Contents of
Website

PDF Files in Red

Home Page
TAPS
Current News
& Notices
3ID History, Symbols & Traditions
Reunions,
Events
& Tours
Personal Search
& Requests
Archived News
Outpost News
Constitution &
By-Laws
Society
Membership
Membership
Application
Scholarship Info
Scholarship
Application
Scholarship
By-Laws
Society Officers
Society
Marketplace
Bibliography
of the 3ID
Links
Watch on
the Rhine
Newsletter
3ID Battle Credits
3ID Recipients
of the
Medal Of Honor
Frequently
Asked Questions
Marne Riders
3ID Commanding
Generals
Units with
the 3ID

 

Associations
7th Inf. Regt.
Association
 
15th Inf. Regt. Association Official Website
 
15th Inf. Regt.
Association
Local Website
 
65th Inf. Regt.
A
ssn.
 
10th Field Artillery Regt. Association
 
30th Inf. Regt.
Association
 
OP Harry
Survivors
Association

 

PHOTOGRAPHS
3ID In Iraq-2003
3ID Old Photos in Iraq-2003
 
OIF3 -
3ID in Iraq
2005-6
 
3ID in Iraq
2007-8
3ID in Iraq-
2007-8-

Archive Stories
 
3rd Infantry
Division Photos-
WWI to 1941
 
3rd Infantry
Division Photos-
WWII
More 3ID Photos
WWII
 
3ID Photos -
Korea
 
3ID Photos-
Peacetime
Cold War
 
3ID Photos -
Division & Society
1990-2004
 
3ID Photos -
Active Division
& Society
2005-6
 
3ID Photos -
Active Division
& Society 2007
 
3ID Photos - 
Active Division
& Society 2008
 
3ID Photos  - Active Division & Society 2009
 
3ID Photos-
Re-Enactors
 
WWII Memoirs-
3rd Infantry
Division
 
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
 
WWII Memorial
and Arlington
National Cemetery
 

 

Reunions

84th Annual
2003 Reunion
Photos
 
85th Annual
2004 Reunion
Photos
 
85th Annual
2004 Reunion
Photos
Regt.Dinners
Pres.Dinner
Banquet Awards
Ft.Stewart Tour
 
86th Annual
2005 Reunion
Photos
 
87th Annual
2006 Reunion
Photos
 
88th Annual 2007
Reunion  Page 1
88th Annual 2007
Reunion Page 2
88th Annual 2007
Reunion Page 3
 
89th Annual 2008 Reunion Page 1
89th Annual 2008 Reunion Page 2
89th Annual 2008 Reunion Page 3
 

 

Calendar for 2009

August 10-23, 2009
65th Anniversary
Battlefield Tour
For the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division
Italy, France
 
Sept 16- 20, 2009
90th Annual Reunion
Society of the 3ID
Clarion Hotel
Springfield, MO
Near Branson, MO

All Rights Reserved
©
Rich Heller
1997-200
9

Gardens of Stone 
Every military cemetery has its own name,
But all could be called gardens of stone.
With row after row of white granite markers,
Bearing names of fallen soldiers, except for the unknowns. 

These places are quiet and always well tended
And a reverence and stillness prevails at the scene.
Its almost as if GOD has willed it to be,
to ensure those resting here, have a place that’s serene. 

For many of these dead, who have given their all,
took part in campaigns that did not go well.
And so paid the price that some battles charge,
leaving each cross and star with its story to tell. 

These tales will not be of sought after glory,
for in warfare, only fools have such dreams.
No, the stories will speak of the unfilled lives,
as many lying here, were still in their teens. 

The years will pass by and the gravestones take on age,
and only spirits of sleeping warriors will now roam.
But homage will be paid, down through the years,
by those who know the meaning of these gardens of stone.
 

Donald A. Chase
15th Infantry Regiment

Bugles Across America is a group of thousands of horn players who volunteer their time to play "Taps" at veterans' funerals. The organization's 5,000 members -- which include musicians, drill teams and color guards -- support about 1,000 funerals a month throughout the United States. They also play at other military events, including Veterans Day and Memorial Day observances. Participation in the organization is free, open to everyone able to play "Taps" with dignity and willing to volunteer their time. To find a bugler or volunteer your time to be one, visit the Bugles Across America Website.

Burial and Memorial Index - Military Benefits - 
 Military.com
Click Here or go to this link for a list of Burial and  Memorial Benefits
http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial/index

Last Update July 03, 2009



Last Call

Deceased Society of the 3ID members who passed away after the 89th Annual Reunion in Columbus, GA. Their names will be read Sept. 20 2009 at the Memorial Service at the 90th Annual Reunion in Springfield, MO
Please report the death of any member of the Society of the Third Infantry Division to
Catherine Bacon   PO Box 7069, Hampton, VA 23666
(757) 593-0522 3IDWatch@cox.net

 for listing in the “Last Call” in the "Watch on the Rhine" newsletter.

2004           OP 15    JAMES P. ABELL       WICKENBURG, AZ         39FA/B       WW2
                               DOD- September 25, 2008      Reported March 16, 2009 by his wife Inez

2022          OP 12   ARTHUR M. AHO        McGREGOR, MN         41FA/A BTRY       WW2/1941-45       T4
                              DOD - JUNE 20, 2009       Reported June 28, 2009 by his daughter Sandra Nistler

8076           OP 54   RICHARD G. BARGY      BRENTWOOD, CA      7INF/A/1BN     KOREA/50-53     CPL
                               DOD- Feb. 1, 2009       Reported May 9, 2009 by Margherita Bargy

7632          OP 52   TRUMAN BASTIN       STANFORD, KY      15INF/L      KOREA     CPL
                               DOD - January 11, 2009      Reported March 19, 2009 by Dan Wolfe

6369          OP 60  DONALD L. BENDER      TUSCALOOSA, AL      703MAINT/B     CW      1LT
                                DOD - April 19, 2009        Reported June 22, 2009 by his wife to Bob Bailey

2238            OP 5   KENNETH E. BONNER      OSWEGO, NY       7INF/MED     KOREA     SFC
                               DOD - June 4, 2008      Reported April 13, 2009 by Mrs Kenneth Bonner

N/A              OP 3   JOSEPH P. BOWERS    BROOKFIELD, MD   9FA/1FABN/ B Btry   KOREA
                              DOD - MAY 30, 2009     Reported by Vincent Fazio

2275            OP 1  DANIEL E. BRAUCHER    WILLOWBROOK, IL    15INF/   KOREA   1LT
                               DOD- May 12, 2009     Reported May 13, 2009 by Martin Markley

2276           OP 4   CLEMENS BRAUN       COULEE DAM, WA      7INF/L     WW2      CPL
                               DOD-March 26, 2009     Reported April 15, 2009 by Dale McGraw

6828           OP 12    ELLSWORTH B. BUNDY     MINNETONKA, MN      DIV/1252ENG     WW2     TSGT
                               DOD- December 7, 2008      Reported December 10, 2008 by Jerry Manley

2465          OP 601   ALBERT J. CHRISTIAEN      PASCOAG, RI      601TD/C     WW2     PFC
                               DOD- August 29, 2008      Reported April 3, 2009 by Kathleen Christiaen

6454          OP 63  CARL A. COULSON      KEIZER, OR      7INF/HQ      WW2     CPL
                               DOD- April 2007         Reported March 2, 2009 by his son Jim Coulson

2585          OP 88  W. E. WALLY CRUMPTON     WINTER HAVEN, FL        15INF/HQ      KOREA      SFC
                               DOD - March 7, 2009      Reported March 27, 2009 by Ray Anderson

2658          OP 7   HARRY C. DE HAVEN      GERMANTOWN, MD     30INF/G     WW2     PFC
                              DOD - 2009       Reported June 12, 2009 by his wife Madeline to Pat Williamson

7405         OP 17  FLOYD H. DEPEW JR.    MANCHESTER, MO     15INF/1BN     KOREA    PFC
                               DOD - January 15, 2008 Reported June 20, 2009 by Ron Jones

2678          OP 17   FREDERICK E. DEMPSEY     JACKSONVILLE, AR     DIV/SIG   KOREA     SSGT
                               DOD- October 11, 2008     Reported April 3, 2009 by Dorothy L. Dempsey

7429           OP 35    DANIEL L. DRUPP       PLANO, TX       79FA/A      KOREA     CPL
                              DOD- January 23, 2009     Reported January 28, 2009 by his daughter Desiree Drupp

2767           OP 17   RUSSELL DUNHAM     JERSEYVILLE, IL     MOH       30INF/I     WW2      TSGT
                                DOD-April 6, 2009         Reported April 7, 2009 by Tom Heitzer

2796           OP 5     FREDERICK A. EHRICH       CENTRAL ISLIP, NY      DIV/SIG      KOREA     CPL
                              DOD-December 27, 2008        Reported March 4, 2009 by Gertrude Staudt

7138         OP 17    MARGARET L. FEARS       EDWARDSVILLE, IL       ASSOCIATE
                              DOD- January 29, 2009        Reported May 20, 2009 by Anna V. Hindman

2886         OP 35   VIVIAN H. FIFE      FORT WORTH, TX        ASSOCIATE
                              DOD - May 17, 2009          Reported June 12, 2009 by Lynn Ball

2926           OP 5    WILLIAM E. FORTIER      RED HOOK, NY      15INF/B    WW2/KOREA    SFC
                              DOD- April 9, 2009       Reported April 11, 2009 by John Burke

2991           OP 2   JOHN A. GAYDOSH         FORT PIERCE, FL         10FA/SV     WW2      PFC
                               DOD- October 7, 2008       Reported November 12, 2008 by his wife Elizabeth

5411           OP 5   ROBERT H. GERICKE       RAVENA, NY       30INF/HQ/K       WW2      PFC
                               DOD-August 8, 2008        Reported January 19, 2009 by Leroy Lewis

3032          OP 3    TOM F. GODFREY      MARYVILLE, TN      15INF/B     WW2     SSGT
                                DOD - May 4, 2009      Reported May 12, 2009 by Bobbie Anderson

3096           OP 3  CHARLES A. GUARD SR.     RICHMOND, VA      30INF/HQ     WW2    T5
                               DOD - April 6, 2009       Reported April 7, 2009 by Alta Milling

N/A           OP 15   DONALD A. GUSTAFSON      TUCSON, AZ       30INF/HQ      WW2     T5
                                DOD October 8, 2008        Reported by January 19, 2009 Evelyn Piazza

3148         OP 17   WALTER E. HANSON    TUSCOLA, IL    7INF/C    WW2
                                DOD August 26, 2007     Reported April 3, 2009 by Mrs Hanson

3187         OP 4    RAY HAWORTH       MEDICAL LAKE, WA      30INF/     WW2
                               DOD- April 15, 2009       Reported April 20, 2009 by John Weiss

3250          OP 2    EUGENE L. HIMMELHEBER         LABELLE, FL        15INF/H      WW2     PFC
                          DOD- December 23, 2008       Reported January 2, 2009 by Carolyn M. Himmelheber

3254         OP 1    ROBERT E. HOBBS     BUFFALO GROVE, IL      DIV/SUPPLY/     WW2     SGT
                          DOD - January 29, 2009      Reported May 7, 2009 by Loma E. Hobbs

3285       OP 63   RICHARD L. HOSTETLER      ALBANY, OR       10FA/      WW2      SSGT
                          DOD- March 30, 2009 Reported May 26, 2009 on Dues Notice by his widow Shirley

7762         OP 35   CLYDE E. HUBBARD      FORT WORTH, TX        15INF/N     WW2      PFC
                          DOD- November 30, 2008      Reported March 26, 2009 by his wife Sydna to Lynn Ball

6555        OP 11   MERTON H. JILLSON      NASHUA, NH       15INF/G     WW2     SGT
                         DOD- December 26, 2008      Reported April 18, 2009 by his daughter Christine Kruk

  N/A        OP54   GAEL F. KAUFFMAN      KELSEYVILLE, CA      30INF/SV   CPT     WW2
                          DOD - December  8, 2008        Reported January 11, 2009 by daughter Susan Kauffman

3414        OP 18   ROY J. KACZMAREK     GREENDALE, WI       30INF/C & DIV/SIG     WW2/Mar42-Nov45     SGT
                           DOD- April 10, 2009       Reported May 11, 2009 by Mrs. E.A. Kaczmarek

3510         OP 13    OTIS KLEAVER SR         MARQUETTE, MI       30INF/E      WW2     PFC
                           DOD- Sept 18, 2008        Reported January 2, 2009 by Dorothy Kleaver

3512          OP 5   EDWARD N. KLEIN        WARWICK, NY       30INF/3BN    HQ     WW2
                           DOD- October 18, 2008      Reported October 22, 2008 by Pat Williamson


3554        OP 54  GEORGE KRAW        LOS GATOS, CA 95032        15INF/L     WW2     2LT
                            DOD- August 2, 2008    Reported September 24, 2008 by John Shirley

3618        OP 57   DAVID R. LE FEBVRE     EAST LIVERPOOL, OH      15INF/A      KOREA/49-51     CPL
                            DOD - April 15, 2009      Reported May 19, 2009 by Don Wingerburg

6761        OP 7   RODNEY I. MACKLEY     BLOOMSBURG, PA       9FA/      KOREA      SFC
                            DOD - March 11, 2009      Reported July 2, 2009 by Diane Angelo

5446        OP 60   JAMES E MAHERG     MOBILE, AL     15INF/I      KOREA    CPL
                             DOD- January 22, 2009       Reported January 28, 2009 by his daughter Linda Neece

3799        OP 54    JEAN V. MAY       CONCORD,CA        ASSOCIATE
                             DOD- UNKNOWN       Reported April 25, 2009 by George F. May Jr.

7341       OP 60  ANNE MARIE MC DONOUGH         SMITHS, AL      ASSOCIATE
                            DOD-January 19, 2008        Reported January 21, 2009 by Bob Bailey

7996       OP 2   MARIE-LOUISE MEINDL      FORT MYERS, FL       ASSOCIATE
                            DOD- April 7, 2009       Reported April 9, 2009 by Jim Tiezzi        Spouse-Klaus

6143         OP 17    ERVIN MILLS        NASHVILLE, TN         30INF/    WW2     PVT
                            DOD- November 4, 2008          Reported December 26, 2008 by his wife Francis Mills

3951       OP 54   JOSEPH MONDZAK      LINCOLN , CA      15INF/M      KOREA      LTC
                           DOD - March 18, 2009      Reported April 13, 2009 by Jan A. Peterson-Mondzak

4032        OP 35   NORMAN L. MYHRA      STEVENS POINT, WI       7INF/B     WW2
                           DOD-January 16, 2009       Reported March 2, 2009 by his wife Margaret to Lynn Ball

7443        OP 63   CHESTER M. NEAL       WEST JORDAN, UT      DIV/1CAV     KOREA    SSGT
                           DOD - October 19, 2008       Reported April 13, 2009 by Bobbie Neal

4056         OP 60   ROBERT B. NETT       COLUMBUS, GA        77INF/DIV     WW2     COL
                             DOD Oct. 19, 2008          Reported October 20, 2008 by Bob Bailey/MOH Recipient in WWII with the 77th Inf. Div

4070        OP 13   WILLIAM B. NEWTON    ARKADELPHIA, AR    DIV/RECON      WW2
                              DOD- May 29, 2008       Reported January 29, 2009 by USPS

4080         OP 4    WILLIAM A. NIEMEYER    HOT SPRINGS, MT     7INF/1BN HQ        WW2
                             DOD- November 20, 2008        Reported May 23, 2009 by Dale McGraw by his widow Thelma

4167         OP 5   FRANK S. PAUL JR.      SUMMIT, NJ        15INF/3BN/HQ      WW2/42-45      T5
                             DOD - June 10, 2009        Reported June 28, 2009 by his son Kevin

7985        OP 3   ANDREW F. PAULIK       ST. HELENA ISLAND, SC     HHC/3D BN, 64ARMOR     CW    PFC
                               DOD- February 2, 2009     Reported May 12, 2009 by Katherine Paulik

4180         OP 5   RAYMOND I. PECK        TONAWANDA, NY        15INF/     WW2     PFC
                             DOD- January 1, 2009     Reported January 7, 2009by his daughter Denise Turner

4203        OP 12    RAYMOND PESOTA     ROBBINSDALE, MN       DIV/MED/D     WW2
                              DOD-July 26, 2008        Reported by Jerry Manley on August 28, 2008

4226        OP 17   DALLAS A. PHIPPS         OCALA, FL       441AAA/D &15INF/I       WW2/KOREA
                               DOD-April 19, 2009 Burial at Arlington Natl. Cemetery       Reported April 26, 2009 by Lenore Phipps

4228           OP 4   VINCENT R. PIAZZA       BOISE, ID        30INF/HQ     WW2   PFC
                                 DOD- October 18, 2008     Reported January 19, 2009 by his wife Evelyn Piazza Evelyn

4282          OP 7   ROBERT E. PRESS      TOWSON, MD             24DIV/12INF      KOREA      CPL
                                 DOD - March 26, 2009      Reported June 25, 2009 by his son Rob

4288         OP 601   LEONARD W. PRICE       AKRON, OH          601TD/C      WW2     CPL
                              DOD- April 2006      Reported November 3, 2008 by his son Keith

6253         OP 57   JAMES T. QUIGG    TURBOTVILLE, PA     15INF/1BN/C     KOREA    SSGT
                              DOD-January 10, 2009 Reported May 14, 2009 by Ray Anderson

4326         OP 5    GEORGE REBOVICH       PERTH AMBOY, NJ        7INF/1BN/HQ      WW2      1LT
                               DOD-September 22, 2008       Reported October 23, 2008 by his wife Gloria

6714         FBA    TIMOTEO REYES      WAIPAHU, HI      15INF/2BN/G      KOREA     PFC
                               DOD- March 9, 2009 Reported March 21, 2009 by his wife Lillian to Paul M. Roach

4354        OP 2    ROBERT L. RHODUS       ROTONDA WEST, FL       10FA/A      KOREA     CPL
                               DOD - Unknown Reported June 27, 2009 by USPS

5657       OP 17  WILLIS C. ROYALL JR.      WINCHESTER, VA      7INF/K      KOREA     1LT
                              DOD- April 27, 2009       Reported May 1, 2009 by Jack Sneddon

4636        OP 33   DAVID R. SMITH         DECATUR, IN       15INF/E       WW2
                                DOD- Unknown        Reported April 25, 2009 by USPS

4731         OP 63  ALBERT H. STEWART     COUNCIL BLUFFS IA     15INF/M     WW2    PFC
                               DOD-December 13, 2008     Reported March 6, 2009 by Mrs. Albert Stewart

4750        OP 1    JOSEPH STRELECKI      LAWTON, OK     10FA/      KOREA      COL
                               DOD - June 3, 2009              Reported July 2, 2009 by Larry Driscoll

4767         OP 5   MICHAEL STUPAR       JEANETTE, PA       30INF/HQ       WW2      TSGT
                               DOD-Unknown        Reported March 27, 2009 by his son Mark Stupar

4784         OP 15    CARL E. SWANSON      MESA, AZ       30INF/F & 703ORD/       WW2
                          DOD- October 15, 2008       Reported October 16, 2008 by Martin Markley

5714        OP 17    DEAN W. TAYLOR       SPRINGFIELD, IL      30INF/K     WW2     SGT
                          DOD- Jan 26, 2009 Reported June 3, 2009 by Marion Taylor to Ron Jones

4814           OP4    MILFORD A. TERRY       SPOKANE, WA   15INF/D    TSGT WW2
                          DOD- DEC. 5, 2008         Reported January 9, 2009 by Dorothy Larson

4835           OP 3   EDWARD L. TICKLE     BELSPRING, VA     15INF/H   WW2    PFC
                          DOD - March 31, 2009       Reported May 12, 2009 by Bobbie Anderson

4855           OP 11  CAESAR R. TORRES JR        FALL RIVER, MA       15INF/      WW2      SSGT
                          DOD- March 1, 2009        Reported May 26, 2009 on Dues Notice

4888          OP 7   CECIL UNDERWOOD JR    SUMMERSVILLE, WV     7INF/I          WW2/Oct1944-July45       SSGT
                           DOD - June 5, 2008        Reported October 7, 2008 by his daughter Sue Mergler

 4907         OP 33  JAMES H. VAN MATRE        CINCINNATI, OH        30INF/B       WW2
                          DOD - May 27, 2009    Reported June 16, 2009 by his son James R. (Rick) Van Matre

4927          OP 22   EUGENE F. VEREB      LAS VEGAS, NV       30INF/K      WW2     PFC
                           DOD- February 17, 2009       Reported March 1, 2009 by his daughters to Pennie Burke

4955         OP 60   JAMES H. WALKER LUMBER CITY, GA      703ORD/DIV/MED/RECON/M      KOREA      SFC
                            DOD - February 27, 2008 Reported July 3, 2009 by his wife Ursa

5036           OP 54   BARNEY D. WHITE         SAN JOSE, CA      39FA/ & 41FA/     WW2      COL
                          DOD- October 7, 2008       Reported November 19, 2008 by his son Dennis White

5052          OP 35   SELVAN A. WIGLEY JR    BAYTOWN, TX      10ENG/HQ     KOREA     SFC
                          DOD - March 4, 2009        Reported May 11, 2009 on Dues Notice

5088           OP 54   PAUL W. WING       SAN FRANCISCO, CA      DIV/HQ/MP       WW2      PFC
                         DOD - April 20, 2009       Reported May 5, 2009 by John Shirley

5100          OP 2   WILLIAM R. WOFFORD      TAMPA FL      58FA/B      KOREA     1LT
                            DOD- 2009      Reported February 27, 2009 by Al Brown



Such Good Men

" I know now why men who have been to war yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or to look at old pictures, Not to laugh or weep on one another's knee. Comrades gather because they long to be with men who once acted their best. Men who suffered and sacrificed, who were stripped raw, right down to their humanity. I did not pick these men. They were delivered by fate and the United States Army, but I know them in a way I know no other men. I have never since given anyone such trust. They were willing to guard something more precious than my life. They would have carried my reputation, the memory of me. It was part of the bargain we all made, the reason we were so willing to die for one another. As long as I have memory, I will think of them everyday. I am sure that when I leave this world, my last thoughts will be of my family and my comrades such good men".
Excerpt from the book, "These Good Men" by Michael Norman.

All of us in the Society of the Third Infantry Division, U.S. Army, extend our sincere sympathy to the families and friends of those listed. May they rest in peace

 

 

Operation Iraqi Freedom-1 
Fallen Heroes
Click Here
Operation Iraqi Freedom-3  
Fallen Heroes

Click Here

 

ALTON W. KNAPPENBERGER
Medal of Honor Recipient
Dec. 31, 1923 - June 9, 2008

 ALTON W. KNAPPENBERGER (1923-2008 )
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT

Alton W. was born 31 December 1923 in Cooperstown, Lehigh County, PA and died 9 June 2008. He was the son of Frank J. Knappenberger (1887-1928) and grandson of Clinton W. Knappenberger (born 7 August 1857) of Lehigh County, PA. He descends from Johan Michael Knappenberger (original immigrant) through his son Johan Henrich (Henry) Knappenberger who fought in the Revolutionary War. Alton was a Private First Class with the US Army, 3rd Infantry Division fighting in Italy on 1 February 1944 when his acts of bravery lead to receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor.

From his obituary:
Won Medal of Honor for WW2 valor, but lived quiet post war life in Earl Township, PA.
Alton W. Kappenberger, who was born in Coopersburg, worked on a pig farm and received the nations highest military honor during WW2., died of natural causes Monday at Pottstown Mem. Hosp. He was 84.
Pfc. Kappenberger, an army draftee, was awarded the MOH for acting with "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in his first and only combat experiences after the Allied landing at Anzio, Italy, in 1944.
He picked up a Browning automatic rifle, ran alone to a knoll and held off a German attack for more than two hours near Cristina di Larina, 30 miles from Nazi held Rome, on Feb. 1, 1944. The field was littered with 60 German dead.
Kappie as he was called, was a member of C company, 30th Inf. Regiment, 3rd. Inf. Div. His general called him a one man army. He went home in Aug. 1944 amid wide acclaim and pitched war bonds.
Throughout the rest of his life he shunned publicity and seeked a return to obscurity he drove a truck, laid blacktop and ran back-hoes.. He lived in a trailer in the woods of Earl Township.
Internment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
 

Knappenberger, Alton W.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 1 February 1944. Entered service at: Spring Mount, Pa. Birth: Cooperstown, Pa. G.O. No.: 41, 26 May 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action involving actual conflict with the enemy, on 1 February 1944 near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy. When a heavy German counterattack was launched against his battalion, Pfc. Knappenberger crawled to an exposed knoll and went into position with his automatic rifle. An enemy machinegun 85 yards away opened fire, and bullets struck within 6 inches of him. Rising to a kneeling position, Pfc. Knappenberger opened fire on the hostile crew, knocked out the gun, killed 2 members of the crew, and wounded the third. While he fired at this hostile position, 2 Germans crawled to a point within 20 yards of the knoll and threw potato-masher grenades at him, but Pfc. Knappenberger killed them both with 1 burst from his automatic rifle. Later, a second machinegun opened fire upon his exposed position from a distance of 100 yards, and this weapon also was silenced by his well-aimed shots.

Shortly thereafter, an enemy 20mm. antiaircraft gun directed fire at him, and again Pfc. Knappenberger returned fire to wound 1 member of the hostile crew. Under tank and artillery shellfire, with shells bursting within 15 yards of him, he held his precarious position and fired at all enemy infantrymen armed with machine pistols and machineguns which he could locate. When his ammunition supply became exhausted, he crawled 15 yards forward through steady machinegun fire, removed rifle clips from the belt of a casualty, returned to his position and resumed firing to repel an assaulting German platoon armed with automatic weapons. Finally, his ammunition supply being completely exhausted, he rejoined his company. Pfc. Knappenberger's intrepid action disrupted the enemy attack for over 2 hours.

 



Click Here to learn about Warriors Walk at Fort Stewart
OIF 2007 - 2009  3ID Active Duty Casualties


http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/

The Department of Defense announced June 17, 2009 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Jonathan C. O’Neill, 22, of Zephyrhills, Fla., died June 15 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered June 2 in Paktya, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) at Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced June 04, 2009 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Roberto A. Hernandez I, 21, of Far Rockaway, N.Y., died June 2 in Paktya, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his mounted patrol was attacked with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced January 7, 2009 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Anthony D. Davis, 29, of Daytona Beach, Fla., died Jan. 6 in Northern Iraq, of wounds suffered when he was shot by enemy forces. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

The Department of Defense announced November 8, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Adam M. Wenger, 27, of Waterford, Mich., died Nov. 5 in Tunnis, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a non-combat incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced October 6, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. William P. Rudd, 27, of Madisonville, Ky., died Oct. 5 of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire while on a combat patrol in Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Sept. 29, 2008, the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Ronald Phillips Jr., 33, of Conway, S.C., died Sept. 25 in Bahbahani, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced September 15, 2008 the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Sept. 14 in Tunnis, Iraq, of wounds sustained in a non-hostile incident. The soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. The incident is under investigation.
Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Darris J. Dawson, 24, of Pensacola, Fla.

Sgt. Wesley R. Durbin, 26, of Hurst, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced June 13, 2009 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Steve A. McCoy, 23, of Moultrie, Ga., died June 10 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered on March 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced May 28, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene, 37, of Castleton, Vt., died May 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident on May 24. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced May 27, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Kyle P. Norris, 22, of Zanesville, Ohio, died May 23 in Balad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during a patrol May 22 in Jurf as Sakhr, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced April 23, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pvt. Ronald R. Harrison, 25, of Morris Plains, N.J., died April 22 at Forward Operating Base Falcon near Baghdad, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. He was assigned to the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced April 14, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. William E. Allmon, 25, of Ardmore, Okla., died April 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced April 10, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Jeffery L. Hartley, 25, of Hempstead, Texas, died April 8 in Kharguliah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced April 4, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Charles A. Jankowski, 24, of Panama City, Fla., died March 28, in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced April 3, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Dayne D. Dhanoolal, 26, of Brooklyn, died March 31 in Baghdad, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced April 2, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sgt. Jevon K. Jordan, 32, of Norfolk, Va., died Mar. 29 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, from wounds suffered Mar. 23 in Abu Jassim, Iraq, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga
.

The Department of Defense announced March 26, 2008 the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died March 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive on March 23. They were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Killed were:

Pvt. George Delgado, 21, of Palmdale, Calif.

Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Hake, 26, of Enid, Okla.

Pfc. Andrew J. Habsieger, 22, of Festus, Mo.

Spc. Jose A. Rubio Hernandez, 24, of Mission, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced March 24, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pvt. Tyler J. Smith, 22, of Bethel, Maine, died Mar. 21 at Forward Operating Base Falcon near Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when the base received indirect fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced March 15, 2008 the death of five soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
They died March 10 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Killed were:

Sgt. 1st. Class Shawn M. Suzch, 32, of Hilltown, Penn.

Staff Sgt. Ernesto G. Cimarrusti, 25, of Douglas, Ariz.

Staff Sgt. David D. Julian, 31, of Evanston, Wyo.

Cpl. Robert T. Mc David, 29, of Starkville, Miss.

Cpl. Scott A. Mc Intosh, 26, of Houston, Texas.

The Department of Defense announced February 22, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Capt. Nathan R. Raudenbush, 25, of Pennsylvania, died Feb. 20 in Busayefi, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced January 21, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Richard B. Burress, 25, of Naples, Fla., died Jan. 19 in Al Jabour, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division,
Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced January 8, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. James D. Gudridge, 20, of Carthage, N.Y., died Jan. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced January 8, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Timothy R. Hanson, 23, of Kenosha, Wis., died Jan. 7 in Salmon Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced January 4, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Joshua R. Anderson, 24, of Jordan, Minn., died Jan 2 in Kamasia, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced January 2, 2008 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Reno S. Lacerna, 44, of Waipahu, Hawaii, died Dec. 31, 2007 in Al Qayyarah, Iraq, of a non-combat related illness. He was assigned to the 87th Corps Support Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced December 26th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Peter C. Neesley, 28, of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., died Dec. 25 in Baghdad, Iraq, of an undetermined cause in a non-combat environment. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced December 14, 2007 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Samuel E. Kelsey, 24, of Troup, Texas, died Dec 13 in Tunnis, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced November 23, 2007 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Melvin L. Henley Jr., 26, of Jackson, Miss., died at Camp Striker in Baghdad on Nov. 21 of injuries suffered from non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced November 18, 2007 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Steven C. Ganczewski, 22, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., died Nov. 16, in Balad, Iraq, wounds suffered from a combat-related incident. The incident is under investigation. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced November 17, 2007 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Mason L. Lewis, 26, of Gloucester, Va., died in Baghdad on Nov. 16, as a result of a non-combat related training accident. He was assigned to the 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced November 8, 2007 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Lui Tumanuvao, 29, of Fagaalu, American Samoa, died Nov. 7 in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he was struck by an improvised explosive device during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced November 5th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Dwane A. Covert Jr., 20, of Tonawanda, N.Y., died Nov 3, in Al-Sahra, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 104th Transportation Company, 13th Corps Support Sustainment Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced November 2nd the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Oct. 30 of wounds suffered in Salman Pak, Iraq, when enemy forces engaged their unit with small arms fire and an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Daniel L. McCall, 24, of Pace, Fla. He died in Baghdad, Iraq.

Pfc. Rush M. Jenkins, 22, of Clarksville, Tenn. He died in Salman Pak, Iraq.

Pvt. Cody M. Carver, 19, of Haskell, Okla. He died in Salman Pak, Iraq.

The Department of Defense announced October 9th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Benjamin C. Dillon, 22, of Rootstown, Ohio, died Oct. 7 in northern Iraq of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Sept. 20th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Christian M. Neff, 19, of Lima, Ohio, died Sept. 19 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Sept. 17th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. John Mele, 25, of Bunnell, Fla., died Sept. 14 in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Sept.11th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Javier G. Paredes, 24, of San Antonio, died Sept. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from a rocket propelled grenade. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Spc. Keith A. Nurnberg, 26, of McHenry, Ill., died Sept. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit during combat operations. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Sept. 3rd the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Spc. Travis M. Virgadamo, 19, of Las Vegas, Nev., died Aug. 30 in Taji, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 3d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced August 20th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
1st Lt. Jonathan W. Edds, 24, of White Pigeon, Mich., died Aug. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced August 16th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Alun R. Howells, 20, of Parlin, Colo., died Aug. 13 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from enemy direct fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced August 14th the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Aug. 11 in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. William D. Scates, 31, of Oklahoma City.
Sgt. Scott L. Kirkpatrick, 26, of Reston, Va.
Sgt. Andrew W. Lancaster, 23, of Stockton, Ill.
Spc. Justin O. Penrod, 24, of Mahomet, Ill.

The Department of Defense announced August 13th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. William L. Edwards, 23, of Houston, died Aug. 11 in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced July 30th the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died July 26 in Saqlawiyah, Iraq of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Killed were:
Sgt. William R. Howdeshell, 37, of Norfolk, Va.,
Spc. Charles E Bilbrey, Jr., 21, of Owego, New York, and
Spc. Jaime Rodriguez, Jr., 19, of Oxnard, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced July 15th the death of one soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Allen A. Greka, 29, of Alpena, Michigan, died July 13 of wounds sustained from a land mine detonation during a dismounted patrol in Jisr Diyala, Iraq. He was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia.

The Department of Defense announced July 13th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Courtney T. Johnson, 26, of Garner, N.C., died July 11 in Besmaya, Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced July 11th the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died July 6 in Iraq of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
Killed were:
Sgt. Gene L. Lamie, 25, of Homerville, Ga. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Pfc. Le Ron A. Wilson, 18, of Queens, N.Y. He was assigned to the 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced July 11th the death of a soldier who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. He died July 6 in Muhammad Sath, Iraq, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device.
Pfc. Bruce C. Salazar Jr., 24, of Tracy, Calif. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced July 8th the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Michelle R. Ring, 24, of Martin, Tenn
., died July 5 of wounds sustained from enemy mortar fire in Baghdad, Iraq. She was assigned to the 92d Military Police Battalion, Fort Benning, Ga.
Sgt. Thomas P. McGee, 23, of Hawthorne, Calif., died July 6 of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Wazi Khwa, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 546th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced June 26th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Henry G. Byrd III, 20, of Veguita, N.M., died June 24 in Landstuhl Germany, from a non-combat related illness sustained June 18 while in Iraq. His death is under investigation.
Byrd was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced June 25th the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died June 23 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their unit was attacked by insurgents using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Michael D. Moody Jr., 31, of Richmond, Va.
Sgt. Chris Davis, 35, of Lubbock, Texas.
Pvt. Shane M. Stinson, 23, of Fullerton, Calif.

The Department of Defense announced June 25th the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Carter A. Gamble Jr., 24 of Brownstown, Ind., died June 24 in Duraiya, Iraq, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced June 25th the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died June 20 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Maj. Sid W. Brookshire, 36, of Missouri.
Staff Sgt. Darren P. Hubbell, 38, of Tifton, Ga.
Spc. Joe G. Charfauros Jr., 33, of Rota, Mariana Islands.
Pfc. David J. Bentz III, 20, of Newfield, N.J.


The Department of Defense announced June 21st the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died June 19 in Muhammad al Ali, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle.
Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class William A. Zapfe, 35, of Muldraugh, Ky.
Pfc. Joshua S. Modgling, 22, of Las Vegas. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Pfc. Larry Parks Jr., 24, of Altoona, Penn.,
died June 18 in Arab Jabor, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.Cpl. Dustin R. Brisky, 26, of Round Rock, Texas, died June 14 in Tallil, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an explosion. He was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 952nd Engineer Company, Paris, Texas. The unit was attached to the 92nd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga

Pfc. Robert A. Liggett, 23, of Urbana, Ill., died May 29 in Rustamiyah, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation.  Liggett was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced May 25th the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 23 of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their unit in Ramadi, Iraq. They were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Staff Sgt. Steve Butcher Jr., 27, of Penfield, N.Y. He died in Ramadi, Iraq.
Pfc. Daniel P. Cagle, 22, of Carson, Calif. He died in Balad, Iraq.

The Department of Defense announced May 17th the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 14 in Salman Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Allen J. Dunckley, 25, of Yardley, Pa.
Sgt. Christopher N. Gonzalez, 25, of Winslow, Ariz.

The Department of Defense announced May 11th the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 8 in Salman Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. Both soldiers were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Blake C. Stephens, 25, of Pocatello, Idaho.
Spc. Kyle A. Little, 20, of West Boylston, Mass.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 28 in Salman Pak, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their vehicle was struck with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire during combat operations. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Glenn D. Hicks Jr., 24, of College Station, Texas.
Pfc. Jay-D H. Ornsby-Adkins, 21, of Ione, Calif.
Pvt. Cole E. Spencer, 21, of Gays, Ill.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Apr. 27 in Fallujah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations. They were assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Killed were:
Spc. Eddie D. Tamez, 21, of Galveston, Texas.
Pfc. David A. Kirkpatrick, 20, of Upland, Ind.

Pfc. Nicholas E. Riehl, 21, of Shiocton, Wis., died Apr. 27 in Fallujah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol. He was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Pfc. Richard P. Langenbrunner, 19, of Fort Wayne, Ind., died Apr. 17 in Rustamiyah, Iraq, of injuries suffered from a non-combat related incident. His death is under investigation. Langenbrunner was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Staff Sgt. Harrison Brown, 31, of Prichard, Ala., died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Pfc. David N. Simmons, 20, of Kokomo, Ind.,
died April 8 in Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Sgt. Adrian J. Lewis, 30, of Mauldin, S.C., died Mar. 21 in Ramadi, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Pfc. Joey T. Sams II, 22, of Spartanburg, S.C., died Mar. 21 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, of injuries suffered when he was pinned between two vehicles. His death is under investigation. Sams was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Spc. Forrest J. Waterbury, 25, of Richmond, Texas, died Mar. 14 near Ramadi, Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Sgt. William J. Beardsley, 25, of Coon Rapids, Minn., died Feb. 26 in Diwaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Beardsley was assigned to the 260th Quartermaster Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Troop Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
To  sign Sgt. William J. Beardsley's online Memorial guest book click here

Pvt. Kelly D. Youngblood, 19, of Mesa, Ariz., died Feb. 18 in Ramadi, Iraq, of wounds suffered during combat operations. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Feb. 2 in Ramadi, Iraq, of injuries sustained when they came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire.
Killed were:
Spc. Alan E. McPeek, 20, of Tucson, Ariz.
He was assigned to the 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Giessen, Germany.
Pvt. Matthew T. Zeimer, 18, of Glendive, Mont.
He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Dec 4th, 2006 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. John L. Hartman Jr., 39, of Tampa, Fla., died Nov. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Nov. 27th, 2006 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pvt. Reece D. Moreno, 19, of Prescott, Ariz., died of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident in Balad, Iraq, on Nov. 24. Moreno was assigned to the 92 Engineer Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced Sept.25th, 2006 the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
1st Lt. Ashley L. (Henderson) Huff, 23, of Belle Mead, N.J., died of injuries suffered in Mosul, Iraq, on Sept.19, when a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near her mounted patrol during combat operations. Huff was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company, 385th Military Police Battalion, Fort Stewart, Ga.

 

TAPS

There are many stories of the origin of the "Taps:
Other versions can be found at these websites:
http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/taps.htm

http://www.tapsbugler.com/TapsMyth.html

http://www.tapsbugler.com/24NotesExcerpt/Page1.html

Here is one version of the "Taps" legend. Contributed by Leroy Lewis


If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were
played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something EVERY AMERICAN should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia.

The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of
his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members
play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.

This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals was born.
The words are :

Day is done . Gone the sun ... From the lakes ..
From the hills, From the sky .. All is well ..
Safely rest ... God is nigh ..
Fading light ... Dims the sight ... And a star ..
Gems the sky .. Gleaming bright ... From afar ..
Drawing nigh Falls the night ... Thanks and praise ..
For our days ... Neath the sun .. Neath the stars...Neath the sky
As we go ... This we know ... God is nigh ..

I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song, and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before. Leroy Lewis

Taps- Volume Control

REMEMBER THOSE LOST AND HARMED WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY.
And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces..

 

 

If you are looking for information on a buddy or family member, who was killed during World War II, and who is still buried in one of the American cemeteries in Europe,
  click on this web page.

 

eXTReMe Tracker

eXTReMe Tracker back.jpg (5999 bytes)

         

Contents of Website

Home Page Personal Search Page Current News and Notices 3rd  Division Archived News  Society Officers 
Reunions, Tours, & Events Outpost News Marketplace   Battle Credits  The Watch on the Rhine
 LINKS TAPS Frequently Asked Questions 3rd Division History and Symbols, Units
3ID History, Symbols & Traditions Commanding Generals of the 3ID 3ID Medal of Honor Recipients Society Membership Membership Application
Scholarship News Scholarship Application Scholarship By-Laws Constitution and Bylaws Bibliography
    Contact Us
PHOTOGRAPHS
3rd Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom -1 3ID in Operation Iraqi Freedom 1 Archives OIF3 - 3ID in Iraq--2005-6 3ID in Iraq - 2007-8 3ID in Iraq- 2007-8  Archive Stories
3rd Inf. Division Photos-WWI to 1941 3ID Photos-WWII-1  3ID Photos-WWII-2 3ID Photos-Korea 3ID Photos-Peacetime/Cold War
3ID Photos -Division & Society-1990-2004 3ID Photos - Active Division &Society 2005-6 3ID Photos - Active Division and Society 2007 3ID Photos - Active Division Society  2008 3ID Photos - Active Division & Society 2009
84th Annual 2003 Reunion Photos 85th Annual 2004 Reunion Photos Regt.Dinners    Banquet Awards Pres.Dinner    FT.Stewart Tour 86th Annual 2005 Reunion Photos
87th Annual 2006 Reunion Photos 88th Annual 2007 Reunion  Page 1 88th Annual 2007 Reunion Page 2 88th Annual 2007 Reunion Page 3 30th Inf. Regt. Association
89th Annual 2008 Reunion Photos-Page 1 89th Annual Reunion Photos - Page 2 89th Annual Reunion Photos - Page 3 10th Field Artillery Regt. Association 15th Inf. Regt. Association
WWII Memoirs-3rd Infantry Division Marne Riders Motorcycle Club 15th Inf. Regt. Local Webpage 65th Inf. Regt. Assn. 7th Inf. Regt. Association
WWII Memorial and Arlington Natl Cemetery d o g f a c e s o l d i e r s OP Harry  Survivors Association 3ID Photos-Re-Enactors  
        All Rights Reserved
©Rich Heller 1997-2009