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September-October 2002 Newsletter
For all veterans, relatives and friends of the
89th INFANTRY DIVISION
WORLD WAR II
Veterans and the 89th Flag at the World War II Memorial
Table of Contents: Click on the Link Below to Go To That Section:
Announcements and Editor's Notes
Website Developments
Email List Update
Taps
Letters and Exchanges
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Announcements, Editor's Notes and Website Developments
Editor's Notes
This is our first newsletter since last month's reunion in Indianapolis,
which was enjoyed by all of us in attendance. Congratulations to all
the planners, participants and supporting staff. A very few highlights,
comments and personal observations, coupled with some photos taken
by Mark, are briefly addressed here by your Editor but the full
and official account of the reunion and its implications will undoubtedly
be prepared by our Society leadership, which I assume will appear in
the December issue of the TRW.
The arrangements and accommodations were fine and the first night started
off with a bang at a Theater-dinner presentation of "The Sound of
Music" which was splendid. The next morning the amended by-lays were
presented and approved and that was effectively the end of
business, at least insofar as the general membership was concerned. Group
meetings took up the next two afternoons for those who wished
to attend, including a presentation on The Army Specialized Training Program
with a lively interchange amongst us who were lucky enough
to have attended ASTP before being assigned to the 89th. The second
afternoon consisted of a very professional presentation of our
website by Mark who came well equipped technically and otherwise
to project it on a large screen for easy viewing. It was an
overflowing and pleasing crowd but mostly consisted
of those already using the Internet while we had hoped to reach some
of those vets who will never see it.
The only, and it was very brief discussion, on finances concerned
whether to raise the dues or not. My only serious concerns
with the session were: the difficulty of
the responsible officers to inform the membership of how and
for what purpose they proposed to spend the uncertain and perhaps
fluctuating Society resources of the next two years; and,
that their declared priorities and assumptions are not stated or
intended to be made available to the overall membership.
Given the by-law amendments expanding the membership categories and
the certain decrease in active membership, this must
be a priority task for our Society Officers and I
urge their prompt attention to it-as I did before the
reunion. It should also not be kept secret.
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Website Developments
I enjoyed meeting many of you at the reunion and very much appreciate all
the support received. There is a new section of the website with pictures from the reunion. PLease click
on Reunion Photos to see them.
Ray Kitchell's memoirs will be updated soon with complete pictures.
Mark
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Email List Updates
It would greatly simplify our tasks if I were notified promptly of address changes or when one is no longer using the Internet so we can make the necessary adjustments effectively and on a timely basis. The task of maintaining a current and up-to-date list is becoming increasingly complicated. We're not complaining, in fact we are overjoyed, but please remember that we are volunteers and, in my case, not as sharp as I used to be. If you are sending a message or follow-up, please identify yourself and your (or relative's) unit, as I may no longer have your original. Thank you.
It would greatly simplify our tasks if I were notified promptly of
address changes, errors or when one is no longer using the Internet
so we can make the necessary adjustments effectively and in a
timely basis. The task of maintaining a current and growing
up-to-date list is becoming increasingly complicated. We're not
complaining, in fact we are overjoyed, but please remember
that we are volunteers and, in my case, not as sharp as I
used to be. If you are sending a message or follow-up, please
identify yourself and your (or relative's) unit, as I may
no longer have your original. Thank you.
Please click on the highlighted name to send an email.
ANDERSON, Robert Hq Btry, Div Arty
BROSSEAU, Charles M (deceased) c/o son Tom
COLMAN, Clare J AT Co, 353rd Inf
KONGABLE, J.W. (Bill) AT Co, 354th Inf
ROSS, Wayne J H Co, 353rd Inf c/o Polly Hollenback, daughter-in-law
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Taps
O.G.Christophides
In France, Luxemburg and Germany. Carried ammunition for heavy machine gun. Passed away August 6th in Houston while on a business trip. Official cause
of death was heart attack. Would have been 78 on August 29th. Was
divorced, no children. Is survived by his Brother Demetrios Christophides,
sister in law Tula, 1-nephew Alexandria 3 nieces Sophia, Calli and Helen,
also nieces and nephews.
[If any further info needed please do not hesitate to contact me. I know you are
probably all at the Reunion.... hope you all have a good time.
Fran Meola (Secretary to O.G. Rusty" Christophides)
s. Could it be because he received the
Victory Medal?
We would love to know why he was given this wonderful honor. When taps was
played I have to admit there wasn't a dry eye at the cemetery. I know he was
very proud to receive this honor.....and so were we.
Sincerely,
Fran Meola
(Secretary to O.G.Christophides)
Charles E. Jackson, K Co. 355th Inf
[In response to an email with pictures from the reunion]
How nice; I enjoyed the pictures. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend this year because my husband, Charles E. Jackson, 355th, K Co. was in the final stages of Pick's Disease when the reunion began. He lost that battle on August 27. The reunions had meant so much to him, and one of his great pleasures of the last few years was co-chairing the host committee for the 2000 reunion in Tacoma. I intend to keep up membership in the society and hope to attend in Washington in 2004. My e-mail will remain the same.
Elizabeth Jackson
Joseph V. Comensoli Jr
My father, Joseph V. Comensoli Jr, served in Co. B, 353 Infantry regiment, rank T-5, Scout from January, 1945 to his post-war discharge. He was also a member of the 89th division Softball squad that competed in a lot of inter-divisional competition. He had his basic training in the replacement Camp Fannon in Texas before going to France. He was from Ishpeming in Michigan's northern Upper Peninsula. He passed away on Fathers Day -June 2000. We have found a lot of memorabilia of his time in Europe including service medals, a roster and autographed softball from the 89th div team. Also a small booklet called "The history of the 89th division", a fold-out map of the service record of
the division, and many pictures of unidentified concentration camp scenes at Ohrdruf).
I just discovered the website and understand there is a reunion planned this month in Indy. Would any of you know of or remember my father or the softball team? Is there any way i could share this memorabilia with fellow 89ers?
I could try to get to Indianapolis if necessary to meet with the archivist.
Would appreciate any response/comments. THANK YOU ALL FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY Alan Comensoli, Detroit, Michigan
[Editor: I am truly sorry we couldn't get this online before the
reunion but hope repeating your request in this issue of the
Newsletter will get some response Thank you.]
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Letters and Exchanges
These communications are repeated here roughly in order of receipt.
[In order to prevent confusion on my part, when communicating with me please include your name, unit as well as email address. I will help me a lot. Thank you]
In Response to Fran Meola's Questions
From: Darrel Carnell
Dear Fran:
I am saddened to hear of Rusty's passing. Although our friendship was of
very brief duration (the week or ten days it took to drive from Hunter
Liggett in California to Camp Butner in North Carolina) I have ever since
remembered his fondness for fresh fruit and his cheerful outlook on life. I
just wish he could have made it to another reunion.
As to the military honors at his funeral: It is my understanding that all
veterans are entitled to final military honors, although all communities are
not sufficiently staffed to perform them. I believe that an honor guard, a
final salute, taps and presentation of the flag are customary. I did not
know that the funeral home required inspection of discharge papers, though.
I guess I'll be left out of the final retreat because I lost mine years ago.
A word to Joe: I have been suffering from terrible and incapacitating pain
in my right leg and hip for several weeks. The onset was quite sudden and
is probably caused by pinching or compressing of my sciatic nerve. But
because I suffer from type II diabetes I am worried that perhaps that plays
a part in my discomfort. I hope your other half's hip replacement was a
success. Thanks for letting us know, Fran.
Darrel
Oh where is Bernie or is it Schwartz?
From: Darell Carnell
While attending Oregon State College in Corvallis as an ASTP student, I knew
a handsome little New Yorker named Bernie Schwartz. He was always neat as a
pin and even in a GI uniform he was a sharp dresser and had an engaging personality. Many years later I learned that Bernie Schwartz was the real name of Tony Curtis, the Hollywood actor. I have ever since wondered whether the Bernie Schwartz I knew at OSC was in fact Tony Curtis. Any help out there from former OSC students?
[Or anyone else? Darrell is dying to know]
Czech Army Commendations for 354th Inf
From: Jerry Shuster
Thank you so much for the reply. A bit more information regarding my
wife's deceased father, Arlan Ingram, has came to light. We accept
your invitation to print the information in your newsletter.
The following is a copy of the Certificate from the Czech Army:
The Commandant of Czechoslovakian Army in Susice wishes to (illegible)
his gratitude to the following (illegible) of the
American and British Armies:
Joseph P Zutell, 2nd Lt, 05_7515
Company M, 354th Inf, 89th Div
Fred H. Jaspar, S/Sgt, 37448400
Company M, 354th Inf, 89th Div
Leonard E. C__plin, Acting Sergeant, 2572226
Royal Corps of Signals, English
_orn E. Drew, PFC, 36067232
Company M, 354th Inf, 89th Div
Arlen Ingram, PFC, 38608593
Company M, 354th Inf, 89th Div
Byron S. _ooney, Pvt, 11131658
Company M, 354th Inf, 89th Div
The above mentioned escaped from their Prisoner of war camp in Mokrosuky in the
district of Susice on the night of 4 to 5 May 1945, and joined
up with the Czech soldiers in Susice. On the following day, they
disarmed the German garrison in the town, numbering 63 men.
Then, accompanied by a Czech Army officer and members of the
Czech National Freedom movement set out for the tanks of the
4th Division of the 3rd American Army in order to connect up
with them. After a journey through areas still partially occupied by
the enemy, they reached the spearheads some 20 km away,
and gave information about the strength of the enemy craft
in the neighborhood and brought the tanks into Susice.
The area Commandant of the Czechoslovakian Army in Susice
Susice, May 10, 1945
We have copies of the certificates, both in English and Czech. My
wife, Linda, wishes to contact any of the persons involved with
this action, or anyone who knew her father. She is also sending dues
by snail mail requesting membership as a friend of the Association.
Jerry and Linda Ingram Schuster
2201 N. Main
Altus, Ok. 73521
Dear Veterans
From: Sgt Patrick Brion
Dear veterans and family of the 89th US Infantry Division,
It is with a great honor that I finally managed to contact all of you in
one time. I already had contact with some of the veterans of your unit
and I would like to thank them also through this mail.
My name is Patrick Brion. I am a senior NCO working at General Staff
in the Belgian Armed Forces. Since some years, I go every year with a
group of Belgian survivors of the REIMAHG underground Me-262 factory. This
factory was occupied by elements of the 89th US Infantry Division around mid-April
1945.
Since the beginning of the year, together with a German friend who
lives in Jena, we are doing extensive research about the complete
history of the REIMAHG factory. So far, we managed to find a lot of
information in several archives like in Weimar (Thuringian
State Archives), Federal German Archives and so on...Also in
the US, over the National Archives (NARA) I managed to obtain
some of the After Action Reports of the 89th and it sub-units.
We are also the only ones who have official access to the underground
complex.
You would ask, why are these guys doing this things... Indeed, a good
question. The purpose of all this work, and believe me, we have already
put an enormous amount of work into it, is two reasons: - the first
one is to write a complete and comprehensive historical work
about the REIMAHG. About the forced laborers, the aircraft, the factory
but also about our unit. - the second is to convince German authorities
to finally recognize the REIMAHG as a official memorial site. Things are
looking very good in that direction.
The Memorial Day 2002 was also in a way a première, because one of the
veterans of the 89th was present. I wasn't able to speak to him (but
through E-Mail) and I was very happy that he was there. I also managed to
get our Minister of National Defense there, this followed by the usual
courtship of press and television. But this was very good, since that
day the Germans still remember that day...So, I would to appeal to all
of you who did such a great job during that period. Could you help me
out with pictures and all information concerning that period? I
can guarantee you that it will be taken into account. We
managed for example to find over 60 former Hitler Youth members
and they were very happy to talk about that period.
If you have still good memories of that period, you can mail them or
send to me. Another idea would be that next year, more member veterans
of the 89th could be at the Memorial Day. It would make a
difference. I noticed that emotions were very high with all people at
this year's memorial day. Also invited were the Belgian veterans of
the 16th Bn Fusiliers, which joined you in combat in April 1945.
Why not think about putting a memorial plate on the mountain,
thus telling people that the 89th US Infantry Division was
the unit to liberate all these people!!!
Dear Veterans and family, I would really be very grateful to
obtain support of anyone of you. You were the people who were
in the middle of that important history and your contribution could make the difference between a
permanent memory and a forgotten part of history.
With deepest regards
Patrick Brion
1 Sergeant Major
Belgian Verification Agency (BEVA) ' 32 2 701 2455 or 2473 6 32 2 701 2959
Email: Patrick.Brion@mil.be or PatrickBrion@hotmail.com
Address: Damstraat 96 1800 VILVOORDE BELGIUM
[Dear Patrick:
I note you have made good use of our email listings. I will also
include your message in the September Newsletter for the benefit or new users. I am
also forwarding your message to Mary Brunner for possible use in the TRW.
Thank you very much for your thoughts and suggestions.
Editor]
Reunion with Arch Keeling
From: Mike Nobel
Hey Mark,
It was a pleasure meeting you and your dad in Indianapolis. I had
no idea that I would be so affected by that encounter, especially handing over a
photo of Arch Keeling in 1945 to Arch Keeling in 2002. That alone made the
whole journey worthwhile. I'm going to carefully study the website and
review your dad's memoirs. And to that point let's stay in touch because
I'm very interested to learn more about the division's experience. If I can
offer any help in putting some of those pieces together (editing or
researching), please don't hesitate to contact me.
From Wally Dunn
From: Wally Dunn
Glad to hear from you again ...your Dad was in my company...I am
sending you the picture you wanted which is a full company review at
Rouen France after the war and when our company was awarded the Croix
de Guerre by the French helping the retake of their country ...the
man in front is the CO of Company L which at the end of the war was your
truly after Capt Harris had been seriously wounded prior to the Rhine
crossing ...since there was over 200 men in Co L it will be
difficult to find your father as the front row is platoon officers and
non coms ........I regret to say I don't remember your Dad as we had a
lot of replacement near the end and at nearly 83 yrs of age my memory is
fading !!! Also sending you a pic of the city of Kaub where we crossed
the Rhine below Cologne .........be happy to hear from you again
Regards Wally Dunn (Capt)
353rd Regiment
From: MaryAnn Bowser
What my husband is also questioning is if there is a list of the 353 Regiment and who survived from the war. He & most of the men were separated once they arrived in France March of 1945...... From the states prior to going over, he had made with friends with many of them...
Thanks...... Mary Ann
[Editor: Certainly there is. For example I'm attaching our current email listings
for those using the Internet. If your husband is a member of the Society, he should also have received the latest roster of all member vets. If not, he may wish to join us. Off to the Reunion tomorrow.]
Patton's Reaction
From: Ed Quick
I ran across this excerpt while reading an article about Patton's visit to
Ohrdruf. It describes the effect that awful camp had on him. I guess
there were no reporters with him when he carried out his "Third Army War
Memorial Project," so we have no actual record of what transpired.
However, I know that our battery fired on a number of small German towns
and villages after we passed Ohrdruf and I gunned #2 howitzer several times. I
wonder if we were ever a part of Patton's "War Memorial?" Maybe I'm a war criminal.
It would be hard to find a German town, however small or obscure, that
is completely lacking in historic or cultural importance. After
describing the crimes of the Germans, Patton went on to tell
about how the Americans wantonly destroyed every village and
hamlet in their path. On the same page of his book, in
which he describes the atrocities of the Germans, Patton wrote,
"We developed later a system known as the 'Third Army War
Memorial Project' by which we always fired a few salvos into
every town we approached, before even asking for surrender.
The object of this was to let the inhabitants have
something to show to future generations of Germans by way of
proof that the Third Army had passed that way.
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