WINTER, 1989

Gunners on 70th point The Gunners are on the point for the 70th. Our new president, Norman Johnson, served with Battery

A, 883rd Field Artillery. William Kiefriter, Vice President-East, and Calvin Jones,

assistant secretary-treasurer , not only are Divarty men, too, they were both in the same battery, Service, of the 883rd.

Norm was the fust 'Blazer to hold the office of president­elect. It was created at the Portland Reunion and so for two years he has been working closely with DeLyle Omholt, H/276, immediate past-president. Norm in Minnesota and DeLyle in Wisconsin found a convenient meeting spot about halfway between them and were in frequent consultation. The result has been - as was hoped - a very smooth transition .

The new president-elect is Neal Gibbs of Company L, 274. Love Company also gives us Paul Thirion, Vice President­West , was in Love Company.

Louis Hoger, G/275, also had a chance to learn the ropes as assistant secretary-treasurer before the Nashville meeting re­moved the "assistant" from his title. He worked closely with Alvin Thomas, who served two terms as secretary-treasurer. Yes, AI is Divarty, too: HQ/883 .

Four men were reappointed: Alex Johnson, H/274, and Don Docken, C/275, are Association chaplains. Edmund Arnold

1,000 strangers . 1,000 friends

By John Setting F/276

• •

I cannot find the words to describe what a tremendous time I had at my first 70th Division Reunion at Nashville. I still cannot believe what happened there .

I left San Francisco with Eugene Musso of Burlingame, Calif. While flying, a million things were racing through my mind. Would I recognize anyone? Would anyone remember me? Have we changed so much in 44 years? All these questions would soon be answered. We were met at the airport by another first-timer. He was Barney Barnett of Salem, Oregon. He was on the cover of the last " Trail­blazer" .

We proceeded to the Stouffer and while checking in a man came over and started speaking to us. He asked if I was a

T"'Ail~BLAIE~ is published four times a yeor by the 70th Infantry Division Association for its members and friends. Subscription: $10 annually.

Editor Edmund C. Arnold 3208 Hawthorne Ave. Richmond, Virginia 23222

Associate Editor Chester F. Garstki 2946 No. Harding Chicago, Illinois 60618

2

Historians Donald C. Pence Carolina Trace 285 Fairway Lane Sanford, North Carolina 21730

Dr. Eugene Petersen Star Rt. 2, Box 143 Cable, Wisconsin 54821

and Chester Garstki, both HQ/70, have been returned as editor and associate editor, respectively.

Association historians have a permanent appointment to assure continuity in compiling and maintaining the vital records of the 70th. They are Donald Pence, B/275, and Eugene Petersen, Sv/275.

Thirion is heading the search for the 1990 Reunion site and other committees will be named shortly.

At least one of them will study the constitution and by-laws to determine whether changes need to be made to adjust to chang­ing status of the Association. While a suggestion had been made that the Reunion be held annually, no action was taken . The rational was that with the average age of our members rising, members ought to have more chances to gather with their buddies . It was recommended that mini-reunions be held, either by geographical areas or by 70th units, in the off years between the big Reunions.

There were no controversial proposals made at Nashville. A new idea, brought up for the first time, was that the ladies of the members form an organized Auxiliary. Our new first lady , Mille Johnson, was asked to get opinions of the distaff side for possible action in '90.

person he knew, but I wasn't. While we were talking, all of a sudden I saw a person approaching me quickly. It was Theo Williford who I played baseball with on the Division team. That's when it all started.

Emotion ran high for the next three days. The next morn­ing when I put on my identification card and my first-time ribbon, it seemed I was approached and welcomed by every­one who was there. Never have I witnessed scenes like those of the next three days.

One thousand strangers suddenly became one thousand friends. There was electricity in the air continually . I saw many slightly bent backs suddenly straighten and dull eyes suddenly sparkle, and I heard yelps of joy, hugging and backslapping. These are the scenes I will never forget. I had such a great time I never left the hotel except for the Smiley Hollow evening.

I commend the committee for the great job they did. Wherever the ensuing reunions are to be held - an igloo in Alaska, a tent in the Sahara or a hut in darkest Africa, God willing, I'll be present and accounted for.

Volume 47 Number 1 Winter, 1989 President Norman Johnson 3344 Bryant Ave. Anoka, Minn. 55303

* Vice President-East William Kiefriter 50 Woodhill Dr. Willow Grove, Pa. 19090

* Vice President-West Paul Thirion 6669 Nicolet! Ave. Riverside, Cal. 92504

Secretary-Treasurer Louis Hoger 5825 Horton St. Mission, Kans. 66202

* President-elect Neal Gibbs 11910 Moonlight Rd. Olathe, Kans. 66061

* Asst. Sec.-T reas. Calvin Jones 227 NE 105th Ave. Portland, Ore. 97220

Chaplains Alex Johnson 833 N. Carlyle St. Arlington Heights, II. 60004

* Rev. Don Docken 920 Third St. Hudson, Wis. 54016

70th Division Assn TRAILBLAZER

TRAIL BLAZER

CHIEFS OF STAFF ...

Life roster growing The short deadline for this issue and

the transfer of records to the new sec­retary has resulted in this short list of new Life Members. Even with only this abbreviated roster, the total of 70th Lifers has reached 334. With the next issue, we hope to have all lists up to date.

California;

New officers of the Association, elected at the Nashville Reunion, are: (left to right) Top row: Paul Thirion, veep/West and William Kiefriter, veep/East.

Maurice U. Rainville, New Port Richy, Florida, and

Norbert E. Stadler, Harrison, Ohio.

***

· Front row: Neal Gibbs, president­elect; Norman Johnson, president; Cal­vin Jones, asst. sec-trez, and Louis Hoger, secty-treasurer.

The 1989 Roster was scheduled

Latest names on the Life list are: Dan C. Guzman, Fullerton,

for mailing January 2. If you have not received your copy by Feb­ruary 1, please let Lou Hoger know immediately.

The 1988 Nashville Reunion has indeed left those that attended with many pleasant memories . There are now a number of members that plan mini-reunions during the year between our regular Association reunions. I am aware of

their trips . It is a trip that awakens many memories, an excellent experience and sightseeing is breathtaking. Plans are to visit Germany, France and to include a three night cruise on the Rhine River. Some time is also set aside to visit

three that are already being planned in 1989. I would appre­ciate receiving news about all planned mini-reunions. This is an ideal way to keep in touch with our Association friends and is an

The President's Report

encouragement to come to the next Association Reunion- Nevada, 1990.

I also note that we have a limited supply of sales items left over from the Reunion and should you wish to purchase any of these articles, they are mentioned in detail on one of the following pages. Our Secy-Treas. Lou Hoger and Asst Secy-Treas. Calvin Jones are in charge.

Floyd and Sharlene Freeman are again organizing a " Re­turn to Europe" trip this fall - September 21st through October 6, 1989. Many of us have been on one or more of

Winter, 1989

Norman Johnson

one of the International cemeteries and also the area where the 70th Division was in Battle.

The History Book has been an outstanding project, prompting a great big thank you to our Editor Ed Arnold and Associate Editor and Photographer Chet Garstki for its completion after hundreds of hours on the "drawing Board."

On behalf of the officers, myself and our wives, we take this opportunity to extend to all members, their wives and families best wishes for 1989.

3

Seems Like Old Times By Edmund C. Arnold

This is being written on Halloween, another indicator of the horrific things that have happened to the publication schedule of this magazine. Even as I write, the last issue (Fall '88) of this notable periodical is being folded and stapled at the printer.

(It was mailed on November 2, just 32 days late. Fortunately, many "TBs" got super-service from the postal system. It took only 24 hours for my own copy to travel 2V2 miles to my home and only a week to get 500 miles north to Syracuse, New York. This breaks all previous rec­ords. Hope yours arrived just as promptly.)

Please believe that it was not my fault we are so askew. I did half the magazine before I left for the Nashville Reunion and you'll notice how many pages were de­voted to that soiree, and obviously couldn't be written ahead of time.

Then the printer ran into some prob­lems. Then I had to resume my customary travel schedule which I had amputated all summer to work on the History Book.

The book lies in page-proof form on my desk right now. I shall read proof on air­planes, in waiting rooms and in my hotel. This is the most laborious, painstaking and nerve-wracking of all the many processes in producing a book. But I'm sure you'll be happy when it comes out (any day now).

* Good news!!! If you want extra copies of the book,

there are a few available. According to the "trade customs of printing", a printer may deliver 10 percent fewer or more than the order specifies. This is because that's the closest he can come to estimating spoilage factor. And in mak­ing a book, there can be wastage on the press, in the trimming, folding and sew­ing and in the combining of the book itself with its cover - which has been manufactured at a distant point.

So we have some extras. But it's first­come-first-served. So if you want extra copies ... hubba-hubba!! Send 25 bucks per copy to Lou Hoger (address at the foot of page 2).

* Speaking of The Book - which is all I've done for over a year. If you didn't get your anecdote in on time, here's what you can do. Send me "The War Story I Want To Tell My Grandchildren". I'll print it in

4

the magazine. Then you cut it out and paste it onto your Personal History page in The Book.

* If you can possibly typewrite your magazine contribution, I'd appreciate it. BUT ... I'll take it in any form at all. And don't worry about spelling or grammar. That's the editor's job. Just shoot 'em in to me.

* After 35 years working for the federal

government, Patrick C. Lennahan, 725th Field Artillery, retired as a car­tographic engineer. He died June 23, 1987 in University City, Missouri. He leaves his wife Constance and two brothers.

* At least two Trailblazers were happy about the Presidential election. Gen. Ted Mataxis, 2nd Bn HQ/276, was a gear in the Veterans for Bush committee in North Carolina. With Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, Ted networked among the 683,000 veterans in the state.

We're anxious to know whether any other 70th men won local elections or were active in campaigns.

* That "Milwaukee Journal" front page on V -E Day that ran on page 9 of the last issue was sent by Francis Diehn, C/882 FA. I thank him as I do all you guys who send me such interesting stuff. Remember that I have a pleasantly large backlog of material and I just can't guarantee when your contribution will see print. But it will! It will!

* Two Distinguished Unit Badges are among the decorations won by Fred Bon­sall, Jr. He was given the first one in the Aleutian Campaign and the second for the Wingen action.

As a civilian he was engaged in agricul­ture and worked in a body shop. With his wife Elizabeth he has four daughters. He was mayor of Delmar, Delaware for six years; chairman of the commissioners of Sussex County and director of Natiocoke Memorial Hospital.

* Having just completed a Master Gar-dener course at Clemson University, John Haller, A/276, is assisting neighborhood gardeners in Columbia, South Carolina, with their garden, plant and lawn prob-

!ems. He and his wife Lillian (whose maiden name was also Haller!) moved down there five years ago after John re­tired after 35 years as a production and inventory control manager for a manu­facturing company that makes portable pneumatic air tools for the automotive industry.

* The Dog-Face Soldier I wouldn't give a bean To be a fancy-pants Marine. /' d rather be a dog-face soldier like I am.

I wouldn't trade my old ODs For all the Navy dungarees, 'Cause/' m a walking pride of Uncle Sam.

And all the posters that I read They say that the Army builds men. So they're really tearing me down To build me over again.

/' m just a dog-face soldier Witil a rifle on my shoulder And I eat a Kraut for breakfast every day. So feed me ammunition; /' m from the 70th Division! Your dogjace soldier boy is quite OK.

This touching song was composed by George Beckey, AT/275. He didn't send along the music but I'm sure you can find some tune it fits.

* 01' Eagle Eye Lou Hoger, our seck-trez, spotted this in the caption for the bayonet-fighting photo on page 5 of the Summer, '88 issue.

It said that the men were wearing lace­up leggings, a carryover from World War I. Lou informs us that in the first big war, Gis wore wrap-around leggings, like khaki bandages. He remembers that his father, who served with the 6th Field Artil­lery, brought his home after the war. We were correct though, hevvins be praised!, when we said that the laced leggings were replaced - just before we went overseas - with the combat boot.

* It just occurred to me: I wonder how many 70th men had fathers in World War I. My dad, married and with a family, apparently was not in the eligible age group. I had a passel of uncles, all younger than my father, who were in the service. Of course, the percentage of the male population that was drafted in 1918 was much, much smaller than the WW2 numbers.

70th Division Assn TRAILBLAZER

Morris Rowland, U276, and his wife Jean had their reservations for the Portland meeting and were looking forward so ea­gerly. Morris had only recently learned about the Association and become a mem­ber. The very morning they were to leave, he became ill. His condition worsened and in December, 1986, he passed away.

Walden L. Christenson, 1st Bn HQ/275 , had made Nashville reserva­tions . But a 2-year battle with lung cancer ended on July 30. His wife Barbara writes: "We had just been married when he went

· into service and I followed him to Camp White, Adair and Leonard Wood."

* Our Artillery section marks three losses by death . George Fitter, B/883 , died August 3, ' 88 and Harry George, B/884, died in April. Another B Battery man of the 884th, George Elliott died in 1985. They were missed by the unusually large turnout of artillerymen at Nashville . James McAndrew of Baker/884, made this sad report.

Spared a long, painful illness was At­ticus Oliver, AT/275. He passed on quickly after a heart attack on July 30, 1987 , in his home in Commerce, Georgia. His widow Naomi says her one wish would have been that they could have attended the Reunion.

His buddies in the 274th Medics will be sad to learn that Robert Van Osdel died in April , 1987. He had a long illness with bone cancer. His wife Ruth lives at 927 N. San Vincent Blvd . , Apt. 3-A, West Hollywood, California 90069, if you want to drop her a note.

* With full military honors Harold Lov-itsch, AT/276, was laid to rest in Broad­view, Illinois, June 22, '88 . " Harold was older than many of his buddies , therefore they looked to him for guidance and a

7th generation Sgt/1st Class Edward Lane, our un­

official liaison with the new 70th Division in Michigan , missed the Nashville Re­union for a good reason. He and his wife were attending the graduation of their daughter from Army basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

She is the seventh generation of the family to serve in the Army . Her great­great-great-great grandfather was with the 81st New York Infantry in the Civil War. She's still going to high school and when she gets her diploma in the spring, she'll go back for further training as a food specialist.

Winter, 1989

II MOVEMBEIU~$

TRULY A VETERANS DAY November 11, 1945, was marked on the high seas by many Trailblazers who came home on the USS LeJeune. This issue of the ship's newspaper noted that it was the 14th Atlantic voyage that the transport had made.

fatherly image that he lovingly gave and and that they sought. We kept in contact with many of his Army friends over the years and attended several Reunions." So recalls his widow Valerie.

* Walter Cox, E/274, has a couple thoughts after the Reunion . " Since several (grown) sons and daughters of members attended the Reunion, I thought that now is the time to allow them to become members as 'Sons and Daughters of the Associ­ation ' .' ' (They can in effect do so now by becoming Associate Members . -Ed.)

"I don't believe we should meet more often than every two years. However, I see the possibility that each state might have a convention during the off year." (Some members said that the great turnout at Nashville meant that they hardly saw some people except across the crowded hotel lobby. -Ed.)

" I wonder whether the dance after the banquet is a little past us now. Maybe it should be dropped. The banquet goes quite a while and many people want to visit afterward, not dance." (The dance floor seemed well occupied in Nashville and the alternative visiting is still possible and popular. But what do you think about Wally's suggestions?- Ed.)

*

Several ITilm-reunions, in addition to the Nashville soiree, made happy occa­sions for Trailblazers last summer.

For three days the conversation barely slowed down for a little sleeping and a little eating at Amana Colony , Iowa. The occasion was a mini-reunion of the 3rd Battalion Medics 6f the 276th - the fust since the war ended.

O.F. and Dee Jones, Clyde and Ruth Craig, both ofHQ/76, and Jim and Margy Satterlee, 3rd Battalion , met in Iowa, a central point for them. Jim lives in St. Elmo, Illinois; Jonesy in Arcadia, Mis­souri, and Clyde in Troy, Michigan.

Company B, 370th Medical Battalion met in Bella Vista , Arkansas. Thirteen veterans attended and three more had to • cancel out the last minute . They had such a good time that they' 11 gather in May, 1990, either in Bella Vista again or in Fresno, California. Freeman Bishop is in charge and invites you to write him at: 312 So. 3rd St., Arkansas City , Kansas 67208 .

* How nice it is to announce that Mary Sue, the wife of Donald "Charlie" Pence has successfully sustained surgery for can­cer. Although she faces an extended pe­riod of therapy, her progress has been excellent.

* 'Blazers who have made the Return-to-Europe trip will remember Heinz Muller. He and his wife Alice were often in the welcoming party when the plane landed in Europe. Now Floyd Freeman, U275, re­ports that Heinz died of congestive heart failure on October 16. If you want to drop a note to Alice, her address is: Buch­enberger Strasse 42; 2800 Bremen, West Germany .

* Take an o, cut it at 6 o' clock , bend it inward at 3 o'clock- and you have an e. We did it a lot easier in the last issue- we just hit the wrong key. The result: We changed Irwin C. Cone to "Cene" in the New Members listing .

We apologize. And to make sure no one overlooks this correction, we make it not only here but in the New Members roster, too.

Memorial What a wonderful gesture! Rita Gervais entered a Life

Membership in memory of her husband Donald Gervais, G/274.

He died on February 2, 1988.

5

,

Mail Call I saw Peebles die

In the Spring '88 issue "Playing Dead", by Walter Bogart, SV/276, is true. I was in K/276 and Lt. Glenn Pee­bles was 3rd Platoon CO. I saw him die. We were entering this town (north of Wingen) early in the morillng. I remember it was some kind of sports arena where it happened. Lt. Peebles, leading the pla­toon, opened the gate and the booby trap exploded- killing him instantly. He was not the only casualty I witnessed and I consider myself lucky . I enjoy The Trail­blazer but have a hard time convincing my two grown grandsons about the events .

W. F. Carnathan K/276

* I was there, too Regarding Walter Bogart's article: I

was on guard that night, walking the 300 yards from the railroad trestle to the cross­road of Wingen just an hour before the attack that resulted in Lt. Peebles and Cooke playing dead. About a week later I was with Lt. Peebles on patrol when he was killed by a booby-trapped gate.

The " Trailblazer" issues have brought back many memories, most especially the night of the attack on the Tower of For­bach. I look forward to the magazine. I would like very much to locate William Criqui, 1/276 . If anyone knows him, please write me at: 3970 Oaks Clubhouse Drive, Pompano Beach, Florida 33060.

Larry Brandt 11276

* A good Oregon book

When discussing our ''Trail­blazer"name with a brother of mine, he told me of a book which he thought would be interesting to me. The book is: "The Cabin at the Trail's End" , by Sheba Hargreaves.

Most of the books and movies I have seen in reference to the Oregon settlers have been about what was experienced by them in getting to Oregon . This one is mostly about what life was like after arriv­ing in the Willamette Valley in November, 1843 , with some flashbacks to happenings on the trail.

6

I live in Mesquite, Texas, and our li­brary did not have the book and it was not available from any of the libraries in Dal­las or the Metroplex area. The Mesquite library did find it, after a few months, and got it for me from the Siskiyou County Free Library, Yreka, California. The book appeared to have been well used . I found it interesting.

Earl Hargrave C/274

* After the war •••

I was a sheet metal worker before induc­tion into the service, having worked at the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washing­ton, and for a Naval gun-relining plant at Pocatello, Idaho. I was eligible for rehire to Morrison-Knudson, the largest con­struction company in the world, but due to circumstances I did not reapply for em­ployment with them. I did start a new occupation in accounting and office man­agement and worked in this area over 23 years . I am presently employed at the College of Southern Idaho in their Physi­cal Plant Department.

Raymond Orr F/275

* Homecoming schedule I was S-1 of the 276th during combat

and when the Division left the ETO. From letters to my family in 1945 I have drawn up this schedule: HQ/276 left Wetzlar, Germany on Sept. 3. In Camp St. Louis , Sept. 11-16. Camp Phillip Morris, Sept. 22 . Tidworth Barracks, England, Sept. 30.

Left Southampton , England, Oct. 4 and arrived in New York five days later on the Queen Elizabeth . From N.Y. I went to Camp Kilmer, N.J. and was discharged at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. I don't recall being a part of any deactivation ceremony for the regiment or division.

Franklin Retzke HQ/276

* Reunion too late En route to the Reunion , we stopped

over near Atlanta. I remembered that one of our old platoon lived in that general area . Two calls for information and I

tracked him down. Unfortunately Ernest Swain, E/274, had died in July 1987. Also unfortunately he never learned about the Association. His wife said he would have been eager to join as he spoke so often about his old 70th buddies.

William "Don" Donofrio E/274

* Service was fitting

I wonder if anyone else at the Memorial Service at Nashville thought as I did: If all the emotions, doubts, anxieties and an­guish experienced by the people in this room during the many years of 1942-46 could be measured and filtered into one unit , the energy involved would be com­parable to an atomic blast .

I thought that it was a wonderful service and a fitting way to end a beautiful Reunion .

Charles Lobs K/275

* A 20-year plus man is Troy DeHart, AT/274. He joined the Army in 1940 and retired in 1963 when he was with the 5th Aviation Bn , 5th Division , at Fort Carson, Colorado. He saw service in the Aleutians before joining the 70th at Adair.

He married Mary Ann Guelig in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and they have two sons. He owned his own business there before retirement.

DOYLE, James J. 242 Graff Avenue Bronx, NY 10465 U276 Died April 26, 1988

FISHER, William L. 810 King Albert Street Austin, TX 787 45 Died October 15, 1988

WATKINS, Clarence Kingsburg, CA F/274 Died 1974

WILLIAMS, Virgil C. (Poppy} Sv/275 Died June 1988 Taps

70th Division Assn TRAILBLAZER

WE HONOR OUR OWN ... The highest accolade the Association can give is to name a fellow-member as an Outstanding Trailblazer. These seven of our comrades were so singled

Jeep bites man My outfit, stationed at Boppard, Ger­

many, was guarding one of the important pontoon bridges across the Rhine . On Ap­rilS, 1945, a detail of ours was being taken to the river in a jeep. The next thing I knew the jeep was on top of me and I got my leg busted up pretty bad. I never did find out what happened as they took me right away and I spent the next 16 months in hospitals .

I would like to hear from anyone who remembers me or anything about this inci­dent. I joined the 70th as a replacement in the Saarland after basic training at Fort McClelland, Alabama.

After service I was a machinist and rural letter carrier in Ohio.

Chester Robinson W276

* Pays to advertise Once again I must tell you and your staff

how much I enjoy the 'Trailblazer' . It 's too bad it isn't 20 or 24 pages instead of 16.

I placed an ad about the Reunion in a local newspaper and that brought us a new member, Fred Bruning, E/276. I realize that one new member doesn't sound like much but it was certainly worth the effort of writing, typing and getting the notice in print.

When Fred called and said he didn't know of our Association and was so glad to hear of it, it made me feel good.

Ed Kraus F/274

I was sitting, waiting while the brakes on my van were being fixed. I started

Winter, 1989

out at the Nashville Reunion. From the left they are: Paul McCoy,

Charles Munie, George Barten, Lee Mil­ler, Louis Hoger, Karl Landstrom and Edward Hawes.

~

talking to another man who was waiting . Lo and behold! Another Trailblazer! He had never heard of the Association . He is Charles Wheeler, 1/275.

Bill Fisher AT/275

* In our local library I recently came upon a book, "Order of Battle U.S . Army­W.W.II" by Shelby Stanton.

In the account of the 70th's activities, I noted that the casualties we suffered were considerable. We had 755 KIA and 2,713 WIA , staggering numbers considering the time our division was in combat.

I also noted with some annoyance that the 45th Div's writeup included a state­ment that the 45th had captured Wingen on January 7th, 1945. Clearly untrue, since it was the 2nd Bn/274 which recaptured Wingen during the 6th and 7th of January, 1945 .

Our Battalion was later recognized for this effort with award of the Unit Citation. If memory serves me correct! y, units of the 45th had been overrun by the Germans prior to the 2nd Bn's recapture ofWingen.

Don' t know if you were aware of any of the foregoing, but I don't recall seeing any of it in previous "Trailblazers".

W. Don Donofrio E/274

* Association records have shown Don-ald Bowles in Sv Co/274/275/276 . Now he sets the record straight:

"I was in the cadre from the 91st Divi­sion as assistant Division Quartermaster. Ours was the oldest unit in the Trail­blazers. I became Division QM and Lt.

Col. in 1944 and went overseas - and came back - as Division QM."

* The Christmas , 1965 , "Trailblazer" has been donated by Floyd Freeman, 1/275, to our files. It consists of seven legal-size sheets of various colors, Hekto­graphed in fading purple.

Dwight Snell, Sv/275, did double duty as editor and seck-trez of the Association.

Among its new items is the story that Quincy Scott , designer of the 70th shoul­der patch, had been killed in an auto acci­dent near Portland. A veteran of WWl, he did a special tour of duty just before Pearl Harbor. He was staff artist for the Portland "Oregonian" when he designed the axe­head emblem.

* Remember that famous picture of the 'Blazers taking a roadside rest stop? It ran in the Winter, '88 issue. A new member, Dan Guzman, 2nd Bn HQ/274, recog­nized himself, the guy alongside the trailer, looking at the camera.

Dan was in the cadre from the 91st. He recalls, near Forbach, when he and Lt. Seibert went scrounging for parts from a disabled jeep and were chased away by German artillery fire. He also recalls , as his happiest experience during service, going to the opera at Wiesbaden. "It was great!" But even being sent home did not lessen the unhappiness of being separated from his 70th buddies.

Dan is a ceramic tile installer in Full­erton, California. He and his wife Lupe have four daughters.

* Instructing troops at the Field Artillery Replacement Training Center at Fort Sill , Oklahoma, gave Paul Connell, A and B/884 FA, his happiest military experi­ence. ''There was great satisfaction in seeing brand-new recruits adapt to the training and leave as sharp soldiers," he recalls .

Paul's civic activities are many: Opti­mists, Kiwanis, Retired Officers Associ­ation, Military Order of the Purple Heart, for instance. He's a member of the school board at Yardley, Pennsylvania, and the joint school board of Yardley , Mansfield and Falls Township. He's also Shade Tree Commissioner of his town.

* Merle Coyle, K/275, fought the whole Italian Campaign before joining the 70th . He has retired from General Motors and is now a gentleman farmer in Drayton Plains , Michigan. He's a past commander of his V .F . W. post. He and his wife Mar­jorie have two sons, two daughters and a grandchild.

7

r

On February 23, before Saarbrucken, my squad was down to only eight men, all of them replacements. My BAR man was David Storey of Littlefield, Texas, who had been with me only two weeks. When I was wounded in both legs and evacuated, he took over as squad leader.

About three months later, I was in the military hospital in Tacoma, Washington. I received a Jetter from Mr. and Mrs. Storey asking if I knew how David had been killed. I had no knowledge of his death. I wrote to our company clerk who told me David and his squad were left as a rear guard while the rest of the company withdrew. The day after I was hit, the squad was overrun and everyone was killed. The Jetter to his parents was the hardest I ever had to write; we cor­responded for 20 years until they both died.

At Halloran General Hospital in New York, where we were first taken, we were told we could have anything we wanted. Every man in the group asked for the same thing: A glass of milk. They gave each of us a quart and I have never tasted anything as good.

James M. Larson A/275

The war Story I Want When the forward observer for our bat­

tery was killed, a lieutenant came where we were guarding some 105s and asked for a volunteer to take over. No one volun­teered, so he volunteered me. I carried that damn radio on my back until the war ended. I didn't know anything about a radio, I was a machine gunner. I think I ought to get the Infantryman's Badge; I spent all my time with the foot soldiers.

One day I got a scratch-wound on my leg when the Germans opened up with everything they had. I didn't report it, thinking it just a scratch. I was so scared I didn't even bleed much. Thirty years later I started having trouble with my knees. I spent some time in the VA hospital in San Antonio and there I found out that that scratch left a piece of metal in my leg. They can't remove it because it's right against the bone.

Ciprian Trejo B/884

I was one of 12 men taken prisoner on the morning of Feb. 22, '45 on the Sieg­fried Line at Saarbrucken. Our orders were to attack several large buildings in that area."

On the evening before, we were dis­covered infiltrating the enemy lines and were fired upon by machine guns and automatic weapons. We were ordered to dig in. During the night the enemy brought in tanks and a large number of infantry. All hell broke loose at dawn! A short while later it was all over. I was held captive at Stalag 5A about three weeks and then marched for about 70 days all told.

Charles Locha A/275

* We were in reserve behind the front lines near Wingen. I was sleeping peace­fully on a hillside when I was awakened by heavy automatic firing. As I zipped open my sleeping bag, I saw tracer bullets zooming over my head. How could the Germans attack us, I wondered, when we were in Corps reserve, supposedly far be­hind the front lines?

That was my baptism of fire near Wingen, France. After the battle, with our company down to half strength, we were assigned to clear the area of scattered, starving Germans who were hiding in the woods. Our orders were to take Hill1538. When we climbed to the top we were heavily fired upon. We hit the dirt. Then zeroed-in 88s hit us. Only 26 able-bodied men came off that hill.

It was much happier on V-E Day. We had two treats - the end of the war and five gallons of ice cream.

Earlier in the day two of our boys were walking down the street in Wetzlar. A German proprietor of a shop asked if they were with Company C. When they said yes, he gave them the ice cream. We hoped the guys in Charlie Company never found out we had eaten their delicacy.

John Haller A/276

* Ammo bearers and other Gis who had to

tote heavy equipment carried the much­lighter carbines and 45 pistols. Not James Bates, D/274; he had to lug an M-1 rifle along with ammo for a heavy .30 machine gun. But the Army had mercy on him; it

70th Division Assn TRAILBLAZER

To Tell My Grandchildren didn't give him any ammunition for the rifle.

''I was assigned to the 70th from a repple-depple in France in March, '45 as an 'MOS 745, replacement rifleman'. Di­vision said I'd get bullets for my M-1 at Regiment. Regiment said I'd get 'em at Battalion, etc. I was assigned to a Heavy Weapons Company D, still with my bull­etless M-1. I had weighed 144 pounds but quickly got down to 132 and I had a prob­lem handling the rifle (plus a clip and two bandoliers that they finally gave me), and a backpack with three 20-pound boxes of ammo.

* We set up in a concrete bunker (west of

Philippsbourg), taking turns to keep the gun firing all night. I was sleeping when we were hit. I awoke just in time to see Kosko fly back from the gun; Gartzke rushed forward to get the gun in action again. How he kept from getting killed is beyond me because the bullets were coming in through an aperture. I caught some splinters. Almost immediately another American gun opened up - what beautiful music! The fight was over as fast as it started. I knew we had to move the gun- but where?

I took two riflemen with me to see if we could find someone who knew what was going on and with whom we could set up a defense. I headed to what I thought was east, toward P-bourg. When I looked at a map, years later, I found I was going in the opposite direction.

I ran into Joseph Kopy, 1st Platoon's heavy machine gun section, and some of his men trying to find a way out of the complete German encirclement. But we were taken prisoner.

Roy Benda, D/275

* (Editor's note: The horrors of his im­

prisonment put grave psychological bur­dens on Benda for 40 years. He began to get relief when he found some old 70th buddies and for the first time was able to talk about his travail.)

* In July, 1945, after returning to my unit

from a hospital, I received orders to take a

Winter, 1989

detachment back to the States to a reorga­nizing Infantry Division headed for the Pacific Theater. It was to be in the final assault on the homeland of Japan the next spring.

Our small group of less than two dozen arrived at the Tarreyton staging area out­side LeHavre along with about 2,000 others, boarded the Central Falls Victory for a trip across the North Atlantic to Norfolk, Virginia. I do not believe I saw a wave or swell less than 50 feet high the whole trip. It was certainly no comparison to the trip on the West Point to Marseilles. I picked up a bad skin rash from dirty bedding on the ship but within 30 days after we landed, V-J day ended the war.

My transfer from the 70th influenced my decision to not remain in the service and make a career of it. But I remained with the 4th Division until December, 1945, when they transferred their field­commissioned officers to the Infantry School at Fort Benning for additional training.

Raymond Orr F/276

* A highlight of our crossing on the trip to

Marseilles: As we passed Gibraltar, a Spit­fire or Hurricane streaked at mast-height across the ship. A soldier next to me pointed toward Africa: "That's France" and, pointing to Spain, "that's England." I figured he'd do well in Europe.

A small guy - he literally dragged the butt of the BAR on the ground at Leonard Wood- was always sounding off about what he was going to do to the dastardly Huns once he got to the ETO. Loaded down with his pack and gear, at Marseille, he yelled, "Lafayette, we are here!" and jumped into the lighter taking us to the dock. He skidded across the metal floor of the smaller craft, right into a bulkhead and was hauled away in a stretcher with a broken leg.

I left CP2 to go to a bistro in the city. I was talking with a Frenchman when someone started shooting at me. My com­panion said, "This isn't a German sniper; the shots were aimed at me. We are set­tling scores ."

Those ''Resistance Fighters'' never missed a meal or a cigarette ration but were never around when we needed local guides

for a patrol or to point out where German sympathizers might be living.

As we travelled north by 40-and-8 near Luneville there was a German corpse lying near the railroad embankment. I wonder why he was left there, boots and all; it had been months since fighting in that area. Was he left there to impress us with the seriousness of the business at hand? Or was it a dummy, for the same purpose? I hoped the latter.

Corning home on an Army transport from Bremerhaven, the first thing we heard directly from the States was: "Pepsi-Cola hits the spot!"

Paul Gartenmann B/275

* ''There were three of us who joined Dog Company. One was a guy who had been wounded, had recovered and was re­turning to action. The first sergeant thought he ought to get a break and made him a company runner with a jeep to drive.

"The other was a kid, just a week older than I. (He was born July 26, 1926, which makes him the fourth youngest Trailblazer on our rolls. Who was Jim's companion replacement?/Ed.) I was drafted Sept. 8, '44 and turned 19 some 2 Y2 months after V-E Day.

"I was so young I didn't shave once all the while I was in combat and didn't have a whisker when we were pulled off the line. I shaved occasionally just to be one of the guys.

"After being transferred to the 3rd Di­vision as a low-pointer, I enlisted in the Air Corps, had 45 days leave at home and went back to Europe for two years of Occupation duty.''

Four Panzer tanks had taken shelter behind a formidable stone house on the outskirts of Forbach and were firing at us. I was a forward observer and was directing our fire upon them. Although I didn't request it, someone in rear headquarters

(Continued on next page)

Personal additions for the 70th History Book

9

War Story (Continued)

deemed the target important enough for "TOT"- that's "time on target" . Each artillery piece within range of the target fues in accordance with its distance from the target. Theoretically, all rounds hit at the same time.

Each gun - there must have been close to a hundred- fired four rounds. Excite­ment! Noise! Dust! Smoke! Confusion! The tanks, well protected by the now­battered stone house, finally limped and lumbered off.

Later I was wounded in the chest and arm by a sniper with a burp gun. He was concealed at the top of the railroad em­bankment on the outskirts of Forbach.

Paul Connell A and B/884 FA

* An interesting second thought: " I thought at the time that my happiest

military experience was receiving my dis­charge at Fort Meade, Maryland on May 16, 1946," recalls Addison Smith, G/276.

"Thinking back, though, it could have easily been the transition from civilian to soldier during basic training at Camp Fan­ning, Texas."

He came to Florida and worked as a machinist until 1951 when he joined the Air Force and served in Korea. Then he went to the 56th Air Command Wing in Northern Thailand. He and his wife Lovie have a son and three grandkids .

* In Wingen-sur-Moder at dusk on Janu-ary 6, 1945 , Company G/274 was victim of a vicious counterattack by the 60th Mountain Division (Nord). The company was split and I was able to get most of my men back to the edge of town and safety. However, I had to leave 28 men behind , their fate unknown .

After regrouping, I asked Col. Wallace Cheves, my battalion CO, to allow me to go back immediately to recapture the lost ground and to rejoin my men left there. The wise colonel ordered me to wait till 9 o'clock the next morning. That was the longest night of my life. Fortunately I selected as a CP a house where a machine gun squad from Company H was set up. The gun was manned by Sgt Harold Kline and Hy Schorr, both older than this 22-year-old lieutenant. Their counsel and kindness, along with the comforting Southern drawl of Col. Cheves, over the radio , helped me through the night.

When G Company finally got the go­ahead to attack, I believe we could have busted through to Berlin . We got our 28 buddies back and to this day I don't blush about the big kiss and hug I hung on Mark Everett, Elbert Feaster, George Krumme and the other G men.

Fred Cassidy G/274

* Just before he entered Germany with B/270 Engineers, Forrest Moore met his brother who was with the 8th Armored Division. That was his most memorable experience in the ETO.

Forrest joined the 70th at Adair, a few miles from his Corvallis home. He was engaged in farming and mining in Oregon after the war. With his wife Alice, he has two daughters, a son and five grandchildren.

* A letter to Cannon Company, 275: I often regretted that I attacked without

reserve on January 2 at Philippsbourg. It was contrary to all my training but it was the only way I could carry out my objec­tive. I could not assume that the units on my left would fail to attack.

The Krauts were not slow in jumping through the gap on our left front. Those four companies were really out on a limb. Philippsbourg was a mess. There was nothing between P-bourg and open country except Cannon Company and the 275th

CP. If Cannon had failed to hold, the CP could have done little to save VI Corps HQ and its several divisions from "serious embarrassment.''

But Cannon laid its guns down and blew away that Kraut battalion to hell . That, and that alone, gave me time to find some tanks and send them in with Col. Jack Malloy. Time was gained to bring up the 1st Battalion of 274 and regain the initiative.

It was a close call. The fact that you stayed in there and slugged it out for those six tough days without a casualty, earned you plenty that was never granted.

Col. Albert Morgan HQ/276

* It isn't often that an infantryman wins the Air Medal , but Theodore Heck, 3rd Bn HQ/274, won the rare distinction on February 18, 1945.

His citation explains: " Lt. Heck, then Battalion S-1, directed

his battalion in the attack on Pfaffenberg Hill, an outpost of the Siegfried Line at Spichern, France, from a cub plane.

''Communicating with the ground troops by radio and through an artillery liaison officer, Heck controlled the movement of the troops, pointing out the objectives and disclosing the position of some hundred German troops.

''The attack was successful with sur­prisingly light casualties solely because of the lieutenant. Flying at about 1 ,000 feet and exposed to small-arms ftre of the en­emy , he was able to alter the original plan and point out new objectives to the men on the ground. The battalion held the hill for three days against two severe counter­attacks and then moved forward in a 4-day attack that stopped at the dragon's teeth at Saarbrucken."

Heck was just as effective on the ground . The next day he won the Bronze Star at Etzling . Learning from a French­man that there were some 10 Germans in the basement of a house, the lieutenant went in alone, disarmed and took the Ger­mans prisoner.

W estern 'Blazers plan mini-reunion

10

Plan ahead! A Western States Mini-Reunion will be held at Buena

Park, California , Saturday , March 4. Paul Thirion, VP/ West; Doug Jeffery, F/275, and Floyd Freeman, U275, are making plans.

They 've whipped up a dandy package at the Embassy Suites Hotel which includes an overnight in a suite, breakfast

cooked to your order, a 120-minute happy hour and a Fellowship Room and a chicken dinner at Knott 's Berry Farm. All this for only $112 per couple .

Space is limited (remember Nashville!) so deadline for reservations is January 30. Send your check to Freeman Travel Service, 8959 California Ave. , South Gate, Califor­nia 90280.

70th Division Assn TRAILBLAZER

In January, Heck had won the Silver Star at Philippsbourg. Armed with a light machine gun, he led the attack on strong positions, concentrating fire and throwing hand grenades . "His leadership and clear thinking inspired his men to such heights that the mission was successfully accom­plished with surprising light casualties."

* While I was in occupation in Lorch, Germany, my wife Rose Marie gave birth to twin sons, John and Walter, back in The Bronx . Some of the German civilians threw a party for me and I still have the poster they made for the occasion .

Walter Mosher H/274

* My wife's cousin, who I met in Oc­tober, 1945 in Ludwigsburg, Germany was a member of the Yolks Grenadier division. He was 45 at the time, and was in Forbach, France, on the German side of the railroad tracks. It was interesting to hear his side of the battle.

My wife during the war lived in Essen, but was transferred at 15 in '44 to South Germany because of the bombing in Es­sen. Her cousin owned a cafe in Lu­dwigsburg , and on top of that she was the only L.D.S. Mormon I ever met in Ger­many of all places. War indeed is strange.

Gerald Adamietz B/274

After fighting all month in the Vosges Mountains , mostly in a situation where my strong 3rd Platoon replaced all of C Com-

Winter, 1989

pany on the side of a steep mountain with the Germans above us, we had a 15-mile withdrawal. My rifle platoon, a machine gun squad and anti-tank squad and Maj. Paul Durbin were selected to cover the pull-back. We had a truck and we were to stay at a major intersection to cover the rear until daybreak.

All the other 274th men walked all the way to straighten our main line.

During the night, as we waited, listened and talked very little, about 3:30 a.m. Durbin asked me if I didn ' t see some light on the horizon. I agreed. We gathered everyone together and boarded the truck and pulled out. It was a tense time and would have been suicide if the Germans had found out about the withdrawal.

Walter Cox E/274

* Two wounds were not sufficient to keep John Hildebrand, N274 , out of action for very long. He was wounded at Phil­ippsbourg in January, then at Spicheren Heights two months later. He survived both and was discharged in May, 1948 .

He was personnel director for Anaheim Union High School in California and re­tired in 1986 after 35 years with school systems, including 10 years at Middle­bourne, Iowa, and then several California districts .

He and his wife Marjorie June have a son, a daughter and a grandchild.

* Going to ASTP at Brigham Young Uni-versity in Provo, Utah, was a happy ep-

GOODBYE, OREGON ... As the 70th moved from Camp Adair to Fort Leonard Wood in 1944, one of the last duties of Pfc Lloyd Fevurly, HQ Co/70, was to remove the big axehead from Division Headquarters and take it along to mark the Missouri nerve center for the Trailblazers.

isode in my military career. Much less happy was when I crawled over to my friend in action in France after he had been shot by a sniper. I found he was dead. It sure hurt when I had to leave him as we retreated.

Joseph R. Doyle 1/275

* The war had just ended and Cannon Company, 274, was in occupation at Hahn, Germany: Population 150, about 14 kilometers from Wiesbaden. Our softball team challenged everyone around us and we were undefeated,' ' recalls Danny Mays, CN/274. "In later years I had five contracts with the Pittsburgh Pirates and played at Hornell, New York; Greenville, Alabama; Salisbury, North Carolina; New Iberia, Louisiana, and Hagerstown , Mary­land."

He is a life member of the Association of Professional Baseball Players of Amer­ica and assistant coach at Western Mary­land College.

* Only days after discharge in April, '46, Richard "Dick" Bagley, B/884, went to work in his family store in Machias , Maine . He later became owner and man­ager.

''After working 60 to 70 hours a week for 15 years , I decided that wasn't the life for me.'' So he joined the staff of the local savings bank and 25 years later retired as its president.

* Caught in the Air Force riff of 1944 was Maurice "Chink" Wisecarver, B/884. Drafted in '43, he took artillery basic and advanced training , then was chosen to be an aviation cadet. When that program was severely curtailed, he joined the 70th at Adair.

After the war he worked in the family men's clothing business 36 years. Now he has retired from the post office .

11

Archives All Trailblazers- especially those who

have joined recently- are invited to send in material for these Archives. Tell where and when you joined, and then left, the service. What has been your post-war oc­cupation? What's your wife's name and how many children, or grandchildren, do you have? What organizations have you been active in as a civilian?

Describe your most scary, most inter­esting, most humorous, most astounding, most-anything military experience. What decorations were you awarded? Civic of­fices and awards , elected positions and anything else that you think might interest your old Army buddies.

Armand Boucher, H/274, and his wife Irene have been back to Europe six times and one every trip travelled through Ger­many. In Wiesbaden, he and four other Gls operated the 274th Regimental En­listed Men's Club.

Armand is president of an electrical wire company in Muskegon, Michigan. The Bouchers have two daughters and three grandkids.

* He may be the only opera singer in the Association. But whether he's alone or has company, Donald Pentz, B/884, has an impressive musical hobby. He's a member of three professional opera companies, Baltimore, Philadelphia Lyric Opera and Philly Grand Opera. He was also a soloist, choir director and amateur actor in drama · and musicals.

He was one of the aviation cadets who came to the 70th in their unhappy fall of '43. He had served in the Field Artillery, with ASTP in Indiana, Infantry, Combat Engineers, Army Air Corps and the para­troops before becoming a 70th artillery­man.

As a civilian he's a designer of electrical merchanisms. His wife Betty presented him with a son and two daughters who in turn have produced three grandchildren.

* Although Edwin Neill, C/275, was married, the father of two sons and work­ing with single men, he still received Pres­idential Greetings from his draft board and was sent to Adair.

An equal surprise was when he moved to Leonard Wood- and found his wife Marie was there ahead of him.

12

In Philipps bourg he was• temporarily blinded by facial wounds and losing blood fast. Sgt. John Mercy lived up to his name; he came out under fire and got Ed to the aid station in the church. He credits surgeons at Vitell Hospital in Marseilles and Crile General in Cleveland with ''the most skillful job" he saw in service.

* "Personnel psychologist" is the inter-esting job description that James Schmitt owns. (Jim: We don't have your company or regiment. Plz send!) So he's been head of employment for several major corpora­tions in San Diego, where he has three children and a grandchild.

He joined the Trailblazers at Frankfurt and later went to the 3rd Division. He's active in the V.F.W., Elks, Eagles, Moose and American Legion and is a member of the American Psychological Association and the New York Academy of Sciences.

* Willie Prejean, C/274, is rejoicing at making contact with old 70th buddies. He just hadn't known about the Association! But Willie maintained contact with the military as a civilian long after the snows had melted at Wingen.

He was a civilian training instructor for the Army until he retired as a Civil Service GS-12. He served at Fort Lee in the Rich­mond, Virginia area from '51 to '65. In '66, '68 and '71 he travelled throughout Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Okinawa. He visited not only Army but Navy, Air Force and Marine camps and often ran into his former students.

He doen't think he can make the Nash­ville to-do but sends greetings to all his old mates.

* A retired accounting supervisor for the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District , Horace Gibson, HQ/725 , remains active in his church and the Masonic order. He was a pre-Pearl Harbor member of the 30th Field Artllery at Camp Roberts, Califor­nia. He also served with the 9lst Division and the 80th Air Base Group of the Air Force.

He has two "happiest experiences": Being discharged Dec. 24, 1945; being discharged August 1952. He and his wife Margaret have a daughter.

* In the cadre for the 70th MPs was John

McKenny, who's a new member of the Association. He was with the 7th Service Command at Camp Crowder, Missouri, and then at Camp Roberts, California, and the 508th MP Battalion. He'd like to hear

from any old MP buddies. So drop him a note at 811 9th Street, New Brighton, Pennsylvania 15066. He's a funeral direc­tor there. He and his wife Betty have a daughter and three grandkids.

* Arthur Plunk, Jr. L/276, attaches

three business cards to his Archives form. They show his service and promotions in the Department of General Services of the State of California, where he rose to con­struction supervisor. He joined us at Leon­ard Wood. With his wife Zula, he has three sons, a daughter and three grandchildren. They now live in Mountain Grove, Mis-souri.

* Unhappy military experiences?

"None!" says Hans Nollan, C/275. He does remember the Battle of Philipp­sbourg, but as a "memorable" ex­perience, not an unhappy one.

Hans joined the 70th at Adair and after hostilities served with the 3rd Division. A tool designer, he lives in Hillsdale, Michi­gan, with his wife Charlotte. They have a son and a daughter and a grandchild.

* Daniel Mays, Cannon/274, couldn't forget his 21st birthday if he wanted to. He celebrated it in Paris, France.

He entered the Army in March, '43, and took his basic with the 44th Division. Then he went to ASTP for pilot training and, like a couple thousand others, was bumped into the 70th at Adair.

Danny had five minor league contracts in professional baseball with the Pitt­sburgh Pirates. Now retired, he was a design and tool-and-die maker with Cater­pillar Tractor Co.

He married Dorothy Sterner in 1950 in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, where they still live. They have three sons and two daugh­ters and three grandchildren.

Danny is a Mason and Shriner, a life member of the Society of Professional Baseball Players and has won the Ame­rican Legion Good Citizenship Award and the Distinguished Service Award of the Jaycees.

* Stanley Muniz of the 370th Medical

Battalion joined the 'Blazers at Adair. He stayed right in the health-care field as a civilian optician.

His worst memory is the death of his best friend, shot while serving as a litter­bearer. Stan and his wife Norma Jean have a son and grandson.

70th Division Assn TRAILBLAZER

BIG AND BUSTED ... This formidable gun, with a barrel more than 30 feet long - became a Trail­blazer souvenir when the Germans abandoned it. Before that, though, they blew the breech on the railroad cannon and destroyed the traversing mech­anism so the Yanks couldn't turn the weapon on its former owners.

Perched atop their trophy are (from left) Pfc Max Bauer and T/4 R.W. Ben­nett, both HQ/70, and M/Sgt C.D. Dol­ster, HQ/882 FA.

''The Battle of the Ren1singerhofer Barn'' By Norman Sundgren 3rd BnHQ/276

When a huge bam near Remsingerhofer, France, burned down early on the morning of February 9, 1945, all of Company K, 276th, got out safely, and as quickly as equip­ment lost in the blaze had been replaced the men were back on the line, a few hundred yards away.

The 276th, "the Bloody Axe", went on in the next few weeks to push the hard-fighting Krauts out of the city of Forbach, France, to slug its way across the Saar river, and to drive triumphantly deep into Germany. That much was easy .

But today, July 7, 1945, the Bloody Axe is still fighting a losing contest in the ''Battle ofRemsinghofer Bam' '. Pinned down by an overwhelming barrage of paper, its flanks threatened by reports of survey, affidavits , certificates and additional fmdings, the 276th now is making a last, desperate stand against the chairborne assaults of the rear echelon .

The regiment withstood wave after wave of attacks as the various services sought an accounting of their property, lost when gasoline in an aid station in the bam caught frre while a lamp was being filled. The flames rapidly spread into the part where the men of King were changing their cold, wet socks and enjoying a few minutes respite from combat.

First it was the Quartermasters , wanting to know about those K-rations that burned. Ordnance demanded an ac­counting of some lost weapons. The Signal Corps asked in no uncertain terms about flashlights and wire . The Engineers put down some harassing fire over the matter of some lensatic compasses . In the face of all this , the 276th gave ground, although the situation was not chaotic - yet.

But on receipt of a mimeographed form from Head­quarters, Communications Zone, Etousa, Col. A. C. Mor-

Winter, 1989

gan, the commanding officer, himself admitted that the Bloody Axe's position was disintegrating rapidly.

As the C.O. studied this latest document (AG 141.8 OpFD) his thoughts went back to the night of the fire - a bam burning down within small arms range of the enemy lines, a rifle company driven out of a place where it had managed to get a few minutes of rest and almost straight back into a frre-fight with an enemy that still meant business 24 hours a day.

Now the C.O. found himself called upon to answer (and answer quickly) such questions as these:

"Were the unit fire orders published and posted?" "What immediate action was taken?" " When was the fire alarm sounded?" "What action was taken by the local guards, or other

persons, and who was in charge of fire-fighting activities?'' "Were the appliances and water supplies sufficient and

efficient?'' "When was the frre control center called? When did the

fire-fighting platoon arrive? What was the extent of their assistance?''

At that point the C.O. stopped reading. He had taken the regiment through some pretty rough battles, but he knew when he was whipped. He knew that the rear echelon only had to ask one more question and the fight was over -

''Why were the men not formed into column of threes and marched IMMEDIATELY to the parade ground?"

or Paper power versus Fire power

13

New Members GUZMAN, Dan C. (lupe) 607 Houston Fullerton, CA 92632 HQ/2 Bn/274

New members listed here in­clude those signed up in the past five months. Deadline ex­igencies prevented the listing of these new comrades in the Oc­tober issue.

Changes of address listed on this page include only those made after the deadline for the 1989 Roster. All changes made before November 1, 1988, have been listed in the new Ros­ter which is scheduled to reach all members this month.

*** BALLARD, Orville E. (Julia) Rt. 2, Box 155A Burleson, TX 76028 B/884 FA

BARNETI, W. l. (Eula) 1050 Barnes S.E. Salem, OR 97306 B/276

BASEL, Ralph E. (Catherine) 9589 Norborne Redford, Ml 48239 B/276

BASSAK, William F. (Nancy) 2502 S. Meadowlark Springfield, MO 65807 E/274

BATES, James M. (Ma~orie) 25 Whiton St., P.O. Box 283 Windsor locks, CT 06096 D/274

BECKSTEAD, Douglas l. (Stella) 1027 East 6160 South Salt lake City, UT 84121 U276

BERGREN, William W. (Carol) 14204 N.E. 154th St. Brush Prairie, WA 98606 B/276

BERTINO, Eugene J. (Patricia) 1420 John Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95401 70 Recon

BONSALL, Frank D. (E. Jane) Bi-State Blvd. Delmar, DE 19940 H/274

BOWLIN, Dale F. (Phyllis) 6712 Montana lane Vancouver, WA 98661 C/883 FA

14

BRANHAM, Frederick W. (Dorothy) 896 Sundberg Rd. Mahtowa, MN 55762

BROWN, James F. (Jane) 2804 Willoughby Road Baltimore, MD 21234 AT/274

BRUNING, Fred C. (Pauline) 945 liggett Blvd. Crestwood, MO 63126 E/276

BURROW, Edward B. 2226 Highland Ave., N. Jackson, TN 38305 570 Sig

BYERLEY, Floyd R. 8017 Clover Ridge Houston, TX 77087 HQ/2 Bn/274

CALLAHAN, Thomas M. (Edda) 310 N. Piedmont, #2 Arl ington, VA 22203 A/883 FA

CARRINGTON, lee (Claudie) 9553 Rufus Ave. Whittier, CA 90604 HQ/882 FA

CASTRILLI, Michael A. 33 Mullens lane Bernardsville, NJ 07924 H/275

CONE, Irwin C. (Kathryn) 3104 E. Weaver Place littleton, CO 80121 A/275

CONNELL, Paul (Marie) 513 Haverhill lane Safety Harbor, Fl 34695 A/884 FA

CORWIN, Merlin E. (Joyce) Rt. 3, Box 30 Quinter, KS 67752 C/275

COX, Frank D. (Alice) 2540 Factory Road Albany, OH 45710 M/276

COYLE, Merle D. (Ma~orie) 4080 Aquarina Drayton Plains, Ml 48020 K/274

DALY, Robert F. (Cieyone) P.O. Box 421 Black Eagle, MT 59414 D/276

DAVIS, John C. (lucille) 1600 B Thomes Ct. Wheaton, ll 60187 CN/275

DILLARD, Kenneth 802 Chambers Dr. Bloomington, IN 47401 K/274

DOTIERWEICH, W. W. (Fran) 4044 Hiawatha Dr. Knoxville, TN 37919 A/275

DOYLE, Joseph R. (Elizabeth) 59 Aberdeen Circle #77 leesburg, Fl 32788 1/275

DRAKE, W. A. (Margaret) 2916 N.W. 26th Ft. Worth, TX 76106 HQ/274

EAGAN, leonard 0 . (lla Rae) Star Route, Box 42 long Grove, OK 73443 1/274

FARMER, Robert C. (Jean) 725 Oakwood Rd. Hamilton, OH 45013 C/276

FARRIS, Roger E. (Marylane) 7 460 Woodrow Wilson Dr. Hollywood, CA 90046 G/275

FERRANDINO, Rosario F. 8346 Terra Grande Ave. Springfield, VA 22153 ?1275

FISCHER, Fred M. (Beulah) 13827-436th S.E. North Bend, WA 98045 D/275

FRIDLEY, Edwin 12699 S. 25A Anna, OH 45302 1/275

GARDNER, Stewart C. (Martha) 4962 St. Rt. 41, NW Washington Ct. House, OH 43160 HQ/274

GIOLIVO, Anthony J. (Mary) 139 College St. Charles, MO 63301 E/275

GREENWALT, William J. (Carol ina) Espora 722, Acassuso (1941) Provincia de Buenos Aires Republica Argentina C/276

HALES, Fred 269 W. Ross St. Troy, OH 45373 275

HALLER, John l. (lillian) 505 Great North Rd. Columbia, SC 29223 A/276

HERBERT, Windom J., Jr. 37236 Hwy. 74 Geismar, LA 70734 B/884 FA

HEMPHILL, Fred E. Rt. 1, Box 96 Altona, ll 61414 1/276

HEPBURN, James W. (Inez) 1115 E. Samford Ave. Auburn, Al 36830 C/276

HESS, Walter (Barbara) 1211 Gulf of Mexico Dr. longboat Key, Fl 34228 G/274

HICKS, H. C. 100 Pine Manor Rd. Charleston, WV 25311 A/275

JOHNSON, Edward E. (Vivian) 602 Poplar Ave. Yukon, OK 73099 SV/883 FA

JOHNSON, Harry G. (Pearl) 519 N. Halvorson St. Redwood Falls, MN 56283 C/276

KANUANUI, James H., Jr. (Susan) 86-044 Alta St. Waianae, HI 96792 M/276

KAUFMAN, John P. (Florence) 733 Peach St. l incoln, NE 68502 HQ/882 FA

KIRKPATRICK, Kenneth G. (Peggy) 820 West 9th St. Marysville, OH 43040 A/276

KOPCYCH, Anthony (Bertha) 48 Macomber St. Berkley, MA 02779 B/276

LAUGHLIN, Thomas G. 3355 Univ. Blvd., W. #107 Kensington, MD 20895 E/274

70th Division Assn TRAILBLAZER

LEVETON, Charles E. (Betty) PRIEST, Joseph F. (Rita) STAFFORD, Willie E. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 7321 Jean Drive 21133 S.E. lOth Ave. P.O. Box 263 West Chester, OH 45069 Cape Coral, FL 33904 San Angelo, TX 76901 BONGRAS, Gerard ?1276 G/274 F/274 3 Rue Du 18 EME Chasseur

57600 Forbach LONER, John W. (Dorothy) PRIESTAP, JackS. {Virginia) STEINER, Harold A. (Dorothy) FRANCE 2302 Roosevelt Ave. 22031 Center Rd. P.O. Box 2260 Williamsport, PA 17701 Armada, Ml 48005 Murphy, ID 83650 DAVIS, Ms. Audrey E. A/274 1 BN HQ/275 1006 Lake Jessamine Dr.

RATHKAMP, William H. (Gloria) Orlando, FL 32809 MARTIN, Harry J. (Olive) 5950 Price Rood STEPHENSON, Kennard F., Jr. 16709 Rustic Meadow Milford, OH 45150 6004 Northwood Dr. JUNG, Helmut Dallas, TX 75248 Crestwood, KY 40014 Assweiler, Johnstrasse 8 A/274 REED, Earl W. (Freda) E/276 D 6653 Blkieskastel

19011 B DriveN. WEST GERMANY MASON, Leroy Marshall, Ml 49068 STEWART, Archie D. 3049 Campbell St. 3603 E. Yacht Dr. MEAD, Lorraine A. Phoenix, AI.. 85106 RILEY, George E. (Geraldine) Long Beach, NC 28461 27 Bridge St. HQ/70

< Rt. 1, Box 633 U275 Garnerville, NY 10923 London, R 72847

McCONNEL, Ross D. {Ruth) l HQ/275 STINSON, Hoyt RAUEN, Marguerite H. 18425 N.E. 95th, #2 59 Brookwood Dr. 20738 N. Star Way Redmond, WA 98052 ROBINSON, Chester L. Bremen, GA 30110 Bend, OR 97701 70QM P.O. Box 264 A/275 (Widow of William G.

Winchester, OH 45697 MITCHELL, 70 Recon) McELVEEN, Earl H/276 TEPPER, Harold {Evelyn) 172 Benbow Lane 85-09 151st Ave. ZELLER, Joseph Charlotte, NC 28214 ROMANO, Anthony (Antoinette) Howard Beach, NY 11414 16 Rue Jean Joures M/276 2529 S. Claymont St. Medic 3 BN/27 4 57600 Forbach

Philadelphia, PA 19153 FRANCE McGUGIN, James P. (Evelyn) C/276 VAILLANCOUR, Richard L. (Lorene) AT/275 P.O. Box 27 467 W. Keats Ave. Rhododendron, OR 97049 SCHAEFFER, Frank X. (Ruth) Fresno, CA 93704

CHANGE OF ADDRESS Divarty 1908 S. Gum Ave. Medic B/370 Broken Arrow, OK 74012

BROOKE, Colburn McNAIR, Thomas Q. (Ma~orie) F/274 VAN NATIA, Byron K. Rt. 8, Box 726 1303 W. Johns Blvd. 7755 Parkwood Dr.

Pensacola, FL 32506 SCHULTZ, Wilbert E. (Dorothy) Raymore, MO 64083 Missoula, MT 59802

M/275 P.O. Box 2154 770 Ord U276

Vernon, TX 76384 GALLAHAN, Herbert MOSHER, Walter (Rose Marie) U275 WEST, Lambert N. (Bette)

1480 Ohm Ave. 3241 Heebner Road 202 Opequon Dr.

Bronx, NY 10465 SITZ, Delbert W. (Mary) Collegeville, PA 19426 Kearneysville, WV 25430

H/274 2327 Mansard St. M/276 U275

Vernon, TX 76384 HUBLER, Eugene NAVARRETIE, Anthony (Belle) 70 Recon WHITMIRE, Franklin W.

715 N. Dodge Blvd. 626 Voge Ave. 501 Orchard View Ln.

Tucson, AI.. 85716 SMITH, Addison L. (Lovie) Edwardsville, IL 62025 Reading, PA 19606

F/ 275 7219 Prato Ave. 570 Signal 1/274

Orlando, FL 32819 LACKEY, John O'CONNOR, Edward M. {Esther) G/276 WOODRUFF, Paul R. (Jane)

1505 N. Riverside Dr., Apt. 1202 1914 Blackiston Mill Rd. P.O. Box 666

Pompano Beach, FL 33062 SMITH, Grady {Martha) Jeffersonville, IN 47130 Grand Quarry, NC 28072

M/274 2547 Flint Hill Rd. G/276 M/276

Austell, GA 30001 RELPH, James PITIERLE, Rudolph, Jr. (Cornelia) WRIGHT, Jim L. (Jean)

N. 5696 Ziebell Rd. SMITH, Thomas E., Jr. (Rose) 126 North C P.O. Box 1254

Jefferson, WI 53549 326 S. Crestway Arkansas City, KS 67005 Warrenton, VA 22186

D/275 Wichita, KS 67218 F/274 C/275

70 Recon ROOF, Mrs. Ora PIPER, William J. (LaVerne) WRITIENBERRY, Earl G. {Pauline)

515 Green Acres Lane SMITH, Woodrow Wilson Rt. 1, 504 Seventh St. 6837 Aitken Dr.

Bosque Farms, NM 87068 1700 El Camino Real, 5-18 Corydon, KY 42406 Oakland, CA 94611

A/276 So. San Francisco, CA 94080 A/883 FA HM

70MP SYLVESTER, Howard POWELL, Denver F. YEAGER, William J., Ill (Rose)

P.O. Box 13019 SOLSBERG, Melburn S. (Ma~orie) 1048 Bristol Rd. 3900 Columbus Road

Hamilton, OH 45013 901 E. llOth St. Southampton, PA 18966 Quincy, IL 62301

M/275 Kansas City, MO 64131 C/276

B/884 FA ZEPECKI, Chester (Rosa) WILSON, Truman 17 Robidoux Rd.

STADLER, Norbert E. (Melba) Plainville, 0 06062 4307 N. 31st St.

10214 Howard Rd. M/276 Weatherford, TX 76086

Harrison, OH 45030 1/274

Winter, 1989 15

I

For Sale Trailblazer souvenir items that

were on sale at the Nashville Re­union are now available by mail. Orders should be sent to Lou Hoger, 5825 Horton, Mission, Kansas 66202 with checks made out to the 70th Division Associ­ation. Prices listed here include postage.

Ballpoint pens with Division patch in the cap, $4.

Insulated mugs with 'Blazer patch, $2.50.

Belt buckles, heavy metal with 70th insigne, $7.50.

License plate holders, metal and chrome, $3.75.

Letterheads, 2-color, packs of 50, $2.50.

Envelopes, 2-color, packs of 50, $2.50.

Trailblazer seals, for letters, etc., each .15.

Ed m und C. Arno ld 3208 Hawthorne A ve. Richm o nd , Virg ini a 23222

NO N -PROFIT O RG A NIZA TION

U S POST A GE THIR D CL A SS PERM IT - 13 10

RIC HMON D VA .

Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed and Address Correction requested