Outpost Europe hosts Second Annual Battle of the Colmar Pocket Historical Seminar in Arlington, Virginia
by Monika and Tim Stoy             67 years ago the 3rd Infantry Division entered the fight to collapse the Colmar Pocket in Alsace, France. On 13 December the 30th Infantry Regiment began moving south from Strasbourg to reinforce the 36th Infantry Division which had been fighting since the beginning of the month to take Kaysersberg, Mittelwihr, Bennwihr, and Ostheim. The rest of the division would follow and liberate these villages, Sigolsheim, and assist in liberating Kientzheim and Ammerschwihr by the end of December, before launching the final offensive on 22 January 1945 to destroy the Colmar Pocket. Eight Medals of Honor were awarded 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers fighting outside Colmar: 1LT Charles P. Murray, Jr.; LTC Keith L. Ware; 1LT Eli Whitely; T/SGT Gus Kefurt; T/SGT Russell Dunham; 2LT Audie Murphy; PFC Jose Valdez; and T/5 Forrest Peden.             This past 8th - 11th of December Outpost Europe and the French Military Attaché in Washington hosted a historical seminar on the Battle of the Colmar Pocket in Arlington, Virginia. Veterans from the 3rd, 28th, and 75th Infantry Divisions, the 254th Infantry Regiment, and the 168th Chemical Company (Smoke Generator) (attached to the 3rd ID for the Colmar Pocket Battle) and the 1st French Army were present: GEN Frederick J. Kroesen, Major General Llloyd B. Ramsey, COL William E. Ryan, Jr., Mr. John Keller, Mr. Emery Antonucci, Mr. Sam Ieronimo, Mr. Robert Jackson, Mr. Joseph Consiglio, Dr. Charles Phalen, Mr. Bob Phillips, and Mr. Rene Guercin.  These veterans were joined by family members Tina Keller, Antonia Leronimo, Marjorie Phillips, Marjorie Hatchell, Tori Failmezger, Mike Golden, Chris Consiglio, and Marja Guercin.
Congressman Geoff Davis, 4th District of Kentucky, read into the Congressional Record a tribute to the veterans of the Battle of the Colmar Pocket and Major General Ramsey (native of Kentucky). Mayor Vincent Gray of Washington, DC also promulgated a proclamation in honor of the Battle of the Colmar Pocket Veterans. We are grateful to Mr. David Navarre and Alex Apple who filmed the entire event. The staff of the Sheraton National Hotel did an excellent job supporting us throughout the event.
The commemorative activities concluded on Sunday morning with wreath laying ceremonies at the 3rd Infantry Division monument, Audie Murphy’s grave, and at the Tomb of the Unknowns.  We placed two wreaths at the Tomb, one from the French Embassy and the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division (by Col Houdet, Monika Stoy, Tim Stoy, and Col Ryan, and another from the 28th and 75th Divisions (by MG Wells, SGT Damian Smith, Emery Antonucci, and Col Bob Samborski).  MG Marchi, MG Ramsey, Monika Stoy, Col Houdet, Col Ryan, MG Wells	Monika Stoy and General Sullivan The seminar began Thursday evening with an overview on WWII by LTC (retired) Clayton Newell and a presentation on the history of Alsace by Tim Stoy, and a get-to-know-you session. We were honored that General Gordon Sullivan, US Army, retired, joined us. General Sullivan is a former Chief of Staff of the US Army and is President of the Association of the United States Army. His comments on the severe nature of the fighting in the Colmar Pocket were very well received and insightful. He even came with a hand-drawn map of the Colmar Pocket which we will long treasure!  General Frederick J. Kroesen, retired, who served with the 254th Infantry Regiment, shared his memories of the fighting and insights on small unit leadership. COL William E. Ryan, Jr, I CO,15th Infantry in the Colmar fighting also shared his recollections.
Hands on new cold weather equipment	The Seminar Crowd

 

December 8-11, 2011: Battle of the Colmar Pocket Commemoration, Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, VA, 888-637-8210, $94 per night. The group name is “Battle of the Colmar Pocket.” Events will include historical seminars, a commemorative ceremony, and an awards banquet with the Legion of Honor award ceremony. Please contact Monika Stoy for more information. Ph:703-912-4218. Email: monikastoy@yahoo.com.

 

The Third Infantry Division Celebrated its 94th Birthday, Nov. 21. Story by Sgt. Uriah Walker

Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general, speaks of both the past and the future of the Marne Division during the 94th birthday celebration at Club Stewart, Nov. 21.

Photos by Sgt. Uriah Walker

FORT STEWART, Ga. In 1917 a great thing happened: The Third Infantry Division was formed at Camp Greene, N.C., Nov. 21. A short eight months later, the division found itself in France defending a position from the Germans that would earn them the title “Rock of the Marne.” Through 94 years of service the Marne Division continued to live up to the title by defeating every enemy it has encountered from, Africa to Korea. The Marne Division simply will not allow defeat. During the 94th Birthday celebration, those in attendance were reminded of what the division has accomplished through the years. Maj. Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general, recounted the stories of some of the bravest soldiers to ever serve with the Marne Division to include Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in U.S. Army history. “Our men and women wearing the 3rd ID patch carry forward the legacy and tradition of what it means to be a Dog Face soldier,” Abrams said. “And from what I have seen I am confident the legacy is in good hands.” As part of the event, a cake was constructed by two soldiers from the 4th Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment dining facility, Sgt. Paul Harris, Battalion senior cook, and Spc. Christopher Pope, a food service specialist. They were selected for the task by the Division food service advisor. Not just any cake would do for an event as important as this. Harris and Pope didn’t stop at a double layer sheet cake topped with homemade butter cream frosting, but they also recreated the Division mascot, Sgt. Rocky, to adorn the top of the cake. Their hard work was appreciated by all after the ceremonial cutting of the cake by Abrams, acting Command Sgt. Maj. Jefferson Moser, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ray Noble, the oldest soldier, and Pfc. Trey Martin, the youngest soldier. While Martin, a native of Spokane, Wash., is a new soldier to the Marne Division only arriving two weeks ago, Noble, a native of Savannah, Ga., is back for his second tour. “It’s truly an honor to be a part of the celebration,” said Noble. “I’ve deployed with the Division three times and met some of the best soldiers here within the Division.”

OP Europe Hosts 94th Birthday Celebration at Fort Myer and Arlington National Cemetery By Monika Stoy

At the 3ID Monument

On 16 November 2011 Outpost Europe hosted a 94th birthday celebration at the Fort Myer Officers’ Club, followed the placing of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknowns and the 3rd Infantry Division Monument in Arlington National Cemetery.  The Division was constituted on 12 November 1917 and was organized on 21 November at Camp Greene, NC.  This is the first time in memory the division’s birthday was celebrated at its beautiful monument in Arlington. Every time we conduct an event at ANC and our monument, we are grateful to the outstanding efforts of the Society’s monument committee under MG Ramsey in the 80s and early 90s to make the monument a reality, it being dedicated on 15 August 1994.  There is no better location in the entire cemetery, as our monument appears to stand guard over the memorial amphitheater.

Col Ryan at Audie Murphy's grave

The celebration began with a luncheon at the officers’ club.  After a short film on the division’s history, Society Historian Tim Stoy provided an overview of the Division’s actions in France in 1918, including recent pictures of the Marne battlefield and ABMC’s Oise-Aisne, Aisne-Marne, and Meuse Argonne Memorials and Cemeteries.  LTG (retired) Joseph DeFrancisco, the division’s first commander upon its arrival at Fort Stewart, provided special comments on the division’s early days at Stewart and the significance of our great division.  We were all deeply honored that COL Brice Houdet, the French Army Attaché in Washington, joined us to celebrate the division’s birthday.  The division’s history, especially our formative combat experience, is intimately tied to its service in France in 1918.

LTG DeFrancisco, Monika Stoy, Col Ryan, LTC Johnson, Jason Fritz, and Col Insani enjoying lunch

During lunch the attendees spoke of their respective periods of service and experiences in the 3rd Infantry Division. Three WWII veterans were present: COL Henry Bodson, COL John Insani, and COL Bill Ryan.  COL Insani also represented the Korean War generation.  The Cold War and Peacetime were represented by Jim Etchechury and Pete Tsouras who served in Kitzingen in the 1970s and Tim (1982-1986, 1993-1995) and Monika Stoy (1993-1996).  The war in Iraq was represented by LTC Ronnie Johnson and CPT Michael Thomas now serving with the 3rd Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard); LTC Lee Desjardins now serving on the Army Staff in the G-8; and Mr. Jason Fritz, now a defense contractor. Jason was the youngest 3ID veteran present but he had six years with the 3rd ID, most of it in Iraq.  We were also joined by Mr. Michael Golden, whose father commanded the medical clearing company supporting the Southern France invasion and the move up the Rhone Valley; and COL Doug Dillard, an airborne veteran of WWII who jumped into Southern France and later served in the Battle of the Bulge with the 82nd ABN Division.

Monika Stoy presented the Syngman Rhee Medal to COL Insani on behalf of Methodist Elder Bishop Sundo Kim in gratitude and recognition of his service in the Korean War.  COL Insani served with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Korea.  COL Bodson, as the oldest 3ID veteran present, and Jason Fritz, as the youngest, cut the Marne birthday cake with an Army saber to mark the division’s birthday in style!  Topping off the luncheon, the group sang a rousing rendition of the Dogface Soldier – an interesting exercise due to the fact that each generation of Marne Soldier sang slightly different versions of our division song!  Following lunch COLs Insani and Ryan, COL Houdet, Mike Golden, Jim Etchechury, Pete Tsouras, and Tim and Monika went to Arlington Cemetery where, on a cool, rainy day, the delegation placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns on behalf of the 3rd Infantry Division Society.  We followed this placing a wreath at the 3rd Infantry Division monument and completed the commemoration by placing blue and white carnations on Audie Murphy’s grave.   The weather kept several planned participants from attending, and we curtailed planned visits to honor MG Dickman (WWI CG), GEN Truscott (WWII CG), and MG Soule (KW CG), but the event was still a nice success.  Outside of Fort Stewart, there can be no better place to mark the Division’s birthday than at our beautiful monument in Arlington National Cemetery.  We plan on continuing to commemorate this great anniversary from now on.

 

2011 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA EVENT AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY Submitted by Dave Adams, President, Outpost 7  The 2011 Wreaths Across America event at Arlington National Cemetery will take place on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 8:30 A.M. at the Memorial Amphitheater near the Tomb of the Unknowns. This event is open to the general public and the turnout is usually tremendous. Prior to the Arlington event, the organization has planned a journey called the Escort to Arlington. The Escort will begin in Calais, ME on December 3rd and conclude with its arrival at Arlington on December 10th. Along the route, the Escort has planned special wreath layings, educational seminars at schools, and special presentations at Valley Forge and the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. The Arlington even will include special wreath layings at President Kennedy’s grave, the USS Battleship Maine Mast Memorial, and conclude at the Tomb of the Unknowns. For further information, you can log onto the Wreath website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org or contact OP 7 President Dave Adams at 7thcavghost@gmail.com or at (571) 765-0686.

 

Veterans Day News from Outpost #15
Thousands of spectators lined the streets of central Phoenix to watch Outpost #15 and over one hundred other entrants in the public procession of the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade.  Although the Outpost was scheduled to walk the two mile route, a last minute change in the lineup allowed outpost members to ride in a U.S. Army LMTV (light medium tactical vehicle) while displaying the Society of the Third Infantry Division flag.  The outpost would like to express their gratitude to the military personnel that extended the highest regard to outpost members.  Also, outpost member and Purple Heart recipient David Mills was selected as the Korean War Veteran Grand Marshall for the Phoenix parade. Following the parade a meeting and get-together was held at the home of Secretary-Treasurer Curtis Gentry.  In addition, Carl Duncan, former outpost Secretary-Treasurer and Western Region Vice-President, was presented with an outpost award that is in appreciation for Carl's outstanding contributions to our organization.The next outpost meeting is scheduled for February 2012 at a location to be determined. Thank You Curtis Gentry FYI:  Donitza Williams is a retired U.S. Navy officer (service years 1942-1964) who became a Society member and is one of the most active of outpost members.
Outpost members Curtis Gentry and 97 year old Donitza Williams displaying the Society flag  before the parade begins	Carl Duncan former Secretary/Treasurer of OP15 passed away November 13, 2011
Donitza Williams posing with "John Wayne"	Donitza Williams and Margaret Gentry pictured with Sgt. Santoe

Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention
We were very fortunate to attend the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention in Louisville, Kentucky between 28 September and 2 October. Three of our living Medal of Honor recipients were there: Mr. Bob Maxwell with his wife Beatrice and his daughter,  MSG Wilburn K. Ross and his son Greg, and Hiroshi Miyimura and his wife Patty. We were all sad that COL Murray passed away in August and was no longer with us for the event.  Each recipient received an oil portrait of themselves, and we all honored COL Murray's memory with his portrait.    While there we met several other Medal of Honor recipients who served with the 3rd Infantry Division either before or after receiving their Medal of Honor:  COL James K. Stone, who received his Medal of Honor with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and who served with the 3rd Infantry Division's 15th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning and moved with it to Germany in the period 1956-1959.  We also met Mr. Walter Ehlers, who received the Medal of Honor in Normandy with the 1st Infantry Division, but who is very proud to have served two years in the Division with the 30th Infantry, landing with that regiment in North Africa and standing as part of the honor guard for President Roosevelt's visit to Casablanca.  He pointed out that the Division's World War II history does not include his name in the 30th Infantry's roster, but that his brother's was. Unfortunately his brother, who also transferred to the 1st Infantry Division after landing in Northern Africa, was killed in action in Normandy.    The group picture includes several other folks with ties to the 3rd Infantry Division:  Cpt Shawn Pinkston, Iraq veteran; Patty and Hiroshi Miyimura; Bob Maxwell; Beatrice Maxwell; Tim Stoy; Bob's daughter Bonnie; Wilburn K. Ross; Wilburn's son Greg, Brigadier General (retired) Bud Berthold, who commanded an attached reserve component artillery brigade in the early 1980s; and Monika Stoy.    There were 49 living recipients present from the 85 still living.  Among those present were SFC Leroy Petry, US Army, 75th Ranger Regiment; and SGT Dakota Meyer, USMC, the Nation's newest medal recipient.    As part of the convention activities Bob Maxwell went to Central High School to talk to students about patriotism and citizenship. The school, incidentally, was Muhammad Ali's high school when he was still Cassius Clay.    It was a great event.     Rock of the Marne! Monika
Tim Stoy with Col Stone	Monika with BG Berthold (Ret)
Bob Maxwell, Monika and Wilburn Ross holding Col Murray's portrait	3 MOH recipients with their portraits flanked by Monika and Tim Stoy
SFC Leroy Petry,75th Rangers and most recent Army MOH recipient with Monika	Walter Ehlers, 30th Inf Regt with Tim Stoy
Sgt.Dakota Meyer, most recent MOH recipient	Bob Maxwell with kids from Central High School
Tim and Monika with Patti and Hiroshi Miyamura	The 3ID Contingent

Charles P. Murray Jr.    MOH Recipient September 26, 1921 - August 12, 2011  Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Read more: http://www.thestate.com/2011/08/14/1934139/wwii-hero-dies-in-columbia.html#ixzz1V8vPYM4i

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company C, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kaysersberg, France, 16 December 1944. Entered service at: Wilmington, N.C. Birth: Baltimore, Md. G.O. No.: 63, 1 August 1945. Citation: For commanding Company C, 30th Infantry, displaying supreme courage and heroic initiative near Kaysersberg, France, on 16 December 1944, while leading a reinforced platoon into enemy territory. Descending into a valley beneath hilltop positions held by our troops, he observed a force of 200 Germans pouring deadly mortar, bazooka, machinegun, and small arms fire into an American battalion occupying the crest of the ridge. The enemy's position in a sunken road, though hidden from the ridge, was open to a flank attack by 1st Lt. Murray's patrol but he hesitated to commit so small a force to battle with the superior and strongly disposed enemy. Crawling out ahead of his troops to a vantage point, he called by radio for artillery fire. His shells bracketed the German force, but when he was about to correct the range his radio went dead. He returned to his patrol, secured grenades and a rifle to launch them and went back to his self-appointed outpost. His first shots disclosed his position; the enemy directed heavy fire against him as he methodically fired his missiles into the narrow defile. Again he returned to his patrol. With an automatic rifle and ammunition, he once more moved to his exposed position. Burst after burst he fired into the enemy, killing 20, wounding many others, and completely disorganizing its ranks, which began to withdraw. He prevented the removal of 3 German mortars by knocking out a truck. By that time a mortar had been brought to his support. 1st Lt. Murray directed fire of this weapon, causing further casualties and confusion in the German ranks. Calling on his patrol to follow, he then moved out toward his original objective, possession of a bridge and construction of a roadblock. He captured 10 Germans in foxholes. An eleventh, while pretending to surrender, threw a grenade which knocked him to the ground, inflicting 8 wounds. Though suffering and bleeding profusely, he refused to return to the rear until he had chosen the spot for the block and had seen his men correctly deployed. By his single-handed attack on an overwhelming force and by his intrepid and heroic fighting, 1st Lt. Murray stopped a counterattack, established an advance position against formidable odds, and provided an inspiring example for the men of his command.

Medal of Honor recipient Charles Murray dies By Jeffrey Collins - The Associated Press Posted : Monday Aug 15, 2011 19:44:59 EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Col. Charles Murray Jr., who received the Medal of Honor in World War II for single-handedly stopping an attack on U.S. troops by 200 Germans during World War II, has died. Murray died from congestive heart failure Friday while taking a nap in his Columbia home. He was 89 and had a pacemaker implanted about six weeks earlier, said his son Brian Murray. Col. Murray was part of the 3rd Infantry Division that fought through France and Germany during the last years of World War II. He received the highest military award given by the U.S. government for his actions as commander of a company in the mountains of far eastern France in December 1944. Murray was ordered to lead his men to take over a bridge and build a roadblock. But as he descended into a valley, he found German troops had pinned down an American battalion on the crest of a ridge. The Germans were protected by a sunken road, and the only way to attack was from their flanks. Instead of committing his entire patrol, Murray decided to see what he could do on his own, according to the citation that accompanied his Medal of Honor. Murray first ordered artillery strikes, but his radio went dead right after the first shells missed the German troops. Murray then started firing at the Germans, first with grenades, then with an automatic rifle, all while taking heavy fire. He killed 20, wounded many others and sent the enemy into such disarray that they withdrew. Murray captured 10 Germans in a foxhole on his own. An 11th soldier appeared to be surrendering, but threw a grenade at Murray that sent shrapnel into his legs, causing eight separate wounds. Murray waited to go to a hospital until he positioned his men and selected the location for the roadblock. He returned to his unit four days later. Along with the Medal of Honor, Murray also won three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and the French Legion of Honor for valor. He went on to serve in wars in Korea and Vietnam before commanding the Old Guard, which protects the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Murray was born in Baltimore, raised in Wilmington, N.C., and was attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when he enlisted in the Army in September 1942. Murray was both humble and proud of his Medal of Honor. He made it to just about every ceremony and figured he met each living recipient going back to the Boxer Rebellion around 1900. Col. Charles M. Murray MOH WWII vet and OP7 member marches in the Pass and Review Ceremony November of 2006. Earlier this year, his son said he was excited to meet Salvatore Giunta, the first living soldier to receive the award since Vietnam. He gave Giunta some advice. “Don’t let them eat you up,” Brian Murray recalled his dad saying. “You wear the medal, and people try to focus on that. But there is so much left in your life.” Col. Murray proved that in his own life. He worked in planning for the South Carolina Department of Corrections after retiring from the military and accepted hundreds of requests to talk to schools about his service, his son said. Brian Murray said his dad didn’t mind talking about the Medal of Honor, but always made sure credit was given to anyone who put on a uniform to protect his country. “If you told him, look what you did, he would say, look what all of us did,” Brian Murray said. © 2011, Gannett Government Media Corporation

Honor guard members remove the casket carrying Retired Army Col. Charles P. Murray Jr. at the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia on Wednesday. Murray served in WWII where his heroic actions earned him the Medal of Honor. - Tracy Glantz /tglantz@thestate.com

‘He defines what a hero is’ Col. Charles P. Murray Remembered By JEFF WILKINSON - jwilkinson@thestate.com TheState.com

Col. Charles P. Murray Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, was remembered Wednesday in Columbia as a humble hero who protected his men in battle, loved his family and worked tirelessly, until his death at age 89, to promote veterans’ issues and educate students about patriotism and service to country. “The word hero has never been about football players and movie stars,” retired Col. Kevin Shwedo, a past deputy commander of Fort Jackson, said in a eulogy. “He defines what a hero is.” After being drafted in 1942, Murray, who grew up in Wilmington, N.C., landed on Omaha Beach in 1944 after D-Day and joined the 3rd Infantry Division in France. On Dec. 16 near Kaysersberg, France, the platoon that Murray was leading was pinned down on a ridge under heavy fire by 200 well-entrenched Germans. Murray, using a variety of weapons, killed 20 enemy soldiers and captured 10 more, single-handedly driving the Germans from the position. At the end of his assault, a German grenade riddled him with shrapnel, wounding him in eight places. He spent only four days recovering at a medical aid station before “borrowing” a uniform and returning to his unit. None of the other men in his platoon was injured. “His focus was keeping his men safe,” Shwedo said. “And he kept his men safe.” Murray, awarded the Medal of Honor for that action, also received three Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars for other acts of valor. Murray’s flag-draped coffin was carried by horse-drawn caisson from Dunbar Funeral Home to First Presbyterian Church, a few blocks away. It was accompanied by pallbearers from the Arlington Cemetery’s “Old Guard,” the Army’s oldest active-duty infantry unit. Murray once was deputy commander of the unit, best known, perhaps, for maintaining a 24-hour-a-day vigil at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers included four Medal of Honor recipients — Sgt. John F. Baker Jr. of Columbia, Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston of Charleston, Sgt. Maj. Robert M. Patterson of Raleigh, N.C., and Col. Walter J. “Joe” Marm of Fremont, N.C. — as well as members of Murray’s VFW Post 641. Also participating were a color guard and about 40 members of the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Ga., Murray’s unit in World War II. Murray died of congestive heart failure Friday, six weeks after having a pacemaker implanted. He passed away in his bed while taking a nap, family members said. Murray is survived by his wife, Anne, son Brian of Fort Payne, Ala., and daughter Cynthia Anne of Roswell, Ga. Another son, Charles P. Murray III, of Columbia passed away in 2004. About 600 people attended the memorial service. More stood quietly outside on the sidewalk throughout the service to see Murray’s remains pass by on the way to and from the church. “I wanted to pay my respects,” said Dick Rosenbeck of Columbia, a four-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Inside, dignitaries included Fort Jackson commander Maj. Gen. James Milano, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson of Springdale and Col. Ted Bell of Columbia, one of The Citadel’s most decorated graduates from World War II. Bell was on the faculty of the infantry school at Fort Benning, Ga., after the war with Murray, a close friend. “I thought he would be a big ol’ dumb fella coming in there with all his exploits, but he had a brilliant mind,” said Bell, 91, who received the Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star while fighting in the Pacific. “He was a fine person. A fine family man. “And he was one of the greatest heroes we’ve ever known. There is no question about it.”

 

Medal of Honor Recipient Robert D. Maxwell Returns to WWII Battlefields in Provence with OP Europe to commemorate Operation Dragoon and the Southern France Campaign By Tim Stoy

Robert D. Maxwell, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the city of Besancon on 7 September 1944, visited that city in conjunction with Outpost Europe’s Operation Dragoon commemorations in Southern France in August.  Bob was accompanied by his grandson, Jordan Ellison, and joined Monika and Tim Stoy in representing the 3rd Infantry Division at numerous ceremonies commemorating the 67th anniversary of the liberation of communities in Provence between 14 and 28 August 2011.

At the Division Monument at Besancon

At the marker on outskirts of Aix enProvence with BG Kerlan marking point of 3ID entry into city

Our delegation was joined by representatives of the 3rd Infantry Division representing MG Abrams, the division commander – LTC Cleveland and CSM Dillingham, the command group of the 3-7th Infantry (Bob’s old battalion in WWII) and SPC Costea, the battalion’s soldier of the quarter, for the period 14-16 August. We were also joined by COL Rob Rider, British Army, who represented our British Allies for the ceremonies on the 14th and 15th.  On 14 August we visited Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan where the delegation placed a wreath honoring our war dead.  We participated in ceremonies in Saint Tropez and Ramatuelle on 15 August and then again in small ceremonies at the division monument in St. Croix-Valmer and Cavalaire on the 16th.  Bob, Jordan, and the Stoys were taken into the Bay of Cavalaire by the local lifesaving crew to view the landing beaches from the perspective Bob had in August 1944!

Commemoration in Salon de Provence with Mayor Tonon

Plaque in Valreas

We continued following the division’s August 1944 trail and participated in the ceremony in Le Luc on 17 August.  18 August we drove to Besancon to enable Bob to finally visit the city now eternally connected with his name.  He only made it to the outskirts of the city in September 1944 before being wounded and evacuated, so it was especially meaningful for him to visit the division’s monument overlooking the old city.  We attempted to locate the position of his actual Medal of Honor action but were unable to get closer than an approximate couple of hundred meters due to urban sprawl.

Unveiling new plaque with Mayor Bompard in Bollene

With Mayor Bruno Durieux and Sous Prefet Denis Gaudin at plaque dedication in Grignon

We participated in ceremonies in Aix-en-Provence on the 20th; Vauvenarques, St Marc Jaumegarde and Le Barben on the 21st of August, dedicating a commemorative tablet at the chateau outside of St. Marc which served as the headquarters of the 30th Infantry during the attack on Aix.  We discovered the President of the local Souvenir Francaise, BG (ret.) Kerlan, French Army, had dedicated beautiful stone memorial tablets outside Vauvenarques and St. Marc Jaumegarde ten and five years ago marking the points of entry by 3rd Infantry Division units into those respective communities.  The trail continued with the annual ceremony in Salon-de-Provence on the 22nd.   Another Marne Trail plaque was dedicated in the village of Merindol during a very full 24 August which saw ceremonies not only there but in nearby Cavaillon and in Cheval Blanc.  On the 25th we were at the ceremony in Carpentras.

Bob being recognized by Mayor Reynier of Montilamar

Ceremony dedicating plaque at 30th Inf Regiment command post outside St Marc

Further ceremonies took place on the 26th in Orange and nearby Bolene where the town dedicated a plaque honoring the 3rd Infantry Division.  Bob also visited the kaserne of the 1st Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment while in Orange.  The 27th the community of Valreas dedicated a plaque as did Saint Paul-Trois-Chateaux.  On the 28th we participated in the ceremony in Montelimar, and topped off a very full and meaningful itinerary with a charming plaque dedication ceremony late that afternoon in the picturesque village of Grignan.   Bob’s and Jordan’s participation made this, OP Europe’s sixth annual Southern France commemorative period, especially meaningful and memorable, for OP Europe and for the French citizens who had the opportunity to meet this truly remarkable American.  As always each of the communities we visited hosted us with great warmth and wonderful hospitality while several Southern France- based reenactment groups provided outstanding period atmosphere at all the events.

 

Photo à Saint Tropez- 15 August 2011
Medal of Honor recipient, Robert Maxwell standing tall with the Mayor of St Tropez, Dr Tuveri and British Colonel Rob Rider at the 67th anniversary liberation ceremony honoring the 3rd Infantry Division and the fallen paratroopers of the 509th Airborne in front of the St Tropez town monument. (The final liberation of the town on 15 August was a joint operation of the 509th and the 15th Infantry Regiment) It is Mr Maxwell's first visit to the landing beaches in Provence since 15 August 1944.	Here we were at the Plaque dedication ceremony in St Marc Jaumegarde, France, the small village with a population of about 1200 people, famously known as Cezanne's painting place. After we dedicated the plaque in honor of our proud 3rd Division, we three of us, Medal of Honor recipient, Robert Maxwell, LTC Tim Stoy and I sang "The Dog Face Soldier" with pride on 19 August 2011.
On this day, Mayor Tuveri awarded Mr Maxwell with the town's Gold Medal for his deeds 67 years ago. It was also the first ceremony since the end of the war which had participation from the British Armed Forces, which the mayor was very pleased to have! Rock of the Marne! Airborne!  Monika

Ms. Sallie, mother of fallen Sledgehammer Soldier SFC David Sallie speaks with CPT Phillips	Bob Bailey, who has been Secretary Treasurer of Outpost 60 for 18 years takes a photo with MAJ Irving
Three old retired soldiers James McDonough  WWII, Korea, Gordon Saint - Korea, Viet Nam, Clarence Kelly - Korea, Viet Nam	3HBCTSoldiers, Veterans and Members of Outpost 60 enjoy “war stories” exchanged during the luncheon
CPT Caleb Phillips, Commander, A Troop, 3-1 CAV addressed members of Outpost 60 during their monthly meeting	Bill Schlitz WWII Vet, former OP 60 President

Phenix City, Ala Mayor Sonny Coulter

LTC Pirog, Commander, 2-69 AR, 3HBCT listens to community leaders and citizens in Lumpkin, GA during a Community Engagement in the town on 11 OCT 2011

LTC Pirog, Commander, 2-69 AR, 3HBCT and Ms. Amy Garwich, Community Leader for Lumpkin, Georgia

Ms. Garwich gives members of 2-69 AR a tour of the town during the partnership meeting

3rd ID honors 'Dog Face Soldiers' at Arlington ceremony, August 11, 2011 By Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger, 4IBCT Public Affairs

Retired Capt. Monika Stoy, president of Outpost Europe's Society of the Third Infantry Division; Robert D. Maxwell, a Third Infantry Division Medal of Honor recipient; Col. Roger L. Cloutier, deputy commander - maneuver for Third ID; Frederic Dore, deputy chief of mission at the French Embassy; and Marjorie Hatchell, niece of Herman Engel, a Third ID Soldier killed in action on Dec. 24, 1944, carry a wreath that will be laid at the base of the Third ID monument at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Aug. 6, 2011.

Robert D. Maxwell knows from first-hand experience that freedom comes at a great cost. The veteran, who served with the 7th Infantry Regiment, Third Infantry Division in southern France during World War II, earned the Medal of Honor, Sept. 7, 1944, for saving fellow Soldiers by jumping onto a grenade that was hurled by advancing German troops. Maxwell, then a Technician Fifth Grade trained to run telephone wire, was working through the night with three Soldiers to establish a command post in a home near Besancon, France, when the fateful attack occurred. The veteran said that the Germans, realizing the strategic importance of the position, barraged the CP with 20mm anti-aircraft and machine gun fire in an attempt to capture the location. Maxwell said he and his fellow Soldiers fended the Germans off with nothing but their issued .45-caliber automatic pistols. And when a grenade landed near his feet, Maxwell said he shielded his comrades from the blast by trapping the grenade between his body and a stone wall. Maxwell was permanently maimed in the attack, but said that his sacrifice is only one small price out of the many that American men and women have paid in the defense of freedom since the American Revolutionary War -- when freedom was purchased at the cost of blood.  Because freedom has, and continues to come at such a great cost, Maxwell said he believes it is important for veterans to share their experiences with their families and with the public so that the sacrifices that have kept Americans -- and people living throughout the world -- free, are never forgotten. On Aug. 6, Maxwell practiced what he preached by participating in the 67th Annual Commemorative Ceremony of Operation Dragoon, held at the Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The ceremony was part of a four-day historical symposium sponsored by retired Capt. Monika Stoy, president of Outpost Europe’s Society of the Third Infantry Division. Gen. David H. Petraeus, designate director of the CIA; Lt. Gen. Martin P. Schweitzer, deputy commander for operations of the 82nd Airborne Div.; Col. Roger L. Cloutier, deputy commanding general -- maneuver of Third ID; and Frederic Dore, deputy chief of mission at the French Embassy, attended the ceremony to honor Maxwell and 12 other Operation Dragoon veterans who participated in the Allied landings in southern France. Often referred to as “the Forgotten D-Day,” Operation Dragoon began with a combined parachute drop and amphibious assault between Toulon and Cannes on the French Riviera on August 15, 1944. The objective of the operation was to draw German forces from northern France and to seize control of important French ports. More than 94,000 U.S. troops landed ashore with the support of 900 ships, 1,300 landing craft and an air fleet of 1,300 American, British and French bombers. Allied troops in Operation Dragoon captured more than 57,000 prisoners, seized and opened the ports of Toulon and Marseille, and liberated the southern two-thirds of France before linking up with the Normandy invasion forces. In gratitude for their help in liberating southern France from Nazi occupation, Dore presented four Operation Dragoon veterans with the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest military decoration in France. Pinned were retired Lt. Gen. Richard J. Seitz, who served as the commander of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment; John Carter, who served with the 1st Airborne Task Force (Allied), and John Keller and Roy Brumfield, who served with the Third ID. Upon the completion of the commemorative ceremony, Operation Dragoon veterans laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Then, Cloutier honored Third ID veterans present at the commemorative event -- and those who gave their lives in service to the nation -- by laying a wreath at the base of the division’s monument in Arlington. “Our nation owes you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” Cloutier said to the assembled veterans. “When your country called and said ‘Who shall we send,’ you raised your hands and said ‘Here we are, send me.' You guys stood in the gap for freedom. And because you did your duty and stood in that gap, American families sleep safe in their beds tonight.” The commemorative event concluded at the gravesite of Audie Murphy, the most decorated veteran of World War II, where Cloutier and the veterans honored him and the Third ID by singing the Dog Face Soldier song, the official Marne song. Maxwell said the commemorative ceremony helped highlight the importance of Operation Dragoon, which has been largely ignored in the annals of history. “Up to this time there’s very little publicity about it,” Maxwell said. “If you look at the history of World War II in Europe you’ll see reams of material about the Normandy invasion and all the events that followed, but you’ll find practically nothing about Africa, maybe a little about Sicily in Italy, and not much about the invasion of southern France." Maxwell said he wants the American people to know about the Mediterranean campaign and its importance in the war. “We tied up many, many German divisions throughout the Mediterranean campaign,” he said. “We kept them busy so that they would not be there when Normandy happened. “The entire campaign, I believe, was worthwhile, not in terms of lives lost, but in terms of the whole of the war,” Maxwell said.

 

Marne Riders Drinking Glass $12.99

Marne Riders Shot Glass $8.25

 

Marne Rider Bike at Veterans Event	Dennis Noes at Florida Event
Marne Rider Jon Sonnieham of Wyoming
Marne Rider Robert Hinderliter of Philadelphia	Fred Feller of Luxembourg
Roland Weis, Carine Feller, Pascal Hainaut, Myriam Feller-Keipes, Frédéric Feller-Keipes	Pascal Hainaut, Roland Weis, Carine Feller, Frédéric Feller-Keipes, Myriam Feller-Keipes
Myriam Feller-Keipes, Frédéric Feller-Keipes, Pascal Hainaut, Roland Weis, Carine Feller	Frédéric Feller-Keipes , Myriam Feller-Keipes, Pascal Hainaut, Roland Weis, Carine Feller
Roland Weis, Pascal Hainaut, Marne Riders Lëtzebuerg, Frédéric Feller-Keipes	Carine Feller, Roland Weis, Pascal Hainaut, Frédéric Feller-Keipes, Myriam Feller-Keipes

 

General Cucolo’s New Assignment

News of MG Cucolo’s new assignment arrived too late for inclusion in the August Watch. We thought you would like to know what our General will be doing next.             The Army announced that Former Third Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo will serve as the director of Force Development in Washington, D.C. The Chief of Staff of the Army recently announced Maj. Gen. Cucolo’s new assignment.             The Force Development office falls under the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8. Its mission is to equip the Army through a balanced investment program in accordance with Army strategy and priorities to provide Soldiers and units the right and modern equipment to succeed in current and future full spectrum operations.             Yours in the 3rd,             Joe and Lynn Ball

 

LTG William G. Webster Jr. Retires
Lieutenant General William G. Webster has retired. His last assignment was as the commanding general of Third Army/US ArmyCentral (ARCENT), the Army service component of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). The command exercises administrative control over all US Army forces in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR), conducts sustainment of ground operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and performs theater engagement with 18 countries throughout North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia.	In 2002, General Webster became the Deputy Commanding General to Third Army, later designated the coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) until Coalition Joint Task Force 7 assumed responsibility for the OIF area of operation. While commanding the 3rd Infantry Division, General organized the first modern modular force, and trained the Marne Division for their return to the CENTCOM AOR. In January 2005, General Webster returned to Iraq with his 3rd Infantry Division, commanding the 40,000 US and coalition forces of the Multi-National Force.
We remember General Webster as Commander of the Third Infantry Division for nearly three years, 2003-2006. General Webster is a 1974 graduate of the United States Military Academy and has since commanded at every level of the Army from platoon to field army. His operational experience includes assignments with five army divisions, two combat commands, and twice with a field army and land component command. General is also a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College, the US Army War College, and a graduate of the first School of Advanced Military Studies. At the time of the September 11th attacks, General Webster was serving in the Pentagon as the Director of Training on the Army Staff. Shortly thereafter, he became the Deputy Director of Operations for the US Central Command, performing operational oversight for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and throughout the CENTCOM AOR.	Following nearly three years of command of the 3rd Infantry Division, General Webster moved to US Northern Command, where he served as the Operations Officer and Deputy Commander, overseeing the mission of homeland defense. On 4 May 2009, General Webster assumed command of Third Army/ARCENT, headquartered at Fort McPherson, Georgia, and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, becoming the 51st Commanding General of Third Army and 14th Commanding General of US Army Central. We hope that General’s retirement will allow him to attend future reunions where he can visit with his friends in the 3rd Infantry Division family.

Memorial Day holds special meaning for Korean War veteran Steve Stout, steves@mywebtimes.com, 815-431-4082

Gordon Lowery will spend this Memorial Day thinking about the friends he lost and fellow soldiers he fought with in Korea more than 57 years ago during an eight-day battle he cannot ever forget.  Photo: Steve Stout Gordon Lowery Photo: Photo provided Gordon Lowery of Newark, IL(right) stands before the hills of Outpost Harry with a South Korean friend during a break in a strategic battle that ultimately costs thousands of lives (mostly Chinese troops) on both sides of the conflict in June 1953. Lowery, along with high school friend Wayne Carlson (now deceased) both for years after the armistice was signed agreed they were lucky to survive the eight days of fierce fighting so long ago. A documentary on the major battle of Outpost Harry will be shown on a some PBS stations during this Memorial Day weekend on satellite networks. The old soldier, Lowery, now 88 proudly says,"We fought back the spread of Communism." Lowery, a native Ottawan and Korean War veteran who lives in Newark, said more memories will probably come flooding back as he watches the upcoming Public Broadcasting System documentary, "Hold At All Costs," which will be broadcast at various times during the Memorial Day weekend in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, Lowery said, the film isn't scheduled on any local PBS stations, but he has been told by some PBS programmers it will air on Illinois stations in the near future. He hopes it will air on the DirecTV satellite system, which broadcasts different PBS channels from around the country. Lowery has learned the 90-minute long program will examine the build-up, events and aftermath of the bloody battle — the defense of strategic Outpost Harry — waged during the Korean War's closing months in 1953. Lowery spent eight harrowing days fighting in the battle and defending the outpost along with fellow Ottawan Wayne Carlson (now deceased). Hundreds of Americans died along with an estimated 4,200 Chinese casualties. "Wayne and I both attended Ottawa Township High School at the same time, and I tell you, we were lucky to survive that week," Lowery told The Times, reflecting on the epic onslaught in which he, Carlson, other U.S. troops, Greek forces and South Korean soldiers overcame incredible odds to protect an important position against a massive Chinese barrage. "The gunfire and artillery was so intense at times that it actually chopped off tops of the surrounding hills," recalled Lowery, who remembers tagging the dead, friends and foes, with his hometown buddy Carlson working as Army medics during the constant artillery bombardment. On June 10, 1953, thousands of Chinese troops assaulted the outpost, defended by King Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, about 200 U.S. soldiers. Massive artillery fire — 90,000 U.S. and 30,000 Chinese shells — decimated both sides. K Company and then reinforcing units of about 100, at terrible human cost, fought back the attackers from the trenches in close combat, with only about 30 U.S. soldiers walking off the mountain unscathed the next morning with the Chinese regrouping and returning again and again for eight subsequent nights. The U.S. 3rd Infantry Division had orders to hold Outpost Harry at all costs. Lowery said he and the other surviving combatants are grateful that before their generation is gone, a document has finally been produced to preserve the memory of the soldiers who fell attacking and defending Outpost Harry. The film depicts interviews with American, South Korean, Greek and Chinese veterans — in addition to introducing three generals, M*A*S*H nurses, the South Korean Prime Minister, noted scholars and political commentators Newt Gingrich, U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, South Korean Hon. Hwang and Col. Oliver North. According to the documentary's producers, the film shows the battle's buildup, actual combat and its aftermath, while endearing the audience to these soldiers in the trenches, providing a unique perspective to the greater Korean War. "Hold At All Costs" is narrated by Edward Herrmann (of "FDR" and "Gilmore Girls" fame),and directed by Glenn Palmedo-Smith, ("Discovering Ellis Ruley" and "The Hungry Woman"). A spokesman for Chicago PBS station WYCC said the program is scheduled to air on its channel (20 in some markets) at 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 12. Lowery, who has not yet seen the entire production — only a preview and some clips — hopes it will accurately represent the battle and its participants. "When I left South Korea so long ago, it was in shambles," recalled Lowery. "Now I understand it is beautiful, so I guess we did the right thing." Looking at old photographs from his Army days, he said, "Today, I feel we fought back the spread of Communism and I agree with what President (Dwight D.) Eisenhower and our superiors ordered us to do." The old soldier said simply, "We were given orders not to give up that outpost and we didn't." Lowery said he belongs to The Outpost Harry Survivors Association and attends its reunions when he can. "I use to go to them with Wayne before he passed away. There are less and less of us as time goes on. But I still remember all the brave men and the thousands of dead soldiers on both sides. How can I forget?" Photo: Steve Stout Gordon Lowery of Newark, IL Copyright 2011 The Times Company All Rights Reserved

 

Rich and Katy Lyons Arlington National Cemetery By Donna Lyons Military Community Examiner

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our nation. On this National Day of Remembrance, services are held around the globe honoring those patriots who have fought and died in preserving our nation’s freedoms and helping our Allies deter tyranny. One of our most sacred and hallowed grounds for these patriots is Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. It is the final resting place for over 330,000 of America’s finest men and women. It is also the home of the Tomb of the Unknowns, where the 3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) provides a constant 24/7 vigil, guarding the tomb with a sentry of the highest caliber. It is considered a true honor to be able to pay your respects on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. On 30 May 2011, President Barack Obama took part in the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then provided a speech to the gathered crowd of 1,000 visitors. He stated that, “across our nation we'll pause to honor all those who've given their last full measure of devotion in defense of our country. Theirs was the ultimate sacrifice, but it is one that every man and woman who wears America's uniform is prepared to make so that we can live free. The men and women of our Armed Forces are the best our nation has to offer, and they deserve nothing but the absolute best in return.” A few hours after President Obama’s speech, Richard and Katy Lyons of Lake Tahoe, Nevada were honored to be the guests of the legendary Society of the 3d Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne) at Arlington, as they participated in two distinct military ceremonies paying respect to our war fallen of past and present. Rich and Katy first served as the lone wreath bearers in a ceremony honoring the 3d Infantry Division located at their memorial inside Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony included a brief review of the divisions numerous campaign accomplishments. Captain Dave Adams read an excerpt from the book, “To Hell and Back”, recounting acts of heroism during WWII by Dog-Faced Soldiers of the 3d Infantry Division. Adams is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the 7th Cavalry Regiment and currently serves as the President of the Society of the 3d Infantry Division. During the ceremony Amazing Grace was played by famed Piper, Eric Rice-Johnston. A moment of silence was observed honoring the service and ultimate sacrifice made by Marne Soldiers. It was a truly moving tribute too many of those that have gone before us and those that serve today – it is a moment that reminds us that Freedom is NOT Free! Following the 3d Infantry Division ceremony, Rich along with his daughter Donna, grand-daughter Brittany Domnick, Captain Adams, Colonel McClelland, James Robbins of the Washington Times and Colonel Henry Bodson, a WWII veteran (92 years young) who fought alongside Lieutenant Audie Murphy (the most decorated American veteran of World War II), humbly participated in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns. “Memorial Day is a national day to remember. We remember and honor not only our war dead but also all who were in the military service. Katy and I were honored to take part in the ceremony and place the wreath in honor of the 3rd Infantry Division, the "Rock of the Marne". It was also an honor to participate with the Old Guard-- they are the custodians of Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns. Their military history is legendary! It truly is a day that we will always also remember.” Lyons said. Rich and Katy Lyons have family lineage throughout the military. Rich proudly served with the 354th Engineer Construction Battalion during the Korean War and Katy’s brother was a Marine. Katy’s grandfather, Harry Heffner, trained horses for Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish American War, and her father -- even though a civilian was a civil engineer --rebuilt airstrips during WWII on Wake Island. We have no greater duty to honor all those who sacrificed so that we can enjoy the blessings of freedom. http://www.examiner.com/military-community-in-national/a-day-of-remembrance-arlington-national-cemetery?CID=examiner_alerts_article Copyright © Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com. All Rights reserved.

 

The adventure of the Memorial Days by Children of France continues…  In fact, next May 23rd, 2011, at 01.30 P.M., nearly 100 school boys and girls of 4th and 5th grades living in these small villages of :  - Destord, - Gugnécourt, - Frémifontaine, - Girecourt sur Durbion, - Pierrepont sur l’Arentèle, - Méménil,   - Nonzeville, (District of Brouvelieures and District of Arentèle, Durbion, Padozel, Vosges Mountains) - Saulx de Vesoul (District of Saulx de Vesoul, East of France)   will visit the Epinal American Cemetery…   100 graves will be honored, especially those of :   - the 3rd, 36th, 45th, 63rd, 70th, 100th, 103rd  Infantry Divisions, of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team… They were in the 7th US Army in 1944,  - the 4 recipients of the Medal Of Honor : Gus Kefurt and Victor Kandle (3rd Inf. Div.), Ellis Weicht (36th Inf. Div.), John Kelly (79th Inf. Div.),   -  the US Air Force, especially those of the 441st and 555th Bomber Squadrons, of the 315th, 405th and 513th Fighter Squadrons,   - Captain Alexander M. Patch (79th Inf. Div., son of General Patch who commanded the 7th US Army in 1944),  - General  Edmund W. Searby (80th Inf. Div.),  - two brothers, Lt John Duffy (70th Inf. Div.) and Pvt Edward Duffy (45th Inf. Div.),  - the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions,  - the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 90th Infantry Divisions, for the evocation of D Day in Normandy,  - and of course those of the 4 women laying in this Cemetery… They also served…   These children will lay roses on these graves and at the bottom of the wall of the Missing in Action. They’ll take part in the Ceremony of Lowering of the Glory Flag at 4.30 P.M.  During this ceremony, several letters from Presidents of Associations of  WWII American Veterans, American Veterans and members of families of several soldiers laying in Epinal American Cemetery will be read to the children…   The trip by bus of the children and the roses are offered by : - the Township Community of the District of Brouvelieures - the Township Community of the District of l'Arentèle, Durbion, Padozel, - the General Council of Vosges (Vosges Mountains), -  “Le Souvenir Francais” (French Remembrance Society) of the District of Saulx de Vesoul and of the District of Lure (East of France).   Flowers will be offered too by citizens of Vesoul, Saulx de Vesoul…   Several French Flag Holders, representatives of several French Patriotic Associations and historians will take part in this Ceremony with the French Children…   Next May 23th will be a special day for the children of Vosges Mountains and East of France… They’ll discover some soldiers who delivered our Country, our Cities, their towns and villages in 1944… We’ll show to them the pictures of these Liberators, explain to them who were these soldiers, and what they did for our freedom… And that we have to remember that they died for us, for our Country… We’ll have a thought to all of these brave soldiers, but also to their families, to their comrades in arms…   We don’t want to forget !   God bless America and France… Eric Vandroux, in charge of the organization of the Memorial Day by Children of France Jean-Marie Siret, in charge of the organisation for the District of Brouvelieures, Vosges Mountains

 

Outpost Harry Survivors’ Association - 20th Reunion in Savannah, Georgia
"To the greatest men in the world!" is how David Mills, OP Harry Survivors Association president opened the proceedings of Saturday night's 20th annual reunion dinner in Savannah. Men, all of them veterans of the Korean War and the ferocious battle held on Outpost Harry, gathered to rekindle life-long friendships and share memories of time gone by and friends lost. Several currently-serving Marne division Soldiers were also in attendance to include MG Abrams, COL Hughes, COL Cloutier, members of 3-15th IN, the Division's Jazz Combo and Division Color Guard. The veterans enjoyed having the Marne Soldiers around, but the Soldiers in attendance gained much more from the experience. MG Abrams gave the keynote address, reminding those in attendance that we in the 3rd ID will never forget their service and sacrifice. He assured everyone that today's Soldiers have the same rock-solid sense of patriotism that they held, and that they could be assured the modern Army is full of Soldiers who will risk it all in defense of their nation and the principles we stand for. The OPHSA vets all received a certificate of recognition from the Secretary of Defense, Hon. Robert Gates. I you want to learn more about their heroism that happened in Korea nearly 60 years ago, watch the film "Hold at All Costs" on PBS. You will be amazed at the valor, bravery, and warrior spirit displayed by these amazing men--Rock of the Marne!
The OPHSA 20th Annual Reunion, 2011 Click Here for all of the Photos

 

Dear friends, I received the attached newspaper articles from the Lord Mayor of Nuernberg's office and want to share them with you. On 31 May 2011, we dedicated the plaque honoring our proud 3rd Infantry Division along with the 45th Infantry Division for their roles as Liberators at Nuernberg. This was an over three year long project and we are proud of having it done while we still have living veterans to thank! Two veterans were with us - Colonel William E. Ryan, Jr.,(15th Regiment), and Mr John Miller, II (7th Regiment). We also thank the Lord Mayor Maly of Nuernberg for having courage to do this commemorative ceremony and for paying for the plaque which is placed on the Zepplin Tribune. Rock of the Marne! Monika

 

Three fallen 3rd ID soldiers to be honored
A living Memorial for the fallen Soldiers of Fort Stewart, the 3rd Infantry Division and attached units, who have given their lives during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Located on Fort Stewart, Warriors Walk is comprised of Eastern Rosebud trees. Each tree is dedicated to a fallen Soldier and has a stone marker etched with the Soldier's name. This group is a way to remember those "Who Gave All" and share this memorial with families and friends of the fallen who may not be close to Fort Stewart. Today, we honored SGT Brandon Hocking of 632nd Heavy Maintenance Company, 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, MAJ Wesley James Hinkley of 24th Financial Management Company, 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, and SPC Gary Lee Nelson III of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Change of Command at Fort Stewart

New 3rd ID commander Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams parades on Cottrell Field at the front of his Marne soldiers for the first time following a change of command Friday. Former 3rd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo still didn’t know Friday what his next assignment would be when he passed the division command to Maj. Gen. Robert “Abe” Abrams in a change-of-command ceremony on Fort Stewart’s Cottrell Field.  Cucolo took command of the 3rd ID on July 14, 2008. “Tony has never taken his eye off the ball (since),” U.S. Army Forces Commanding Gen. James Thurman said. Thurman described Cucolo as a “soldier’s general,” referring to his “outstanding leadership,” training troops to fight and win wars and the concern he has shown troops and their families. “It is fitting that I become just the next picture on the wall of the (3rd ID) headquarters building,” Cucolo said. Cucolo came to Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield after a two-year tour as chief of Public Affairs for the Army at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. During his 33 months in command here, Cucolo deployed with the 3rd ID Headquarters to Iraq in October 2009, according to Fort Stewart public affairs. There, the former 3rd ID commander assumed command of U.S. Division-North and Task Force Marne. He was responsible for U.S. forces operating in seven Iraqi provinces north of Baghdad. Click here for more on the Change of Command  FORT STEWART, Ga. — In a time-honored ceremony Friday, the blue and red flag of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division was passed from one commander to another.The ceremony at Fort Stewart marked the change of command for the Georgia-based division as Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo completed his assignment as its commander, the Savannah Morning News reported. Cucolo told those gathered at the ceremony that his time with the division — which included 13 months deployed to Iraq — was among the highlights of his career. He spoke of what it felt like when he put on a uniform bearing the division's nickname of Marne. "It has been my dream come true to affix a uniform every morning that had a Marne patch on the left sleeve and a Marne patch on the right sleeve," he said. "With that patch on, you feel like you should stand a little taller and be better at your responsibilities." The new commander, Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams, comes to Georgia after serving for the past two years as commander of the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.___ Information from: Savannah Morning News, http://www.savannahnow.com The Third Infantry Division Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Robert B. Abrams; In the same ceremony, the Third Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major Jeffrey Ashmen changes responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson.

Photo by Jen Alexander McCall Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams took over command of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart last week and met with reporters Monday. • Yes, he’s that Abrams. The general is the son of the late Gen. Creighton Abrams Jr., who commanded forces in Vietnam and was the namesake of the Abrams tank. • A coastal community is a welcome change after two years in the desert. Abrams and his family already have made their way to the beach and gotten their seafood fix. “My son and I were in heaven,” he said. • He’s well-schooled. Abrams has a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy, a master’s in administration from Central Michigan University, and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. • PT is still on the schedule. The general often can be found at the gym before dawn or on the trail for a sturdy 25-minute run. Abrams is enthusiastic about being part of the 3rd Infantry Division; as a “soldier’s soldier” he embraces division life. “Being in a division means being around soldiers who, every day their days are consumed by preparing for deployment and contingencies. It’s a different culture than our generating force,” he said. “I’m a soldier first; I’ve been described as a ‘muddy boots’ kind of guy.” The quality of leadership at Fort Stewart is a crucial element for Abrams as he leads the division into new territory. “Our job is to inspire and motivate,” he said. “I’m a leader by example and I want them to lead by example.” © 2011 Bryan County Publishing - All Rights Reserved

John R. Love, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division May 1944  to December 1944, Receives French Legion of Honor for his Combat Service in France On 2 April 2011 Mr. John R. Love of Freeport, Pennsylvania was awarded the French Legion of Honor by Honorary Consul of the French Republic Mr. Jean-Dominique Le Garrec.  The medal was presented at a small ceremony in Mr. Love’s lovely home with family members in attendance to witness the grand event. L to R:  Tim Stoy, Consul Le Garrec, John R. Love, Roberta Love, Monika Stoy. Click here for full story

The Battle of the Colmar Pocket Seminar 3-5 December 2010 by Monika Stoy Between 3 and 5 December 2010 Outpost Europe and the Embassy of the Republic of France hosted historical seminars and commemorative activities in Arlington, Virginia commemorating the 66th anniversary of the Battle of the Colmar Pocket. The seminars were conducted in the Hyatt Arlington Hotel in Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia. We were all greatly honored to be joined by MG Eldon Regua, Commander of the 75th Battle Command Training Division, descendant of the 75th Infantry Division; MG Randall Marchi, Commander of the 28th Infantry Division; and Colonel Hoffman representing MG Cucolo of the 3rd Infantry Division, to honor our veterans and commemorate the battle. Click here for full report.

 

Army Email:

The Army is implementing a new email system that will increase storage capacity, but users must clean house before the move. The new Enterprise Email system will give soldiers and civilians one email address for the duration of their career, instead of having addresses that are linked to location or unit. It will also allow a user to look up other users anywhere in the world — not possible with the current system. Michelle Curtis, 5th Signal Command director of plans and engineering, said email storage will increase to 4 gigabytes with the new system, 40 times the current capacity of 100 megabytes. Users will no longer scramble to delete old emails because of a "can‘t send because you have exceeded your quota" message. But before the move, ―lessons learned have shown that users will need to reduce their inbox to no more than 50 meg, which will greatly speed the changeover, according to a spokesman for the contractor helping with the switch. Soldiers and Army civilian workers are scheduled to migrate to the new system by the end of the year. Many Army components stateside have already switched. Other service branches also will move to the new email system, but no time frame has been established, according to Department of Defense officials. Other changes include access from any authorized, Common Access Card-enabled computer and use of Outlook Web Access. With 1.4 million Army unsecured or NIPRNet mailboxes and 200,000 users of the military‘s secure network, known as SIPRNet, to migrate, the changes will be implemented in stages. Everyone will have an address that ends in @mail.mil. The first part of an email address will also identify whether a person is a civilian, servicemember or contractor. [Source: Stars and Stripes Mark Patton article 28 Apr 2011 ++]

Artwork Courtesy of Eric Vandroux To see PDF presentations Click Here Presentation September 2011 Part II Presentation September 2011 Part III Presentation September 2011 Part IV Presentation September 2011 Part V Presentation September 2011 Part VI Presentation September 2011 Part VII Presentation September 2011 Part VIII

 

James Arness, Actor and WWII 3ID Vet, Dies

Not only was James Arness an actor famous for his portrayal of Marshall Matt Dillon, he was also a true patriot who served in the 3rd ID, 2-7 Inf. in WWII in Anzio earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Marne Soldiers never leave a fallen comrade, and we wish to express our sincere sympathy and are grateful for his service in the Marne Division.

 

A tribute to Frank L. Kane, Combat Medic, 3rd Infantry Division veteran of WW2  He made 5 amphibious landings from Sicily to Anzio Beachhead in 1944. He was treasurer of the John Cole OP# 2 for nine years.  Frank celebrated his 89th birthday this month. He is legally blind but does have some sight in his right eye. Otherwise He is the same very pleasant , happy gentleman

Outpost 60 Spring Meeting Picture showing Bob Bailey of OP 60 shown making a presentation to Col. Johnnie L. Johnson Commander 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, a book covering the history of the Third Infantry Division during WWII from start to finish. Outpost 60 had a great meeting this past Saturday March 12th at Ryan's Family Restaurant in Columbus, Ga. We had a total of 36 present including one guest from OP 2 in Florida. Jim T. Bloodworth, Sr. The meeting was opened by prayer led by Col (ret) Earl McCrary followed by the pledge to the American Flag in unison by all. Capt Harry Irving introduced all the officers in attendance followed by everyone stating their names. Bailey gave the Secretary report and other information. the following was given in the report before the members and guest. finance report met approval.   Members were informed of the increase of the membership dues that were going into effect immediately to $25.00. National would get $20.00 and the Outpost would get $5.00. This was due to the increase of postage, returned copies of Watch with bad addresses, and other things involved getting the Watch ready to be mailed out to all members. Bailey also bought up the new bumper stickers and decals. He explained how all donations were going to be used. All donations for the bumper stickers would go to National to pay for the printing and postage of them. Once that money is paid back in full to National, then all donations for bumper stickers will go directly to the Scholarship Fund. All donations now for the decals will go directly to the Scholarship Fund.   Members were reminded of the National Reunion to be held in New Orleans as well as the Nomination for the two (2) Eastern Regional Executive Committee members. Bailey encouraged each to take a few minutes and vote if there were to be a ballot published. The Outpost 60 officers will have to be voted on in July. There are two officers to vote for. They are your President and your Secretary/Treasurer. Question concerning the monument at Ft Benning was asked and Bailey asked for Capt Harry Irving who has been working on this with Bob Poydashaff and Bailey to give a little insight on what was going on.   The following officers not only received an  Outpost 60 coin from the Outpost each received a Two (2) year free membership into the Society and also Outpost 60.   Col Johnnie L. Johnson, Jr. Commander 3rd HBCT 3rd Infantry Division SGM  Tydious McCray Command Sergeant Major 3rd HBCT 3rd Infantry Division LTC Monica Burnhausher Commander  Brigade Support Battalion  (BSB) LTC Steven George Commander Brigade Special Troops Battalion  (BSTB) LTC Nelson Kraft  commander  1st Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment   (Can Do) LTC John Pirog Commander  2nd Battalion 69th Armor  (Panther) LTC James Willard Commander  1st Battalion  10th field Artillery  (Rock Support) LTC Andrew Hilmes Commander 3rd Squadron 1st Cavalry Regiment   (Blackhawk) LTC Hilmes was not able to make the meeting  but will still receive his membership card and coin.   This was a very good meeting as everyone mingled and got to talk and know each other before the meeting. Lunch was ready and waiting for all to dig in. Our next meeting will be at the Olive Garden in Columbus, Ga. in July. Rock of the Marne Bob Bob Bailey, OP 60 Secy/Treas.

Outpost 60 June 11th Meeting

Outpost 60 held its regular meeting Saturday June 11th in Columbus, Ga. We met at Mrs Cindy's Restaurant and everyone enjoyed a very good hot country style cooking. The meeting was called to order by Bob Bailey with the pledge to the American flag in unison. Opening prayer was given by Mary Anne Bailey. Bailey welcomed all members and guests to the meeting. He asked for all guests to stand and let everyone know who they were. This was followed by the OP finance report and all correspondence. Bob Poydasheff, the Society National JA gave a brief report on the monument movement. He also report to the members present of the article in the Watch on the Rhine concerning the movement of the monument. It was mentioned that if every active duty soldier and all retirees could give anywhere from $1.00 up to $5.00 each, we would have the funds to move the monument. It is possible that we could get enough funds to add another wing to honor the soldiers of the Iraq and Afghan tours. A new member Cpl Tavarse Anderson joined the Outpost Saturday also. Bob Poydasheff, Bob Bailey and Capt Harry Irving have been working hard trying to get this project completed. The door prize was a book written by a member of the Society, Frank T. De Angelo. The book called (Greetings from the President) was won by CSM Angel Ortiz of the 1/15th CAV. No further business, the meeting was adjourned to enjoy a very good and hot country style meal. There was a lot of good socializing and we got to meet a lot of new people. Bob Bailey, Secy/Treasurer

 

Plaque Dedication in Nuernberg Highlights Delegation Visit to Germany and France By C. Monika Stoy, President, Outpost Europe
An eight person delegation comprised of two WWII 3rd Infantry Division veterans, four soldiers representing the Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, and two Society members from Outpost Europe participated in Memorial Day Ceremonies at Aisne-Marne and Oise-Aisne America Cemeteries on 29 May and in a plaque dedication ceremony in Nuernberg on 31 May 2011.  Colonel, retired, William E. Ryan, Jr. who was Lieutenant with the 15th Infantry and Mr. John J. Miller, II, who served with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry represented all the WWII veterans of the 3rd Infantry Division, while LTC Todd Kelly, CSM Cedric Burns, SFC Allen, and SPC Montis represented Major General Abrams and Command Sergeant Major Watson of the 3rd Infantry Division.   Monika and Tim Stoy organized the trip to Europe and coordinated participation in these highly symbolic events.             The plaque dedication in Nuernberg was the result of four years of determined effort to convince the city that it would be the appropriate way of honoring the soldiers who freed the city from Nazi oppression, only after four days of intense combat between 17 and 20 April 1945.  Lord Mayor Ulrich Maly of Nuernberg only recently decided to dedicate the plaque and to have it emplaced on perhaps the most symbolic location in the city, the Tribune of Zeppelin Field, from where Hitler harangued the party masses during the Nazi Party rallies in the 1930s, and where five Marne soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor on 22 April 1945.              At the solemn ceremony held under a gray and threatening sky, Lord Mayor Maly expressed the city’s gratitude to their liberators of long ago, as well as declaring the city’s determination to fulfill its historic duty of educating future generations of Germans and all other world citizens on the evils and dangers of Nazism and fascism. Monika thanked the Lord Mayor and the city for the honor they paid our veterans and those of the 45th Infantry Division who fought so hard to expel the Nazis from Nuernberg.  She also quoted German educator Wilhelm von Humboldt, “only those who remember the past have a future” as she endorsed the educational intent of the memorial plaque which is prominently mounted on the side of the tribune.  Monika also addressed the four generations present that day and what they have contributed or are expected to contribute to history – the war generation which began the process of rebuilding at the end of the war, their children who completed the rebuilding of Europe and the transatlantic partnership, the current generation of adults who must maintain the legacy passed on from their parents and grandparents to ensure their children, the fourth generation, never forget the lessons of WWII.              Along with Lord Mayor Maly, Colonel Ryan, Mr. Miller, LTC Kelly, CSM Burns and Monika placed wreaths at the base of the plaque remembering the sacrifice of those who fought and those who suffered in the Nuernberg fighting.              Many friends of the Society and the division, as well as soldiers from Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels, including the Grafenwoehr Garrison Commander, COL Smiley, attended the ceremony. Members of the the Sergeant Morales Club of Hohenfels under SFC McClure and members of the Grafenwoehr Garrsion Color guard provided color guard support, while a local musical ensemble, Black Blazer, provided musical accompaniment for the ceremony.  The city also hosted a luncheon in honor of the delegation after the ceremony.  The day concluded with tours of the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds for ceremony participants and guests and of the Nuernberg trials courtroom and museum led by Dr. Eckhardt Dietzfelbinger, historian for the documentation center.              Prior to the Nuernberg ceremony the delegation first travelled to Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial and to pay respects to our WWII Marne soldiers buried there. It was the first time for our soldiers from Fort Stewart.  We then travelled to Chateau-Thierry, France to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies at two World War I American cemeteries:  Aisne-Marne (Belleau Wood) and Oise-Aisne.  The two cemeteries are the final resting place for over 700 Marne soldiers, most of who were killed in the fighting on the Marne River on 15 July 1918.  The morning of 29 May the delegation joined the Commandant of the US Marine Corps, numerous local dignitaries, and the US Ambassador in honoring our WWI dead at Aisne-Marne cemetery.  Among the many wreaths placed that morning were two from the Marne Division, one of behalf of the Society placed by Monika Stoy with the assistance of our two WWII veterans, and the other on behalf of the Division by LTC Kelly and CSM Burns.  It was a great sight to see two 3ID patches in a sea of flowers! Colonel Robert Rider, British Army, and his family joined us for the day - Rob is a longtime friend of the Stoys from their period of service in Hamburg, Germany. The group was also joined by Mr. John Claude Routard, OP Europe member from the South of France and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Merveille, also of Southern France.             After the ceremony concluded the delegation visited the nearby American Monument above Chateau-Thierry, from which one can view the entire valley of the Marne!  The delegation then visited the Division’s memorial in Chateau-Thierry itself             That afternoon the delegation travelled to Aisne-Marne cemetery to participate in the ceremony there.  This cemetery contains almost three times as many total graves as neighboring Aisne-Marne.  The 5th Signal Command of United States Army Europe provided the honor platoon and ceremony support for the service. Again, wreaths were placed on behalf of the Society and the Division.  Our veterans were very popular with local French guests and with French re-enactors.               While in the Marne region the group visited the Memorial to the Battles of the Marne in Dorman, hosted by the director of the Museum and Memorial, Mr. Jean-Claude Robert who is also a member of the Society.  This is a solemn and impressive memorial which reminds all who visit of the great cost the Marne battles to the French and puts the 3rd Infantry Division’s role on the Marne in 1918 into perspective.  The group also drove along the Marne and got an appreciation for the terrain and the severity of the combat along the division’s front in July 1918.              The delegation’s European program after Nuernberg included visits to Bamberg, where we received a personally guided tour by Dr. Heidrun Alzheimer, a long-time friend of the Stoys; Berchtesgaden and the Obersalzberg to see this historic area and view the two plaques the outpost has placed there.  The trip concluded with a visit to Bad Brueckenau where the delegation was hosted by Mayor Meyerdierks during the town’s 30th annual town festival and where we had the pleasure of once again meeting Colonel Hans Rohrmueller, former mayor of Bad Brueckenau, and longtime friend of the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany.  Bad Brueckenau plans to dedicate a plaque next year honoring the 3rd Infantry Division’s Cold War posting in nearby Wildflecken.  Many American families of soldiers stationed in Wildflecken lived in Bad Brueckenau and formed a vital part of the community, leaving behind fond memories which many of their German friends still cherish.

 

OP Europe Conducts Fourth Annual Flag-Raising Ceremony on the Obersalzberg
On 5 May Outpost Europe once again re-enacted the 5 May 1945 flag-raising ceremony on the Obersalzberg at the 3ID commemorative tablet behind the Intercontinental Berchtesgaden Resort hotel.  This year three Marne veterans participated – John J. Miller, II; Robert Dutil; and John Keller, with his daughter, Tina Keller.  The group was also joined by Marjorie and Dennis Hatchell and their friends Rick and Leslie Deichl.  Marjorie is the niece of T/SGT Herman Engel, who was KIA on 24 December 1944 on Hill 351 as a member of the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry.  She became a Society member after attending the Battle of the Colmar Pocket Seminar last December.                The honored guest speaker for this year’s ceremony was Lieutenant General, retired, Keith Dayton, Director of the Marshall Center for European Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany.  General Dayton served with the 3rd Infantry Division as the Division Artillery Commander in 1994-1995.  US Consul General David Tribble from Munich also participated as an honored guest, delivering US Ambassador Murphy’s comments.  Bavarian Interior Minister Hermann also sent his comments.  The hotel staff once again proved wonderful hosts, and we were honored to have been hosted by Dr. Bernhard Oswald from the Bavarian State Bank in Munich who has been a staunch supporter of Outpost Europe the past four years.  Mountain Infantry Battalion 232 of the German Army provided a color guard for the event, and was represented by the Battalion Executive Officer, LTC Koehl while the 23rd Mountain Brigade was represented by LTC Rambold.  Especially poignant this year was the inclusion of a combined US-German POW/MIA ceremony as well as a combined US-German Color Guard.               The 1-91st Reconnaissance Squadron of the 173rd Airborne Brigade from Schweinfurt, Germany provided the color guard under the command of SSG Rieger, and a delegation of officers and senior noncommissioned officers from Schweinfurt under the leadership of Schweinfurt Garrison Commander LTC Everett Spain added immeasurably to the solemnity of the occasion.               The ceremony on the Obersalzberg was the high point of an almost 2 week long trip.  The initial week  included being received by the city of Augsburg on 28 April (the anniversary date of the city’s liberation in 1945; a visit to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuernberg on29 April); a visit to Wuerzberg, former home of 3ID HQ; a several day sojourn in Bad Brueckenau near Wildflecken Training Area which included a tour of the spa in the town itself, a visit to the former US facilities at Wildflecken, and a luncheon hosted by  Mayor Brigitte Meyerdierks; participation in the Bad Brueckenau town festival celebrating May Day and the raising of the May Pole; a reception of our veterans and group by the city of Salzburg, Austria in the Mirabel Palace by Mayor Dr. Heinz Schaden; a tour of the Salzburg Army Garrison museum; an office call with the US Consul General in Munich in the consulate; and a private tour of the Kehlsteinhaus/Eagle’s Nest.                On 6 May the group travelled to Ammerschwihr in Alsace, France, and was received by Mayor Jean-Marie Fritsch and several members of his village council.  After a short commemorative ceremony at the 3ID plaque in Ammerschwihr we were hosted for a wine tasting and dinner at Kuehn’s winery.  The dinner was a traditional Alsatian specialty, Baeckeoffa, and was prepared personally by Mayor Fritsch and his wonderful wife, Francoise.  Our host was very generous, allowing us all to taste all the wine we wanted!  7 May was spent in traveling the former battlefields of the Colmar Pocket, with stops to show our veterans many of the 3ID plaques communities have dedicated the past two years, including Holtzwihr, Kientzheim, and Kaysersberg.  That evening we were received by the Mayor of Ostheim, Mayor Roger Fritsch, in the conference room of the town hall, which is adorned with a picture of MG Iron Mike O’Daniel and has the division color prominently displayed.  8 May we again joined the villagers of Ostheim for their official V-E Day ceremony, placing a wreath at the town’s monument.                On 9 May, as we traveled to Frankfurt for our departure the following day, we spent several hours at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, being well-received by Superintendent Gerald Arsenault. It was a particularly poignant visit as Marjorie was able to pay her respects to the uncle she had never met.  Herman Engel had been her mother’s favorite brother, and Marjorie related to us how her mother never really recovered emotionally from her brother’s death.  One of the stops the group had made on 7 May was on the terrain where Herman Engel fell on 24 December 1944, the north side of Hill 351.  The group also paid respects at the graves of LT Waybur, 3ID Medal of Honor recipient; CPT Paul Harris, B/1/15th Infantry Commander KIA on 19 March 45; Lt Louis Lombardi, 30th Infantry who was KIA going through the Siegfried Line; and LTC Montgomery C. Meigs, III, father of former 3ID Commanding General  Montgomery C. Meigs, IV. LTC Meigs was killed in December 1944 while commanding an armored battalion of the 12th Armored Division.                It was a very full two weeks but Outpost Europe was very proud of the outstanding receptions our veterans received at each and every location we visited.  Planning is already underway for next year’s ceremony on the Obersalzberg, which will be the fifth anniversary of the dedication of the 3ID memorial tablet.  This special event is by invitation and prior coordination only, so if you are interested in participating, please contact me. C. Monika Stoy President Outpost Europe

 

John R. Love, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division May 1944  to December 1944, Receives French Legion of Honor for his Combat Service in France On 2 April 2011 Mr. John R. Love of Freeport, Pennsylvania was awarded the French Legion of Honor by Honorary Consul of the French Republic Mr. Jean-Dominique Le Garrec.  The medal was presented at a small ceremony in Mr. Love’s lovely home with family members in attendance to witness the grand event. L to R:  Tim Stoy, Consul Le Garrec, John R. Love, Roberta Love, Monika Stoy. Click here for full story

Last Update January 20, 2012

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