Index for this issue of The CUB
Original Cub Document

Uploaded: 12-Dec-2020

Are You in This Picture? Let us know!
PHOTO: This picture is labeled the "1st National Reunion" of the 106th ID Association.
It was taken in front of the Indiana WWI Memorial in Indianapolis.
Have you made your plans yet to be in the Next Picture?
The cover picture on the next CUB will be the veteran attendees of the 69th Association Reunion in Charleston, SC.
Reunion Registration information is throughout this CUB. See you there!
A tri-annual publication of the 106th Infantry Division Association, Inc.

Total Membership as of June 1, 2015 – 1,149
Membership includes CUB magazine subscription
Annual Dues are no longer mandatory: Donations Accepted
Payable to "106th Infantry Division Association" and mailed to the Treasurer -- See address below
Elected Offices
President . Bernard Mayrsohn (423/CN)
Past-President (Ex-Officio) Randall Wood (Associate Member)
1st Vice-President .Vacant 2nd Vice-President .............. .Brian Welke (Associate Member)

Adjutant: Murray Stein (423/I) 8372 Calabria Lakes Dr.,
Boynton Beach, Fl. 33473
murraystein1925@gmail.com
561-336-2660

Business Matters, Deaths, Address changes to:
Membership: Jacquelyn Coy
121 McGregor Ave.,
Mt. Arlington, NJ 07856 membership@106thinfdivassn.org 973-663-2410
Donations, checks to:
Treasurer: Mike Sheaner
PO Box 140535, Dallas TX 75214
sheaner1@airmail.net
214-823-3004

Chaplain: Vincent Charron
vcharron@gccnny.org

Memorial Chair: Dr. John G. Robb
238 Devore Dr., Meadville, PA 16355
jrobb238@hotmail.com
814-333-6364

106th ID Assn's Belgium Liaison: Carl Wouters
Waterkant 17 Bus 32, B-2840 Terhagen, Belgium
carl_wouters@hotmail.com
cell: +(32) 47 924 7789
CUB Editor: William McWhorter
166 Prairie Dawn, Kyle, Texas 78640 williammcwhorter17@gmail.com 512-970-5637

CUB Publisher: Susan Weiss
9 Cypress Point Ct, Blackwood, NJ 08012 CubPublisher@106thInfDivAssn.org 856-415-2211

106th Assoc. Website Webmaster: Wayne G. Dunn
620 Coachmans Way, Parkton, MD 21120
Host106th@106thInfDivAssn.org
410-409-1141

Committee Chairs:
Historian
John Schaffner/William McWhorter
Atterbury Memorial Representative Jim West
Resolutions Chair Bernard Mayrsohn
Order of the Golden Lion John Schaffner
Nominating Committee Chair Brian Welke
Mini-Reunions Wayne Dunn
Membership Chair Jacquelyn Coy
Board of Directors

Donald F. Herndon (424/L).(2015) 8313 NW 102, Oklahoma City, OK, 73162-4026, oklastamps@aol.com 405-721-9164
Sy Lichtenfeld (422/I) (2015) 901 Somerby Dr., Apt 334, Mobile, AL 36695, slich44@gmail.com 251-639-4002
    Bernard Mayrsohn (423/CN)..... .(2015) 34 Brae Burn Dr., Purchase, NY 10577-1004 ethelbarn@aol.com 914-946-2908 Web site: www.mayrsohn.com
    John M. Roberts (592/C) ........ .(2015), 1059 Alter Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48304-1401, jmr81024@aol.com 248-338-2667
    John Schaffner (589/A).......... .(2015) 1811 Miller Rd., Cockeysville, MD, 21030-1013, pumexim2@verizon.net 410-584-2754
Herbert "Mike" Sheaner (422/G) (2015) PO Box 140535, Dallas, Texas 75214 herbsheaner@SBCGlobal.net, 214-823-3003
William "Bill" Stahl (422/K) (2015) 211 Arapaboe Ct., Junction City, KS 66441, 785-238-2364
    Newton Weiss (423/HQ 3Bn) ..... .(2015) 400 McDevitt Drive, Gibbstown, NJ 08027-1066, newtruth@comcast.net 856-423-3511

Tom Hoff (Associate member) (2015), P.O. Box 298, Warrington, PA 18976 tjhoff@milesaheadmedia.com, 267-475-3540
    Randall M. Wood (Associate member) (2015) 810 Cramertown Loop, Martinsville, IN 46151, woodchuck01@sbcglobal.net, 765-346-0690
    Jacquelyn Coy, Membership, (Associate member) ............. .(2016) 121 McGregor Ave., Mt. Arlington, NJ 07856, jsc164@aol.com 973-663-2410
    Mike Sheaner, Treasurer, (Associate member) ............. .(2016), PO Box 140535, Dallas TX 75214, sheaner1@airmail.net 214-823-3004
    Wayne G. Dunn (Associate member). .(2016) 620 Coachmans Way, Parkton, MD 21120 Host106th@106thInfDivAssn.org, 410-409-1141
Joe Gardner (Associate member) (2016) 315 Ridgewood Drive, New Paris, PA 15554, K7Ci@hotmail.com 814-839-2473
    Kris Rice (Associate member) ...... .(2016) 23109 Glenbrook Street, St. Clair Shores,, MI 48082-2194, krazyrice@comcast.net 586-206-0018
    Robert Schaffner (Associate member), ............................ .(2016), 706 Morris Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093, rschaffner@verizon.net 410-773-4297
    Jeanne M. Walker (Associate member), ............................ .(2016), 22 Woodbine Rd., Marshfield, MA, 02050-3632, jeanne16jr@hotmail.com 781-837-8166
    Brian Welke (Associate member).... .(2016) 1821 Morris Street, Eustis, FL 32726-6401, brian423rd@gmail.com 352-408-5671
    Janet Wood (Associate member) .... .(2016) 308 Camden Cove Circle, Calera, AL 35040, KipKai2000@yahoo.com 205-910-0542


/

    Last year, I was honored to be appointed as President of the 106th Infantry Division. As I affirmed then, I will do whatever I can to promote the history, camaraderie and value of our shared memories.
    Early in 2014 I traveled to Belgium to visit the Belgium and Luxembourg representatives of the 106th now living in Europe. In December, I attended the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, meeting the King and Queen of Belgium and the Duke
    of Luxembourg. The presence of these dignitaries as well as members of the 106th served to further highlight and acknowledge our valiant efforts to honor the sacrifice of the 106th Infantry Division in helping to defeat the Germans.
    During this past year I was asked to speak about the Battle of the Bulge to various colleges and universities in the United States. As a representative of our division, I felt proud to tell our story because we had a lot to be proud of. Our presence at the front as cold, raw soldiers, being attacked and surrounded but fighting doggedly against overwhelming odds, was only achieved because of our great loyalty to each other and to our country. I told the students that though wounded, as I was, and sent to a prison camp, the

/

Bernard Mayrsohn (423/CN) 106th Infantry Division Association President 2014–2015
34 Brae Burn Drive Purchase, NY 10577-1004
914-946-2908
ethelbarn@aol.com Website: www.mayrsohn.com


loyalty amongst us in combat and in prison camp never wavered. We had a fierce bond, a staunch camaraderie
that helped us survive brutal conditions while mourning the many we lost.
In their memory I want to again commemorate their sacrifice in giving their lives. In representing the 106th,
    I will continue to develop avenues of communication so that in time, history will not only venerate the soldiers who participated in the Battle of the Bulge, but will always acknowledge the efforts of the 106th.
    One of the things I found most rewarding during our visit to Belgium to celebrate the anniversary was a trip to a high school. Children in their late teens were free to ask us anything and what impressed me was how much they already knew -- not only about the Battle of the Bulge but also the 106th
-- but they didn't seem to understand

    why we fought so valiantly. I told them that we fought as doggedly as we did, because defeating Hitler was as much in America's interest as it was Europe's. It was because of our loyalty to America, to preserve America's strength and freedom, that we fought as we did.
    I informed them that the members of the 106th infantry has maintained a relationship since the Battle, now some 70 years old -- a staunch fellowship and camaraderie dedicated to keeping alive the memory and actions of our division.
    How happy I am to say that we still have this organization for so many years. It's my hope and wish we continue as long as anyone of us is around for a 106th reunion. The reminiscences of so many that have appeared in The CUB have been invaluable to the history of our Division. These are stories that would have been lost if our members hadn't written of a time when humanity was engulfed in a terrible war and when we -- the 106th -- played a most significant role in ensuring victory.
    In thinking about our service, I believe we all did what we did … served, fought, endured … not only for our Division, but also for a country worth sacrificing ourselves for and defending. I will be forever proud of having served the United States of America with the soldiers I did. I will be forever grateful for their friendship and camaraderie. I will be forever grateful for the freedom I enjoy. Attending the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Bulge in Belgium allowed me to feel secure that history will always applaud the bravery of the 106th Infantry Division.
    I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the 69th Annual Reunion in Charleston, SC, on September 16–20. Please let us know if we can be of any help in facilitating your attendance. Thank you for your friendship and support.
Barney Mayrsohn

/

    "One Nation Under God." These words that have been spoken, read, sung and printed. I often wonder if these words have become a mere cliché? Do they carry the same weight they once did?
    The original Pledge of Allegiance did not contain the words; "Under God" they were not added until 1954 under President Eisenhower. Eisenhower had congress add the words in response to the Communist threat of the times.
    I find it interesting how in times of distress and danger, peoples response is to cry out to God. Not always in a believing manner but in a hopeful manner. They cry out to a God they do not know exists, in hopes that as a last resort he would show up and doing something magnificent and save them from their situation or provide for them in their time of need.
    Upon doing some research for this writing I paid a visit to the archives of The CUB magazine. I was looking for inspiration and a piece of information that I could use to provide encouragement and wisdom to the mighty men and women who read this magazine. After all, I consider the veterans of WWII to be the "All American" generation and I wanted to do right by them.
I came across the article written by Rev. Ewell C. Black, Jr. of 422/A.
    It struck a chord with me as something that we as a nation need to hear again. In summary he writes of his concerns for the future of this nation. He reflects upon the simplicity of life that people once held dear. Rev. Ewell talks of our nation being a melting pot of nationalities and how America contains all

/

Vincent Charron
(PFC Nelson Charron 422/D)
Chaplain
Senior Pastor, Grace Covenant Church Ogdensburg, NY
Twitter-@vjcharron Facebook/VJCharron vcharron@gccnny.org




    people from all walks of life and all different cultures. I want to quote Rev. Ewell as an encouragement to our soldiers who have shaped this country and also for the soldiers who continue to answer the call no matter when it comes.
Rev. Ewell writes:
    "For this day I would ask our nation to realize that our strength comes from stronger than its weakest link. Likewise, no nation can be any stronger than its weakest part."
In closing I have typed out the prayer that Rev. Ewell wrote as his closing prayer.
    May we be ever mindful during these days that our creator watches over us and that every life is sacred to Him and may He continue to strengthen this great nation. He is not a God of "In case of emergency" but rather a God

of dependency. We as a nation need to learn to depend on Him daily and to remember He is ultimately in control.
    Father, God, help us to weave the strands together that the nation may be strong. That we, Christian and Jew, alike may truly make these United States of America one nation under God. ~ Rev. Ewell, The CUB, July 1992 Edition
Forcefully Advancing
~ Vincent Charron Matthew 11:12


/

Plan to Attend: 2015 Atterbury Cultural Day!
    On August 15, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, Indiana, will host their "Cultural Day." In an effort to get schools involved and to better get the word out about the site, they have planned a number of events including a German POW discussion this year. Organizers will serve Italian and German food samplers, too. There will be no High Mass at the Chapel this year, however, reenactment groups (living historians) will be in attendance.




My Brothers and Sisters,

    We can't thank our Editor William McWhorter and Publisher Susan Weiss enough for their outstanding work on The CUB! The past issue's columns by President Barney, our Historian John Schaffner, Chaplain Vincent Charron and the featured stories of President Barney with Herb and Mike Sheaner in Belgium made such interesting reading.
Our past President Sy Lichtenfeld, receiving the Veteran of the Year
    2014 award in Mobile, Alabama was a great read. Our Treasurer Mike, reported about 60 Life Plus and regular donations. I have never been more proud of our 106th Veterans, families and friends in this continuing effort to keep the Association alive!
The picture below was taken at the 2014 POW/MIA Program at the V.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida












    Murray Stein, 423/I, Ex Comm, Adjutant, 8372 Calabria Lakes Drive Boynton Beach, Fl. 33473, 561-336-2660, murraystein1925@gmail.com


    on September 26, 2014. For the past 15 years I have served as the emcee and have always recited the "POW Pledge of Allegiance."

/

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG…
    I am an American, I was a Prisoner of War. I have served my country. I need no one to tell me what allegiance I owe to my flag, to my home…

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
This is my country, I have fought for it, I have been imprisoned for it, I have died for it…

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS
This flag stands for me, for love.
My love for my friends.
I did not forsake it when I was beaten, when I was starved, when I was killed…

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE
I am one man, I have one country.
I worship one God. Under God, I was captured, under God I was saved, under God I have no fear…

WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
My allegiance is to Liberty, to Justice.
My flag represents the best of myself, my effort,
my home, my country. I will pledge allegiance to the flag.
I will pledge under the love of God. It is my right, my privilege, my duty, I have earned it. Tell me not how!
I have given you much. I am an Ex-Prisoner of War. Take nothing more from me.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG…

To my 106th Brothers,
    December 16, 1944, the Battle of the Bulge began and the German Army attacked us. Many of our Brothers were either captured, wounded and many killed. However, the remaining troops of the 106th carried on and helped defeat the Germans. We have been facing a new attack -- The Years (old age) is attacking us and we have to fight back!
    We are planning our 69th reunion in Charleston, South Carolina for September 16–20, 2015. We realize that of the 700 106th Veterans out there, many of you are not physically able to travel. However, many of you are still active, so warm up those wheelchairs, your walkers and use those canes! We miss you guys, we need you guys, your families, your friends to help us keep the 106th Infantry Division Association Alive! Don't Let Us Down!
Love you all,
Murray

    We can always mentally relive our history and that is not always a bad thing. Many past experiences are a joy to remember. Some things are best forgotten and not something we wish to repeat. I have heard that most of us who served in combat in WWII picked up our lives afterwards and put it all behind. Yet, there were those memories that would never, could never, go away. There would be sleepless nights. Every day something would pop back into the present to remind us of what we experienced as a soldier. We learned to simply live with it and not bring it up in conversation with others. Others would never understand anyway unless they had been there with you. Then came the day when those men who were with you and shared those events got together and began to talk. That is when we can say that "the dam broke." In my case I can say that my life changed.
    It began as a trickle at the reunion in 1986 at Columbia, SC. We veterans of the 589th assembled in a room in the hotel and people started to talk. It has been going on now ever since and to "ice the cake," I have even gone back to the ETO and visited those places that, "if I never see this place again it will be too soon" -- my attitude when I left. You can all relate to that, I am sure. That attitude that I had toward the area of the battle was a big mistake and I am so glad I had the chance to correct it.
    To visit the areas where we fought in the winter of 1944–45 today and meet the people who live there and who know the story of our Division is one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done and you can do it, too. Our

/

John R. Schaffner 589/A,
Historian, Past President 2002-2003 1811 Miller Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
410-584-2754, pumexim2@verizon.net







    story is being passed on to succeeding generations of those people whose freedom we restored. The American soldier will be revered in Europe for a long time. Our participation was important to the outcome of the war. They will not forget.
    If you are going to be with me when I visit the Carrier Yorktown on Thursday September 17, 2015, I will provide a bit of information about this extraordinary vessel. The USS Yorktown (CV/CVA/CVS-10) is one
    of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during World War II for the United States Navy. She is named after the Battle of Yorktown of the American Revolutionary War and is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. Initially to have been named Bon Homme Richard, she was renamed Yorktown while under construction

    to commemorate USS Yorktown (CV-5), lost at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Yorktown was commissioned in April 1943, and participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning 11 battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation.
    Decommissioned shortly after the end of the war, she was modernized and re-commissioned in the early 1950s as an attack carrier (CVA), and then eventually became an anti-submarine carrier (CVS). She was re-commissioned again, only too late to participate in the Korean War, but served for many years in the Pacific, including duty in the Vietnam War in which she earned five battle stars. Late in her career, she served as a recovery ship for the Apollo 8 space mission and was used in the movie Tora! Tora! Tora! which recreated the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and in the science fiction film The Philadelphia Experiment.
    She was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company having the keel laid down on 1 December 1941 and launched on 21 January 1943.
    The ship was commissioned 15 April 1943, then decommissioned (first time) 9 January 1947. Then re-commissioned 2 January 1953 and decommissioned (again) on 27 June 1970. After extensive overhaul and redesigned with a canted deck, the Yorktown was reclassified as CVA-10 on 1 October 1952 and then again as CVS-10 on 1 September 1957. The CVS designating anti-submarine duties. Yorktown was decommissioned (last time) in 1970, struck from inventory 1 June 1973, and in 1975, became a museum ship at Patriot's Point, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She is a National Historic Landmark. I would include all of the specs here but you will be impressed with this ship when you see her.
    Another WWII warship at Patriot's Point is the USS Laffey. It is a 2,200-ton Sumner class destroyer. It was commissioned in February 1944 to replace the original Laffey that was sunk at Guadalcanal in November 1992. This destroyer participated in the Normandy Invasion where she suffered hits from the huge German coastal battery guns narrowly avoiding sinking. After repairs and modifications at the Boston Navy Yard she was sent to the Pacific to join in the battles pushing the Japanese back toward their homeland. On April 14, 1945 the Laffey was singled out and attacked by 22 Japanese dive bombers, torpedo bombers, and fighter aircraft.
    The ship was hit with a large variety of bombs and cannon fire ripping the ship from bow to stern. When the battle was finally over the ship was barely afloat and suffered 103 casualties, including 32 dead. None of the attacking aircraft survived with the last few being finished off by Corsairs coming from Okinawa. The battle lasted about 80 minutes and was perhaps the most relentless aerial suicide attack ever survived. Of course, there is more to this story than these few words. I can't wait to get on board and hear the rest of the story.
    Added to the Patriot's Point fleet in 1981, the submarine at Patriot's Point, CLAMAGORE, is the only GUPPY III submarine preserved in the United
continues on page 10

    States. The CLAMAGORE (SS-343) was built as a Balao-class submarine by Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Commissioned too late for action in World War II, CLAMAGORE would serve 30 years during the Cold War. In 1948, CLAMAGORE underwent GUPPY II conversion to improve underwater performance. GUPPY was the term used by the Navy for its Greater Underwater Propulsion Program.
    CLAMAGORE was one of only nine submarines converted to GUPPY III (1962–63). A 15-foot (55-ton) section was added (forward of the control room) to accommodate upgrades in technology.
    This would be the ultimate upgrade for World War II-era, diesel-powered submarines. CLAMAGORE was decommissioned in June 1975.
In 1989, CLAMAGORE was designated a National Historic Landmark.
SEE YOU IN CHARLESTON.

    May 11, 2015 is the date that my good buddy, John Gatens, 589/A, left for that big parade ground in the sky. As many of you know, John and I had mutual experiences, not only the battle at Parker's Crossroads, but many re-visits together to the battleground in recent years. Our stories have appeared in The CUB. Remember him.
JRS

/
Representing the 106th at a VETSports Softball Tournament
    Association Board member Newt Weiss, (423/ HQ 3Bn) represented the 106th I.D. at a softball game held on the Rowan College at Gloucester County, NJ, campus. The round-robin tournament was sponsored by the RCGC Student Veterans Club and included the national VETSports (vetsports.org) team, the local Glassboro Blaze and an RCGC honorary players team.
At right, Newt throws out the first pitch.

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

Make checks payable to "106th Infantry Division Association" and mail them to the Treasurer:

/
Mike Sheaner, Treasurer, PO Box 140535, Dallas TX 75214 sheaner1@airmail.net 214-823-3004
Your Annual Dues Are No Longer Due
Please report all changes of address and deaths to the Association Membership Chair:

/
Jacquelyn S. Coy, Membership, 121 McGregor Ave., Mt. Arlington, NJ 07856 membership@106thinfdivassn.org 973-663-2410
    In 2010 the Board of Directors voted to dispense with annual dues, however, we continue to ask for donations, whatever you can give, to help defray the cost of
    printing and mailing The CUBs, which go out three times a year. For the Association to be able to meet not only yearly expenses, these donations make possible the enjoyable time at each Annual Reunion.
We will also continue to collect Memorial, Honorary and Life Plus donations.
    Any contribution that helps defray cost and sustain the association is greatly appreciated. Please consider donating to the Association.
"We were once Brothers…" and will remain so forever.
    Once, brother carried brother through the trials of training at Camp Atterbury and endured in battle on the Schnee-Eifel of Belgium and Germany. Support the 106th Infantry Division Association by making a Memorial or Honorary contribution in the name of your brother, friend, father or spouse.
    New membership applications are available for everyone in your family. Membership is only $10 and is open to all veterans and people (of every generation) and comes
    with full voting privileges. We encourage all family members to join to help honor our veterans and continue the legacy of the 106th.
Contact: Membership Chair, Jacquelyn S. Coy,
membership@106thinfdivassn.org or Treasurer,
Mike Sheaner, sheaner1@airmail.net. continues on page 12

Life+ and Memorial/Honorary Contributions Essential
for Keeping this Organization Going
    Your gifts are essential to maintaining The CUB magazine in its current format with high-quality content and tri-annual delivery. The cost of printing and mailing each edition of The CUB exceeds our current level of giving. Therefore, we encourage all readers to make an annual contribution, as you are able, to help defray the cost of printing and mailing.
    Contributions make it possible for the Association to meet yearly expenses and host Annual Reunions. Please consider making an annual Life+, Memorial or Honorary donation to the Association today.
    The Annual Dues of $10 are no longer billed or collected. We are now accepting only donations for membership, memorials and LIFE PLUS. The previously-allowed payment of $75 for Life Membership creates a financial shortfall, as our expenses exceeds our income.
Our solution? We are asking you to join the LIFE PLUS Club
    Those Members who contribute to the LIFE PLUS+ Club will have their names (only, no amounts will be shown) published in the next CUB.

You can donate as much or as little as you can and as often as you like.
By donating, you are helping perpetuate the 106th Infantry Division Association.

    To those Members from whom we haven't heard for a long time -- please take the time to join this exclusive club. Thank you!
Send your contribution, check made payable to 106th Infantry Div. Association, to:
Mike Sheaner
Treasurer, 106th Infantry Division, PO Box 140535, Dallas, TX 75214

Treasurer's Report: February 1 – June 1, 2015

Beginning Balance:
 $16,894.31

 Money In:
 $4,189.39

 Money Out:
 $4,476.48

 Difference:
 $-287.09

 Ending Balance:
 $16,607.22


Association Membership As of June 1, 2015

Total Membership
 1,149

 Membership Veterans
 686

 Associate Membership
 463


LIFE PLUS and REGULAR DONATIONS:
422/D James P. Adsit
Associate Member Louise Awalt
423/1BN/HQ Donald E. Cooley
592/SVC John O. Gilliland
589/A Alphons Lerno
424/K August Macaluso
424/Medic John F. Manfredi
Associate Member W. Gene Miller
106 Recon William C. Mitchell
592 FA/C, 589 FA/A John M. "Jack" Roberts 423/SV John S. Starmack
Associate Member Jerry L. Still
424/2BN/HQ Alvin Sussman
424/HQ, 3rd BN, AT William A. (Bill) Tooke

NEW MEMBERS:
Veteran Rupert D. Starr, 422/HQ
Veteran Starr M. Weed, 423/B
Associate Member Mandy Altimus Pond
Granddaughter of Major John J. Mohn (422/HQ, 1st BN)
Associate Member Jerry L. Still
Son of Omer G. Still (423/C)
Associate Member Roland L. Sharrow
Son of Robert J. Sharrow (424/E)
Associate Member Ryan L. Sharrow
Grandson of Robert J. Sharrow (424/E)
continues on page 14


MEMORIAL DONATIONS:
In memory of Jacques W. Bloch, 422/K, Stalag XI-B
Jean Bloch and Family

    In my dad's memory, Vernon E. "Brum" Brumfield, 589/C. When I read The CUB, I have awesome memories of all the conversations my dad and I had of those days. My dad and I were very close. I miss him daily.
BD Brumfield

In memory of Robert L. Byram, 423/A, Stalag 9B. Deceased 7/11/13, age 87.
Mrs. Jackie J. Byram

In honor and memory of John F. Gatens, A Battery, 589 Field Artillery Battalion. 1923–2015.
Bob and Jean Himberg Carl and Sofie Wouters

In memory of Richard A. Hartman, 590/FA
Carl and Sofie Wouters

In memory of Floyd D. Ragsdale, 424/G
Carl and Sofie Wouters

In memory of William T. Martin, 424/C
John M. "Jack" Roberts, 423/E

    In memory of my brother, Cpl. Alexander Lauro, 592/A. I am proud to have had a big brother serve honorably in the 106th Division as a member of the greatest generation.
Leonard Lauro

In memory of my husband, Clarence H. Mathe, 592/SVC.
Lucille E. Mathe

In memory of Major John J. Mohn, 422/ HQ, 1st BN.
Mandy Altimus Pond

In memory of my father, William S. Vaught, 424/Anti-Tank.
Mary Louise Vaught

In memory of Eric Fisher Wood, Jr., 589 FA/Batt A. Killed In Action 12/17/1944 at Meyerode
Hugh Roberts

In memory of David S. Wyman M.D., 422/D
Valerie P. Wyman

/
The Importance of a Mini Reunion
    Our veterans will always remember December 16, 1944, when they were thrust into the chaos of war. The years may have thinned the ranks, but those that remain still have the pride of knowing they played an instrumental part in slowing -- and ultimately defeating -- the German war machine.
As it becomes more difficult to travel, it is of critical importance that
    mini-reunions be held wherever our vets can join in. Any city, town -- or even in someone's home -- would be a fine place to gather to honor, cherish and remember all of our veterans. Plan one in your area today!
Contact Mini-Reunion Chair Wayne Dunn at host106th@106thInfDivAssn.org
and he can assist you with members in your area.

Returned Issues of the Latest CUB of the Golden Lion
    Membership Chair Jacquelyn Coy asks that the following names (and partial addresses) be listed in this issue of The CUB in hopes that anyone reading this issue might know the people listed and can get word to them that their address listed with the Association is incorrect or out-dated. If you know anyone on this list (or if you know they are deceased) and can get word to them, please ask them to contact Jacquelyn directly at the address listed on page 11 of this issue with an updated mailing address. Thank you.
Theodore R. Adriance, Hendersonville, NC
William C. Baker, III, Columbus, OH
Clifford Birdsall, Vernon/Rockwille, CT
Beverly Emick, Clifton Park, NY
Anna M. Hutchinson, Mifflintown, PA


    Thank you to all who have responded so enthusiastically to our call for financial support of the association. We are off to a great start in the "Last Man Standing" campaign with contributions this quarter exceeding expenses for the first time in more than two years. If you have not already made a Life+, Memorial or Honorary contribution this year look for the self-addressed envelope inside this issue of The CUB. Let's keep it going.
Mike Sheaner, Treasurer and Jacquelyn S. Coy, Membership Chair
for the 106th Association members

Please Let us Know Your Preferences!
    To reduce the cost of communicating with members, we would like to take advantage of using email delivery whenever possible. General correspondence (i.e. annual reunion paperwork) and sending The CUB as a PDF, or link to
    the website, are two examples where an impact can be made. In addition, we would like to gather your email address. Please respond to the following:
Preferred delivery method for general correspondence:
MAIL or Email

Preferred delivery method for The CUB: MAIL or Email
Email address:

You can let us know your preference by emailing:
membership@106thinfdivassn.org

Hinder forward: The 168th Engineer Combat Battalion in ZI and ETO
from May 1943 through November 1945
By Dean F. Jewett (168th Eng)













Note: the cover may not look like the pictured image.
    Dean F. Jewett has written a book about the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion, which was attached to the 106th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. The book is 456 pages and sells for $75, which includes postage, sales tax, etc.
New copies are only available through Mr. Jewett at P.O. Box 148, Saco, ME 04072 or by phone at 207-284-6778.
Used copies are available online through
outfits, such as Amazon.com or Ebay.com.

/

A Very Important Message from
the Treasurer and All Members of the Board
Please read and take action now, thank you.
    With each issue of The CUB magazine the incoming mail box swells with letters of appreciation from readers who express thanks and encouragement for us to "keep up the good work."
The Last Man Standing
    It is our wish to continue the Association at a minimum through "The Last Man Standing." Since eliminating annual dues several years ago the association has relied largely on reserve savings to continue The CUB and other services at its present level. Your support is necessary to complete the mission of honoring our veterans and continuing the legacy of the 106th through education, reunions and publication of The CUB.
Keep up the Good Work
We need your help to meet basic financial needs of the Association.
    If we reach our annual goal of $20,000, we will be able to preserve our savings and keep up the "good work" for many years to come. Use the enclosed envelope to return your contribution marked "Sustentation Fund" in whatever amount possible. Any amount
is appreciated, $10 – $1,000 or more.
Also, please tells us how you wish to receive future issues of
    The CUB. Email to membership@106thinfdivassn.org and indicate a delivery preference; Mail (paper in black and white) or Email (PDF in color). Approximately 65 percent of Association expenses are directly related to printing and shipping The CUB each year. Your choice to receive The CUB by email will help defer expenses and enable us
to continue to deliver The CUB until "The Last Man Standing."
Show support for our mission by giving generously. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

    If the envelope is missing or if you or someone you know would like to make an additional contribution, please mail a check made payable to 106th Infantry Division
to: 106th Infantry Division, Life Plus Contribution
PO Box 140535, Dallas TX 75214


The BaTTle for Snow MounTain
by Donald Young
    The Battle for Snow Mountain is a comic novel -- based on Young's experience -- which gives a surreal picture of the German attack on the 106th Division
in the winter of 1944.











    their war experience in the Battle of the Bulge, their accidental capture, escape from POW camp and return to freedom.



The Battle for Snow Mountain by Donald Young
can be purchased by April 1, from Pocol Press, 6023 Pocol Drive, Clifton, VA 20124, 1-703-830-5862.
It can also be ordered at Amazon.com, $17.95, ISBN 978-1-929763-48-1

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 email 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.

Just a reminder . . .
    If you have pictures, an article, or some other form of information you would like included in a future issue of The CUB, the due dates are as follows:
October 1, 2015 -- mail date November 15, 2015 (to include reunion photos and remembrances)
    January 1, 2016 -- mail date March 15, 2016 (issue will include reunion paperwork) May 1, 2016 -- mail date July 1, 2016 (in time to have reunion info included)
Articles and pictures can be mailed or emailed 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
CubPublisher@106thInfDivAssn.org

/
Visit the 106th Association's Website!
By Wayne Dunn
    To complement the wonderful websites that are already out on the Internet, including our own members' Jim West (www.IndianaMilitary.org) and Carl Wouters (www.106thinfantry. webs.com) the association has launched our own website at www.106thInfDivAssn.org.
    This is where you can find: info on upcoming events; copies of the member- ship application for your family to join; the complete latest issue plus additional photos and articles from The CUB.
Also look for our Facebook page at Facebook.com/106thInfDivAssn.
    This is where you can find up- to-the-minute information and where you can connect with friends and make plans for the next reunion.
    If you have any additional reunion photos or information that you would like to see on the website or Facebook page, please contact the Webmaster, Wayne Dunn at Host106th@106thInfDivAssn.org or 410-409-1141.

Jim West and the
www.IndianaMilitary.org Website
    Associate member, Jim West (OGL-Officers, 2004) has created an excellent website at http://www.indianamilitary.org. It is hoped that this website will increase awareness of the 106th Infantry Division Association and perhaps our membership. The site has had 1,674,874 visitors to date. It is rated as the largest private site in Indiana at more than 50 gigabytes of unaltered history and is the largest depository of local historical photos. Check it out at your earliest convenience.
    In addition to a very large section devoted to the 106th Division, it also contains information on Camp Atterbury (Indiana) and all the divisions that trained here in World War II and Korea.
    They include the 28th, 30th, 31st, 83rd and 92nd Infantry Divisions, plus Fort Benjamin Harrison, Freeman AAF, Atterbury/ Bakalar AFB, the German and Italian POWs held at Camp Atterbury and Wakeman General Hospital. There is also a section for the several German Prisoner of War camps where some 106th members were held. There are dozens of 106th diaries and personal remembrances.
    The 106th Roster at http://tinyurl.com/106th-INFDIV-Roster now contains information on 17,481. Veterans with 363 individual photos. If you visit the website, listed above, and a photo is not shown for an individual and the family has one available, all they need do is email a scan of him to Jim West.
    All 106th General Orders have been reviewed and all the information has been added to the Roster. These General Orders allowed for the addition of 513 previously unknown names to be added and a huge amount of service numbers and other data were added. All the original General Orders are available for viewing on the website. These were made possible by a friend, John Bowen, of the 31st Division Association (Camp Atterbury, Korean War).
    Every available issue of the 106th CUBs are available on the site, in addition to the Camp Atterbury Camp Crier, published when the 106th was there. Find the Camp Crier under the section for Camp Atterbury. You can email Jim at imo@indianamilitary.org.
    Jim would like to thank the "AmVets of Indiana." Through their generosity of support and hosting of the entire website, they are making it possible for the 106th to have a presence on the Web.

Order of the Golden Lion Committee
    This award is provided in three classifications depending on the qualifications of the recipient. The most prestigious is "Commander Class" issued in gold finish. This award is usually provided to someone who has served the Association faithfully over an extended period of time and is a Veteran of the 106th Infantry Division.
    The second is "Officer Class" issued in silver finish. This award is usually provided to someone who has served the Association faithfully over an extended period of time and is not necessarily a Veteran of the 106th Infantry Division.
The third is "Companion Class" issued in bronze finish. This award is
    usually provided to someone who has served the Association faithfully in the capacity of assistance in the operation of the Association.
The specifications for making the award are intended to fit many instances where an individual is deemed worthy.
The award should be determined by the recipient's contributions to the Association.
    The Chairman of the Order of the Golden Lion committee will poll the members of the Board of Directors for recommendations for the OGL awards. The President or Chairman may select additional members to the committee.
    Nominations will be submitted in a format suitable for composing a formal citation to accompany the award of the medal. This must be done in ample time prior to the next Reunion in order for the manufacturer to produce the medal(s) on time.
    All citations should be kept confidential between the nominator and the Committee Chairman prior to the actual awarding ceremony.
LEAD TIME -- 3 WEEKS, MINIMUM
John Schaffner is the Chair of the Order of the Golden Lion Committee. Send nominations to:
John Schaffner (589/A)
1811 Miller Rd., Cockeysville, MD 21030-1013
410-584-2754
pumexim2@verizon.net

/

My Dad's Story: Vincent Joseph Byrnes
Submitted by Karen M. Byrnes Fuoco
    In honor of her father, and in hopes of keeping his story alive -- and the many, many stories of the men in the 106th Infantry Division which is one of the most important pieces of World War II history -- Karen Byrnes Fuoco has submitted the following article to The CUB's readership. Incidentally, her father's story is also available on the Association's website at
www.106thinfdivassn.org/.

My dad, Golden Lion PFC Vincent Joseph Byrnes (423/SVC) never told his story. So in my best possible
    effort -- it took me nearly three years to find out what I did -- on behalf of myself, my five siblings, and above all in memory and remembrance of my beloved Dad, I was able to write the following. My dad always was and will forever be my Hero. I grieve for him to this day. He passed away on November 25, 2009.
    I have tried several times to begin my father's story of his time in service and with the 106th Infantry Division. To begin and to write is still difficult for me. I find myself becoming emotional. As I know the story, so do I envision the man and the suffering he and so many others endured. My research took over
a year and yet, I still came up short in a few areas.
    What I do know for certain is he entered the U.S. Army on December 29, 1942 and left for Basic Training on January 2, 1943 to Ft. Devens, MA.
24th was further back. They retreated to fight another day.
    From here, I can only tell you what little I know. As the Germans attacked and advanced, my dad was driving a truck with his partner when all hell broke











loose. They were fired upon
    and the man seated next to my dad was shot and died instantly. This was on December 19, 1944, as they approached the Schnee Eifel. My father escaped the truck, only to face the barrel of a German soldier's rifle. My father called him a " F***en son of a bitch," for which the German soldier who spoke English punched my dad in the nose.
    On that day, my dad became one of the thousands of men of the 106th captured and imprisoned. After it was ransacked, the truck, which as I have documented from another member, was then blown up. Leaving me to forever wonder, who was the soldier in the truck with my dad?
    From here the rest is history. What was left of 422nd and 423rd also there on December 22, 1944 -- after three days of battle, little to no ammunition, no food, no means of reinforcements or air drops due to weather -- surrendered. A decision as history dictates was made in an attempt to save the lives of these few, proud and brave men who were left. Excerpt from the "History of the 106th Infantry Division," Over the next three days, the 422nd and 423rd Regiments became completely cut

    off from the rest of the division. Reinforcements from the 7th Armored Division weren't able to break through and an ammo drop failed to arrive. On the 19th of December the ammunition reserves for the two Regiments were exhausted and the commanders, Col. Descheneaux and Col. Cavender decided that further fighting would do more harm than good. To save what was left of their men, they gave up the remainders of their Regiments. Over 7000 men of the 106th went into German captivity and would spend the duration of the war in a series of POW camps. The 106th Division had been on the line for only five days.
    From here, my best information is, my dad began his journey with the men he served with. They were marched for miles, railroaded in box cars and marched again. (The boxcars as you may know were used for cattle and the men were jammed in these cars at app. 100 men per car.) They had no room to move, sit or lie down. They would take turns sitting and shifting around, at the very least, to lean upon a wall. Their helmets became their facilities, as well as their means to drink what little water they were given. Thus, the immense outbreak of dysentery and the likes of diseases which eventually took some of their lives, or at best a lifetime of stomach ailments. As well, the train was bombed and many were killed. One story tells of the men leaving the train and forming in the field the letters P.O.W. How my dad journeyed from here is not known to me. But at best, I assume he was marched or in some cases as I've read, they were held in a freight yard until another train was made available.
    They slept in fields in bitter cold weather. No covering, of course no blankets, only the warmth of each other's bodies lying side by side in a bitter winter known to be one of the worst in German history.
They were warned to march only.
    There were a few who attempted to pick up a turnip or any means of food source, water or nourishment. In this attempt they were shot dead on the spot or left to die by the side of the road. My dad and these men who bore this less than humane treatment made one stop during this horrendous journey where they were stripped of their personal belongings and clothing then fed a watery version of what they called soup. Then told to redress -- and in doing so grabbed whatever they could find -- as they were being moved out again. Eventually, they arrived at Stalag IV-Muhlberg, Germany. Here they were tagged, registered as POWs and fed for what it was worth.
continues on page 26

    After a short period, my dad was transferred to Stalag 111 A Luckenwalde, Germany. The conditions here were as bad as those in Muhlberg. On this site a tent or tents were constructed for the overflow of prisoners. They slept on hay in a field under these tents. Cold, lice, dysentery and numerous other issues plagued these men. There were few to no drops of essentials for them. Being told in most cases, the German's kept much of what was dropped to the prisoners by the American Red Cross.
    My dad worked on the railroad, building the tracks that would eventually connect (my summation) one area of Germany vital to the War effort to another. In my father's words, he eventually devised a way to break the hammers, in a fashion the German's would not comprehend, thus limiting their time working on the railroad. At this point, we assumed from words of another POW, they were in a work camp somewhere in the vicinity of Magdeburg near the Elbe River.
    The only fact in words from my dad's mouth, "the men were working one day and found a cabbage in a field nearby. This one single cabbage became the mainstay for these men at least for a day. They made a feast of it as best they could."
    My heart breaks to think and now know as much as I have found. As you can see, all I have found is based upon the very few words my dad expressed of his time in service and articles I published based upon my limited information in the AX-POW Magazine and The CUB. The response I received from many men who served in WWII with the 106th Infantry Division and other divisions was over whelming. I visited a few of these men or spoke with them on the phone. I was even blessed to receive publications and books they had written.
    For these men and the many others who brought me through the journey of my dad's days in service to his country, I am eternally grateful. I now know much of what my father lived through, understand more now than ever why he was the man he was and how proud in my entire lifetime I am to always call him "My Hero."
    My dad's release from this horror came on April 15, 1945. I have no definitive facts as to how he was liberated/repatriated. However, I do know Magdeburg was liberated on or near these dates by the 30th Infantry Division. They were split into three groups, so the information I have is at best vague and uncertain. My hope would be that he and the men he was with were liberated by the 30th I.D.
    Information I received from Carl Wouters, an historian, read "The Magdeburg area where your dad's Arbeitskommando was based, was liberated by the U.S. 30th Infantry Division. The town itself was liberated on April 18, 1945. An honest assumption is that he was then taken to the town of Halle where there was a large collecting point for liberated POWs. The men were then flown out on C-47s to cigarette camps in France or hospitals in England."
    He arrived home on April 29, 1945, which tells me he was in relatively decent physical health. However, due to his imprisonment and the conditions


/
    (food, sanitary status, etc.) my dad was plagued with serious stomach issues for the rest of his life. His mother and siblings were not notified until May of 1945, and at that time in a letter to my grandmother his whereabouts were listed as "unknown."
    I do know he received "R & R," but where is unknown. Upon his arrival home, I had been told he was then being prepared to continue his time in the Pacific Theater of WWII. I find this abhorrent, after he had been held as a POW in a German prison camp. But, as is dictated, they do what they are called to service to do. Fortunately,
    the war came to a close after Hiroshima, the peace treaty was signed and my dad and many others like him were saved from facing more battle.
    After WWII, the 106th Division was disbanded. From this point he served the remainder of his three-year tour of duty at Camp Fannin, Texas -- obviously known as a holding center for German POWs.
My father received his Honorable Discharge at the Convenience of the Government.


/

Shadows of Slaughterhouse Five
From Ervin Szpek Jr., Non-Veteran 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 2014 and with appreciation for your efforts –– thank you.

Golden Lion Clarence Henry Mathe Remembered
By Marcia L. Wysocky

    I would like to take a few moments to tell you about my dad, Golden Lion Clarence Henry Mathe (December 6, 1923 – February 9, 2014).
Maybe some of you remember him, most probably don't. I, for one, will never forget him.
During the war, he served in the 106th Infantry Division's 592nd FA BN
    After the war, he became a builder, starting his own construction company. He built some of the most beautiful homes and resorts imaginable and many from the blueprints that he had drawn himself; all without formal education. He just seemed to know how to do these things and I was always in awe of him.
    He didn't talk about the war until a few years before his passing. I then understood why he never did. It is not necessary to tell any of his tales; many of you lived them right beside him so many years ago. He always used to tell me, "Enjoy every minute and do everything you can while you can."
    This advice was repeated more often the last few years of his life. Dad was very proud to have served his country with the 106th Golden Lion Division. He was and always will be our hero. Marcia L. Wysocky, sisters and brothers.

/

Searching for Private Tucker
Submitted by Shirley Tucker Mohler

    PHOTO: Lloyd Martin Jones, second from left, shows the daughters of James Willard Tucker the place on a map of Germany where their father was held as a POW during World War II. The daughters are, from left, Mary Nagle, Shirley Tucker and Louise Cavanaugh

    Golden Lion Lloyd Martin Jones, a Battle of the Bulge veteran, helped a family fill in the gaps of their ‘reluctant warrior' father's life. In November 2000, the Huntsville Times (AL) published an article by Patrica Cavanaugh Stumb.
    The following is from that article. Daughters Mary Nagle, Shirley Tucker Mohler and Louise Cavanaugh looked for someone to tell them what their father's life was like the five months he was held prisoner by the German army in World War II. At the 53rd Annual Reunion of the 106th Infantry Division, the sisters, their mother and two of their aunts mingled with a former POWs and members of the 423rd Infantry Regiment. They showed photos of their father and there was a bulletin board at the registration desk where messages could be left. So, they left a message. It read: "Anyone who knew James Willard Tucker, who was in Stalag IVB, please call us in Room 4053. He was our dad."
    In 1944, their father was drafted and sent to basic training at Camp Atterbury. Shirley remembered her father didn't want to go to war. He was a poet and a singer; he didn't feel the need to go shoot Germans like a lot of American men did.
    After reviewing a list at the registration desk during the reunion, the sisters and family learned there was only one man who could help them learn more. His name was Lloyd Martin Jones. He was the only veteran in the Association who was in Company G,

continues on page 30

    the same company as their father. But as of that Friday night, Jones had not arrived. So they talked with other men. They learned that none of the men wanted to talk about their POW camp experiences for years after the war.
They wanted to get back to working and taking care of their families.
Somewhere along the way, they figured out it wasn't weak to revisit aloud the events that caused them nightmares.
    One veteran really opened up to them. Hugh Colbert, a man from Dallas, who was in a different regiment than their father, laughed and cried when he talked to them. He had a hard experience and had lost 60 pounds during his
four-month internment.
    The next day, Friday, at the luncheon the reunion coordinator asked all first-timers to introduce themselves to the group. A pleasant-looking man walked up to the microphone and said his name was Lloyd Martin Jones. The sisters shortly thereafter introduced themselves and asked for details about their father. Jones said, "I'll go ahead and tell you that I didn't know your father and grandfather, but I want to tell you why." Jones had 40 men in his platoon, but their father was not one of them. Jones went on to describe the Battle of the Bulge and being taken prisoner. The sisters sat on the edge
    of their seats, taking notes and trying to imagine the snowy, anxious scene this man was describing. Throughout his story, Jones took shots at Allied leadership for putting the 106th in peril. He said there were plenty of signs that Hitler was going to launch an attack, but they ignored it. That prompted Shirley to remember a story about her father.
    When General Dwight D. Eisenhower ran for president, she was too young to vote, but she walked around the house saying, "I like Ike!" Her assertion was met by her father's opposition: "Well, I don't like the son of a bitch."
    Jones was in the same prison camp as James Willard Tucker from January 11 until March 27, 1945. Jones's descriptions of camp life gave them something. It wasn't comforting, but it helped fill the holes in the scenery of his life. Maybe that explained their father James' aloofness, his need to be alone sometimes, the way he would disappear for weeks sometimes, the way he would drink when he shouldn't. Jones said it took him 40 years to talk with anyone but his wife about his life as a POW. When he finally started talking, it was hard to stop.
    When the sisters left the room they heard something they wanted to hear. Jones said, "You can be sure your father and your grandfather fought as hard and as well as he possibly could. You can be very proud of him." The family may not know exactly what James Willard Tucker saw and felt, but after talking with Jones they felt like they knew their father a little bit more.


/

Make your plans to attend!!
Join us for the 69th Annual Reunion of the 106th Infantry Division Association
at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Charleston, SC from September 16 to 20, 2015
For additional information about the reunion and to Register Online visit:
www.afr-reg.com/106inf2015


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 experiences.
Available through Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and Xlibris online.

Announcing the publication of Captured at the Battle of the Bulge by Russ Lang
Article submitted by Ron McAdow
    Captured at the Battle of the Bulge is Russ Lang's memoir of his service to his country. Lang, a corporal in the 423rd Infantry Regiment, embarked on the Queen Elizabeth on October 17, 1944. The regiment was transported from England to France on December 6 and moved forward to positions at the
    front in relief of the veteran 2nd Infantry Division. As those aware of the history of the 106th Division know well, the Germans launched their counterattack "Russ and Lil" This is one of the photos Lang says "kept me sane" during his captivity.
    that came to be known as "The Battle of the Bulge" on December 16. They swept past the Schnee Eifel, where Lang's unit was positioned. The 423rd attacked and continued to fight until supplies and ammunition were exhausted.
The following excerpt describes the hardships endured en route to Stalag XII.
    They lined us up again that morning of December 23rd and gave us one can of Limburger cheese for seven men and two bags of hard biscuits apiece. . . . We then marched down to the railroad station in Gerolstein and we were loaded onto box cars. They had livestock in them before we got on for the manure was still on the floors. We covered it the best we could with straw but some of it still got on our clothes. Sixty-four men were crowded into a car and there we stayed for seven days and six nights from December 23rd through December 29th.
    We could not stretch out; there was not enough room. Some stood up, some sat with three sets of legs layered on top of each other. Because of the winter, the moisture from our breath froze on the walls making it a sheet of ice.
    People in the center of the car were perspiring from the body heat of bodies tightly packed. Those on the perimeter of the car were freezing next to the iced walls. About every hour the person(s) on the bottom of the pack would scream out begging to be let up as they could not move or bear the weight of the legs on top of them. Then everyone would get up move to a new position. The ones from the outside to the center to warm up and the ones from the center to the outside to cool off -- and so it went throughout the day and night.
    This is how we spent the 1944 Christmas. We sang carols and prayed on Christmas Eve as one POW read from his New Testament. Another POW, a Chaplain, was allowed to come to each car earlier, the door was opened by guards and he was allowed to lead us in prayer and a five minute service.

Home, and the lives we lived before certainly seemed more like paradise to all of us.
    Christmas Eve was not to remain peaceful very long. That night the British came to bomb Limburg. We heard the sirens and we could see the guards running for the shelters dug into the side of the hill next to the tracks. One of our POWs had managed to hide a cutting pliers and he cut away the wires that covered the small open window in the corner of the car. We pushed him out the window, then he cut the wires locking our doors and the doors of several cars until the first wave of planes roared overhead.
    Lang was a prisoner of war until his stalag was taken by the Russians. He kept a diary! His fascinating account of daily life explains to readers how the POWs received war news, disciplined (and covered-for) each other, benefitted from Red Cross aid packages and planned their post-war lives.







    Carl Wouters, the 106th Association Belgian Liaison, generously provided maps and photographs that are included in Captured at the Battle of the Bulge.









Originally from
/
Connecticut, Russ Lang now lives in Marlboro, Massachusetts

/

Golden Lion Speaks Out on Social Media
Submitted by John Schaffner (589/A

    Recently, a local VA produced a video for Facebook about the Battle of the Bulge and four local veterans were selected to participate in a four-part series talking about their experiences. I was one. The link is facebook.com/veteransaffairs, the video (in four parts) is there as well. You may have to hunt to find it. The three other vets were Douglas Dillard, Alfred Shehab and Mike Levin.




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.

/

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 inquiries 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 email (phone and address when available).
    In addition, Non-Veteran member Connie Pratt Baesman, 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 inquiries 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
    *The original meaning of military tattoo was a military drum performance, but subsequently it came to mean army displays, or a form of gathering more generally. For our Association, letting members know that someone would like to speak with them is "why we do this! So keep sending in your stories, as an old friend may find you!" -- Susan Weiss (Publisher of The CUB) and William McWhorter (Editor of The CUB)

Wassil Pogar (422 Regiment, Service Co.)
    Wassil Pogar served with the 106th Infantry Division, 422 Regiment, and Service Company. Living in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, he was married with two children when he entered the service at age 25 in March 1944. He trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia; Fort Meade, MD; and Camp Atterbury, Indiana.
    Wassil was proud of his military service, and the suffering and sacrifices he made for his country and fellow soldiers. While serving with the 422nd he had seen action along the Rhine. He told of the night before the Germany attack at St. Vith, Belgium, "after hearing the sounds of tanks on the high ground overlooking his position, this information was passed on to superiors. In response, Wassil and fellow soldiers were told: ‘Not to worry. Just our boys moving up.'"
    Early the morning of December 16, 1944, the Germans attacked the 422nd with heavy guns and tank fire. Wassil fought and evaded the Germans until he was captured on December 19, 1944. We was a POW until he was liberated by the Russians the following June, 1945. Wassil's fellow soldiers often called him "Humphrey" as his last name of "Pogar" reminded them of the Hollywood actor Humphrey Bogart.
continues on page 38

Following are some experiences which Wassil shared with his family:
Being forever cold and hungry and suffering from frostbite of the feet.
Routinely eating wood ashes to manage his dysentery.
    Using his ability to speak fluent Ukrainian to communicate with Russian troops who brought freedom to himself and fellow POWs.
    Being called "the doctor" by fellow POWs as he often helped remove the frozen toes of POWs afflicted with frostbite and worse.
Entering combat weighing 165 lbs. but just 98 lbs. after POW camp.
Recuperating at Camp Lucky Strike in France.
    The joys of coming home and reuniting with Eleanor Pogar, his wife, and his two daughters Joan Ann Pogar and Patricia Ann Pogar. Wassil and Eleanor's third daughter, Sharon Ann Pogar, born in 1949.
If you knew Wassil Pogar, please contact the family at 717-829-8287 or roninpa@yahoo.com.




    PHOTO: Taken shortly after Wassil's return home, this photo shows Wassil in uniform with his wife Eleanor and daughters Joan Ann and Patricia Ann.

Do you know who the youngest Commissioned Officer to serve in U.S. Army
during WWII was?
    So far, Don Herndon has found no one younger than himself. His birth date is January 14, 1926, and he was commissioned on December 6, 1944. He was 18 years, 10 months, 22 days when commissioned. If you know of anyone younger, please email Mr. Herndon at OKLASTAMPS@aol.com.

The Importance of a Mini Reunion
    Our veterans will always remember December 16, 1944, when they were thrust into the chaos of war. The years may have thinned the ranks, but those that remain still have the pride of knowing they played an instrumental part in slowing -- and ultimately defeating -- the German war machine.
    As it becomes more difficult to travel, it is of critical importance that mini-reunions be held wherever our vets can join in. Any city, town -- or even in someone's home -- would be a fine place to gather to honor, cherish and remember all of our veterans.
No mini-reunion reports were reported for this issue of The CUB.

The Surrender of the Lorient
    Rudy Hirsch and his fellow soldiers of the 589th FA, on June 8, 1945 accepted the surrender of the Nazi submarine base at LORIENT, France in 1945. Mr. Hirsh is interested in sharing his story and learning more if anyone has additional information they may have researched.

Association member Jim West has done a remarkable job with a
website that helps connect veterans, their stories and much more. Mr.
    Hirsch's full story can be found at http://indianamilitary.org/106ID/ SoThinkMenu/106thSTART.htm. You can get there by typing http:// indianamilitary.org/ into a search engine on your computer, select the 106th INF DIV tab at the top, then type the name "Hirsch" into the search box for the roster and then click on the first result. You will next see the title Rudy Hirsch, 589th Field Artillery 106th Infantry Division, "My Life: The Diary of Rudy Hirsch."
The following excerpt from Rudy's memories comments on the Surrender of the Lorient.

Surrender at Lorient … End of Hitler's 1,000 Years Reich
    We were training at Camp Coetquidan in Brittany (maneuver grounds of the French Military Academy St. Cyr), when, on April 26, the document from the court in Kansas City arrived, all ready for signature only. It was a "Power of Attorney relating to Proxy Marriage," in which I appointed "Mr. Sigmund Cohn, my true and lawful attorney, to do all things necessary and proper, to be done in order to affect a state of marriage between myself and Henriette Weill." Ouf! Finally! I can hardly describe my joy when I signed this beautiful document. Three good friends, Corporal Maurice Wexler, Sergeant Frank Dobbins and Lieut. Walter Coates signed as witnesses. That same day, those documents were in the mailbag, on their way to that good judge in Kansas City.
    The next day, we broke camp and moved westward to surround the port of Lorient. As an oddity, several Atlantic ports, especially those with heavily fortified submarine bases were still in German hands. Up to this point, the Allies had decided not to waste lives and time to capture them. They were solidly surrounded by the French Résistance, and cut off from supplies, and were slowly starving to death. But so did the poor citizens of Lorient. But now, it was time to bring this situation to an end. It was a piece of cake, and after a good barrage with our new howitzers, the white flags began to come out all over town.
As interpreter, I was among the first ones, to move in there and accept the Kraut's
    capitulation. This was a rather friendly operation, and all those German soldiers and sailors were more than happy, that the war was over for them. They had already stacked their weapons and were ready for our commands. We put them to work at once, to remove the minefields, and even had the officer's pitch in, with their shiny boots and their freshly pressed uniforms. The submarine pens, underground in the
continues on page 40

    cliffs were an awesome sight. It was the homeport, for all those wolf packs, who attacked our convoys, unfortunately, very successful lots of times. An enormous amount of armaments were captured, from revolver to battleships. For us, the most important bounty were a few truckloads of liquors, wines and even real Scotch, which all came in very handy, just a few days later, to celebrate VE day. Their supplies of food staples was, however, very low. We opened them immediately to the French population, and witnessed a riot among those poor, starving people. The Boches
    were not exactly overfed, and it was now their turn, for a good while, to go hungry. After a few days, they were fighting each other for a piece of bread. We had about three thousand prisoners, and it was a beautiful picture, to see the Master race behind barbed wires. And now, they were applauding their defeat almost as much as they had celebrated all those too many, and unbelievable victories in the first three years of their merciless war. The Krauts had an officer's mess in the girl's high-school, which we had half shot to pieces just the day before. We opened an orderly room in there, to register, at first, all the officers. While they were standing in line, some of the enlisted prisoners painted a big P.W. on the back of their custom tailored uniforms, while others were cutting off the eagle with the swastika from their breast pockets. In the past few months, we had many Germans surrender to us, and I was always involved in their interrogations, but I never had such an exhilarating feeling and satisfaction, as here in Lorient. Gone was their arrogance and their overbearing superiority. How I enjoyed the day, when a Major came to attention, addressed me as "Herr Kaporal" and asked me for something to eat. And this lowly Corporal gave him a Hershey bar, and told him in his most flawless German, that he was a Jew, born in his blasted country. As silly as it might sound, but I thought, that I owed this to the millions of their murdered victims. I could not stop thinking of them and felt grateful to God, that he had spared me and my closest ones.
    On May 7, 1945, in the very early morning hours, in a schoolhouse in Rheims, "They" signed the final surrender document. This was the end of the war against the lowest criminals who ever crawled on this earth, the scourge of mankind, the dregs of humanity. For ten years, they have never stopped to defeat me. How can I ever forget the sad retreat from Norway. How can I ever forget the terrible beating we took in the Bulge ? I always thought that I hated them, but it was only fear. The dictionary defines "Fear" as: great agitation and anxiety caused by the expectation or realization of danger. How true! Out of danger, I was left with nothing but detestation and abhorrence for "Them." How proud I was of my uniform, the garb of the winners.
    We had a tremendous victory celebration, and all the liberated alcoholic liquids helped to make it a boisterous revelry. If the Kraut prisoners would have made an attempt to brake out of their stockade, nobody was sober enough to stop them. They could have started a new war right then and there.
    If you know of more history or research on this part of World War II, Rudy would love to know about it. Please write to him directly at Rudy Hirsch 3777 Independence Ave. Apt. 4D, Bronx, NY 10463 or by phone at 718-884-2117.

Please RePoRt all Changes of addRess and deaths to: assoCiation MeMbeRshiP ChaiR:
Jacquelyn Coy
121 McGregor Ave., Mt. Arlington, NJ 07856 Phone: 973-663-2410
Email: membership@106thinfdivassn.org


BLACK, REVEREND EWELL C., JR. 422/A
--Date of Death: March 14, 2015
    Reverend Black served as President and Chaplain for the 106th Infantry Division Association and loved the reunions and interactions with members. He attended many reunions until his health prevented him from doing so.
    Reverend Black passed away in Austell, Ga. and was buried in Bishopville, SC, he was 90 years old. He is survived by his son David Black, his daughter Deborah Black and her husband.
Reported by his son, David

BLAIR, JOHN "JACK" E. 590TH FA
--Date of Death: May 8, 2015
    Golden Lion John Blair of Media, PA, formerly of Havertown and West Chester, PA, passed away at age 91. Born in Berwyn, PA on July 26, 1923, he was the eighth child of eleven born to the late Edwin and Viola Blair (nee Hoffner). He was a 1941 graduate of Lower Merion High School and proudly served his country in the 106th Division. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge on December 21, 1944 and held in Slaughterhouse 5 and as a Prisoner of War until the end of the war. He was a Disabled American Veteran, a Purple Heart recipient and awarded three Bronze Stars.
    Jack worked in sales of advertising specialties for 40 years for the Philadelphia Badge Company and later his own business, Blair House. His time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, was precious to him.
    Jack was an avid league bowler, enjoyed golfing, reading and was a faithful Phillies fan. He was the beloved husband of Elaine Blair (nee Emerson), with whom he shared 62 years of marriage; loving father of Deborah Mischo (John) and Richard Blair (Melaine); devoted grandfather of Elise Parisi (Joseph) and Matthew Blair. Also survived by his great-grandson Pasquale "PJ" Parisi and many nieces and nephews.
    In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or dav.org would be appreciated. You can share online condolences donohuefuneralhome.com
Reported by Jim West

CARR, FRED A. 81ST ENG/C
--Date of Death: March 4, 2015
    Born on April 14, 1923, Golden Lion Fred Carr was a son of the late Raymond and Verna Carr and the last survivor of their seven children. Fred attended the Buckhorn school through the eighth grade. He served with the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Petrified Forest in Arizona and Glacier National Part in Montana.
    He was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served with the 81st Combat Engineers Battalion. He participated in the campaigns of Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe and was a participant in the Battle of the Bulge.
    After his military service, he resided in Bloomington, IN, where he worked as a carpenter for several years. Fred was self-employed as a contractor for many years and also farmed. He was a founding and charter member of the Buckhorn Community Fire Department and a former member of the Jerseytown Hunting Club. He served on the Bloomsburg Area School Board during the 1960s and was the Bloomsburg representative to the operating committee for the Columbia Montour Vocational Technical School, where he was instrumental in the planning and building of the school building. He is survived by his wife, the former Betty G. Brobst, with whom he celebrated his 59th wedding anniversary in June 4, 2014, and seven children, 17 grandchildren, 24 great-children and eight great-great grandchildren.
Reported by his wife, Betty Carr

CLARK, DR JAMES L. 590/MED
--Date of Death: March 4, 2015
    At age 94, Golden Lion James Clark, father, community physician, entrepreneur and WWII Veteran, passed from this earth. He was born Sept. 3, 1920, in what is now Taylor, Michigan. During World War II, he served in the
    U.S. Army as a medic, treating many wounded soldiers in the Battle of the Bulge. He himself was wounded there and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service.
    In 1947, James married Shirley Dodge and the couple spent the next 59 years together until her death in 2006. He earned a Bachelor's degree at Michigan State University and graduated from University of Michigan Medical School, subsequently serving as town physician for Fennville, Michigan for a decade and then specializing in Pathology for the rest of his professional career. In the early '70s James went on to establish and operate a medical laboratory which served numerous hospitals in Michigan.
    He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley Clark, his son, Richard Clark, sister and grandson. He is survived by his daughter- in-law and five sons. In addition, he was blessed to welcome 23 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Reported by Harold and Jessica Kuizema, 589/B


FINLAYSON, KENNETH,
331/MEDIC
--Date of Death: January 2, 2015
    Golden Lion Kenneth Finlayson, 90, of Portland, Maine, passed away at his home following a period of declining health. He was a 1942 graduate of Deering High School and graduated from Bates College in 1949 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. He was a decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean War. A combat medic in the 106th Infantry Division, he earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals at the Battle of the Bulge.
    He participated in four campaigns in the European Theater and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, Victory Medal and the Combat Medical Badge. He was recalled to service in the Korean War and served at the Percy Jones Army Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During this tour, he met Olga Meleshenko and they married in 1952.
    Mr. Finlayson resided in Gorham and worked as an industrial sales representative for several corporations, including Acme Steel, Johns-Manville, The Stanley Works, Reynolds Metals and Snap-On Tools.
    He retired in 1982 and he and his wife relocated to Portland. He was a 50-year member of Deering Lodge #183, a 32nd Degree Mason in the Valley of Portland, Kora Temple Shrine, and a member of the Legion of Honor with the Lake Region and Portland Shrine Clubs. He was a member of the American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the 106th Infantry Division Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the association of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth Finlayson and Scott Finlayson, and two grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Olga Finlayson and daughter, Donaruth Finlayson.
As reported in the Press Herald

FORNEY, ALVIN 423/G
--Date of Death: March 26, 2015
Formerly of Gresham, Orgeon
Reported by Mr. Lambert

PHOTO: GATENS, JOHN 589/A
--Date of Death: May 11, 2015
    My good buddy, John Gatens, 589/A, has left us for that big parade ground in the sky. As many of you know, John and I had mutual experiences, not only the battle at Parker's Crossroads, but many re-visits together to the battleground in recent years. Our stories have appeared in The CUB. Remember him.
Reported by John Schaffner (589/A)

    John Gatens, taken prisoner by the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge, was venerated in Belgium, the country he and his comrades liberated. The World War II hero returned the love. He went back to Belgium again and again, most recently over Memorial Day last year with his two daughters and other relatives.
"They treated him like a king," daughter Anne Barone said.
continues on page 44

    Mr. Gatens, 91, died Monday in the Fair Lawn home where he lived since 1951. Until a diagnosis of cancer four months ago, the retired draftsman had been vigorous. "He'd just been on a cruise and signed up for another," his daughter said.
John Gatens was 2½ years old when his family emigrated from Scotland.
    They settled in Paterson. John played baseball at Eastside High School with his friend Larry Doby, the future Hall of Famer. He graduated in 1941 with
plans to pursue baseball, but was drafted into the Army after Pearl Harbor.
    Mr. Gatens served as a gunner corporal on a 105mm howitzer in the 106th Infantry. Days after his division arrived at the Belgian-German frontier in December 1944, the Germans launched a major offensive that would be known as the Battle of the Bulge. At the outset, Mr. Gatens destroyed a leading German tank with direct fire from his howitzer; days later, he held off the Germans at a key crossroads, according to Carl Wouters, the Belgian chapter president of the 106th Infantry Division Association.
    The crossroads fell, and "when I saw the German army advancing, I ran into a farmhouse where our soldiers were warming up to get them out and hold the German forces back," Mr. Gatens said last year in an interview with the Suburban News. "They began to bomb us. The German officer said I had a choice to surrender or get shot. There are no heroes when you are looking at a tank taking aim at you."
Mr. Gatens remained a POW for four months.
    On the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, a vintage U.S. howitzer was placed at the Baraque de Fraiture crossroads to honor the Americans who fought the Germans there. It is known as "Gatens' gun."
    Wouters said by email that Mr. Gatens stayed in touch with the Belgian family that owns the farmhouse/inn where he was taken prisoner.
    "John very openly talked about his experiences as a GI in battle and as a prisoner of war and truly embodied the best of what Tom Brokaw called so fittingly the ‘Greatest Generation,'" Wouters said. "He has many friends all over the world who will dearly miss him, but who will never forget him and his powerful story."
    John Gatens married his wife, Annamae Gatens, in 1946. He worked as a draftsman at Singer Kearfott in Little Falls. Annamae Gatens died in 1986. Mr. Gatens is survived by his daughters, Helen Daly of Andover Township and Anne Barone of Fair Lawn, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
    Three years ago, Mr. Gatens honored his fallen comrades at a wreath- laying ceremony at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.
    "Right now, it is sad because tonight, when I fall asleep -- if I fall asleep -- memories start coming back," he said in remarks posted on the website of the American Battle Monuments Commission. " … The average age under these stones is 24 years old. It hurts me. The only thing I'm glad about is that I am not under one of them."
Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson.
By Jay Levin, Staff Writer | The Record
NorthJersey.com

GREVE, WALTER C. 423/A 1BN
--Date of Death: February 28, 2015
Reported by his son, Mark Greve

KENNEDY, MERVIN "JACK"
RODNEY 106th Reconnaissance
--Date of Death: May 27, 2015
Golden Lion Mervin R. Kennedy of Birdsboro, PA passed away at age 95 in his residence.
    He was born in Birdsboro, PA to the late Hunter Kennedy and the late Lulu (Biven) Kennedy. He was married to Mary E. (Johnson) Kennedy. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church, Birdsboro, PA. He was employed as a Telephone Lineman for Conestoga Telephone for 32 years, retiring in 1982. He was a member of South Birdsboro Archery, Rod & Gun Club.
    He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, where he served with the 106th Infantry Division at the Battle of the Bulge and was taken as a POW.
    Surviving, in addition to his wife, are: son, Rodney L. Kennedy, husband of Romona Y. (Maupin) Kennedy, Kulptown, PA; three grandchildren: Christopher, Scott and Joshua; four great-grandchildren: Jacob, Jevan, Logan and Wyatt. Funeral Services were held at the Dengler Funeral Home, Inc., 144 N. Spruce St., Birdsboro, PA. Interment was at the Birdsboro Cemetery, Birdsboro, PA.
Reported by Jim West

KURTH, RAYMOND P. 422/L
--Date of Death: October 2014
He was a veteran of World War II , the 106th Infantry Division Association, and enjoyed receiving The CUB.
Reported by his son

LARSON, VIRGEL A., "STRETCH"
422/I
--Date of Death: February 2015
    Golden Lion Virgel "Stretch" Larson was born Jan. 29, 1925 to Ole and Oriel Larson in James, SD. He attended a one-room elementary school and graduated from the Groton high school in 1943. Virgel entered the U.S. Army in June 1943 and served in Europe from 1944–45. Virgel was on the second wave to come ashore on Utah Beach on D-Day. He was discharged in February 1946.
    Virgel enrolled at the University of Idaho in 1946. He graduated in 1950 with a bachelor of science and in 1951 with a Master's in Education. Virgel taught and coached at Kingston, Idaho, from 1951–55. He was a principal in the Kellogg School District from 1955–1961. He retired as assistant superintendent in 1991. Virgel then supervised student teachers for UI and Lewis-Clark State College on a part-time basis until 2001.
In retirement, Virgel was a member of the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and Century Club.
    He was also a member of the American Legion Post #13. Virgel married Florence Bowen on July 25, 1952, and they were blessed with a son, Brian Larson, and daughters Kellie Larson and Kerry Larson. He is survived by his wife, his three children, four grandchildren and two great-children.
Reported by his nephew, Bill Larson, and his friend, Randolph P. Martz

MARTIN, WILLIAM T. 424/C
--Date of Death: September 26, 2014
    Golden Lion William Martin passed away at age 92. He was the loving husband of the late Katherine Jane Martin, dearest father of Douglas Martin, David Martin, Kristina Martin and James Martin, and cherished grandfather of four.
Reported by his daughter and member of 106th Association Board, Kristine Rice

PRATER, MARION (DOUG)
81ST ENG/A
--Date of Death: September 7, 2009
    Golden Lion Marion Prater was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and spent the rest of the war as a POW around Leipzig. He wrote a book describing his ordeal entitled, "Kreegie – A World War II Prisoner of War Remembers," which was published in 1999 by his employer, H.G. Patillo of Decatur, GA in a limited number. He died in Signal Mountain (Chattanooga), TN, two months before his 86th birthday.
Reported by his son, Mark

SALMON, MAX 422/B
--Date of Death: August 31, 2014
    Golden Lion Max Salmon was born in Brookston, IN, the son of Lawrence and Nancy Salmon. He was the husband of Emma (Peters) Salmon. They were married for 69 years. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II serving at the Battle of the Bulge. He was a wage and salary analyst for Amoco Oil Company for 40 years. Max was a resident of Thornton, IL for 57 years and was active in many community organizations, including the Village Board of Trustees, Thornton School Board, American Legion Post 1070, and Thornton Lions Club. He received numerous awards for his volunteer efforts. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and an avid golfer. He participated in the Greater Lafauette Honor Flight program in 2012, accompanied by his nephew. He is survived by his wife, Emma, his daughters Karen and Linda, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Reported by his daughter, Karen

SETTER, LEON 422/2BN
--Date of Death: July 7, 2014
    Golden Lion Leon Setter was captured on December 19, 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge. As a prisoner of war, he was led into the small village of Schoenburgh and held for a short time in the town's Catholic Church.
    He was moved through the German cities of Prum, Mayen and Koblenz before arriving at POW Stalag in Limburg and finally Stalag IV-B. Mr. Setter was eventually selected by his captors for work duty in the small farm village of Gleina, Germany, where he was held until liberation on April 14, 1945. It took three to four months for him to recuperate from his injuries
    and malnourished condition. He was discharged from the Army in September, as the war was winding down and he was still regaining his strength.
    He attended Pittsburgh State University from 1946–1950 and graduated with a Master's Degree in Industrial Arts. In August 1946, he married Catherine Stomp. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary two months before she passed away in October 2006. Together they had seven children,

17 grandchildren and 14 great- grandchildren at the time of his passing.
    He worked as a Technical Writer at Boeing in Wichita, KS between 1950–1969. During this time, he wrote training materials, including the Optical Tooling Manual, a collaboration of 20 Boeing employees. His career shifted to Cessna Aircraft from l969–1980. As a Logistical Design Engineer, he worked on reconciling engineering's budget problems with management's guidelines. After a stroke in 1980, he was forced to retire at age 56. But after the stroke, Leon kept busy by volunteering at the Robert J. Dole VA Hospital in Wichita for 12 years. He also wrote a book, "Reflections," with stories of his childhood, war experiences and post-war times. A copy of this book is held in the Library of Congress. Other volunteer activities included eight years in scouting and attending Philmont with the scouts as their leader. Hobbies he enjoyed included vegetable gardening, fishing, camping and racing pigeons with his sons.
Reported by his daughter, Carolyn Utter

SGRIGNOLI, MICHAEL G. 592/SV
--Date of Death: March 20, 2015
    Golden Lion Michael Sgrignoli of Enola recently passed away. He was preceded in death by his parents, his devoted wife, Martha of 62 years, his six brothers and two sisters. He is survived by three brothers, two sisters, and nieces and nephews. He was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation as a cartographer after 27 years of service.
Reported by Murray Stein (423/I)

PHOTO: STERN, STEWART unit known
--Date of Death: February 2, 2015
    Golden Lion Stewart Stern and Oscar-nominated writer ["Rachel, Rachel"] and whose screenplay for "Rebel Without a Cause" helped turn James Dean into an enduring symbol of alienated youth, died at the age of 92.
    During more than a quarter-century in Hollywood, Stern became known for the psychological depth of his screen writing. He studied art at the University of Iowa, where he joined the ROTC. When World War II began, he entered the U.S. Army and later the 106th Infantry Division. Friendships forged under the duress of battle taught him lessons that proved valuable in his screen writing. He was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. He once said in an interview that he learned in the Army that he didn't have to abandon who he
    was -- an artist. He survived an extreme case of frostbite and for a while was missing in action. After his career in Hollywood, he and his wife, Marilee Stiles Stern moved to Seattle.
Reported by Donald Prell (422/AT)

STRONG, GEORGE W. 423rd
--Date of Death: February 2, 2015
Reported by Murray Stein (423/I)

THURNER, HENRY C. "SONNY," JR. 589TH FA/HQ
--Date of Death: February 5, 2015
    Golden Lion Henry Thurner, Jr., age 91, died at Cozy Li'l Acre in Janesville. He was born in Aberdeen, SD on February 23, 1923, the son of Henry C. and Bessie (Ellis) Thurner. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1941.
    Henry served in the European Theater from 1943 to 1946, including the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Henry came home and married Betty Preuss on October 12, 1946. He was employed by the Rock County Highway Department for 37 ½ years. A few days before his death, he broke his hip and the family believed he was too frail for surgery.
He returned to the nursing home to be comfortable and died peacefully – "no suffering, thank the Lord."
Reported by Robert C. Homan and his
daughter, Greta Stutz

ULRICH, JAMES L. 424/C
--Date of Death: January 7, 2012
    Golden Lion James Ulrich was born on May 15, 1924 in Pittsburg, PA and died there on January 7, 2012. He was buried at St. Augustine Cemetery in Pittsburg and was a WWII Veteran.
Reported by Rick Barrow
VAN PELT, ROBERT C. 423/D
--Date of Death: March 21, 2015
    Golden Lion Robert Van Pelt was drafted right from high school in 1942 and served until 1945. He was discharged right before being sent overseas due to a leg injury which occurred when he was age 15. He was always so proud of the two years he spent with the 106th Infantry Division. He kept the 106th Division Key emblem on his key chain to the end.
Reported by Mary P. Van Pelt

WEINER, MILTON 424/M
--Date of Death: May 16, 2015
    A good man and 106th Golden Lion member passed away recently. He served in Company M/424th Regiment as a PFC mortar gunner during the Bulge. In 2013, he was awarded the Order of the Golden Lion. His story was printed in Volume 69, #3 (Aug.-Nov. 2013) issue of The CUB. He died due to Parkinson's Disease and cancer at age 91.
Reported by Larry Heider


/

To see a full-color version of this issue of The CUB, please visit our new website at:
www.106thInfDivAssn.org

ZAHN, JOHN D. 424/L
    --Date of Death: February 15, 2015 John D. "J.D." Zahn of Lubbock passed away at the age of 89. He was born on Sept. 15, 1925, in Haskell County, Texas, to Paul Eric and Carrie Elizabeth (Neeley) Zahn, Jr. John was a veteran of the U.S. Army 106th Division where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a recipient of the bronze star and two purple hearts. After honorable discharge, he worked as a motivational speaker until retiring.
John was a 32nd Degree Mason and former commander of D.A.V. and Military Order of the Purple Heart.
    He was also a board member of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office Training Academy, member of Toast Masters, board member of the South Plains Dispute Resolution Center, and was in the first group of candidates to run in the Republican Party in Texas. John married Jo Ann Inklebarger on Dec. 22, 1945. John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and one sister, Pauline Dunn. Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Craig Zahn and wife, Masha and Mark Zahn and wife, Judy, all of Lubbock; daughter, LaShawn Jackson and husband, Brad of Allen; and six grandchildren.
Reported by Jim West and John Shaffner (589/A)




    We are all feeling the effects of the current financial upheaval, including the 106th I.D. Association. The Annual Dues of $10 are no longer billed or collected. We are now accepting only donations for membership, memorials and LIFE PLUS.
The previously-allowed payment of $75 for Life Membership creates
a financial shortfall, as our expenses exceeds our income.
Our solution?
We are asking you to join the
LIFE PLUS+ Club
Those Members who contribute to the LIFE PLUS+ Club
will have their names (only, no amounts will be shown)
published in the next CUB.
You can donate as much or as little as you can and as often as you like.
By donating, you are helping perpetuate the 106th Infantry Division Association.
    To those Members who we haven't heard from for a long time -- please take the time to join this exclusive club. Thank you!
    Send your contribution, check made payable to 106th Infantry Div. Association, to: Mike Sheaner Treasurer, 106th Infantry Division PO Box 140535, Dallas TX 75214

    If you haven't done it yet -- Make your plans NOW!! to join us for the 69th Annual Reunion of the 106th Infantry Division Association at the Crown Plaza Hotel, Charleston, South Carolina from September 16 to 20, 2015
Contact Mike Sheaner, Treasurer at sheaner1@airmail.net for registration forms and paperwork
or
For additional information about the reunion and
to REGISTER ONLINE visit: www.afr-reg.com/106inf2015

Index for This Document

106th Infantry Division Association, 10, 43, 45, 47
168th Engr. Cbt. BN, 17
1st National Reunion, 1
2nd Inf. Div., 32
30th Inf. Div., 26
31st Div., 21
422/K, 4, 14
422nd Inf. Regt., 31
422nd Regt., 37
423rd Inf. Regt., 29
423rd Regt., 24, 35
424/A, 14
424/C, 14, 49, 52
424/E, 13
424/G, 14
424/L, 4, 54
424th Regt., 52
589th FA, 39
589th FA BN, 39, 52
590th FA BN, 41
592nd FA BN, 28
7th Armd. Div., 25
81st Cbt. Engr., 42
Adriance, Theodore R., 16
Adsit, James P., 13
American Battle Monuments Commission, 45
AmVets Of Indiana, 21
Annual Reunions, 12
Arbeitskommando Slaughterhouse Five, 27
Ardennes, 42
Awalt, Louise, 13
Baesman, Connie Pratt, 37
Baker, William C., III, 16
Baraque De Fraiture, 45
Barone, Anne, 44, 45
Barrow, Rick, 52
Battle Of The Bulge, 2, 10, 14, 17, 19, 29, 30, 32, 33, 35, 41, 42, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 52, 54
Belgium, 2, 4, 8, 11, 43, 44, 45
Birdsall, Clifford, 16
Black, David, 41
Black, Deborah, 41
Black, Rev., 41
Black, Rev. Ewell C., Jr., 5
Black, Reverend Ewell C., Jr., 41
Blair, Edwin & Viola, 41
Blair, Elaine, 41
Blair, John, 41
Blair, John 'Jack' E., 41
Blair, Matthew, 41
Blair, Richard, 41
Bloch, Jacques W., 14
Bloch, Jean, 14
Books, 35
Born, 42
Bowen, Florence, 47
Bowen, John, 21
Brittany, 39
Brobst, Betty G., 42
Brokaw, Tom, 45
Brumfield, Bd, 14
Brumfield, Vernon E. 'Brum', 14
Byram, Mrs. Jackie J., 14
Byram, Robert L., 14
Byrnes, Vincent Joseph, 23
Camp Atterbury, 7, 11, 21, 29, 31
Camp Atterbury, Indiana, 37
Camp Coetquidan, 39
Camp Fannin, Texas, 27
Camp Lucky Strike, 38
Camp Wheeler, Georgia, 37
'Captured At The Battle Of The Bulge', 32
Carr, Betty, 42
Carr, Fred A., 42
Cavanaugh, Louise, 29
Cavender, Col., 25
Central Europe, 42
Charron, Pfc. Nelson, 5
Charron, Vincent, 2, 5, 7, 8
Clark, Dr. James L., 42
Clark, James, 42
Clark, Richard, 42
Clark, Shirley, 42
Coates, Lt. Walter, 39
Colbert, Hugh, 30
Cooley, Donald E., 13
Coy, Jacquelyn, 2, 3, 4, 16, 41
Coy, Jacquelyn S., 11, 16
Daly, Helen, 45
Descheneaux, Col., 25
Dillard, Douglas, 35
Dobbins, Sgt. Frank, 39
Doby, Larry, 45
Doxsee, Gifford, 27
Dresden, 27
Dresden, Germany, 27
Dunn, Pauline, 54
Dunn, Wayne, 3, 15, 20
Dunn, Wayne G., 2, 4
Eisenhower, Gen. Dwight D., 30
Eisenhower, President, 5
Elbe River, 26
Emick, Beverly, 16
Finlayson, Donaruth, 43
Finlayson, Kenneth, 43
Finlayson, Olga, 43
Finlayson, Scott, 43
Forney, Alvin, 43
Fort Benjamin Harrison, 21
Fort Meade, MD, 37
Ft. Devens, MA, 23
Fuoco, Karen Byrnes, 23
Fuoco, Karen M. Byrnes, 23
Gardner, Joe, 4
Gatens, Annamae, 45
Gatens, John, 14, 43, 45
Gatens, John F., 14
Germany, 11, 26, 27, 29, 31, 37
Gerolstein, 32
Gilliland, John O., 13
Gleina, Germany, 49
Greve, Mark, 47
Greve, Walter C., 47
Halle, 26
Hartman, Richard A., 14
Heider, Larry, 52
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, 45
Herndon, Don, 38
Herndon, Donald F., 4
Himberg, Bob & Jean, 14
Hiroshima, 27
Hirsch, Rudy, 39, 40
Hoff, Tom, 4
Homan, Robert C., 52
Hutchinson, Anna M., 16
Inklebarger, Jo Ann, 54
Jackson, Lashawn, 54
Jewett, Dean F., 17
Jones, Lloyd Martin, 29, 30
Kelly, C.J., 14
Kennedy, Hunter, 47
Kennedy, Lulu (Biven), 47
Kennedy, Mary E. (Johnson), 47
Kennedy, Mervin 'Jack', 47
Kennedy, Mervin R., 47
Kennedy, Rodney L., 47
Kennedy, Romona Y. (Maupin), 47
Koblenz, 49
Korea, 21
Kuizema, Harold & Jessica, 42
Kurth, Raymond P., 47
Lang, Russ, 32, 33
Larson, Bill, 48
Larson, Brian, 48
Larson, Kellie, 48
Larson, Kerry, 48
Larson, Virgel A., 'Stretch', 47
Lauro, Cpl. Alexander, 14
Lauro, Leonard, 14
Leipzig, 49
Lerno, Alphons, 13
Levin, Mike, 35
Lichtenfeld, Sy, 4, 8
Limburg, 33, 49
Lorient, 39, 40
Lorient, France, 39
Luckenwalde, Germany, 26
Luxembourg, 2
Macaluso, August, 13
Manfredi, John F., 13
Martin, David, 49
Martin, Douglas, 49
Martin, James, 49
Martin, Katherine Jane, 49
Martin, Kristina, 49
Martin, William, 49
Martin, William T., 14, 49
Martz, Randolph P., 48
Mathe, Clarence H., 14
Mathe, Clarence Henry, 28
Mathe, Lucille E., 14
Mayen, 49
Mayrsohn, Barney, 4
Mayrsohn, Bernard, 2, 3, 4, 2
McAdow, Ron, 32
McWhorter, William, 2, 3, 8, 20, 37
McWhorter, William A., 20
Meleshenko, Olga, 43
Meyerode, 14
Miller, W. Gene, 13
Mischo, Deborah, 41
Mitchell, William C., 13
Mohler, Shirley Tucker, 29
Mohn, Maj. John J., 13, 14
Muhlberg, 26
Muhlberg, Germany, 25
My Life
The Diary Of Rudy Hirsch, 39
'My War', 35
Nagle, Mary, 29
Normandy, 13
Normandy Invasion, 13
Northern France, 42
Norway, 40
Okinawa, 13
Order Of The Golden Lion, 3, 21, 52
Paris, 4
Parisi, Elise, 41
Parisi, Pasquale 'Pj', 41
Pearl Harbor, 13, 45
Pogar, Eleanor, 38
Pogar, Joan Ann, 38
Pogar, Patricia Ann, 38
Pogar, Sharon Ann, 38
Pogar, Wassil, 37, 38
Pond, Mandy Altimus, 13, 14
Prater, Marion (Doug), 49
Pratt, Lt. Gerald, 37
Prell, Donald, 51
Prisoner Of War, 10, 21, 49
Prum, 49
Purple Heart, 41, 42, 43, 54
Queen Elizabeth, 32
Ragsdale, Floyd D., 14
Reunions, 3, 12
Rheims, 40
Rhine, 37
Rhineland, 42
Rice, Kris, 4
Rice, Kristine, 49
Robb, Dr. John G., 2
Roberts, Hugh, 14
Roberts, John M., 4
Roberts, John M. 'Jack', 13, 14
Roster, 21
Salmon, Emma (Peters), 49
Salmon, Max, 49
Schaffner, John, 3, 4, 8, 21, 35, 43
Schaffner, John R., 11
Schaffner, Robert, 4
Schnee Eifel, 23, 32
Schnee-Eifel, 11
Setter, Leon, 49
Sgrignoli, Michael G., 51
Shaffner, John, 54
Sharrow, Robert J., 13
Sharrow, Roland L., 13
Sharrow, Ryan L., 13
Sheaner, Herb, 31
Sheaner, Herbert 'Mike', 4
Sheaner, Mike, 2, 4, 8, 11, 12, 16, 54
Shehab, Alfred, 35
Slaughterhouse Five, 27
Smallwood, Fredrick, 35
St. Vith, 35
St. Vith, Belgium, 37
Stahl, William 'Bill', 4
Stalag 9-B, 14
Stalag IV-B, 29, 49
Stalag XI-B, 14
Starmack, John S., 13
Starr, Rupert D., 13
Stein, Murray, 2, 8, 51
Stern, Stewart, 51
Still, Jerry L., 13
Still, Omer G., 13
Strong, George W., 51
Stumb, Patrica Cavanaugh, 29
Stutz, Greta, 52
Sussman, Alvin, 13
Szpek, Ervin, Jr., 27
'The Battle For Snow Mountain', 19
The Battle Of The Bulge, 32
'The Lion's Path', 14
Thurner, Henry C. & Bessie (Ellis), 52
Thurner, Henry C. 'Sonny', Jr., 52
Thurner, Henry, Jr., 52
Tooke, William A. (Bill), 13
Tucker, James Willard, 29, 30
Tucker, Pvt., 29
Tucker, Shirley, 29
Ulrich, James L., 52
Utah Beach, 47
Utter, Carolyn, 51
Van Pelt, Mary P., 52
Van Pelt, Robert C., 52
Vaught, Mary Louise, 14
Vaught, William S., 14
Vietnam, 13
Vietnam War, 13
Wakeman Gen. Hosp., 21
Walker, Jeanne M., 4
Weed, Starr M., 13
Weill, Henriette, 39
Weiner, Milton, 52
Weiss, Newt, 14
Weiss, Newton, 4
Weiss, Susan, 2, 8, 20, 37
Welke, Brian, 2, 3, 4
West, Jim, 3, 20, 21, 37, 39, 41, 47, 54
Wexler, Cpl. Maurice, 39
Wood, Eric Fisher, Jr., 14
Wood, Janet, 4
Wood, Randall, 2
Wood, Randall M., 4
Wouters, Carl, 2, 20, 26, 33, 45
Wouters, Carl & Sofie, 14
Wyman, David S., 14
Wyman, Valerie P., 14
Wysocky, Marcia L., 28
Young, Donald, 19
Zahn, Craig, 54
Zahn, John D., 54
Zahn, John D. 'J.D.', 54
Zahn, Mark, 54
Zahn, Paul Eric & Carrie Elizabeth (Neeley), Jr., 54