Index for this issue of The CUB
Original Cub Document

Uploaded: 11-Dec-2020

President Brig. Gen. Leo T. McMahon
vice President Col. Joe Matthews
Adjutant and Treasurer Sherod Collins
Chaplain John Loveless
Historian Sherod Collins
    The CUB is the official publication of the Association. Membership in the Association is $5 00 per year which includes subscription to the CUB.
Editor Richard DeHeer
All editorial matter should be addressed to:
Richard DeHeer, 19 Hopkins Street, Hillsdale, New Jersey
All business matters, renewal of membership, etc. should be addressed to:
Sherod Collins, 625 Channing Drive, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30318

     To the Members of the Association: Here we are in the middle of the first month of 1965, and we can look forward with confidence to a promising year ahead.
     First of all, let us thank God for that loyal and devoted band of members and their wives, who through the past 20 years have kept this Association and its official publication, The CUB, going and sustain their interest with unflagging zeal. I am happy to report that some of our former stalwart supporters, whose interest waned for a while, are returning with renewed support.
     Doug Coffey, COGL, our Memorial Chairman managed to get back to Belgium and represent us all in commemorating the fighting, suffering and the agony of the Battle of the Ardennes. On 16 December he and Doctor DeLaval, COGL, our honorary member, laid a wreath at our Memorial in St. Vith. Dick DeHeer, COGL, and his devoted companion and wife, Marge, are busy turning out excellent issues of The CUB at Hillsdale, N. J.
     Sherod Collins, our hardworking Adjutant-Treasurer and Historian is carrying on his job in the midst of moving to a new home. He and Mrs. Collins should now be addressed: 625 Channing Drive, NM., Atlanta, Georgia 30318. Sherod reports that membership is picking up and that he is much encouraged.
     Jim and Maydean Wells have put on, two reunions in Georgia that are still talked about. The McMahons and, we hope, most of you plan on attending the Wells'-sponsored third to be held in Augusta, Georgia on July 29, 30, 31 and August 1. "YOU ALL" come down and help me celebrate my birthday there on July 31.
Leo T. McMahon

Sir Winston Churchill has passed into history. The world has seen few who have had a more profound impact upon it.
     His intense patriotism, his indomitable courage in the face of grave danger to his beloved country, his inspired leadership of his fellow-countrymen in times of crises and his concern for them, his determination to do all in his power to achieve victory for the cause he thought right, his love for his family, his faith in his Creator, all bespeak a great and noble personage. Yet with it all, he was one of rare humility, as evidenced by his refusal of personal honors from his sovereign in order that he might continue better to serve his countrymen. In life, he was, indeed, an inspiration to all men of good will.
     Can it not be said that in death his choice of a hymn in memory of his American mother was more an acknowledgement of his faith and reliance upon the One who alone can lead mankind to Eternal Victory?
"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where,

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the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory, Hallelujah ! His truth is marching on."
Julia Ward Howe John T. Loveless, Jr.
Chaplain
106th Infantry Division Assoc.. Inc.

A warm hello to you fellow members of this going concern.
     I hope all of you enjoyed a good holiday season and that Santa filled your stocking. "Thanks" to all who thought of us with Christmas greetings.
     I was most pleased with the results of various "Dec. 16th Dinners" sponsored at several locales. We had a very enthusiastic group at Fort McPherson for the Atlanta area. Attendance grows each year. There were like gatherings at Paramus, N. J. and New York City. Couldn't we have more of these? Everybody has fun and new members are always brought into the Association at these meetings. Our thanks go to Ed Plenge and Dave Brumaghin for sending in clippings and a cash collection of thirty dollars for the Memorial Fund from Paramus.
     Our current membership has reached 186. Did you know that within this group 32 states are represented? And that of the units of the Division, we have members from 60 different companies or batteries?
     In the above mentioned state breakdown, New Jersey is leading with 28 members, Pennsylvania is second with 19, New York and Ohio are tied for third with 16. Even far-away California numbers 8. In the unit representation, Division Hq. and Headquarters Company have the largest group-19 members; second is Reg. Hq. Company, 422 Infantry with 12. There is a tie for third: H and K Companies 424 Infantry each have seven members.
     Of the infantry regiments, the 424th leads slightly in membership. In the Artillery, all units (Battalions) are tied except for the 591st, which trails just a bit. So much for statistics ; how about everyone contacting a buddy and making a membership plea? Our treasury is in good shape, but please don't let up on the dues. A number of you good regulars have not renewed this year. It is ever gratifying to get news of the activities of members as they send in dues, especially since so many are doing well. It is good that so many ex-Golden Lions are playing substantial parts in their communities, in business, the sciences, education, the military, and yes-- politics. We have now and have had several who are proud to be elected and to serve in their legislatures, and we are proud of them.
     It has been my pleasure recently to hear from several members of my old company, Service 423, and to these fellows I can't help sending a personal word of thanks.
     Don't forget, all of you, that Dick DeHeer needs copy for the CUB and he can use pictures of general interest. How about sending something to him NOW and thus do all of us a worthwhile service?
     Cora and I purchased a house in Atlanta last week, so we're sorts traveling on air. We've spent a week unpacking, hunting things we hid from ourselves, putting up gadgets and curtains and generally getting used to our new location. I guess a lot of you have had this experience and know the feeling. Please write to 625 Charming Drive, N.W., Atlanta 30318 in the future. Our good President, General Leo, has written a couple of his warm and interesting letters singe we got our new address. You can tell he is looking ahead because one of his letters was addressed to our reunion city, Augusta, Ga. The Zip Code brought the letter on to us in prompt style. Cordial good wishes to you all!
Sherod Collins, Jr., Adjutant-Treasurer

     As the representative of the 106th Division Association, I returned to St. Vith for the twentieth Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.
     The ceremony was made possible this year only after the dogged determination of Doctor DeLaval, the writer and our determined General Bill Baker. It seems, as usual, that all effort was put forth for the twentieth Anniversary of Bastogne. We caused quite a stir as usual, because we had the effrontery to have our ceremony on December 16 the same as Bastogne. As we pointed out to our Military Attache in Brussels, we have always had our ceremony on December 16, whereas Bastogne has had theirs on the 19th, the Anniversary of Bastogne, not the Battle of the Bulge. The ceremony was very impressive with two Belgian brigades on hand, a bugler, color guard and contingent from the 86th Air Force of Prum not only taking part but also placing a wreath. Four wreaths were placed: the first by Doug Coffey and Dr. De Laval, in behalf of the 106th ; the Mayor of St. Vith in behalf of the City of St. Vith ; the Touring Association of St. Vith placed one, as well as the 86th Air Force as noted.
     Major Don Chabot of our Ground Forces in Heidelberg arranged the affair and acted as Master of Ceremonies. He was accompanied by our friend Tom Herrmann, now Colonel, who was such a tremendous help on the occasion of the dedication of our Memorial. The Town declared a holiday for the school children and hundreds were on hand. The sight of Old Glory and the Belgian Flag flying side by side over the Memorial continues to be a thrilling experience. My one regret was that for some reason the 106th Flag did not get to St. Vith. It was there in spirit though, I can assure you. To look out across the field after twenty years and still see the bombed out bridge standing as a reminder of those past days and then cast your eyes on the Memorial is quite a contrast.
     A Protestant minister from Eupen attended and gave a prayer, as well as our Catholic pastor, Herr Pankert of the College Patronee. To hear them join together in the Lord's Prayer is most moving.
     Colonel Herrmann gave a speech written by General Baker. He first gave it in English, then French, and then German no that the entire assemblage could understand.
     After the ceremony, Mayor Pip, who has come closer to the 106th than he has in the past, invited all the participants to the Hotel Poste for a Vin d'Honneur. Immediately following, Dr. DeLaval and I rushed to Bastogne to attend the very impressive and complete ceremonies at Bastogne. I shall save the film of both ceremonies for Convention time. Forces of Great Britain, United States, France, Belgium and Luxembourg took part with two U. S. bands and a Belgian band. High dignitaries were present, and the ceremony went along very smoothly. After the ceremony, the Doctor and I were VIP guests for lunch. At this lunch I intended to speak to the Mayor of Bastogne about the 6 in the 106 still missing after three years of having brought it to his attention. Just by luck a very charming woman overheard me discussing this with Doctor DeLaval and said, "Why not take up your problem with the woman at Dr. DeLaval's elbow, she is the wife of the incoming Mayor." I did so and have her promise that the 6 will be replaced. I later met her husband, the real Mayor to be, and he also said the matter would be taken care of. Dr. De Laval will keep after it. You can see that over there the customs are much different; even though you are the wife of the Mayor, you do not sit together. Instead, you sit at separate tables in order to meet others.
     The twentieth Anniversary is over but I shall remember it fondly, and shall never forget twenty years ago. We are still having difficulties in making certain that St. Vith takes its place in history. Another problem greeted us as we

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    arrived in St. Vith. The Mayor was concerned about coordinating efforts so that just one person would arrange the St. Vith Memorial program. It seems that I have a finger in one pie, Dr. DeLaval has another and most important. Then when we notify Heidelberg to get their cooperation, they get into the plans with the Town and the Mayor. I promised the Mayor that this would be straightened out. Also, I told him it would suit all concerned if he took the responsibility and ran the whole show himself. He is also concerned about the maintenance of the Memorial; he feels it is not normal for a Memorial to be on other than town property. If the school would deed the property to the town, they would maintain it. (To my knowledge there has been no maintenance by the town except that we have called on them during inclement weather to put down wooden platforms, and this year the street was torn up for water or gas pipes so we asked them to put some gravel down to walk on.) The school certainly does not want to deed the property to the town and they have maintained the property very well up to now. The Tourist Agency feels that the Memorial should be more in the center of town and even suggested moving the Memorial. I say fine, if they want to pay ; we don't intend to move it.
     I took it upon myself to see Herr Pankert, Director of the school. He is perfectly ready, willing and able to continue to maintain the Memorial. To show the honesty and integrity of the school, he checked his books and said there was still $120 left over from the original construction money. I told him that he was free to use this balance to paint or maintain the Memorial. As we discussed at this Convention, we should set up a maintenance fund for the future. The Memorial is in excellent hands and I am sure it will continue. I also took up the matter of scholarships and purchase of books for the College. This offer was met with a great deal of humility and thanks. The Director will come up with some costs and write to me for information of the members to see what we shall do. For myself, the least we can do is buy some special research books that the College would not necessarily be in a position to purchase. We might in the future even set up a scholarship from this school to the University of Liege for an essay on Civics or the like, and name it the 106th Division Memorial Scholarship. What can it cost? $100 or $200 per year. This would really give us something to do with our Memorial Fund.
     I also took up the matter of the Remembrance Book for visitors to sign. It is also agreeable with the Director to have persons stop in the College and sign the book. It would not be available on Sundays, though, but even this problem might be worked out.
Doug Coffey, Memorial Chairman

MESSAGES AND REPORTS
FROM CHRISTMAS CARDS
Division Artillery
     Lt. Col. and Mrs. Ronald C. Johnson (was Divarty Survey Off.) are stationed at Anchorage, Alaska, where he commands the 37th F.A. and Mrs. Johnson teaches school. They wrote a thrilling account of the earthquake there on Good Friday, 27 March. They escaped injury and their house wasn't damaged. On 13 April he left the 37th F.A. Bn. for duty in G-1 Office at Headquarters U.S. Army, Alaska. They will return home to Maine in Aug. 1965.
     Henry Libera, Driver for Divarty Comdr. all during the war, lives in Glastonbery, Conn. He sent a fine color photo of Isis attractive wife, their 2 boys and 2 girls and Henry himself-- carrying a bit more weight than 20 years ago. 590th F.A. Bn.
     Vaden Lackey, Bn. Co., lives in Nashville, Tenn. He is retired from the wholesale coal business, but still keeps busy. He and Mildred travel a lot. They are grandparents.
589th F.A. Bn.
Pleasant greetings from Earl and Catherine Scott. He is now a Col. in the

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    Virginia National Guard, and living at Richmond ; he is a liaison pilot in the Bn. First shot at, he says on 16 Dec. 44, which is his birthday. He has been a faithful member of the Association. Myrtle and Austin Byrd have been missing too many reunions.
423rd Inf.
     Had a nice card from Russell Enlow, D. Co. from Taswell, Ind. He was complaining about 106th receiving no credit in that TV broadcast of the Bulge, which we all complained about.
     He did not mention reconnoitering Indianapolis for a Reunion in 1966. How about a visit to the Capital and a report, Russell, to the President or to Sherod Collins?
422nd Inf.
Lucille and Bob Rutt promise to see us in Augusta. That will be a pleasure. We have missed them.
Div. Hq.
     Father John B. Day-- Sad news from him that his parishioner Bud, who was with Fr. Day's brother at the East Orange reunion passed away. He was a fine man, and everybody liked him.
591st F.A. Bn.
     Marty and Libby Dolitsky, Serv. Btry. Co., regretted they did not make East Orange, N. J. We doubt that there will be one that close to them again. Phil Hoover, Bn. Co., and Vi still live in Davenport, Iowa. He is with Rock Island Arsenal, across the river in Ill.

WHAT WE HEAR IN THE LETTERS
     Horace E. Mansfield, Jr., Athens, Ga.; 424th Reg.-- As for myself, I am a Department Manager of the Work Clothes Division, J. C. Penney Co. My wife teaches English in the Athens High School.
     Dean T. Redmond, Statesville, N. C.; Hdq. 422, is still working at Southern Screw Co. in Statesville. As a sideline, I have been busy building a summer cabin on Lake Norman.
     Leo Rossin, Brooklyn, N. Y. of 422 Hq., has a very interesting position, for he is purchasing agent for the U. S. Information Agency in N.Y.C. I buy books which are sent to our libraries overseas.
     Walter M. Snyder, Dundalk, Md., Btry. A/589. Here's your chance girls-- he is still a bachelor with no prospects in sight. He is Director of Personnel for the Board of Education.
     Myles Brazill, retired from the employ of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1962, and is living in his bungalow in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania, nice country.
     Lt. Col. Harold Harmon, Atlanta, Ga., has something to look forward to as he retires Jan. 31, 1965. He raises racing Greyhounds, and is part owner of a racing kennel. Also he raises and shows fine Basset Hounds. He is chief of assets and readiness for the Brand Supply Div. Dorothy and he have a son, William, a senior in Western Kentucky State College, Bowling Green, Ky.
Henry Freedman, Atlanta, Ga., (422), works in Rich's department store and is a buyer and department supervisor.
William Alexander, Hapevill, Ga., (423), is the superintendent of T. & B. Builders.
     Brigadier General F. A. Woolfley (ret.) is with the State of Louisiana as a Civil Defense Director, and is also State Director of Emergency Planning and the Assistant Adjutant General.
     Elmer of Iowa, enjoys reading the CUB-- I am serving my first term in the Iowa Senate (61st General Assembly) after having served two terms in the Iowa House of Representatives. Being a Republican, I was of course happy to have won a seat in the Senate with the overwhelming Democratic landslide that we had in the election in 1964. It is still my hope that someday I will be able to attend the Division Assn's. reunions.

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     On Saturday, December 12, a night with a fog as thick as pea soup-- which was not one of the courses served-- K. and John Loveless had a dinner party for those members of the 106th who were close enough and could attend.
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     Judging from the manner in which this dinner took place, K. and John could easily qualify as official Maitre' Ds for our Association. The effect of entering their lovely wood-paneled dining room, completely lit by candlelight, was truly beautiful and a sight to behold. After sherry was served, a most delicious and delectable buffet dinner followed. Over dessert and coffee, we all sat and reminisced, something of which we never seem to tire.
     We were pleased that the following attended: General and Mrs. Alan W. Jones; Rita and Robert Garretson, Baltimore, Maryland; Joyce and William Johnson, Washington, D. C.; Col. and Mrs. William T. Manahan, Blue Ridge Summit, Pa.; David Snyder, Baltimore, Maryland; Claire and Richard Hartman, Baltimore, Maryland; Major Lyle W. Mowlds, Dover, Delaware; Kay II Loveless, Baltimore, Maryland; Eunice and Henry M. Broth, Baltimore, Maryland. And, of course, K. and John Loveless-- it was their house.

    In the names of the above, I want to thank you, K. and John, for having us so that we could spend such an enjoyable evening.
Henry M. Broth
Will we see you in Augusta, Georgia?

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     Left to right: Maj. Chabot, Hq. USAREUR; Lt. Col. Herrmann, Hq, USAREUR; Dr. Delaval, Vielsalm, Begium; Mr. Douglas S. Coffey, 160th Inf. Div. Assn.; Pastor Rehbein, Eupen, Belgium; Father Pankert, Director of the Catholic School, St. Vith, Belgium. In the background, Belgian soldiers from Vielsalm and citizens of St. Vith.

     The ceremony took place as planned at 1015 hours on Wednesday, the 16th of December. I acted as master of ceremonies and started off with a commemorative speech honoring the fallen members of the 106th Infantry Division. Doug Coffey, assisted by Dr. De Laval, placed a wreath on the Memorial in the name of the 106th Infantry Division Association. Additional wreaths were then placed on the Memorial by Mr. Henri Thannen of the St. Vith Public Relations Office; Mayor Pip ; and finally Captain Vicker, USAF, who represented Detachment 0600 of the 603rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron from Prum, Germany (making a total of four (4) wreaths). A United States Army bugler from the 33rd US Army Band played "Last Post" and then "Taps." Colonel Herrmann read the remarks forwarded by Gen. Baker in English, German and French to the assemblage. This was followed by benedictions by Father Pankert, Director of the Catholic School; and Pastor Rehbein, Protestant Minister from Eupen. The Clergymen then recited the Lord's Prayer together, I made a closing remark, and the ceremony was concluded. Others in attendance, in addition to those already men-dolled, were: Maj. Servais Borboux, Belgian Army representative for Lieutenant Colonel Cannes, Commanding Officer of the Belgian Army Garrison in Vielsalm ; Madam DeLaval; members of the township ; and approximately two-hundred and fifty (250) school children of all ages from the St. Vith area. The ceremony was supported by two (2) platoons of Belgian troops from Vielsalm, the Headquarters USAREUR Color Guard, six (6) USAF troops from Prum, a photographer and sedan drivers from Heidelberg.
     I feel that the ceremony was fitting and proper for the occasion, and I'm certain that all 106ers would have been pleased if they had had the opportunity to witness the proceedings. I sin enclosing the photographs of the ceremony. I believe the captions on the back will pretty well tell the story. I am also enclosing a copy of General Baker's remarks as they were read by Colonel Herrmann at the ceremony.
     For a change, the weather for the 'ceremony was Very pleasant. With the exception of a light drizzle which had started falling half-way through the ceremony, the weather was moderate without high winds or snow this year. Following the ceremony, Mayor Pip

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    invited the officers and members of the township to a local hotel (not his own) for wine. Toasts were made and everyone genuinely enjoyed themselves. All of the many friends of the 106th in Belgium asked that they be remembered to General and Mrs. Baker.
     It was a pleasure to meet Doug Coffey after having corresponded with him last year. We were only able to talk briefly since he did not arrive in Vielsalm until the evening of 15 December and then departed St. Vith shortly after the ceremony in order to attend the ceremony at Bastogne.
Don W. Chabot, Major GS
Asst. Secy. of the Gen. Staff

     I had hoped to be in St. Vith today to participate in the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the start of the Ardennes Campaign, or as it is usually called, "The Battle of the Bulge."
     Having been in St. Vith on that fateful morning 20 years ago, and then having taken part in the dedication of the 106th Infantry Division Memorial and the past two 16 December memorial ceremonies. I especially regret not being able to be with you on this occasion when we again honor those who fell during that winter campaign of 1944-45. I know also that all former members of the 106th would wish to be with you if they could.
     I am glad, however, that Mr. Douglas Coffey can be in St. Vith to represent the 106th Infantry Division Association -- and that through the efforts of Dr. DeLaval of Vielsalm; Mayor Pip of St. Vith ; Lieutenant Colonel Camus, Commander of the Belgian Garrison in Vielsalm ; Father Pankert, Director of the Catholic School ; Pastor Rehbein of Eupen ; Captain Vicker of the USAF from Prum; and other friends of the 106th; this ceremony is possible. I would also like to express my appreciation, as well as that of the other members of the Division, to the U. S. Army Europe for providing an honor guard and bugler and for the other assistance furnished in arranging the ceremony.
     Although we cannot be in St. Vith in person, Mrs. Baker and I are with you in spirit. Along with you, we salute again those of the 106th, and other units, who gave their lives in the great battle that began in the Schnee Eifel twenty years ago today.

Hi!
     Our son, Tom Jr., arrived in Vietnam on Thanksgiving night. He writes that the heat and bugs are terrible, and all he wanted for Christmas was some bug spray!
     He is stationed about 90 miles from Saigon, and he says that things get pretty exciting at times and that guard duty is getting quite tiresome. They lack sleep, and he wishes he was back home where we have snow.
     The rest of us are fine although we all miss him very much. Tom's wife and son are fine too, but she wishes he was back here. Come May we will be grandparents again ! Yes! They are expecting another one!!!
Best Wishes To All, Alice and Tom Dorosky

Dear Members:
Thanks for all the CUBS that were sent to my new address.
     In December I attended a special program commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Ardennes Campaign, the Battle of the Bulge, Dec., 1944.
It was sponsored by the George Washington Chapter Association of the United States Army.
     The program opened with a concert by the United States Army Band. The Color Guard was from the 3rd U. S. Infantry (Old Guard), Fort Myer, Va. The Distinguished guests were His Excellency, Ambassador Louis Scheyyen ; The Belgian Ambassador to the United States ; General Anthony C. McAuliffe of Bastogne fame; and Dr. Hugh Cole

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Army Historian and author of the "Ardennes Campaign, Battle of the Bulge."
     We were shown two documentary films "Bastogne" and excerpts from an hour long nationally televised documentary "Battle of the Bulge," which was shown at a later date in December. My wife and I had a wonderful time at the Loveless home. The buffet supper was the most. It was nice to see the Baltimore area Golden Lions again.
Sincerely, Bill Johnson
Ed. Note -- From all reports, sounds like Kay is a great cook-- that's why John looks so good!

Dear Friends:
     Another December, and another Dec. 15 dinner. Ed Plenge and wife sure put on a swell affair. They brought out five or six new faces-- fellows I haven't seen in 20 years.
     I received a note from Father Day over the holidays with some sad news. Everybody that came to East Orange for our reunion in July will remember "Little Bud Van Der Wall," who showed up with Father Day. Sorry to say he passed away on Dec. 8.
     We all received another shock when we were informed that John Beals had died in a terrible accident in his home about the middle of January. Our deepest sympathy to Carol from all of us. Sorry, most of this news is bad.
See you in July, Tom Bickford
     Our faithful member, John D. Beals died in January during a fire in his home. John was taken from the bed in the badly damaged bedroom of the two-story frame home shortly after 4:30 p.m. He died at University Hospital 21/2 hours later. He apparently had been asleep when the blaze broke out. Thick smoke hampered firemen as they attempted to enter the house using gas masks, one team searched upstairs as another worked on the ground floor. After firemen were unable to get into the bedroom from inside the house, Fire Chief Adrian Rittenmeyer entered from an outside window. Beals was found lying on the smoldering bed.
     A squad of firemen worked several minutes in an attempt to revive Beals. Firemen were administering oxygen to Beals in the room even while smoke was still pouring from the bedding, furniture and walls. John was burned over most of his body.
     Mr. and Mrs. Beals had returned on Monday from a three-week vacation trip to California and other western states to visit relatives.
     He joined the army in 1942 and had served with the 106th Infantry. John was a painting contractor; he was a World War II veteran who was held prisoner by the Germans for eight months. He was also wounded in action and held the purple heart.
     The members of the 106th, extend their deepest sympathy to Carol, knowing how much he will be missed at the next reunion.
     Paul F. Russell, Sr., died on Christmas Day from a heart attack. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the European Theater and the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Mary's Church.
     Active bearers, all members of the 106th Quartermaster Co., were Leon Christenson, James McGrath, John O'Brien, John Charron, John Dippolt and Patrick Fitzgibbons. The flag was folded by Veterans Agent Raymond Sias and Thomas Curran and presented to the widow, Argie Russell.
249 Dorchester Road River Edge, New Jersey December 18, 1964

Mr. Sherod Collins
173 Huntington Road N.E.
Atlanta 9, Georgia
Dear Mr. Collins:
As the result of an article in a local newspaper on Friday, December 11, 1964, we learned of a 106th Memorial

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    Dinner to be held at a restaurant in a nearby town on the 13th. My B.W. and I attended and enjoyed the companionship of 25 other members of the Division and their lovely wives.
     I am not now or have I ever been a member of the Association, so I am enclosing a check in the amount of $5.00, together with a request to be counted among active members.
For your records-- my name, Joseph Lukowiak, 249 Dorchester Road, River Edge, New Jersey 07661.
Your records may reflect-- T/Sgt. or 2nd Lt. Ser. No. 32771238 or 0206699-- Hq. Btry., 591st F.A. Bn.
Thank you for your consideration. Very truly yours, Joseph M. Lukowiak
48, Vieux Marche' Vielsalm

January 19, 1965
Mr. Sherod Collins, Jr.
Adjutant-Treasurer
106th Inf. Div. Assn.
625 Charming Drive, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia
My dear "Golden Lion,"
     Your letter (with the check) reached me this morning. So, without waiting more, I wish to thank you for them and chiefly for your good wishes for this year.
     Allow me to tell you, from the bottom of my heart: May 1965 be as sweet, as happy as I wish for you and yours! What I did for the 106th I. D. is nothing else than a duty towards the unluckiest among the Divisions involved in the Battle of the Bulge! The Golden Lion was unlucky, but for everyone who seriously read its history, it earned respect and also admiration for its first fight!
Hoping to meet you, someday, Very sincerely yours, Dr. Maurice De Laval

    Gilbert Marcus, Capt. Inf. (Retd.) 423 Inf. Regt., Chicago, sent the following article in to the Chicago Daily News. "In regard to the article "Dec. 16, 1944-- Chaos in the Bulge" (Dec. 12) 1 would be breaking faith with my fallen comrades, whose courage has gone unnoted these past 20 years, if I did not mention the supreme sacrifice they made in the Battle of the Bulge. The men of the 422nd and 423rd Infantry Regiments of the 106th Division fought like demons to blunt the nose of that vicious attack made by the Panzers of Hitler's Army. We fought the tanks with rifles; and if we didn't stop the attack, we at least blunted it.
On that terrible day, these men took the brunt of the attack and they should be honored."

Mr. Bernard D. Herbert 483 S. Rochester Avenue Indianapolis, Indiana 46241 January 2, 1965
Dear Dick
     I just received my home-town paper and read in it about Paul Russell dying on Christmas Day. He had a heart attack. He went overseas with our division from Camp Atterbury.
     I thought the members would be interested in hearing about this; also, I noticed pallbearers were former members of the 106th Division. I sure hated to hear about it and right on Christmas Day. Did he ever join our Association? I certainly enjoy reading the CUB magazine and hearing about the different members of our 106th Division. A very happy and prosperous New Year to all of you.
Yours truly, Bernie

December 21, 1964
Dear Sherod:
     Enclosed find check for the Memorial Fund. This $30.00 is from donations at our Memorial Dinner held on Dec. 13th at Paramus, N. J.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
Sincerely, Edward C. Plenge
486 So. Prospect Ave. Bergenfield, N. J.

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     As Christmas time comes once again with all its festivities, my mind goes back to that bleak Christmas twenty years ago.
     I have just returned from a visit to the past, returning to England where I arrived during World War II, to join the many Americans to fight for the freedom of the world. It is a sad commentary today to look at freedom, which was purchased so dearly some twenty years ago. It is quite nostalgic to view the places where one stayed: the English countryside, with its intense dampness and cold which went right through to the marrow of your bones ; the trip to Weymouth to cram into those giant whales, the LSTs ; to travel that English Channel, truly one of the worst bodies of water ; to see and feel the heave as the ship first dipped water to the left and then dipped to the right; your buddies sick as dogs the entire trip. You try to land at Le Havre, but at this late date there are still snipers making it impossible to land. A Frenchy is taken aboard to act as a guide up the Seine River. This scene now re-lived from the shore brings back what it looked like then. There wasn't a bridge left standing from the bombing. Along the shores, debris of war was scattered about, and the flooded conditions made it impossible to work the land. You return to the little town of Limesy where, when you first arrived, your Battery Commander indicated a field of mud and said to set up tents. Instead you use your school French to obtain hay and straw for a bed. Then you go a 'bit further and meet a boy who understands and who gets you permission from a friendly farmer, who has been partly bombed out, to sleep in his barns ; then to get the Battery Commander's permission so that you can keep your men warm and dry and yet be on the road for reveille. Permission is easily granted as long as a supply of hay and straw is made available to the officers who make their beds in the trucks.
     At night you manage to sneak down to the petite village nearby to start the begining of a lasting friendship with a French family who run a Cafe. When they learn that you speak a bit of French you are invited back to their sitting room and have many pleasant evenings. The Cafe is still there, the people are still there and still as grateful to Americans and the sacrifices they made. You look behind the Church across the street, where twenty years ago the Germans had the V-1 launch platforms ; they knew that Americans wouldn't be likely to bomb a church and this left them free to bomb the English. You follow the path you trod, noting the road signs that show the way to such famous battles as Dieppe and finally reach your destination, St. Vith, a little town nestled in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes. It is snowing and cold and you bivouac in a fir forest. Here in this forest you make a move which is to hold you in good stead. Your buddy and you change from the summer underclothing you have into your winter jobs, (we had a name for them). This is done in the snow with the temperature below freezing, and your buddies think you are out of your cotton pickin' mind. But these same warm johns are to be worn without a change for the next five months. You don't know it now but a German prison camp awaits you, and you are not allowed a bath or a change in clothes. The first taste of battle is a wicked shelling as you move into position to replace the Division moving out. Walking over this area now twenty years later brings goose pimples as you see your buddies sprawled about and equipment scattered. Today there is nothing but green grass and memories. Battle experiences are commonplace and not much different from other GIs.
     When the battle of the Ardennes becomes so confused that artillery is advancing and infantry retreating to strategic positions ( ??) you begin to wonder. You return to the scene of your capture by the enemy and remember

12

    how you fooled the German guards and kept your plier kit, which you later used to play havoc with German communication. You have often wondered just how much damage you did, as you have since read many books and stories of how the Germans were as confused as the Americans during the battle due to breakdown of communications. When you think of the hundreds of pieces of wire you cut as you trod the path to prison camp, it gives you some satisfaction of contributing something to the effort. You visit the German homes that you stayed in during the battle and try to let the people understand that you had occupied their homes during the war. You are pleased now that you went into the woods and cut down a Christmas tree before Christmas and scrounged around the German homes and found enough decorations to have Christmas for your men. They thought you were a bit premature but as it turned out many men did not live to see December 25, 1944. You, yourself, arrived in the prison camp on Christmas Day.
     You now drive over the same path the Germans forced you to march over and with each hill they would say one more kilometer until you felt you would have to give in ; but give in to the Germans? Never! As you approach the town in which you had been locked in a box car and bombed by your own planes, what memories you have: your escape from the box cars, your fall on the rails and the loss of your steel helmet, your recapture and then the voice you hear along the railroad tracks calling for you, trying to locate your box car. It's one of your buddies who also escaped and was recaptured and insists that he be placed back in the same box car with you. The filth, the trial of prison life, the utter degradation is the difficult part of your life. As you look back you feel now that you just can't bring yourself to spend any money in Germany. It is only a temporary feeling because you have been taught to "Love thine enemies." But for today, you just hope that we will not be vindictive with the Germans but rather never forget what has happened here. You think of the massacre at Malmedy where unarmed GIs were slaughtered, and the house where some found refuge and the Germans set fire to it and killed those trying to escape. You think of the millions of Jews killed for no good reason except they were Jews. You think of your own Jewish buddy who was in your section and was killed in cold blood while marching to the salt mines ; and, when you think how you and others saved your other Jewish buddy from certain death by the Germans, you can allow yourself this temporary anger and unwillingness to help those who destroyed so many lives. The world should never forget Nazism or whatever name may be used as a sequel.
You remember those French men in prison who risked their lives to save yours by smuggling in food.
     You return to St. Vith for the ceremonies at the 106th Division Memorial to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the battle. Then on to Bastogne where the American, British, French, Belgian and Luxembourg forces join together at the Mardasson Memorial to pay tribute.
     For all the sights you have seen, there is nothing like seeing the American Flag waving in the breeze. You have seen the flags of the world, but Old Glory still brings a choking feeling.
     As the speeches are made and a new battlefield in Vietnam is mentioned and our activities there, you wonder, is this the start of something new all over again? You have just come through the towns of World War I; St. Mihiel, Sedan, Verdun and Bar Le Duc and then the towns of World War II. Haven't we learned anything about war and suffering?
     In Flanders fields the poppies grow; if we break faith with those who died, to you we throw the torch, be it yours to hold high. The men of those days passed the torch to us. Hitler put out the flame and started a new flame. Have these men also died in vain? Only history

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    can answer this, but it is time men learned to live in peace and not to be jealous of what the other fellow and the other nation have. There is no future in war, but a glorious life in peace. Twenty years have passed as a ship in the night. The memories are as sharp as yesterday.
Doug Coffey


Don't forget the Reunion dales. July 29, 30, 31, Aug. 1.
/
     Left to right: Maj. Chabot. Hq. USAREUR; Mayor Pip of St. Vith: Lt. Col. Herrmann. USAREUR: Sgt. Maj. Witney from Prum. In the background. school children of St. Vith.
/
St. Vith school children attending the ceremony.

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     February 1965 will mark the premiere of the "Army in Action" series in the BIG PICTURE. "Army in Action" is a unique documentary of 50 years of American history condensed into 13 fast paced half hour episodes. It documents the five decades of moving world events, international pressures and crises that caused the build-up of the United States Army from 1914 weakness to 1964 strength.
     "Army in Action" is an outstanding tribute to all those Americans who have served their country well, whether in war or peace, and who have kept the United States free, with liberty for all. All episodes of the BIG PICTURE are available for fraternal, civic and veteran group showings upon completion of their television runs. Interested personnel should contact the Information Offi, cer at their nearest Army installation.
     The N.J.-N.Y. 106ers held their Memorial Dinner on Sunday, December 13, at The Suburban Restaurant on Route 4 in Paramus.
     Jeannette and Ed Plenge were the cochairmen of the dinner, and they did a wonderful job. Only because of a few last minute cancellations, they didn't hit the magic number of 50. After a delicious dinner, the Rev. Thomas Foster gave an inspirational talk. We were warned that to get fat and complacent was shirking our duty. We should continue the fight for the better world which so many of our comrades died for. The guest list follows: Jeannette and Ed Plenge, Linda and Lou Rossi, Ann and Joe Lukowiak, Flo and Tom Bickford, Dot and Dave Brumaghin, Edith. and Roland Craig, Dot and Martin Dever, Regina and Mahlon Earle, Donna and Bill Hoinash, Marcia and Doug Archibald, Marge and Dick DeHeer, Betty and Harry Zorn, Lou and Howard Watt, Mrs. and Gordon Zicker, Mrs. and Gary Faber, Mrs. and George Labes, Mrs. and Ken Scheuts, Jack Middleton, Nathan Siegel, Paul Kotlarich, Anthony Fonti, Eugene Hassler, Tom McMahon, Tom Atkinson, Sal Cuccio, Pete Cialano, Thelma Angevine, Mrs. Jessie Bayersdorfer, Mrs. and George Thoma, and Mrs. and the Rev. Thomas Foster.

Will we see you in Augusta, Georgia?

     In its waning moments, the 88th Congress enacted and sent to the President legislation, effective May 1, 1965 reopening NSL Insurance for eligible World War II and Korean Veterans who have reduced or allowed their insurance to lapse. To buy this insurance you must have served between October 8, 1940 and January 1, 1957, and you must be in one of the following groups:
a. Veterans with service-connected disabilities who meet insurance standards of good health.
     b. Veterans whose service-connected disabilities alone prevent them from meeting insurance standards of good health.
     c. Veterans whose nonservice-connected disabilities as of October 13, 1964 had prevented them, or would have prevented them from buying commercial insurance at the highest rates.
     In addition to the reopening of NSLI, the new law allows veterans who already hold existing World War II or Korean term policies to convert them to a modified life plan. This is an inducement to some three million term policy holders to convert to a lifetime level premium plan before the premiums on renewable term become prohibitive with increasing age. Detailed information can be obtained from any VA office.
Three other laws, which are of general interest, passed the Second Session of the 88th Congress:
     Waiver of Premiums. The purpose of this bill is to extend from age 60 to age 65 the delimiting age, before which an insured person must become totally disabled to be eligible for waiver of premiums under a NSLI policy.
     Disability Rates. This bill amends existing law to provide that a disability which has been continuously rated at or above a given percentage for twenty years for the purpose of service-connected compensation, shall not thereafter be rated at any lesser percentage except upon a showing that the rating was based on fraud.
     Nursing Home Care. It is provided in this bill for the establishment and operation of 4,000 nursing home beds for eligible veterans. There is at present an administrative ceiling of 125,000 hospital beds; and this bill will provide an increase above that for nursing care, with no limit other than the availability of funds. These beds are to be provided as rapidly as possible, and are to be an important item in the care of veterans. In addition to the enactment of new laws, the Veterans Administration has announced that it is still possible for certain World War II veterans to obtain GI home loans. Entitlement may be used for ten years after discharge plus one additional year for each 90 days of active war time service. However, all World War II entitlement does expire on July 25, 1967.
     If you have a GI loan on your home, you are still liable for the loan in the event you sell your home, since the loan was guaranteed to the lender by the VA in your name. To avoid this responsibility, when selling your home you should arrange to have the buyer assume liability.
     If you are in covered employment for the purpose of Social Security benefits, or self-employed for the same purpose, you should check your account periodically. There is a tremendous amount of paper work in connection with posting of individual accounts by the Government, and errors do occur. Your earnings record can only be corrected if you make the request therefor within three years, three months and fifteen days after the calendar year in which you received the compensation, which indicates it should be done each three years. This can be done simply by filing a special post card, obtainable at any Social Security office.
     It certainly pays to be forehanded. There are still more than 1,000 widows of Civil War veterans collecting pensions. The Civil War ended just 100 years ago. The average young soldier could not have been much less than 20 years of age at the time of his discharge. If the average widow is now 70, she must have married our grizzled veteran about 1915, when he was 70 and she was 20. So, watch those pensions, gals.

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Index for This Document

106th Div., 6, 16, 19
106th Inf. Div., 3, 11, 16
106th Infantry Division Association, 4, 11, 12
106th Memorial, 15
37th FA BN, 6
422nd Inf., 3, 8
423rd Inf. Regt., 8, 16
424th Inf., 3
589th FA BN, 7
591st FA BN, 8, 16
603rd Aircraft Control, 11
86th Air Force, 4
Alexander, William, 8
Angevine, Thelma, 22
Archibald, Marcia & Doug, 22
Ardennes, 1, 18
Ardennes Campaign, 12, 14
Atkinson, Tom, 22
Baker, Gen., 4, 11, 12
Baker, Gen. & Mrs., 12
Baker, Gen. Bill, 4
Baker, Mrs., 12
Bar Le Duc, 19
Bastogne, 4, 12, 13, 14, 19
Battle Of The Bulge, 4, 12, 14, 16
Bayersdorfer, Mrs. Jessie, 22
Beals, John, 14
Beals, John D., 14
Beals, Mrs., 14
Belgium, 1, 4, 12
Bickford, Flo & Tom, 22
Bickford, Tom, 14
Brazill, Myles, 8
Broth, Eunice & Henry M., 10
Broth, Henry M., 10
Brumaghin, Dave, 3
Brumaghin, Dot & Dave, 22
Brussels, 4
Byrd, Myrtle & Austin, 8
Camp Atterbury, 16
Camus, Lt. Col., 12
Cannes, Lt. Col., 11
Chabot, Don W., 12
Chabot, Maj. Don, 4
Charron, John, 14
Christenson, Leon, 14
Churchill, Sir Winston, 1
Cialano, Pete, 22
Coffey, Doug, 1, 4, 6, 11, 12, 18, 21
Coffey, Mr. Douglas, 12
Coffey, Mr. Douglas S., 11
Cole, Dr. Hugh, 13
College Patronee, 4
Collins, Mr. Sherod, 14
Collins, Mr. Sherod, Jr., 16
Collins, Sherod, 1, 8
Collins, Sherod, Jr., 4
Craig, Edith. & Roland, 22
Cuccio, Sal, 22
Curran, Thomas, 14
Day, Father, 14
Day, Father John B., 8
DeHeer, Dick, 1, 3
DeHeer, Marge & Dick, 22
DeHeer, Richard, 1
DeLaval, Dr., 1, 4, 6, 11, 12
DeLaval, Madam, 11
Dever, Dot & Martin, 22
Dippolt, John, 14
Div. Artillery, 6
Dolitsky, Marty & Libby, 8
Dorosky, Alice & Tom, 12
Dover, 10
Earle, Regina & Mahlon, 22
Enlow, Russell, 8
Eupen, 4, 11, 12
Eupen, Belgium, 11
Faber, Mrs. & Gary, 22
Fitzgibbons, Patrick, 14
Fonti, Anthony, 22
Foster, Mrs. & The Rev. Thomas, 22
Freedman, Henry, 8
Garretson, Rita & Robert, 10
Germany, 19
Harmon, Lt. Col. Harold, 8
Hartman, Claire & Richard, 10
Hassler, Eugene, 22
Heidelberg, 4, 6, 11
Herbert, Mr. Bernard D., 16
Herrmann, Col., 4, 11
Herrmann, Lt. Col., 11, 21
Herrmann, Tom, 4
Hoinash, Donna & Bill, 22
Hoover, Phil, 8
Howe, Julia Ward, 3
Johnson, Bill, 14
Johnson, Joyce & William, 10
Johnson, Lt. Col. & Mrs. Ronald C., 6
Johnson, Mrs., 6
Jones, Gen. & Mrs. Alan W., 10
Kotlarich, Paul, 22
Labes, Mrs. & George, 22
Lackey, Vaden, 6
LeHarve, 18
Libera, Henry, 6
Liege, 6
Loveless, John, 1
Loveless, John T., Jr., 3
Loveless, K. & John, 10
Loveless, Kay II, 10
Lukowiak, Ann & Joe, 22
Lukowiak, Joseph, 16
Lukowiak, Joseph M., 16
Luxembourg, 4, 19
Malmedy, 19
Manahan, Col. & Mrs. William T., 10
Mansfield, Horace E., Jr., 8
Marche, 16
Marcus, Gilbert, 16
Mardasson Memorial, 19
Matthews, Col. Joe, 1
McAuliffe, Gen. Anthony C., 13
McGrath, James, 14
McMahon, Brig. Gen. Leo T., 1
McMahon, Leo T., 1
McMahon, Tom, 22
Middleton, Jack, 22
Mowlds, Maj. Lyle W., 10
O'Brien, John, 14
Pankert, Father, 11, 12
Pankert, Herr, 4, 6
Pip, Mayor, 4, 11, 12, 21
Plenge, Ed, 3, 14, 22
Plenge, Edward C., 17
Plenge, Jeannette & Ed, 22
Prum, 4, 12, 21
Prum, Germany, 11
Redmond, Dean T., 8
Rehbein, Pastor, 11, 12
Rittenmeyer, Adrian, 14
Rock Island Arsenal, 8
Rossi, Linda & Lou, 22
Rossin, Leo, 8
Russell, Argie, 14
Russell, Paul, 16
Russell, Paul F., Sr., 14
Rutt, Lucille & Bob, 8
Scheuts, Mrs. & Ken, 22
Scheyyen, Louis, 13
Schnee Eifel, 12
Scott, Earl & Catherine, 7
Sedan, 19
Seine River, 18
Sias, Raymond, 14
Siegel, Nathan, 22
Snyder, David, 10
Snyder, Walter M., 8
St. Mihiel, 19
St. Vith, 1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21
St. Vith, Belgium, 11
Thannen, Mr. Henri, 11
The 106th Inf. Div. Memorial, 12
The Battle Of The Bulge, 12
Thoma, Mrs. & George, 22
Van Der Wal, Bud, 14
Verdun, 19
Vicker, Capt., 11, 12
Vielsalm, 11, 12, 16
Vielsalm, Begium, 11
Vietnam, 12, 19
Washington, George, 13
Watt, Lou & Howard, 22
Wells, Jim & Maydean, 1
Weymouth, 18
Witney, Sgt. Maj., 21
Woolfley, Brig. Gen. F. A., 8
Zicker, Mrs. & Gordon, 22
Zorn, Betty & Harry, 22