PersonalSearchandNotices-December 2000

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Sunday 12/31/2000 REQUEST #411
Daniel Steele
Maine
email: stele@aol.com

Subject: Son of William D. Steele (Deceased), Staff Sergeant Med. Detachment 30th Infantry.
Served '43-'45, Euro-Afr-Mid East Service Distinguished Service, Bronze Star, Croix du Guerre, Distinguished Unit Badge, Purple Heart.
I never knew my father. He died when I was a baby. Is there anyone out there who knew him
during his service? Who fought with him? For what he received his medals? I would love to know
something about him and his military experience. Obviously he served his country and fellow
soldiers well. Thank you.

Sun, 31 Dec 2000 REQUEST #410
Judy McKinn
email: JudyMcKinn@aol.com

Subject: WWII Prisoner of war camp??

Don't know if you can help me, or where to ask, so if you know where I might
search, please contact me. I am working on family history, and am told by an
elderly WWII soldier (who was an 18 year old guard to Eisenhower in Berlin,
so heard some privileged info) that during WWII, when the Russians were
pushing forward and taking over part over Germany, they took possession of a
German Prisoner of War camp near the German/Poland border, which contained
about 400,000 Allied troops, about 80,000 of them American. The Russians
didn't make any sort of trade, but loaded the 400,000 Allied Prisoners of War
from the camp onto boxcars on a long troop train, and were taking them to
Siberia to a slave camp. However, they only had on normal winter-type
clothing, and the first night the temp got to 10 below, and the 2nd night on
the train it got to 30 below, and all the 400,000 froze to death, and were
unloaded by the railroad tracks, and stacked like cordwood, till spring, when
the Russians then could dig in the frozen earth and put them all in mass
graves along the tracks. This was a military secret, my informant says, but
a few years ago, at his church, a missionary spoke who had been in this area,
and he said he had been told by the peasants in the area that there were
thousands & thousands of Allied troops buried along the railroad tracks in
that area. Other than that, my informant had never heard any more about it,
and wondered if it had ever been made public. I have no idea if this
incident has been dreamed up by him, or if it comes from a smaller incident
that has grown in his mind over the years, or if it is a true memory of his.
He was in Berlin in the 78th Inf., then transferred to the 3rd Inf., at which
time he guarded Eisenhower. Any suggestions appreciated, and I hope this
subject isn't offensive to you. He would very much like to know if this info
has ever been released, and where to learn more about it, and I would like to
learn if it is true, also. Thank you. Judy

REPLY:
Judy, The story does not ring true at all. In the first place, if we had 80,000 prisoners in one German POW camp, we would have made sure they were liberated. There is no way the Russians could have taken that many Americans east. The same would hold true for almost all of the allied prisoners of war.

Every country had good tabs on their POW and would watch out for them.
You could not load 400,000 men on one train or bunch of trains.
A box car would hold 40 men and if they crowded 60 to a box car it
would take 6,600 box cars. If the trains were 150 box cars long, it would
take 45 trains. Those temperatures, though cold, -10 and -30 degrees F, would not
kill everyone so fast.

The story is very faulty. The man that guarded President Eisenhower might have been in the 3rd Division at one time, but I doubt if he was in the division when he guarded Eisenhower.

Eisenhower might have visited Berlin taking along some of his personal guards, but his
headquarters were in Rheims, France. For him to be eighteen when he was
Eisenhower's guard, he would have had to join the army in late 1944 or
early 1945, taken basic training, and arrive in France about the time the war
was over.

If he was in the 78th division and then the 3rd division he probably
didn't join the 3rd division until the war was over. He would have not
been a guard for Eisenhower when being part of the 3rd division. At least I
have never heard of such a possibility. He would have been transferred out.
The 3rd division was stationed in Austria for June and July, 45 and then in
Germany until mid 1946.

I hope these comments give you some answers. If your relative has written his bio on war time activities I would enjoy reading it. With best wishes,
John Shirley I Co, 15th Inf.
Regt. 3rd Infantry Division
jbshirley@home.com

reply#2

Re removal of vast numbers of POW to Siberia by USSR post WWII

Can't furnish much on this - not in my field of expertise - report
doesn't sound very reliable to me - lacks some rationality - at least
insofar as USA is concerned - don't see how 80,000 US POWs could have
been involved in any such mass relocations - We had 90,000 POWs in German
camps during the war (as documented in "WWII Informational Fact Sheet"
published by the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Committee of the Dept of
Defense in Crystal City Arlington VA) I think is certain that almost all
those POWs were repatriated at the end of the war - except perhaps for
handful that may had died in the camps from deceases or other causes. -
certainly not likely that 8 out of 9 of those would have been moved by
the Russians as Judy points out.

I suspect that some basis for her account may be related to a shameful
event that did happen - but involved mostly displaced persons or
prisoners other than American. At end of WWII we - the Allies - forcibly
repatriated dozens of thousands of people by train and otherwise at the
insistence of the Russians - they had been in German camps - most didn't
want to go back - we made them go to fulfill a commitment to the
USA...Tragically most were sent back to their deaths....or to slave labor
camps in Siberia or elsewhere.

We were confronted with a similar problem as the Korean War wound on and
on - the issue that delayed a cease fire agreement for almost two years
was the question of the disposition of almost 150,000 enemy POWs in UN
control....The Communists wanted them all returned - by force if
necessary - they insisted the prisoners wanted to be returned but that
the UN was forcing them to stay....polls were taken and it was found that
most did not want to go back - being captured was a capital punishment
offense in communist society - UN negotiators refused to buckle under -
so war drug on - with heavy loss of life by UN troops...to the credit of
Truman and Washington, there was a determination not to repeat the
shameful and inhumane mistake we made at the end of WWII...

I suspect that much of what Judy reports - freezing to death - abandoned
on road sides, etc - may well have happened...but not to American (or
English or other Allied troops) - but rather to "displaced" eastern
Europeans...

Thanks to Judy for her interest in WWII - and the possible fate of her
fellow countrymen...

Sherm Pratt
Arlington VA WWII vet
swpratt@juno.com

Saturday, December 30, 2000 REQUEST #409
Sandra Medford Baxter
Telephone: (509) 697-9676
Address: 108 N 13th St.
City, State, ZIP: Selah, WA 98942
email: sandybob@bossig.com

Request: My father, Staff Sgt. Alvin Edward Medford, served in the 3rd Army, 90th division, anti-tank. Would like to know how to obtain his service record. He was awarded the Silver Star, and told us of the time he met Gen. Patton on the banks of the Saar. He died on Dec. 23, 1996, and many of his stories went with him. Any help would be appreciated.

Sat, 30 Dec 2000 REQUEST #408
Sorenson
Subject:
email: csorenson@madbbs.com

Subject: Biscuits
Just a question - do you know what the name of the biscuit was that Nabisco
made for the troops in WWII? Thanks for your help

Thursday, December 28, 2000 REQUEST #407
Louis Carkitto
Telephone: 724-656-8304
Fax: 724-656-3702
Address: 19 Sunset Dr.
City, State, ZIP: New Castle, PA. 16105
email: lunvail@aol.com

Request: I am search for information on my father who was with the 3rd Division
during world war 1. Here is all I have on his service record.
Private Giovanni Carkitto
Co. G, 3rd Ammunition Train, 3rd Division
Anything you can get on him or the action of his Division will be appreciated.
Thank you Lou Carkitto

Wednesday, December 27, 2000 REQUEST #406
Col (Ret) Frederick T. Barrett
Fax: (703) 533-8464
email: FTBARRETT@aol.com

Request: In Sept. 2000, I met Hiroshi Miyamura in Seoul, Korea during an awards ceremony. It turned out he had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. I was so stunned I forget to ask him a million questions. I looked him up the congressional records and found his impressive citation for the award. One sentence, "when last seen" threw me. I would like to write to Hiroshi or contact him through E-mail. Can you help.

Wednesday, December 27, 2000 REQUEST #405
Dennie Cody
Telephone: 305-666-0247
email: dcdk@codyphoto.com

Request: I'm looking for anyone who knew my uncle, Gordon Cody, (ASN 37333825, Company G, 66AV 13 Regiment APO252). He was in Sicily, England and he (was in a tank) was killed in France. Thank you.

Tuesday, December 26, 2000 REQUEST #404
Charles W Jones
Telephone: (864)582-0610
Address: 306 Spruce Street
City, State, ZIP: Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303
email: CharlieSr3@aol.com

Request: Trying to locate a buddy from the Korean War years Nov.9th 1950 thru.-Oct.29th 1951.Was a Medic of Fox-company 15th Inf. Regt. of the 3rd Inf. Div. His name is Richard Richards or Richardson I, am not sure of the last name. He received the Silver Star medal in 1951 for his actions in combat. His rank was Cpl-E-4 at the time. I last saw him at Fort Ord California in Jan.1952. I need to get in touch with him if at all possible. Thanks for what ever help you can give, CWJ

Tuesday 12/26/2000 REQUEST #403
Kathleen Adams
E-Mail: kitstuff@deseretonline.com

A quick inquiry - could you direct me to a web-site that would let me know my uncle's service record? Thanks My uncle, Ralph Chamberlain survived D-Day. He told family members that during the winter of 1944-45, he only slept under cover 1 night, and that was in a barn. He is very frail now and in a nursing home - just wanted to read a little more about his history. Thanks for your great work!!!

Tuesday, December 26, 2000 REQUEST #402
John Driscoll
Telephone: 1202833-4889
Address: Apt 904 2030 F St NW,
City, State, ZIP: Washington, D.C. 20006
email: johndriscoll@aceinthehole.org

Request: I'm looking for 3rd Inf record of my Montana father in law, a Montana cowboy named Jim Ickes. Before he passed away, he told me he was an anti-tank gunner. I know he was at Anzio. Just said he wanted to be buried with "the boys."

Tue, 26 Dec 2000 REQUEST #401
Sandra Muys
Edwin Hamelink
email: ehamelink@zeelandnet.nl

Subject: Searching for James Findlay
Hello,
I am writing to you because I am looking for a James Finlay (we don’t know
how it is spelled) who was in Terneuzen, The Netherlands in the fall of
1944. He spent time at the home of my boyfriend's father. We have been
trying to locate him for about 10 years now, and have had no luck.

The only details we have are:
Name: James Finlay (could be Findlay, Finley, Findley)
Age in 1944: 18 (born about 1926?)
Army Status: In 1944 he was in the 3rd Canadian Army, 156th Infantry
Regiment (which we think was a British regiment). He was a Cook in the
Canadian Army Services Corps. His rank was "Sergeant". He was in Terneuzen
in 1944, and was at the school on the Grenulaan (which is a street). He
cooked for the HMS personnel of the landing crafts who crossed the
Westerschelde to liberate Walcheren. The following are his movements as we
know them:
1. Came from Gent (Belgium) with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division (the
Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa).
2. 2. Cooked for all the troops crossing the Westerschelde: 9 oct 1944 at
00.02 hour: The Highland Light Infantry of Canada (9th Inf. div); The North
Nova Scotia Highlanders (9th) LCT's (light landing crafts). 9 oct 1944 at
9.30 hour: the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (9th).
3. Then James left with the 3rd Inf. Div. (Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa) to
Breskens. Then he came back to Terneuzen to cook for the next troops
crossing the Westerscheldt.
4. 27 oct 1944: The 4/5th Royal Scots and the 6th Cameronians, both of the
156th Inf. Brigade, 52nd (Lowland) division. They left with Buffaloes in the
early morning. 137 of these crafts were manned with the 5th Assault
Regiment, Royal engineers and the 11th Royal Tanks, both of the 79th
Armoured Division.
5. 27 & 28 oct 1944: Buffaloes kept crossing the Westerscheldt with the
156th Inf. Brigade.
6. 28 oct 1944: 157th Brigade crossed the Westerscheldt.

This is all the information we have on him. We are looking for him because
my boyfriends father is curious as to what happened to him. We have checked
the listings from the Commonwealth War Graves, and could not find a listing
for him. If you have any information, or a suggestion of where I can go for
assistance, could you please write / email me.
Thank you in advance, Sandra Muys

Mon, 25 Dec 2000 REQUEST #400
Bill Martin
email: WMa3588102@aol.com
hrtmnn6@dellnet.com

Subject: 3/67 ADA Information

Hello, My name is Bill Martin and my brother in law is Jack Hartmann who served in
the 3/67 ADA in Giebelstadt from 71 to 73. I am writing for him to see if you
know of anyone who served with this unit during this time. His MOS was Vulcan
crewman and TAMMS Clerk. He lived in Gossmannsdorf. Any information?
Jack Hartmann's e-mail address so you can contact him:
hrtmnn6@dellnet.com
Thanks for the help.

Mon, 25 Dec 2000 REQUEST #399
Karl M. Kindt III
314 335 1159 or 314 961 0987
229 North Bompart
Webster Groves, Missouri 63119
email: kkindt@icon-stl.net

Subject: My father was in the 3rd division and killed in action on 4/12/45

I am his son, born several months after his death. I have already located one man who knew my father, Mr. William K. Wayne, was in his company on that fateful day. I am looking for other men who may have known my father during his time in the third when they crossed from France in mid or late March into Germany - my father was likely killed along the Main river on 4/12/45
perhaps near Gadheim, Germany.
Any assistance you can give me is appreciated - info about him can be found at:
http://www.knightforhire.com/dadkindt.html

Tuesday, December 19, 2000 REQUEST #398
Mike Morris
Telephone: (413) 789-6283
Address: 1 Pine St
City, State, ZIP: Feeding Hills, Ma 01030
email: mybeer4@aol.com

Request: My dad was a POW at Stalag 7B in approximately 1944. I have a few names of people he was with and would like to know a way to see if I may find them. My dad's name was Thomas Morris he was in the U.S Army Infantry 3rd Division. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you
-A very proud son of a veteran-

Saturday 12/16/2000 REQUEST #397
David Seay
E-Mail: david@emcoserv.com
Destin, FL
Comments:
My uncle served in the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was killed in action on October 8, 1943 in Italy. What can you tell me about 3rd Infantry engagements in Italy?

Thursday, December 14, 2000 REQUEST #396
Mark A. Holt
Telephone: 775-267-1556
Address: 3560 Opalite Court
City, State, ZIP: Carson City, NV 89705
email: dogface264@hotmail.com

Request: Looking to find Bobby Clifford. Almost an adopted son to my wife and me in Germany. We served in C co, 2/64 Arm for several years, during the late '80s & early '90s. Clifford, where are you?

Thursday, December 14, 2000 REQUEST #395
Elias Hernandez
Chicago IL
email: send any replies to rheller@enteract.com

Elias Hernandez, a 3rd Division veteran, called me today to find out where he could get The award of the fourragere to the Croix de Guerre. This award was made by the French
Government to the 3rd Division as a unit award for it's actions in the Colmar
Pocket in world War II, where the 3rd was temporarily part of the 1st French Army. The physical fourragere (the shoulder rope) was given to all troops in the 3rd shortly after the action ended. He knew about the award , but never received it. Did the US War Dept. give the award or was it given by France? If anyone knows where Elias can get the award, please contact me, and I'll pass it along to him. He would like to pass it on to his grandchildren.

Thursday, December 14, 2000 REQUEST #394
Grady L. Simpson
Telephone: 1.864 -855 3058
Address: 115 Woodland Dr.
City, State, ZIP: Easley, SC 29642
email: gls20@email.msn.com

Request: looking for information or any one that was in co.k.301st.inf.in France in world war 11 (2) with Thomas Frank Richards s.n.#34517238 I would like to know what happened to him --OR THE HISTORY OF THE 301st INF> ---PLEASE CONTACT THE ABOVE ADDRESS--

Thursday, December 14, 2000 REQUEST #393
Kevin Mannel
Address: 6372 Zuckerman Ct.
City, State, ZIP: Magalia, CA, 95954
email: studisme@aol.com

Request: I would like to know if any one has stories or knew my grandpa Fred Scarpa, he was a S/Sgt., Co. L, 15th inf. I know he earned a bronze star in France, and a silver star in Nürnberg, he was also wounded in combat but I don't know where. He always tells me many stories about the men he fought with and I would like to hear from some of these men. I would also like to help him find some of the friends he lost touch with over the years. So if you have any information on my grandpa I would like to hear from you. Thank you Kevin Mannel

Wednesday, December 13, 2000 REQUEST #392
Nancy Fields
City, State, ZIP: Columbia, Mo
email: nancyfields2@home.com

Request: I was hoping you could give me some help on how to get information on the 775th Field Artillery, Battery C during World War II. All information on my fathers service record was destroyed in the fire in St. Louis and I would like to know where this unit was stationed during the war. Thank you for any help you can give me

Tuesday, December 12, 2000 REQUEST #391
Gary S Williamson
Telephone: 717-272-0462
Address: 818 Grant St
City, State, ZIP: Lebanon, Pa 17046
email: g2willi@ihs2000.com

Request: Was searching for information on my uncle Lawrence Williamson killed in action Dec 9 1943 in Italy. Have now discovered he was trained in the states with the 66th Division and was transferred overseas in Aug of 1943 with the 34th Division 135th Inf. Anyone out there who was there and may have known him?

Tuesday, December 12, 2000 REQUEST #390
Patricia Wheat
Telephone: 513-821-2130
City, State, ZIP: Cincinnati, Ohio 45216
email: native@fuse.net

Request: Looking for those who may have information on my dad, William R. Wheat, killed March 26th 1945. 180th infantry regiment, 45th infantry division...entered the service from Michigan. he may have come from Kentucky or Cincinnati Ohio...he is buried in St. Avoid France American cemetery. I am his daughter and I am looking for his family I have never known. I just found this website tonight and pray someone out there can help me, I have never stopped searching. My mother is still living but won't talk about him. Thank you for your time.

Tuesday, December 12, 2000 REQUEST #389
Bill Bors
Telephone: 502.633.6531
Address: 5750 Eminence Pike
City, State, ZIP: Shelbyville, KY 40065
email: yeloperl@aol.com

Request: I am looking for information about the Black "Y" Boys Company C 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion. My grandfather Emmett Reece Ryder was a M10 Tank driver in 1943 during the Anzio Beach Head invasion in Italy. I have a picture of him and his crew near the beach. One of his crewmembers is Joseph Elbenzi. I would like to know if anyone knows either gentlemen and also any stories or history of the Company C - 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion during its African Campaign. Also, if anyone knows if the 3RD INF. DIV. Vets Assoc. has a web site or phone number please let me know.

Sunday, December 10, 2000 REQUEST #388
Charles W Jones, Sr.
Telephone: (864)582-0610
Address: 306 Spruce Street
City, State, ZIP: Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303I
email: CharlieSr3@aol.com

Request: I am trying to locate a Buddy I served with from 1950-1951 in Korea with Fox-company 15th Inf. Regt. 3rd Inf. Div. He was our company Medic. His first name was Richard his last name was Richards or Richardson. He received the Silver Star Medal for his actions in combat. He was from either Bloomburg or Bloomingdale Ohio. I had but lost his home address. After all it been 50 years, I last saw him in 1952 at Fort Ord.

Sunday, December 10, 2000 REQUEST #387
Walter Rochmis
Telephone: 810-532-1731
Address: 39335 Wanda Avenue
City, State, ZIP: Sterling Heights, Michigan 48313

email: jndirqm9@yahoo.com

Request: I just learned that my grandfather served in the 3d ID during World War II. This is
very exciting for me as I spent three years in the 3d ID, at Fort Stewart, Georgia (and points
east).
I am looking for any information on Max Rochmis, service number O-1797709. He was
drafted in Brooklyn, NY in 1942. He attended OCS at Fort Custer, near Kalamazoo, MI
(PM65-OCS-class12). I think he went over with Operation Torch. The letters I recently
gained access to tell of him being in North Africa and Italy. He taught Italian classes to
American and British staff officers in North Africa. He served as a translator and civil
affairs liaison in Italy. He rose to the rank of CPT in the civil affairs unit of the 3d ID.

Friday, December 8, 2000 REQUEST #386
Steve Goehl
Telephone: 573/441-0754
E-Mail: stevegoehl@aol.com

Request: I am looking for information concerning my great uncle "Pete Goehl." I
understand he served in the 3rd division during the Ardennes Campaign.

Friday 12/08/2000 REQUEST #385
Robert Conroy
Cranford, New Jersey
E-Mail: Cpaparoy@AOL.COM

Comments: Served in Wurtzburg Germany From 1958 Until July 1960 Honorably Discharged. Headquarters Company 35th Transportation Battalion. Looking for any of the guys from that group or possibly A company personnel.

Wednesday 12/06/2000 REQUEST #384
MEDINA, RAYMOND R.
E-Mail: ray47@earthlink.net

Comments: Served with the 10th ENG. 9/65 to 1/67
in Kitzingen, Germany. looking for ROGER TEMPLE, SMITTY,
and CAPTAIN CHARLES E.DOMINY

Tuesday 12/05/2000 REQUEST #383
John Bramble
Wheeling, WV
E-Mail: Jwb@stratuswave.net

Comments: I served in D co. 1st Med. tank Battalion,68th Armor, from 9-1-57 to 8-14-59. Basic at Ft.Benning (sand hill) then full Div. movement to Germany. I was stationed with the Battalion in Kitzegen, Germany. trying to obtain unit patch or decal.

Monday 12/04/2000 REQUEST #382
William T. McNutt, EMT-P
Kingsport, Tennessee
E-Mail: wtmcnutt@preferred.com

Comments: Greetings to all veterans of WWII! If you remember coming in contact with a medic named Vance O. McNutt, Pfc. assigned to the 30th Inf. Reg. of the 3rd Inf. Div. I need to hear from you.

My father was with you from North Africa to Austria. The only buddy that I can remember that visited dad was Amos Glass of Gettysburg, Pa. The only story that he told that brought all of us to tears was the liberation of a concentration camp toward the end of the war.
Anyone with research experience in tracking personnel and their units, please drop me a line with helpful hints.
God bless the veterans and thank you for a wonderful legacy. The world is truly a better place because of each of your personal sacrifices.

Friday, December 1, 2000 REQUEST #381
Paul Fermo
Telephone: 207-594-5874
Address: 299 Talbot Ave
City, State, ZIP: Rockland, ME 04841
email: pfermo@excite.com

Request: I'm looking for information on my grandfather Leonard Fermo, he was in a medical
co., that spent some time in England, during WWII. Thank you Paul E. Fermo

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