Everything went smoothly and I talions, the youngest members of the 70th my two hand grenades over the road. I especially enjoyed getting re-acquainted Association. Well, he's tied with Bob Clark, figured that if my buddies were still over with Sgt. Ed Harper, Weapons Platoon, and C/275, as No. 39. there they would have been firing their M- Joe Doyle, 1st Platoon, both of 1/275. We He also asks: "Can you tell me if the 1s, etc, as I did. So I didn't worry about the enjoyed seeing again the Item Company photo of the 275th Trailblazers marching grenades wounding any of my own. My men who had been in Nashville and meet­ through Saarbrucken is Company F? That M-1 finally jammed from too much mud ing several more Company I comrades for first man on the right looks like an old and snow. That's when two German sol­ the fust time. We may have had a record in buddy of mine. If that's so, then the third or diers came up, fired once and left. After all, attendance for one company- 28, I think. fourth man is me." So, anyone got the no one could take a 30-cal. bullet through (George Marshall will have an accurate answer? the head and live. Two things they didn't figure for sure.) Winter, 1992 17 Axe-head

something years. He was wounded there Archives and spent 10 months in the hospital. In­ ducted in March, 1943 in Chicago, he took basic with the 44th Division at Fort Lewis, Two memories make vivid contrast for George Beckey, HQ 1st Bn/275, served Washington and joined the 70th after a William Kidwell, HQ Btty/883. On one just six weeks with the Anti-Tank Com­ couple of months as an air cadet in '44. hand is his first day in combat, on the other pany before he was hit at Alsting, France on He's been in sales ever since he donned is an R&R trip to Switzerland. He joined the Feb. 23, 1945. He was hospitalized for 70th as it was forming in the summer of eight months until his discharge in October civvies. With his wife Marian, he has three 1943 and served through combat. Then he that year. He took basic training at Camp daughters and five grandkids. went to the 39th Field Artillery and later Blanding, Florida after his induction at Fort It was "Silent Night" but not a holy one was called up for Korean War duty. Sheridan, Illinois in August, '44. * in 1944. Charles Munie, I/274, observed it As a civilian he was a field engineer for He is retired after working as a security in the bitter march from Brumath, France, a utility company, owned a delicatessen guard for the Secretary of the State of and was a regional sales manager for a Illinois. With his wife Elsie, he lives in to Bischweiler, readying for the battles of national plumbing supply company. He Springfield, Illinois. the Vosges. retired in '90 and lives in Baltimore, Mary­ He's a pre-Pearl Harbor veteran, having land with his wife Betty Lee. They have two The Battle of the Tower,* above Forbach, been inducted at Fort Sheridan, Illinois in March of '41. He took basic training at daughters and four grandchildren. is the most vivid memory that Larry (Jay Camp Roberts, California and served with L.) Brant, I/276, has carried for the past40- * the 89th Infantry Division until coming to Camp Adair and joining the 70th in May, '44. He stayed in uniform for the Korean War and became a Chief Warrant Officer. He has retained his interest in things military with his work in the Illinois Department of Military Affairs, starting as a part-timer after retirement and then full-time. The Spring, '91 "Trailblazer" told about his work as curator of the state's military mu­ seum. He is active in many military organizations, among them the VFW, Com­ pany of Military Historians, Associations of War Museums, 33rd Division, Chicago Black Horse Troop, 106th Cavalry, Re­ serve Officers, National Guard of Illinois and of the U.S .A. and the Civil War Round Table. He lives in Decatur, Illinois with his wife Jo. They have a son and a daughter and two grandchildren.

Harold Smith, A/883* FA, is trying to find out what medals he's entitled to and fortunately our Honorary Member, Col. Henry Van Nuis III, can help him out. Harold was inducted in Marquette, Michi­ gan in October, '42and served with the91st Division at Camp White, Oregon. It was a short trip to Camp Adair in 1944, when he joined the Trailblazers. After combat he 'TWAS THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS ... was with the 3rd Division until discharge in and all through the camp, Trailblazers were enjoying a March of '46. relaxed periOd for the tirst time since intensive basic He was a T/4 and first cook in uniform training had begun in the summer of 1943. This photo and as a civilian he owned a tavern in Iron was tal< en on Dec. 26, 1 9 43, when many 70th men were Mountain, Michigan. He and his wife still enjoying their first leaves at home. This is the radio live in that city after retirement and have section of Regimental Headquarters Company, 276. three children and five grandkids. He is a Standing (from left) are: Harry Smith, Burl Persin, Vernon VFW deputy at the local VA Medical Cen­ Oler and Karl Strand. Kneeling are Hack and Phil ter. Scaglia, who sent in this picture. * 18 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER • ----Real Gl Kinfolk--- 'Don't volunteer' drive a truck ifl could get out of it, or if he was just trying to spare World War I dad me doing some boring detail. (I never did volunteer for anything, tells War II son Hal) Just by the circumstances of the calendar, most fathers of john Duffy's family * Trailblazers were of a generation between wars. But there are some instances where 70th veteran's Dads did serve in World almost makes a squad War I. When John Duffy, HQ 1st Bn/275, tells war stories, he knows Among them is the father of William C. "Bill" Schaefer, I/ somebody in the family will top it. For his is a GI kinfolk, if ever. 275. He says: There were six Duffy children. Of them three sons, one daughter "Yes, my father was in service during WWI. He was in the and her husband served in World War II. Army 14 months. Wasn't in very long before going to France as John, born in 1909, enlisted in the Army although he was 33 a truck driver. Hauled lots of supplies and food to the rifle years old, married and had two small children. He was sent to companies. The closest he came to being wounded was when he Officers Candidate School and was commissioned as a second was hit in the upper lip by a piece of grenade while on a practice lieutenant in the Infantry and shipped to the ETO in September, range somewhere over there. The wound was minor and never 1944. he was killed in action on January 7, 1945 about 30 miles gave him any trouble. from where his mother was born near Schieffweiler in Southern "He was discharged in 1919, married Della Mae Brittingham Germany. in Hunter, Arkansas, in 1922. They had a daughter in 1923, I His brother Edward, seven years younger, enlisted in the came along in 1925 and a younger sister was born in 1926. Infantry. He saw action from Anzio, Italy and went into Rome "My father lived till Dec. 1985, when he was 95-plus years old. when it was declared an open city in 1944. He, too, was KIA, "The only advice I can remember my father giving me when September 12, 1944, close to where his brother died. They are I was drafted in November, 1943, was; 'Son, sooner or later in the buried side by side in the American cemetery in Epinal, France. Army someone will ask for volunteers to drive trucks. Don't John Duffy's two grandsons are serving as officers in the U.S. volunteer. I never did think to ask Dad if he was telling me not to Army.

Trenchfoot and Forbach turned every color in the rainbow, cough­ ing and sputtering until I caught my breath. The French people had a good laugh. and Gulley's memories We were at the end of the block on the second floor where we saw a Tiger tank hiding under the railroad underpass. We were asked to consider taking a bazooka My nameisFrankJ. Gulley and my serial When I returned from the hospital after and maybe knocking it out of commission. number was 35840180. I was drafted in having trench-foot I arrived in Forbach at a We decided not to because we were looking May, 1944 and reported to Fort Benjamin hospital building where the platoon was right down its 885 . It was evidentally about Harrison near Indianapolis. By the first of waiting to move out. I found Cpl Schram this time that Sgt Dalton had his foot blown June, 1944 I was in Camp Hood, Texas was now a lieutenant and in charge of the off by a mine near the University ofForbach. where I took basic training. platoon. There were only six men left from After basic training I was assigned to C/ the original platoon Sgt Schlister had been Although he has vivid* memories of com- 276 at Leonard Wood. critically wounded in the head. I don't bat, including transporting bodies of 2nd My tour in the 70th Division was from know whether he died or not. I found Pfc Bn/276 men killed in combat back to the October, 1944 to June, 1945. Noble was in very bad shape with frozen rear for burial, Francis "Jimmy" Dunn, F/ My experience at the bivouac area out­ feet and I suggested that he be sent to a 276, also remembers a training exercise side of Marseille was one which I will never hospital. that was a memorable event. forget. I was only 18 years old and had not As we advanced through the town we "In the Autumn of '43 our company yet become a smoker. As you remember the found no Germans. We went through the made its first 25-mile hike with full field area was wet and muddy and the rumors buildings, which were three stories high, equipment. Lt. William "Wild Bill" were many. Well I was as scared as the next from basement to basement. The French Dougherty was CO and Winfred Stevens man and I was very nervous. Someone townspeople were very friendly and went was first sergeant. We didn't lose a man on suggested that I smoke a cigarette and it ahead and seared the buildings. I was with the hike." would calm me down. After smoking I lay a Sgt Boone when we were offered a drink Francis traveled all over the world as a in my sleeping bag trying to calm down. I of cognac. Not being a drinker of alcoholic chief mechanic for off-shore drilling rigs. remember throwing back the bag and dig­ beverages, I followed the example of Sgt He specialized in Diesels. He is an Adair ging a hole in which to vomit at least three Boone and downed the drink. It was very 'Blazer. His wife Mary died in '88; he has times. Well I am not a smoker to this day. tasty until it hit the bottom. I must have a son, a daughter and seven grandchildren. Winter, 1992 19 German-built dugout The big foxhole protects Americans from hellish artillery

By TOM KRAKOWIAK C/275

After a half-track ride from Niederbronn positions on the firing line. As we peered think Jensen continued using Sid's BAR. to the outskirts of Philippsbourg, the driv­ through the fog we began to hear voices and We didn't have a hell of a lot of ammunition ers refused to go any farther and we walked noises below us. to begin with and we were getting low. the rest of the way. My 3rd squad was We assumed that we were all either in the S/Sgt. McDaniels suggested rushing assigned to existing dugouts and foxholes bunker or under cover in some of the holes down the hill with bayonets and we all on the crest of a hill at the south end. close by. After a quick vote, James Jensen, talked him out of that. I have no idea how At the beginning of the day -Jan. 2, on my left, let go with a hand grenade in the far into the morning this occurred but even­ 1945-we were all spread out. I and Dave direction of the voices below us. Another tually a couple of tanks came down the road Vigoren had a huge figure 8 dugout all to grenade followed and the voices stopped. from our left. After the tanks opened up on ourselves. A sniper sent a couple of rounds The fog was just thin enough so we could the stone wall with machine guns and started our way-we couldn't mistake the "zing". notice Kraut soldiers coming from the back levelling their big gun, most of the Krauts I even walked back to town to get some of a farmhouse ahead of us and lining up behind the wall got up and surrendered. But news. That is when I looked over a Kraut along the low stone wall by the road. The some of them snuck back behind the farm­ truck that had been captured by Lt. Nelson. small-arms fire now began in earnest. Jensen house the same way they came in. It was loaded with all types of snow and ski on my left, I and Sid Roberts on my right, And so our baptism of fire was done. equipment. and someone unknown to me on Robert's The tanks trundled down the road with During the late afternoon of the 2nd, our right. the prisoners and with some of our troops as position began to consolidate and we had FTER TURNING AROUND to escorts. There was a brief lull like there is quite a number of men in our dugout on the pick up another full magazine before a storm and the storm did come - hillside. As I said before, this was a pretty A which was on the edge of the hole Kraut artillery! good sized dugout the Germans had dug for directly in back of him, Roberts slumped Fortunately the Germans built some darn us. In the shape of a kidney, it could accom­ over. We didn't know where he was hit good bunkers, including the one we were modate at least a dozen men. Bob McDaniel until we started to move him under cover of in. We had straw on the floor and together was there, George Kwant, Sid Roberts with the logs. One of us felt a wet sticky spot with Sid's body, the rest of us lay like his BAR, James Jensen, Walter Killian, between his shoulder blades. spoons in the semi-darkness with our Ralph Crawford, Dave Vigoren and I. I A new crew took up our positions but I thoughts and prayers while the crashing don't remember who else was in that hole. Three quarters or more of the top of our hole was covered with large logs with a good thickness of earth over that. The front portion of the dugout was covered by a ~ crude roof of logs and earth. The rest of the hole was open. There were four or five maximum firing positions and we took turns 0 0 0 for a while at these positions and then exchanged places with others who were under the logs. Jan. 3: Early in the morning, it was still dark, we got the word to move out. Carry­ ing a bunch of clanging canteens, I went down the hill to a nearby stream to fill them up. Others up in the hole were flapping out blankets, making up packs and generally being noisy. I remember everyone's mood was up because we were glad to get out of there. Then, in the ground fog and darkness, a shot rang out. I broke the sprint record in running up that hill and into the hole and I can't recall whether I filled the canteens or not! I was one of the last to get into the hole so I ended up with one of the "choice" 20 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER vibrations went on around us. Nothing to do but with a clear head- and hopped a jeep but stay in place and hope the logs and earth back to Co. C and on to the Maginot Line above would hold up. We lost any commu­ After barrage "ends" pillboxes. nications we had, the shelling severed all Company C was withdrawn from the wires; we had no significant amount of last round bestows action by order of Gen. Herren, on Jan. 20. ammo left. There wasn't anything or any­ My own story is almost ended. The only body crawling around out there to shoot at a Purple Heart opposition I encountered in Alstingen was anyway. from a ferocious German shepherd dog that It seems like the barrage lasted all after­ prevented me from clearing a barn. I had to noon. It really seemed like an eternity. expend a couple of rounds there and that When it was over in the early evening, the was about it. Lou Fletcher and I and many farm house across the road was burning. recognized this dark lump in the snow as a of the platoon were convinced that we would Somewhere in the same vicinity cows were possible living body and booted me up. stay and "occupy" the town at least for a practically screaming and burning trucks Together we had some running to do to couple of days. But that was not in the plan. on the road were exploding. We finally got catch up with the column. Thank you, who­ We moved out in the early afternoon to­ the word to move out and we proceeded on ever you were. ward and into the forest. Hank Gieselman the road to town, took a right, passed the We, Co. C, remained at Angels berg from was in the squad then. company CP and fell in behind the rest of C January 6 until afternoon of Jan. 10. Our BOUT MID-AFTERNOON I had heading for Angels berg. This was now late Angelsberg objective was Hill 471. We my squad cover me while I went in the evening of Jan. 5 after P-bourg was arrived at Hill 364, west of Philipps bourg A forward to check out a large mound cleared. and Niederbronn and south of Baerenthal, of earth. It was an incomplete bunker the I happened to be the last man in the late in the afternoon of January 12. Germans never finished. I turned to face the column. Just as the end of the column was It was a blur of snow, digging slit trenches squad and dropped to the dirt as an 88 came at the edge of town, some shots were heard and coming up with rocks and roots. whizzing in. A second one came in shortly where the forward troops were entering the Wounded men crying out in the darkness, after but so far everything was OK. There woods. We found out later that some GI other wounded being carried down the hill was a long pause. That was the end, I was edgy (who wouldn't be after Philipps­ in blankets made into litters. Although the thought. I stood up. bourg) and it was a false alarm. 275th Medical History indicates we had I looked at my squad and they were all in OWEVER the column stopped Medics, we did not! a prone position, I waved them forward and when the shots were heard and I I was very sick with a head and chest they all looked at me as if I was crazy and H took advantage of the hold-up by cold; I was one miserable dog face. When at the moment Number 3 came in and I got sitting down in a ditch and easing my pack we came off the hill I reported to the Battal­ my Purple Heart. The Medic at the time was straps. It was a comfortable position in the ion Aid Station and my temperature was a short fellow and we walked back through snow bank, somewhat like in a recliner. I high enough for me to be admitted over­ the woods together until s_ome Kraut pris­ felt warm and tingly and I went into a deep night. I slept all afternoon and all night with oners joined us and two Germans helped sleep. The next thing I knew was someone sulfa pills and water breaks every few hours. me up to the road. A jeep took me the rest kicking me awake. Fortunately, a straggler The next day I felt great- a little shaky of the way to the Aid Station.

job yesterday afternoon. For two days the flag for home consumption ... The Ex-70th general previous I had held my troops while we German troops who have surrendered negotiated the administrative arrange­ and are in our midst seem to be very ments for the surrender of the remaining docile. They all salute as I pass- a good captures Goering German Troops in front of the 36th Divi­ many giving the "Heil Hitler" salute of the sion. We had the strength topush on but upraised hand which I just ignore. It is An ex-Trailblazer is featured in a fine did not want to risk any unnecessary time I got back to work. book, "Lines of Battle". It is a volume of casualties. Loads of love, letters from American servicemen from I am waiting now for General Stack to John 1941 to '45. Edited by Annette Tapert, it's bring in our biggest catch of the War­ The Stack referred to in the letter was published by Military Pocket Books and Reichsmarschall Goering. Early yester­ Brigadier General Robert Stack, 36th assis­ well worth its $9.95 price. day morning two German Luftwaffe tant division commander. Dahlquist was One of the letters is from Major General officers came to my CP, the emissaries bitterly criticized by some people for John Dahlquist, first commander of the from Goering. I sent Stack and a recon­ extening military courtesies to Goering al­ 70th. After our basic training he was sent to naissance group to receive him. Late though the protocol was dictated by the command the 36th (Texas) Division in Italy yesterday he had not yet shown up so I Geneva! Convention. and then in a lightning strike through south­ drove to the rendezvous and saw Stack. The 36th was the only division in history em France. By the time the war ended, the Goering and his party had left for the that had units fighting on both side of the 36th was in Kufstein, Austria. From there rendezvous hours before but had not globe in the same war. Right after Pearl he wrote to his wife: arrived. I sent Stack to look for him. Harbor, one of its Artillery battalions was Apparently-about 1 :30 this morning they rushed to California to guard against a Somewhere in Austria came in. I had sent Peel back with some feared Japanese invasion. Then it went on 9 May 1945 cars. He was back at breakfast and had to Java where eventually it was captured. Dearest Ruth: seen Soering. I also sent a Texas Aag Its men were in POW camps in Burma and Well V-E Day is here. We completed our down and got a picture of Goering with Japan. Winter. 1992 21 New Members

NEW MEMBERS CHANGES OF ADDRESS

BEDGOOD, Alvin P. AMOS, Norman W. DUDAS, Alexander HARGRAVE, George Rt. 2, Box 720 13507 Penny Hill 10164 W. Eaton Pike, CR 333 2616 Shady Grove Dr. Woodville, MS 39669 Rt. 1, Box 311 New Paris, OH 45347 Bedford, TX 76021 ?/274 Eugene, MO 65032 ECKRICH, John HAYNES, Earl G. CITRON, Victor BAIRD, John K. 110 Beech Ct. 3084 Riverside Dr. 4805 252nd Street NE 7304 Good Samaritan #203 Hebron, IN 46341 Clarkston, WA 99403 Arlington, WA 98223 El Paso, TX 79912 AT/274- Mert FINLEY, Roland W. HOBEN, Michael G. BARKER, William S. 3126 Verdun Avenue 15830 Gleeson Lake Dr. CONLON, Regis J. 16 N. Jefferson St. San Mateo, CA 9M03 Plymouth, MN 55M7 104 Herbst Road Knightstown, IN 46148 Coraopolis, PA 15108 1/274 FLACK, Theodore HOFFMAN, Jack HQ/Divarty- Josephine 7364 E. McKinley St. 9893 Basilica Ct. BERGSTEN, Meorle 0 ., Sr. Scottsdale, AZ. 85257 Cypress, CA 90630 DEES, Billie 305 Pompano Bch Blvd # 1410 Rt. 1, Box 281 Pompano, FL 33062 FOSBENDER, Clarence W. HOOPER, Mrs E. Vern Ambrose, GA 31512 11 E. Hallet Street 3712 E. 22nd C/274 - Willie BERTCH, Frank E. Hillsdale, Ml 49242 Spokane, WA 99223 320 John Robert Dr. DINKINS, John G., Jr. Cotati, CA 94931 FROHLICH, Frank HUNT, Don Rt. 2, Box 987 PO Bax405 10 Viking Drive Manning, SC 29102 BLACKMAR, Charles B. Lake Geneva, FL 32160 Selah, WA 98942 H/274 - Martha 6 12 Hobbs Road Jefferson City, MO 651 09 GEHRKE, Richard JACKSON, Saul DOYLE, Lee R. 1261 Crown Ct. 7500 Estero Blvd A#101 12476 Misty Lane Ct. BLANCHARD, GeorgeS. Mukwasago, Wl53149 Ft. Myers Beech, FL 33931 Sugar Land, TX 77 478 166 Dewberry Drive 1/274 - Geri Whispering Pines, NC 28327 GRAY, Robert JOHN, M. C. "Cal" PO Box 2935 19598 SW 89th Rd . GALOVICS, Louis BLOUNT, L. E. Kirkland, WA 98083 Dunnellon, FL 32630 207 N. Adams Street P.O. Bax4M5 Saginaw, Ml 48604 Pinehurst, NC 2837 4 GRAY, Rufus KRAMER, Casper F. 1/276 Rt. 1, Box 179 4282 Victorian Green #69 BOUCHER, Armand Leslie, AR 72645 Cincinnati, OH 45211 GLICKMAN, Louis 1096 Forest Park Rd . 2067 NE 120th Rd. Muskegon, Ml 49M 1 GROTHER, Edwin LEGGETT, Armstead North Miami, FL 33181 451 Pence Road Rt. 3, Box 301-H E/275 - Debbie BROOKE, Colburn Yakima, WA 98908 McMinnville, TN 3711 0 'lo Eileen Brooke HOOKWAY, Norman L. 1120 Grand, #14 MACK, F. Kenneth 7125 Turquoise Lane Bigfoot, MT 59911 Rt. 3, Box 233A Orlando, FL 32807 Ogden, lA 50212 1/276- Betty CASE, Robert E. 814 Shown Drive Life members: MARINO, Philip C. McKINNEY, Maurice Jefferson City, MO 651 09 The number of Life members 27601 Sun City Blvd #48 777 Main Street continues to grow slowly but Sun City, CA 92586 Cambria, CA 93428 CHEEZEM, Charles steadily with ten more added in L/274- Gola A-C-R, 301 Edgewood Ave. the last quarter. Membership is MEEHAN, Myron Clemson, SC 29631 now 533. The newest members 8800 Williams Hwy. MEYER, Paul R. Grants Pass, OR 97526 are: 900 SW Fifth Ave. #1900 CLINGMAN, Ray Portland, OR 97204 3909 S. Cathie Ave. #5 MITZEL, Louise E/276 Sioux Falls, SD 57106 Frank E. Bertch, C/275 5772 Gorden Grove, #439 Henry Dickinson, D/275 Westminster, CA 92683 SMOOT, A. L. COUCH, Cordis M. John G. Dinkins, Jr., H/274 613 N. Michigan 10323 Saranac Trail J. Lynn Hufhes, F/274 MOXLEY, George M. Magnum, OK 73554 Hudson, FL 34667 M . C. "Ca" John, G/276 4154 lola Drive 1/274 James D. Kidder, H/274 Sarasota, FL 34231 COX, John Willard F. Lloyd, D/275 WHELAN, John PO Box 799 NAEF, Robert J. Jerome T. McCullough, L/274 81402 Beeler Rd . Forsyth, GA 31 029 2668 Morningstar Dr. Bush, LA 70431 Harry W. Severance, HQ/275 Madison, OH M057 K/274- Rose DARE, Marvin E. and Rt. 9, Box 393 John R. Wamsley, G/276 Poplar Bluff, MO 63901

22 70th Division Assn. TRAILBLAZER and Changes for the Roster

NEATBY, Mrs. James RIAN, Vincent J. SMITH , Ray 8201 Park Plaza Dr. 2708 Spyglass Crt. NW 1800 Lakewood Ct. N. #154 Pittsburgh, PA 15229 Rochester, MN 55901 Eugene, OR 97402

NELSON , Mrs. Fred RICHMOND, Arthur (Jack) SMITH, William 4266 Sylvia Lane S. 15812 Shell Crest Dr. 4157 Lakeside Dr. 70th Infantry Division St. Paul, MN 55126 N. Ft. Myers, FL 33917 Rocklin, CA 95677 Association NEWMAN, Robert P. RIGSBEE, William STAFFORD, Willie E. President Box 194 4007 Old NC 10 PO Box 263 Alex C. Johnson Bradford Woods, PA 15015 Durham, NC 27705 San Angelo, TX 76902 833 N. Carlyle Lane Arlington Hts., IL 60024 (705) 506-9884 PILLING, Robert R. RISSMILLER, Ralph TURNER, Mrs. Jacob 715 Mockingbird Circle 120 N. Magnolia Ave. #63 PO Box 55 Immediate* Esconda, CA 92025 Anaheim, CA 92801 Caldwell, WV 24925 Past-President Neal C. Gibbs RAMSTEDT, Nil s W. Sr. ROSENBAUM, Mrs. Raymond YEARGAIN , Joseph 11910 Moonlight. Rd. 1143 Panorama Dr. 3916 Sarah Drive 111 Garfield Avenue Olathe, KS 66061 Arcadia, CA 91007 Zephyrhills, FL 33543 Union , MO 63084 (913) 764-0388

BATDORF, Earl J. KALERGIS, James G. MERRICK, Marvin Past President* 521 Sunny Drive 1910 Sherwood Hale Ln . 13378 Reedley Street Norman J. Johnson Bryan, OH 43506 Alexandria, VA 22306 Panorama City, CA 91402 3344 Bryant Ave. D/274 883 FA G/276 Anoka, MN 55303 {Post Office notification) Died April13, 1991 Died March 13, 1991 (612) 421-7265

CLARK, Earl C. LEGGETT, HenJc W. MILLER, James W. Vice President-West* 132 S. 21st Street 3607-B. Cliffri ge Dr. 920 E. Heynecker Avenue Paul E. Thirion Richmond, IN 47374 Lumberton, NC 28358 DeOueen, AR 71832 6669 Nicolett E/275 G/274 C/275 Riverside, CA 92504 (714) 682-2963 Died August 20, 1990 Died July 22, 1991 Died August 1, 1991

DICK, Marion J. MUSSO, Eugene L. Vice President-East* 1/275 109 Bayswater Avenue Wm. R. Kiefriter Died in No. Korea Burl ingame, CA 94010 50 Woodhill Dr. Willow Grove, PA 19090 HQ 3 Bn/275 (215) 657-0212 DICKENS, Recio (Dick) A Died July 27, 1991 140 W. Brunswick Drive Columbus, IN· 47203 NEWTON, Gerald K. Sec.-Treas* . B/274 214 Aviation Rood Louis Hoger 5825 Horton Died July 29, 1991 Queensbury, NY 12804 Mission, KS 66202 K/275 (H) 913-722-2024 DOYLE, John B. Died April15, 1991 (0 ) 816-931-4333 1708 Inlet Drive * No. Ft. Meyers, FL 33903 O'DONNELL, Robert F. Taps Asst. Sect.-Treas* . 1/276 112 Forest Avenue Calvin L. Jones Died August 26, 1991 New Rochelle, NY 10804 227 NE 105th Ave. HQ 1 Bn/276 Portland, OR 97220 DOYLE, John Died February 10, 1990 (503) 253-8575 E/274 Died November 2, 1975 * VENCEL, Michael J. Chaplain* Rt. 22, Box 440 L. Donald Docken GARNIK, Robert J. Terre Haute, IN 47802 170 N. Ruth St., #1005 287 5 Arbor Drive HQ 2 Bn/274 St. Paul. MN 55119 Brookfield, WI 53005 Died March 20, 1990 (612) 735-8325 HQ/276 Died September 8, 1991 LIVESLEY, Phil ip A WARD, Thomas J. , Jr. Asst. Chaplain* 608 Cabona Lane West Bay Manor Rev. Harry Durkee HALES, Fred Lake Oswego, OR 97034 27601 Westchester Pkwy. 7739 Via Napoli 275 HW 3rd Bn/275 Westlake, OH 44145 Burbank, CA 91504 Died June, 1991 Died? C/276 (818) 767-0794 Died? INGLISH, Claude MAIENZA, James Historians* 1317 S. Arlington 6430 Cherry Road WELLER, Victor C. Donald C. Pence Sedalia, MO 65301 Silver Spring Shores, FL 32692 L/276 Carolina Trace 70QM H/276 Died November 11 , 1971 285 Fairway Lane Died June 20, 1991 Died October 21 , 1991 Sanford, North Carolina 21730 The report of the death of Vincent (919) 499-5949 JONES, Francis E. MEARS, Ralh E. Kehoe, 1/276, was erroneously 107 Ninth Avenue 19819 63r Ave, Ct. E. ~iven to the "Trailblazer." We are Dr. Eugene* Petersen Antigo, WI 54409 Spanaway, WA 98387 appy to correct the record and 1850 Randy St., C/882 FA M/274 note that he is "alive, well and 70" San Leandro, California 94579 Died September 10 , 1991 Died October 7, 1991 in Somis, California. (415) 351-0861

Winter, 1992 23 "Kill the umpire!" TOP DOGS . .. Ginger, mascot of the Division Headquarters Company,liked No, No! It's me, nothing better than to tour Camp Adair in this jeep, driven by says Schwappach 1st/Sgt. Fred Massey. The big sort-of-St. Bernard ish dog was The war-games umpire pictured on page a familiar sight to all Trailblazer troops. 26 of"The Trailblazers" is no longer anony­ mous. Bob Schwappach, Sv/276, says it's him. "Although I'd never seen the picture during that time the 70th moved to Leonard Medic! Medic! before, I know it's me! I was in Service Wood. Company B, 370 Medics, will have a Company, 276, having just come from the "I was sent to the ETO as a truck driver. reunion at Hood River, Oregon, May 14- Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. I I remember many night convoys getting 16, 1992. So tells us Freeman Bishop remember those flags we worked with in lost or strafed by airplanes we called 'Night who is seck-trez for the outfit. For more advanced training on war games. How well Lena'. I remember delivering hot meals, by details phone him at (316} 442-3372. I remember the head band and arm bands jeep, to front line Gls and how grateful they This will be the last issue of this magazine the umpires wore. were. that can carry preview news. "I took my basic training with D/276 and "The Las Vegas Reunion was the first while at Adair was transferred to Service. one I attended. It was great! I won't miss Then I was sent to school for 16 weeks and another Reunion if I can help it."

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