d o g f a c
e s o
l d i e r s A photographic
journey of the
Third Signal Co. of the 15th Regt of the U.S. Third
Infantry Division-
WWII
by Denis Toomey
This is a picture of my uncle, Sgt Robert W. (Bob) Hansen from
Barnesboro, Pa. He served in the 7th Infantry Regiment 3rd Infantry
Division from June 1943 to November 1943.He was wounded on Mount La Difensa, Italy on November 13th,1943. After he was
discharged from the hospital the Army transferred
him to the 16th Traffic Regulation Transportation
Corp. He died in 1949 at the age of 27.
Thank You,
Michael Donovan
Edward J. O'Rourke,
Jr., 3rd Div., 30th Inf. Reg., Co. G
These are photos of my father, Edward J. O'Rourke, Jr., 3rd Div.,
30th Inf. Reg., Co. G receiving his Silver Star. He is the tall guy
in the photos and a S/Sgt. I think they were taken on 8 May 1945.
Other than Lt. Gen. Keyes and my father, I don't know the names of
the others in the photos. If anyone can identify the other people,
please email me at
fhor@twcny.rr.com .
Thanks,
Fred O'Rourke
Greene
County veteran of World War II still waiting for Purple Heart
By Bethany Nolan 331-4373 |
bnolan@heraldt.com
Leonard Wayne McIntosh was badly wounded in World War II
BLOOMFIELD —
5/24/2009
Leonard Wayne McIntosh was only 18 years old when he clambered down
a ship’s rope ladder in steel helmet and combat boots, 70-pound pack
on his back, Thompson submachine gun in hand, and swam for shore.
Part of a wave of U.S. Army infantrymen who landed at Oran, Africa,
in World War II, he recalled that day clearly: “It was either swim
or drown.” So he swam, shedding some of his equipment along the way.
He hit the beach, shot his way through the protective covering that
was waterproofing his weapon, and dug into a foxhole.
Then,
he watched in horror as a buddy was shot between the eyes and
killed.
More
than 60 years later, that memory brought tears to his eyes. “Some of
this stuff still hurts,” McIntosh continued, breathing deeply as he
wiped his eyes. “You see a lot of things in the Army you don’t want
to remember.”
War
His
men with A Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, worked their way around
the coast, joining up with General Patton’s Third Army in Tunisia.
The combat was hell, the infantrymen going up against German general
Rommel’s Panzer tank divisions. It was during one of those battles
that McIntosh recalled seeing another of his buddies — a Cherokee
from Oklahoma who carried a knife in a sheath between his shoulder
blades and practiced throwing it at trees during what little down
time the soldiers had — run up the side of a tank, yank open the
turret and drop in a grenade.
The
fighting was worst at Anzio, Italy, he said. “They had probably half
their forces backing them up,” he said of the German soldiers. “We
wouldn’t nomore than repel an attack until there’d be another one
come. They tried to push us off the sand, back into the water. But
we didn’t go.” McIntosh was wounded there, taking shrapnel to his
left hand and upper thigh. The bluish pieces of metal in his hand
are visible there today, as close to the surface as his memories.
Soldiers Leonard Wayne McIntosh, left, and his buddy Walter Keegan
pose for a photo during World War II. Courtesy photo
There
are other recollections. He can remember swimming across the Tiber
River, towing a line that his fellow soldiers then used as a guide
to cross the water. And when his unit arrived in Corsica, he saw the
body of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini hanging in an archway.
Even
darker memories include helping liberate the Buchenwald
concentration camp. He walked among the ovens full of ash, and saw
the people who’d been imprisoned there. “They were just so skinny,
it was pitiful,” he said. “It looked like the bones was coming out
of them.”
Injury
Then
came a turning point for McIntosh. In France, as part of a planned
rear attack on the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge, he and a
fellow soldier were ordered to take out a sniper in a building. But
once inside, the heavy stone walls crashed down around them,
possibly from artillery fire. “I came to in the 17th General
Hospital in London, England,” he said. “And I can’t tell you to this
day how I got there.”
Doctors said both his back and neck were broken, and he’d never walk
again. But after surgery using part of his ankle bone to fuse his
spine, McIntosh proved them wrong. After that, he said, he worked
for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, where he
was chauffeur for Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. And while he didn’t
know it at the time, Army officials had sent a telegram home
reporting him missing in action. His dad, Webster D. McIntosh,
didn’t tell his mother, Luna, instead folding the notice inside his
billfold, keeping the secret. Months later, when father met son at
the Bloomfield train depot, the elder man tossed away that worn
scrap of paper. “He took this telegram out of his billfold and said
‘I guess I won’t need this anymore,’” McIntosh said.
Infantrymen of the 3rd Infantry Division rest beside a railroad near
the town of Larnod, France, during World War II after having been
relieved, according to a caption in a yearbook for the division.
Bloomfield veteran Leonard Wayne McIntosh is the soldier marked with
a red letter X.
U.S. Army Photo
Home
After
McIntosh returned home, he was hanging out with friends on the
square in Bloomfield — known as the place to see and be seen on
Saturday nights — when he spotted Oaklene, a pretty girl from
Plummer. The two married May 10, 1947, and have four sons and one
daughter. Oaklene, now 80, is well-known in the community, having
served as county treasurer for eight years and as Richland Township
Trustee for 14 years. The two live in a cozy ranch-style home north
of Bloomfield, their green expanse of lawn filled with peaceful
silence broken only by the twitter of birds. On one wall of the
living room is a shadowbox holding a small blurry black-and-white
snapshot of McIntosh in his military garb, and a Combat Infantry
Badge. It also holds two Bronze Stars, the first for the campaign in
Africa, the other for Europe.
Former Monroe County veterans service officer John Tilford, a family
friend, helped McIntosh get his medals despite a fire that destroyed
much of his military paperwork. But the military has refused to
award him a Purple Heart, the medal for service personnel wounded or
killed, despite requests for reconsideration from congressmen Baron
Hill and Brad Ellsworth. Now 84, and using a wheelchair much of the
time due to deterioration in his spine caused by his war wounds,
McIntosh isn’t sure he’ll live to see the medal.
Greatest generation
Despite the memories that haunt his mind and the injuries that
burden his body, McIntosh’s sense of duty remains strong. “If I had
to go back and was able to do it again for my country, my family,
I’d do it,” McIntosh said. He paused, adding, “But I consider myself
very fortunate to be alive.” He continued, “I always said if I got
back home, I was never going to leave.” Gesturing at Oaklene on the
couch near his chair, he said, “And you can ask her. We haven’t gone
too far.”
Webmaster's Note: Pvt Leonard W. McIntosh was a member of the 30th
Infantry Regiment.
A special thanks
to Jeremy Hogan of the Bloomington, IN Herald Times online for
sending this story to us.
jhogan@heraldt.com
World War II veteran
has the heart of a hero — but no Purple Heart
With records lost in fire, McIntosh can’t get the medal he
earned
By Andy Graham 331-4215 |
agraham@heraldt.com
Leonard shows where the shrapnel is still in his hand
November 23, 2008: It turned out Army
veteran Leonard “Wayne” McIntosh has been carrying around some
unexpected pieces of metal all these years, unwelcome souvenirs from
his World War II infantry service. But he’s missing a bit of metal
and ribbon many think he should have — the Purple Heart.
Shrapnel fragments left over from the war were discovered three
years ago when McIntosh underwent an MRI procedure that heated them
up inside his body. “They got really hot,” McIntosh recalled.
Did he call out to alert the attending medical staff? “No,” he
said. “You’re supposed to stay still” during the procedure.
Bloomfield resident McIntosh, who served with the 15th Regiment of
the U.S. Third Infantry Division in Europe, is similarly stoic about
war wounds that took chunks of his head, left thigh and left index
finger. Then there were the broken back and broken neck suffered
when the stone wall of a French farm house collapsed onto him from
artillery fire.
McIntosh is low-key regarding the U.S. Army Board of Correction for
Military Records’ refusal to award him a Purple Heart, the medal
given to service personnel wounded or killed. Democratic congressmen
Baron Hill and Brad Ellsworth co-signed a request that the military
reconsider its denial of a Purple Heart for McIntosh, apparently to
no avail, but McIntosh seems at peace with it all.
“I got a report from both of them (Hill and Ellsworth) and neither
could see why in the world I didn’t have it,” McIntosh said by phone
from his home. “I know they’ve worked on it, and I appreciate that.
But just a couple of weeks ago, I got a notice (from the correction
board) saying to forget it, because the records had burned in a fire
in St. Louis.
“So I really think I got a screwing on that Purple Heart but, heck,
I got a Bronze Star (a medal awarded for bravery or meritorious
service) from the North African landing, when we went into Oran, and
another Bronze Star from the European Theater. I just don’t have
that Purple Heart. But, shoot, if it’s going to be that much of a
hassle for them, they can keep it. I’ll get by.”
Degenerative problems with his back, stemming from his encounter
with the stone wall in France, have now forced McIntosh to use a
wheelchair. His son, Kenny, came along to help his dad get around
during the Nov. 12 Hoosier Honor Flight visit to Washington, D.C.
The flight was an expense-free, one-day excursion allowing veterans
to visit the World War II Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and
other sights in the area.
John Tilford, Col. U.S. Army, Ret., who helped orchestrate the
Hoosier Honor Flight, remains incredulous that McIntosh is without a
Purple Heart. Tilford knows official military records regarding
McIntosh’s injuries are apparently lost, but cites existing Veterans
Administration exam records from 1947 showing the effects of
McIntosh’s combat wounds.
Tilford didn’t bother veiling his sarcasm in an e-mail last week
reacting to the Army board of correction’s denial of McIntosh’s
case: “Maybe he was hit by indirect fire near Bloomfield during the
18 months between being discharged at Camp Atterbury and the VA
exam.”
My name is CPT Heather Peterson. I am
resending this photo that my uncle sent to your site of my grandfather.
Unfortunately, my uncle passed away about a year and a half ago and I do not
know if he received any responses from this picture. My grandfather (is the SSG
in the photo at the bottom right) was in 3rd ID during WWII. I will be heading
to Ft Stewart to be a member of the 3rd ID this summer and am looking for more
information on my grandfather. His name is John G. Lynch. I know he was injured
during the war, but again, I do not have any information of where or when he was
injured. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me. Thank you in
advance.
I first wish to commend you for your site. It is full of
great information and very easy to navigate. My family and I
are creating a family history and your site has been very
useful in tracking my fathers WWII tour of duty.
My father, Robert A Dennin of Harrison, NJ, passed in
1986. He was a Tech Sergeant in the 601st TD from 1942
through 1945 and served from Morocco to Austria. He received
a Bronze Star with palm somewhere in that time but I am not
sure what for. He seldom spoke of the War but was always
proud of his service and of his attachment with the 3ID. I
have pasted a photo of him for your use if you wish.
W. Mallory "Cocky" Cockrell, Service Battery, 41st Field
Artillery Battalion North Africa to Austria.
He was awarded a Bronze Star for actions in Italy and The Colmar Pocket.
SFC Charles Cronenworth Jr.
Easter at Anzio - 1944 from Donald R. Christian
3ID /
15th Infantry / Regular Army: California, Washington,
"Fedala to Salzburg" –
People Jo Kindlarski met in the 3ID
Ruth and Jo Kindlarski
Jo
Kindlarski, my father, was always connected to this 3ID division,
sometimes to various HQ and at other times to the 15th Infantry, 2nd
Battalion, Company G between 1940-1947 during “The walk from Africa to
Germany". These are some of the photographs that he kept for up to
67 years, as this was the definitive experience of his life, by far.
If the photo is in poor quality, Jo carried it in his wallet at the
frontlines at some point. The names of soldiers that Jo Kindlarski
fought with in Italy are also described in the book, “Artist at War:
Tunisia-Sicily-Italy” by George Biddle, by name and actual quotes
for this Battalion in Italy. See the Father/Padre Moore photo.
- Kate
Kindlarski, September 2007
War Biography
for JOSEPH KINDLARSKI September 3, 1917 – May 16, 2006
Jo Kindlarski
was born Sept. 3, 1917 in Hamtramck, Michigan, and died
peacefully of natural causes at the home where he lived for 56
years on May 16, 2006, at the age of 88. Jo enlisted in 1940 in
the Army before the United States entered World War II, called
“regular” army. After the fighting ended, Jo was a
Non-Commissioned Officer with the 7782nd Special Troops in
Berlin, where he met his future wife, a Third Infantry Division
Staff Sergeant, Ruth Hacke. After his discharge in 1947, their
50 year marriage began in 1948, when they moved near his wife’s
home town to Sheffield Lake, Ohio.
Jo fought from
Africa to Germany with the Third Division, 15th Infantry, 2nd
Battalion, Company G, and was attached to various Headquarters
within the 15th/3ID. Jo
was one of the longest-serving soldiers in WWII, and one of the
few infantry Rifleman men that survived so many major campaigns
and battles, especially in the early years of WWII. He earned 2
Hershey Bars, each representing 3 years of military service, and
7 Eisenhower Stripes, each representing 6 months of active
combat (3.5 years) during his 6.5 years of service.
Jo fought in 7
invasions and 13 campaigns, however the government stopped
issuing ribbons after these 9 campaigns: French Moroccan,
Tunisian, Sicilian, Naples, Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France,
Rhineland, Central European Bronze Service Arrowhead for
Southern France landing and Fedala (Morocco), and French
Moroccan landing. He fought in Algeria-French Morocco, Algeria,
Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Sardina, France, and Germany. This
included these legendary battles such as the Kassarine Pass
(Feb. 14-22, 1943; oral history only) in Tunisia, Casablanca-Fedala,
Sicily, Salnero, Acerno, Naples, Mt. Rotundo (Cassino-Migano),
Anzio-Cisterna-Rome and Southern France. Jo’s German battles
included the Winter War at Strasbourg, the Colemar Pocket/Battle
of the Bulge (Dec. 16, 1944 – Jan. 16, 1945), and crossing the
Rhine River near Heidelberg, Germany, and the Battle of Nurnberg
(April 17-20, 1945).
Jo earned the
following medals and ribbons, in order of importance: Bronze
Star Medal (1944), Purple Heart, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, 2nd Oak
Leaf Cluster, (wounded three times, Aug 1943 in Sicily, and Feb
and March 1944 in Italy), American Defense Service Ribbon
(1942), Euro-African Mid-East Campaign Medal (EAME) Service
Ribbon (1944), World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation
Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct
Medal (1944). He also received 2 distinguished Unit Citations
and the Croix de Guerre, with Fourragere braided rope, a high
military award from France.
Jo Kindlarski
was also a bodyguard for George Biddle, a wartime artist and
reporter. Mr. Biddle described U.S army soldiers’ war exploits
in vivid detail, with several drawings and quotations of Jo
Kindlarski in his 1944 book published by Viking Press, “Artist
at War - Tunisia-Sicily-Italy.”
Jo Kindlarski
is best described by a paragraph in the December 9, 1944 letter
awarding him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement
in actual combat:
“On the night
of 8 November 1943, at Mt. Cesima, Italy, Corporal Kindlarski
volunteered to lead a pack train loaded with badly needed
ammunition seven miles through a hazardous enemy artillery
concentration to the forward companies which had repulsed four
enemy counterattacks. At no time was Corporal Kindlarski more
than 400 yards away from the enemy, but despite the relentless
hail of shell fragments that narrowly missed him, and on several
occasions struck the ammunition boxes carried by the mules, he
made his way to the companies and delivered the sorely needed
ammunition.”
Medals and
honors from his military service record never meant that much to
Jo, because he fought as courageously in many other battles
where he wasn’t recognized. Jo always said he witnessed many
fellow soldiers die in the fighting and that all of them
deserved medals, but didn’t matter because none of them were
alive to receive them.
Here are some of their photographs:
California Training 1940-1942
"Patton" Joe in Rabat, Morocco
Artists at War
Jo in Rome, Italy
Fort Lewis 1940-1942
Named Soldiers
Sgt Byers and Sgt De Spain
Ft. Lewis with 15 Inf Regt sign
Ovidio Boschiou
Father Mitchell Kaprowski
Southbridge MA
Bernstein & Sgt. Mc Donald
Unknown Soldiers
Camp Grant, IL
Recruit from Hamtramck, MI
Rifleman Sergeant
No Name Soldiers Section
Here are some of the
names with military rank in Jo Kindlarski’s address book. They may
be the people in these photographs.
1 Lt Col Geo or Leo Paul 9 Schiller St Tel 2064 Guest house near the
Circle Hotel
2 Capt S. More 2659 - 262659
3 Sgt, Everett Johnson Company G, 15th Infantry Fort Geo. Wright
Washington
4 Sgt McQuirk 443 Bleeker St Brooklyn, NY
5 1st Lt, 23rd Corps Artl Paul Sieden NYC #0552514 Military
Intelligence
6 Pfc, Company G, 15th Infantry Harvey Lippincott #37755156
7 Edward Przekota USS Sagamore ATO 20 New York, NY
8 Earl Olmstead 7750 13th Southwest Seattle Wash.
War Buddies
Father Moore-Known as Padre Moore in the book
"Artist at War" by George Biddle
Pfc W. L. Rains
Note written on the back of the Ovidio Boschiou photo
from June 1944.
Smiles Shipping Out
Cpl Ray Jones 15 Inf. Regt. Co H
Jo & 1st Sgt Reecler-Italy
Headquarters
Other names
9 Joseph Gray 5405 South Shields
10 Henry W. Warrnecke Horak, Minn
11 John Kagan Detroit, Mich
12 Jack Krakawski Cleveland, Ohio
13 Mick Visceglio Bronx, NY
14 Jack Caudell Ashville, NC
15 Alexis M.Tournion or Tournien New Orleans, LA
16 Lewis Adams Deeker, Indiana
17 Joe Hill Washington, DC
18 Nick Green Hamtramck, Mich
19 Al Palmer Hamtramck, Mich
20 Lloyd Field Detroit, Mich
Photos from Joe
Fournier of Russ Cloer
Russ in the Colmar Pocket in France..
amphib was
probably at the Rhine River crossing..
his I&R platoon of the 7th Reg...
what's left of a jeep after hitting a tellar mine in France..
Enclosed is a pic of 3 of us, me Joe Fournier on the left, John
Morael, center and Ed Garrow on right.
A few days after the Rhine River crossing I think. Yes, we were a
tired dirty looking bunch but who wasn't.
Pfc Charles Yarnold,
15th Infantry Regiment
I enjoyed your website honoring the 3rd Infantry
Division, and thought I would send you some memorabilia
I have of my father, Pfc Charles Yarnold, 15th Infantry
Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in WWII.
There is an interesting story behind the Photo.jpg.
My mother, who at the time was my father's girlfriend
back home in NJ, was at a theater in Newark, NJ, and
they played the local news from the war front. To my
mothers astonishment, there was a newsreel of my dad
slogging up a hill in Italy. She ran back to the theater
manager, and they made a print of the picture. They were
married when he came home at the end of the war. She
gave the picture, and other memorabilia of my fathers
service in the war, to me 40 yrs later.
My dad was very proud of the time he served in the
3rd Infantry Division.
Yours,
Doug Yarnold
Memories
Newspaper article
Photo.jpg
ID
S/Sgt. Charles Cole Jr.
The pictures I have sent you are of my father
S/Sgt. Charles Cole Jr. of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He was with
Company M of the 7th Infantry Regiment attached to the 3rd Inf.
Division. He was a squad leader of a Mortar unit from what his
papers say. He did not talk much about the war unless someone was
there. He would then talk about it.
He went through the entire war with out any real problems until
March 26, 1945 near Worms, Germany. He states he was standing up
while American artillery was coming in and one fell behind him and a
piece of shrapnel got him in the Butt.
His story went on that when the word came over that the war was
over, he was flat on his stomach in a French area and all the men
were drinking French wine and celebrating and he was unable to
partake in the celebrating. What Luck! At least he came home. I
remember night after night of my father waking up screaming from
nightmares of the war.
Because of him and others like him I have been able to live in the
best country in the world.
I am proud of the fact that from the Revolutionary War to WWII the
COLE family has been involved in bringing freedom to our country.
I would like to say your web page has help me understand better what
my father went through during WWII.
Thanks
Michael C. Cole
Old Hickory, TN
CPL Ralph C. Gerstung 30INF/F
My name is Keith Gerstung, and I am writing to you to inform you
of my father's passing. I am a former Marine and a current member of
American Legion Post 703 in Fox Lake, IL. My father, Ralph C.
Gerstung, was a member of American Legion Post 911 out of Wauconda,
IL for over 10 years but rarely attended meetings due to a prolonged
illness. He was also very proud of his affiliation with the Society
of the 3rd Infantry Division and the Disabled American Veterans
Association. He passed away on September 10th, 2006.
My father was a decorated World War II veteran from 1943-45. He
belonged to the 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry,
Company "F" and served under General Patton and General Eisenhower
as an infantry soldier, mechanic and radioman. In 1944, he was
wounded by enemy fire in France and taken prisoner. He spent the
remainder of the war in captivity in Limburgh, Munich (Stalag 7A)
and Muhlberg (Stalag 4B), Germany, before being liberated by the
Russian army in 1945.
I am extremely proud to have had a father who felt so strongly about
home, family and his country, and I will carry on his traditions and
values until the day I die.
Thank you for your continued support of United States veterans.
Keith C. Gerstung
McHenry, IL
Photos contributed by
Gilles Guignard
Unfortunately I don't know where these pictures were taken and I don't
know the name of the soldiers.
I'm sure 3rd ID people will be glad to see my website. I was told
not so long ago by a 36th vet that "3rd ID soldiers were our brothers - we
fought along together all the way since Italy!"
Ill keep you posted with new photo related to the 3rd ID when I get
some!
Sigolsheim 60th
Anniversary Commemorations
Wreath laying at Sigolsheim Memorial Dec. 12, 2004
"On December 12th the towns of Kientzheim, Kaysesberg,
Ammerschwihr and Sigolsheim will commemorate the 60th anniversary of their
liberation. Indeed they were liberated from Nazi occupation but they were
reduced to a pile of rubble and the civilians had either perished, burnt alive
in their basements, or fled. The towns are located at the exit of the Vosges
Mountains, near the last elevation overlooking the Alsatian plain. The
fighting for the possession of that vantage point was fierce between the SS
and men from the 36th and 3rd US Infantry Divisions.
The toll was heavy and
the Sigolsheim heights were nicknamed "Blutberg" (Bloody Mountain) by the
Germans. The winter weather added to the discomfort. The area is now peaceful
and beautiful and only the French cemetery where hundreds of French colonial
troops are buried reminds us of the vicious battle that was waged here so
Colmar could be liberated without destructions. Close by, an impressive
American monument installed by the Rhine and Danube Association bears witness
to the ties between the two armies: a rare fact in our history, American
divisions fought under the command of the French Army!
The civilians from this area are most thankful to the Americans for their
participation and sacrifices. The town square in Sigolsheim has been named the
Square of the 15th Regiment. Over the course of the years the towns have given
numerous receptions to American veterans. They would like to honor them one
more time for the 60th anniversary. In recent years the weather has been very
decent at this time of the year, unlike the winter of 1944-45. Your presence
at the commemorations on December 12th would be most meaningful. If you think
you are able to attend, please contact the "French connection" and your
occasional tour guide:
Lise Pommois, 8 rue des cerisiers, 67110 Niederbronn, France. Phone and fax:
(country code) + 3 88 09 05 63.
E-mail: pommois@wanadoo.fr.
Everyone will work hard to make your stay a pleasant one.
Lise is a wonderful friend of the Society, and now needs our
help in providing veterans at an important event in France in December. Anyone
who is fortunate enough to be at this commemoration will have a wonderful
time. The French people are truly grateful for all we did in 1944 and early
1945. Thanks for your help.
With warmest regards, John Shirley
The Other D-Day
France Pays Tribute To Soldiers Of Operation Dragoon
By CHRISTINE OLLIVIER
Published on 8/16/2004
Aboard the Charles de Gaulle -- France on Sunday
honored soldiers, including tens of thousands of Africans, who staged an
assault on the French Riviera 60 years ago to break the Nazi grip — one of
the least-remembered military operations of World War II.
Photo by Claude Paris
French President Jacques Chirac, left, awards the Legion of
Honor to American World War II veteran John Shirley, 1Lt 15th Inf. Reg.,
3rd Infantry Division, during a military
ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle Sunday. The
ceremony marked the 60th anniversary of the assault of Allied forces on
the southern shores of France 10 weeks after the Normandy landings.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco, 13 African heads of state and
representatives of eight other nations joined President Jacques Chirac for
the belated tribute to the Aug. 15, 1944, landings in Provence — codenamed
“Operation Dragoon” — which helped change the course of the war.
Aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, anchored off the
Mediterranean port of Toulon, Chirac pinned France's prestigious Legion of
Honor award on the chests of 21 veterans representing countries that had
contributed troops.
Chirac called the landings along France's southern shores a “new stage ...
in the merciless struggle that would decide the fate of our nations” and
said they “opened a major new front.”
“Sixty years ago, at the cost of immense sacrifices, the forces of freedom
pursued their assault to smash the machine of death and hatred that was on
course to enslave Europe,” Chirac said in a speech on the deck of the
Charles de Gaulle.
U.S. soldiers and British paratroopers also were honored in two ceremonies
on Saturday, with 18 among them receiving the Legion of Honor.
Overshadowed by the bigger and bloodier D-Day landings in Normandy 10
weeks earlier, the southern landings have been largely overlooked and are
often referred to as “The Other D-Day.”
While veterans of Operation Dragoon were honored 10 years ago, on the 50th
anniversary, Sunday's ceremony was the first time African vets were so
remembered with such military pomp and fanfare.
White-robed African veterans stood proudly to receive their honors and
kisses on both cheeks from Chirac. Many expressed mixed emotions at being
honored so long after combat.
“Sixty years after, they've remembered. It took a long time,” 83-year-old
Hamady Gadio of Mauritania said at a morning ceremony in the village of
Cavalaire.
In an unusual gesture, the French president also gave a special award, the
Cross of the Legion of Honor, to the city of Algiers, then part of France
and the seat from 1943-1944 of the Provisional Government of the French
Republic — the government of Gen. Charles de Gaulle opposed to the
collaborationist Vichy regime.
Chirac said it was important to recognize the “crucial and singular” role
of Algiers, which had been “the capital of fighting France.”
A Naval parade of 21 French and five foreign ships moved westward from
Antibes to pass the Charles de Gaulle during the ceremony. A dozen
airplanes also flew by.
“Those valiant soldiers came from metropolitan France and from every
horizon of France's overseas empire,” Chirac said. “The sons of your
nations joined their names to the military legend of France and forever
mingled their blood with ours.”
Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, speaking at the ceremony in
Cavalaire, west of Saint Tropez, said the southern landings “marked the
Renaissance of the French army,” fortified by Africans who “united with
Europeans under the French flag.”
While meeting little resistance in many cases, soldiers who took part in
the southern assault then made their way to the more dangerous north
toward Germany.
The chaos of battle has prevented a definitive Allied death toll, but the
French Defense Ministry says 1,300 Allied soldiers died in the operation's
first two days.
Estimates for the numbers of the soldiers who fought in Operation Dragoon,
one of the least remembered operations of World War II, vary widely.
French military experts have put the figure of African soldiers between
50,000 and 120,000. The higher figure would be about half of the French
contingent.
A couple of months ago I received a message from a
friend in Jebsheim France advising me that they knew someone in the Colmar
area that had found an ID bracelet with the name Arthur L. Symonds 39 141
259 and the name Donnie inscribed. They knew that my regiment, the 254th
Infantry Regiment, had been in the area in January 1945 and thought that I
might be able to identify the owner so that it could be returned to them
or their family. Without going into a lot of detail, I was able to locate
the son of Arthur L. Symonds (The father and mother (Donnie) have died).
He was put in contact with the people who found the
bracelet and it is being returned to him. Also the son and his wife will
travel to the Alsace area in January to participate in the 60th
anniversary celebrations of the liberation of that area. Arthur L. Symonds was
in the Third Infantry Division, at least his photo shows him with a 3d Inf
Div patch. I am attaching a copy of the photo to this message. Just
thought you might like to hear the story and have the photo of the 3rd Inf
Div veteran.
Pfc Arthur L. Symonds was a member of the 7th Infantry
Regiment during WWII
Exactly 60 years ago, the
little town of my father was liberated by the “Marne Division”. On the
morning of 16 September, 1944, the 1st battalion 15th
Infantry was the first to entered LURE, near the Vosges mountains. I am
happy to send you some pics about that. I hope you will appreciate them.
Best Regards and God Bless the marnemens
A French friend
Thierry JUIF
Hello, I am French and I have photos of 3rd Division 30 Inf. Regiment
in south of France in 1944 in a village : Mirabel aux Baronnies. These two
photos contributed by Luc Delescluse
Clipping courtesy of Frank Pistone
My uncle FRED MELFI. He was sergeant in the Third Division, and served
from ST.Tropez, France August of 1944 to Manheim, Germany in 1945.
He was in Manheim when Gen. Patton was in the vehicle accident. Also he
has four battle stars with his ribbon. Thank you, Louis Hodgson
louhod@frontiernet.net
Hello from Melbourne, Australia
My name is Sam Cox, I am a collector of WW2 US Army Horse Cavalry from the
second World War.
As you are probably aware the 3rd I.D used ad hoc Cavalry during the campaigns
in Sicily and Italy. Attached are some pics of the unit from the cover of The
Cavalry Journal. The 3rd Provisional Reconnaissance Troop was the brainchild of
Lucian K Truscott and saw action in Sicily, Salerno and Anzio.
Highest regards
Sam Cox,
golpeo_rapidamente@bigpond.com
General Patton explaining to 3ID Officer, his position!
3rd Signal Company Photo
Karl M. Kindt Jr.
Killed in action while fighting in the 3rd Division
in a town called Gadheim, Germany
4/12/1945 killed
buried in St. Avold, Lorraine cemetery
From Russ Cloer
I enjoyed your new pics on the 3rd Div Website. They brought back
memories.
I was at Camp Croft in Spartanburg in October 1943, when
you were
sporting your Camp Croft T shirt as a toddler. I had just graduated
from
Infantry OCS at Fort Benning (9/20/43) and after a 10 day delay in route,
was
sent to Croft for a couple of weeks with a bunch of other new 2nd Lts.
The
Army had a village fighting course there as well as a live grenade range
which Benning didn't have.
The photos of the LST's lined up in
Naples, brought back memories of
being shipped up to the Anzio Beachhead with a group of replacement 2nd Lts.
Infantry, overnight in February 1944. I remember that the one we
boarded had
huge white letters on the transom over the ramp reading, "Gateway to
Glory."
At the time, I didn't think it was funny!
And the LST's for the Southern France D-Day! My
company was loaded
aboard an LCI (photo attached) and at H hour we went over the side on rope
cargo nets into LCVP's.
I
have found 2 pics about 3rd US ID, I join you for the website. hope you
enjoyed...
MITCHY
1st
pic : Private Harold STREICH (3rd ID) Chicago, a military policeman,
searches a bespectacled German prisoner, who with the other Germans in the
background were captured on the Salerno front OCT, 3, 1943
2nd pic : Yanks pass dead German. two
American soldiers (one medic) ,
members of the Third Inf. Div., march past a dead German soldier at the
side
of the road in a hilly section of the Italian front Dec. 18, 1943
I scanned from the collection of photos taken by
Capt. Hugh A. O'Neill, surgeon, 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division.
He passed away last year, but luckily his daughter-in-law, Vickie
O'Neill is
a secretary where I work. She passed along these photos to me to look at
and scan.
The attached photo was taken in an unknown location. I would almost
swear
that the guy in the middle row, second from the left is Audie Murphy. I
just finished reading "To Hell and Back" and I would swear that is
him. I
know he was wounded several times. It makes sense he would have been
around
the 3rd Med. Battalion. for treatment. What do you think? I am
sending this
photo to others for their opinion.
From Steve Mazak
whiskeyhoundog@aol.com
Capt. Hugh A. O'Neill of the 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd
Infantry Division.
In the rear areas at Anzio.
I wanted to
email a photograph of my father while he was in bootcamp at Fort Ord in
1942.
He was a forward observer in the 41st Field Artillery Battalion, Battery A. He
was wounded 3 times.
His name was Jack C. Comer Pfc and is listed in the roster of the 41st Field
Artillery
in the book "History of the Third Infantry Division. He died in
1978.
Jim Comer
G. Murl Conner
Click on name to go to website
A Clinton County
(KY) War Hero
This photo was taken at Cavalaire France 1944.
The pilot in the picture is Wilfred M. Boucher,
formerly of the 41st Field Artillery.
Boucher had an extra fuel tank, and when he switched over to it an air
bubble caused him to stall out and plop in the ocean. The navy put him and his plane on
the beach.
Photo from Dick Fietz with description by Capt. Alfred "Dutch" Schultz pilot of
"Janey" an artillery spotting plane.
By the way, "Dutch" even remembered all the details of Boucher's
mission.
He had a radio on the navy's frequency and was supposed to tell the naval
gunners when to stop firing.
He also told me a story that I had never heard. A plane cut one of our balloons loose and the bomb hanging
from the balloon cable struck and killed a group of German soldiers.
The attached photos are from my late father's WWII album.
If interested you can place in your photo section.
Thanks, Lee Hatfield, Jr.
This photo was taken in February 1943 in North Africa.
Left to right (top) :
Sgt. Walter De Witt (Maine) Leland Dolezal - Ohio, Pfc. Lee E. Hatfield -
New London, Ct.
The 3 "native sons of French Morroco "
are listed as (left to right) :
Allah, Jake, and 'Satchel Mouth'
Salzburg Airport 1945 - German plane -
(l-r) Pfc. Lee Hatfield (2nd Battalion) Sgt. Harry Dotson
Group photo -Salzburg , Austria 1945
left to right (top) - unidentified, Sgt. Harry Dotson (Parkersburg,WV),
Charles Quigley (Newark, NJ)
bottom (l-r) Pfc. Withold Pranckunas, unidentified
7th Regt. 3d Inf. Div. troops at
Berchtesgaden May 1945,
have something to smile about after 3 years of intensive fighting .
Jerry Daddato, OP 18 sent the 1945 June issue of Yank magazine with this photo
on the front page.
Photos by Russ Cloer of invasion of
Southern France
(L) KO'd Sherman tank after German
night attack on 1st Bn. 7th Inf. CP in
Vagney, France.
(R) US ARMY Signal Corps" photo.
From Jeff Danby (grandson to Lt. Edgar Danby of Co. B / 756th Tank Battalion)
:
I just wanted to let you know that the knocked out tank at Vagney, France taken by Lt. Russ Cloer and featured in the "3rd Division Photos--ii" belonged to MOH recipient,
Lt. James "Red" Harris of Company A of the 756th Tank Battalion.
Lt. Harris and most of his crew were killed defending the 3rd Bn / 7th Inf Reg CP (which I believe is the white building in the right
background, left photo). This photo shows the aftermath. The tank appears to have been hit three times. (twice in the transmission plate and once in the bow gunner's visual slot.)
His entire MOH citation can be read on page 382 of the 3rd ID History in WWII book by
Taggert. Attached you will find that 2nd photo of Lt. Harris' tank at Vagney that I told you about. I got this photo from Ed Olson (former communications officer) of the 756th Tank Battalion. He got this photo from the National Archives but no longer had the 111SC number for it.
I have also seen this photo published. In the book M4 Sherman by Michael Green
(Motorbooks International, 1993) this photo appears on page 31.
D Day, H Hour, Southern France from LCI headed for smoke covered
beach.
88mm gun on Red Beach
1, D Day, Southern France
Maurice Elowitch 3rd Division
30th Infantry Regiment
Company L
(Italy, Anzio, Southern France-end of the war.)
Photos taken
just prior to September 1944. Other names not known.
Captured German officer talking to 3rd Division GI.
Concerning this photo which I just sent:
The fellow at the
upper right
is my father, John D. Stavola.
The guy next to him
(2nd from left to right)
is an Italian POW,
as is the guy on the top right.
My Dad, John D. Stavola was an infantryman with the 15th
Inf Reg.,
Co. I, 3rd Batt. He is a member of the 3rd Div. Society and attends many
reunions down in Georgia. He asked me to send along these photos in the
hope that some of his buddies from that time may recognize him.
Hope you can use some of them. Rock of the Marne!
Regards, John A. Stavola amychao@home.com
A Unit Zippo
A Unit Crest
I was assigned to the 3rd combat aviation battalion in
Schweinfurt at Conn Barracks.
The 3rd CAB was headquartered in Kitzingen,
along with Audie Murphy's old unit the 2nd of the 15th Infantry.
Sincerely; Rich Mooney SGT USA RET
First Sgt. Francis Jacob Keller, Company B, 110th Medical Battalion
from Ashland Pennsylvania
at the liberation of Dachau