Original Cub Document
Uploaded: 23-Nov-2022
The CUB
Vol. 67, No. 2 May 2011
Submitted by Association Historian John Schaffner (589/A)
Major General Donald Stroh, Commander of the 106th Infantry Division which lost two combat infantry regiments in the Battle of the Bulge, awards Combat Infantry Streamers to the guidons of each battalion and company of the 422nd and 423rd Infantry Regiments.
Shown here, the men of both regiments march forward toward the reviewing stand for the presentation of the Streamers at Langenbrucken, Germany. 4 Aug. 1945.
John Schaffner has provided additional historic photos of the 106th Infantry Division during World War II. See the rest of the article starting on page 10.
Total Membership July 31, 2011 – 1,240
Membership includes CUB magazine subscription
Annual Dues are no longer mandatory for Vets/Associates: Donations accepted
Payable to "106th Infantry Division Association" in care of Treasurer -- See address below
Elected Offices
President Newton W. Weiss
Past-President (Ex-Officio). Rev. Ewell Black, Jr.
1st Vice-Pres Sy Lichtenfeld
2nd Vice-Pres William Stahl
Business Matters, Deaths, Address changes
First Name = Chairman / Second Name = Backup
Adjutant: Murray Stein 7614 Charing Crossing Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446 561-499-7736 greg0803@bellsouth.net
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Treasurer/Membership: Harry F. Martin Jr. 121 McGregor Avenue, Mount Arlington, NJ 07856 973-663-2410 hmartin19@optonline.net
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Chaplain: Rev. C. Ewell Black, Jr. 2000 E-W Conn - Apt 212, Austell, GA 30106 770-819-7212 ecb@avillager.org
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Memorial Chairman:
Dr. John G. Robb / Frank Trautman 238 Devore Dr., Meadville, PA 16355 814-333-6364 jrobb238@hotmail.com
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CUB Editor: William McWhorter 166 Prairie Dawn, Kyle, Texas 78640 512-970-5637 williammcwhorter17@gmail.com
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CUB Publisher: Susan Weiss 9 Cypress Point Court, Blackwood, NJ 08012 856-415-2211 sweiss@gccnj.edu
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Historian ...... John Schaffner/William McWhorter
Atterbury Memorial Representative .. Frank Trautman
Resolutions Chairman..... Reverend Ewell C. Black
Order of the Golden Lion ..........To be announced
Nominating Committee Chairman Sy Lichtenfeld, slich44@gmail.com
Mini-Reunions.. Edward Christianson/Dr. Ralph Nelson
ADA Liaison ..................... Gifford Doxsee
Membership Chairman ......... .Harry F. Martin Jr.
Board of Directors
Rev. Ewell C. Black Jr. (422/A)....... (2010) 2000 E-W Conn - Apt 212, Austell, GA 30106, 770-819-7212, ecb@avillager.org
Edward L. Christianson (331st Med/C) (2010) 303 Harper Hollow Lane, Winchester, VA 22603 540-877-1643, deconed@webtv.net
Gifford B. Doxsee (423/HQ 3 Bn) ..... (2010) 1 Canterbury Drive, Athens, OH 45701-3708, 740-592-3472, doxsee@oak.cats.ohiou.edu
Dr. Ralph Nelson (422/CN) .......... (2010), 10437 Prestwick NE, Albuquerque NM 87111, 505-275-3044, ralph-rhoda@comcast.net
Lyle Beeth (424/AT) ................ (2011), 2004 Golf Manor Blvd., Valrico, FL 33596-7288 1-888-644-4337, beeth2@hotmail.com
Harry F. Martin Jr. (424/L).......... (2011), 121 McGregor Ave., Mount Arlington, NJ 07856 973-663-2410, hmartin19@optonline.net
Charles F. Rieck (422/H) ............ (2011), 7316 Voss Parkway, Middleton, WI 53562-3776
Ellsworth H. Schanerberger (331st Med D). .(2011) 15964 N Swathmore Ct., Livonia, MI 48154-1005 734-591-7851, eh_schanerberger@att.net
Dr. John G. Robb (422/D) ........... (2012), 238 Devore Dr., Meadville, PA 16355, 814-333-6364, jrobb238@hotmail.com
John M. Roberts (592/C) ............ (2012), 1059 Alter Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-1401, 248-338-2667, jmr810@aol.com
John Schaffner (589/A) ............ .(2012), 1811 Miller Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030-1013, 410-584-2754, pumexim2@verizon.net
Frank S. Trautman (422/D).......... (2012) 600 Morningside Dr., Zionsville, IN 46077-1903
William "Bill" Stahl (422/K) ......... (2013) 211 Arapaboe Ct., Junction City, KS 66441 785-238-2364
Herbert "Mike" Sheaner (422/G) ..... (2013), P.O. Box 140535 Dallas, Texas 75214, 214/823-3003, Herbsheaner@SBCGlobal.net
Donald F. Herndon (424/L) .......... (2014) 8313 NW 102, Oklahoma City, OK 73162-4026, 405-721-9164, oklastamps@aol.com
Bernard Mayrsohn (423/CN) ........ (2014) 34 Brae Burn Drive, Purchase, NY 33138, 914-428-8200, Ethelbarn@aol.com Web site: www.mayrsohn.com
Newton Weiss (423/HQ 3Bn)......... (2014), 400 Morse Avenue, Gibbstown, NJ 08027-1066, 856-423-3511, newtruth@comcast.net
Newton Weiss (423/HQ 3Bn).........President 2010-2011
This being my last "President's View" for The CUB, I would like to thank all of you who have helped me during my term as president. There are a couple of people in particular, who without their assistance our Association would not be able to maintain this quality newsletter, our main line of communication. My daughter, Susan, graciously volunteers her graphic design skills to produce this attractive and professional newsletter.
William McWhorter also volunteers his expertise and is responsible for editing the newsletter's interesting content. I hope that we can continue to attract Associate members who, like Susan and William, are dedicated and care about donating their time to the 106th.
There are changes that will soon be taking place within our Association, such as adding Associate members to the Board and giving them the power of elected office. This will help to keep the 106th Inf. Div. Association operating to "the last man standing," and to ensure the history and deeds of the 106th into the future. I am hoping that many of you will be able to attend our 65th Reunion in Baltimore, where you will be able to express your views on the reorganization at the luncheon meeting.
On Friday, July 8, I had the honor of being selected to participate in the Philadelphia Phillies' "Salute to Veterans" event. I was the only WW II participant and stood alongside vets representing combat in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Being the oldest veteran, I was privileged to lead the group onto the playing field. During the introduction, it was announced that I was a "combat infantry man for the 106th Infantry Division at the Battle of the Bulge." Keeping in mind those of our comrades who I represented and had passed on before me, and being on the field in front of more than 45,000 fans and receiving a standing ovation was a very emotional moment--one I will never forget.
PHOTO: Photo by Heddy Bergsman/Courtesy of the Phillies
PHOTO: Newton W. Weiss, 423/Hq 106th Infantry Division Association; President 2010–2011; 400 Morse Avenue, Gibbstown, NJ 08027-1066, 856-423-3511 newtruth@comcast.net
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Murray Stein, 423/I, Ex Comm, Adjutant
My Brothers,
We'll be celebrating in Baltimore in September and counting our blessings, in that we will be spending some quality time together--more than 66 years since the Battle of the Bulge. During this reunion, the POW/ MIA Recognition Day falls on Friday, September 16. For the past ten years, I have acted as the M.C. for the program at the V.A. Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL. With the approval of our Board of Directors, I have planned a program at the hotel for that evening of the Reunion. We are fortunate to have as our guest speaker for the program Mr. Paul Galanti, Commissioner of Veterans Services, and a Vietnam POW (for nearly seven years). His biography can be read in this issue of The CUB (see page 6). Dinner that evening will be hosted by our Association. The program will begin at 6:00 pm. For our Saturday Banquet, we are doubly fortunate to have as our guest speaker Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum (retired), a former Infantry Div. Commander. For the first time we will not only be sharing breakfast on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we will also enjoy dinner together on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Since our Reunion dates are listed in the VFW and DAV magazines, I have been contacted by a number of 106s, who said "this was the first time that they were aware of the 106th Infantry Division Association and our reunions."
How sad. I recently mentioned this in a telephone conversation with Joan and Don Herndon. I told Don my story as to how I became involved with our Association and Don suggested that we ask our members to send in short stories as to "How I Learned of the 106th Infantry Division Association" and "My First Reunion." I've asked our Editor, William McWhorter (Associate Member) to review and publish some of these stories -- if any of our people respond!
Please note the questionnaire (on page 3) submitted by Randy Wood and Tom Hoff, who are interested in planning the future role of our Associate Members in the continuing life of the 106th. They're looking for comments and thoughts and would especially want to hear from our Associate Members before the reunion in Baltimore.
Our Board of Directors is still thinking positive and we are planning a 2012 Reunion. Our opinion is that the reunion should be held in the Washington D.C./Virginia area, close
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to the WWII Memorial and the Arlington Cemetery, for visiting plans. We will be discussing this at the reunion in Baltimore.
Barbara and I are anxious to see you all again––hope you're having a great summer and planning to bring along some of our young Associates.
Love ya, Murray Stein
PHOTO: Murray Stein, 423/I, Ex Comm, Adjutant; 7614 Charing Cross Lane Delray Beach, FL 33446 561-499-7736 Greg0803@adelphia.net
Murray Stein asks that you please take a moment and complete the following Questionnaire
Associate members Randall Wood and Tom Hoff, acting as Ad-Hoc Committee Chairman and Secretary, are expecting a response from both 106th Veterans and Associates, to the following:
Should the 106th Association continue after most of the Veterans have passed?
Yes No
Should the 106th Association continue to celebrate their own reunions?
Yes No
Should the 106th combine reunions with the VBOB, since we are all Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge? Yes No
For AssociAte MeMbers only:
The amended By-Laws, if approved by the Board of Directors at the Baltimore reunion, will allow Associate Members to serve on the Board and become eligible for elected office.
Would you be willing to serve in either capacity? Yes No
Please respond before the Reunion via e-mail to:
Randall Wood at woodchuck01@sbcglobal.net
Or Tom Hoff at tjhoff@milesaheadmedia.com
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Golden Lions During World War II––A Photo Article
by Murray Stein
Every so often, I see a picture in The CUB of one of us as a young soldier. In the last issue (Vol. 67 No. 1) I thought it would be fun to have as many of our soldier photos as are available, to be published in The CUB. Editor William McWhorter agreed to my request to continue this series in this and subsequent issues of The CUB. Look for the photos below and keep sending them in!
PHOTO: These photos are of my father, Ervin Szpek and Jim Mills. Dad and Jim are both from the 423/I and are close army buddies to this day, sharing similar experiences from stateside to the Bulge and then Stalag 4B and Slaughterhouse 5.
Submitted by Erv Szpek, Jr., Associate Member of the 106th Association, Chairman of the Chicago Ex-POWs of Stalag IVB Association
PHOTO: Golden Lions Ervin Szpek (423/I) [left] and Jim Mills (423/I) in 1944.
PHOTO: L-R, Ervin Szpek (423/I), possibly ? Lorenz (423/ HQ 3rd Bn) and Jim Mills (423/I) hamming it up as cowboys while taking some R & R at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, after returning as POWs from Slaughterhouse 5, Dresden in 1945.
PHOTO: Can you help put a name to this photo (at right) of an unidentified 106th soldier with division shoulder patch?
Submitted by Murray Stein, who found the photo on eBay
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Golden Lion Walter C. Greve (423/HQ/1st Bn) submitted the following photo of the Communications Platoon of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 423rd Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division. Can you help identify some of the soldiers in this photo?
PHOTO: Front Row – ? Caldwell, ? Crisan, ? Peak, ? Greve and ? Donesan (from Cleveland).
2nd Row – ? Daniels, Unknown, Unknown, ? Dunn, Lt. N. Mueller.
3rd Row – Unknown, ? Danielle, Unknown, ? McGoogan, ? Cunningham and ? Wood.
Golden Lion Sy Lichtenfeld (422/I) submitted the following
photos associated with his service during World War II. Sy was taken prisoner during the Battle of Bulge.
PHOTO: (Right) My (Sy) Prisoner of War record and mug shot taken by the Germans, December 29, 1944 at the time of my interrogation.
(Below right)
PHOTO: A picture of the infamous "Forty and Eight" style boxcar that the Germans used to haul 65+ prisoners, when I was taken prisoner. I (Sy) was locked in one for seven continuous days; then another box car for three additional days while they were transporting us all around Germany.
Look for additional Golden Lions' submissions of their World War II-era photos later in this issue of The CUB of the Golden Lion.
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PHOTO: Paul Galanti
Guest Speaker at the 2011 Reunion's POW/MIA Recognition Program (Friday, September 16)
Paul Galanti grew up in an Army family in many states, Japan, France, Turkey and Germany. He graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy in 1957 and the U.S. Naval Academy in 1962. He immediately entered navy-jet flight training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. Following completion of advanced training in November 1963, he was a flight instructor in Pensacola.
In November 1964, he joined Navy Light Jet Attack Squadron 216 (VA-216) based aboard the carrier, USS Hancock, which departed for Southeast Asia in November 1965.
Galanti flew 97 combat missions in his A-4 Skyhawk before being shot down and captured on June 17, 1966. He remained a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for nearly seven years and was released on February 12, 1973. Following rehabilitation at Portsmouth Naval Hospital, the Navy sent him to the Navy Recruiting District in Richmond, Virginia as its Executive Officer. He received a Master's of Commerce degree (MBA) from the University of Richmond in May 1976 after two years of night school. He then became Commanding Officer of the Richmond Recruiting District.
In July 1979, he moved to Annapolis in the Office of the Commandant at the Naval Academy, responsible for the military and leadership training of 750 academy midshipmen. Additionally, he was faculty advisor to the Brigade of Midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corps, the Lucky Bag (Academy yearbook) and the Midshipmen Honor Committee. After being medically retired from the Navy, he became, in 1983, the first non-pharmacist Executive Director of the Virginia Pharmaceutical Association in its 100-year history. Joining the Medical Society of Virginia staff in September 1991, Galanti became the Executive Vice President of the Society on January 1, 1993. In both organizations, he used his computer expertise to vault them into the forefront nationally for association automation. In 2000, he was the Virginian Campaign Director for Senator John McCain's Presidential bid.
He is currently active in the American Ex-Prisoners of War service organization and remains active in Virginia politics. He worked with Senator McCain again in his bid in 2008. He was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in November 2005. A replica of his A-4C from VA-216 is on display at the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond.
In April 2010, he was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell as the Commissioner of Veterans Services of the commonwealth of Virginia. Galanti's personal decorations include the Silver Star, combat awards of two Legions of Merit and the Bronze Star, nine combat
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Air Medals and two Purple Hearts. Additional information: Galanti
Appeared on the covers of Life (October 20, 1967) and Newsweek (February 26, 1973) and in the August 19, 1999 of Time. Selling Power highlighted his success story in a six-page motivation section, "Never Give Up, Never Give In," in its May/June 1996 issue. That national sales journal chose him as one of the "Twelve Outstanding Motivators" in the United States in September 1996.
The new 18,000 sq. ft. education center at the Virginia War Memorial is named for Paul and Phyllis Galanti. He has appeared in several documentary films including the Discovery Channel's Emmy Award-winning, "Vietnam POWs, Stories of Survival," and Public Television's "Return With Honor."
He is the Past President of the Virginia Aviation Foundation, the Science Museum of Virginia Foundation, Nam-Pow's, the national Vietnam POW Fraternity and is also an elder at First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, he serves on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Former POWs. He was president of his class at Annapolis. He is married to the former Phyllis Eason. They have two grown sons.
General H. Steven Blum:
Guest Speaker at the 106th's Reunion's Banquet (Saturday, September 17)
H. Steven Blum, (born on October 13, 1946) is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. He last served as Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, where he concurrently served as Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command from January 16, 2009 to May 21, 2010. Prior to that, Blum served as the 25th Chief of the National Guard Bureau from April 11, 2003 to November 17, 2008.
He retired from the Army and the National Guard on May 21, 2010. As Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command, Blum helped lead the command to anticipate, prepare, and respond to threats and aggression aimed at the United States, its territories, and interests within the assigned area of responsibility and, as directed by the President or Secretary of Defense, provided defense support of civil authorities including consequence management operations. As Chief, National Guard Bureau, Blum was the senior uniformed National Guard of the United States officer responsible for formulating, developing, and coordinating all policies, programs, and plans affecting more than half a million federalized and non-federalized Army National Guard and Air National Guard personnel. Appointed by the President, he served as the principal adviser to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army, and the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force on all National Guard issues. As National Guard Bureau Chief, he served as the Army's and Air Force's official channel of communication with state governors and Adjutants General concerning state National Guards. Prior to serving as Chief, National Guard Bureau, Blum served as Chief of Staff, U.S. Northern Command.
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"We Lost an Angel" -- Thomas David Roberts
(Please also see page 38.)
Tom would have been the first non-106th veteran elected to the Board of Directors of our Association. Tom accompanied his father, Past President Jack Roberts to the past few reunions. The love of that father-son relationship was so obvious! I was privileged to have met Tom these past few reunions. We bonded immediately! I came to love this young man, and I hoped he felt the same about me. Tom was scheduled to play piano for us at the POW/MIA Friday evening program, and at the Saturday morning Memorial service. Tom had sent me a number of musical presentations he had produced in his studio, in the basement of his home. Knowing that all the instruments were being played by him made it so terrific to listen to. I truly enjoyed listening and now it's a magical memory. I became aware of his musical background at the reunion in Minnesota. He entertained us there. I know Tom will be playing for everyone up in heaven.
We will all miss him! Our sincerest heartfelt sympathy to his family, Barbara and Murray Stein Adjutant 106th Association
Four Lieutenants
Submitted by John R. Schaffner (589/A)
The following poem is by Dale R. Carver, 424th Infantry Regiment.
The Young Lieutenants
Where are the young lieutenants who sailed across the sea?
Where are the proud young men who went across with me?
Some are home, now older, some sleep beyond the sea --
and all are so much humbler than ever they thought they'd be.
PHOTO: The photo is that of Francis O'Toole, Graham Cassibry, Earl Scott, and Willard Crowley, all 2nd Lieutenants of the 589th Field Artillery Battalion at the time. O'Toole was killed during a bombing while held as a POW and is buried at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Margraten in Holland. Cassibry survived the war having earned the Air Medal for flying an L-4 plane out during the battle preventing its capture or destruction. Scott later served in the Virginia Air Guard rising to the position of Commander of his unit. Crowley survived the POW experience but has not stayed in touch. The photo certainly represents the positive attitude prevalent in the division prior to sailing and also could have been the inspiration for Dale Carver's sensitive poem.
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John R. Schaffner 589/A,
Historian, Past President 2002-2003
A brief look at Maryland's history:
Next year, 2012, marks the Bicentennial Anniversary of the War of 1812. It is only natural, I suppose, that we who are living history, have not had that much interest in the previous wars that shaped this great nation. Our war is the one that left the lasting impression. A visit to Baltimore should include a visit to Fort McHenry. This place has been restored to the appearance it presented to the British Navy when it was attacked on September 13–14, 1814. A young Baltimore lawyer was being held on a British warship during the bombardment. When dawn broke he was inspired to write the words that became our national anthem. The flag that was "still flying" measured 30 x 42 feet.
If the wind is not too brisk, a flag that size will be on the pole when we visit. It is inspiring, to say the least, even emotional when you see it.
The British had landed their army south of the city with the intention of sacking and burning as they had done in Washington, D.C. Their defeat at a place called North Point and the repulse of their navy at Ft. McHenry decided the issue. The city had been spared. This is only a brief glimpse of the area's local history.
As you all know by now, the reunion in Baltimore, September 14–18, is located in the city whose history began with the earliest settlers of this continent. You may not know that the first blood spilled at the outset of the Civil War happened only a few city blocks from where our hotel is. Many Maryland citizens were sympathetic to the southern cause. Union soldiers of the 6th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, traveling to Washington, D.C. to provide protection from rebel forces, arrived in Baltimore on April 19, 1861. A day-long melee occurred costing 16 lives, civilians and four Union soldiers. In those days, the railroad did not pass through Baltimore. A traveler had to leave one station, (President Street Station) pass through downtown on Pratt Street and board a train several blocks away at Camden Station. (Sounds like the present-day air terminal, doesn't it?) The Union soldiers were met by a riotous crowd, shots were fired, rocks thrown, and the fighting was desperate between the citizens and soldiers all along the route. Even though Fort Sumpter may have heard the first shots fired, the first real casualties of the Civil War occurred in Baltimore.
As a young man I read a lot of fiction about WW I, The Great War to
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End all Wars. There was the series titled, Boy Allies, Winged Warfare, Ace of the Iron Cross, Flying Aces of World War I, Private Selby, et. al. I became hooked on reading. It still beats anything else that has come along since, for both entertainment and education. Many books have been written and published about World War II events and experiences. Some have been written by the veterans of the 106th Infantry Division. More have been written by history buffs, and more are "in progress" as I write this column. I fully realize that many of you don't want to re-live your experience. I understand.
If you care about your buddies and their experiences, I recommend that you read their stories. You will learn a lot about them that you never suspected.
PHOTO: Below are nine photos from the National Archives and Records Administration.
PHOTO: Layout of equipment for personal inspection. 28 April 1943, 106th Division Artillery.
An American soldier looks over the remains of a sack of mail that will never be delivered. It was among supplies and equipment abandoned when this area, near Auw, Germany, was overrun by the Germans in their December breakthrough. The territory has been retaken by the 1st U.S. Army troops.
February 1945, 423rd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division.
The war comes home to Germany as German supplies fall to the enemy. Here a train load of German equipment captured by an infantry division of the 1st U.S. Army sits just outside Antweiler, Germany. 9 March 1945.
PHOTO: A group of German infantrymen taken prisoner by the 319th Infantry Regiment near Mertzig, Luxembourg. These men are all members of the 18th Co., 914 Volksgrenadier Regiment, 352nd Division.
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PHOTO: Here, General Stroh, surrounded by the guidons of the two regiments, is placing the Streamers as the men lower the guidon in a salute to the General. 4 August 1945.
PHOTO: The B-17, "Me and My Gal," was shot up by flak over Dresden, Germany. It got back as far as Berk, Germany on two motors where flak knocked out another motor and the crew was ordered to bail out. Patrols from the 89th and 106th Infantry Divisions brought in all but two of the crew members who are still missing.
A crash landing was finally made between Butenbach and Bullingen, Belgium. The mark on the hillside in the foreground was from the initial impact of the airplane which bounced from this point over the stream and came to rest on the far hillside. 16 February 1945.
PHOTO: (Right) U.S. Infantrymen of Company C, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division, near Coulle, Belgium, pinned down by German sniper fire disperse before making a forward rush. 16 January 1945.
Major General Stroh, surrounded by the guidons of the companies of the two regiments, is placing the streamers as the men lower the guidons in a salute to the General. 4 Aug 1945.
Captain H. P. Bailey, Raleigh, N.C., left, checks party and arranges for their passage into front line areas. A member of the Military Government unit of the 106th Infantry Division, 1st U.S. Army, he also tells them of civilians in the vicinity who need medical treatment. Hunningen, Belgium. 28 February 1945.
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Treasurer, Harry F. Martin Jr. (424/L) asked the staff of The CUB to inform the readership that, while dues are no longer necessary, the Association is very appreciative of the donations which pour in daily.
Please report all changes of address and deaths to Association Treasurer and Membership Chairman: Harry F. Martin Jr. (424/L), 121 McGregor Avenue Mt Arlington, NJ 07856 Phone: 973-663-2410 E-mail: hmartin19@optonline.net
Association Membership As of July 31, 2011
Veterans and Associates
Total Members 1,240
LIFE PLUS and REGULAR DONATIONS:
589/A Al Lerno
591/HQ Charles K. Booda, Jr.
423/AT Paul R. Lamb
589/A Austin L. Byrd, Jr.
Associate Brian Welke
424/H Sidney H. Auerbach
424/H Marcus A. Bartusek
589/A Barney M. Alford Jr.
424/CN Edward J. Huber
106 RECON William C. Mitchell
Marcia Wysocky
592/SV Michael G. Sgrignoli
591/HQ Victor Fuchs
Associate Beatrice Keeber
590/C Henry C. Wittenberg
423/I Ervin Szpek, Sr.
422/A Ewell C. Black, Jr.
Associate Ervin Szpek, Jr.
423/SV John S. Starmack
422/A Theodore F. Stefan
Associate Doris Davis
422/D Willis Bouma
589/A Barney Alford
422/CN Herbert H. Clark
Associate George Fleming
Associate Richard Buchanan
Associate Michael Ciquero
424/F Kenneth A. Mess
Associate Robert A. Faro
Associate Marcel Gustin
424/G Frank Grasberger
422/I Seymour Lichtenfeld
424/K August Macaluso
422/HQ 2BN Norman Rasmussen
423/B Joseph Salerno
422/I John H. Mock
Associate Helen Salerno
423/G L. Martin Jones
424/B Stanley A. Stopper
422/D James Adsit
168th Eng. Dean F. Jewett
590/HQ Robert Niner
continued on next page
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A Donation Made in Memory of Her Uncle George Vance
Dear Mr. Martin,
It was a pleasure talking with you last week and I appreciate the help you gave me.
My uncle George would be very happy to know that I am making a donation to his 106th Infantry Division in his memory. He enjoyed being a participant in this group and attending the reunions and spending time with his friends over the years. I am enclosing the obituary written about his life. He loved his country and like all of the veterans sacrificed for it during World War II.
God bless you and all the members of this honorable group. Best wishes in the future.
Sincerely, Yvonne Vance Chichin
Please see his obituary on page 39 of this CUB.
MEMORIAL DONATION:
Chester and Yvonne Vance Chichin gave $10,000
In memory of Yvonne's uncle, George T. Vance, 422/AT
Pinewood Greens Homeowners Association In memory of Charles L. Lowery, Jr. 424th, he was a very well-respected man and loved by many.
NEW MEMBERS:
Associate Richard E. Buchanan
Associate Michael Ciquero
Associate Therese Costa
Associate Doris Davis
423/F Harold A. Fleming
Associate Tamara Haywood
Associate Bradford N. Hillard
Associate Helen M. Salerno
Div. Unknown Thomas Wicker
Associate Marcia Wysocky
YOUR Annual Dues Are NO Longer DUE
If you are an ANNUAL member (not a LIFE member), your annual dues are no longer due. At the last Board of Directors meeting held during the 2010 Reunion, the board voted to dispense with the annual dues payments. We are asking for donations, whatever you can give, to help defray the cost of printing and mailing the CUBs, which go out to you three times a year. We will also continue to collect Memorial and Life Plus donations. Please make all checks payable to "106th Infantry Division Association" and mail them to the new treasurer listed below:
Harry F. Martin Jr., Treasurer
121 McGregor Avenue Mount Arlington, NJ 07856
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Announcements from the editor of The CUB of the Golden Lion
Hello, my name is William A. McWhorter and I am the editor of The CUB of the Golden Lion (The CUB).
I am an admirer of your outfit and hope that I can assist in keeping open the lines of communication for our Association. Please send news items that you would like reviewed for potential inclusion in upcoming issues of The CUB to me. Whenever possible please send them to my e-mail address (williammcwhorter17@gmail.com).
If you do decide to send them via postal mail, if possible, please TYPE OR PRINT your messages (it helps me get names spelled correctly). Thank you.
Sy Lichtenfeld (422/I) would like you to contact him if you are interested in serving on a future Board of the 106th Infantry Division Association. Sy's contact information is slich44@gmail.com and is also located on the inside cover of The CUB.
Correction Update for the readership of The CUB of the Golden Lion
PHOTO: Golden Lion Leonard "Lennie" Kernitzky, mistakenly spelled Lenni Krenski in (Vol. 72, No. 1) by the Editor of The CUB has identified himself in the photo article (right) from issue (Vol. 66. No. 3), "The 1st Reunion: 1947." Lennie is in the front row; third from the right (you can see his white sock on his left foot).
Just a reminder . . .
If you have pictures and information you would like included in a future CUB, the due dates are as follows:
For the edition that comes out in DECEMBER each year -- to include pictures from the reunion -- all material is due by OCTOBER 9
For the edition that comes out in APRIL each year all material is due by FEBRUARY 15
For the edition that comes out in AUGUST each year all material is due by JUNE 15
Articles and pictures can be mailed or e-mailed to:
CUB Editor: William McWhorter 166 Prairie Dawn, Kyle, TX 78640, 512-970-5637, williammcwhorter17@gmail.com
CUB Publisher: Susan Weiss 9 Cypress Point Court, Blackwood, NJ 08012, 856-415-2211 sweiss@gccnj.edu
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Jim West and the www.IndianaMilitary.org Web site
Associate member Jim West has created an excellent Web page at the following address: http://www.indianamilitary.org/106ID/Cubs-106/ InfoRequest.htm
It is hoped that this new Web page will increase awareness of the 106th Infantry Division Association and perhaps our membership. Check it out at your earliest convenience. To join the Association visit: http://tinyurl.com/join106th
PLEASE NOTE: Jim's new e-mail address: jimdwest@centurylink.net
Jim would like to thank the AmVets of Indiana!
Through their generosity of support and hosting of the entire Web site, they are making it possible for the 106th to have a presence on the Web.
Shadows of Slaughterhouse Five
from Ervin Szpek Jr., Associate Member
Ervin Szpek Jr. (Associate Member) is pleased to announce after many years of research that his and his colleagues' book on the infamous Arbeitskommando Slaughterhouse Five has been released. Nearly every man of this POW work camp (near Dresden, Germany) originated from the 106th Infantry Division including former 106th Association President, Gifford Doxsee. The book is their story, in their words, and accounts for nearly every POW at the camp; it also chronicles the recollections and reflections of the 150 American Ex-POWs, many of whom are members of the Association.
Newly released by iUniverse press at www.iUniverse.com, the book is also available at www.amazon.com and www.BarnesandNoble.com. With best wishes for 2011 and with appreciation for your efforts –– thank you.
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American Patrol
by PFC Earl L. Topper (423/AT 2nd BN)
PHOTO: Golden Lion Earl L. Topper, with Anti-Tank Company, 2nd Battalion, 423rd Infantry Regiment submitted the following two photos. While on patrol in March 1945 in Darmstadt and Hesse, Germany he took these pictures in the center of town near where the Turm is located. According to Topper, "the streets were full of rubble [and] the only way to get through was by foot.
LETTER TO ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
To our Associates,
At last year's Board of Directors meeting in Minneapolis/St. Paul on September 22, 2010, it was approved to change the By-Laws to allow Associates full membership privileges. Upon approval of the By-Law changes at the 2011 reunion in Baltimore, Associates will be eligible to be nominated to the Board and then to elected Officer positions.
The Board of Directors would appreciate any comments and ideas on this change. Mr. Randall Wood, acting as Chairman, asks that your comments should be mailed to Mr. Tom Hoff at e-mail tjhoff@milesaheadmedia.com or Thomas Hoff, P.O. Box 298, Warrington Pa. 18976.
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AMPLIFIER
Submitted by 1st Lt. Arthur Thompson, T & T Platoon, 106th Signal Co.
PHOTO: Golden Lion Arthur Thompson thought The CUB readership might like to know that the 106th Signal Company published its own newspaper after Germany's defeat. "We were a hard working bunch of GIs but we found time for fun in sports, visits to historical sites, and just ‘eating out.' The AMPLIFIER covered all of these topics."
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Bronze Star Medal Comes Home
Submitted by Ron Mosley, 424th
PHOTO: Golden Lion Ron Mosley forwarded the following photos and a write up by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 24 of Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Mr. Mosley is the Honorary Chaplain of the branch, and during World War II he served as chaplain of the 424th Infantry Regiment overseas. Sadly, his Bronze Star medal was lost a while back.
Recently his Legion Branch surprised him by having the U.S. Consul General (in Halifax) come and present him with a duplicate.
The following is the Legion Branch's write-up:
December 1944, when most Allied troops had visions of ending the war and coming home, the German Army attempted one last, large offensive aimed to drive the Allied troops back and secure strategic port cities. During this time Rev. Ron Mosley, Honorary Chaplain of Branch 24, was serving on the front lines as a combat chaplain with the 424th Infantry Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division, United States Army. Rev. Mosley was delivering both spiritual, and in some cases, medical aid to the troops. Early in the morning of December 16, the battle began and immediately the call for wounded to be evacuated went out. Rev. Mosley, along with his assistant, jumped in a jeep flying both the Red Cross and Chaplain flags. During that day, there were many wounded and far too many soldiers from both sides buried in temporary graves. It was during this time that Rev. Mosley was first wounded by German artillery. He refused to leave and the wounds to his hand and leg were bandaged on the spot. He spent the next 24 hours tending to the troops overwhelmed by this German offensive and on December 17 made a trip to the Battalion Aid station with the wounded and to resupply. For the next three days they encountered both small arms and artillery attacks. To this day Rev. Mosley still hears the tremendous noise from the falling shells and has said that he hopes never to hear that sound again in his lifetime. The battle raged for several days with wounded and dead on both sides reaching high numbers.
He has said that you could look one way and see American troops and the other and see the grey-coated German
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infantry soldiers, they were that close. On Saturday December 30, his Regiment once again came under heavy German artillery attack and this time he was not so lucky. He was again wounded and woke up in a Medics ambulance which in turn was struck again by a shell and turned over with Rev. Mosley inside on a litter.
To say that he has done his part and it was time to be evacuated would be an understatement. The battle continued until January 25, 1945. While initially successful, the surprise German counteroffensive was contained and the Germans were driven back. It was the largest and costliest battle fought by the American forces in World War II. The Germans lost experienced soldiers and vital equipment that they could not replace. As the battle came to a close. Rev. Mosley was being treated for the wounds he sustained on the front lines.
PHOTO: Rev. Mosley received the Purple Heart with cluster (2 wounds) along with the Bronze Star which is awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. Over the years and the many moves in the United States and Canada, the Bronze Star became a victim itself and was lost. Members of Branch 24 felt that their beloved Honorary Chaplin should have this medal returned to the man who earned this recognition, and began an investigation. And so on May 4, 2011 during a special presentation by U.S. Consul General Anton K. Smith, Rev. Mosley once again was awarded his Bronze Star. As the medal was being pinned proudly next to the Purple Heart, the Consul General remarked that "men like Rev. Mosley were part of the ‘Greatest Generation' and that we stand on their shoulders and we will always be in their debt for the sacrifices that they made for us."
MY WAR
by Fredrick Smallwood
This is the story of my experiences as a young boy from a small town in south Georgia with the 106th Infantry Division during World War II. I was initially in the A&P Platoon of 1 Bn. Hq. Co. of the 423rd Regiment. I was one of the few who made my way through the German lines back to the Allied lines at St. Vith.
Books are $15 plus $4 for shipping. You can contact me at fsjs@mchsi.com or P.O. Box 1923, Bainbridge, GA 39818.
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The 2011 106th Infantry Division Association Reunion schedule
September 14–18, 2011
Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel
Wednesday, September 14
2:00pm - 7:00pm Reunion Registration open
2:00pm - Outgoing Board of Directors' Meeting Hospitality Room and Memorabilia Display open for the duration of the reunion
Thursday, September 15
7:00am - 8:30am Full Breakfast Buffet (compliments of the Association)
9:00am - 9:30am Reunion Registration open
10:00am - 4:30pm ANNAPOLIS – U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY (see your
mailing for description) 4:30pm - 6:00pm Reunion Registration open 6:00pm - Cash Bar Reception
7:00pm - 9:00pm Welcome Dinner
Friday, September 16
7:00am - 8:30am Full Breakfast Buffet
9:00am - 10:00am Reunion Registration open. Additional hours will be posted at the reunion if necessary.
12:00pm - 2:30pm Men's Luncheon and Business Meeting 12:00pm - 2:00pm Ladies' Luncheon and entertainment
3:00pm - 3:30pm Banquet table reservation sheets will be collected. Instructions will be in your registration packet.
6:00pm - 7:00pm POW / MIA Recognition program 7:00pm Cash Bar
7:00pm - 10:00pm Group Buffet Dinner (compliments of the Association)
Saturday, September 17
7:00am - 8:30am Full Breakfast Buffet 8:30am - 9:30am Memorial Service
10:00am - 4:00pm CITY TOUR (description follows) 4:15pm - 5:15pm Incoming Board of Directors' Meeting 6:30pm - Cash Bar Reception
7:30pm - Banquet begins
Sunday, September 18
7:00am - 8:30am Farewell Breakfast Buffet
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2011 REUNION -- Make Plans to Attend NOW!
If you have not already made arrangements, please consider joining us at the 2011 Reunion. You should have received a letter in the mail with reunion registration information included. If you did not, please go to www.afr-reg.com/106inf to get a copy of reunion registration materials and you may also register there online and pay by credit card.
PHOTO: Sheraton Hotel Lobby
NEW CD #5 due out Next Year
Jim West and John Schaffner are once again undertaking the huge task of putting together another CD containing more of the history and stories of the 106th Infantry Division.
If you still have a story to tell, contact either of these gentlemen and let your tale be told.
Please see the inside back cover of this CUB for the current CDs available.
106th Infantry Division Bolo Ties
A mix-up on a recent order for Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge [VBOB] bolo ties resulted in the VBOB's supplier sending them 50 (fifty) 106th Infantry Division bolo ties. The supplier now has these on hand and the VBOB would like to help him move them. They cost between $16 and $25. He has been a faithful supplier for over 20 years and the VBOB wants to help.
If you would like to purchase a 106th I.D. Bolo Tie contact Mr. Leslie L. Brown at 918-742-7133. You can then send check payments to 4132 East 36th Place, Tulsa, OK 74135.
Battle of the Bulge Veterans Reunion
Ralph Bozorth (Associate Member) would like everyone to know that the Battle of the Bulge Veterans will hold a reunion in Columbus, GA on September 20–25, 2011. For more information please contact Mr. Bozorth at 608 Treaty Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, by phone at 484-351-8844 or by e-mail at e-mail Ralph@veteransofthebattleofthebulge.org and the organization's Web site at www.veteransofthebattleofthebulge.org
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Have you ever seen a man as brave as I have seen? --
PHOTO: Daniel L. Zendek and WWII
by James McHugh, an 11th grader at Moshannon Valley School District, PA
Have you ever seen a man as brave as I have seen? His name is Daniel L. Zendek (424/L) and I truly think he is one of the bravest men I've ever seen in my life. I'm proud to say that this man is my grandfather. I plan to tell you about his experiences before the war, during the war, and life after the war. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I do.
Daniel L. Zendek was born on August 29, 1925 in a small town called Utahville, Pennsylvania. He lived on a farm with his mom and dad. He also lived with his six brothers and six sisters. Three of his brothers were already enlisted in the army when he was 17 years old. He was not old enough to join the army but he wanted to, so he lied about his age. He said, "I wanted to join to serve my country." He also said, "I saw some of the guys around town when they were on leave and they were wearing nice uniforms and I thought I wouldn't mind having one of those to wear." Not realizing what it meant to wear that uniform, he enlisted in the Army. His brother took him to the Houtzdale Legion where he and others got on a bus and went to Altoona, Pennsylvania. On November 23, 1943 he entered into the service. From there he trained in various states including Tennessee, South Carolina, and Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He departed for England on a ship on October 21, and arrived on October 28, 1944. While in training he learned to use the M1, M16, bazooka, flame- thrower, BAR, grenades and carbine.
In maneuvers, the soldiers would do war games but did not have live bullets. He learned how to pitch tents and dig foxholes. He trained in England for a short time before going into combat.
In early December, he went to Northern France and to St. Vith, Belgium and the Ardennes Forest. This was about 15 miles behind the front lines. Before the attack started, English-speaking German soldiers dressed in American uniforms and went behind the lines of the Allies and spread information that was not correct, changed road signs and cut telephone lines. On Saturday, December 16, 1944 at 5 am, the enemy opened fire with "screaming Meemies." It was the worst sound he ever heard.
He was now in The Battle of the Bulge.
My grandfather was in the 424th Infantry Regiment, Company L. The Germans lost men, tanks and material. The 106th Infantry Division slowed Hitler down to take over St. Vith. By doing this the 106th played a large role
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in the final defeat of the German Army. The Germans had based their attack on a massive armored attack but an attack like this required fuel and the Germans did not have the quantities of fuel. The Battle of the Budge ended on January 16, 1945.
A period of training and security patrolling along the Rhine River.
In Rhineland my grandfather guarded the German POWs, built the cages, and transported Germans. They built about 23 cages and the enclosures measured six miles. The town where he guarded the prisoners was called Langenlonsheim. My grandfather received these decorations: Victory Medal World War II, American Theater Ribbon, and the EAME Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars.
The following are personal experiences that my grandfather told to me about the war:
"When I was in basic training I learned how to take my rifle apart and put it back together blindfolded. Not only did I learn this but everything had to be perfect with how our uniforms looked right up to how we made our bed."
"My regiment stayed in an abandoned barn one night and around four in the morning we heard German soldiers coming through the woods singing their National Anthem. We all scattered and all got separated from each other. I finally found American soldiers (tank division) and they helped me get back to my company."
"While in my foxhole with another soldier, a grenade was thrown. We heard it coming and we told each other ‘that this is it.' But when it landed in between us it did not go off. We jumped out of that foxhole and took off running."
"Another time in my foxhole, we heard the German tanks coming so we hid in the fox hole and the tanks rode right over top of our foxholes not even knowing we were in there."
"While I was in my bunker by myself, I heard Germans on top of the bunker talking in German. I sat very quiet not to make a noise until finally they left."
"After the Battle of the Bulge, I was walking over a bridge and came upon a man working on a tank and when I looked at him again I knew it was my brother. He was in the tank division."
"After the Battle of the Bulge, we would go into the towns and go into the abandoned houses. We would go into the cellars where the Germans would have a lot of their liquor stored. Of course, we helped ourselves to it."
After the war, my grandfather went back to farming with his family. He met my grandmother and got married.
They moved to New York and then to Ohio and then came back to Pennsylvania. They raised a family of three boys and three girls. He worked in the mines and then as a cabinet- maker. He has lived in the same house in Smoke Run, PA since 1959. He will be 86 years old on August 29, 2011. He still has clear memories of the war. He says, "there will be nights when I wake up in cold sweats from nightmares of the horrible things that happened during the war." So, after some 66 years, the reminders never go away.
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A 424th Medic Recalls His Service
by Sol Kravitz (424/MED) of Flushing, New York
As a young man from New York City, I enlisted in the Army in March 1943. I was sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to the new 106th Infantry Division. I was assigned to the 424th Medical Detachment. After basic training, we went to Tennessee for maneuvers for several months; from there we were sent to Camp Atterbury for more training.
Shortly thereafter, I was given a furlough to go home. On my return train ride, I ended up arriving late and had a note waiting for me from the M.P.s, asking why I was late. I reported to my commanding officer, who was a doctor. He was quite upset with me and threatened to court martial me for being late for roll call. He did not like me and I asked for a transfer, which he refused, as he was anti-Semitic. Somehow, I got away from him and went on with my training. Later we were shipped out from Indiana to New York, put on a ship for overseas to England, then France, and on to Belgium.
During the Battle of the Bulge, I was captured in Belgium while taking care of a wounded soldier. I was taken back toward Germany in the freezing snow and I saw many terrible sights, including soldiers surrendering and some being shot as they surrendered. I saw dead soldiers piled very high on the ground, some without shoes. I even saw dead horses without heads. We were marched many miles to Limburg Stalag X11A. There, I was interrogated and given a German dog tag. That night the prison camp was bombed and our officers were killed. The next day my number was called and I was told to stand with three other guys. I soon learned that we were all Jewish. We were given a shovel with which to dig our own graves, but two bombs landed nearby and exploded. As we dug ourselves out of the debris, I realized somehow, I was spared. Later I was put into a box car with the wounded and for five days we had nothing to eat until we arrived at Luckenwalde IIIA.
There the wounded were taken away. I was given a bowl and a spoon and a small loaf of bread which I shared with six men –– that was it for the day. Often, we would stand out for roll call in the cold for many [hours], it was freezing and we would stand there until the Germans got the count correct. After several months, I was marched many miles to Stalag XI-A, then forced to march another 18 to 20 miles a day –– nobody dared fall out or they would be shot. As a column, we were bombed by friendly fire and strafed by our own plane.
As we passed a farm, a jeep came up with American officers in it. They said to "go six more miles this way" and that we would be liberated -- that was April 26, 1945. From there we were flown to Camp Lucky Strike, were the sick were sent home on a Liberty Ship; it took two weeks to get home. I was given a furlough after I arrived. Later I was assigned to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Several months later, I was discharged and I went home to New York City.
After some time of looking for work,
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I could not get a job. However, I took a test for the post office and became a letter carrier for 35 years.
There was more than what I just told happened to me as a POW, but as a former prisoner of war I have fought for my country, I have been mistreated by the enemy, but they could not take anything more from me.
Sheaner Family to join Carl Wouters at the Schnee Eifel
Submitted by Herb Sheaner
In October 2011, Golden Lion Herb Sheaner (422/G), his wife Gloria and his son Mike, will travel to the Schnee Eifel area of Belgium, as well as Schoenberg and Auw to meet with Associate Member Carl Wouters and tour former 106th Infantry Division positions and talk about 106th participation in the battle. Mr. Sheaner is truly looking forward to his return to the battlefield.
Learn more about Carl Wouters' preservation efforts of 106th Infantry Division history on his Web site at http://106thinfantry.webs.com
PHOTO: Prisoner ID number issued at Stalag IVB in 1945.
PHOTO: A wall in Andler. Mr. Sheaner is sure this is the same wall he stood against as the German Panzers passed by on the way to Schoenberg and on to St. Vith.
PHOTO: Mr. Sheaner's daughter Kelly took this picture with Mr. Sheaner's grandson Bert and others at a barn that housed the 422nd Regiment's Headquarters kitchen during the war. The barn is located across the street from the 422nd HQ where Col. Descheneaux stayed in Schlausenbach.
The picture was taken in 2006 during a visit the Sheaner family made to the battle area. Mr. Sheaner stated, "I had my last real American breakfast there, December 17, 1944. I had no breakfast again until April 25, 1945 when I was picked up by the American 69th Division."
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Operation Widow Search
Submitted by Ervin Szpek Jr., Associate Member of the 106th Association, Chairman of the Chicago Ex-POWs of Stalag IVB Association
PHOTO: Ex-POW Tom Jundanian of Palos Heights, near Chicago, proudly displays his Ex-POW license plates and keeps a sharp eye for other plates.
Photo: Tom Jundanian addressing the 2011 Stalag IVB reunion, Countryside, IL, April 22, 2011.
He's on a mission to help widows of Ex-POWs receive survivor benefits that they are unaware are available to them. In 2009, he spotted the plates of one at a local Jewel [grocery] store where he was going to shop and followed the lady into the store where he handed her his business card as chairman of the Chicago chapter of American Ex-POWs. With his assistance she was able to receive $1,154 monthly benefits plus a year back pay and prescription drug help. Her husband, a POW in Germany, had passed away 30 years prior.
Tom has provided the same service for another widow with similar results and is working with three others in an unofficial role through the Hines VA in the Chicago area. He works out of his den that he calls his "command center" and also has a work space at a local bank. Illinois has over 900 POW plates statewide with about 200 in the Chicago metro area – and then there is the rest of the country, which means there are likely hundreds, if not thousands of widows not receiving survivor benefits. Tapping this well has been a challenge due to privacy laws that prohibit getting names and addresses for the POW plates or VA records of deceased POWs.
Word-of-mouth and media exposure are his plan of attack. Jundanian recently completed a mailing to over 100 widows through his divisional association.
Tom was in the 99th Infantry Division, 394th Regiment and captured at the onset of the Battle of the Bulge like many of the Golden Lions. He made the long trip in a boxcar to Stalag IVB, Muhlberg and later was part of a forced labor group at a factory where a Czech girl slipped him food and where he would trade items from Red Cross parcels to locals. With liberation, Tom returned to Massachusetts and did his best to put behind the war. He avoided the VA and veteran groups until retirement when he joined the area chapter of American Ex-POWs that he now heads.
With this role came an understanding of health conditions tied to being a prisoner and a role as a champion and spokesman for POWs encouraging them to be assessed at the VA for a disability rating.
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Jundanian also joined the Chicago- based Ex-POWs of Stalag IVB, the only association of its kind in the U.S. and has attended, since 1999, the annual reunion luncheons which are held on the Friday closest to April 23, the liberation of Stalag IVB by the Russian Army in 1945. At the 2011 reunion, Tom passionately spoke to the attendees about his new mission. The membership includes many Golden Lions and Tom is hoping the 106th Infantry Division Association can spread the word since it is very likely many widows in the group are not receiving survivor benefits.
And so, this 90-year-old Ex-POW with a determined mission, continues on a steady pace; a point man who always keeps a close eye for POW plates to make that first contact. His calling card with phone numbers has the message: "No charge. No fee. Not now. Not ever!" When a card is given then his mission is complete and he steps aside and lets the VA do their job.
If you are or know of a widow of a deceased Ex-POW who is not receiving survivor benefits please call Tom Jundanian of Operation Widow Search at 708-827-5464.
Prisoner's Odyssey by Herb Sheaner (422/G)
Prisoner's Odyssey is a story of survival, hunger and reflection from a teenaged prisoner of war inside Germany near the end of WWII. From capture at the Battle of The Bulge to the final escape from his German guards, Herb Sheaner allows us a glimpse into the despair and agony of being a prisoner in a foreign land. During World War II, Herb Sheaner served as a private first class in Company G, 422nd Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division. After receiving ASTP training at University of Alabama, he joined the 106th at Camp Atterbury in Indiana where he earned Expert Rifleman honors and was designated Co. G Sniper and Regimental Scout. Fifty years later he recalls his experience.
Available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and Xlibtis online.
The Lion's Path by C.J. Kelly
In December 1944, a raw American infantry division has its baptism of fire in the Battle of the Bulge. Caught up in this maelstrom of death and destruction are two very different Americans. Trapped behind enemy lines, they experience the horror of war and a humanity borne of sacrifice.
Available at Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com
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Veterans and Family of the 106th Infantry Division TATTOO Requests
With space in The CUB at a premium, yet Reunited Buddies and Their Families an important commodity, the editor of The CUB of the Golden Lion created the following list [In Their Own Words, most often] of inquires submitted to him in hopes of helping people get in touch with the 106th I.D. Association Family. The following are requests for information. Feel free to contact them if you believe you can be of assistance. The CUB staff has received permission from all listed below to print their inquiry and their contact e-mail (phone and address when available).
In addition, Associate Member Connie Pratt Baseman, daughter of Lt. Gerald Pratt (Field Artillery), has been one of three people helping to manage the 106th's online "message board" (set up by Jim West) for people to write an inquiry, looking for comrades, or for people who might have known a relative who is now gone. Sadly, some inquires sit unanswered when the answers may be out there with a reader of The CUB who doesn't use a computer. The list has gotten quite long and Connie has asked that whenever there is room in The CUB we add a few of the requests. You can find messages like these below, along with other searches on the 106th Message Board at the following Web address: http://106thdivision.proboards.com/index.cgi
In late March 2011, Ms. Baseman, asked that we let the 106th Infantry Division Association know that she has moved Division Association information to a prominent spot at the top of the discussion board.
Merrit Drucker -- I am a retired Army Officer who served in Rheinberg from 1987 to 1990. I am conducting historical research on the Rheinberg and Buderich camps where German POWs were held. Can anyone put me in contact with members of your organization who served there? I am very interested in learning about the process of how the 106th selected, built, improved and eventually closed the camps; very little is known about these enormous camps. It appears that the 106th discharged many thousands of POWs; I would very much like to learn about the procedures.
Do you know why the 106th was selected for this duty? Mr. Drucker can be reached at the following: 7507 12th Street NW, Washington DC 20012 or by phone at 202-722-6716 and (cell) 202-494-0374 or by e-mail at druckersloss@aol.com.
Jesse Edenbaum (422/I) -- My father, Jesse Edenbaum, served in the 106th Infantry Division, 422nd Regiment, "I" Company. Recently I was able to discuss many of his experiences from WWII with him. My dad would greatly benefit from conversing with old companions. If at all possible, he would welcome any contact either by telephone, mail, or a personal visit. The best would be an actual visit to his home, if anyone lives close to his Rhode Island residence. He can be reached by phone at 401-942-2436 and mail at 12 Everett Road, Cranston, R.I. 02920. He no longer uses a computer, so any e-mail contact can be sent through me at saul_edenbaum@yahoo.com. Mr. Saul Edenbaum can be reached by phone at 610-668-8843 and mail at 531 East Wynnewood Road, Merion, PA 19066.
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Everett S. Hillard (424/A) -- My name is Brad Hillard and I am one of two sons of Everett S. Hillard who was in the Battle of the Bulge with the 424th, Co. A. Everett was from Santa Cruz and was wounded in Coulee. I am 57 years old with a 25-year-old son who I am hoping to enlighten of his grandfather's past. So far, I have heard from several Golden Lion veterans, but none of them remember my father.
I learned from an article from Stars and Stripes, dated Jan. 13, 1945, that my father (misspelled Hilliard) was getting good tree bursts as they went through La Vaux on to Coulee. Golden Lion ? Beseler was mentioned as the platoon leader in the same article.
I am hoping to find someone who might have known or remember him and might be able to share any experiences. Mr. Hillard can be reached by phone at 916-919-3427 or by e-mail at bhillard@cityofsacramento.org.
Archie Ross (424/HQ 1st Bn) -- Golden Lion Archie Ross contacted the staff at The CUB with the following inquiry: "Some of us tested out of the 106th and into the Aviation Cadets from Ft. Jackson and into Miami Beach. It was the end of 1943 and into 1944, and I often wonder what happened to my teammates: George Schenk, Dave Fried, Mike Yupunchick, Danny Okman, Hank Donnatelli, Mike ?, Phil ?, and Pinkey ?. We left Frank Gaffney in Miami Beach (with a broken leg), whatever happened to him? They called all of us back, because they were preparing for D-Day.
When I returned from the Army Air Forces, I joined Headquarters Co., 1st Bn., 424th Regiment. I joined the division when it was organized at Ft. Jackson. When we went overseas I was with Headquarters Co. I was a "straggler," and in and out of remnants of the 106th.
During the worst of the Bulge there was some reorganization, I was with Co. A of 1st Bn 424th until the end of the war. I did not miss combat anytime through the whole ordeal. I was "resting" the night Lt. Huddleston was killed, and Maj. Welch got his "million dollar" wound. By the way, that same night the BAR man who took my place was also killed. The same thing happened when a replacement came in and took my place with the flame thrower while I was practicing.
I remember experiences, but I can't remember names very well, and my chronology isn't good. I remember Lt. St. John with Headquarters Co., he was good, and Capt. White from Headquarters, he was bad, our non-coms weren't much better. But when things broke loose it didn't matter, however St. John was outstanding. Mr. Ross can be reached by phone at 561-616-3580 and by mail at 2427 Presidential Way #201, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
Brian Welke -- I am researching the 423rd Regiment to write a book and I am looking for diaries, memoirs, or letters from veterans or their family members. If willing, I would also like to interview them. If they have any photographs that they would like to share, I will appreciate that also. I plan on attending the Reunion in Baltimore too. I would like to request that if any one has any information that they would like to share to please contact me by email at Welkebj@prodigy.net or by U.S. mail at Brian J. Welke, 1821 Morris Street, Eustis, Florida 32726, or by phone at 352-408-5671 or 352-357-0400.
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The Importance of a Mini Reunion
by Ed Christianson 331st MedBn/C Mini-Reunion Chairman
Of corollary importance to the Annual Reunion are the individual "mini- reunions" which are held throughout the year in various locations around the country. In the past, a reunion provided a social event whereby men of the 106th and their ladies gather close to that infamous date of 16 December to remember fellow men with whom they served.
A dozen or more years ago The CUB would be filled with pictures and stories of men proudly gathered under a banner of the "Golden Lion." I am sad to report that for the year 2009 only 14 mini-reunions were reported. For these groups, I am thankful and I encourage you to keep it up. For others whose interests may have dwindled, or haven't gotten around to hosting a reunion yet, I invite you to do so this year. I assure you that it will be a satisfying experience for you. If you need further encouragement please contact me. My contact information is on the inside cover of this CUB.
Fraternal Regards, Ed
Sarasota Florida Mini-Reunion
Our 106th Mini-Reunion was held December 15, 2010 at the Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant. We opened with the pledge of allegiance to our flag and a prayer prior to enjoying a wonderful family-style dinner. Several of our regulars were unable to attend this year and our sincere hope is to see them next time on December 16, 2011.
It's always great to meet our comrades and learn more of our mutual respect for our service and survival.
Our speaker was Art Emrich, Head Coach and Founder of U Solutions, of Sarasota, FL. Art works with groups and individuals as a coach, consultant, instructor, and facilitator. He completed eight years in the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam. He also spent 30 years with Dupont, retiring as Corporate Manager of Human Development.
Art began his study of hypnosis in Washington DC, in 1980 and has been active and teaching for 30 years. He is certified as a Master Practitioner and Trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming and Hypnosis. His practice includes medical referral clients who experience distress not relieved by traditional treatment for the mental side of various sports etc.
Art presented "Eight Ways To Reduce Stress." The topic was well received and followed by questions of a specific nature. Below is a summary of his speech and he provided me with full permission to include it in The CUB. Some of our members brought sons, daughters, or friends which were welcomed. We expressed our appreciation to Charles Fehnel and his wife Pauline for their work in putting the meeting together. Thanks also to Fred Parks who distributed a DVD "Ardennes Remembered" made by the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Chapter 48.
Submitted by Don Scholten (423/G), who can be reached at dondutch@comcast.net
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PHOTO: Below -- left to right: Margery Stern, Martha Bain, Jill Auerbach, Lael Snovel, Mary Ann Scholten, and Gloria Colby
(back row) Lisa Kowenski, Cynthia Swain, Pauline Fehnel, and Kathleen Buckman
PHOTO: Above -- left to right: John Beville, Paul Bain, Boris Stern, Alex Marsh, Robert Eldridge, and Sidney Auerbach.
(back row) Sidney Ross, Charles Fehnel, Robert Snovel, William Busier, Fred Parks, Don Scholten, James Edwards, and Clarence Buckman. Also attending was Stanley Colby.
Eight Ways to Reduce Dis-Stress
by Art Emrich, Head Coach and Founder of U Solutions
Some stress is actually good and necessary. Think of a sailboat -- no wind -- no movement. Stress of the wind provides energy to make progress toward a goal destination. But too much wind creates distress. Here are eight ways to keep stress in a useful range:
Dominant thoughts -- We always move in the direction of our dominant thoughts. Those are images that we recall or create with frequency and that are attached to strong emotions often anger or fear or grief. When we allow them to take over our mind space we program ourselves to experience distress. Just imagine that you have two pots of rich soil, and you plant roses in one and poison ivy in the other. If you water and fertilize and nurture the poison ivy and ignore the roses, over time which one do you think will thrive? So, don't complain that your life doesn't have roses while you are putting your attention on the poison ivy.
Two ways to look at the world
Foveal vision is narrow focus on a single object. This kind of viewing the world produces stress reactions. It is what our vision does automatically when we are in danger -- part of the fight or flight response. Peripheral vision is wide-angle focus on a single subject that is embedded in a broad field. This kind of viewing of the world is what we often call "getting some perspective." It is a learned skill that informs our mind/body system that we are not in danger and can relax.
Three ways to breathe -- We can breathe high in our shoulder area, shallow and rapid. This is a high-stress breathing pattern. You could actually produce an artificial panic attack by breathing this way. Then there is breathing in the chest area, medium amount of air and even
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speed. And to reduce stress you can breathe deep into the belly, large amount of air and slowly. This breathing pattern informs our mind/body system that we are safe and can relax.
Success trigger -- Pavlov demonstrated with his famous salivating dogs and a tuning fork (not a bell) that when two stimuli are introduced simultaneously for a period of time, they become neurologically wired together. We can do this for ourselves with equally dramatic results. Every time you experience any kind of success choose a spot on your body where you can make a specific gesture, like a fist-pump, or pressing the thumb and forefingers together for a few seconds, pulling your earlobe, or pinching the area between your thumb and forefinger, to create a trigger point. This will wire the success neurology to that gesture. Then, when you want or need to experience the neurology of success you fire the success trigger, and presto – your mind/ body system readjusts to the feelings of success.
Emotional release -- A current understanding is that in order to experience any emotion, it must be moving in the body. Many times we describe this using words like, "I felt a fluttering…" or, "My stomach turned over," or "I felt like I was carrying a heavy load." This strategy is to sense the location and direction of the movement -- usually in the core of the body. Then reproduce that motion with your arms and hands in front of your body. Next, stop then reverse the direction of the motion and pull it back into your body. Then laugh as hard as you can. No stress can survive a good strong laugh.
Self-talk/affirmations -- We program ourselves by what we say to ourselves with our internal dialogue. Research suggests that by far the majority of self-talk is negative. Clean up your language and attitude. Don't say to yourself anything that you would not say to your best friend.
Energy flow – Energy flows through our body. In the Chinese system it is chi, in Japanese ki. There are points on our body where energy can become blocked. Blocked energy equals dis- stress or disease. Flowing energy equals relaxation and health. By tapping 3 or 4 finger tips of one hand on the fleshy outer edge of the other hand between the little finger knuckle and the wrist we can open up the energy flow through a major energy intersection called the karate- chop point. This will produce feelings of relief and reduce sensations of distress.
Sacred place -- We all need a special place where we can go some- times to retreat from the pressures and expectations of everyday life. It is easy to build an imaginary place that contains all the things we like to see, to hear, to taste, to smell, and to feel by just pretending to be in that space and noticing what all our senses perceive when we include only our favorite ones – beautiful sights, soothing sounds, our favorite foods, scents and fragrances that we enjoy, and feelings of joy, and peace, and calm, and safety that come from knowing that no one else knows this place. We give our sacred place a secret name that only we know, and we can get here easily and quickly by just closing our eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and saying that secret name.
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COSTA, LAWRENCE B. 423/MED
––Date of Death: April 26, 2011
Lawrence was born in Laurium, Michigan on September 28, 1924. He served in WW II medical detachment 1849th SCU. He was captured and was interred at Stalag IVB. Lawrence was buried in Hillside, Illinois on April 30, 2011.
Submitted by wife Therese Costa, via Harry Martin
DAVIS, RINARD G. (no specific unit given)
––Date of Death: July 1, 2011
Born Nov. 21, 1924, in Kansas City to Thomas and Minola Davis he graduated from Westport High School and served in the 106th Infantry Division.
He succeeded his father as President of National Truck Equipment Co. in Kansas City and sold the business upon his retirement. He married Marjorie Lee (Weighill) Davis of Kansas City September 14, 1957. They raised four children and shared their lives until her passing on September 6, 1999. He married Donna K. (Sutton) Davis May 3, 2008, and was blessed with her love and support until his death. Rinard was a loyal, devoted, dependable and selfless husband and father with many friends. He was active as a Master Mason with Independence Lodge #76, a lifetime member of Tirey J. Ford American Legion Post 21, a Scoutmaster, and a DeMolay "chapter dad."
He is survived by his wife Donna; children, Thomas Davis (wife Julie), Overland Park, KS; Susan Baresel (husband Donald), Kansas City, MO; Mitchell Davis, Kansas City, MO; Gregg Davis, Grain Valley, MO; step- children Sharon Owen and John Sutton; five grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleysheil.com.
Reported by Julie Davis, daughter-in-law, via Jim West
DOVELL, CLARK W. 422/M
––Date of Death: May 14, 2011
Mr. Dovell was a corporal from 1943 to 1945 with the U.S. Army Air Corps [Forces], the Army Specialized Training Program and the 106th Infantry Division, 422/M. He is a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge and was taken prisoner by the Germans. He is a beloved husband of Thelma P. Dovell; loving father of the late Donna April Graybill; caring brother of Shirley (Bob) Smith, Jean (James) Lavin and brother-in-law.
Submitted by John Schaffner
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EUBANKS, JAMES LEROY, SR.
422/D
––Date of Death: June 27, 2011
Mr. Eubanks of Spartanburg, SC, died at White Oak Manor. Born July 27, 1917, in Spartanburg, he was the son of the late Emmitt and Lila Cathcart Eubanks, and husband of the late Evelyn Velma Eubanks. Mr. Eubanks was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was a POW during World War II. He was the owner-operator of Leroy's Lunch for over 30 years and also Leroy's Cash Grocery. He was a member of Powell Presbyterian Church, the VFW, and the American Ex-Prisoners of War organization. Survivors include his grandson, James L. Eubanks III, his wife Laurel Eubanks, and great-grandson, Jacob Harley Eubanks of Boiling Springs; a daughter-in-law, JoAnn Eubanks of Spartanburg; a brother, Faber Eubanks of Spartanburg; and a nephew, Billy Eubanks of Spartanburg.
Submitted by Murray Stein
GIESLER, CARL W. 591st FA/HQ
––Date of Death: April 21, 2011
Mr. Giesler served as a Staff Sergeant with the 591st Field Artillery, 106th Infantry Division. Later, he was an Electrical Engineer, graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and retired as Vice-President of Power Production for Wisconsin Public Service. He was a pioneer in the nuclear power industry.
Reported by James Reinkober
JENSEN, GEORGE C. 422/M
––Date of Death: January 4, 2011
George "Cliff" Jensen, of Harlington, TX is survived by his wife, Sally Jensen; children: Jeffery Jensen, Cynthia (Jeff) Hicks, Susan Stringer and Randal (Liz) Jensen; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Grace (Ed) Seabloom; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. Jensen served in the 3rd Platoon, Mortar Sq, Company M of the 422nd Regiment. He joined the 106th at Fort Jackson, SC in March 1943 and served through its history, participating in the Battle of the Bulge. George enjoyed the many years he and Sally were able to attend the 106th Reunions.
Submitted by Tom Hoff, Russell Hoff 's son (422/M) and George Jensen's friend
KATH, ALBERT H., JR. 422 AT
––Date of Death: July 23, 2011
Submitted by his son Albert Kath, III via
Harry Martin
LACROIX, ROGER A. (no specific
unit given)
––Date of Death: Not Reported
Submitted by Harry Martin
LEAVITT, EDWARD H. Associate
––Date of Death: April 6, 2011
Reported by his wife, Nancy Leavitt
LECLAIR, WILLIAM J.
––Date of Death: August 14, 2010
He was so proud to have served his company and been wanting to attend this session. But bad health overtook him and he went to be with his Lord in Heaven. God Bless You.
Submitted by his wife Dorothy LeClair
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LOSEY, WALTER F. 422/HQ 2BN
––Date of Death: Not Reported
Submitted by Harry Martin
MALONEY, JOSEPH P. (424/HQ CO)
––Date of Death: July 15, 2011
Joseph, 86, of Arnold, PA, was born on November 24, 1924. Former Field Director and Director of Education for the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Pittsburgh Council. Beloved husband of Vivian M. DePue Maloney; father of Joseph Maloney, Linda (William) Pazul, Michael (Debra) Maloney, Dennis (Angelica) Maloney, Kathleen Hanzlik and Kevin Maloney; 13 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother of the late James J. Maloney, Jr., Martin Maloney, David Maloney and Thomas Maloney, Katherine Carey, Anna Mahon and Margaret Curl.
Submitted by Murray Stein after a call from Joseph's daughter
MARK, DR. JOSEPH C. (no specific unit given)
––Date of Death: Not Reported
Dr. Mark was born in Transylvania, now Hungary, in 1919 and raised in New York City. Dr. Mark moved to Livingston, NJ in 1954. He was a U.S. Army veteran in World War II, serving with the 106th Infantry Division. During the Battle of the Bulge, Dr. Mark was held as a POW, and later at the German concentration camp Berga. He was awarded the Purple Heart and ultimately, the Bronze Star in 2009 after the story of the GIs at Berga was investigated by CNN.
Submitted by Harry Martin
MARKUM, PAUL W., SR. 422/B
––Date of Death: June 19, 2011
Mr. Markum, formerly of Creve Coeur and Washington, died at the Morton Terrace Care Center in Morton, IL. He was born on October 18, 1920, in Ridgway to Jess and Grace Markum.
Surviving is his wife, Lillian Ruth Markum; son, Paul W. (Patricia) Markum, Jr. of East Peoria; one brother, Bertis Markum of Peoria; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mr. Markum was a U.S. Army veteran, serving during World War II in Company B of the 422nd Infantry Regiment, 106th Division. He retired in 1980 as a Wielding Inspector for Caterpillar Inc., after 33 years of service. Paul was a past master with the Frank N. Nichol Masonic Lodge in Creve Coeur where he served for 52 years.
His memorial Web site will be available at www.deitersfuneralhome. com, where condolences may be made to the family.
Submitted by Jim West
MCKEE, RICHARD "DICK" 422/A
––Date of Death: April 26, 2011
Born in Rochester, NY, on August 14, 1924, he shared his childhood with four sisters, Carol McKee, Marilyn McKee, Catherine McKee and Bettie McKee, and a brother, John McKee. In 1942, with great pride, he graduated from Akron High School. During his high school years as a Flyer, he was a basketball standout playing the post position leading his team in rebounding and as one of the Flyer's leading scorers. On December 11, 1942, following in his father's footsteps, he and a school buddy, Bob Richardson, enlisted in the
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Coast Artillery. His father, Sgt. George McKee served in the Coast Artillery during World War I. After finishing basic training in Fort Screven, GA, he was assigned to the "D" Battery, 53rd Coast Artillery at Fort Lauderdale, FL. While there, he was promoted to corporal.
While waiting to go overseas, Richard and Bob became bored so they volunteered for the infantry and were sent to Camp Atterbury. He was assigned to "A" company, 422 Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division. He was promoted to sergeant and was appointed as assistant squad leader of the 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon. During his stint at Camp Atterbury, Dick had extensive infantry training. A veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, he was taken prisoner on December 19, 1944. On February 14, 1945, and over a two-month span, Richard and the other POWs marched 465 miles across Germany in what was called a "Death March." After being a prisoner of war for four months, Richard and his buddy Bob escaped from the Germans and eventually returned to the United States. On October 11, 1945, Richard was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. He was decorated with the following awards: the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and POW medal.
On June 30, 1949, Richard married the love of his life and his best friend, Mary Edith Alber, at Grace United Methodist Church. Their union spanned over 60 years, producing two beautiful daughters, Cheryl McKee and Jackie McKee. The family tree flourished and added four grandchildren and three great-grand- children. As entrepreneurs with a keen sense of journalism, in 1958, Richard and Mary Edith co-founded, co-owned and published The Shopping Guide News. In 1983, they rolled the presses for the final time, retiring. After retirement, Richard was at home spending many hours in his woodworking shop. It was here he created heirlooms and treasures for family and close friends.
Submitted by Jim West
MENKE, ALOYSIUS J. 589/A
––Date of Death: May 10, 2011
During WWII he was a Captain in command of A-Battery of the 589th Field Artillery Battalion. When cut-off from his unit, along with a driver and radio operator, he joined a group of the 422nd Infantry. Forced to surrender on 19 December 1944, he was held captive at Stalag IX-B at Bad Orb, and later at Oflag XIII-B at Hammelburg. On 27 March 1945, when the POW camp was raided by an American armored task force, Menke and his battalion commander Lt. Col. Thomas Kelly and Lt. Col. William Scales of the 422nd made their way through enemy-held terrain and succeeded in reaching the American lines of the 45th Division at Afschaffenburg. He was discharged as a major in the field artillery in 1946. He is survived by two daughters, a son, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Reported by his son Jim Menke, via Harry Martin
MOSHER, CARL Associate
––Date of Death: unknown
Submitted by Harry Martin
RAPP, ALBERT E. 423/I
––Date of Death: Not Reported
Submitted by Murray Stein
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PHOTO: ROBERTS, THOMAS DAVID
Associate Member
––Date of Death: June 25, 2011
With deepest regret, Mary Lou and I must inform you of the passing of our eldest son, Thomas David Roberts.
Whether you knew Tom through family, work, or friendship, you know that he was a person of deep faith and always had a positive outlook on life. Tom always said all of the trials and tribulations that he experienced were part of "his cross to bear" and it is truly amazing how he went through all of them with an ever-present smile on his face. His smile was contagious, and that is one of the many things that he will always be remembered for. Above all else, Tom always put his family first.
He was the greatest son, husband, father, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, friend, and co-worker that anyone could ever ask for, and there is no doubt that the world is a sadder place without him. We should all take consolation, however, in the fact that he will be waiting in Heaven for each of us, smiling and with open arms. Please keep Tom and his family in your prayers.
Submitted by Mary Lou and Jack Roberts,
via Murray Stein
RUSSELL, MRS. MARGARET M.
––Date of Death: March 2, 2011
Associate Life Member, wife of Major Aldon Russell (424/D)
Reported by Murray Stein
SCHOFIELD, ARDEN T.
Assistant Chaplain FA HQ
––Date of Death: May 25, 2011
Mr. Schofield of Braintree, MA passed away at Liberty Commons Nursing Home, Chatham, MA, where he had resided with his wife Louise Schofield since 2007. Born on March 16, 1918 in Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Mr. Schofield was the son of Edgar James Schofield, a commercial sea captain who navigated international waters and served in two world wars, and his wife, Frances Tuttle Schofield. When Mr. Schofield was 11, he and his mother joined his father and older brothers in Quincy, MA, where he obtained his U.S. citizenship and later graduated from Thayer Academy in Braintree.
In 1941, as world war approached, Mr. Schofield was a music major at Boston University; he quickly enlisted. He left for England in November 1944 with a headquarters artillery company of the 106th Division which had been activated in 1943. His assignment as assistant chaplain included counseling and church services with organ music which he provided on a portable keyboard. It would be this intersection of his life-long love and talent for music and defining experience as a WW II POW that would profoundly shape Arden Schofield's life -- and the thousands of people whose lives he touched -- until the very end.
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In the decades to follow, Schofield would often relate how -- upon air transport from Paris to NY -- when his litter was lowered to the ground, he
"reached down, scooped up some good American earth and ate it," so grateful was he to be returned to his beloved country and freedom.
Upon regaining his health, Schofield resumed studies at Boston University, ultimately obtaining a Master's Degree in music. A loving man with a wonderful smile and sense of humor and who embraced everyone, Mr. Schofield regarded his music as a form of ministry, which could provide spiritual comfort for long- and short-term patients, visitors, and staff.
Mr. Schofield is survived by his wife of 64 years Louise V. Schofield of Chatham, and their daughter Fran Schofield, son-in-law Paul Berry and two grandsons Ben Berry and Ross Berry, all of Brewster, MA.
Submitted by Jim West
SHOEMAKER, LYNN Associate Member
––Date of Death: Not Reported
Submitted by Joseph Crocker, via Harry Martin
URIAS, ALBERT 424/K
––Date of Death: Not Reported
Submitted by Murray Stein, via Harry Martin
VANCE, GEORGE T. (422/AT)
––Date of Death: November 18, 2010
I wanted your membership to know that my uncle, George T. Vance, passed away peacefully at his home in Pleasant Hills, PA, at the age of 87. He served in the 106th Infantry Division and was captured in The Battle of the Bulge.
My uncle was a life member of the 106th Infantry Division Association and the EX-POWs. He received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, WW II Victory Ribbon, American Theater Service Ribbon, and the European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon for his service to his country. He and his beloved wife, Norma, who passed away in December 2009, attended many of your 106th Infantry Division Reunions.
Submitted by his niece, Yvonne Vance Chichin, via Harry Martin
VITALI, ALFRED 424/B
––Date of Death: July 5, 2011
I'm writing to notify you that my father passed away. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2011 and had been cared for by his children and a local hospice program since early May. He died peacefully in his sleep at home. My father was extremely proud of his military service, and it was a joy for him to reconnect with his buddies from the 106th. A link to the death notice in the Philadelphia Inquirer is at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/philly/obituary.aspx?page= lifestory&pid=152398097
Submitted by his daughter Tina Vitali, via John Schaffner
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Editor's Special Notification:
Below is the Memoriam Notice for Mr. Don Hinrichs as it ran in the last issue of The CUB of the Golden Lion (Vol. 67 No.1).
Following that is a correction from the Editor of The CUB.
PHOTO: HENRICKS, DON 81st ENG
–--Date of Death: December 4, 2010
Mr. Henricks (86 years old) died last December in Alton, IL. Mr. Henricks was a member of the 81st Combat Engineers and fought in four of the seven major battles in Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge. In Tennessee during Ranger training under Colonel Thomas Riggs the combat engineers built a raft to cross the Cumberland River. Don, 19 years old at the time, was the next to board, but did not because there was no more room; all who boarded were drowned when the raft capsized. When Mr. Henricks and the engineers arrived at Winterspelt, Belgium in the Ardennes, close to Germany they were told they probably wouldn't see much action. In fact, to expect rest and relaxation, this of course changed on December 16, 1944. Taken prisoner during the battle, he survived and always held Colonel Riggs in high esteem. Don and his wife Pat of 61 years always enjoyed the reunions. Don and his wife had three children, nine grand- children and two great-grandchildren.
Reported by his widow Pat Henricks, through Mr. Henricks' friend of 70 years John C. Rain (589/B)
In the Memoriam Notice for The CUB Vol. 67 No.1, several mistakes were made. Mr. Hinrichs' last name was misspelled on pages 5, 11 and 38 of that issue. Second, it was mistakenly inferred from Mr. Hinrichs' submitted obituary that he had been taken prisoner of war; when in fact Mr. Hinrichs was not taken prisoner. Third, while it was mentioned on page 5 of the last CUB that Mr. Hinrichs' photo would appear in the Memoriam section it did not. We have included it in this issue.
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Available Now! NEW CD #4
This CD includes audio featuring the 106th Division band and the complete Bob Hope radio show when he appeared at Camp Atterbury, along with past issues of The CUB and more!
Your 106th Infantry Division Association is the one WW II Association involved in the preservation of your history as no other like organization. It is a labor of love and at the same time has several benefits that we consider seriously important. The prime repository for our stories and memoirs is the Web site www.indianamilitary.org.
The material contained on the disks has been gleaned from that Web site for the convenience of quick access and is made available to any user of a personal computer. The original hard copy that has come through us has been, and will be, deposited at the U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center in Carlisle, PA. There it is made available to any researcher with an interest in WW II history.
2-disc set, CDs #1 & #2
Also, this facility at Carlisle is one of the prime resources for research for the training of U.S. Military Officers studying for promotion to the higher ranks. One last thing is that our future generations can use these CDs to find out just, "What did you do in the big war, Grandpa?"
Acquire these CDs while they are available.
Set of #1 & #2 CDs ------- $10
CD #3 ------------------------ $10
CD #4 ------------------------ $10
Send your personal check made out to:
John R. Schaffner, 1811 Miller Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030, Phone: (410) 584-2754, e-mail: pumexim2@verizon.net
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If you haven't done it yet -- Make your plans NOW!! to join us for the 65th Annual Reunion of the 106th Infantry Division Association at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel Baltimore, MD from September 14 to 18, 2011
For information about the reunion and how to register see pages 20 and 21 of this issue.
Index for This Document
106th Div., 45, 48106th Div. Arty., 14
106th Sig. Co., 22
319th Inf. Regt., 14
352nd Div., 14
394th Regt., 31
422/K, 3
422/M, 38, 39
422nd Inf. Regt., 30, 32, 33
423rd Inf. Regt., 14
423rd Regt., 9, 24, 34
424/A, 2, 34
424/L, 2, 3
424th Inf. Regt., 12
424th Med. Det., 29
45th Div., 43
517th Prcht. Inf. Regt., 15
53rd Coast Arty., 43
589th FA BN, 12
591st FA BN, 39
69th Inf. Div., 30
81st Cbt. Engr., 47
914 Volksgrenadier Regt., 14
99th Inf. Div., 31
Adsit, James, 17
Afschaffenburg, 43
Alber, Mary Edith, 43
Alford, Barney, 16
Alford, Barney M., Jr., 16
AmVets of Indiana, 20
Andler, 30
Antweiler, Germany, 14
Arbeitskommando Slaughterhouse Five, 20
Ardennes, 35
Ardennes Forest, 27
Auerbach, Jill, 36
Auerbach, Sidney, 36
Auerbach, Sidney H., 16
Auw, 30
Auw, Germany, 14
Bad Orb, 43
Bailey, Capt. H. P., 15
Bain, Martha, 36
Bain, Paul, 36
Baresel, Susan, 38
Bartusek, Marcus A., 16
Baseman, Connie Pratt, 33
Battle of the Bulge, 7, 26, 28, 29, 31, 32, 47
Beeth, Lyle, 2
Berga, 41
Bergsman, Heddy, 4
Berk, Germany, 15
Berry, Ben, 46
Berry, Paul, 46
Berry, Ross, 46
Beseler, ?, 34
Beville, John, 36
Black, Ewell C., Jr., 16
Black, Rev. C. Ewell, Jr., 1
Black, Rev. Ewell C., 2
Black, Rev. Ewell C., Jr., 2
Black, Rev. Ewell, Jr., 1
Blum, H. Steven, 11
Blum, Lt. Gen. H. Steven, 5
Booda, Charles K., Jr., 16
Books, 24
Bouma, Willis, 16
Bozorth, Ralph, 26
Brown, Leslie L., 26
Buchanan, Richard, 16
Buchanan, Richard E., 18
Buckman, Clarence, 36
Buckman, Kathleen, 36
Buderich, 33
Bullingen, Belgium, 15
Busier, William, 36
Butenbach, 15
Byrd, Austin L., Jr., 16
Caldwell, ?, 9
Camp Atterbury, 27, 29, 32, 43, 48
Camp Atterbury, IN, 27
Camp Lucky Strike, 29
Carey, Katherine, 41
Carver, Dale, 12
Carver, Dale R., 12
Cassibry, Graham, 12
Chichin, Chester & Yvonne Vance, 18
Chichin, Yvonne Vance, 18, 46
Christianson, Ed, 35
Christianson, Edward, 2
Christianson, Edward L., 2
Ciquero, Michael, 16, 18
Clark, Herbert H., 16
Colby, Gloria, 36
Colby, Stanley, 36
Costa, Lawrence B., 38
Costa, Therese, 18, 38
Coulee, 34
Coulle, Belgium, 15
Crisan, ?, 9
Crocker, Joseph, 46
Crowley, Willard, 12
Cunningham, ?, 9
Curl, Margaret, 41
Danielle, ?, 9
Darmstadt, 21
Davis, Donna K. (Sutton), 38
Davis, Doris, 16, 18
Davis, Gregg, 38
Davis, Julie, 38
Davis, Marjorie Lee (Weighill), 38
Davis, Mitchell, 38
Davis, Rinard G., 38
Davis, Thomas, 38
Davis, Thomas & Minola, 38
Descheneaux, Col., 30
Donesan, ?, 9
Donnatelli, Hank, 34
Dovell, Clark W., 38
Dovell, Thelma P., 38
Doxsee, Gifford, 2, 20
Doxsee, Gifford B., 2
Dresden, 8
Dresden, Germany, 15, 20
Drucker, Merrit, 33
Dunn, ?, 9
Edenbaum, Jesse, 33
Edenbaum, Saul, 33
Edwards, James, 36
Eldridge, Robert, 36
Emrich, Art, 35, 36
Eubanks, Billy, 39
Eubanks, Emmitt & Lila Cathcart, 39
Eubanks, Evelyn Velma, 39
Eubanks, Faber, 39
Eubanks, Jacob Harley, 39
Eubanks, James L. III, 39
Eubanks, James Leroy, Sr., 39
Eubanks, Joann, 39
Eubanks, Laurel, 39
Faro, Robert A., 16
Fehnel, Charles, 35, 36
Fehnel, Pauline, 36
Fleming, George, 16
Fleming, Harold A., 18
Fort Screven, Ga, 43
Fried, Dave, 34
Ft. Jackson, SC, 29, 34, 39
Fuchs, Victor, 16
Gaffney, Frank, 34
Galanti, Paul, 5, 10
Germany, 22
Giesler, Carl W., 39
Grasberger, Frank, 16
Graybill, Donna April, 38
Greve, ?, 9
Greve, Walter C., 9
Gustin, Marcel, 16
Hammelburg, 43
Hanzlik, Kathleen, 41
Haywood, Tamara, 18
Henricks, Don, 47
Henricks, Pat, 47
Herndon, Donald F., 3
Herndon, Joan & Don, 5
Hesse, Germany, 21
Hicks, Cynthia (Jeff), 39
Hillard, Brad, 34
Hillard, Bradford N., 18
Hillard, Everett S., 34
Hinrichs, Don, 47
Hoff, Russell, 39
Hoff, Tom, 5, 7, 21, 39
Holland, 12
Hope, Bob, 48
Houston, Sam, 8
Huber, Edward J., 16
Huddleston, Lt., 34
Hunningen, Belgium, 15
Jensen, George, 39
Jensen, George C., 39
Jensen, George 'Cliff', 39
Jensen, Jeffery, 39
Jensen, Randal (Liz), 39
Jensen, Sally, 39
Jewett, Dean F., 17
Jones, L. Martin, 17
Jundanian, Tom, 31, 32
Kath, Albert H., Jr., 39
Kath, Albert, III, 39
Keeber, Beatrice, 16
Kelly, C.J., 32
Kelly, Lt. Col. Thomas, 43
Kernitzky, Leonard 'Lennie', 19
Kowenski, Lisa, 36
Kravitz, Sol, 29
Krenski, Lenni, 19
La Vaux, 34
Lacroix, Roger A., 39
Lamb, Paul R., 16
Langenbrucken, Germany, 1
Langenlonsheim, 28
Lavin, Jean (James), 38
Leavitt, Edward H., 39
Leavitt, Nancy, 39
LeClair, Dorothy, 40
LeClair, William J., 39
Lerno, Al, 16
Lichtenfeld, Seymour, 16
Lichtenfeld, Sy, 1, 2, 9, 19
Limburg, 29
Lorenz, ?, 8
Losey, Walter F., 41
Lowery, Charles L., Jr., 18
Luckenwalde, 29
Macaluso, August, 16
Mahon, Anna, 41
Maloney, David, 41
Maloney, Dennis (Angelica), 41
Maloney, James J., Jr., 41
Maloney, Joseph, 41
Maloney, Joseph P., 41
Maloney, Kevin, 41
Maloney, Martin, 41
Maloney, Michael (Debra), 41
Maloney, Thomas, 41
Maloney, Vivian M. Depue, 41
Margraten, 12
Mark, Dr. Joseph, 41
Markum, Bertis, 41
Markum, Jess & Grace, 41
Markum, Lillian Ruth, 41
Markum, Paul W. (Patricia), Jr., 41
Markum, Paul W., Sr., 41
Marsh, Alex, 36
Martin, Harry, 38, 39, 41, 43, 46
Martin, Harry F., Jr., 1, 2, 16, 18
Mayrsohn, Bernard, 3
McCain, John, 10
McCain, Senator, 10
McGoogan, ?, 9
McHugh, James, 27
McKee, Bettie, 41
McKee, Carol, 41
McKee, Catherine, 41
McKee, Cheryl, 43
McKee, Jackie, 43
McKee, John, 41
McKee, Marilyn, 41
McKee, Richard 'Dick', 41
McKee, Sgt. George, 43
McWhorter, William, 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 19
McWhorter, William A., 19
Menke, Aloysius J., 43
Menke, Jim, 43
Mertzig, Luxembourg, 14
Mess, Kenneth A., 16
Middleton, 2
Mills, Jim, 8
Mitchell, William C., 16
Mock, John H., 17
Mosher, Carl, 43
Mosley, Rev., 23, 24
Mosley, Rev. Ron, 23
Mosley, Ron, 23
Mueller, Lt. N., 9
Muhlberg, 31
'My War', 24
National Archives, 14
Nelson, Dr. Ralph, 2
Niner, Robert, 17
O'Toole, Francis, 12
Oflag XIII-B, 43
Okman, Danny, 34
Owen, Sharon, 38
Paris, 46
Parks, Fred, 35, 36
Pazul, Linda (William), 41
Peak, ?, 9
Pratt, Lt. Gerald, 33
Prisoner of War, 9
Purple Heart, 11, 23, 24, 41, 43, 46
Rain, John C., 47
Rapp, Albert E., 43
Rasmussen, Norman, 16
Reinkober, James, 39
Reunions, 46
Rheinberg, 33
Rhine River, 28
Richardson, Bob, 41
Rieck, Charles F., 2
Riggs, Col., 47
Riggs, Col. Thomas, 47
Robb, Dr. John G., 1, 2
Roberts, Jack, 12, 45
Roberts, John M., 3
Roberts, Thomas David, 12, 45
Ross, Archie, 34
Ross, Sidney, 36
Russell, Maj. Aldon, 45
Russell, Mrs. Margaret M., 45
Salerno, Helen, 17
Salerno, Helen M., 18
Salerno, Joseph, 16
Scales, Lt. Col. William, 43
Schaffner, John, 1, 2, 3, 26, 38, 46
Schaffner, John R., 12, 13, 48
Schanerberger, Ellsworth H., 2
Schenk, George, 34
Schlausenbach, 30
Schnee Eifel, 30
Schoenberg, 30
Schofield, Arden T., 45
Schofield, Edgar James, 45
Schofield, Fran, 46
Schofield, Frances Tuttle, 45
Schofield, Louise V., 46
Scholten, Don, 35, 36
Scholten, Mary Ann, 36
Scott, Earl, 12
Screaming Meemies, 27
Seabloom, Grace (Ed), 39
Sgrignoli, Michael G., 16
Shadows Of Slaughterhouse Five, 20
Sheaner, Herb, 30, 32
Sheaner, Herbert 'Mike', 3
Shoemaker, Lynn, 46
Smallwood, Fredrick, 24
Smith, Shirley (Bob), 38
Snovel, Lael, 36
Snovel, Robert, 36
St. John, Lt., 34
St. Vith, 24, 27, 30
St. Vith, Belgium, 27
Stahl, William, 1
Stahl, William 'Bill', 3
Stalag 4-B, 8
Stalag III-A, 29
Stalag IV-B, 8, 30, 31, 32, 38
Stalag IX-B, 43
Stalag XI-A, 29
Starmack, John S., 16
Stars and Stripes, 34
Stefan, Theodore F., 16
Stein, Barbara & Murray, 12
Stein, Murray, 1, 6, 7, 8, 39, 41, 43, 45, 46
Stern, Boris, 36
Stern, Margery, 36
Stopper, Stanley A., 17
Stringer, Susan, 39
Stroh, Gen., 15
Stroh, Maj. Gen. Donald, 1
Sutton, John, 38
Swain, Cynthia, 36
Szpek, Erv, Jr., 8
Szpek, Ervin, 8
Szpek, Ervin, Jr., 16, 20, 31
Szpek, Ervin, Sr., 16
'The Lion's Path', 32
Thompson, 1st Lt. Arthur, 22
Thompson, Arthur, 22
Topper, Earl L., 21
Topper, Pfc. Earl L., 21
Trautman, Frank, 1, 2
Trautman, Frank S., 3
U.S. Naval Academy, 10
Urias, Albert, 46
Uss Hancock, 10
Valley Forge Military Academy, 10
Vance, George, 18
Vance, George T., 18, 46
VBOB, 7, 26
Veterans Of The Battle Of The Bulge, 7, 26
Vitali, Alfred, 46
Vitali, Tina, 46
Weiss, Newton, 3, 4
Weiss, Newton W., 1, 4
Weiss, Susan, 1, 19
Welch, Maj., 34
Welke, Brian, 16, 34
Welke, Brian J., 34
West, Jim, 20, 26, 33, 38, 41, 43, 46
White, Capt., 34
Wicker, Thomas, 18
Winterspelt, Belgium, 47
Wittenberg, Henry C., 16
Wood, ?, 9
Wood, Randall, 7, 21
Wood, Randy, 5
Wouters, Carl, 30
Wysocky, Marcia, 16, 18
Yupunchick, Mike, 34
Zendek, Daniel L., 27