Index for this issue of The CUB
Original Cub Document

Uploaded: 24-Nov-2022

106th Hero
    Honored with a Plaque. A marker honoring Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, 422nd HQ Co. A, was dedicated on August 20, 2021 in downtown Knoxville, TN.
For the cover story, see page 20.

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Elected Offices
President Bob Pope (590/FABN)
Past-President (Ex-Officio) Wayne Dunn (Associate Member)
1st Vice-President Janet Wood (Associate Member)
2nd Vice-President Henry LeClair (Associate Member)
3rd Vice-President Open
Business Matters, Deaths, Address changes to:
Atterbury Memorial Representative Jim West (imajimwest@gmail.corn)
Historian Open
Membership Chair Jacquelyn Coy
Mini-Reunions Wayne Dunn
Nominating Committee Chair Brian Welke
Order of the Golden Lion
Carol Faulkner, Beth Garrison, Kathy Spinella
Public Relations Chair Wayne Dunn
Reunion Co-chairs
Randy Wood, Brian Welke

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CUB Editor: Lisa M. Dunn 85 Little Riverview Dr., Reedville, VA 22539 CUBEditor@106thInfDivAssn.org
443-604-1599
    CUB Publisher: Susan Weiss (father: 423/HQ 3Bn) 9 Cypress Point Ct., Blackwood, NJ 08012 CUBPublisher@l06thInfDivAssn.org
609-820-8794

Board of Directors (all positions held through 2021)
Jacquelyn Coy, Membership (Associate member) 973-879-9070
603 Mountain Ave., Apt. BP223, New Providence, NJ 07974 jsc164@aol.com

Lisa M. Dunn (Associate member) (father-in-law: 424/HQ 3Bn) 443-604-1599
85 Little Riverview Drive, Reedville, VA 22539 CUBEditor@106thInfDivAssn.org

Wayne G. Dunn (Associate member) (father: 424/HQ 3Bn) [Past President] 410-409-1141
85 Little Riverview Drive, Reedville, VA 22539 Host106th@106thInfDivAssn.org

Henry LeClair (Associate member) (father: 422/G) 603-401-3723
209 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087 hemyleclair13@gmail.com

Bob Pope (590/FABN) 716-580-3118
6363 Transit Rd., Apt #133, East Amherst, NY 14051 bobepope606@gmail.com

Herbert "Mike" Sheaner (422/G) [Past President] 214-823-3003
PO Box 140535, Dallas, Texas 75214 herbsheaner@SBCGlobal.net

    Mike Sheaner, Treasurer (Associate member) (father: 422/G) 214-823-3004 PO Box 140535, Dallas TX 75214 sheanerl@airmaiLnet

Kathy Spinella, (Associate member) (grandfather: 423/L) 305-562-4381
1991 Carolina Avenue NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703 pspin142@aol.com

David Smith (Associate member) (father: 423/B) 225-573-8521
17922 Monitor Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70817 dbsmith110@gmail.com

Susan Weiss, (Associate member) (father: 423/HQ 3Bn) 609-820-8794
9 Cypress Point Court, Blackwood, NJ 08012-5595 susanweiss@comcast.net

Brian Welke (Associate member) [Past President] 352-408-5671
1821 Morris Street, Eustis, FL 32726-6401 brian423rd@gmail.com

Janet Wood (Associate member) (father: 423/1) 205-910-0542
2704 S. Pinehurst Dr., Bloomington, Indiana 47403 KipKai2000@yahoo.com

    Randall M. Wood (Associate member) (father: 423/1) [Past President] 765-346-0690 810 Cramertown Loop, Martinsville, IN 46151 woodchuck01@sbcglobaLnet

    One of the many perks of being the Editor of The CUB is the fact that I get a "sneak peek" at what is being published. It is oftentimes an emotional experience as I read articles that are submitted. So much was sacrificed in WWII, and we are truly fortunate we still have veterans alive who can share their stories. But as you'll see in this issue, we continue to look for ways to remember -- remember those who are with us, honor those who have passed, and know more about those who served.
    As human beings, we have an innate curiosity about our past, and especially about our loved ones. It is only natural to want to understand what it was like and the experiences that affected the men who served. And so, when you read Randy Wood's heartfelt Adjutant message or Chris Edmond's poignant Chaplain's message, you understand why it is so important to remember and value the deeds of those living and gone. Our Historian's page in this edition showcases a woman's journey to learn more about her dad and provides some inspiring tips on how you can do your own research to learn about your loved ones.
    I just recently had the great fortune to come across a box of letters my 93-year-old mother gave me. She moved from our house to an assisted living facility last fall, and in the process, decided to finally do some "housecleaning" of old documents. She set aside a box for me which I packed up when we moved from MD to VA this
    past July. I opened the box just a few weeks back to find the Western Union telegram that my grandmother received from the Secretary of War about my uncle Private Albert Dazio's death in the Battle of the Bulge. There were also other letters from the War Department, including one with a picture of where my uncle was buried in the U.S. Military Cemetery in Limey, France, and all the ensuing letters of gratitude followed by ones indicating when his body would be returned back to American soil. Most importantly, there were the personal letters -- written in pencil, by a young man who was a member of the Rifle Company in the 358th Infantry Regiment and who always wrote "S.W.A.K" on the back of each envelope -- saying not to worry, he'd be home soon. It brought tears to my eyes reading those letters and putting together the timeframe of my uncle's brief yet honorable time overseas. My mother told me years ago how she remembered when that telegram was delivered and the devastation my grandmother, and the whole family, felt over the loss of Albert. He had entered the service in October 1943, and he died in the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944. He was 21 years old. He did not have the opportunity to come home to see his family again, or to share his experiences, or to live his life as a man. He was gone too young -- like so many others whose stories we hear or read about.
    But there are those who DID make it home, and that is why it is important to continue to reach out and let them know they, and their sacrifices, are not forgotten. Maybe it took COVID to

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Editor's Message . . .

    shake some of us out of complacency, to remind us that a weekly call can mean so much in a time of isolation, but it doesn't take a virus to remind us about what is truly meaningful and of value in life: our loved ones, our elderly, our veterans. As we head into this holiday season, I wish all of you the gift of time with those you hold dear. Cherish each moment.
Lisa Dunn, Editor
CUBEditor@l06thInfDivAssn.org

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:
January 31, 2022 -- mail date late March, 2022 (issue may include reunion paperwork)
May 1, 2022 -- mail date mid-July, 2022 (issue will include reunion paperwork)
October 1, 2022 -- mail date late November, 2022 (to include reunion photos and remembrances)
CUB Editor: Lisa Dunn CUB Publisher: Susan Weiss
85 Little Riverview Drive 9 Cypress Point Court
Reedville, VA 22539 Blackwood, NJ 08012
443-604-1599 609-820-8794 (please leave a message)
CUBEditor@l06thInfDivAssn.org CUBPublisher@l06thInfDivAssn.org

The CUB Delivery Options
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    membership@l06thinfdivassn.org CUB Publisher: Susan Weiss (father: 423/HQ 3Bn) 9 Cypress Point Ct., Blackwood, NJ 08012 CUBPublisher@l06thInfDivAssn.org
609-820-8794

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    I choose this time to honor those who served in the WAR but avoided the enemy because of circumstances beyond their control. They could have fought the enemy. They should have fought the enemy. They would have fought the enemy. They could have, they should have, they would have, but they didn't. WHY? Some were put in peaceful areas. Some lacked direction and leadership. Some lacked equipment, supplies and food. Some had no fire power with which to fight the enemy.
    I didn't write this to diminish heroes. Conversely, I wanted to point out that these people were needed to create leaders and heroes. They trudged along with the leaders and heroes while they were POWs. They suffered in stalags with leaders and heroes. They endured bombing raids with leaders and heroes. And they lost weight and came back home with injuries and illnesses like the leaders and heroes. These men were an intricate part of the war and our success. They may not have gotten medals and write-ups, but they created situations for others to be honored.
    They gave up time from their lives and families just like the leaders and heroes. NOW I salute these unsung heroes, perhaps the survivors of the fittest, knowing they contributed their part to winning the war!
Bob Pope, President

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Chaplain's Message . . .

2021 Memorial Message

106th Infantry Division Association Chaplain, Rev. Chris Edmonds September 11, 2021
...proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. Leviticus 25:10
    On an early summer day in 1962, at our oldest Army post, General Douglas MacArthur, stood to cheers from West Point cadets after delivering his famous speech, "Duty, Honor, Country." The General proclaimed, "Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn."
    Duty, honor, country: this is the song of America. A sure melody sung by our brave men and women in the military. It is the call of their hearts, the cadence of their march, the crescendo of their courage, the clear sound of their citizenship.
    From the village green of Lexington to the dangerous streets of Kabul, many have joined the song. Young people from every hillside, hamlet, and home; young people who love America. Their hallowed voices lift the chorus of sweet freedom's song.
"My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountainside
Let freedom ring!"

    Their heroic lives deserve our enduring love. We are blessed by their melody. A song they sing as soldiers. A canon they raise as citizens: duty, honor, country.
    We are especially blessed by the men of the 106th Infantry. Soldiers who lifted freedom's strain in the sweat-stained soil of Atterbury and the blood-stained snow of the Ardennes. They fought because of duty. They fought on because of courage. They fought with every ounce of their being because of love for country.

"My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above."
continues on page 6

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Chaplain's Message . . .

    Duty rallied them to fight like a lion against the onslaught of evil. Courage sustained them to fight on when all seemed lost. Love of country and countrymen summoned their faith in God's goodness when there was little cause for faith. Their collective will ignited hope when hope seemed forlorn. Despite the hell of bloody mortars, despite the crush of mighty Panzers, despite the rush of enemy hordes, our brave boys filled the frozen forests with the joyous sounds of liberty to win the day.
"Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong."
    In this holy moment, as we pause to remember our 106th heroes no longer with us, who now sing in the heavenlies, may we honor them by joining their refrain: duty, honor, country. Far too many gave their full devotion "over there." They are heroes.
    Many more somehow survived the Wehrmacht, weather, wounds, and week- after-week of little food as POWs to make it back home. They are heroes.
    Remember Tech Sergeant Henry "Hank" Freedman of the 422nd/HQ/A, a wiry and winsome Jewish kid from Boston. A longtime supporter of the 106th Association, he was a good soldier and a friend to all.
Hank grew up with Yiddish as his first language, an invaluable resource against the German enemy. As a POW,
    Hank deciphered Nazi conversations giving our freedom-loving boys lifesaving information during capture and at Stalags IXB and IXA.
    After liberation, Hank didn't make the trip to Camp Lucky Strike with the other GIs but instead, was taken to a "proper" -- permanent -- hospital. At five-feet-five, he weighed less than 110 pounds and would ultimately spend three weeks near death in the hospital in Rouen and then another week recovering in a hospital in Paris.
    Hank recalled how his grandmother, who had raised, him fainted when he telephoned her from New York City on May 8, 1945 -- V-E Day -- to say that he was home after he'd spent ninety-eight days in German POW camps.
    Hank's miraculous survival allowed him to return home, many his lovely Betty, raise a family, become a dapper dresser and dancer, and enjoy a successful business career as a buyer for Rich's department store in Atlanta. A cancer survivor, he was married for fifty-one years to Betty, the "love of his life," until her death in 2004.
    As a senior citizen, Hank converted to Christianity. He inspired many people along the way with his vibrant Christian faith and his love for the bible and prayer. Hank passed away peacefully in Georgia at the age of 99 on Saturday, May 16, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
Never forget Henry "Hank" Freedman, 422nd/HQ/A.

    Remember Ralph J. Nelson, Private First Class, 422nd Cannon Company, a bright kid from Moline, Illinois. After graduating from Rock Island High School in 1943, he was drafted into

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Chaplain's Message . . .

the Army. Later he was assigned to the 106th and sent to defend American lines in the dense forests of the Ardennes.
    It was quiet and peaceful there, idyllic like a winter wonderland, until December 16, 1944. At 0530 hours, the frozen earth around Private Nelson erupted: hell appeared like a ghost in the forest. In an instant, pine trees exploded into deadly wooden spikes. The frigid air turned fiery red. Blood and bone mingled with chunks of thawing debris. After valiant fighting, he and thousands of young Americans were taken prisoner by German forces too many to number.
    Ralph and the others were force-marched without food and water for days then loaded on to trains, standing room only. On Christmas day, after five days crammed in boxcars, his train of starving POWs finally stopped in a small town. The doors flew open, and armed Wehrmacht troops shouted, "Raus! Schnell!" Ralph fell out of the railcar, his limbs freezing, barely able to stand.
    The train had stopped short of the depot. In a "deliberate attempt at dehumanization" by the Germans, Ralph and his brave buddies were forced to march into the town. In a long, snaking line, they marched past the three-story red-stone station house. A clocktower rose from the middle of its roof peak. Over the main entrance, a large sign with black letters identified the station as Bad Orb.
    Bad Orb, also known as Stalag IXB, was a notorious Nazi POW camp near Frankfurt, Germany. Conditions in this camp were terrible. Stalag IXB ranks as one of the worst German camps that held Americans.
    On Monday, April 2, 1945, an American task force broke through the German lines, drove north 37 miles through enemy held territory to Bad Orb and liberated Stalag IXB. Ralph had suffered there more than 100 days. Freedom never felt so good.
    Ralph returned home to Rock Island where he completed his undergraduate education and went on to receive a degree in Dentistry. He married his beautiful bride Rhoda and they moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where he developed a thriving dentistry and raised a family.
    Dr. Ralph was a 40-year member of the American Dental Association, the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos, the American Ex-Prisoners of War, and a Board Member of our own 106th Association. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid bird watcher. Above all, Ralph was a man of faith who loved his family.
    Dr. Ralph J. Nelson, age 95, passed away in Albuquerque on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife of 71 years and his beloved family.
Never forget Dr. Ralph J. Nelson, 422nd Canon Company.
    More than twenty-five of our 106th warriors have left us since our last memorial. We are remiss in not sharing each of their indelible stories. Extraordinary Americans like PFC Harry F. Martin, Jr, 2nd Lieutenant Don R. Prell, and PFC John R. Schaffner. Great men who gave us greater lives. Their memories remain steadfast and treasured by all of us.
continues on bottom of page 9 see Chaplain's Message

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The Adjutant's Message . . .

    As I sat and reflected on our association and all the events of the past year and half, my mind went to all the previous reunions we have had. They were all great. We have had lots of participation by the veterans and their families. Our family's first reunion was to Washington D.C. area, Falls Church, VA in 2001. We had an excess of 750 attendees. It was the first time my dad (Robert M. Wood, 423 I) had seen his bunkmate, Russ Lang, since they were being held in a German prison camp during the war. It was quite the reunion. I remember going to a presentation by Ervin Szpek on his book "Shadows of Slaughterhouse Five." Mr. Szpek was making the presentation with running commentary by veterans who were present who had been in that very prison. It brought to mind the history we were allowed to hear by those who made the history. My mom, my wife and I were blessed to have witnessed this. My dad was not held at Slaughterhouse Five; however, he was part of the history.
    I realized that even though each ensuing reunion had less attendees, the magic was just as profound as that first reunion we attended. We have visited some awesome places over the years, but it has always been the quiet time with the veterans that was most important. It brought me back to when my dad was alive and visiting with his comrades. With our new enemy, the Virus, and of course our main enemy, advanced age, we have lost a lot. Two years without a reunion is challenging, but what can we do?
    That is why it is vitally important that we make sure everyone with an interest in the 106th Infantry Division sees the Virtual Memorial Service our board produced for the canceled 2020 reunion. Make sure your children, grandchildren and anyone with an interest gets to experience the Virtual Service. See that their friends and anyone with a voice gets the opportunity to promote the service. You can find the link on our website, on our Facebook page, or you can simply go to You Tube and search for the 106th Infantry Division Association Virtual Memorial Service (youtu.be/6S4Ke-Tfitg). Why is it so important? It's important because we are losing our veterans who can share their history with us.

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The Adjutant's Message . . .

    Soon we will not have WWII veterans, so it is up to us to pass on this history. I hope you will pick up the challenge. One way is to support the association by reading the historical recollections and articles included in The CUB magazine. As you may know, you can receive The CUB online or in print. We publish three times per year. The bonus is that all family members and friends with interest can see it. Another thing you can do is donate $25 or more to the 106th Infantry Division Association. (Donation information can be found at the bottom of page 17 in this issue.) This allows us to perpetuate The CUB magazine which is our principal communication tool that we use to share the stories of our veterans. Our
    reunions contribute to the treasury, but we have not had that opportunity for two years. If you are interested, you can also purchase a Challenge coin, a wooden ornament, a T-shirt, or a lapel pin, all of which are advertised in this magazine (see pages 18-19). All of the proceeds support the Association. Please get involved and help us preserve and share our veterans' legacies.
    We will begin to plan our next reunion shortly and will make you aware of the details as they develop. Take care of yourself and see you soon.
Randall M. Wood Adjutant 106th Infantry Division Association Robert M. Wood 423 Co I.

Chaplain's Message, continuation from page 7

    Take a few moments to remember all our heroes of the 106th. They deserve our undivided attention and devoted admiration. They stood against evil and helped save our world. They stood for duty, honor, country -- and our freedom. Look up their experience, reflect on their lives, and thank God for them.
    Every breath of free air we breathe, every cup of fresh coffee we taste, every moment with loving family we enjoy, and every liberty we are blessed to experience is because of them. Duty, honor, country are more than words. They are enduring values of freedom. Values lived by our heroes of the 106th before, during, and after the war.
    I pray their values are your values. I pray we follow their footsteps. I pray we will ask God for the courage to live with duty, honor, and country. I pray we inspire future generations like the Greatest Generation inspires us. I pray millions will join us in freedom's refrain as we "proclaim liberty throughout all the land."
"Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King!"

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A Personal Journey of Discovery and How I Did It
By Annie Keeber

    Editor's Note: As we continue our search to fill the Historian role, we have had submissions from various people regarding how to track down information about a veteran. Carl Wouters shared several "sleuthing" stories, and Wayne Dunn had submitted a detailed list of helpful websites and ways to conduct online searches ("How to be Your Own Historian," Vol. 76 No. 2 -- July 2020). In this excerpt of a submission by Annie Keeber (whose mother wrote an article for our last CUB), you will learn more ways to find information about loved ones as she shares her personal journey of discovery and the various methods that she used to obtain facts about her dad's experience during WWII.
Opening page of blog "In Dad's Footsteps" by blogger Annie Keeber.
    Like many WWII veterans my father, Pfc Willard H. Keeber, 106th Infantry, 424th Regiment, Co. G (2nd Battalion), rarely spoke about his wartime experiences. Like most infantry soldiers during the war, he rarely knew exactly where he was, or why he was there. The Infantry GI was expected to go where he was told, do what was
    ordered, and tolerate cold, hunger, fear, and exhaustion in battle conditions all without complaint. Over time, whatever he might once have known for certain became difficult to recall accurately. A few months before his death, dad, a member of the 106th Division Association, dictated his recollections to my mother.

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Historian's Message . . .

    My mother, Beatrice, continued her membership in the 106th after dad died. Occasionally an article or new item in The CUB aroused an interest in discovering more about her husband's service. Mom had corresponded with Harry Martin, Jr., a well-known and beloved member of the 106th Association after reading his memoir. Harry introduced her to Carl Wouters via email correspondence, who suggested Mom might like to attend the "Flag of Friendship Ceremony" due to occur in St. Vith in December 2017. Mom asked me to accompany her to Europe. Rather than attend the ceremony in December, we decided to travel when weather conditions on the ground would make navigating the sights easier for an 89-year-old with some mobility issues. We arrived "over there" on October 13, 2017 and toured with Doug Mitchell, co-founder with Carl of the European Chapter of the 106th Div. Assn., for a week -- covering the Northern Shoulder, Southern Shoulder, the Rhine River Valley, and everything in between related to the 106th.
    Doug and Carl made our trip truly epic. On the first day of touring, we tramped through the woods near Grosskampenberg with Carl and Doug and stood in the same foxhole dad had occupied that fateful day of December 16, 1945. It was mind-blowing to be standing in the exact place as dad 72 years later. I was amazed dad's foxhole could be pinpointed. It turned out Carl had hosted Floyd Ragsdale, dad's Assistant Mortar Gunner, on a battlefield tour in 2010 and identified the foxhole then. Floyd had written several
    snippets of recollections over the years and given them all to Carl, who shared them with us. Floyd name-checked dad several times in the pages of his recollections. Floyd's recollections were very different then dad's. Talking to Carl and Doug about their experiences with other veterans indicated that this was not uncommon. Time, lack of complete information at the time, a limited viewpoint while in the thick of battle, and trauma all can impact recall. What was the accurate story about what dad had seen and done in 1944 and 1945? Also, Carl and Doug were in possession of so much information I had never dreamed could be uncovered. I was on fire to find out all I could.
    Initially, I created a travel blog to share everything we had seen and learned with the rest of the family. During our tour, I kept detailed notes and took hundreds of pictures. A desire to share accurate and factual context on the blog led to more and more research. Eventually, the blog, In-Dads-Footsteps.org, grew as I resolved to learn everything factually knowable about my dad's experiences in the War.
    I started with very little information: dad's and Floyd's recollections, the information we learned from Carl Wouters and Doug Mitchell while touring, and dad's military discharge record and medals. The result of the past several years of research is, I think, a pretty clear picture of what dad was doing and where he was every day between September 4, 1944 and November 22, 1945. In the Internet Age, discovering this much about the
continues on page 12

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Historian's Message . . .

    activities and experiences of one veteran 70-plus years after they occurred, is not only possible, but can be learned in a relatively short time with little monetary investment.
    What follows is a somewhat loosely organized guide to the resources I used to do my research in an effort to help and guide others in theirs.
    The first and best resource is the soldier himself -- or herself--what he or she said, what he/she thought, what was saved from the time in service, and what may have been told to others. Even if your veteran is deceased, old letters, or any recollections the veteran may have written, are all good resources, if available. Talk to family, friends, spouses, ex-spouses, siblings, cousins, and colleagues to ask what your veteran may have told others. It's second-hand information, and memories may be faulty and stories embellished over time, but there are usually kernels of truth in every tall tale. Take notes. For example, my dad and a work colleague went to Europe in the 1970s on business. They spoke for hours the first night about dad's first "trip" to Europe in 1944. It must have been a memorable conversation because the colleague related to mom what he remembered of the conversation nearly 40 years later. The email to mom about what dad told his co-worker provided new information and clues to track down. There was information in his recollection that was not possible to verify, but it led to other discoveries and some parts could be confirmed.

Me and my mother, Beatrice Keeber.

    Another source for first-hand stories are other veterans. The 106th Division Association, The CUB, and annual reunions, are great resources. Your local VFW Hall may be a place to connect with other veterans for conversation and insight. But hurry; the youngest veterans of WWII are now in their late 90s. The sad day will soon arrive when there are none left living with personal experience of WWII. We need to cherish our living veterans for their service and sacrifice, and ask them to share their memories as long as they are willing and able. Again: take notes or better yet, video.
    Next take a deep dive into your family photo albums and papers. You never know what you'll find! Be sure to look behind photos and on the backs for notes. I discovered a newspaper clipping from the Buffalo, NY newspaper from January 1945. It told the story of my grandparents

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Historian's Message . . .

    receiving a V-Mail from my father written while in a Belgian Military Hospital. The V-Mail reassured them he was alive and relatively healthy. According to the clipping, the V-Mail arrived only hours before the War Department's telegram informing them dad was Missing-in-Action. The small clipping was loose amongst unrelated documents and ephemera in a plastic bag we came across when mom was moving. The entire bag was nearly discarded before I realized it was full of my paternal grandmother's papers. This invaluable scrap of family history was nearly lost!
    Your veteran's discharge documents contain valuable information. Military discharge documents will provide the military serial number, location and dates of induction and discharge. Also, age, height, weight, vaccination records, and medals, badges, and honors earned in service.
    If you don't have, or can't find military discharge records, check with the Recorder's office of the county where your veteran lived when discharged. Soldiers were instructed to file their discharge records with the County Recorder to preserve them. Dad's Military Discharge was filed in Erie Co, NY. Many County Recorders have online search tools available. If you're having no luck with an online Recorder's record search, pick up the phone and call the Recorder to ask for help. You should be able to get a copy (perhaps even certified) of a recorded discharge record for a few dollars to include the copy and postage. Some Recorders will email
the record (uncertified) for no cost.
    Still having no luck finding your veteran's military discharge document? Check out the National Archives -- aad.archives.gov/aad/ fielded-search.jsP?dt=893&tf=F. There you can conduct a search, either basic or advanced, and find most of the information from the discharge records, including the military serial number, dates of induction and discharge, education level, and where the veteran enlisted or was drafted.
    On July 12, 1973, there was a massive fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO. The fire impacted 80 percent of the military records of military personnel discharged Nov. 1, 1912 through Jan. 1, 1960. Among the records lost are those of the 106th Infantry Division. Many a family including mine -- has requested information and waited months for a response, only to be told they were lost in the fire. However, there are other records at the NPRC in St. Louis that were not lost in the fire and are still available. You don't even have to travel to the Archive yourself; a local research professional can be hired to go into the Archive to conduct research for you. I can recommend Golden Arrow Research and the work of Geoff Gentillini: goldenarrowresearch.com, Geoff was able to provide all the Morning Reports for 106/424/G from the date my father arrived at Camp Atterbury, IN through his transfer to the 393rd
continues on page 14

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Historian's Message . . .

    Engineers Division. He was kind enough to then research the 393rd records to follow my father through his return to the U.S., release for R&R, and return to Camp Claiborne, LA, before discharge. I also received an abstract of my father's medical records. Without this daily record of the activities of my father's Company, I could not have completed my research, nor learned as much about his service. I cannot encourage the amateur researcher enough to obtain the actual military records for your veteran and unit. Morning Reports contain the daily activities of the Company, location, and specifically lists the names of the soldiers and their status (i.e. Missing-in-Action, Killed-in-Action, wounded, hospitalized, on R&R, AWOL, etc.) along with notes about morale. The Morning Reports for 106/424/G are posted on my blog and free to any interested researcher (web address provided above).
    Be willing to explore any online discussion boards you might find. Sometimes the discussions lead to other sources of information you may not have yet found. Also make connections and cultivate conversations (even if by email) to learn more.
    Reading non-fiction is another way to learn about the experiences of veterans as well as the history and politics of the time. Personal memoirs, written by veterans, are great to read but remember that this is only the recollections of a single soldier. They may be inaccurate, colored by experience and emotion, as well as biased in favor of the author. This is not to suggest you shouldn't read them, rather to advise caution against using them as a factual resource for your research. With the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019 and then V-E day in 2020, there have been several very good books about WWII published recently. Check your local library, Amazon, and -- for 106th Division veterans' memoirs -- look to issues of The CUB. Past issues listed adverts for books at no cost, so look at those, too (available online at the 106th Div. Assn. and Indiana Military websites).
    Search Wikipedia even though it gets some criticism for its open-editing format (which has caused inaccuracies and chaos on some subject entries). To be sure the Wild post is accurate, you can click the "Talk" tab under the title of the article. You can also click the "View History" tab to the right of the "Talk" tab to see the edits made and when. With some discernment, you may find that Wikipedia is a good starting point for your Internet Research on a variety of subjects.
    My generation was not taught much WWI or WWII history. That's a shame, because what I've learned during my research has increased my understanding of the forces that shaped the world we now inhabit. I can see the forces in play during WWII shaping our current political discourse, international relationships, and even see some things worryingly repeating in our present day. I hope WWI and WWII are soon taught

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to our children. How better to instill the values demonstrated by the Greatest Generation?
    I now also have a better understanding of my father. I always knew dad as a family man; dedicated to his wife and children. Now that I know what my father experienced and endured during WWII, I have a better understanding of the forces that shaped the man I knew. Dad's wartime service shaped a kid from Buffalo, NY, into a man determined to live life to the fullest. Dad was an involved father, a committed husband, and weekend handyman knocking items off the honey-do list with no complaints. He taught me the value of hard work, the value of family, and doing the right thing. He taught me to leave things better than I found them, and to find joy in simple moments. Dad taught me to love family dinners, holidays with everyone gathered around, and even to find enjoyment in the chaos. My research made the gentle things I previously knew about my father even more remarkable. I'm so proud of him Not only because of his time as a GI or even that as a member of the 106th he helped turn the tide of WWII and defeat the Nazis, I'm proud because, despite everything he experienced, he came home a good man and lived a good life.

Warm Memories of Cold Spring
by Beatrice Fulton Keeber
    A Golden Lion's war experiences forged a boy into a man. But what really defined him as the person he became was his "happily ever after" with his family and his 60-year love story. Warm Memories of Cold Spring is not a war story! It's a smile-producing tale of "what came next" that reminds other vets of their own "afters," their children and grandchildren of dad's and mom's or Grandpa's and Grandma's lives.
    Pfc. Willard H. Keeber, with Co. G, 424th Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division, was placed on-line December 11, 1944 near St. Vith,
    Belgium, two months past his 19th birthday, five days prior to the German Tank Assault that smashed directly through his position, launching the Battle of the Bulge. This is the story of a veteran's legacy that left his world better than he found it.

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Treasurer's and Membership Chair's Report . . .

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


Please report all changes of address and deaths to the Association Membership Chair:
Beginning Balance: $24,157.56
Money In: 1,810.28
Money Out: 2,755.52
Difference: (945.24)
Ending Balance: $23,212.32

Total Membership 929
Membership Veterans 387
Associate Membership 542

Send your contribution, check made payable to 106th Infantry Div. Association, to:

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LIFE PLUS and REGULAR DONATIONS:
Ronald K. Adams Associate Member
Louise Awalt Associate Member
William Bucher, Jr. Associate Member
Randy M. Grachek Associate Member
Frank J. Grasberger 424/G
W. Gene Miller Associate Member
Ceil M. Pillsbury Associate Member
Robert E. Pope 590 FA/A
Ronald Regier 422/SVC
James R. Renner 81st ENG/A

MEMORIAL and HONORARY DONATIONS:

In memory of 106th veteran, C.J. "Chuck" Malavazos and those who suffered as prisoners of war.
Given by Conrad E. Malavazos
In memory of my father Joseph H. Hodge, Co E, 423 Rgt, 106th Inf. Given by Mary Jo Reed
    In memory of 106th veteran, Richard E. Rutz, 590/FAB/HQ, a proud veteran of the 106th Infantry Division and a POW survivor from the Battle of the Bulge. Given by Deborah Rutz-Piette

Memorial, Honorary and Life+ Contributions are Essential for Keeping this Organization Going

    A suggested annual donation of $25 to help underwrite the cost to publish and mail The CUB through the "Last Man Standing" and beyond is appreciated. The Association exists on donations from its members and interested individuals. 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.
    Those Members who contribute 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 ID Association.

Planned Giving
    Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit the 106th Infantry Division Association beyond your lifetime, you can find a charitable plan that works for you. Popular means of life planning gifts include Wills and Living Trusts and Beneficiary Designations. Consult your professional advisor on how to extend support for the 106th Infantry Division Association to make a lasting impact.

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106th Challenge Coin and Wooden Ornaments --Have You Gotten Yours Yet?


Lapel Pins: $10 each plus $1 shipping per pin


Ornaments: $10 each plus $2 shipping per ornament (Lower shipping costs will be applied to orders of 10 or more)

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Jim West and the IndianaMilitary.org Website
    Additional 106th Infantry Division information can be found on Jim West's (OGL 2000) website at IndianaMilitaty.org. It includes the following:
    Reconstructed Roster of the 106th at http://tinyurLcom/106th-Roster with 18,902 entries to date, including more than 300 individual photos which include:
6,760 POWs • 962 as KIA
Every issue of The CUB from 1946 to present (searchable)
Every issue of the Camp Atterbury Camp Crier with articles on the 106th
Local Columbus, Indiana, newspaper articles featuring the 106th
With Wayne Dunn's help, over 451 diaries of 106th men and a few from other units
    Articles include: Battle of the Bulge, Important dates, Unit publications, Photo Albums, After-Action Reports, General and Special Orders and much more
Information on the 106th guarded PWTE (Prisoner of War Temporary Enclosures)
The official history site for Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

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    A marker honoring Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, 422nd HQ Co. A, was dedicated on August 20, 2021 in downtown Knoxville next to the East Tennessee History Center. It was the 102nd anniversary of Roddie's birth.
    The marker commemorates the bravery of Sergeant Edmonds during World War II in saving more than 200 Jewish American soldiers when he refused to identify them to Nazi soldiers in Stalag IXA, a prisoner-of-war camp near Ziegenhain, Germany.
    The inspiring ceremony included prayers, an honor guard salute, patriotic music and remarks by sponsors, elected officials, and Roddie's son, Chris Edmonds, our 106th Chaplain.
    Among the speakers were U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, both Tennessee Republicans who have taken the lead in the state's entire congressional delegation in introducing legislation to award posthumously the Congressional Gold Medal to Edmonds.


    "The heroism of Master Sergeant Edmonds is well-known across Tennessee and in the international Jewish community," Burchett said. "He fearlessly faced down Nazi soldiers at a German POW camp during World War II, refusing to identify his fellow Jewish servicemen when held at gunpoint. Master Sergeant Edmonds's selfless courage saved lives and the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting way to honor his legacy."
    "Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds is a true American hero," Blackburn said. "Edmonds's resiliency, courage, and leadership saved over 200 Jewish lives. There is no one more deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal than Master Sergeant Edmonds." The Gold Medal legislation is in committees of both Houses.

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Feature Stories . . .

    Though the marker recognizes Edmonds for saving his fellow Jewish soldiers, he ultimately saved all 1,292 noncommissioned officers when the Germans ordered the Americans to leave the POW camp on a death march. Roddie refused to go and led the Americans in a day-long revolt. As the sun was setting, the German commandant told Roddie: "You win. You can have the camp. We're leaving." The Germans marched out and left the Americans behind. Sergeant Lester Tanner 422nd/HQ, said, "It was one of the greatest escapes of World War II, but we didn't go anywhere. We kicked the Germans out."
    The Edmonds family is grateful to the Jewish American Society of Historic Preservation, the Knoxville Jewish Alliance, Knox County Government, the City of Knoxville and other sponsors for their leadership to honor Sergeant Edmonds, a brave soldier of the
Golden Lions and one of many heroes of the 106th.

    Sgt. Lester Tanner, 422nd/HQ, served with dad and was the first person to share dad's story with me. He was standing on dad's left when the Nazi Major confronted my father. Lester is Jewish and his last name was Tannenbaum in the war. When he got back to the states he changed it to Tanner. He's alive and well living on Long Island.

Lester Tanner (right) and Chris Edmonds with Roddie's diary at the NYC JFR filming.

"The Bulge Bugle" Dedicates Edition to The Golden Lions
By Lisa Dunn, Editor The CUB, and Betsy Rose, Editor The Bulge Bugle
    Check out the Summer 2021 edition of "The Bulge Bugle!" This official publication of the Battle of the Bulge Association, Inc.* is dedicated to the 106th Infantry Division Golden Lions. There are 11 soldiers featured on the cover including our current 106th Infantry Division Association President, Bob Pope. See how many others you know or recognize

continues on page 22

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    and learn more about the history of the 106th Infantry Division, The CUB, and the Association. This summer edition is full of the 106th: learn who is on the cover on page 3, photo on page 8, 106th article on pages 10-11 and an account from 106th INFD veteran David Bailey on page 12. Check out the article online at Summer2lBugle lowres.pdf (battleofthebulge.org).
    *The Battle of the Bulge Association (BOBA) is a membership organization that perpetuates the memory of the sacrifices involved during the Battle of the Bulge, the greatest land battle of the U.S. Army.
    Established in 1981, BOBA has more than 1,200 members comprised of veterans, their families and friends and history enthusiasts, all with a shared interest in keeping connected, and keeping the legacy of these brave service men for future generations. Membership is $20/year and members receive a quarterly publication which contains stories about the battle written by Bulge veterans and updates on member activities including European tours of Battle sites, reunions and chapter activities. Visit battleofthebulge.org for more information. If you join BOBA, you can receive a hard copy of the summer edition.



Bridge Named After Staff Sgt. John Roy Clark
By Lisa Dunn
    On July 15, 2021, a ceremony was held at the bridge over Gap Creek in Elizabethton, TN, for dedication of the bridge and the unveiling of the new sign honoring WWII veteran and community leader John Roy Clark. The bridge is named the "SSGT John R. CLARK World War II P.O.W. Memorial Bridge" and honors a man who, as a Combat Infantryman and Squad Leader at the age of 19, was captured at the Battle of the Bulge and spent 113 days in Stalag 8A and 4B. John passed away at 81 on May 18, 2005, but left behind a legacy of dedication and service. Read John Clark's Ex-POW Biography in the "American Ex-Prisoners of War" online article axpow.org/bios/clarktemp.htm, and the news article that appeared about the bridge in the Johnson City Press: Southside Bridge in Elizabethton named for Staff Sgt. John R. Clark I News I johnsoncitypress.com.

(Photo from: the Johnson City Press johnsoncitypress.com)

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Front & Center . . .

"VETERANS' VOICES"
    This is a recurring article for The CUB in which veterans or family members can submit brief personal stories. Whenever possible, please send your submission in an email to the Editor, Lisa Dunn, so it can easily be transferred to The CUB. Each picture you submit should include the event it represents, and where and when it was taken.

My Dad, Brad Holmes, 423rd Submitted by Rick Holmes
    My name is Richard Holmes, proud son of Brad Holmes, 423rd. He will be 96 next month. There is a YouTube video of my dad that was recorded in 2017 and can be found by searching Adopt a Vet or at https://youtu.be/x7FWoDbQ-hE. Brian Welke met with my father during the Providence, RI reunion. With help from dad's Congressman, we obtained his POW Medal and Bronze Star a couple of years ago. He was also the Grand Marshall when Otis Rotary was renamed to Hero's Circle in Bourne, MA. If anyone has any other information about other medals that Brad Holmes should have received, please contact Rick at 508-269-6584.

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Front & Center . . .

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 usually 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 has assisted in the operation of the Association.
    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 Co-chairs 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
Send nominations to any one of the committee members listed below:
Carol J. Faulkner, 765-342-1872 3179 Kestrel Court, Martinsville, IN 46151 faulknerskeepe05@yahoo.com

Beth Garrison, 618-628-4733 7766 Haury Road,Lebanon, IL 62254 rgbg75@att.net

Kathy Spinella, 305-562-4381
1991 Carolina Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703
pspin142@aol.com

    Editor's Note: The criteria used to distinguish between who qualifies for the Commander Class vs the Officer Class is being discussed by the Board. The CUB will publish specifics when more information is available.

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    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!
    The following are requests for information. Feel free to contact the person listed if you believe you can be of assistance. The CUB staff has received permission to print the inquiries and the contact information listed herein.

In search of information on any veterans from the B Battery, 590th:
    John Moddie was a POW at Stalag 9B and wondering if there are any other vets from the Battalion still around. He currently resides in the Oscar Johnson VA Hospital in Wilson. MI. Please send any information to Chris Bingham, spc1701@yahoo.com.

Visit the 106th Association's Website!
By Wayne Dunn
    To complement the wonderful websites that are already out on the Internet, including websites from our own members, Jim West (IndianaMilitaty.org) and Carl Wouters (106thinfanhy.webs corn), the Association has launched its own website at 106thInfDivAssn.org.
    This is where you will find information on upcoming events, copies of the membership application for your family to join, the complete latest issue of The CUB in color, plus additional plus additional photos not seen in hard copy.
    Also look for our Facebook page at Facebook.com/106thInfDivAssn. You will find up-to-the-minute information here and its 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@l06thInfDivAssn.org or 410-409-1141.
    The 106th Infantry Division Association also now has an Instagram page! You can get to it at the URL: www.instagram.com/106th infanhy division assoct The Instagram account name is simply 106th infantry division assoc. Use that to search for it on your phone or other electronic device
iPad, tablet, laptop or computer.
The idea is to preserve memories of the 106th veterans virtually forever. Enjoy.

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BARTUSEK, MARCUS A. 424/H Date of death: August 15, 2021
    Marcus "Stub" Bartusek was born on September 16, 1925, the son of Albin and Mary Bartusek of Manly, IA. He was a graduate of Manly High School's class of 1944. His mother actually walked for him at graduation because he was already drafted in the U.S. Army during WWII. Stub served our grateful country until March 1945. He served in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. Throughout his military career, he attained the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Belgian Forager, and in October of 2018, he received the French Legion of Honor from the French Consulate. Stub wasn't one to share his war stories. It wasn't until he went on an Honor Flight in September 2009 and a WWII Battlefield Tour in 2016 with his family that some of his memories came to light. After those trips, he shared endless experiences that his family will share for generations to come.
    On June 23, 1955, he married Patsy Nasheim in Manly, and from this loving union, three children were born. For 17 years Stub worked on the Rock Island Railroad, and for 22 years he worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation in Manly and Hanlontown as the Maintenance Supervisor, before retiring in 1996. He was an active member of the Manly community, serving on the City Council, Volunteer Fire Department, Meals on Wheels and the Manly Taxi. For over 75 years, Stub was a member of the American Legion and former Post Commander. When Stub had extra time to spare, he could be found camping, traveling, trout fishing, vegetable gardening, bike riding and walking. He was also an avid Packers and Hawkeye fan. Stub often enjoyed getting a Butterscotch Malt (his favorite) from Birdsall's Ice Cream in Mason City. He is survived by his three children, nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Patsy, who died in 2009.
Reported by his daughter, Sherri

DIETERICH, THOMAS 422/HQ Date of death: November 29, 2017
Reported by his sister, Nancy Ff5Inkoop

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In Memoriam . . .

NELSON, RALPH 422/C
Date of death: November 10, 2020
    Dr. Ralph Nelson, age 95, passed away in Albuquerque, NM on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, surrounded by his family. Ralph was born on April 23, 1925 in Moline, Illinois. After graduating from Rock Island High School in 1943, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was later assigned to the 106th Infantry Division. On December 16, 1944, while fighting in The Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes Forest, Belgium, he was taken prisoner by German forces and transported to a POW camp, Bad Orb, outside Frankford, Germany. After his liberation by Allied Forces in April 1945, he returned to Rock Island where he completed his undergraduate education at Augustana College and then went on to the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry. He married Rhoda Larsen on September 11, 1949. After graduation in 1951, Ralph and Rhoda moved to Los Alamos, NM to begin practicing dentistry and raise a family. He developed a thriving practice and retired in 1991, after 40 years of service to the community. Ralph was a 40-year member of the American Dental Association, a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry, the New Mexico State Dental Society, the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos NM, and the NM Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War. He and Rhoda moved to Albuquerque in 2006 where he resided until his passing. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Rhoda; three daughters and a son, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Ralph enjoyed hunting, fishing, tennis and golf in his spare time. Above all, Ralph, a man of faith, loved his family and was an active participant in his church. He loved to travel and had a remarkable memory and recollection of details. Ralph was a caring, loving husband and father who touched many lives. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Reported by Wayne Dunn

PFAFF, BURTON E. 422/G
Date of death: September 14, 2021
    It is with a sad heart I report the passing of one of the members of the greatest generation and WWII POW, my father. He passed away bravely at home September 14, 2021. Burton E. Pfaff, a decorated Army Staff Sergeant, captured during the Battle of the Bulge said, following his liberation, "Every day is a bonus." Born to Erwin and Verona Pfaff on May 25, 1924, on a farm in Ableman, WI, Burt was a member of the Greatest Generation. Surviving the depression and World War II, he thrived in building his company, New Berlin Auto Body, raising a family and playing the garbage can bass.

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In Memoriam . . .

    His motto was "Always do your best and a little bit more." His legacy is an inspiration to his family: daughter, Patricia Pfaff Brach, who loves him dearly, along with six grandsons; COL (USA-RET) Daryl B. Brach, The Honorable Matthew Brach, Cameron Brach SFC (USA), Jason Johnson SSgt (USMC), Aaron Johnson and Justin Pfaff SSG (USA). Through his example, four of his grandsons and his great-grandson decided to serve in the military. He remains in the hearts of his 11 great-grandchildren, his sister, niece and nephews, and remains dear to his caregivers, his friends and those who had the pleasure to know him. Although Burt lost his son Donald in 2006, his daughter Sandra in 2012 and his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Jane in 2013, he had an infinite joy for life and remained positive. He enjoyed the change of seasons and cherished smelling the open fields outside of Milwaukee on the back of a Harley. At 90, he tandem parachuted out of a perfectly good airplane. He believed in living "life one-day-at-a-time" and died with dignity at the age of 97 on September 14, 2021.
Reported by his daughter, Patricia Brach

PIERSON, MARION Associate Member
Date of death: unknown
Reported by her nephew, Richard

RUTZ, RICHARD E. 423/HQ
Date of death: October 21, 2020
    My father's name was Richard E. Rutz and he was a proud veteran of the 106th Division. He was one of the soldiers captured by the Germans at The Battle of the Bulge, his division being at the location where the Germans broke through. He remained a POW until he was released at the end of WWII. He was a Purple Heart recipient. My father was married for 56 years until the death of my mother in 2007. He remained active and lived in his own home until his death on October 21, 2020 at the age of 97. He attended a mini reunion of the 106th veterans in the Southeast Michigan area many years back and enjoyed receiving and reading The CUB publications. Thank you for all you do and for the legacy that continues due to the service, the bravery, and the resilience of our proud veterans of the 106th Infantry Division.
Reported by his daughter, Debbie Rutz-Piette

BORIS ALBERT STERN 424/HQ
Date of death: August 20, 2021
    Boris Albert Stem, age 95, of Tampa, Florida passed away on Friday, August 20, 2021. Boris was born October 24, 1925.
He was with HQ

Photo by Octavio Jones I Tampa Bay Times continues on page 30

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    Company, 2nd Battalion, 424th Infantry Regiment. He received the medal of Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor for his actions in France during WWII.
    At 95 years old, Boris Stern passed away in his sleep, in Hospital in Tampa. He was an inspiration to everyone that knew him. Boris is survived by family and friends.
    To learn more about Mr. Stern, please read the article from Dec. 16, 2019 in the Tampa Bay Times https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/2019/12/16/remembering-the-lost-on-the-75th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-the-bulge/.
Reported by Carl Wouters

WHITENER, CAROLYN MORGAN Associate Member
Date of Death: July 5, 2021
    Carolyn Morgan Whitener passed away unexpectedly on July 5, 2021 at the age of 81 while away on vacation with her youngest daughter in St. Augustine, Florida. Carolyn was born June 15, 1940 in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late PFC Thomas Wilson Morgan and Sarah Watts Morgan. Her father served with the 106th Infantry Division and was with 423/L Company. He was in the Ardennes at the onset of the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded on December 16, 1944. He was transported to the Field Hospital in Radscheid, where he would succumb to his wounds later that same day at the age of 30. Carolyn was four when she became a Gold Star Daughter. Thomas (Wilson as he was fondly known by the family) would eventually be interred in Henri Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium. He had requested that should something happen to him during the war, that he be buried with his fellow soldiers. Following the loss of her father, her mother had a difficult time both emotionally and financially and shortly after her fifth birthday, Carolyn would begin living at The Methodist Children's Home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she lived until she finished high school. Following graduation, she was all set to attend the University of Tennessee. Instead, she moved to Washington and married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Whitener, a fellow resident at the Children's Home who had joined USAF. For the next 23 years, Carolyn was a military wife and mother to five children. While stationed in Germany, Carolyn and Bill spent a lot of time tracing down Battle of the Bulge and WWII history, hoping to gain further insight into what happened to her father. During their service in Germany, over a total of eight years, Carolyn had numerous opportunities to visit her father's grave at Henri Chapelle with her husband and children.
    In 1971 Carolyn and Bill made their final USAF move to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. They eventually retired in Homestead and following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, made a move to West Palm Beach. Following the death of Bill, after 56 years of marriage, Carolyn relocated to Lutz, Florida to be closer to family. Carolyn was a retired Executive Secretary for

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In Memoriam . . .

    The Keyes Company. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Ladies Sewing Ministry at First United Methodist Church of Land O'Lakes where she crocheted mats for the homeless and stitched quilts for the sick. Carolyn really enjoyed attending the 106th Infantry Division Association reunions and meeting some of the fellow veterans of the 106th. Basically, for most of her life, she was always searching for information related to her father and it was only in her later years, thanks to the internet and the 106th Association, that she was able to gain a great deal of information, for which she was truly grateful. Carolyn leaves behind four of her children, Kathy Spinella (Phil) of St. Petersburg, Florida; Kim Givens (Phil) of Palm City, Florida; Mike Whitener (Linda) of Midlothian, Texas; Dawn (Roger) Gilley, Homestead, Florida. She was preceded in death by a son Allen Whitener in 2009. She was a proud grandmother of 12 and step-grandmother to three. She had 18 great-grandchildren at the time of her passing.


PLEASE NOTE:
    To the widows of Golden Lions, if you would wish to continue to receive The CUB after the passing of your husband, please let Membership Chair Jacquelyn Coy know. Her contact information is located on the inside cover of this CUB.

106th Infantry Division's Online "Message Board"
    The 106th Infantry Division has their own 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. Sign up is free and easy!
    Association member Connie Pratt Baseman, daughter of Lt. Gerald Pratt (Field Artillery) has been one of three people helping to manage the message board. Sadly, some inquires sit unanswered when the answers may be out there with a reader of The CUB who doesn't use a computer. Maybe you can take the time to read the board and reach out to a veteran that you know to try and get the requested information.
You can find messages and other search requests on the 106th Message Board at:

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Read Any Good Books Lately?
    As you may have noticed, there are a lot less advertisements for books in this edition of The CUB. Moving forward, we will only be including paid advertisements to help defray the cost of printing and mailing the magazine. But, all of the advertisements from veterans whose books were advertised in previous CUBs can be viewed on the association website at: 106thinfdivassn.org/books

The books by and about the 106th Division association members advertised on our website are:
Captured at the Battle of the Bulge by Russ Lang
Captured, Frozen, Starved -- and Lucky: How One Jewish American GI Survived a Nazi Stalag by Milton Feldman
Forced March by John H. Mohn
    From Brooklyn to the Battle of the Bulge and on to Building an International Business -- The Incredible Story of Bernard (Barney) Mayrsohn by Seth H. Bramson
I Was a Prisoner by Carmel Whetzel
I Was No Hero in the Battle of the Bulge by Harry F. Martin, Jr.
My Grandfather's War by Jesse Cozean
My Nine Lives by Bob Pope
My War by Fredrick Smallwood
No Surrender by Chris Edmonds
Once Upon a Time in War by Robert E. Humphrey
Prisoner's Odyssey by Herb Sheaner
Shadows of Slaughterhouse Five by Ervin Szpek Jr.
The Sitting Duck Division: Attack from the Rear by John W. Morse, 422/C
The Letter Box by Robert "Bob" Glover
Warm Memories of Cold Spring by Beatrice Keeber
Warriors of the 106th -- The Last Infantry Division by Ken Johnson, Martin King, & Michael Collins
contact Susan Weiss at CUBPublisher@l06thInfDivAssn.org or treasurer
Mike Sheaner at sheanerl @airmail.net for more information.

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Index for This Document

424/G, 19
424th Regt., 12
590th FA BN, 19
Adams, Ronald K., 19
Awalt, Louise, 19
Bad Orb, 9
Bailey, David, 24
Bartusek, Marcus A., 29
Baseman, Connie Pratt, 33
Battle of the Bulge, 4, 17, 28
Belgium, 17, 32
Books, 34
Brach, Daryl B., 31
Brach, Patricia Pfaff, 31
Bramson, Seth H., 34
Bucher, William, Jr., 19
Camp Atterbury, 21
Camp Atterbury Camp Crier, 21
Camp Atterbury, IN, 15, 21
Camp Lucky Strike, 8
'Captured At the Battle of the Bulge', 34
Captured, Frozen, Starved -- and Lucky
How One Jewish American Gi Survived A Nazi Stalag, 34
Clark, John, 24
Clark, John R., 24
Clark, John Roy, 24
Clark, S/Sgt. John Roy, 24
Collins, Michael, 34
Coy, Jacquelyn, 2, 3, 29, 33
Coy, Jacquelyn S., 18
Cozean, Jesse, 34
Dieterich, Thomas, 29
Dunn, Lisa, 5, 23, 24, 25
Dunn, Lisa M., 3
Dunn, Wayne, 2, 12, 21, 27, 30
Dunn, Wayne G., 2, 3
Edmonds, Chris, 22, 23, 28, 34
Edmonds, M/Sgt. Roddie, 1, 22
Edmonds, Pastor Chris, 2, 11
Edmonds, Rev. Chris, 7
Edmonds, Roddie, 28
Edmonds, Sgt., 22, 23
Faulkner, Carol, 2
Faulkner, Carol J., 26
Feldman, Milton, 34
Forced March, 34
France, 4
Frankford, Germany, 30
Frankfurt, Germany, 9
Freedman, T/Sgt. Henry 'Hank', 8
Ft. Jackson, SC, 28
Garrison, Beth, 2, 26
Gentillini, Geoff, 15
Germany, 28
Glover, Robert 'Bob', 34
Grachek, Randy M., 19
Grasberger, Frank J., 19
Grosskampenberg, 13
Henri Chapelle American Cemetery, 32
Hodge, Joseph H., 19
Holmes, Brad, 25
Holmes, Richard, 25
Holmes, Rick, 25
How One Jewish American Gi Survived A Nazi Stalag, 34
Humphrey, Robert E., 34
I Was A Prisoner, 34
I Was No Hero In The Battle Of The Bulge, 34
Johnson, Ken, 34
Keeber, Annie, 12
Keeber, Beatrice, 14, 34
Keeber, Beatrice Fulton, 17
Keeber, Pfc. Willard H., 17
Keeber, Willard H., 12
King, Martin, 34
Lang, Russ, 10, 34
Larsen, Rhoda, 30
Last Inf. Div., 34
LeClair, Henry, 2, 3
MacArthur, Gen. Douglas, 7
Malavazos, C.J. 'Chuck', 19
Malavazos, Conrad E., 19
Martin, Harry F., Jr., 9, 34
Martin, Harry, Jr., 13
Mayrsohn, Bernard (Barney), 34
Miller, W. Gene, 19
Mitchell, Doug, 13
Moddie, John, 27
Mohn, John H., 34
Morgan, Pfc. Thomas Wilson, 32
Morgan, Sarah Watts, 32
Morse, John W., 34
My Grandfather's War, 34
My Nine Lives, 34
'My War', 34
Nasheim, Patsy, 29
National Archives, 15
National Personnel Records Center (Nprc), 15
Nelson, Dr. Ralph, 30
Nelson, Dr. Ralph J., 9
Nelson, Ralph, 30
Nelson, Ralph J., 8
No Surrender, 28, 34
Once Upon A Time In War, 34
Order of the Golden Lion, 2, 26
Pfaff, Burton E., 30
Pierson, Marion, 31
Pillsbury, Ceil M., 19
Pope, Bob, 2, 3, 6, 23, 34
Pope, Robert E., 19
Pratt, Lt. Gerald, 33
Prell, 2nd Lt. Don R., 9
Prisoner's Odyssey, 34
Ragsdale, Floyd, 13
Reed, Mary Jo, 19
Regier, Ronald, 19
Renner, James R., 19
Robb, Dr. John G., 2
Rose, Betsy, 23
Roster, 21
Rutz, Richard E., 19, 31
Rutz-Piette, Debbie, 31
Rutz-Piette, Deborah, 19
Schaffner, Pfc. John R., 9
Shadows Of Slaughterhouse Five, 10, 34
Sheaner, Herb, 34
Sheaner, Mike, 2, 3, 18, 34, 35
Slaughterhouse Five, 10
Smallwood, Fredrick, 34
Smith, David, 3
Spinella, Kathy, 2, 3, 26, 33
St. Vith, 13, 17
Stalag 9-B, 27
Stalag IX-A, 8, 22
Stalag IX-B, 8, 9
Stern, Boris, 32
Stern, Boris Albert, 31
Szpek, Ervin, 10
Szpek, Ervin, Jr., 34
Tanner, Lester, 23
'The Last Infantry Division', 34
The Letter Box, 34
The Sitting Duck Div., 34
Virtual Memorial Svc., 10, 25
'Warm Memories of Cold Spring', 17, 34
Warriors Of The 106th, 34
Weiss, Susan, 3, 5, 34
Welke, Brian, 2, 3, 25
West Point, 7
West, Jim, 2, 21, 27, 33
Whetzel, Carmel, 34
Whitener, Caroloyn Morgan, 32
Whitener, Carolyn Morgan, 32
Wood, Janet, 2, 3, 21
Wood, Randall, 20
Wood, Randall M., 2, 3, 11
Wood, Randy, 2, 4
Wood, Robert M., 10, 11
Wouters, Carl, 2, 12, 13, 27, 32
Ziegenhain, 28
Ziegenhain, Germany, 22, 28