d o g f a c
e s o
l d i e r s A photographic
journey of the
Third Signal Co. of the 15th Regt of the U.S. Third
Infantry Division-
WWII
by Denis Toomey
3rd Division Photos
3rd Division & Society 2009 Events
Last Update
June 17, 2010
Click on small photos for larger view
Click on some Images for larger view
Brigadier General Jeffrey Phillips, 3rd ID deputy commanding
general-rear, speaks to Soldiers,
Family Members, Army Civilians and local community members who
supported the third
annual Wreaths for Warriors Walk ceremony, as Command Sgt. Maj.
Jeffrey Ashmen, 3rd ID
command sergeant major-rear, looks on, Dec. 12.
For those who
were not able to attend the 3rd Annual Wreaths for Warriors Walk
Wreath Ceremony on Saturday 12 Dec 09, attached are the local news
reviews. It was a cold and wet day, but it did not stop the crowds
from attending and placing a wreath in honor of the 421 fallen
heroes of the 3rd Infantry Division.
As you read these
articles and look at the pictures, please stop and remember all of
our fallen heroes and think of their families as they cope spending
a Christmas not being able to reach out and embrace their loved one.
Also please keep in your prayers all of our military stationed in
locations around the world, who will not be able to be home for the
holidays. May they be safe and home soon and know that family and
friends are thinking of them now and always. Also please reach out
to those in need with a hand or a shoulder, for the holidays are not
always happy. Even with the bad economy, it is that caring and
resilient nature of helping others, that makes our great country so
strong.
Thank you for all of your support and friendship,
Bruce G. Muncher
3rd ID assumes responsibility of MND-North
By Sgt. Johnathon Jobson, Task Force Marne Public
Affairs
Photo Credit: Sgt. Johnathon Jobson,
Task Force Marne Public Affairs.
Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo,
commander of Task Force Marne and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews,
command sergeant major of the task force, uncase the colors at the
Multi-National Division - North transfer of authority ceremony at
Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Nov. 3. The ceremony was
the official handover of the northern Iraq area of operations from
the 25th Infantry Division to the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters
staff.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq (Nov. 4,
2009) -- Leaders of the 3rd Infantry Division uncased the unit's
colors again in Iraq during a ceremony Nov. 3, signifying the
official transfer of authority for Multi-National Division - North.
Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, Task Force Marne commander, with Command Sgt.
Maj. Jesse Andrews at his side, assumed responsibility for MND-North
from the 25th Infantry Division, as it began redeploying back to
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. During Operations Iraqi Freedom I, III
and V, 3rd Infantry Division transformed itself into Task Force
Marne to command and control combat operations in its given portion
of Iraq.
In 2006 the division hit the ground in Baghdad as part of the surge.
In March 2003, it was at the tip of the spear for the initial phase
of OIF. Then elements of the division returned in 2005. Now, for a
fourth time, the division became TF Marne, this time assigned to
Multi-National Division - North.
"Today, our uncased colors symbolize a deep commitment by a group of
professionals to give our absolute best effort in support of our
Iraqi partners and to build on the progress already made, and most
importantly our commitment to perform our duties in a manner worthy
of the great sacrifices of those Americans and Iraqis who have gone
before us," said Cucolo. During this deployment, TF Marne has scaled
back its combat role, and will provide more of an advisory support
and assistance to Iraqi forces.
"For an American Soldier, I would not want to be anywhere else in
Iraq," Cucolo said. "The partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces
has been outstanding, and the efforts of the civilian leadership in
this part of Iraq have been superb. I just look forward to
continuing that progress."
Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., commander of Task Force Lightning
and out-going MND-N commander, had only positive comments about
Cucolo and Task Force Marne, and their upcoming mission. "There is
no one in the entire United States Army I trust more to take this
mission with all its complexity than Tony Cucolo," Caslen said. "I
guarantee there will be no gaps in service support or mission
accomplishment."
As the command element of MND-N, Task Force Marne will have a
presence in numerous cities and villages, to include Mosul and Tall
Afar in the Ninewa province; Kirkuk City and Hawija in the Kirkuk
province; Tikrit and Balad in the Salah ad-Din province and Baqubah
in the Diyala province.
Task Force Marne now commands four maneuver brigades: 4th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Riley, Kan.; 3rd Heavy Brigade
Combat Team, and 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, both out of 1st
Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
2nd Infantry Division, out of Fort Lewis, Wash. TF Marne also
commands the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and the 130th Engineer
Brigade, both from Hawaii. This winter, the 3rd ID's 2nd Brigade
Combat Team will join the task force and replace 3rd HBCT, 1st Cav.
Since Cucolo has hit the ground, he's heard how each of the brigades
routinely work with their ISF counterparts to conduct air assaults,
patrols and reconstruction projects. Interface between the troops
and the Iraqi Army has changed from just combat to discussions and
practices to improve life for the Iraqi people.
IMCOM changes command
Alex McVeigh
Army News Service
Special to the Frontline
FORT MYER, Va. – Installation
Management Command said farewell to its first commanding general
Monday and welcomed former 3rd Infantry Division Commander Lt. Gen.
Rick Lynch as its new commander. In a ceremony held at Fort Myer's
Conmy Hall, Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson said farewell to the command he
had presided over since its inception in October 2006, and passed
the reins to a commander who is ready to take on the challenges of
"the Army's home."
Along with being IMCOM commander, Lt. Gen. Lynch also takes the
title of the Army's assistant chief of staff for Installation
Management, or ACSIM. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr.
served as host for the event. He took the podium first to thank Lt.
Gen. Wilson for his almost four decades of service, and to welcome
Lt. Gen. Lynch to the position.
"Rick is a proven leader, and he has the vision and the drive to
continue the transformation of our installations, so that they best
support our Army," Gen. Casey said. When Lt. Gen. Lynch took the
stage, he spoke of the Army as not just a job, not just a
profession, but a passion. "At some point in your career, that
profession changes into a passion, a passion to prepare for and
execute our nation's wars in defense of our nation's freedom, and a
passion to truly take care of our Soldiers and their Families," Lt.
Gen. Lynch said. He also credited Lt. Gen. Wilson for going above
and beyond in his briefings about the position. "I had all the right
briefings. I had all the right conversations ... I'm (very) thankful
for that."
Lynch comes to IMCOM after commanding III Corps and Fort Hood,
Texas. He has also served as commander of the 3rd Infantry Division,
deputy chief of staff for Operations at Allied Joint Force
Command-Naples, and deputy chief of staff for Strategic Effects for
Multi-National Force-Iraq. His awards and decorations include the
Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense
Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the
Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal
and Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Soldiers from the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," played a brief
pre-ceremony concert, featuring "Army Strong" by Mark Isham and
"Black Jack" by F.K. Huffer, among others. Soldiers of the 3rd U.S.
Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," including the Commander in
Chief's Guard, the Continental Color Guard and The Old Guard Fife
and Drum Corps, also participated in the ceremony.
After the units sounded off and fixed bayonets, Col. David Anders,
regimental commander of The Old Guard and commander of troops for
the ceremony, escorted Lt. Gen. Wilson on his final inspection of
the troops.
After Pershing's Own played the national anthem, command was
officially changed, with Lt. Gen. Lynch and Command Sgt. Maj. Neil
Ciotola receiving the IMCOM guidon from Lt. Gen. Wilson and outgoing
IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. John Gaines.
Raider Brigade breaks ground
on Memorial honoring Fallen Comrades
As unit begins deployment to Iraq, 1st Brigade unveils plans
for a monument to past sacrifices
By Pamela E. Walck round was broken
Wednesday for the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, shown in part here in
an artist's rendition.
(Carl Elmore/Savannah Morning News)
FORT STEWART -
December 10, 2009 -At the count of "three," 10 silver shovels
plunged into the soupy earth Wednesday afternoon and pulled up a wet
mix of sand and dirt on a patch of ground a stone's throw from the
1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team's new headquarters building. Soon this
patch of overturned dirt will evolve into a memorial dedicated to
the Brigade's fallen men and women. It all will be paid for by
private donations and in-kind gifts, ranging from construction
materials to donated services.
And if all goes according to plan, the Raider Brigade Fallen
Soldiers' Memorial will be close to completion by the time the
Iraq-bound unit returns from its fourth deployment in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom in late 2010. Memorial organizers envision
an island of tranquility for family and friends of the brigade's
fallen. A place to come and reflect on sacrifices made, from brigade
soldiers lost during World War I through to the current conflicts in
Iraq and Afghanistan.
A place to remember. A place of emotional shelter and healing from
the storms of war.
But on this day, at this groundbreaking, a tempest swirled about as
a strong storm passed over the installation and the region. Nearby,
emotional storms brewed as brigade soldiers and families continue to
bid each other farewell for 12 months as the unit leaves for Iraq.
"It is fitting that as we break ground today, 225 Raider soldiers
are already on the ground and the rest of the brigade is preparing
to leave next week," said Col. Roger Cloutier, the 1st Brigade
commander. "It's a fitting memorial resting right across from
Warriors Walk. This is more than a garden of stone - it's a place
where families can mourn their loss."
Cloutier said he expects to dedicate the finished memorial garden in
2011, once his troops complete their current deployment cycle, seven
years after the unit assisted Coalition Forces in the historic march
to Baghdad with its tanks, Bradleys and heavy artillery guns. "I
want to personally thank everyone today for their support," Cloutier
said. "When you see families come and you see the tears shed and the
memories remembered, then you will understand how important this
is."
Lee Gound, executive vice president of the Navy Federal Credit
Union, didn't need a lot of convincing to join the grassroots effort
to honor the fallen soldiers of the 1st Brigade. The credit union
donated $10,000 toward the project.
"It is a real privilege to be a part of this event," Gound said
during a ceremony held inside what will soon be the brigade's
operations center but served as a shelter from the storm brewing
outside. "This brings back memories from 47 years ago, when I spent
29 months in the combat zone of Vietnam. ...
"I have a great deal of respect for the soldiers of this brigade and
the Army itself."
The Vietnam veteran then went on to recall a time when several of
his Marines were injured during a fierce fire fight. When he radioed
for help, it was a young Army warrant officer who agreed to fly in
and take his injured men to safety.
It was an act of selflessness Gound said he won't forget. And it was
the desire to remember the heroics of others that initially inspired
Laura Chandler Rittenhouse, the wife of an executive officer in the
unit, to propose the idea of building a memorial to the Raider
Brigade's fallen.
"Today, it is with deep appreciation and gratitude, that we seek to
honor their sacrifice," said Rittenhouse, who is chairman of the
memorial effort. "And we ask for the continued support of soldiers,
families and friends."
OP 60 held
its 1/4 meeting at Ryan's Family Restaurant in Columbus, Ga. We had
a total of 31 members present with several guest. One of our members
from WWII, Floyd Kruszka informed all of the special ceremonies held
in Washington, DC honoring all WWII Veterans. We also had a member
to be re-instated along with two new members on active duty. Every
one had a great time greeting each other and getting to meet new
friends. I myself had a little long lunch as a lot of the members
and especially the guests came by letting me know how much they
enjoyed the meal and the fellowship. A report on the progress of the
Christmas cards for the deployed soldiers from Kelly Hill was given
by Bailey. Everyone want to hold the next meeting at Ryan's again in
February on the Third Sat (February 20, 2010).
South Columbus Elementary School
The
Christmas cards made by the students of the South Columbus
Elementary School was a great success. Rear Detachment Commander Lt
Col Thomas Woodie was present to receive the cards. He thanked all
the students involved in making these cards and let them know who
was going to be receiving them by giving them out to the soldiers in
Iraq. Cards in picture were only a few not yet picked up. We had a
couple hundred cards. Mary Anne and Bob Bailey furnished enough
Christmas Candy Canes for all the kids that made the cards.
Somerset County, PA honoring
veterans
Somerset County is preparing to honor veterans in traditional
ceremonies at the Somerset County Courthouse 11 a.m. Wednesday,
November 11,2009 in Courtroom One.
This year’s featured speaker will be Lowell Shaffer, Ph.D. of
Davidsville, the former vice president for student affairs at the
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, and a lifelong educator.
Shaffer is a United States Army veteran and served in Korea from
1952-1954 with both the 25th and 3rd Infantry Divisions. He
is a member of the American Legion, the 25th Infantry Division
Association, the 3rd Infantry Association, the Veterans of
Foreign Wars, and is currently the Commander of Johnstown Post 1 of
the Korean Veterans Service Association.
The ceremony will include the acknowledgment of a significant
donation to the Somerset County Veterans Hall of Honor. The Medal of
Honor awarded to Cpl. Clifton Speicher of Gray who lost his life in
Korea while destroying an enemy machine gun nest in a valiant
one-man-charge. Cpl. Speicher is one of only three Somerset County
residents to receive the nation’s highest military award. The medal
has been donated to the Hall of Honor for permanent display by his
family.
The program, hosted by master of ceremonies, the Rev. Russell
Kessler, will include patriotic readings and musical presentations.
Performers include local brass quartet, “A Touch of Brass,” Counter
Act, the student vocal group from Somerset Area Senior High School
and well-known Somerset County vocalist Danny Conner.
Medal of Honor Recipient -
Society Member Welcomed Back
Robert D. Maxwell- MOH Recipient
A friend of mine who is the only living Medal of Honor recipient
in my state (Oregon) is Robert Maxwell who is 89 years of age. I am
going to video Bob next week. As part of that process I have been
looking for some WWII photos of the 3rd Div. as he was in the 3rd
Battalion, Headquarters CO, 7th Regiment, 3rd Infantry Div. In
addition to the Medal of Honor, he earned the Silver Star (with Oak
leaf cluster); Bronze Star; Purple Hearts (with oak leaf cluster);
Combat Infantry Badge. Furthermore he was also awarded by the French
Government their equivalent of our MOH and Distinguished Service
Cross i.e. French Legion of Merit and Croix De Guere / Foreusmere
He was involved in invasions and or battles of North Africa,
Casablanca, Tunisia, Sicily, Palermo, Messina, Salerno, Anzio,
Cassino, Naples, Battle at Volturno River, Toulon, Montlimar,
Besancon (where he won MOH). He said Anzio was the worst…the loss of
life tremendous. It was there he earned one of two Silver Stars. He
earned the MOH by covering a German hand grenade with his body and
saved 3 buddies. The other medals were for previous acts of heroism.
3rd ID assumes responsibility of MND-North
By Sgt. Johnathon Jobson, Task Force Marne Public
Affairs
Photo Credit: Sgt. Johnathon Jobson,
Task Force Marne Public Affairs.
Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo,
commander of Task Force Marne and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews,
command sergeant major of the task force, uncase the colors at the
Multi-National Division - North transfer of authority ceremony at
Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Nov. 3. The ceremony was
the official handover of the northern Iraq area of operations from
the 25th Infantry Division to the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters
staff.
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq (Nov. 4,
2009) -- Leaders of the 3rd Infantry Division uncased the unit's
colors again in Iraq during a ceremony Nov. 3, signifying the
official transfer of authority for Multi-National Division - North.
Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, Task Force Marne commander, with Command Sgt.
Maj. Jesse Andrews at his side, assumed responsibility for MND-North
from the 25th Infantry Division, as it began redeploying back to
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. During Operations Iraqi Freedom I, III
and V, 3rd Infantry Division transformed itself into Task Force
Marne to command and control combat operations in its given portion
of Iraq.
In 2006 the division hit the ground in Baghdad as part of the surge.
In March 2003, it was at the tip of the spear for the initial phase
of OIF. Then elements of the division returned in 2005. Now, for a
fourth time, the division became TF Marne, this time assigned to
Multi-National Division - North.
"Today, our uncased colors symbolize a deep commitment by a group of
professionals to give our absolute best effort in support of our
Iraqi partners and to build on the progress already made, and most
importantly our commitment to perform our duties in a manner worthy
of the great sacrifices of those Americans and Iraqis who have gone
before us," said Cucolo. During this deployment, TF Marne has scaled
back its combat role, and will provide more of an advisory support
and assistance to Iraqi forces.
"For an American Soldier, I would not want to be anywhere else in
Iraq," Cucolo said. "The partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces
has been outstanding, and the efforts of the civilian leadership in
this part of Iraq have been superb. I just look forward to
continuing that progress."
Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., commander of Task Force Lightning
and out-going MND-N commander, had only positive comments about
Cucolo and Task Force Marne, and their upcoming mission. "There is
no one in the entire United States Army I trust more to take this
mission with all its complexity than Tony Cucolo," Caslen said. "I
guarantee there will be no gaps in service support or mission
accomplishment."
As the command element of MND-N, Task Force Marne will have a
presence in numerous cities and villages, to include Mosul and Tall
Afar in the Ninewa province; Kirkuk City and Hawija in the Kirkuk
province; Tikrit and Balad in the Salah ad-Din province and Baqubah
in the Diyala province.
Task Force Marne now commands four maneuver brigades: 4th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team, out of Fort Riley, Kan.; 3rd Heavy Brigade
Combat Team, and 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, both out of 1st
Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
2nd Infantry Division, out of Fort Lewis, Wash. TF Marne also
commands the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and the 130th Engineer
Brigade, both from Hawaii. This winter, the 3rd ID's 2nd Brigade
Combat Team will join the task force and replace 3rd HBCT, 1st Cav.
Since Cucolo has hit the ground, he's heard how each of the brigades
routinely work with their ISF counterparts to conduct air assaults,
patrols and reconstruction projects. Interface between the troops
and the Iraqi Army has changed from just combat to discussions and
practices to improve life for the Iraqi people.
Fort Dix Outpost 5
Meeting
Outpost 5
held a meeting/ luncheon on June 27th at Fort Dix with
30 people attending. Joe Hampton opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance and Bart Viruso offered a prayer and then
we had lunch.
President Pat
Williamson talked about the importance of recruiting
and having meetings to keep the members informed.
Society President John Fisher spoke about recruitment of
new members, to the importance of our meeting and to
send in their Ballot on the new by-law's. Ray Anderson
spoke on the history of the 3rd Infantry and talked
about the the what it takes to keep the Society running
and it's cost. Al Julia talked about the Freedom
Team Salute and Joe Hampton spoke about the importance
of the Excom to keep this Society running.
We held a 50/50 and John Stavola was the winner and he
donated 1/2 his winnings back to the Outpost.
Attending
Members: Joe & Gladys Hampton, Franie & Ann Kershis, Joe
Todisco, Bart Viruso, Bill & Gloria Dirienzo, Al &
Merrie Julia, Ed & Dolores Smith, Peter & Marie
Buongiorno, John Stavola, Joe & Margaret Sendor, Roy
Spanower, Hisae Spanower, Ray & Frances Anderson, Bernie
Marx, and Patrick Williamson.
Meeting
Announcement: Outpost 5 Will be having their Christmas
Luncheon/Meeting this year at the 76 House located 110
Main St. Tappan N.Y. 10983 PH.# (845)359-5476 on
Sunday November 22, 2009 with the meeting starting at
11:00 at a cost of $20 for members and $15 for guests -
all are welcome. Checks should be made out to "The
Society of the 3ID and sent to Bart Viruso at 116
Harriet Rd. Babyon, N.Y. 11703 for more information call
Bart at (631)587-0587
viruso8@aol.com or Pat Williamson (302) 234-3424
army3rdiv.tanker@gmail.com
Directions to
the 76 House. From Garden State Parkway go R. at exit
168 off the Garden State Parkway L. at first light onto
Pascuck Rd. R. at next light onto Hillsdale Ave. (app.
2.5 miles) L at "T" onto Cedar Ln. R. at "T" onto
Piemont Rd. L at "T" onto Rivervale Rd. R. at Bridge
onto old Tappan Rd.follow approx 3 miles go over
RailRoad tracks R. at traffic light onto Main St. 76
House is on the R.
August 11-24, 2009 65th
Anniversary Battlefield Tour of France
For the Society of the 3rd Infantry
Division
from Carol Bumpus
Dear Friends,
I hope you all recovered
from this wonderful trip. It was a succession of emotion & great
moments we shared together you the great generation, your family
& us re-enactors. Therefore we want to express to you our
thanks...
I am forwarding you two
websites with videos from Southern France:
I'll scan Newspaper
articles published in the Vosges & Alsace & will send them to
you ASAP.
With my Best regards,
Chris Viller
IN MEMORIAM by Carole Bumpus
During our tour, our days were filled with memorials and
celebrations—each one as emotional as the next. France had come out
strong to support our men and they each modestly accepted their
tribute.
On the 15th of August and from three of the beaches—Pampelonne near
St. Tropez, La Croix Valmer and Cavalaire-sur-Mer—where historic
landings of the second D-Day took place, our men participated in
seven commemorative events. These included placing wreaths at the
memorials of our fallen soldiers, placing flowers in the waters of
those lost at sea, participating in a parade, and being celebrated
with receptions, speeches, dinners, an air show and an extraordinary
fireworks display.
On the following days, our men traveled north to one village after
another where liberation had been achieved through their efforts and
the efforts of the Resistance and the F.F.I. Hundreds of villagers
flocked to greet them and cheer them on. A total of twenty-five
villages were visited.
As an accompaniment of respect to our veterans, the Rock of the
Marne, a French volunteer re-enactment group provided support while
dressed in full U.S. Army combat uniforms and drove U.S. Army
WWII-era vehicles. This troop, which has supported the 3rd I.D. for
many years now, added spirit, energy and memories for our men. “They
have become like sons to us,” one veteran confided. “And, they
remind us of how young we were when we first arrived on French
soil.”
As the bus moved north following their original trek, we visited
American cemeteries in Draguignon, Épinal, and later in the
Lorraine. Honor guards and soldiers from both countries helped to
give those fallen comrades a fitting tribute, but never without
leaving our men with welled-up emotion. “We never take for granted
that this could have been us lying here. And, we never forget that
our brothers and dear friends made the ultimate sacrifice. There’s
no understanding this. There just isn’t.”
Erected in every liberated village is a monument to those who gave
their lives for the freedom of the people of France and to all who
were liberators. Repeated again and again, by one mayor after
another were the refrains, “We will never forget that you gave us
freedom. We will never let our children forget, for it is the ‘duty
of memory’ that we carry this message forward, for once all the
veterans have gone, only words will remain. And, those words will be
handed down through the generations. We will never forget.”
Final Night by Carole Bumpus
Tonight, our veterans of the 3rd I.D. will once again sleep in their
own beds, their whirlwind tour du France now a savored memory. But,
what will these men dare to dream? Will these eight octogenarians
all but one, dream of the few brief days they were celebrated as
heroes? Their friends and family members, who didn’t accompany them,
may never understand. The U.S. nation as a whole rarely grasps their
valiant participation in yet another D-Day. And will time separate
them from the richness of French gratitude extended to them during
this tour? If our veterans could hold on to only a few of the words
delivered by French dignitaries and the hundreds of men, women and
children who came forth in the sweltering heat to honor them, then
maybe their dreams tonight will be a little sweeter.
Beginning with the 65th Anniversary by the 3rd Infantry Division
(Rock of the Marne) of the Southern landing (D-Day) on the Côte
d’Azur in France on August 15th, and throughout the ensuing two
weeks, our veterans barely wavered. They continued touring
north—north along their original trek of liberation—stopping at one
village after another (twenty-five in
all) along the Rhone River, through the French Alps, the Vosges
Mountains and ending in Strasbourg. From the pomp of full military
accord with color guards, military bands, veterans of the 1st French
Army and the prestigious Lafayette Escadrille Flying Corp. and
members of the French parliament to wizened Partisans and former
F.F.I. members, these ‘reluctant heroes’ received their just due.
Through parades, festivals, commemorative ceremonies, receptions,
and luncheons, speeches from mayors, vice mayors, and Counselor
Generals the messages could be heard. But, it was also from the
hundreds of villagers who lent their cheers and their tears to the
soldiers who freed them. Literally thousands of people lent their
hands to making this 65th Anniversary tour one of their best.
The veterans themselves stood tall and accepted their praise, but
still after all of these years, their quiet response was: “We were
just doing our duty.” Especially while standing before the sea of
white crosses stretched across the fields of Draguignon, Épinal and
the American Lorraine cemeteries, their voices remained silent;
while their tears gave way to their heart-felt sadness. Comrades
lost; friends never found.
It was probably the letters written by and read by the children of
Saulx de Vesoul, which touched the veterans most deeply: “We will
never forget,” they read as their small, clear voices reached forth.
“We will never forget how you brought liberty to our beautiful
country.” “We will never forget that you saved us from the grip of
German tyranny and freed us.” “Because of your sacrifice, peace is
now our second religion.” “Thank you for the sacrifice of your
lives.”
Yes, that was the echoing refrain: “We will continue the memory of
your deeds with our children and our children’s children. We will
remind them of the sacrifices you made for us. We will tell them
about how you, not much older than children yourselves, came to a
foreign land to save us from tyranny. No, we will never forget!”
Sleep well our ‘reluctant heroes’, for you have made our world safer
and there are those who will never forget your sacrifice.
August 11-24, 2009 65th
Anniversary Battlefield Tour of France
For the Society of the 3rd Infantry
Division
Report from Carol Bumpus
Report
August 22, 2009 -
John Shirley, 2nd Lt., of Livermore, CA,
George Cox, Sgt., of Pine Bush, NY,
Donal O'Connor, S/Sgt., Normal, IL, Charles Condren, Pfc., Kerhonkson,
NY,
Patrick Heagerty, Sgt., Manlius, NY, Adolph Hoffman, Pfc., Columbia, MD,
Gerald Papin, Sgt., Spring Hill, FL, John Petruska, Sgt., Pittsburgh, PA
Yesterday
was one more day filled with emotion. We visited
the village of Bennwihr, where John Shirley, our 3rd
I.D. tour leader, was shot. We congregated at the
place which had been named after him. It's amazing
how the villagers came around him to see the man who
had helped to liberate their village--even though
the village had been razed to the ground with
bombardments. We paraded down the streets together
to their lovely new city hall and were given a
reception of crisp white Alsatian wine, along with
speeches and honors given to our veterans. During a
traditional dinner, which followed the reception, we
all walked around the room viewing the photos that
had been taken during and after the war. Only one
house remained, and only the shell of the building
we were standing in had been left. We spoke with
some of the people who had been forced to stay in
their basements or cellars, as the Germans had
prohibited them from leaving, during much of the
shelling. To be able to tell their stories, was a
miracle and one I'm going to follow up on by keeping
contact.
We also
raced down the road in our bus to get to the "new"
bridge, which was where another one of our veterans,
John Petrushka, had marched across as part of the
infantry, and was followed by a tank which was too
heavy and crashed into the river. It had been
mid-January '45 and once the infantry got across the
bridge they were immediately cut off from their back
up support and were facing the panzer tanks. As
John explains all of these details to a French
television station while standing on the bridge, we
all scanned the beautiful terrain around us--no more
a field of war--but rich fields of corn and grapes.
We all turned in the direction of the Rhine River,
only a few km. away, and tried to imagine these
young soldiers racing into the woods to escape, only
to be caught the following day and imprisoned in POW
camps for the duration of the war. Those memories
remain raw; the scars are irreparable.
Only across
the fields a short distance, was where Audie Murphy
had fought on a burning tank. That, too, needed to
be sought after as a couple of our veterans had been
part of the same division. The remnants were found
abandoned in the woods, but a memorial had been
built in memory of one of America's greatest heroes.
This, of
course, was followed by a laying of wreaths at the
base of the memorial, a speech by the mayor of
Holtzwihr, followed by another reception and another
delightful, traditional meal. (How can we ever go
back to our homes, when we've been treated to such
fine foods, wines, and impassioned receptions?)
Well, I've much more to tell you, but again, the bus
awaits. Carole
Report
August 21, 2009 -
In commemorating this 65th anniversary,
they marched before the War Memorial, at Old Nice Port, Nice, France,
for the laying of wreaths. Three wreaths, given as gifts from the 1st
French Army (Rhine and Danube), were placed in honor of those fallen
soldiers of the 1st French Army (Rhine and Danube); the French General
Council; and in honor and with gratitude for the fallen soldiers of the
U.S. Army, 3rd Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne). "Thanks to them,
France regained her freedom." A fourth tribute was placed by a member of
the 3rd Infantry Division, to the fallen soldiers from the Rock of the
Marne.
This ceremony of
tribute was presided over by Vice Mayor of Nice, and was followed by a
reception at the Palace Place Garibaldi to once again honor the veterans
who had helped liberate France. Time and again, the French refrain was
uttered, "Let us never forget. Thanks to them we regained our
freedom." Honors and gifts were given by members of the 3rd ID "Rock of
the Marne" to the former President of the Society of Rhine and Danube.
Champagne reception followed.
This was the first of many days to follow, with streams of receptions,
parades, commemorations and luncheons in their honor.
Yesterday was one
more filled day, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 11
p.m. (It has honestly become difficult to keep up with
these sweet men!) We attended at least four, perhaps five
ceremonies of commemoration. Five times large crowds
swarmed into the village squares or along the roadsides to
be a part of a tribute to our soldiers. The
temperatures have been consistently near 100 degrees, and
yet nothing seems to deter the passion we see in their
faces or in their need to share their own stories.
In one village of
Saulx de Vesoul, I was grabbed by the arm and encouraged to
follow a woman high into the rafters of the school. She
excited pointed out that this was one of the few safe places
where American G.I.'s had slept (and here is some straw left
from that time) while fighting Germans in that same
village.
Following another
laying of wreaths, and welcoming speech from yet another
mayor and vice-mayor thanking them for giving up their youth
to come to save strangers in a far off land, letters from
the children of the village were read. After reading their
letters, which were painstakingly written and colored, they
were taken one by one to the veterans. One letter read
said: "Thank you for saving our country. Thank you for the
sacrifice of your lives to liberate France from the war and
to have set the statue of Miss Liberty in the direction of
our country. We are grateful about it." Mathias, age 12.
Another read: "We
have gone to the American cemetery in Epinal where many of
your men are buried. Thanks to the, they were here to
liberate us from the German grip."
Another said,
"Thank you for coming to free us." Another, "Thank you for
your sacrifice for our freedom. Now, peace in France is a
second religion."
Behind their clear
sweet voices spoken over the microphone, the church bells of
Vesoul, began ringing and ringing. Liberty, sweet liberty
was with them. The veterans wept and were deeply touched.
Their youth was not spent in vain.
Must run again.
Today, on to the Audie Murphy battle sites and commemorating
the march for those who fell and those who courageously
moved forward toward Germany.
Our veterans are
worn out, but they continue to stand tall, sweat dripping
from their faces, and swaying with the constant sun beating
down on them, for these people are here to honor
them--THEM. This something they may never again
experience. My bus is leaving and I'm not dressed. Carole
Report August 19,
2009 -
With the
bright, morning August sun cascading over their
shoulders, eight members of the U.S. 3rd Infantry
Division (Rock of the Marne), along with members of the
1st French Army (Rhine and Danube) stood side by side,
shoulder to shoulder. Once again-perhaps, for the last
time-these octogenarians all but one, stood at attention
to pay tribute to the memory of those fallen soldiers,
who like them, had come to the Cote d'Azur in southern
France for the second D-Day, August 15, 1944.
I thought that I
would be able to send to you daily reports, but it turns
out it is far more difficult to get good wireless
connection than I anticipated. Nevertheless, my trip
with the veterans of the 3rd Infantry Division has been
one of complete awe.
We have traveled
from one village to another where the French celebrate
the landing of our U.S. troops on the beaches near St.
Tropez and Cavalier-sur-Mer. The ceremonies of great
honor, commemorating the 2nd D-Day on August 15th, 1944,
continue to draw huge crowds and dignitaries from every
village participated in thanking and honoring our most
'reluctant heroes'. Festivals, parades, fly-overs,
fireworks displays, speeches and tears have been
well-provided.
These men, nine
only traveling with this group, stand tall--or at the
best that they can as they receive one award after
another. (The men are ages 86 to 91, with the
91-year-old celebrating his birthday on this
trip.) Each have already received the Legion
of Honor,
but they are once again given gifts, medals and tokens
of appreciation and are always told that above all: "We
French will never forget . . . Never forget all that you
have done to win our freedom back." These are most
inspiring, tear-filled moments as our men receive the
accolades that only come to them here--on French soil.
With wheelchairs
and walkers scraping over gravel courses, cobblestone
streets, up one hill and down another to be heralded as
conquering heroes gives them a semblance of dignity and
respect that probably leaves the rest of their days seem
limp in comparison. Men rejoice, women weep and kiss
the men, platoons of soldiers march to honor them, flags
are raised and the national anthems for both countries
echo through the hills from St. Tropez through to
Strasbourg.
Each day has been
long and filled with at least three ceremonies, followed
by champagne filled receptions and then lengthy meals.
Old songs from the era of the 40s are sung and nostalgia
runs free. We are blessed to be witnesses to each and
every one of these moments and the hearing of each and
every one of their own stories of the liberation.
I'll write more
when I can. My bus awaits. Carole
Operation Dragoon -
Southern France, WWII
Our ceremony
yesterday made the NBC Nightly News on Wednesday August 5th.
Operation Dragoon and its veterans get a little recognition.
Click Here to see the video
Rock of the Marne!
Monika Stoy
Veterans entering Amphitheater
with Boy Scout escorts
(l to r), Robert Sacha, Sam Magee (1st Special Service Force), Renee
Guercin (1st French Army), LTG Seitz (517PRCT)
Veterans listen to speakers during ceremony in the Amphitheater
Attached are
two photos that were taken at a Freedom Team Salute Award program I
had on May 27th. I presented 237 awards to students at a local
Middle School. The Guest of Honor was this Soldier, CPL Christopher
Levi. Chris is assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, at Ft. Polk,
LA, and was attached to the 30th Inf Regt, 3rd ID last year while in
Iraq. He was hit with an IED and was sent to Walter Reed Hosp. He
became a double amputee and has also lost some of his right hand. I
presented Chris a Freedom Team Salute Supporter Award, since he is
still active. I also presented Freedom Team Salute Parent Awards, to
Debbie & Eric Levi, the parents of Chris. Chris will be going back
to Walter Reed for more rehabilitation and possibly more surgery in
a few weeks.
This is another example of the fine men & women who are in the 3rd
ID and I'm very humbled and proud of this dog faced soldier to know
him.
ROTM-Yours in ! the 3rd
Al Julia, OP#5
Christopher Levi and Al Julia
Al also presented Freedom Team
Salute Parent Awards, to Debbie & Eric Levi, the parents of Chris.
Outpost
Europe Hosts 64th Anniversary Celebration on Obersalzberg By Monika and Tim Stoy
It was a cool, overcast
day on 5 May 2009, just as on 5 May 1945, when Outpost Europe hosted
the 64th anniversary celebration of the division’s liberation of
Berchtesgaden and the Obersalzberg at the division’s memorial tablet
in front of the InterContinental Berchtesgaden Resort on the
Obersalzberg. It had rained 3 days straight before the ceremony, and
it rained that afternoon too, but for the ceremony we were blessed
with good weather.
United States Army Europe (USAREUR) supported this outstanding event
with an honor platoon led by SFC Thomas Murphy and a color guard led
SSG Gonzalez, both from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment from
Vilseck, Germany, as well as with a brass quintet under Sergant
Major Buford from the USAREUR Band. The soldiers from 2nd Stryker
Cavalry Regiment had practiced the Dog Face Soldier for weeks prior
to the ceremony and did a marvelous job singing our song during the
ceremony. Especially touching was their singing it one more time
before they departed the hotel that afternoon in honor of our great
division and veterans. The outpost is especially thankful to General
Carter Ham, USAREUR Commander, for making their outstanding support
available.
We were also honored that four soldiers from Fort Stewart
represented Major General Cucolo – 1LT Samudio, SSG Luce, Sgt
Norris, and Sgt McCarver, all recently returned from Iraq. Their
participation greatly reinforced the link between the hard charging
division of WWII and the hard charging division of today.
Hotel general manager Mr. Claus Geisselman and his excellent staff
ensured we once again received outstanding support, hosting
breakfast for our soldiers as well as a very nice post-ceremony
luncheon.
This year we were very happy to be joined by a representative of the
German Army – Major Koehl – the executive officer of the 232nd
Mountain Infantry Battalion stationed in a nearby garrison. The
mayor of Berchtesgaden, Mayor Rasp, the deputy county commissioner,
Mr. Schaupp, and numerous members of the local community joined us
to mark the great friendship that still exists between the United
States and Germany which grew out of the long presence of Americans
in and around Berchtesgaden which began in May 1945.
Dr. Bernhard Oswald, who has been instrumental in our emplacing the
tablet and enabling our ceremonies on the Obersalzberg, delivered
comments on behalf of the Bavarian government while Monika delivered
the keynote address honoring our great division and our great WWII
soldiers incorporating comments from Major General Lloyd B. Ramsey
and LTC Sherman Pratt, both great Marne Soldiers who stood on the
Obersalzberg on 5 May 1945 and whose spirit we felt with us
throughout the ceremony.
In her address, Monika pointed out “the division had the most
casualties of any division in the war - 25,977. In one day of the
Anzio Breakout in May 1944 it lost almost 1000 men killed in action.
It had the most days in combat of any division in the European
Theater of Operations, 531. It had the most Medal of Honor winners
of any division in WWII – 37. The most decorated soldier of the war,
LT Audie Murphy, served in the division, as well as the second most
decorated, CPT Maurice Britt. When asked which division he regarded
as the best he had faced, the German Field Marshal Kesselring named
the 3rd Infantry Division. The Division well earned the respect of
its opponent and the name Blue and White Devils.”
We also missed the presence of our veterans from last year, John
Miller, Bob Dutil, and Ross Brown – who had helped make last year’s
ceremony so very special. They were also with us in our thoughts as
we stood there and watched our soldiers raise the colors over the
Obersalzberg.
We have already begun making arrangements for next year’s 65th
anniversary ceremony, which we plan to make a very big event. The
hotel and Dr. Oswald are prepared to continue their outstanding
support to the outpost and the event. So please, mark your calendars
for 5 May 2010 and save up so you can travel to Berchtesgaden and
celebrate our great division at that very significant place.
Outpost Europe would like to extend its’ great appreciation and
deepest respect to all our WWII veterans who contributed so much to
the division’s sterling record and led to our ability to celebrate
this very meaningful anniversary on the Obersalzberg.
Rock of the Marne!
Ft. Stewart soldiers raising the flag
Presentation of the Colors
Wreath Laying
3rd Div "Right Arm Night"
March 20, 2009 - Henry Burke, Membership Chairman of
the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, as he informs 40 units of
the 3ID on the functions of the Society at Club Stewart, GA. The
Division Commander, Major General Anthony Cucolo introduced him to
the 200 staff members of the division. Henry talked to the division about the Society and gave each unit a
packet of information on the Society which included scholarships
given by the Society and regiments. He was received and supported
well.
Get One for the Rock! Henry Burke
Henry Burke, Gen Cucolo, and CSM Andrews
Outpost 15 Meeting Details on the
Outpost
News page
Front Row (L-R): Carl Duncan (sitting), Donitza Williams
Middle Row (L-R): Joseph R. Vallero, Alberta Vallero, Curtis Gentry,
Michael Grimes, Ben Kessner
Back Row (L-R): Kirk Swanson, Richard McKiddy, Hal Adamson, Michael
J. Baker
Not Pictured: Margaret Gentry
(L-R): Curtis A. Gentry (Secy-Treas), Michael J. Grimes (V-P), and
Michael J. Baker (President)
Check out new books of interest to the 3rd
Infantry Division at,
It was reported in today's Post
Dispatch Paper that Medal of Honor recipient Russell Dunham has died
of heart failure in his home in Gedfrey on Monday, April 6, 2009. He
was 89. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm, Thursday and from 9:30 to
11 am Friday at Gent's Funeral Home in Alton, IL A funeral service
that will be officiated by a VFW Chaplin will be held there at 11
am. Friday. Mr. Dunham will be buried at Valhalla Memorial Park in
Gedfrey, IL.
Dunham, Russell E.
Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company I, 30th Infantry,
3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kayserberg, France, 8 January 1945.
Entered service at: Brighton Ill. Born: 23 February 1920, East Carondelet, Ill.
G.O. No.: 37, 11 May 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity
at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. At about 1430 hours on 8
January 1945, during an attack on Hill 616, near Kayserberg, France, T/Sgt.
Dunham single-handedly assaulted 3 enemy machineguns. Wearing a white robe made
of a mattress cover, carrying 12 carbine magazines and with a dozen hand
grenades snagged in his belt, suspenders, and buttonholes, T/Sgt. Dunham
advanced in the attack up a snow-covered hill under fire from 2 machineguns and
supporting riflemen. His platoon 35 yards behind him, T/Sgt. Dunham crawled 75
yards under heavy direct fire toward the timbered emplacement shielding the left
machinegun. As he jumped to his feet 10 yards from the gun and charged forward,
machinegun fire tore through his camouflage robe and a rifle bullet seared a
10-inch gash across his back sending him spinning 15 yards down hill into the
snow.
When the indomitable sergeant sprang to his feet to renew his 1-man
assault, a German egg grenade landed beside him. He kicked it aside, and as it
exploded 5 yards away, shot and killed the German machinegunner and assistant
gunner. His carbine empty, he jumped into the emplacement and hauled out the
third member of the gun crew by the collar. Although his back wound was causing
him excruciating pain and blood was seeping through his white coat, T/Sgt.
Dunham proceeded 50 yards through a storm of automatic and rifle fire to attack
the second machinegun. Twenty-five yards from the emplacement he hurled 2
grenades, destroying the gun and its crew; then fired down into the supporting
foxholes with his carbine dispatching and dispersing the enemy riflemen.
Although his coat was so thoroughly blood-soaked that he was a conspicuous
target against the white landscape, T/Sgt. Dunham again advanced ahead of his
platoon in an assault on enemy positions farther up the hill. Coming under
machinegun fire from 65 yards to his front, while rifle grenades exploded 10
yards from his position, he hit the ground and crawled forward. At 15 yards
range, he jumped to his feet, staggered a few paces toward the timbered
machinegun emplacement and killed the crew with hand grenades. An enemy rifleman
fired at pointblank range, but missed him. After killing the rifleman, T/Sgt.
Dunham drove others from their foxholes with grenades and carbine fire. Killing
9 Germans--wounding 7 and capturing 2--firing about 175 rounds of carbine
ammunition, and expending 11 grenades, T/Sgt. Dunham, despite a painful wound,
spearheaded a spectacular and successful diversionary attack.
Cucolo: More
Third ID deployments
By Dal Cannady Posted: Feb 20, 2009
FORT STEWART, GA (WTOC) - President Barack Obama signed the order to
send some 17,000 more troops into Afghanistan and now we learn some
of our troops may be heading there sooner than expected.
Third Infantry Division commander Major General Tony Cucolo and
other leaders are starting to talk about the next deployment not as
an if, but a when. He says a brigade or more could be sent to
Afghanistan as part of the President's plan. But at least part of
the division will be heading back to Iraq by the end of the year.
"We're inside 34 weeks till our next deployment," said Cucolo. "The
division headquarters, our brigade from Fort Benning and a brigade
here are currently scheduled to go to multi-national headquarters in
northern Iraq."
The units involved will begin training for this assignment later
this year.
Commanders have been talking since 2007 about the division starting
to deploy in segments so that some troops may be returning home just
as others are getting back. Even as the Army brings more troops to
Fort Stewart, the times when they're all here or all gone may be few
and far between.
Click on some Images for larger view
round was broken
Wednesday for the Fallen Soldiers' Memorial, shown in part here in
an artist's rendition.
South Columbus Elementary School
_Renee%20Guercin%20(1st%20FR%20Army)_Sam%20Magee%20(1st%20Special%20Service%20Force)%20and%20Robert%20Sacha2%20.jpg)
