COM PAN YIP 0 0 P SHE E T September 2000

NEAL and BETTY BURKETT - 6760 Leon Rd. #1295 - Andover, Ohio 44003 Phone (440) 293-7015 We think the Poopsheet is just great, with those humorous stories and remembrances, relating to us from the 1940s era. I particularly liked that narrative of the action of the 502nd during the Holland Invasion. It brought things into perspective for me, -especially some areas in which after 55 years I am a little fuzzy in my memory. We appreciate your spending so much time and effort in sending us every- thing that you do, in the Poopsheet. That has to be an action of love. We will give serious thought about attending the "Snowbird" in February. Would you please send - The list of all Company I men killed in action - The list of all the men who ever served in Company I. EDITOR'S NOTE: I am happy to send the requested items to Neal and Betty.

RICHARD STEPHENS - 2030 E St.;,- Springfield, Oregon 97477 Phone (541) 747-8749 I had a phone conversation with Jim Howell and we talked about the next "Snowbird Reunion". I just heard the airlines are running a special rate from Oregon to Orlando, $200.00 round trip for tickets bought now. It's a little early but I'll buy my ticket now and save $130.00.

RICHARD SNOW - 902 Silver Oak Ave. - Lady Lake, Florida 32159 Phone (904) 753-3995 I'm sorry to read about the death of more of our Company I buddies. Some names in the Poopsheet sound familiar, but my memory isn't as good as it used to be. Would you please send me - The Company I Picture taken at FOLt Bragg in 1943 - The Roster of names of men in this Picture - Sterling Miniature Paratroopers Wings and 101st Insignia Pin. Enclosed is a donation to help with expenses of the Poopsheet. Hop~ to_ hear from you again soon. EDITOR'S NOTE: I am pleased to send the requested items to Richard.

JOHN and LYDIA ALTOMARE - 1814 Palo Circle - Baltimore, Maryland 21227 Phone (301) 242-9649 Enclosed is a donation to show our appreciation for the Poopsheet and all your time and especially your thoughtfulness in remembering all the Company I people. We keep Marie in our prayers, - we also placed her name on the prayer list at our church. Our prayers are also with you and your family. We are both doing pretty well. John gets unhappy when he realizes there are some things he can't do, or do as well as he used to do. Some of us find it difficult to recognize and accept the weakness of our ages. We are spending some time at our campsite in West virginia. Hope to make the "Snowbird Reunion" in February. Would you please send one each of your Company I accumulation. EDITOR'S NOTE: I am happy to send the requested items to John and Lydia.

JOE and JUNE HENNESSEY - 32 Avenue B - Beacon Falls, Connecticut 06403 Phone (203) 729-8803 We will be going to our Florida home for a few months on January 1 and we hope to see many of our Company I people at the "Snowbird Reunion." 2

WARD and DORIS FAULKENBERRY - 1745 Charles Ave. - Lancaster, S.C. 29720 Phone (803) 283-3746 It seems so long ago since our last "Snowbird Reunion" last February.· And because I am looking forward to the next one"time seems to stand still. It would be great if even more Company I people would attend. I promise they would have a good time. I would like to take this opportunity to give a special invitation to "LOU DUNCH" to attend this next one in February. I am doing OK now, but I have been in the hospital twice since the last "Snowbird Reunion" with congestive heart failure. I plan to attend this next "Snowbird Reunion",_if the Good Lord is willing. Enclosed is a donation to help with expenses. You are doing a great job with the Poopsheet.

HARRY and JOANIE NIVENS - 1130 Monroe Ave. - St. Cloud, Florida 34769 Phone (407) 957-0098 We very much enjoy receiving your great newsletter, the Company I Poopsheet, each one brings back so many good memories. Joanie and I attended the 101st Reunion and Week of the Eagles at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It was a great reunion, but we missed being with our friends of Company I. While in the Pratt Museum I found a picture of Col. Cole with others, including RichardP. O'Reilly of Company I. We hope to see many of our Company I people at the 2001 "Snowbird Reunion" in February. Enclosed is a donation to help with Poopsheet expenses.

FRED and DOLORES KRAUS - 4114 Murfield Dr. E. - Bradenton, Florida 34203 Phone (941) 753-8779 We appreciate the news and information and everything in the Company I Poopsheet. This work of love must be for all of us of Company I, and your hard work and your troubles in your own life. Thanks from all of us. II-----W-e-a-re--b-o-t-h-i-n--£-ag--io--rio-.d--yshap- -~o-ugh-r -had -a--se-c-ond-stroke and a pacemaker, but I am OK. Weare planning to make the "Snowbird Reunion" this year. Enclosed is a donation to help with expenseso.Thanks again for it-all.

EARL and VIRGINIA KELLY - 3 Morgan Lane - Aberdeen, Maryland 21001 Phone (410) 272-3330 I want to tell you how much I look forward to receiving the Company I Poopsheet. They are not only educational, but very interesting. The book that Jim Howell wrote has everything, and after all these years, what memories. I just talked to John Altomare who is in West Virginia at their camp. I am going to try and go down for a few days this week with him. Please send me one of everything you have in your Company I accumulation, and what I will have 2 of, I am going to give to a school library which is carrying a history on World War II. Enclosed is a donation to help with expenses. EDITOR'S NOTE: I am happy to send the requested items to Earl and Virginia.

NEWS ABOUT MRS. ANTHONY (CLARA) MASTROLILLO - 198 W. Rocks Rd. - Norwalk,CT. The mail of Mrs. Anthony (Clara) Mastrolillo is being returned to me by the Post Office. I tried to contact her by phone and received the operator's reply that the number has not yet been implimented, - indicating that the number has been disconnected and reasigned elsewhere. My wife and I visited Tony and Clara in 1985 at their home. It was the only time I saw Tony since the war. He was a self-employed contractor and constructor of residential swimming pools. Tony died in 1992. LATER INFORMATION: I was able to talk on the phone with their next-door neighbor, and he informed me that Clara died some time ago, and the home has been sold, and as far as he knew there were no children, and the entire neighborhood is aware that Tony served his country as a WWII Paratrooper. 3

ALFRED E. SIMMONS WINS TRIP TO THE SNOWBIRD REUNION

Using an old Company I "Slush Fund" as a base we offered an all exp:ense paid trip to the "Snowbird Reunion" in February to some lucky Company I man, and Alfred E. Simmons, our old 2nd platoon sgt., is the happy winner. In the past Simmons has never been able to attend a Reunion, and now he is excited about being with his Company I buddies again after 56 years.

ALFRED E. SIMMONS - 110 35th St. - Snyder, Texas 79549 Phone (915) 573-6928 I have a new address and phone number, listed above. I am real excited about being with the old Company I gang again at the upcoming "Snowbird Reunion" in February after all these years. I am hoping everyone I want to see, and who might want to see me, will be there. I am in fairly good health. I had a mild heart attack 8 years ago and I now take medication for high blood pressure, as I am sure many of you do too. Other than that I am OK. Looking forward to seeing you all in February.

CHARLES and MARILYN OLSON - 333 Sycamore Rd. - Sewickley, Pennsylvania 15143 Phone (412) 749-0290 I am upgrading my WWII scrapbook. Would you please send one each of our Awards and Citations papers. We are looking forward to being with our Company I gang again,at the "Snowbird Reunion" in February. EDITOR'S NOTE: I am happy to send the requested items to Charles & Marilyn.

CELSO and MARY GARCIA - 359 62nd st. N.W. - Albuquerque, New Mexico 87105 phone (505) 831-0377 We want to attend the "Snowbird Reunion" in February if we feel OK at that time. I have to keep my blood sugar regulated, I tire easily ~nd often go to bed at 7.30 or 8.00 o'clock. Would you send me one of those tapes of our D-Day Jump. EDITOR'S NOTE: I am happy to send the requested D-Day tape to Celso. Don't feel bad Celso, I frequently go to bed at 7.30 or 8.00 o'clock. It must go with our age.

JIM and MABEL HOWELL - P.O. Box 528 - Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730 Phone (662) 369-4395 I want to advise you of some bad news that I received recently. I was diagnosed with cancer of both lungs and the bronchial passages. It is a type of cancer which rules out operations and radiation. I had my first chemo treatment August 11. The treatment takes approximatelY 6 hours and I get a treatment every 21 days. I try not to get overly optimistic because of the possible let down •.Will take it a week at a time. We still plan on making reservations for the "Snowbird Reunion" in February. Give Marie a big hug for Mabel and I and take care of yourself. For those of you who have access to the internet, our E-mail address is: [email protected] EDITOR'S NOTE: I tried to phone Jim when I received this letter, but Mabel told me she had him working on a tractor on the back lot.

WALTER PRESLEY - 2414 Cambridge St. - Odessa, Texas 79761 Phone (915) 366-8993 I live alone now since Jane died, 'however my daughter has me to her house once a week for home cooked meals. It is good to have someone who loves you, and who cares. I would like to attend the ~Snowbird Reunion" in February, if everything goes well. 4'

NEWS ABOUT MRS. LOUIS (DOROTHY) METE - 1761 Washington Blvd NW - Lake Placid, Florida - The mail of Mrs. Louis (Dorothy) Mete is being returned to me by the Post Office. I was able to talk on the phone with her next-door neighbor and she informed me that Dorothy died a few months ago, probably due to lung and heart problems. As far as is known there were no children. Louis Mete, our medic, died last year.

BOB HARTZELL - 313 Wentz st. - Tiffin, Ohio 44883 Phone (419) 447-0448 My son Steve, picked up an empty WWII 1st aid kit pouch, at a Flea Market, the type we attached to our web belt, which had an attached tag marked, "Pvt. Joseph Hennessey - Company I 502nd ABN. INF. - Fort Jackson, S.C." In talking to Joe on the phone about this, he told me that he was never stationed at Fort Jackson, and he never saved a 1st aid kit pouch. I have since learned that after the 101st was inactivated in 1945, it was reactivated for a short time in 1948, - and guess where, - in Fort Jackson, S.C. Could there possibly be another Pvt. Joseph Hennessey in Company I 502nd ABN. INF., - in 1948? At any rate I will bring this pouch with me to the "Snowbird Reunion" for Hennessey to explain further. Neal and Betty Burkett know that my favorite music is the music of the 1940s and they insisted that I take time to recall some of my favorite songs that I do not now have, and they will make a cassette tape of those songs for me to enjoy. I did this, and sent the list to them. I even tried to throw them a curve by listing our buddy Jerry Sevier's favorite sing, "The Donkey Serenade". I have been enjoying this musical tape for sometime now, including "The Donkey Serenade", which recalls for me favorite memories of Jerry Sevier. Neal and Betty won't take money for this kindness, so I pray for them, - prayers have more value than money anyway. In Jim and Mabel Howell's letter they asked to have their E-mail address listed in the Poopsheet, and we did. For those of you who have access to the internet, let us know your E-mail address and we will put yours in the Poopsheet also. I don't know how many of us older people have access to the internet, but if you are on line, you may be delightfully surprised hearing from old time friends. My wife Marie, continues to hang in there"like the trooper she is. When she is being fed she sometimes forgets how to chew and swallow her food. Being Catholic I frequently bring her Holy Communion. But I can only bring her a crumb from the Sacred Host, that is all she can consume safely. I first pray with her for awhile, then I coax her to open her mouth, and I put the Holy Communion on her tongue, and I give her water to help her consume It. This process takes about 5 minutes. Please continue to keep her and her family in your prayers.

A LATER MESSAGE FROM RICHARD STEPHENS - I attended an "All Paratrooper" gathering in Eugene, Oregon and was awarded a "Paratrooper Statuette" with my name on it. I have diabetes, weigh 190 lbs, I feel good, and now live alone, with family members close by. I talked to James S. Norris on the phone and he is OK. We are both planning to attend the "Snowbird Reunion" in Feb.

MRS. RALPH (PETRA) CASAS - 601 Lance Dr. - Barstow, California 92311 Phone (760) 256-1338 My husband, Ralph Casas, of Company I 502nd died on September 15, 2000 at our home from congestive heart failure and he was also on dialysis. He was conscious and mentally alert to the end. Our priest came and Annointed him with the Sacrament of the Annointing, which is given to those who are seriously ill, a few days before he died. Ralph was ready for his meeting with our God. Please remember him and his family in your prayers. 5

WHY WE ATTEND REUNIONS

Many people who have not served in the Armed Forces consider as a mystery, why WWII Veterans continue to participate in Military Reunions. Some perceive it to be a "love of war;" others view it as an unwillingness to"let go of the past" or an effort to seek further glorification for their wartime deeds. And many G.I.'s do not understand the significance of such Reunions, and do not participate in them. The WWII G.I. is unique in history, and even more than 50 years after the war, he is revered in many lands. He has become a "legendary figure" and he symbolizes the cornerstone of compassion, dedication, and the character of America. This is evident as people pay homage to those who return to their areas of wartime overseas and stateside service. It is little wonder that Military Reunions attract thousands of WWII Veterans. It is unfortunate that many Veterans fail to attend. A "Reunion" is not a glorification of war, but it is about the "spirit" of the Veterans and a reaffirmation of individual pride in what they and their unit did to restore peace and freedom to an enslaved world. It also attests to the "Comradeship" which evolved from their dependence on each other, - - a relationship of individual and group respect, which the world would do well to emulate tOday. Reunions resurrect the "spirit" of past relationships for Veterans as they reminisce about their wartime experiences, re-establishing the bonds of friendship they once so greatly cherished over 50 years ago. And it is also the rare and perfect opportunity for us to enhance the understanding and knowledge of the family members who attend. THINGS SURE HAVE CHANGED

Everything seems farther away than it used to be - it is even twice as far to the corner store,~and they have added a hill - I have given up running for the bus; it leaves much earlier than it used to. It seems they are making the stairs steeper than in the old days - and have you noticed the small print they use in the newspapers? And it seems like everybody speaks in such a low voice, I can't understand what they're saying - Even people seem to be changing - They are so much younger than they used to be when I was their age - On the other hand, people my age are so much older than I am - I ran into an old Army buddy the other day - And he had aged so much that he didn't recognize me - I got to thinking about myoid buddy while I was combing my hair, And I glanced at my own reflection - They don't even make good mirrors iike they used to.

ADDRESS CORRECTIONS

ALFRED E. SIMMONS - 110 35th St. - Snyder, Texas 79549 FONZIE W. MAY - 3607 Cypress Way SE - Acworth, Georgia 30102 MRS. ROSE HUBNER (sister of George Larish) - P.O. Box 465 - Vintondale, Pa. MRS. JOHN (MARIE) DEROSE - 10 Herget Dr. #6 - Pepperell, Ma. 01463 15961 MRS. NELSON (ELORNE) STEPHENS - 18 Elderberry Dr. - Plymouth, Mass. 02360 KERRY COWEN (son of Edwin Cowen) - 7263 Achill Dr. - Dublin, Ohio 43017 MRS. GAIL WOOD (daughter of William G. Kelley) - 1006 Oak Chase Dr. #G - Tucker, Ga. 30084 6.

ORIGIN OF THE K-RATION

As you were sitting in your foxhole in the rain, snow or hot sun, did you ever wonder how those K-rations got their name? Who invented this waxed Cracker Jack box with the words "K-ration, one meal" stamped on it? Professor Ancel Keyes, director of the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene at the University of Minnesota, developed these rations, - so the name, Kfor Keyes: K-rations. The following is a digest from his research paper, "Rations for Airborne and other Mobile Troops". The need for mobility of troops and supplies is recognized as a need for a field ration. Ordinary field kitchens are out of the question in most conditions. The new type "C" ration fills an important need but at 4!z pounds per ration are too heavy and-bulky for the fighting line units. The "D" ration is for emergencies only. A new type of ration is needed for front line troops. This ration must sustain them for one to four days for any single operation. Fighting efficiency is greatly impaired without a proper supply of food. Semi-starvation for only a day results in the derangement of the metabolism of the body. The "D" bar may aggravate this derangement. Requirements for a "blitz" ration may be summarized as: - Such a ration should be a fighting ration, - not just for emergency. - It must be compact and lightweight. - There sho~ld be a proper balance of nutrients without too much fat and wi th adequate' proteins. - It must be adequate in total calories. - No cooking should be required. It should be adequate in vitamins and minerals, notably vitamins A,C and B vitamins, phosphorous, and potassium. - It should be resistant to prolonged exposure to extremes of climate. - It should not disrupt normal elimination of the bowels or derange the chemistry of the body. - It must be palatable and should be relished by the men, not only for a single meal but for a succession of meals. A ration that will not be eaten is worse than useless. Fighting efficiency is greatly reduced. variety is essential, which means consistency as well as flavor. Tests show that a daily ration for combat troops should be at least 3,200 calories. Various mixtures were attempted and tested on hired sUbjects. An example of one of these mixtures is: - rendered kidney knobs, prime oleo oil, seedless raisins, peanuts, cerelose, shredded coconut and salt. The biscuits also went through a number of alterations. The inclusion of good concentrated meat products resulted in a satisfactory biscuit. The composition of the ration is as follows: - Meal 1 - Special biscuit, veal loaf, malted milk tablets, soluble coffee and sugar. - Meal 2 - Special biscuits, ham preparation, dextrose tablets, lemon powder and sugar. - Meal 3 - Special biscuit, dry cervelat sausage, bullion paste, D bar. Test results said that the men were in better shape at the end of the test than counterparts on Garrison rations. Conclusions were that the rations packed as three meals would provide 3,600 calories and the weight of each meal would be 11 ounces. The Wrigley Chewing Gum Co. of Chicago had a contract to make thousands of the K-rations.

60TH ANNIVERSARY

In conjunction with National Airborne Day (officially designated as of August 16 last year by Congress and the President), there will be a dedication ceremony placing a Memorial Stone at the Los Angeles National Veterans Cemetery located at 950 S. Sepulveda Blvd. on Saturday, August 19, 2000. This ceremony will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first military jump by the original Parachute Test Platoon. The keynote speaker will be Col. Lew Millet, Medal of Honor recipient. The special guest list will'include one of the original Test Platoon members, Jake Jacomini (a resident of Wilmington) as well as Veteran Combat Jumpers from World War II. St. Martin de Varreville 7 llied planners considered-The St. Martin de------.-- A Varreville area of high military importance because of the four concrete-emplaced 122mm guns situated in a field southwest of the village and the series of stone houses west of the village (at Mesieres), which housed their crews. The large guns were reportedly captured on the Russian Front and brought to Normandy to help protect the "Westwall." Because of the trajectory of these large caliber guns, they were sited some 2-3mi behind the coast, to cover Exits 3 and 4. The guns were manned by the 1st Battalion of the 1261st Army Coastal Artillery Regiment. The RAF had bombed the field where the guns were situated on 29 May. The field was bombed again on the night of 5 June, just before the para- troopers dropped. It developed that on 29 May, one bunker had caved in (possibly from the sheer weight of 500lb bombs landing on the roof, as the other three bunkers were undamaged), and the 122mm gun at this collapsed bunker was trapped out in front of it. The Germans, realizing that the position had been pinpointed, hastily moved the other three guns away from that site to an un- Objective W, 19905 known location. In June 1944, this house was known as Objective W. It ac- The final bombing had torn up the field and tually lies west of the town of St. Martin de Varreville north- tossed crates full of German munitions and equip- west of the intersection of the 0-14 with the Mesieres ment all over the field. A small Renault tankette Road. Pre-invasion planners had earmarked it for Lt. Col. had been flipped over by the bombing. When Capt. Pat Cassidy's 1/502 CPo When Col. George Moseley broke Lillyman's small group scouted the location near his leg on the drop and failed to show up at the designated dawn on D-day, they located the field and found it regimental CP at Loutres, France, Lt. Col. Mike Michaelis was deserted, with the guns removed. Leaving assumed command of the 502nd PIR, moving his assem- part of his force behind, Lillyman went back up bled group into the house at Objective Wand establishing it as the new regimental CPo From here S/Sgt. Harrison the D-14, where he met Lt. Col. Cassidy and re- Summers of 8/502 jumped off on his epic assault on the ported what he had found. The absence of the guns group of houses along the Mesieres road, known as Objec- was a major relief as they had been considered a tive XYZ. serious threat to the D-day beach landings. Lt. Col. During D-day afternoon, Lt. Joseph Pangerl, the IPOW Steve Chappuis, CO of 2/502 arrived and stayed at officer of the 502nd, began interrogating German prisoners the bombed field to intercept his troops as they ar- in the kitchen of Objective W. As he spoke to a prisoner, rived and to reorganize them for another assign- two fully armed and equipped German soldiers emerged ment. from the root cellar of the house, acting surprised that there It is interesting to note that at least one troop- were Americans in the house. They surrendered to Pangerl er landed right in the field where the gun battery without incident. was situated. He was Lt. Gordon Deramus, of About 1km east of Objective W lies the small village of St. Martin de Varreville. Not much fighting took place HQl3502. there, although a patrol drove some Germans out of the In the years since WWII, the field housing the church and captured a radio transmitter and an arms gun bunkers has not been a tourist attraction be- cache. These items were placed in the street and blown up cause of its obscure location. Accessible only via a with explosives. Author's Photo two track cart path, even many history-minded residents of the Cotentin Peninsula don't know the A NOTE FROM BOB HARTZELL: location. Add to this the fact that the farmer who I can't remember how I received owns the field doesn't want tourists tramping these articles about St. Martirt around it (he has even covered the bunkers with de Varreville and Houesville. rose and raspberry bushes). Three of the four Someone must have sent them to bunkers are intact, with subterranean tunnels me 2 or 3 years ago. And it looks connecting them. The fact that two heavy bombing like they. were ta~en from the raids, concentrated on four bunkers in an area internet. And according to my about the size of a football field, failed to destroy ~emory they are very correct. three, of the four bunkers is interesting. Like the bunkers at Crisbec, it is evidence of the ineffective- ness of aerial bombardment on concrete fortifica- tions. 8

Gun Battery Site, D-day The Bunkers, 19905 Upon arriving at the gun battery site on D-day morning, One of the bunkers photographed in the 1990s-the farmer Capt. Frank Lillyman took this photo showing the field has disguised them with rose and raspberry bushes. Au- plowed up and a Renault tankette flipped over from the thor's Photo bombing. Lillyman Houesville he group of houses designated as Houesville on On the morning of9 June, I proceeded near the T the map lie just west of the N-13, north of St. edge of Houesville to look over portions of my com- Come du Mont. After moving west to la Croix Pan pany. An elderly Frenchman started talking to me from Hiesville, the 502nd PIR troopers moved in French and pointing to the back of the church. I south and established a line near Houesville. On 8 couldn't understand him, but saw Wm. Bashlor and Robert McQueen of my company, coming our June there were numerous German attacks on the way. Coming down the road was a squad of men area and a portion of the 502nd was surrounded from I Company-I told them something was go- there for a short time. Some 300 German troops ing on behind the church. Being a first sergeant, I were driven from the area by 9 June. took command and asked the I Company squad to An incident happened on the morning of 9 place themselves in position so as to crossfire their June, which some accounts attribute to Houesville. machine guns near the church. Another account says it happened behind the Bashlor and I went up into the church steeple Blosville church. The two towns are not far apart and observed the grounds behind the church. but the exact location of the incident has not been Bashlor said, "There's nothing there," and went verified as of this writing. back down the stairs. I kept observing the grounds as he was leaving. I spotted a German moving Paul Dovholuk was first sergeant of HQ/502 around and fired my submachine gun in his direc- and received a battlefield commission for his work tion. As I started firing, more Germans were mov- in the Normandy campaign. He wrote: ing around. I kept on firing and soon the I Compa- ny squad began firing their rifles and machine guns. I fired a couple of magazines of sub machine gun ammo into the confused Germans. Next, I heard someone yell to stop firing. I did so and all was quiet. I came down out of the steeple and 10 and be- hold, the field adjoining the church was full of German soldiers. I immediately told the I Compa- ny machine gunners to move to the edge of the field and set up for a crossfire of the prisoners in the field. The riflemen stayed back from the pris- oners in the field so they could shoot if necessary. I walked up to the German officer, who wouldn't put his hands on his head. He stated he was a German captain and took no orders from an enlist- ed man. He soon changed his mind because I pulled out my .45 automatic and stuck it up to his head and stated I'd "blow his damn head off." His hands went up fast. I also told him to relay to his men, that if any of them tried to escape or throw a hand grenade, my gunners would start shooting. Nothing happened. 502nd PIR Graves, D+4 The best part is that the German captain start- This dramatic photo was taken by Red Larsen's camera at ed getting talkative. He told me he lived and Houesville four days after D-day. The men pose over tem- worked in Detroit, Michigan until 1938, when he porary graves dug by the Germans for 502nd troopers went back to Germany and joined the army. This killed in the area on D-day. group of Germans had planned on hitting our regi- mental CP that night. We lined them up in a col- umn of two's and sent for help to take them back to the beach. Quite a few were wounded->:. .. -~ -.; .~- Various colored lanterns, bells, whistles, bu- gles, and other signaling devices were brought to Normandy to aid in night assembly on the ground, but few troopers saw or heard them. The typical troopers landed in isolation in a dark field, with nobody in sight, except perhaps some cows or hors- es. But on DZ D, the Germans had ignited a large barn doused with benzine. This gave an eerie brightness to the scene and the first troopers to land there could see following men actually coming out the door of their transports, clearly visible from the ground. It was a dramatic scene as some of the planes were on fire and losing altitude as the paras bailed out. Most feared of all were water landings. The shock of hitting cold water after a brief descent in darkness had a terrible effect. With many pounds of deadweight equipment strapped on, a number of troopers drowned in even the shallow water creat- ed by the flooding from the LaBarquette Lock. The fields south of Angoville were inundated and sym- metrical deep ditches (some as deep as 8ft) crossed at intervals. Many troopers far west in the 82nd Airborne's area also drowned in floods from the Merderet River. The flooded ditches and fields became a trying obstacle for the survivors as well. In navigating MAIN OBJECTIVES across the shallow floods of the fields, they had to 101 AIRBORNE DIVISION wade across the ditches, some of which had barbed o '000 wire on the bottom, under the water. YAROS

EDITOR'S NOTE: After Paul McKenna and I shed our parachutes early D-Day morning we joined a squad of about 8 other Company I men led by Lt. Jack Dulaney and including Reino Hill, Verle Kerr and Paul Cooney, and I can't remember the others, it was dark. I don't know how Lt. Dulaney done it, but he led us right into that "Gun Battery Site" in the dark, pictured above, and ~hich was our primary objective, and we found it just as" the article states, - torn up by the Air Force. Soon after daybreak we arrived at Objective W, pictured above, 502nd Regimental Hdq. I recognized the picture of that house the minute I saw it. It's weird, how seemingly small incidents, like the looks of a house, are imprinted on our memory, even after 56 years. And how about that account given by 1st Sgt. Paul Dovholuk from Hdq. Co. 502nd, of a squad from Company I, giving him tremendous support when it was needed. Can someone who was with, or who knows about that Company I squad give us some details and names of Company I men inVOlved in that action?

COMPANY I TREASURY REPORT

Since our last Treasury Report in July #2 we received $227.00 in donations, we received $1.09 interest on our money in the bank, we had a balance of $220.48, giving us a total of $448.57. . Our expenses since our last Treasury Report are $211.07 for reproducIng our 24 page July #2 Poopsheet, $66.00 for postage this Poopsheet, $5.00 for address labels this Poopsheet, a total expense of $282.07~ leaving us a balance of $166.50. Yours in the 10lst Robert J. Hartzell 313 Wentz st. ";-5t:)-C~ Tiffin, Ohio 44883 Phone (419) 447-0448 10

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE U.S. FLAG FOLDING CEREMONY

Each fold of the United States Flag when taken down at Retreat or used at a Military Funeral has a specific meaning. The Flag is folded from the Stripes end to the Stars to acknowledge that the 13 Strip,es represent the 13 original Colonies that have now become 50 States represented by the Stars. Each fold thereafter also has a particular significance: --The 1st is the symbol of life. --The 2nd is the bel~ef in eternal life. --The 3rd honors the Veteran who gave his life. --The 4th represents our weaker nature, as American citizens, trusting God. --5th is a tribute to our Country. --6th represents where our hearts lie (as we hold our hands over our hearts). --7th is a tribute to the Armed Forces, protecting our Country which flies the Flag. --8th is a tribute to mothers and to "the one who entered the valley of the shadow of death that we might see the light of day." --9th is a tribute to womanhood. --10th is a tribute to fathers. --11th is a tribute to Jewish citizens. --12th is a tribute to Christians. When the Flag is completely folded with only the Stars showing, it represents our National Motto, "In God We Trust." Because when the Flag is completely folded it looks like a cocked hat, it reminds us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, the sailors who served under Captain John Paul Jones, and all those who followed, preserving our rights, privileges, and freedoms. SNOWBIRD 2001 - 25TH ANNIVERSARY (Taken from the "Screaming Eagle" Magazine) The Florida Sunshine State Chapter of the 101st wishes to invite all Screaming Eagles to congregate on February 1, 2, 3, 2001, to help celebrate our 25th Annual Snowbird Reunion. We will all assemble at the Ramada Plaza Gateway Hotel in Kissimmee, Florida. Many thanks to those who have supported us the last 25 years. You have helped the Sunshine Chapter make the Snowbird Reunion the success it is today. For best results make early reservations with the Hotel as they have a liberal cancellation policy. The toll-free phone number is 1-800-327-9170. Make sure you ask for the Special Snowbird Reunion Rates. It will be interesting to see if Company H 502, will dismount Company I 502 with the best attendance at this Snowbird Reunion. Company I 502, has had the largest attendance for many years. So, people of Company If your work is cut out for you.

A NOTE FROM BOB HARTZELL: Some of the Hote~ Rooms at the Snowbird Reunion ,j are quite a distance from the Hospitality Room. All of us of Company I are 80 years old, or close to it, and we don't move too fast after a few drinks. George Welch, president of the Snowbird Reunion told me when we phone for our Hotel Reservation ~e should ask for "John Allen", who is the Hotel coordinator for the "Snowbird Reunion", and ask him for a room close to the Hospitality Room because of our advanced age. John Allen is at the Hotel Monday through Friday from 8.00 to 4.00 Eastern Time. Last year he gave all who asked for it, a nearby room. It worked. 11

2001 SNOWBIRD REUNION INFORMATION

The Florida "Sunshine State Chapter" of the 101st sponsors this annual mini-Reunion which will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturd~y, February 1, 2, 3, 2001 at the - Ramada Plaza Hotel Gateway - 7470 Highway 192 West - Kissimmee, Florida 34747 - toll free phone 1-800-327-9170 - just outside of Orlando, a hop and a skip from highway 1-4 - one mile from "Walt Disney World Resort" entrance. The cost of the Hotel Rooms are $59.00 plus tax per night for single or double. Reservations for rooms require a one-night deposit or a credit card number. Cutoff date for Hotel Reservations will be January 12, 2001, after that date reservations are on a space available basis. Make your reservations directly with the "Ramada Plaza Hotel Gateway" phone 1-800-327-9170. Registration fee for the entire Reunion, including 2 continuous Hospitality Rooms full of food and drink, and a sit-down Saturday evening dinner is $40.00 per person. The Saturday evening dinner will feature fillet of Beef, or if you prefer fish or chicken. Please send your Registration Fee of $40.00 each, check or money order, payable to "101st Sunshine State Chapter", before January 10, 2001. Send the cut-off portion below for your Registration to Tom Moran. If necessary pay him upon arrival in the Hospitality Room, but do let him know you are coming, you can always cancel if you find out you can't attend. , "Mears Shuttle Service" at the Orlando airport entrance, is available for transportation to the Hotel and return to the airport for $28.00 round trip, or if you have 2 or more people the taxi rate is about $48.00. Twenty two Company I people attended last year's "Snowbird Reunion" and early indications are we will have an even larger attendance this year. =------.------~-~:--~--:,~~---:".~~~~.~.~.~--:"::"'"""":--~-~-~----~-,~------~~---- SNOWBIRD REGISTRATION FORM

Nwne ~~------~------~~------Umt,------u~ F~ M Spowre ~ Gue~~ _ F~ u~ F~ M Address------City _ State Zip Phone ( ) Ares Code ------Name Tags will be made on the above information. If you have a Nickname and would prefer it on the name tag let us know. S~ial mstructions. _

Banquet Saturday evening will feature. Petit 8 ounce fillet of Beef. If you do not care for beef, chose an alternative. Please indicate your choice and the number of each. Beef, Chicken'-- ...:Fish, _

The registration fee is 545.00 per person Hospitality room with if s free bar, and the now GOOD NEWS Early Bird Registration Famous Buffet, Fri. and Sat afternoon and the Banquet wit be $40.00 per person, IF received Saturday evening are included in the registration. Prior to the 10th of January year 2001 Please remit before January lOth year 200 1. Amount Remitted $ _ Number Attending. _ Mail to Tom Moran 120Neptune Ct Indialantic Fl. 32903 + Cut and return information to Tom. +======12

ITEMS STILL AVAILABLE fROM OUR COMPANY I ACCUMULATION

If you want any of these items listed below, they are yours simply bI asking for them, - and they are yours at no charge. Items available are: - Company I picture taken at Fort Bragg in 1943 - Roster of names of the men in this Company I picture - Company I pre- Normandy Invasion Roster of May 1944 - Company I Holland Invasion Roster of September 17, 1944 - Copy of the Citation for the Award of the French Croi2< de Guerre with Palm to the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment - Copy of the Citation for the Award of the Belgian Fourragere 1940 to the 101st - Copy of the Citation for the Award of tbe Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm 1940 to the 10lst - Copy of the Award of the Presidential Unit citation to the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment - Copy of the Citation for the Award of the Dutch Orange Lanyard to the lOlst - Copy of the Award of the Presidential Unit Citation to the lOl~t. Airborne Division - Pamphlet on how you can receive your Medals and Awards - Sterling Miniature Paratroopers Wings and 10lst Insignia Combination Pins,-given to us to distribute to you by Mrs. John Lachkovic-Hill - Company I cassette tape made in 1980, recalling the names of Company I men killed in action, and those who died since 1945 - Copy of the Citation of a Qualified Paratrooper given at Fort Benning, Georgia - Cassette tape of "D-Day Jump June 6, 1944" by NBC reporter Wright Bryant, as seen by him from Col. Robert G. Cole's plane - Copy of an 8~X11 picture of a fully equipped Paratrooper ready to make a Combat Jump - List of all Company I men who were killed in action, along with their date of death - List of all the men who ever served in Company I - Copy of the following past Company Poopsheets - January 1997 - May 1997 - January 1998 - May 1998 - September 1998 - January 1999 - May 1999 - September 1999 - Christmas 1999 - January 2000 - May 2000 - June 2000.

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