3rd
Division Photos
3rd Division & Society
2010 Events
Last Update
February 08, 2013
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| Contents - Society of the 3ID Website |
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A Kid from
Pittsburgh by Marion Rosen With Morris Rosen
I first
conceived the idea for a biography about my
husband’s early years from age 13 to20 while touring
Europe in 1994 for the 50th anniversary of D-Day.
For this journey, World War II veterans from the
U.S. Army’s Third Division traveled over the
same paths they’d covered 50 years earlier in 1944
while struggling to take back territory seized by
Hitler. |
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Korean
War
Construction crews in Springfield are due to break ground on the
country's first Korean War museum next June, on the 60th anniversary
of the day the three-year battle started. The 50,000-square-foot
Korean War National Museum will be at Fifth and Madison streets,
near the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Please contact me with any further questions. My office # is (888)
295-7212. It will be a great honor for us to have your group visit
the museum. |
July 29, 2009 -
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CONNECTICUT VETERANS WARTIME SERVICE MEDAL All Connecticut veterans with qualifying wartime military service are eligible to receive the Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal. Since last fall, the Connecticut State Department of Veteran's Affairs has hosted invitation-only ceremonies during which veterans of all wars receive the Medal. It is the first of its kind that the state has minted since the end of World War I. The 270,000 veterans who will receive it are Connecticut natives or current residents who served in a war and received honorable discharges. All living war veterans from World War II to the current war in Iraq are entitled to the medal. The medal can also be mailed to the veteran's home. In order to receive the
medal, the veteran must meet all of the following requirements: 4. Submit a completed and
signed application form (CTMD VM-1) available online at
Click Here
for PDF printable Application Thanks to Martin Markley for this information. |
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You can retire your tattered, worn out and frayed
American flags without cost to you. Send your flags to the
Kitchen Table Gang Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866
and we will dispose of your flags in a proper and dignified manner
with full honors and dignity pursuant to the United States Flag
Code Section 8K. We have been doing this for he past seven
years. Our flag retirement ceremonies are held on Flag Day,
June 14th each year and are conducted by an all volunteer U.S.
Marine Corps Honor Guard led by GySgt. Dan Kelley USMC (Ret.).
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New Museum Seeks Purple Heart Recipients The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is currently under construction in New York's Hudson River Valley at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site. Its mission is to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of the service and across the generations in an attempt to ensure that all recipients are represented. Their stories will be preserved and shared through exhibits, live and videotaped interviews with the veterans themselves, and the Roll of Honor, an interactive computer program preserving the stories of each individual. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor the
first in the nation to recognize the more than 800,000 Americans wounded or
killed in action while serving in the United States Military. |
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We are excited to
introduce the all new www.battlefieldcollection.com with a brand
new design! Now featuring Official Licensed Products of the
United States Army and full shopping cart capabilities with
secure online checkout.
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New York Conspicuous Service Cross Any NEW YORK resident (living or deceased) who is a recipient of at least
one of the 19 the medals listed below may apply for the New York State
Conspicuous Service Cross. |
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Veterans of WWII are now dying at a rate of
about 2,000 per day. The elderly parking lot attendant wasn't in a good mood. Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and Bierstock, a Delray Beach, Fla. , eye doctor, business consultant, corporate speaker and musician, was bone tired after appearing at an event. He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. "I took two bullets for this country and look what I'm doing," he said bitterly. At first, Bierstock didn't know what to say to the World War II veteran. But he rolled down his window and told the man, "Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you." Then the old soldier began to cry. "That really got to me," Bierstock says. Cut to today. Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band - have written a song inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot. The mournful "Before You Go" does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die. "If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "Every ethnic minority would be dead. And the soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them." The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on the Web www.beforeyougo.us , the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons and daughters and grandchildren. It made me cry," wrote one veteran's son. Another sent an e-mail saying that only after his father consumed several glasses of wine would he discuss "the unspeakable horrors" he and other soldiers had witnessed in places such as Anzio, Iwo Jima, Bataan and Omaha Beach. "I can never thank them enough," the son wrote. "Thank you for thinking about them." Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional singer maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but because time was running out for so many veterans, they decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on the Web. They've sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in Washington. Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a Veterans Day tribute - this after just a few days on the Web. They hope every veteran in America gets a chance to hear it.
www.beforeyougo.us |
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Army Overseas Service Ribbon My name is Robert A. Devito and I am a member of OP#5. I served with the 3ID from May 1972 to Nov. 1973 in a city called BAD Hissingen, Germany in the 2nd and 41st F.A. I was about 20-25 miles from what was called the one kilometer (1-K) zone, much like the DMZ Zone in Korea today. As it stands, myself and thousands of soldiers
who served in that theater of the world are not entitled to any
medals, ribbons, decorations, etc. We served in what many of us refer
to as a Dangerous Zone. If the Warsaw Pact Nations would have
attacked, we would have been one of the first units hit. There is no
Cold War medal or ribbon issued to Cold War veterans, only a Cold War
Certificate that was given to them. |
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Cold Injuries/ Frostbite in Korea This message is for any
veteran who fought in the Korean War, especially in 1950-51, but not
limited to those years. |
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Here's a website
for Veterans, including thousands |
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Gift Ideas
Click Here to go to the
Website Store |
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Please meet: Walter "Buck" Meeks Fort Stewart Museum director brings Marne Division history to life Posted: February 1, 2010 By Pamela E. Walck |
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Walter "Buck" Meeks III |
 Walter "Buck" Meeks III stands next to an Iraqi kettle on display in the Fort Stewart Museum that honors Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, a 3rd ID soldier who died during the battle for Baghdad in March 2003. Meeks went to Iraq a few months later to archive and collect items from the battle. Smith went on to posthumously recieve the Congressional Medal of Honor a year later and became the 51st Marne soldier to garner such an honor. |
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 Walter "Buck" Meeks III, director of the Fort Stewart Museum, discusses items from one of the largest collections presented to the facility by a former 3rd Infantry Division soldier who fought in World War II. |
 An item, donated by a 3rd Infantry Division soldier from World War II, explains how the ring of a German soldier got in his possession. It is one of thousands of items that help tell the story of the 3rd ID's military history. |
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 FORT STEWART - At first glance, the tattered kettle appears old and well used. But when Walter "Buck" Meeks III looks at the same artifact on prominent display in what he calls the "front parlor" of the Fort Stewart Museum, he sees a fierce battle. He can almost hear the extreme violence that took place April 4, 2003. He points to the spray of holes, forged by bullets and shrapnel. Meeks closes his eyes and sees the dusty patch of ground, just a stone's throw from Baghdad International Airport. That's where Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith bravely defended the 3rd Infantry Division's position as it marched its tanks and Bradleys into Iraq's capitol. Smith took out an estimated 50 enemy combatants with a .50-caliber machine gun to protect 100 of his men before being mortally wounded. "I had the great honor of traveling to Iraq to collect items for our archives," Meeks said, his eyes tearing up at the memory. He recalled how he spent five weeks in May and June of 2003 talking to eyewitnesses downrange, documenting the battle space and ultimately preserving the memory of Smith, who would go on to become America's first Congressional Medal of Honor recipient of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A year later, Smith posthumously became the Division's 51st soldier to be presented the country's highest military honor - no other Army division has that many honorees. "Nobody knew we had a Medal of Honor nominee at the time," said Meeks, director of the Fort Stewart Museum. "The whole experience was enlightening to me. I got to see soldiers at their very best, doing what they are trained to do. And let me assure you, there is no force like it. It was just an awesome experience." 'Everything in my world was old' Meeks has served at the Fort Stewart Museum for the past 22 years, but his love of history goes back to his youth. "I had an unusual childhood," he said. "My parents didn't take me to Disney World, but by the time I was 10, I had seen every historic site on the Eastern Coast. "My parents instilled a deep love of history in me at an early age. They didn't bet on a mouse, but on American heritage that would be enriching for me and my brother." He saw the field in Gettysburg, Pa., where a great-great-uncle died fighting in the Civil War. He climbed all over the battleship U.S.S. Alabama. And the Richmond Hill native took his first job at nearby Fort McAllister. "Everything in my world was old," he said. "I've never even had a paved driveway." He still lives on the family homestead, a former rice plantation. But it is the love of preserving and retelling the story of military heritage that drives Meeks. Scott Daubert, curator of collections at the installation museum, said it was Meeks' passion that drew him to leave his position at West Point for Fort Stewart in 2008. "You couldn't ask for a better boss," Daubert said. "He has a passion you don't always find." Telling the soldier's story The museum is one of the first places soldiers transferred to Fort Stewart are required to visit. With thousands of objects and images archived, Daubert said they only display about 3 percent at any given time. "The process of collecting is different than exhibition," Meeks said. "We try to be aware of objects available to us, but we don't take everything that's offered." The current exhibit, installed in 2004, includes a walk-through timeline of world events, explaining the 3rd ID's role beginning in 1917 as well as telling the story through the voices and words of soldiers who have made up the Division. Meeks oozes information as he makes his way through the space loaded with everything from images of Marne soldiers in scratchy wool field uniforms of World War I and World War II to the giant T-72 tank that consumes the rear of the building dedicated to the Cold War. Last year, about 25,000 visitors went through the museum, which is free and open to the public but requires civilian visitors to obtain a pass before getting on post. At its peak after the first Gulf War, Meeks said as many as 84,000 people passed through the museum, originally located outside the installation's main gates and in recent years moved to its current location on Frank Cochran Drive. "This is not a war museum. Although, yes, we do have guns and tanks," Meeks said. "This is a soldier's museum. Here, you will see the tools, shelter and clothes that soldiers have used over the years." He likes to tell the young men and women in uniform who pass through the space that they have joined a team, a legacy of soldiers who trod the road before them. "I feel like I've not done my job if a soldier comes through here and is not changed by it," Meeks said. "... This is real. What we have here is better than anything Hollywood every came up with." If you go The Fort Stewart Museum is located in Building T904, 2022 Frank Cochran Drive, Fort Stewart. For more information, call 1-912-767-7885 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m, Tuesdays-Saturdays (Closed Sundays, Mondays and federal holidays) www.Savannahnow.com, Savannah Morning News ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
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The
Battle of the Colmar Pocket Honoring the veterans of the 6th Army Group, 1st French Army, XXIst US Corps, 3rd, 28th, 75th Infantry Divisions, 12th Armored Division, and 36th Infantry Division
When: 3, 4 and 5 December 2010
Among our Colmar
Pocket veterans attending are GEN (ret.) Frederick J.
Kroesen who will discuss his experience as a platoon leader
and company commander in the 254th Infantry Regiment during
the Battle of the Colmar Pocket, and MG (ret.) Lloyd B.
Ramsey who served as 3/7th Infantry Regiment battalion
commander.
Program: (Colmar
Pocket veterans do not pay for registration or banquet fees) |
Moxie goes to Washington,
D.C.
Last month
(September 2010), one of our puppies, Moxie,
took a trip to Washington, D.C. with her
puppy raisers, Kathy and Jerry Daddato.
They were toured around Walter Reed Army
Hospital and were able to Visit with a
wounded veteran from Cape Coral. His name
is Pvt. Corey Kent.
Being from our
area, Pvt Kent has been in the news here quite a
bit. He lost both his legs and part of one hand
in Afghanistan. President Obama came to the
hospital to present him with his Purple Heart.
The
Daddato's were quite impressed with the
facility and were happy to allow Moxie to
visit with the patients.
Thought you
would like to see some pictures of our
traveling puppy. Roy Kennedy
Society President John Fisher
with Kathy Daddato and Moxie at Society Banquet
Kathy and Jerry Daddato with Moxie
Rich McKinnon, Jerry and Kathy Daddato
France awards Legion
of Honor
On November 5th Chicago's French consul general
pinned the Legion of Honor, France's highest
award to six local veterans ●who accepted the
medal Friday at the Union League Club in
downtown Chicago.
One
of the recipients
receiving
the award was Richard Guimond of
Kankakee, IL a member of Outpost 2.
Also named "Knight of the Legion of Honor" was
Footsie Britt Member, Earl L. Newman of Valparaiso,
Indiana. FARGO, N.D.
(AP) — Conrad ‘‘Connie’’ Newgren likes to say he collected a
souvenir from each of the three countries he served in
during World War II: malaria in Italy, shrapnel in his thigh
in France and a broken back in Germany. Now, the 85-year-old
Fargo veteran has another reminder of his service overseas
with the storied 3rd Infantry Division. Conrad Newgren
is a member of Outpost 12.
to Illinois WWII vets
"Thanks to the courage of our American friends
and allies, France has been living in peace for
the past 65 years," French Consul General Graham
Paul told the vets and their families. "You
saved us, and we will never forget."
For the last two years, France has been seeking
to honor Americans who fought with distinction
on French soil during World War II and has
awarded more than 80 of the medals in the
Midwest.
Three of the honorees with
certificates
Ray Guimond with father
Richard Guimond
French Consul General Graham Paul
and Richard Guimond
The Ceremony
French Legion of Honor bestowed on Fargo, ND man
Conrad Newgren is a member of
Outpost 12.
On Aug. 2, the president of France named Newgren a knight of
the Legion of Honor, the nation’s highest distinction, for
his ‘‘valorous action’’ during the war. ‘‘It’s an honor,’’
Newgren said. ‘‘(I) never expected it would be bestowed on a
private first class from Fargo, North Dakota.’’ If his
hometown didn’t distinguish him, his service certainly did.
The Purple Heart recipient is believed to be the last
surviving service member to have served shoulder to shoulder
with Audie Murphy, the most decorated U.S. soldier of World
War II, said Newgren’s son, Michael, an editor for Stars and
Stripes, a newspaper for people in the military. Newgren
also took the first boatload of Allied infantry from
Strasbourg, France, across the Rhine River into Germany,
making him one of the first U.S. soldiers to set foot on
German soil in his sector.
It was a long way from Fargo, where Newgren moved with his
family from Minneapolis when he was 4 years old. One of 10
children, he went to work for his dad’s interior decorating
business at age 14. He was drafted immediately after his
18th birthday in June 1943 and did his basic training at
Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Newgren deployed in March 1944 with
the 3rd Infantry’s 10th Combat Engineer Battalion aboard a
Liberty ship bound for Naples, Italy. He got his first taste
of battle when the 100-ship convoy was attacked by six
German planes off the Rock of Gibraltar. All six planes were
shot down, and ‘‘they didn’t hit one ship out of them 100,’’
he said.
From Naples, he was sent to Anzio beachhead, where the
Allies battled to break the German stronghold. It was, as
Newgren recalled, ‘‘a bloodbath.’’ ‘‘I said, ’How in the
hell is a guy going to live through this?’ I was an
18-year-old kid, scared to death,’’ he said. Anzio beachhead
also was where Newgren met 19-year-old Audie Murphy, who was
with a squad of riflemen giving the 3rd Infantry cover as it
strung miles of barbed wire. ‘‘He was a nice guy, just a kid
like me. Couple kids fightin’ a man’s war,’’ he said,
pausing. ‘‘Actually, he was fearless, reckless and luckier
than hell.’’ Newgren had his own luck, surviving seven bouts
of malaria while in Italy.
‘‘They had me in a bed of ice trying to break the fever,’’
he said.
The Allies broke the German grip on Anzio in May 1944 and
captured Rome on June 4, 1944, two days before northern
forces stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. ‘‘I went to
Rome for my 19th birthday,’’ Newgren said, ‘‘but I had to
shoot my way in.’’ After taking some amphibious training,
Newgren was shipped to the coast of southern France, landing
in St. Tropez on Aug. 15. From there, the 3rd Infantry
battled its way across France, eventually reaching the
heavily fortified Maginot Line near the France-Germany
border. The main body of infantry went around the German
moats and bunkers. Newgren was among those who had to stay
behind to neutralize the Germans. ‘‘We couldn’t get ’em
out,’’ he said of the enemy, who took potshots at the
Allies. ‘‘So, we got a German halftrack, loaded it with
explosives, dropped it down the moat, set it off, and they
came out bleeding through the nose, the mouth, the ears. It
was terrible.’’
Newgren’s closest brush with death came on Thanksgiving Day
1944, as he sat with five soldiers eating Thanksgiving
dinner — a can of cold beans. ‘‘A shell came in and hit all
six of us,’’ he said. ‘‘One guy got killed, one guy lost his
hand. Mine was about the least of all — I got my thigh tore
open with shrapnel.’’
After a brief recovery, Newgren was sent to Strasbourg, on
the Rhine River separating Germany and France. He took the
first boatload of infantry across the Rhine and ended up at
the Siegfried Line, a defensive line of forts and ‘‘dragon’s
teeth,’’ staggered rows of pyramid-shaped concrete obstacles
designed to trap Allied tanks.
‘‘We had to crawl up there with cone charges to try to bust
them,’’ he said.
Later, when the war was supposed to be over, he was riding
in an ambulance to a hospital in Germany for a recurrence of
malaria when an explosion — probably a land mine — blew the
ambulance off the road, he said. It rolled four times, and
he broke his back.
Michael Newgren said his father, like many veterans, was
reluctant to talk about his wartime service because of the
horrors he witnessed, which gave him nightmares. Only in
recent years did he start to share his story, and he chokes
up often when he tells it. ‘‘I’m proud as hell of my father.
He’s truly a hero,’’ Michael Newgren said.
Copyright 2010 Crookston Times. Some rights reserved
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A new
monument dedicated to the Third Infantry Division in Vosges mountains in France. |
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Mr. President, Members of the
Association, dear veterans, It is a great pleasure and an honor for me to let you know that on October 24. 2010, in our Vosges mountains in France, a new WWII commemorative monument will be inaugurated. High symbol of war sufferings, this monument is a testimony of the many sacrifices endured by the local French population and soldiers of the US Third Infantry Division. The monument is erected along RN 420, the road leading to the ‘Haut-Jacques” mountain pass, at the named place “Monplaisir”, on the communal territory of “Les Rouges-Eaux”. The names of French and American victims are engraved on the face of the monument. Also engraved is the following inscription : Here stood the “Monplaisir” sawmill, destroyed, on 25 October 1944, by a terrific explosion which took the lives of French civilians and American soldiers of the Third Infantry Division. This monument was erected at the initiative of Jean-Marie Siret, from Frémifontaine. Erected by : The town of “Les Rouges-Eaux, in cooperation with the neighboring villages of the Brouvelieures community. Fabricated by : RIGHINI Granit Firm, from Grange-sur-Vologne. |
Funded by : Town of “Les Rouges-Eaux”
– Brouvelieures community – French Souvenir Society –
Frémifontaine Veterans’ Association – |
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| ROCK OF THE MARNE Association was in LES ROUGES EAUX (Vosges) on Oct 24th for the inauguration of a new 3rd ID monument. The day before we (20 members) were near this monument for a reenactment, we dug foxholes in the same place where were the original foxholes. It was a good experience for all the members. | |
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Medal of
Honor recipient talks about WWII |
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| The Medal Of Honor Society’s
2010 national convention was held in Charleston, SC this past week
and 52 of the 87 living Medal of Honor recipients attended. I had the privilege of meeting a number of them this weekend including Robert D. Maxwell who agreed to a video taped conversation. He is gracious, modest and a gentleman in every sense of the word in addition to being and inspiration and true national hero. Although he was on a tight schedule he visited for nearly twenty minutes and some excerpts from that “interview” are what you see in this posting. For information about Robert D. Maxwell's Medal of Honor Citation, navigate to this web page: http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2865/maxwell-robert-d.php |
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I was
privileged to be a volunteer at the recent Medal of Honor
Convention held here in Charleston, SC. The event was held on
September 29th through October 3, 2010. I am attaching pictures
I took of Cpl Miyamura, and now Col Murray, during a visit of
the MOH Recipients to the aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown. I
thought perhaps you might like to have a copy of these candid
shots of the 3ID heroes. |
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 Col Murray |
 Cpl Miyamura |
Moxie goes to Washington, D.C.
Last month
(September 2010), one of our puppies, Moxie, took a
trip to Washington, D.C. with her puppy raisers,
Kathy and Jerry Daddato. They were toured around
Walter Reed Army Hospital and were able to Visit
with a wounded veteran from Cape Coral. His name is
Pvt. Corey Kent.
Being from our area, Pvt
Kent has been in the news here quite a bit. He lost
both his legs and part of one hand in Afghanistan.
President Obama came to the hospital to present him with
his Purple Heart.
The Daddato's were
quite impressed with the facility and were happy to
allow Moxie to visit with the patients.
Thought you would
like to see some pictures of our traveling puppy. Roy Kennedy
Society President John Fisher
with Kathy Daddato and Moxie at Society Banquet
Kathy and Jerry Daddato with Moxie
Rich McKinnon, Jerry and Kathy Daddato
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2010 Society Awards Ten awards for
excellence were presented by Awards Committee Chairman, Nile Stuart,
at the Society’s 91st annual Awards Banquet held at the Crystal City
Hyatt Regency Hotel in September. These included the following:
Outstanding Associate
Member Award
Society Service Award
Audie Murphy Achievement
Award
Sadly, because major units of the 3rd Infantry Division are still
deployed, the |
Check
out these links for Media publicity from our 91st
Reunion in Washington 
91st ANNUAL REUNION
Society Members
at the Amphitheater at the Tomb of the Unknowns - 2010
(Click on photo for Enlarged view)
Articles
http://www.examiner.com/military-community-in-national/rock-of-the-marne-3rd-infantry-division-91st-annual-reunion
http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/260968
Video
http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-story-wwii-reunion-in-roanoke,0,6568962.story
Hi Folks: It was a
great day for Hershey and his family. The Governor of New
Mexico signed a proclamation declaring September 4, 2010, the
"Hiroshi (Hershey) Miyamura Day. The City Council and Mayor of
Gallup also had a proclamation which named the new High School,
The Hiroshi I. Miyamura, High School! Hershey and
Terry's family from Arizona, California, Hawaii and many other
states came for the dedication. An estimated 4-500 people were
in attendance. Also a group of about forty Japanese American
Korean War Veterans rode a train all night from LA to arrive at
0900 that day. They hosted a luncheon at the El Rancho Hotel in
Gallup at 1100, then proceeded to the school for the dedication
at 1400 which lasted about two hours. All were given a tour of
the new school and were treated to refreshments. They
immediately boarded buses which took them back to the train
station for a return trip to LA at 1900 the same day! Two Korean
War POW's attended; myself and Lee Mc Kinney, who spent
twenty-six months with Hershey in Camp #1. Also, Carl
Miyagishima, 3rd ID attended. (see attached photos) That night,
Hershey and Terry hosted a BBQ at the Comfort Suites Hotel. The
hotel picked up the tab and also presented Hershey with a framed
certificate and an American Flag! Hope your readers remember
this when the travel through New Mexico!
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company
H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date:
Near Taejon-ni, Korea, 24 and 25 April 1951. Entered service at:
Gallup, N. Mex. Birth: Gallup, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 85, 4 November
1953. Citation: Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished
himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond
the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H
was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically
attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a
machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men
unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close
hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning
to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and
directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the
line, he manned his machinegun and delivered withering fire until
his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while
he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted
his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun
emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack
necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his
men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He
killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted
and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand
despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his
position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting
ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl.
Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty
reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious
traditions on the military service.
Colonel
(retired) William Ryan, 15th Inf, WW II veteran and I visited
our wounded soldiers at Walter Reed hospital last Friday, 18
June 2010. We presented this T-shirt to SPC Matthew Corlew while
his BN Commander LTC Kirk Dorr and his wife Leigh Dorr's
visited. SPC Corlew has a very positive spirit and is
knowledgeable of our Division's history. We were very impressed
with LTC and Mrs Dorr's dedication and CARING for his soldiers.
They drove all day from Fort Stewart to visit soldiers during
his leave. We were able to witness clearly both a soldier's and
his commander's loyalty and devotion to one another. That is a
true comradeship. When I asked how
I can help him in anyway, his reply was that by having seen what
these wounded soldiers have to go through, his problem is very
minimal and asked us to visit more often to show that we care. I
was surprised and disappointed to learn that we were the first
visitors from the Society since he's been on Station since
March. I plan to visit them tomorrow, 25 June with two Korean
War veterans--retired SFC Ron Rosser (2ID), a Congressional
Medal of Honor Recipient and PFC David Mills, a former POW (F
CO, 15th Inf, 3ID). As of today, we have four inpatients and 20
Out Patients.
Mr. David Mills, Korean War
POW, participated in the Department of Defense’s
Commemorative Ceremony at the Pentagon on 24 June
marking the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the
Korean War. Mr. Mills was invited by the Secretary of
Defense to represent all of the war’s prisoners of war
as part of the official delegation at the ceremony.
Another illustrious Marne veteran of the Korean War,
Major General (ret.) John Singlaub, was also in
attendance. Then Major Singlaub commanded the 2nd
Battalion, 15th Infantry at the April 24 1953 Battle of
Outpost Harry. Then PVT Mills was serving in F Company
of that battalion and spent four months as a prisoner of
war of the Chinese after being taken prisoner on 24
April.
Dr.
Joseph W. Westphal, the Undersecretary of the Army was
the event’s host and keynote speaker. About 60 Korean
War veterans were in attendance at the ceremony. Dr.
Westphal urged Americans to never forget veterans...
"Let’s never forget freedom is not free and we can never
stop thanking those who have paid and continue to pay
that price so that we can enjoy the liberty and pursuit
of happiness," he said. Han Duk-soo, ambassador of South
Korea, also spoke at the event. Thanks to the courage of
Korean War veterans, the ambassador said, "Korean flags
still fly over the Republic of Korea and the Korea-U.S.
alliance, an alliance forged in blood, is still strong
and valued by both sides today. This is why we call the
Korean War a true victory."
Later
that afternoon Mr. Mills and SFC (ret.) Ron Rosser (MOH,
38th INF, 2ID, Korean War) visited five wounded soldiers
at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While at Walter Reed
both Mr. Mills and SFC Rosser learned a great deal about
today’s soldier and the greatly improved quality of
medical care and family care available to our wounded
warriors. They also shared their own uplifting and
inspiring personal stories with our troops.
On 25
June Mr. Mills attended a ceremony at the Korean War
Veterans’ Memorial hosted by the Korean Embassy.
Throughout his visit in Washington, Mr. Mills was
accompanied by his son, David Mills, Jr., who has become
a lifetime associate member of the Society.
Hiroshi Miyamura High
School
Hershey's Dedication
Ceremony
Just got back from Gallup, NM where Joan and I attended the
dedication of the New Hiroshi Miyamura High School named in
Hershey's honor!
Take care, my friends, enjoy life, and God bless!
Joan and Joe Annello
Japanese American Korean War
Veterans
Hiroshi (Hershey) Miyamura
The Hiroshi I. Miyamura, High
School
Carl Miyagishima, Hiroshi I.
Miyamura, Joe Annello
Joan Annello and Terry Miymura
Joe Annello and Lee Mc Kinney
Miyamura, Hiroshi
LTC Kirk Dorr, SPC Matthew
Corlew, Colonel William Ryan (Ret) 15th Inf, and Monica Stoy
Pass on to rear Division command group that LNO Sergeant Bubelis
is an excellent LNO. In the last four years I have been visiting
soldiers, Sergeant Bubelis is the most dedicated, outstanding
LNO. For his total dedication to needs of soldiers service, I
recommend he receives recognition. He is completely selfless and
totally dedicated to the needs of soldiers and their families
here. I have witnessed in the past that LNOs get stressed out by
working with various wounded soldiers. There are many great
programs for wounded soldiers and families but none for LNOs who
silently must deal with their own problems. He is much more
mature than others in the past.
Rock of the Marne!
Monika Stoy
3ID Korean War Veteran Participates in
Pentagon Ceremony, Visits Wounded Soldiers
By Tim Stoy
David Mills with MG John
Singlaub
The ceremony marked the beginning of the Defense
Department’s three-year observance of key events of the
Korean War that will culminate with the 60th anniversary
of the signing of the armistice on July 27, 2013.
After the Pentagon ceremony Mr. Mills visited the Army
Historical Foundation in Arlington, Virginia and met
with BG Creighton Abrams (ret.), the Executive Director
of the foundation, as well as MG John Herrling (ret.),
Campaign Executive Director of the National Museum of
the United States Army. While there he learned about the
planned Army Museum and joined the Army Historical
Foundation. 
BG Kim Defense Attache
ROK, with David Mills
| OP Europe Report:
Southern France Communities Commemorate 66th Anniversary of Operation Dragoon, Liberation during the Southern France Campaign |
|
|
For the fifth consecutive year OP Europe
participated in numerous commemorative ceremonies in Provence
marking the 66th anniversary of Operation Dragoon and the Southern
France campaign. Monika and Tim Stoy travelled to Southern France
and began their representative functions with ceremonies in
Ramatuelle, St. Tropez, Lacroix-Valmer, and Cavalaire-sur-Mer on 15
August. They participated in official ceremonies in all four
communities along with the French Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
Secretary Hubert Falco, the US Consul General from Marseilles,
Kathleen Riley, and various political figures from the Var
Department. |
|
 Placing wreath in Carpentras |
 Delivering Comments in La Barben |
 Ceremony in Salon de Provence |
 15 August 10 Ramatuelle wreath laying at Patch Monument |
| US Army Europe Commander Addresses
Operation Dragoon Veterans at Arlington National Cemetery Two Marne Veterans Awarded French Legion of Honor |
|
|
Veterans of the Forgotten D-Day, 15 August 1944,
were recognized and honored in ceremonies and historical seminars
between the 8th and 10th of August in Washington, DC and at
Arlington National Cemetery. This year marks the second time
Operation Dragoon was commemorated with events in the National
Capital Region. Veterans in attendance included men and women from
the 3rd, 36th and 45th Infantry Divisions, the 1st Airborne Task
Force, the 12th Tactical Air Force, the Western Naval Task Force,
and the First French Army. LTG David E. Grange (517th PIR) was the
senior ranking veteran present. Mr. Stephen Gregg, son of Medal of
Honor recipient Stephen Gregg, 36th Infantry Division during the
Southern France Campaign, also joined us in honor of his father. |
|
 Veterans and ceremony participants in front of Memorial Amphitheater
|
 Sherm Pratt receives Legion of Honor |
 Mayor Bompard, Dr, Rivasseau, and BG Phillips place wreath at 3ID Monument |
 Col Dillard, General Ham, Dr Rivasseau and Col Bodson lay wreath at Tomb of the Unknowns |
|
On the morning of 10 August the main ceremony
honoring the Operation Dragoon veterans was conducted at the
Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington Cemetery. A truly great honor for
the organizers and all participants was the participation of keynote
speaker was General Carter Ham, the Commanding General of the United
States Army Europe. In his comments General Ham stated, “We will
never forget and forever honor those whose sacrifice allows us to be
free.” Miss Jennifer Corey, former Miss Washington, DC sang the
National Anthem beautifully, and Mr. David Mills, former MIA and POW
from the Korean War, movingly narrated the Prisoner of War/Missing
in Action Ceremony while SGT Zilvinas Bubelis, recent 3ID veteran of
Iraq and currently working as 3ID LNO at Walter Reed Army Medical
Center attended the POW/MIA table. Dr. François Rivasseau, first
counselor in the Embassy of the Republic of France, thanked the
veterans for their service and sacrifice in his comments, prior to
awarding the French Legion of Honor to three veterans, Major
General, retired, Lloyd B. Ramsey, who commanded 3-7th INF in
Operation Dragoon, and Colonel Douglass Dillard and Mr. Jim Welsh of
the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion. |
|
LTC Sherman Pratt receives French Legion of Honor Medal Finally, 66
years later, retired LTC Sherman Pratt receives French Legion of
Honor Medal on 10 August by Dr Riveassau, Minister Counselor, French
Embassy during the second annual Operation Dragoon Historical
Seminars commemorating 66th anniversary of operation Dragoon.
Sherman was First Sergeant landed in Cavalaire Sur Mer, France on 15
August 1944.
Sherman Pratt
A delegation made up of World War II veterans, military families and
French officials group together at the World War II Memorial in
Washington, D.C., after a wreath-laying ceremony Aug. 9.
Veterans remember Operation Dragoon, V-J Day WASHINGTON (Army
News Service, Aug. 10, 2010) -- World War II veterans, military
families and French officials participated in a wreath-laying
ceremony at the World War II Memorial here, Aug. 9, to honor Allied
troops involved in Operation Dragoon. Allied forces reclaimed French
ports when 94,000 troops stormed and liberated southern France
during the critical operation on Aug. 15, 1944. The success opened a
second front in France allowing for logistical support to all Allied
forces operating in France. The Times Square
Alliance is taking a different approach by sponsoring a contest that
challenges couples to recreate the famous "V-J Day in Times Square"
photograph in which an anonymous Sailor kissed a nurse to celebrate
the end of World War II. The alliance has extended a special
invitation to World War II veterans and returning veterans from
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The contest
will take place Aug. 14 at Military Island in New York's Times
Square.
Click Here to read August 19, 2010 Frontline story
Operation Dragoon - Anniversary
Commemoration
Operation Dragoon - The “Forgotten D-Day”
The Allied Landings in Southern France on 15 August 1944
Outpost Europe, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division,
The US Army Center of Military History, and
The United States Army Historical Foundation
Honor allied veterans on the 66th Anniversary of their invasion of
Southern France
Aug 10, 2010
By Matthew Hickman (OCPA, ARNews)
The amphibious and airborne assault commanded by Lt. Gen. Jacob L.
Devers overwhelmed German opposition, who had their backs turned,
traveling to support Nazi forces in Normandy. The victory motivated
French resistance fighters who were able to liberate Paris ten days
later.
The ceremony was part of a larger effort this month to remember
Operation Dragoon, known as the "Forgotten D-Day", and to
commemorate the 65th anniversary of V-J Day, when the Japanese
surrendered on Aug. 15, 1945, ending the war.
"This is part of the tapestry woven over several decades to say
thank you to our veterans," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips, 3rd
Infantry Division (Rear) deputy commanding general; and Fort Stewart
and Hunter Army Airfield senior commander. "This also gives us the
opportunity to say thank you to the international soldiers we fought
with."
Family members were on hand to support the veterans as they perused
the World War II attraction before preparing for a memorial ceremony
scheduled the next morning at Arlington National Cemetery. "These
men are proud vets," said Wendy Eckert, the daughter of a veteran
attached to the 45th Infantry Division during Operation Dragoon.
August is a busy month for World War II commemorations as cities
across the U.S. prepare to remember the anniversary of V-J Day and
the end of the war.
The Elkhart County Historical Museum located in Bristol, Ind., is
set to celebrate the end of World War II by opening a microphone to
veterans, military families and community members who wish to share
any memories from the Pacific Theater. The museum is poised to
display World War II artifacts ranging from a Japanese marine cap, a
U.S. Marine uniform and a Japanese flag capture by Allied forces at
the battle of Iwo Jima. "Many of these objects are not normally on
display, so this is a great opportunity to see the collection," said
Rebecca Oestreich, the museum's curator of education.
The Brooke County Public Library in Wheeling, W.Va., will follow
lead by exhibiting World War II-era vehicles, rifles and uniforms.
Ed Jackfert, World War II prisoner of war, and Dr. Fernando Manalac,
an Allied soldier stationed in Manila during the war, are both set
to speak.
The events taking place throughout the country this week are all
intended to honor brave World War II veterans, and Phillips said
there's no question why they're called the greatest generation. "We
stood on their shoulders, they saved the world and then they rebuilt
the world," he said. "Now it's our job to carry it forward."
Dunedin –
First Congressionally
On August 7, 2006,
National Purple Heart Recognition Day, the City of
Dunedin issued a proclamation recognizing all Purple
Heart recipients with a tree planting ceremony at
the Veterans Memorial Park. At the end of the
ceremony, veterans groups of Dunedin along with the
City, came together in a meeting to ensure that
every year following, a ceremony will be held
honoring all Purple Heart Veterans.
The following year,
2007, the Purple Heart Commission was formed to
include the Military Order of the Purple Heart JFK
Chapter 1963, American Legion Post 275, and VFW Post
2550 along with the City of Dunedin. At the first
meeting, it was decided that the City would donate
land for a Purple Heart Park. Various locations
were visited by the Commission; one was chosen at
the corner of Main Street and Broadway for high
visibility for people visiting our City. Through
the generosity of the Kokolakis family, this land
was donated for this purpose.
It was decided by the
Commission to purchase a Purple Heart Monument. The
funds for purchase of the monument came from
American Legion Post 275 and VFW Post 2550.
Furthermore, it was decided that there should be
commemorative bricks placed in the ground in front
of the monument honoring Purple Heart recipients.
Each brick could be purchased for the sum of $100.
The funds from the purchase of these bricks would be
used to maintain the Monument and Park.
On August 7, 2008, the
Purple Heart Park and Monument were dedicated by the
City of Dunedin with a formal ceremony, and every
year following, the Purple Heart Commission will
choose a different venue with which to honor
recipients on Purple Heart Recognition Day. Also,
the City of Dunedin issued a proclamation signed by
the Mayor ensuring that a ceremony with a
proclamation is held every year.
On August 6, 2010, the
day before Purple Heart Recognition Day, a ceremony
was held at the Purple Heart Park. The highlights
of this year’s ceremony included a first time
reading of World War I U. S. Army veteran PVT George
A. Russell’s letter and poem to his wife from the
trenches. Also, a brick was donated honoring the
wounded of the Sledgehammer Brigade/3rd
Inf. Div. Operation Iraq Freedom. On hand to
represent the Brigade was President Kathleen
Daddato, Society of 3rd I.D. Outpost 2.
She received the brick from the Mayor and placed it
in the ground.
L to R: 3ID Society
OP2 Pres. Kathleen Daddato w/service dog
Mottsie, VFW 2550 CDR Dutch Grubbs, VFW
2550 Bob Drummon, AMVETS Past CDR
Sherman, MOPH JFK Chapter 1963 Sr-Vice
Al Lentz (OP2),Marine Corps Leg Rep,
American Legion 275 CDR Sid Damsguard,
VFW 2550 Chaplain Bill Goshel, and Rev
Bob Zasimovitch ( The Good Shepherd's
Family Church
Purple Heart
Recognition Day - Dunedin, FL
Recognized Purple Heart City
In the United States
The Ceremonial Brick
Jim T. Bloodworth
Sr. American Legion 275 (OP2) on right
3ID Society OP2
Pres. Kathleen Daddato w/service dog Mottsie
Sr-Vice of MOPH JFK Chapter 1963 Al Lentz receiving
the proclamation from Mayor Dave Eggers
| Memorial Day, Epinal American Cemetery, France | |
|
Dear Mme
Phyllis Alrikas, |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Gordon Wiitanen, OP 13
Outpost
Harry Film Debut A Korean war documentary film about the Outpost
Harry was held on 31 May 2010 at 7:30 pm at the Kennedy Center. On Memorial
Day eve May 30th, Outpost Harry and two of it's members Don Dingee and Bob
Hooker were honored with a reading of their experiences by actors Joe
Mantegna and Dennis Haysbert on the PBS program. Also seen were members of
OP Harry, Jim Jarboe and others. It was a very moving production with the
honoring of hero Charlie Johnson KIA at OP Harry.
HOLD AT ALL COSTS: KOREA
Little has been written on the
Korean War, and even less on the trench warfare and desperate
battles fought for control of isolated combat outposts that marked
its closing months. For the very first time, a documentary film,
Hold at all Costs, will examine one specific battle, the epic
defense of Outpost Harry, where American, Greek, and South Korean
soldiers fought and died against incredible odds to hold a vital
position.
Rock of the Marne!
The following notice is on page 8 of the JUNE
JULY 2010 SPECIAL 60TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE of the VFW Magazine:
“PBS Highlights Korean battle
On June 25 PBS nationwide will a 90 minute
documentary called "Hold at All Costs" about the
June 1953 Battle of Outpost Harry. Check local listings for specific times.”
Memorial Day Concert in Washington,
D.C.
The Story of Forgotten Warriors, in a Forgotten Battle, of a
Forgotten War
The film is to be aired nationally in June 2010, the 60th
anniversary of the war's commencement. The concept, a relatively
novel one -- It will be told by the men and women who actually
fought it. This 90 minute to 2 hour effort will focus on the
survivors of The Battle at Outpost (OP) Harry. The US 3rd Infantry
Division had orders to hold OP Harry at all costs; the Chinese
intended to seize it. On 10 June 1953, 3,000 Chinese assaulted the
position, defended by Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment -- 200 US
soldiers. Massive artillery fire -- 30,000 Chinese and 100,000 US
shells -- decimated both sides. Company K and reinforcing units --
at terrible human cost -- ejected the attackers from the trenches in
close combat, but the Chinese would return again and again. The film
depicts interviews with the American and Greek veterans who defended
OP Harry and the Chinese who tried to take it, in addition to
introducing the Generals, MASH nurses, North and South Koreans,
noted scholars and even a "Tokyo Rose" like character, (currently a
museum guide in the Orient), who on loud-speakers would nightly
serenade American GIs to desert to the Communist paradise.
By dedicating an entire program to the buildup, the battle, and its
aftermath, the audience will receive a unique perspective of what
the veterans saw and suffered and how nearly 60 years later it still
affects their lives. These combatants -- who are so proud of their
service -- are grateful that before their generation is gone, a
document is finally being procured to preserve the memory of the
soldiers who fell defending OP Harry at HOLD AT ALL COSTS.
To be narrated by Edward Herrmann
(FDR & The Gilmore Girls),
Written by Peter Freundlich, (25 yr vet CBS)
Pam Murphy Dies, Widow of Audie
Murphy, Read Dennis McCarthy's story in
the Los Angeles Daily News at
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_14885262
Was veterans' friend and advocate
Pam Murphy, the widow of Audie Murphy, was involved
in the Sepulveda, VA hospital and care center over the course of 35
years, treating every veteran who visited the facility as if they
were a VIP. Pam Murphy died last week at the age of 90.
By Dennis McCarthy, Columnist
Updated: 04/14/2010
Copyright ©2010 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Outpost
Europe Report Three more commemorative plaques
were added to the Marne Trail in recent ceremonies in the cities of
Augsburg, Germany on 28 April; Salzburg, Austria on 3 May; and
Berchtesgaden, Germany on 4 May. Four WWII veterans of the
division’s combat in Germany – Colonel Charles P. Murray, Jr.,
(retired) (CMOH); Colonel William E. Ryan, Jr.; Dr. Charles Phallen;
and Dr. Murray Simon – participated in each of these commemorative
ceremonies. Each event was superb, with great support from the
involved cities and wonderful welcomes to our great veterans. These
ceremonies and commemorations were held in conjunction with the 65th
anniversary of the liberation of each of these communities.
Augsburg hosted the plaque
dedication ceremony, followed by a wonderful reception and luncheon
at the town hall. This was followed by a very informative city tour
and capped off by a visit to the oldest social residential community
in the world.
The plaque dedication in
Berchtesgaden took place at the location where the first division
soldiers entered the town on 4 May 1945. After a very nice ceremony
the five mayors who govern the towns that comprise the county of
Berchtesgaden hosted us for a very nice luncheon, followed by a
walking tour of the this beautiful place.
On the first day of our veterans’
visit to Germany on 25 April, they visited the Lorraine Cemetery in
St. Avold, France, and paid respects to several fallen soldiers from
the division buried there. They also stopped at Landstuhl Regional
Medical Center to meet soldiers from the active division receiving
medical treatment and who had come out of either Iraq or
Afghanistan. That was a very touching event. The veterans were also
welcomed in Wiesbaden, where they stayed in the American Arms Hotel
for two evenings and received briefings on US Army Europe from Mr.
Steve Steininger, a Marne Man from the early 1990s in Wuerzburg, as
well as meeting the community commander.
By Monika Stoy
The Mayor and museum director in Salzburg were wonderful hosts for
the plaque dedication ceremony, which was followed by a delicious
luncheon in the Salzburg museum, formerly the residence of the
Prince Bishops of Salzburg. This luncheon was also followed by a
wonderful tour, on foot, of this charming city. 
Additionally, earlier in the trip to Germany, Colonel Ryan, Dr.
Phallen, and Dr. Simon (with his wonderful wife, Juana) were warmly
welcomed by the communities of Hornbach, Althornbach, and
Zweibruecken on 25 April. These communities were part of the
Siegfried Line, and the liberation of Zweibruecken in March 1945
marked the division’s breakthrough of that very strong enemy
defensive position. The citizens of these communities were
wonderful, and started the 65th anniversary visit of our veterans
off on the right foot. 
Our veterans were further welcomed in the cities of Nuremberg and
Munich on 28 and 30 April with great hospitality. They visited the
Nazi Party grounds in Nuremberg and were hosted by the director and
chief historian of the documentation center there. It was a solemn
and eye opening experience for all who participated. In Munich, our
veterans were greeted by Mr. Christina Hacker, City Councilwoman,
who spent the entire day with them, giving them a tour of the town
hall, and hosting them for luncheon at the town hall restaurant. She
even took them to the Augustiner brewery garden, the oldest in
Munich. Upon leaving Munich, the veterans visited Garmisch and had
the opportunity to meet soldiers and the installation manager, Mrs.
Karin Santos. They also visited the baroque monastery in nearby
Ettal. 
The great culmination of their time in Germany came on 5 May with
the 3rd annual commemorative ceremony at the division’s plaque on
the Obersalzberg. A full German Air Force military band provided
superb musical accompaniment for this solemn ceremony marking the
65th anniversary of the division’s raising the Stars and Stripes
over Hitler’s compound on 5 May 1945. It was a truly great event!
BILL
MAULDIN STAMP The United States
Postal Service deserves a standing ovation for something that's
going to happen in March: Bill Mauldin is getting his own
postage stamp. The stamp should be going on sale on March 31st. It's an honor that most generals and admirals
never receive. Mauldin, and his work, meant so much to the
millions of Americans who fought in World War II, and to those
who had waited for them to come home. He was a kid cartoonist
for Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper; Mauldin's
drawings of his muddy, exhausted, whisker-stubbled infantrymen
Willie and Joe were the voice of truth about what it was like on
the front lines. Mauldin was an enlisted man just like the
soldiers he drew for; his gripes were their gripes, his laughs
were their laughs, his heartaches were their heartaches. He was
one of them. They loved him. He never held back. Sometimes, when
his cartoons cut too close for comfort, his superior officers
tried to tone him down. In one memorable incident, he enraged
Gen. George S. Patton, and Patton informed Mauldin he wanted the
pointed cartoons -- celebrating the fighting men, lampooning the
high-ranking officers -- to stop. Now! Mauldin's drawings of his
exhausted infantrymen Willie and Joe were the voice of truth...
The news passed from soldier to soldier. How was Sgt. Bill
Mauldin going to stand up to Gen. Patton? It seemed impossible.
Not quite. Mauldin, it turned out, had an ardent fan: Five-star
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied
forces in Europe. Ike put out the word: Mauldin draws what
Mauldin wants. Mauldin won. Patton lost.
While in
the 45th Infantry Division, Mauldin volunteered to work for the
unit's newspaper, drawing cartoons about regular soldiers or
"dogfaces". Eventually he created two cartoon infantrymen,
Willie (who was modeled after his comrade and friend Irving
Richtel) and Joe, who became synonymous with the average
American GI. His cartoon work continued as he fought in the July
1943 invasion of Sicily and the Italian campaign. Mauldin began
working for Stars and Stripes, the American soldiers' newspaper;
by March 1944, he was given his own jeep, in which he roved the
front, collecting material and producing six cartoons a week.
His cartoons were viewed by soldiers all over Europe during
World War II, and also published in the United States. In 1945
at the age of 23 he won a Pulitzer Prize “for distinguished
service as a cartoonist” and the Allied high command awarded him
its Legion of Merit. His illustrated memoir, Up Front, was a
bestseller. That same year, his “dogface” Willie appeared on the
cover of Time. He won a second Pulitzer Prize, and he should
have won a third, for what may be the single greatest editorial
cartoon in the history of the craft: his deadline rendering, on
the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, of the
statue at the Lincoln Memorial slumped in grief, its head
cradled in its hands. But he never acted as if he was better
than the people he met. He was still Mauldin the enlisted man.
Mauldin died at age 81 in the early days of 2003 and was buried
in Arlington National Cemetery. The end of his life had been
rugged. He had been scalded in a bathtub, which led to terrible
injuries and infections; Alzheimer's disease was inflicting its
cruelties. Unable to care for himself after the scalding, he
became a resident of a California nursing home, his health and
spirits in rapid decline. He was not forgotten, though.
During the
late summer of 2002, as Mauldin lay in that California nursing
home, some of the old World War II infantry guys caught wind of
it. They didn't want Mauldin to go out that way. They thought he
should know that he was still their hero. Gordon Dillow, a
columnist for the Orange County Register, put out the call in
Southern California for people in the area to send their best
wishes to Mauldin. Soon more than 10,000 letters and cards had
arrived at Mauldin's bedside. Even better than that, the old
soldiers began to show up just to sit with Mauldin, to let him
know that they were there for him, as he, long ago, had been
there for them. So many volunteered to visit Bill that there was
a waiting list. Here is how Todd DePastino, in the first
paragraph of his biography of Mauldin, described it: "Almost
every day in the summer and fall of 2002 they came to Park
Superior nursing home in Newport Beach, California, to honor
Army Sergeant, Technician Third Grade, Bill Mauldin. They came
bearing relics of their youth: medals, insignia, photographs,
and carefully folded newspaper clippings. Some wore old garrison
caps. Others arrived resplendent in uniforms over a half century
old. Almost all of them wept as they filed down the corridor
like pilgrims fulfilling some long-neglected obligation." One of
the veterans explained to me why it was so important: "You would
have to be part of a combat infantry unit to appreciate what
moments of relief Bill gave us. You had to be reading a soaking
wet Stars and Stripes in a water-filled foxhole and then see one
of his cartoons."
In all probability Mauldin would have approved of his stamp. On
it two guys, “Willie and Joe" are keeping him company. To the
side, drawing them and smiling that shy, quietly observant
smile, is Mauldin himself. With his buddies, right where he
belongs. [Source: Various Mar 2010 ++]
19 Alsatian Communities
Commemorate 65th Anniversary of their Liberation in WWII by
dedicating Marne Plaques - submitted by Monika Stoy
Jan 31 Colmar ceremony with Mayor Gilbert Meyer
Monika Stoy presents certificate from Mayor Walter of
Durrenentzen to Sherm Pratt
The 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, has
been alerted to respond to assist the Haiti relief effort.
Officials say a nine-man detachment of service personnel
will be departing for Haiti (via Charleston AFB) Monday,
January 25, 2010 at an undetermined time. A 165th AW C-130 aircraft with crew will be gearing up
for missions possibly later this week. Those orders are
TBD. They won’t be alone. The 3rd Infantry Division’s 10th Transportation Company
deployed to Port-au-Prince Saturday. 150 members of the company, 70 trucks and 35 trailers
will transport much needed supplies from the air and sea
ports throughout the capital city. They will be in Haiti for several weeks, and maybe
several months. WSAV
©2010
Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. Outpost #1's
Richard Koepke
Richard A. Koepke, a 3rd
Infantry Division World War II Army veteran and member of Outpost 1,
receives the Knights of the Legion Honor for his valorous action
during World War II from France. The medal was presented by Lt Col
Steven Wall, U.S. Army during the Memorial Day Observance at St.
Peter's Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, IL.
19 Alsatian Communities Commemorate 65th Anniversary
of their Liberation in WWII by dedicating Marne Plaques - submitted by
Monika Stoy
65 years ago the 3rd Infantry Division played the
leading role in the 1st French Army’s elimination of the Colmar Pocket
and the liberation of Colmar itself in the Battle of the Colmar Pocket.
This battle began 22 January 1945 with Operation Grand Slam, on the one
year anniversary of the division’s landing at Anzio, with the crossing
of the Fecht River at Guemar and the fight to gain the Colmar Canal to
the south.
This year most of the Alsatian communities liberated
in January and February 1945 honored their liberators with the
dedication of commemorative Marne plaques, culminating with a large
ceremony on 31 January in Colmar itself, with the dedication of a large
brass tablet honoring the XXIst Army Corps which contained the 3rd ID,
as well as the 28th ID, 75th ID, and the 12th Armored Divisions. Outpost
Europe was represented by Outpost President Monika Stoy at 32 ceremonies
in the course of 23 days. 19 communities liberated by the 3rd Infantry
Division in Alsace dedicated Marne plaques. Five of those communities
had been liberated by the division in late November and in December of
1944 – Wisches, Schirmeck, Baremback, and Rothau, liberated on 25 or 26
November 1944, conducted ceremonies on 1 February, and Mittelwihr, which
was liberated on 25 December, conducted its dedication ceremony on 17
January. The
Battle of the Colmar Pocket
When: 7-8 May 2010
When: 3-5 May 2010
One Set of
Soldiers On Way to Haiti, Another Already There
A
Media General company.
Receives the Knights of the Legion Honor
Mark Black | Staff Photographer Daily Herald
Outpost Europe #5845
Contact: Monika Stoy
monikastoy@yahoo.com
Tim Stoy
timmoni15@yahoo.com
As our history records, the fighting in the extreme winter weather
conditions against bitter, last-ditch enemy resistance was some of the
most difficult of the entire war. The communities of Houssen, Ostheim,
Holtzwihr, Jebsheim, Rosenkrantz, Wickerschwihr and Riedwihr were
liberated in the week following the 22 January attack. Le Maison Rouge
and the nearby bridge over the Ill River will forever be remembered by
those members of the 30th and 15th Infantry Regiments who were left to
face enemy armored counterattacks with little more than their personal
weapons after that bridge collapsed.
Then came the assault crossing of the Colmar Canal the night of 29
January, Operation Krautbuster, and all of the division’s assigned and
attached units drove to cut the City of Colmar and its German defenders
off from the Rhine River. In the week of combat following that crossing
the division liberated Bischwihr, Muntzenheim, Urschenheim, Fortschwihr,
Wihr-en-Plaine, Horbourg, Andolsheim, Biesheim, Kunheim, Widensolen,
Durrenentzen, Vogelsheim, Volgelgruen, and Algolsheim, then finally
culminating with the capture of the great fortress city of Neuf-Brisach
on 6 February.
For its conspicuous role as the main effort for all phases of the attack
to clear the Colmar Pocket the entire division was awarded the French
Croix-de-Guerre with Palm by the French government and the U.S.
Presidential Unit Citation.
Jan 31 Colmar ceremony with Mayor Gilbert Meyer
Mayor Baesler & children at Baltzerheim
Villagers at the newly named Place de la 3rd Infantry
Division in Rothau
Dolsheim Ceremony with Society Life Member Mayor Christian
Rebert
Bodson Colmar 65th Anniversary Calendar on behalf of Mayor
Gilbert Meyer
Bischwihr children with Mayor Marie-Joseph Helmlinger
Monika Stoy presents certificate from Mayor Walter of
Durrenentzen to Sherm Pratt
Urschenheim, Widensolen, Holtzwihr and Ostheim dedicated plaques on 23
January. On 26 January Riedwihr dedicated its plaque on the 65th
anniversary of its liberation. Horbourg-Wihr and Bischwihr dedicated
plaques on 30 January. Colmar, Andolsheim, and Durrenentzen dedicated
their plaques on 31 January. On 2 February Baltzenheim dedicated its
plaque. On 6 February Neuf-Brisach and Fortschwihr dedicated their
plaques, and the Marne Trail activities concluded on 7 February in
Algolsheim.
The Outpost participated in ceremonies in the 3ID connected Houssen and
Sigolsheim, as well as in communities liberated by other American units
– Katzenthal and Niedermorschwihr (which dedicated plaques to the 28th
Infantry Division) and Wintzenheim, Rouffach and Herrlisheim (liberated
by the 12th Armored Division in conjunction with French units), and
Dessenheim (liberated by French units).
I am very happy to report that each and every community fondly remembers
our veterans and honors deeply the sacrifices of our soldiers in those
dark days of heavy fighting and freezing temperatures. Every community
played and sang the Dogface Soldier! It was particularly touching that
these communities had so many young children participate in their
ceremonies in traditional Alsatian costumes. The veterans of the 1st
French Army, with whom our men fought side-by-side, were moved to tears
at many of the ceremonies by the memory of their American comrades in
arms, and many an active duty French soldier made the comment that the
history of the great 3rd Infantry Division in the fighting to liberate
France must not be allowed to be forgotten.
Each ceremony was unique, and each community brought its special touch
to their event. Illustrating the depth of emotion I need only name a few
of the ceremonies – Ostheim held a deeply moving torchlight ceremony the
evening of 23 January, with children honoring fallen 3ID soldiers with
lit candles as the town historian, Jean-Jacques Sturm recited the names
of the fallen. Baltzenheim had its school children re-enact the plight
of the villagers during the fighting and the joy of the entry of
American soldiers. Colmar had adolescents recite poems honoring all the
soldiers who fought in the battle to liberate their city. Schirmeck also
held a torchlight ceremony with almost 800 persons present despite an
ongoing blizzard. Bischwihr included over 25 young children in Alsatian
costume in its ceremony. To participate in these and the other
heart-felt events was a great honor and privilege. I visited the school
in Baltzenheim to speak to the children about WWII and our soldiers’
role in liberating their country and village.
General Carter Ham, an old Marne Man, Commander of United States Army
Europe supported the events with a color guard and public affairs
support the weekend of 30 and 31 January. The village of Ostheim allowed
us to use their 3rd Infantry Division colors for those ceremonies to add
an especially meaningful touch to these and in later ceremonies. Colmar,
Horbourg-Wihr, Andolsheim, Bischwihr, Wisches, and Schirmeck provided
meals and/or lodging to our soldiers during their stay in Alsace, as did
the organization Americans in Alsace. Mr. François Scheerr and
Mademoiselle Muriel Burger from ONAC in Colmar were instrumental in the
coordination of various events and were of indispensable help to the
Outpost. Ms Anne Toury from the City of Colmar was instrumental in
organizing the city’s ceremony and developing the plaque honoring XXIst
Corps. I am deeply grateful to all the mayors who honored our veterans
with memorial plaques. My special thanks go to Mayor and Mrs. Fritsch
from Ammerschwihr for hosting me in their home for almost the entire
month. I would like to thank Society members Paul and Joyce Schewene who
donated twenty 48-star flags which I presented to each community
There are now 51 communities which have dedicated plaques honoring the
3rd Infantry Division’s role in their liberation in WWII. There will be
more plaque dedications in conjunction with V-E Day ceremonies between 6
and 8 May in Alsace, as well as in Provence in August. The city of
Salzburg will commemorate the 3rd Infantry Division’s role in its
liberation with a plaque dedication on 3 May. The city of Augsburg will
dedicate a plaque on 28 April, and Berchtesgaden and its surrounding
communities will dedicate a plaque on 4 May. These plaques are the
result of our five year project to have the French honor our Marne
veterans and are the primary project of Outpost Europe.
Pictures of all of these ceremonies will be posted on the Society
website under Outpost Europe 5845 news.
The French First Army’s Fight to Drive the Germans from the
West Bank of the Rhine –
December 1944 to February 1945
Office National des Anciens Combattants et Victimes de Guerre Haut
Rhin,
Ville de Colmar,
Outpost Europe, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division,
The US Army Center of Military History, and
The United States Army Historical Foundation
Honor allied veterans of the Battle of the Colmar Pocket on
The 65th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe
Ire Armée Française
Where: Colmar, France
Who: WWII veterans of the 1st French Army (Rhin et Danube), the US
Army XXIst Corps, the 3rd, 28th, 36th, 75th Infantry Divisions, the
12th US Armored Division, and veterans of the allied air forces
supporting operations in the Colmar Pocket
December 1944 through February 1945.
What: 7 May – historical seminar sponsored by the City of Colmar
8 May – commemorative ceremonies in Colmar and at the American
Monument and the French Necropole on Hill 351 above Sigolsheim
Why: To honor the veterans of the Battle of the Colmar Pocket
To preserve history
To educate the American and French publics on this very difficult
battle
To publicize ONAC, Colmar, the Army Historical Foundation, the US
Army Museum, and the Museum of the Battle of the Colmar Pocket in
Turckheim.
Point of Contact: Monika Stoy, President, Outpost Europe
monikastoy@yahoo.com , PH:
001 703 912 4218
Address: 6531 Milva Lane, Springfield, VA. 22150 USA
The 4 May 1945 Liberation of Berchtesgaden and
Obersalzberg
by the 3rd Infantry Division
Outpost Europe, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division,
The US Army Center of Military History, and
The United States Army Historical Foundation
Honor veterans on the 65th Anniversary of their liberation of
Berchtesgaden
Where: Berchtesgaden and the Obersalzberg, Germany
InterContinental Resort Berchtesgaden
Who: Veterans, soldiers, families. MOH Recipient Colonel Charles
Murray (WWII, 30th IN) and MG (ret.) Lloyd B. Ramsey (7th IN Regt XO
on 5 May 45) will participate.
What: 3 – 4 May – historical discussions on WWII and the Cold War
Visits to the Obersalzberg Documentation center and Eagles’ Nest
(Weather permitting)
Memorial tablet dedication in Berchtesgaden
5 May – Commemorative ceremony at the 3ID Memorial on the
Obersalzberg with flag raising ceremony
Banquet
Why: To honor the veterans
To preserve history
To educate the younger generation
Enhance German-American friendship
Conduct oral history interviews
Point of Contact: Monika Stoy, President, Outpost Europe
monikastoy@yahoo.com , PH:
001 703 912 4218
Address: 6531 Milva Lane, Springfield, VA. 22150 USA
Last Update February 08, 2013
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