Retired Lt. Col. Alfred Shehab, the honorary colonel of the 38th Cav. Regt., began his time in the service in August of 1942 as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Cavalry. Shehab was part of the unit during WWII, when the squadron earned the nickname, “The Lucky 38th.” He attended the ceremony Friday and he told the guests and troops in formation that seeing his unit go away was incredibly frustrating.
Article and photos by Erin Rogers, Sentinel Staff
In December, 1944, as a replacement in the Infantry, I traveled to France and was assigned to the 80th Division of General Patton’s 3rd Army. My first assignment was as a stretcher bearer for 2 days, then I was sent to join an infantry platoon. During the next 3 months I was “Doc” to these men, remaining with them through the Battle of the Bulge, the Saar Palatinate, and Central Europe campaigns.
On the morning of March 22nd, I was transferred to the 5th Division. Near midnight, that company to which I had been newly assigned was sent to make a reconnaissance mission across the Rhine River near Hoffenheim, south of Mainz. General Patton wished to know enemy strength before making the first assault into Germany. The rubber boat I was in held 12 men and we had to paddle across, passing by a small island midstream. Unfortunately, the enemy tanks were waiting and my boat was hit, killing 7 of the 12.
Myself and another soldier, both wounded, were able to paddle to safety on that island. I administered help to those wounded after checking the men that didn’t make it. Then we managed to get to a bombed out farm house on the island where there was relative safety from the continued shelling by the German forces. At daybreak, I went to the west end of that island and from there the 5 of us were rescued and returned to the west bank. Because of my wounds, I was flown back to hospital in England. For my efforts that night, I received the Bronze Star (60 years later!).
Most recently, on June 4th, the French government awarded 10 Bulge veterans the Legion of Honor medal at the state capital in Atlanta, GA. I felt much gratitude to the French people for this honor in recognizing all of us who served in that battle so many years ago.
One of the men with whom I served those 3 months was PFC Michael Lendino from Teaneck, NJ. Mike and I stayed in touch until he passed away 4 years ago. He was my best friend during those months and I would like to have his name listed in memoriam with the VBOB.
PFC Fred H. Moston, Combat Medic
317 Reg., 80th Div., 3rd Army
For my 90th birthday in January 2015 I gave myself a trip to Belgium to retrace my steps in the Battle of the Bulge. I was part of the 11th Armored Division 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion, Company B Patton’s Third Army.
My son and I took the trip in May 2015 not only on the 70th anniversary of the Battle but also VE Day.
We stayed in a hotel on McAuliffe Square in Bastogne – the Sherman tank on display there is an 11th Armored Division tank- and took day trips to the battle sites.
The site of our first attack on December 30, 1944 was a bloody hillside near Remagne where we were pinned down without any artillery support. We went to Rechrival and Houmont. At Longchamps we relieved a unit of the 101st Airborne and attacked through the forest toward Bertogne. Following the capture we moved on to Compogne and Mabompre and then to Houffalize. We were relieved there by the 17th airborne Division and we turned east to attack Buret.
There we were told the battle had ended and we began to get the Stars and Stripes GI paper. It informed us that the ordeal we had been through was being called The Battle of the Bulge.
During our recent day trips I was able to identify several landmarks that I remembered, a church, a bridge, a hillside. The countryside in the Ardennes was beautiful in May, lots of green pastures and beautiful with cattle. Some fields were recently cultivated; others were golden yellow with mustard. There were lots of forest patches. To admire that scenery was a far cry from the knee deep snow I remembered and the night time temperatures of below 0 degrees.
In Bastogne the Mardasson Monument is impressive, a tribute to our 50 states and to each division which fought in the Bulge. Two outstanding museums, The Bastogne War Museum and The Old Belgian Barracks, have marvelous displays.
We fought to defeat the German army but to the Belgians it was being liberated from the Nazis. It is very much in their heritage. I wore my veteran’s cap to both museums and was surprised when total strangers came up to shake my hand and say thank you or Merci.
Our last two visits were to the American Cemeteries at Hamm in the Luxembourg City and Henri Chapelle near Leige where several of my platoon members are buried. A group of Belgians have adopted many gravesites and decorate them several times a year. We met the Belgian couple who adopted the grave site of a close friend. They invited us to have lunch with them and we had a wonderful time in their company.
The trip rekindled old memories and shaped new ones. I treasure both.
Clinton C Barnard S/Sgt
COB 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion
11th Armored Division
I am researching a battle that occurred during the Battle of the Bulge and cannot find any veterans who took part in the battle. The location of the battle was Dirbach, Luxembourg. The dates are from January 20th to the 22nd January 1945.
The unit that fought in this battle was 2nd Battalion, the 317th Infantry Regiment, the 80th Infantry Division.
Please contact me if you fought in this battle
Ben McGregor
Benjam2000@hotmail.co.uk
The Northwest Chapter, Seattle, WA held their annual Spring Luncheon Meeting at LaQuinta Inn in Tacoma, WA (near Seattle) on April 11, 2015.
The program was “Reports from the Field: WW II 70 Years Later” The presenters were Doris Davis, Vice President of VBOB National and Peter Lahmann, WW II Historian. Both speakers presented information about tours they had participated in during the last year. Doris’ presentation was about the 70th Anniversary Tour to Belgium and Luxembourg in Dec, 2014. Her presentation included pictures taken during the tour as well as a short video that was actual film footage taken during the War. Peter’s presentation was about his trip to Europe last summer as he explored historical sites. Frank Vetere, a member of the Chapter, shared many interesting items in a table display. There were also vintage military vehicles for participants to see. Over 100 people were in attendance at the meeting (14 Veterans).
Left to Right Seated (Front Row): Alvin Ackerman, Robert Meyer, Robert Parker, Ray Pennock, Daniel O’Brien, Robert Eilenberger
Left to Right Standing (Back Row): Frank Vetere, Douglas Donner, Maurice Schmidli, Don Leonard, Buck Pearsol, Cal Johnson
Not Pictured: Chuck McGuire, Jim Bernovich
Photo – courtesy of Steve Mahler, son of Art Mahler, former President of The Northwest Chapter
Submitted by Doris Davis, Associate
By Erin Arvedlund, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer and David Maialetti Staff Photographer
A dwindling group of elderly Philadelphia veterans wants to build a Battle of the Bulge memorial in Washington Square, a site within the city’s Historic Mile they believe is a fitting place to remember the key World War II confrontation. Read story
The Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge – Kansas Chapter held their annual reunion at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS on January 24, 2015. Twenty five (25) Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and another six (6) WWII Veterans.
According to newspaper reports there were approximately 350 people in attendance. Chapter President Mark Collins had 175 registered, but the weather cooperated and there was excellent media coverage. The Kansas Chapter provides a free 8×10 photo of each WWII Veteran (also his family if there). Following individual and group photos a panel discussion was held before moving to the Presidential Library for a buffet lunch.
The Kansas Chapter also dedicated a bench which sets directly across from Ike’s statue and centered between the library and museum. “It is the best location that we could have ask for” said Chapter President Mark Collins. Over 150,000 visitors visit the Eisenhower Center each year. The granite bench will be there for years and allow people to sit in the rose garden and look at Ike’s statue. The Kansas Chapter will be trying to get another bench on the state capitol grounds in Topeka. It was a very successful 70th anniversary in Kansas!
Mark Collins, Past President
On February 20, 2015, Wayne Field received the Congressional Gold Medal for his efforts in building the Civil Air Patrol. The ceremony took place at the Colorado State Capital Building in Denver CO.
The award was presented by Colorado’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Michael Edwards, who oversees the Colorado Air National Guard and the Colorado Civil Air Patrol and US Representative, Ed Perlmutter and Colorado Wing Commander, Col. William Aceves. The recipients shared their stories during the event.
After Wayne became a CAP cadet during WW II and then joined the Army and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. The Civil Air Patrol scanned the waves for ships, survivors and submarines (all on a volunteer basis). One of their main roles was to spot, harass and attack submarines, giving the nation time to mobilize. They played a major role in restoring security to our coasts and pushing the U-boat menace back out to sea. They trained cadets, patrolled the border, watched for forest fires, lead search and rescue missions, delivered essential parts and medicines, tested civil air defenses and towed targets in dangerous live-fire and anti-aircraft exercises. By the end of the War, the civilian men and women of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) had flown over 750,000 hours of missions, and 65 volunteers had given their lives on active duty. Their motto was (and still is) “Sepmer Vigilans” – they are ‘always vigilant’ and always ready to rush to the rescue of our country.
The first recipient of this medal was George Washington and this, says Wayne, makes him feel ‘quite honored.’
Addendum: Since the War, Wayne has flown many Search and Rescue (SAR) Missions in MA, CT, NY, IL, MO and CO as a mission pilot. He’s been a Squadron Commander in several states and he says that he really loves working with the cadets.
submitted by Doris Davis, Associate
One morning, as I awoke to the sharp shooting pain in the bottom of my foot, caused by neuropathy as a result of bilateral trench foot known as “frozen feet,” from temperatures 20 degrees below zero during The Battle of the Bulge. Thinking back, if I hadn’t been hospitalized at the 36th General Hospital APO 380 somewhere in France between Feb. 18, 1945 and April 27, 1945 and had continued with my 80th Inf. Division, where would I have ended up on V-E day?
History tells me it would be Czechoslovakia or Austria. This is my bucket list to finalize my quest to continue my tour of duty under the command of General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army and celebrating the surrender of Germany on April 30, 1945.
After some trip planning mishaps, my son Marty and I have arranged a trip to Plzen. My son arrived Sunday night April 26th. Stayed overnight and we are all set to leave the following day on our adventure. Departing 2:00 PM from RSW International Airport on United Airlines with a stop at Newark, N.J. we continue flying all night arriving next morning in Frankfurt, Germany. After clearing customs we continued our journey by train to Plzen by way of Nurnberg, Schwandorf and arriving in Plzen around 5:00 PM. After checking in to our Hotel and having dinner. Two tired travelers were ready for bed.
Next morning, after a restful night and an enjoyable breakfast at our Hotel UZvonu, we were welcomed by our beautiful compassionate smiling Patricia Kraftova, who works tirelessly volunteering her time as coordinator of the programming for the liberation festival and overseeing the escorts and buses for transportation to all the events every day. She is a remarkable lady for the love of the veterans and their families. For example she asked us what we would like to do today and we suggested that we would care to visit the Pilsner Brewery. No problem, as she called a cab and off we went to visit the Brewery where she had lunch with us in the Na Spilce restaurant ( still in the Brewery complex) after which she arranged our guided tour threw out the Brewery and told us she had to get back to work but the cab driver would return to take us back to the Hotel at the end of our tour.
Friday- May 1, 2015 We begin our whirlwind of a week of celebration including the dedication and ribbon cutting of a new monument in memory of General George S. Patton made of core ten steel located in the heart of down town Plzen followed by an invitation to City Hall where we were treated like Royalty being honored with gifts, whined and dined, and feasted on a wonderful buffet of food. We also were presented with a shopping bag filled with articles as a cap, tee shirt (with the Czech Republic insignia logo) on them. A ½ liter beer mug engraved with our name including an 18 ounce can of beer. The Lord Mayor really knows how to throw a welcome party!
Saturday- May 2, 2015 After having a wonderful breakfast at our hotel, we boarded our appointed buses departing around 9:00 AM and were led by a police escort through town non stop at the intersections regardless of the traffic lights, red or green. People along the streets must have wondered what VIP’s were we? Arriving at the main hall of the Mestanska Beseda meeting with the public together with the Belgian veterans-sharing memories and interviews between 10:00 – 12:00 noon plus 30 minutes of signing autographs. Enough to give you writer’s cramp by the time you signed your name, company, regiment, division and 3rd Army that you served in. One of my friends had the right idea as he had a rubber stamp with his signature and outfit on it. I excused myself to go to the men’s room and thought instead of returning to the auditorium I would remain out in the lobby. Well that didn’t work as I had thought because low and behold the T.V. camera spotted me and was interviewing me along with people with cameras wanting pictures taken beside me with their spouses or children. Now I know what it must be like to have the paparazzi chasing after you. At 12:30 our buses depart to Plaza area and military camp, including the presentation of military history clubs, technology, equipment and Municipal Police Plzen presentation including a fly over of jet planes.
14:25 buses departure to Patton Memorial (museum): Reflex magazine photographing veterans and after visiting thru the museum we again departed to the Republic Square –restaurant Comix. Friendly dinner with Belgian veterans and Deputy Mayor, Martin Baxa. Municipality of the City of Plzen invitation list of WWII veterans from the USA and Belgium. The restaurant was closed to the general public during the dinner other than family members, guests and escorts. When we came out the door of the restaurant there were crowds of people on both sides of the sidewalk clear to the street waiting to photograph us. Because the jeeps were waiting to take us to the main stage in the Republic Square for a big swing party with the Melody Makers from 19:00-20:00 including folk celebration in dresses of 1945, dancing in the square, tasting limited edition of pilsner “Liberation beer.”But we ducked around the corner and walked back to our hotel.
Sunday-May 3, 2015 Again, another full day of celebration. After breakfast we boarded our buses at 8:00 AM and proceeded to Husova Street for a wreath-Laying Ceremony at the 16th Armored Division Memorial. Also a Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the monument of Czechoslovak soldiers fighting on the Western Front. At 9:45 AM a Wreath- Laying Ceremony at the 2nd Infantry Division Memorial in Chodske Square. After the ceremony your escorts show you to your jeep( with your name tag on it) only WWII veterans with one closest family member ride in jeeps. All other quests and all escorts to observe the convoy of Liberty from the VIP platform near the Opera House. The Parade lasts from 10:50 until 13:00 ending up in the Republic Square meeting the public once again for autographs. Thousands of people lined the streets cordoned behind fences along the curb.
I autographed flags, helmets, empty shell cases, pictures, books and you name it until I said to Patricia, “You’ve got to get me out of here.” So she threw Marty and me in the back of a police car and told the police Officers to take us down to the hotel for lunch. 14:00 Helen Patton – in concert with The Mole’s Wing Orchestra & The Spitfire Sister-Republic Square and as always with reserved chairs in front of the stage for our group. Helen Patton and Dick Williams:
Monday May 4, 2015 Called a Free Day including a memorial match of 1945-football (soccer) game between old guard of Victoria Plzen and American soldiers-members of historical military clubs reserved 30 seats for our group or by invitation by the Foyes family to their Frisova villa for the society of honor reception including a buffet lunch of which we attended. Later the same day by invitation meeting at the Marriott Hotel 200 guests gathered for an evening of entertainment, movie, and dinner provided by the George Lavickas family. They have been entertaining the American troops including their families every year at their home until the number of people became more than their house could accommodate and now they had to move it to the hotel. They do this in appreciation for the liberation and freedom that the American troops had given them in 1945. We were fortunate to be seated at the same table with Rob Gilbert and his father, Col. Robert I. Gilbert who will be 100 years old in June of this year.
Tuesday May 5, 2015 Buses depart for Dysina. A ceremony was held at the Gen. George S Patton school. Students performing dance and song. Returning back to Plzen Republic Square for The George S. Patton Scholarship of Honor Award. Also, Medals Awards by the Czech Army. It was followed by the Gustav Brom Big Band.
Wednesday May 6, 2015 @ 4:00 AM it’s time to leave behind our dream vacation and arrive at the airport for our flight home. It was a pleasure bonding with my son for a week but I don’t think he ever realized what a hero his Dad was, until the way that these people accepted us as their heroes. My son Marty quotes: “It was a trip of a lifetime.”
And I have to agree it was fabulous, exciting and beyond my expectations.
Written by: Norval (Dick) Williams Chevalier
Mr. Frank Vetere was awarded the French Legion of Honor by the Honorary Consul General of France, Mr. Jack Cowan, in Seattle, WA on April 11, 2015 at the annual meeting of the Northwest Chapter. Many family members and friends were among the 100 + attendees.
Frank was initially trained as a Bridge Builder Combat Engineer in 1943 and on July 24, 1944, he and his Battalion arrived on Utah Beach, He saw combat in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg. On December 16, 1944 (the day that the “Bulge” began), he was in the Eupen Forest. He remembers being in Brand, Germany (just outside of Aachen). His Battalion held Germany in check at Monchau. They constructed bridges over the Roer, Rhine, Weser, and Elbe Rivers. Prior to receiving this medal, he had been awarded 2 Overseas Bars, American Campaign Medal, and a European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal with 4 Battle Stars.
Submitted by Doris Davis, Associate
Battle of the Bulge Survivors Gather; Recall Snow, Encounters with the Foe
By Helen McCaffrey; Reprinted with Permission from the Cape May Herald
Trish Hebert put it best when she said, “It’s important to remember everybody who served and the lives that were lost saving our country.” On Dec. 19 that is exactly what a group of over 40 did when they gathered at Mad Batter restaurant to honor the survivors of the Battle of the Bulge.
The famous battle that stopped the last massive push of the Nazi army occurred between Dec. 16, 1944 and Jan. 25, 1945. It involved American, French, British, Canadian, Belgian and German troops. When it was over, the official list of American casualties was 80,987 including 19,000 killed.
The Battle of the Bulge, as contemporary media named it, was the bloodiest battle of World War II for the Americans. The German casualties were numbered at 84,834. In the end, the Nazi counter-offensive failed and the Allies went on to liberate Europe. The outcome was not assured, however, when the Nazis made their surprise attack.
Arlette Michaelis was a child of 15 living in a country occupied by the Nazis. At the time of the battle, her parents Maurice and Georgette de Monceau, along with her brother Guy, were all in prison. They had been put there by the Nazis for resistance activities.
“I had to take care of my younger sister, Jilette who was 13,” recalled Michaelis. She remembered how frightened the Belgian people were that the Germans would have resurgence. The snow was so bad nothing could move and the clouds so thick that the planes could not fly,” she said.
The Germans finally ran out of gas – literally. Michaelis said the biggest lesson learned was how precious freedom is and how any country could lose it just like Belgium did. “That is my big fear,” she said. She recounted it all in her book Beyond the Ouija Board. “We will always be grateful to the Allies and the Americans.”
Ed Steinberg serves as the president of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge – South Jersey Chapter LXI. Steinberg is the son of Albert, a Bronze Star recipient and survivor of the battle. He received the baton from Gus Epple who was present.
Epple asked that any World War II veteran share one story. He told of his own “Baptism of Fire.” That first night of engagement, Epple was asked by his sergeant to go with him across the field of battle to search for the wounded and take them to safety. It was one wounded man at a time all the while dodging Nazi strafing. “That night I learned what was meant by ‘dead weight.’ That was my first day of combat.”
A young Al McGorsky had a message to deliver on Christmas Eve. As he drove across the open field, his jeep broke down in the muck. “What the hell are we going to do?” he thought.
The 18-year-old prayed. The message got delivered. “Bastogne is the word that describes the rest of your life,” he declared. He also recalled running into three young German soldiers who were leaving the battlefield. “They had enough. They were quitting. My buddy wanted to kill them but I said, ‘No put ‘em in the jeep.’ We did and turned them over to the French.” He said he got in trouble for not killing them but added, “I couldn’t. It was against my rules to shoot ‘em in cold blood.”
James Dougherty traveled all the way from Ashland, Va. to honor his late father-in-law, Ted Kerwood. William deWald, accompanied by his companion, Debbie Longo, presented a check to honor the memory of his father Nicholas B. deWald who died in May 2014 at age 97. He expressed gratitude for all he had learned from his father and the other brave men who fought that frigid winter.
Rev. Ted Osler of First United Methodist Church in Court House delivered the invocation. Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Mike Gross gave the keynote speech. Gross came equipped with a treasure trove of photographs taken by a 16-year-old soldier Louis Glaven.
Two days before Glaven died he passed on the invaluable photos to Gross. They had been hidden in his attic for nearly three quarters of a century. Glaven used a Kodak Brownie camera to take dozens of pictures of the landing on Omaha Beach.
“The albums are destined for the Navy War College. This is a story that should be told, must be told and is being lost,” said Gross.
Joseph Hebert, Navy captain, retired, is engaged in reaching out to young people to make sure they know their history.
The event was hosted by owner of the Mad Batter, Mark Kulkowitz. His father, Harry, fought in the battle when he was 19. For his exceptional bravery Kulkowitz was awarded the Legion d’Honeur Medal by the government of France.
Mark recently took him to Normandy for the remembrance there and he was greeted by the heads of state, including President Barack Obama.
Alex Jackson told the Herald that fewer school principals are inviting veterans to tell their histories. “They say they can’t fit it in. I’d like to see that change. Ask your local school to host these men – these brave warriors. We owe them and our children to keep this going,” Jackson added.
The Condo News print newspaper, in its 44th year, circulates within the condominium communities of Palm Beach County, Florida, from Delray Beach in the south to North Palm Beach in the north, and along the beach on Singer Island, Palm Beach, and South Palm Beach, west to Royal Palm Beach.
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Betty Thomas, Publisher & Webmaster
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Jack Carver, Lou Cunningham, Walter George and Richard Good did not know each other in 194,4 although they were all fighting along the shattered American lines in the pivotal Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Little did they know that one day they’d all be sitting around together telling old war stories.
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Shelby Mertens
ReporterPetersburg Progress-Index