Larry

Please post the following to the website.

Thanks,

Joe R Alexander

From: Joe Alexander [mailto:joe@offroadeq.com]
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 5:17 PM
To: Sam Bass (101 ExSecTrea); Catie Rodriquez (Asst Editor Screaming Eagle Magazine
Subject: Charlie Gant and Ron Gillette

To All,

I received from Johnny Velasquez a phone call and the following email concerning Ron Gillette’s heart attack while he was driving a Recreational Vehicle with Marsha to Oregon.

Thank goodness, Ron timely sought and received medical aid.

Also, Johnny mentioned that Charlie Gant was recovering at home from recent surgery.

Both are key players of the 502^nd as well as the 101^st Airborne Division Association.

Charlie and Ron, get well quick because we need your leadership.

Please keep Charlie, and Ron and Marsha in your prayers and thoughts.

Joe R Alexander, President

101^st Airborne Division Association

From: eagl4evr@comcast.net [mailto:eagl4evr@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 9:32 AM
To: Charlie Gant; Larry & Debera Frazier; Sam Bass; Joe & Rikki Alexander
Subject: Ron Gillette

All,

I spoke to Ron last night and he is recovering very well, and he will be home sometime today. The doctors wants him to have complete rest for a while.

His story was that he and Marsha were on their way to Oregon for two weeks of fishing and camping in their RV trailer. Last Friday as they leaving home, he felt some pain in his chest but it was small. As he drove the pain got worse, and his left arm became numb. He saw a sign telling him a hospital was 12 miles away, he he drove to it. There at the emergency room, the doctors determined that he was having a heart attack, and a decision was made to have him flown to San Francisco for treatment. He flew in one of those medical planes equipped with two nurses.

The diagnosis was that one of his Arteries was approx. 99% blocked, but that his heart was fine. Everything was done, and he is doing fine and expected to make a full recovery.

Getting a phone call from Marsha yesterday was very shocking for me to say the least, but thank God he will survive.

Send him a card, as I'm sure he will appreciate that, and you can call me if you want any further update.

Thanks to those who have called.

As a footnote, and not too be lost, we had another 502nd man now recovering from surgery and he too is now home recovering. Charlie Gant was in the hospital with a kidney problem, but is doing well but in a lot of pain right now.

Johnny

Visit the Reunion Notes Page to read about recent additions (the entire schedule, tours, unit dinners, and links to the attending unit functions). This looks to be a large reunion with many units attending.

The following was written by Robert Scarbrough a couple of years ago. Robert was a great "Phoenix" pilot (C/158th Avn Bn, Camp Evans, RVN) and a guy I feel fortunate to call a good friend and fellow vet. Guys like this made sure many of us got home!

ANOTHER CLOSE CALL
by
Robert C. Scarbrough
Phoenix 54
Copyright 2006 , all rights reserved

Phoenix drew ash and trash this month, doing single ship re-supply,
while the Lancers and Kingsmen are getting their ass's kicked on
combat support in the ASHAU. I am heading west with C-rations and
ammo. Ina-Goda-Da-Vida plays in my head while I have sex with the most
gorgeous red-head you have ever seen, it's really a great day.

Peter pilot calls for smoke spoiling the daydream, goofy-grape, we've
got a single ship hover hole just south of Rendezvous. I've got it,
Peter pilot hands over the controls and lights up.
At the bottom of the hole l hover for a moment letting the smoke
clear. Clear left ,clear right, we set down to unload.

While sitting there getting rid of our load, l notice that something
is different today. Nothing is the right color, peter pilot is my
best friend, but l don't know his name. Our rotors are turning
furiously, but there is no sound, odd like the twilight during an
eclipse, or an aura just before a migrane.

We're unloaded and ready to back-haul some grunts, as they start to
climb in l realize l know all of them, Las Hermes, Forsythe, Herndon,
Swanson, Eggelston, Arnette and Manes. (all Phoenix KIA)

They get in, chicken plates on and helmets in their lap, They give me
the thumbs up which I return, turning around, I get to the business
of taking off.
I twist the throttle up, Rotor, Nl, Egt all in the green, Clear left,
clear right.

An explosion throws up dirt and fire at two-o'clock, then another....
they're walking mortars in....l pull pitch but the collective won't
move. I pull harder ....It comes out of the floor in my hand dangling
wire and cable like a newly severed limb. I am horrified. At twelve-
o'clock to see a short silhouette, he aims an RPG, I see his soul as
he pulls the trigger. The grenade comes in slow-motion, heading
straight at me, the rotors turn like the second hand on a wind up
watch, tic....tic....tic.

The grenade pushes through the windshield sending plastic shards
everywhere.
l raise my hand to my face as though it will help. The grenade
explodes in my face.... I scream.

My wife, turns over to comfort me: "dreaming again Robert....the war
is over, go back to sleep".

Back to sleep my ass! Drenched with sweat, wide awake and a little
shaky, I totter downstairs for the liquor cabinet. Pouring a double,
me and Jack Daniels share the darkness with few Valium. In a few
minutes I drift off, it was just another close call, like so many
others.

The war's been over for twenty-five years now, all my passengers have
been dead that long. "But if I could have only taken off [I could
have gotten them out], Well......there is always tomorrow night!

Faithfully yours,

"A veteran - whether active duty, retired, or national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." That is an honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it. -- Author unknown"

Make donations payable to the 1/502 VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND and mail to:
Memorial Fund
Attn: Wally Morrow
W 5527 Rustic Lane
Appleton, WI 54915-9393

Contributions to 1/502 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and/or to 101st Airborne Division Vietnam Veterans are tax deductible in accordance with IRS Code 501(c)(3).

Bernie also wanted to know if anyone from the 101st who was planning to attend services wanted to serve as a pallbearer. Anyone attending on Wednesday willing to serve in this capacity, please let me know as soon as possible.

Doc is survived by his wife Bernie and five children; Jeffrey 19, Alexis 18, Jonah 17, James 16 and Ruth 11. Please remember them in your prayers.

Several members wrote in and left notes about James Feliciano -

Sad news, Doc put up a good fight he will be missed, as a member and veteran of the 502nd Doc as a Combat Medic, never stopped looking out for the Soldier's of the 502nd, he was always at the front in what ever needed to be done. Doc, will be for ever remembered by those he served in Vietnam and all that he came into contact. Airborne Doc, a true hero. Joseph M Bossi

Fellow Eagles:

We are all quite saddened by the passing of Doc......What a Great American, Husband, Father and Paratrooper.

I just got off the phone with Doc's oldest son Jeffery. The family is together in Syracuse and handling this as best as possible. The Feliciano family knows that the Screaming Eagle community has Doc and his family in our prayers. Funeral arrangements are in the process of being made at this time......more to follow.

Doc and I virtually grew up in the same small village in upstate NY. His Uncle Charlie still lives in Frankfort and my sister will visit with him today.

Airborne / AASLT........All the Best.......Frank

CSM Frank Grippe
Corps Command Sergeant Major
I Corps and FT Lewis
"AMERICA'S CORPS"

BLDG 2025
HQ, I Corps & Fort Lewis
FT Lewis, WA 98433-9500

Joe Bossi has informed me that Doc Felicano has just passed on. He was one of the O'Duce best medics we ever had.

May God bless him and his family in these trying times. We'll miss him very much, and my the Strike force welcome him home.

Srtike!

Airborne

Johnny Velasquez

Bravo 2/O'Duce

I am very sad to hear of the death of Doc Feliciano. He and I have been old friends for many years. We also worked closely together on veterans affairs for Senator Harris Wofford, I manning the veterans’ desk at the Senator’s Washington DC office and Doc holding the fort in Harrisburg. He was devoted to the highest traditions of combat medicine. Doc was also a great family man, devoted to his wonderful wife and children. I will miss him greatly. If anyone can advise me of funeral plans I would be grateful. I’d rather not disturb Bernie and his family with inquiries at this sad moment in their lives.

George Malleck

EVAN SPANGLER, son of Colonel Billy Spangler, called me last night to advise you of the following, on behalf of his mother Melba Spangler (and Evan's wife Marina Spangler), for the men of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, who served in Vietnam, 1967-68:

The Church Funeral & Services for Colonel Spangler will be at 1300 hours, Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at the Fort Meyers, VA Chapel. Paul Evans, pastor at 1st United Methodist Church in Boerne, Texas, will lead services. Evan Spangler will deliver the eulogy. Barry Hana will offer brief comments representing the military people who knew and served with Colonel Spangler.

The Military Procession and Burial will be approximately 1330-1430 hours in Arlington National Cemetery immediately following the funeral services.

For those people who attend, a reception will be held at the Fort Meyers Officer Club immediately following the burial services, estimated to begin at 1500 hours. (Ivan Worrell and Sam Bass, please help get out the word, and provide feedback to me, so we have some idea of who and how many people might attend, while Evan does the same through friends and family contacts.) Call me with responses please, to assist Evan.

Spangler Family will arrive Monday, April 14 and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Courthouse Hotel in Arlington, Va. Check website for information and room rates. Other area hotels are also available.

Thank You.
Barry Hana
314-753-8932

TO: Unit Governors, Committee Chairs and Chapter Presidents

From: President Joe R Alexander

Date: Monday, March 3, 2008

Subject: BOG Approval of Sam Bass as Executive Secretary and Treasurer

My appreciation to each of you for a speedy response this past week to the
email ballot nominating Sam Bass as our Executive Secretary and Treasurer.
The results of the tally of the unit governor's vote were to approve Sam
Bass as our Association Executive Secretary and Treasurer.

My thanks to Mike Tilden, our outgoing Interim Executive Secretary and
Treasurer for a fine job in running the affairs of the Association in
December 07, January and February 08, which has been no easy task - just ask
Mike.

Sam is joining us on a part time basis while recuperating from his surgery
and hopefully he will be back full time sometime in April 08. Currently he
is working in the office on a part time basis and is limited on how much he
can undertake.

If you call the office and talk to Sam on the phone, please make it short as
sitting after only a few minutes becomes painful. Let us get Sam healed and
working full time such that he can continue his passion of making our
Association a great organization for us veteran and active duty airborne and
air assault troopers.

Thanks,

Joe R Alexander, President
101st Airborne Division Association

Many of you might know Chuck Slezak (A Co/101st Avn. Bn) and, 101st Airborne Division Assn. Aviation Governor from California. About a year ago, he suffered through a bad skydiving accident, which resulted in the end of this hobby for him after 3,467 jumps. Review the following you tube video link to see him in action on a F.D.N.Y. 9/11 jump in 2002. He's the jumper in the silver helmet -

The following is an outline of a project that I am willing to undertake for the Association.

The purpose of this undertaking is to locate, chronicle, record coordinates, photograph and discover the history (as far as possible) of Monuments/Memorials to the 101^st Airborne Division, subordinate units and individuals of all eras. The focus of this endeavor will be the United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, The Netherlands and Belgium. I am unaware of any located outside of these areas.

I discovered that no listing presently exists. With the proliferation of Monuments/Memorials being erected in Europe to the World War II era units and individuals, a compilation of their locations and information would be of benefit to the Association and its members and families. It would have additional possibilities as an addition to the National Website and a booklet that could be sold by the Association.

I proposed this to President Alexander and received his enthusiastic support. I am in the process of forming a committee to assist. I have received offers of help from John Colone (3/506-VN), Roger Day (Associate Member- Author/Historian-England), Jan Coolen (Associate Life Member- Dutch Airborne Friends-The Netherlands) and Ken McAuliffe, Jr. (Associate Member) who has agreed to compile the information gathered in to a data base. We still need members who reside in France and Belgium who are bi-lingual and have internet access. I would think a committee of no more than ten members of the Association should be able to accomplish this task in 18 to 24 months. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact me at the information below.

I would make an appeal to all members of the Association who are aware of the locations of Monuments and Memorials to share that information with this committee. We are not attempting to catalog individual grave sites but rather sites or objects that have a connection to the 101^st Airborne Division, subordinate units or individuals from any era. Please share your information with the committee. We can be reached at: monument101@yahoo.com

Several members have reported the passing of fellow screaming eagle Roger Kling (377th Parachute Field Artillery WWII) -

Initially, Courtnay Johnson (daughter of Col. Ben Weisberg, 377th PFA WWII)) called and left a message.

The health “gremlin” has once again appeared in our lives. This time it is Sam Bass.

“I have had to delay our departure for our mission. During routine medical checks, it was determined that I have prostate cancer. The treatment will begin immediately following further medical tests. The doctor has advised me that I need to delay my travel plans by six months.

I feel fine, I have a positive attitude about this and the prognosis appears positive. The doctor is encouraged by my "youth" and my energy. I do appreciate your prayers. I will keep President Joe and the staff informed of my progress toward the mission.”

Sam has undertaken many difficult and challenging tasks as Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the 101^st Airborne Division Association and he intends to apply the same intensity and determination to defeating prostate cancer.

Sam is always reluctant to accept recognition for the many wonderful and unselfish things that he does for others. He tends to shift the attention to others.

Today and beyond, let us put aside his humbleness and return to him what he has so generously given to us.

NOTE - Anyone wishing to send Sam a "get well soon" card can do so by sending it addressed to him to the National Assn. Office - Headquarters, 101st Abn. Div. Assn. P.O. Box 929, Ft. Campbell, KY 42223-0929

According to the scan, Sam’s prostate cancer has not metastasized. He will meet with his Doctor next Friday (1/4/2008) to schedule robotic surgery to remove the cancerous prostate gland. Sam expects surgery will be followed with external beam radiation therapy and seeding.

It is unknown at this time when Sam will be able to start his missionary journey.

Sam and Llewanne are very gratefully for your thoughts and prayers. They asked that we continue and to include others who are experiencing difficult times.

Subject: Update on Appointment of Interim Executive Secretary & Treasurer and Nomination by the Selection Committee

As many of you know, Sam Bass announced on 8 October 2007 that he was resigning effective 15 December 2007 his position as Executive Secretary and Treasurer (ES&T) of the 101^st Airborne Division Association (Assn) to serve as a foreign missionary for his church.

On 10 October 2007, I appointed Fred Ranck (Chair), Robert Nichols, Ivan Worrell, Phil Kallas and Ken Hesler to a selection committee for the purpose of soliciting, interviewing and ranking applicants for Sam’s replacement

The Selection Committee immediately went to work advertising and soliciting applicants during the period of Oct through Nov 30. They reviewed some 37 resumes

The committee met on14 December 2007 at Fort Campbell Kentucky to interview the seven leading applicants. Six of the candidates appeared in person and one was interviewed by telephone.

Based on due diligences to include the results of their scored interview process, the Selection Committee unanimously recommends James Page for the position of ES&T.

A resolution from the Selection Committee to appoint Jim Page as the ES&T will be presented to the Board of Governors at the Snowbird 2007 meeting.

Jim Page’s qualifications and experience are exceptional. He is a life member of the 101^st Airborne Division Association and a combat veteran of Iraq. In 2002, CPT Page was selected by the Chief of Staff to serve as the 101^stAirborne Division (Air Assault's Historian, a nominative assignment at Fort Campbell. CPT has resigned his commission and is in the process of leaving the Army. For more information, please review his attached application.

Additionally, the Selection Committee recommends that Mike Tilden serve with appropriate compensation as the interim ES&T until Jim Page is available.

Assuming that Jim Page will be available prior to the Snowbird meeting, he will follow Mike Tilden as the interim ES&T.

The Selection Committee has done an exceptional job. Please join me in sending my sincerest appreciation for their service to our Assn. As you know so well, appointing our ES&T is paramount to successful management of our prospering and growing organization. I commend the committee for its hard work and commitment to finding a candidate for this key position. Job well done. Thank you Selection Committee.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me or the Selection Committee.

In closing, we are approaching the December anniversary in which our Division added fame and honor to its heritage by earning a huge victory during the pivotal Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne.

Please remember in your thoughts and prayers those brave and courageous soldiers of the 101^st Airborne Division who fought against all odds to be victorious in the Bastogne battles.

Sir,

my name is Brieuc Cudennec, I am twenty three years
old and I am a French student in History. I'm writing
you because I study about soldiers called 'White
Russians' during the Second World war. Indeed, Russian
prisoners were recruited by the Wehrmacht and became
troops in particular in France.
I would like to find some American veterans who could
meet some Russian soldiers during the war. May you
leave my advertissement in your website, please?
If some veterans wish to tell me their own memories
and testimonies, I give my email address:

brieucgonzo@yahoo.fr

Thank you very much

Brieuc Cudennec

Ever seen a soldier walking down the street, mall, or in the airport and wanted to express your gratitude or say thanks? Visit this site for news on The Gratitude Campaign -

Many of our members want to see and hear news from the active division units that are deployed. Many of the units serving with the 101st (327, 502, 506, etc.) publish newsletters and videos that you can read from the following site -

I'm sure they will add more units as time goes on. Browse from the 1st link supplied above. They also have tons of videos, etc. I thought the Holiday Greetings Section was great. You can enter this area, select a state, and hear 6020 greetings (video or just audio) from soldiers serving away from home.

There are 47 pages of 101st stories you can read by simply entering a 101 in the search field.

Spend some time there for interesting news, great photos, and videos.....Have fun!

The following note and link was received earlier this summer from one of our members -

If you're interested in stock car racing, or supporting a car, send Jerry a note....I apologize for not getting this in earlier..

Joe Bossi provides a link to a page that summarizes Operation Torch 2007 below. Make sure you see all the pictures and explanations by clicking on the pictures that are "hot spots" leading you to more pictures from that day or event.

News passed on by Joe Alexander and Larry Redmond...Please help these folks if you can.... -

Hi Joe

I am producing a documentary and oral history on the Battle of Coral/Balmoral May 1968 Vietnam for the 40th anniversary in 2008. Although this was a largely Australian battle - 1RAR and 102 Field Battery - I am looking for American 101 Airborne Division vets who were involved, particularily later in the bunker clearing operations conducted 19 May. If possible I would like their account to be included in the oral history and documentary. Could you help me locate vets who would be willing to speak with me?

I am working with the 1RAR Reunion Group in Australia who have made Australian vets available and I am undertaking a trip to Vietnam this week with Australian vets to meet and record oral histories of NVA and VC vets of that battle.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Leonie Jones
Lecturer, Media Production
Faculty of Arts
University of Souther Queenland
Toowoomba, Australia.

The following is a note received from Ken Tilley, Lt Col, USAFR, an Air Force Historian. He'd like some help with some D-Day research from 502nd PIR veterans and enthusiast's. Please help if you can...... Make sure you read Belle's Story (a Word doc attachment below) Larry Frazier

Larry, A question has arisen after it has been “discovered” that the lead C-47 to drop airborne troops on D-Day is still flying in Arizona! The attachments will address a lot of questions and we at the AF Historical Research Agency want to go a step further. We have established that the Belle of Birmingham (S/N 42-92847) was not the lead aircraft in the invasion as the first 11 C-47s dropped the pathfinders. It IS the first aircraft to drop airborne troops (from the 502^nd PIR) and from what we can find, the only C-47 still in existence (and is still flying!) out of the lead aircraft (the lead C-47 to drop pathfinders crashed during Market Garden). What we are interested in finding from the 101^st Association is the names of the first stick that was dropped from this plane. Although this might be a needle in a haystack, if any of the first 20 or so airborne troops who jumped from that plane are still living, it would be quite a story to marry them up with the same plane 63 years later. This might be impossible to find but one thing that helps is that the 438^th Troop Carrier Group commander, Lt Col John M. Donalson, and the 87^th Troop Carrier Squadron commander, Lt Col David E. Daniel were pilot/co-pilot on that plane and we are hoping that important 502^nd and/or 101^st leaders were in that plane also. If there is any way to determine this or any records exist or any individuals might shed light on this subject, please let us know. The owner of the C-47 is a great guy and we are working with him to preserve the plane. Take care and have a great one, Ken Tilley, Lt Col, USAFR, Air Force Historian (334) 953-5152

Sam and Llewanne Bass have accepted a call from their church to serve as foreign missionaries.

Sam will continue to serve the 101^st Airborne Division Association (Assn) in a full time capacity until 14 December 2007. After this time, he will be available on a limited basis until mid January 2008 when they begin their missionary journey.

Fred Ranck will chair the committee to search for Sam’s replacement. I encourage anyone desiring the position to apply. Keep in mind that the job is located at Fort Campbell KY and there are no provisions to pay relocation expenses.

The Executive Secretary and Treasurer (ES&T) is appointed by majority vote of the Board of Governors (BOG). However, an interim ES&T will be appointed by the President to serve until the next BOG meeting scheduled for 1-2 February 2008 at the Snowbird reunion.

Sam has been a dependable, hard working and productive ES&T. His service as a business manager, administrator, editor, finance officer and public representative of the Assn has been exceptional.

Sam Bass has accomplished many things during his tenure. He has worked many hours beyond the expected time and has distinguished himself as our ambassador to veterans, active duty and the public. Sam takes every opportunity to greet our active duty soldiers, say thank you to our veterans and inform the public about our Assn.

Please keep Sam and Llewanne in your prayers and thoughts as they travel to foreign countries that are often unstable. I admire their devotion.

It has been a pleasure working with Sam. Without a doubt, he will be missed and I wish him and Llewanne a safe and prosperous mission.

Born 19 July 1917, in Montreal, Canada, Colonel Robert E. Jones was commissioned in the United States Army as a 2nd Lt. Infantry, 22 May 1939. Jones served in Troop F, 111th Cavalry, NMNG, CCC, and 33 years active duty. Upon graduation from Parachute School 23 May 1942 and assignment to 502d PIR, he served in various assignments, to include participation in Normandy and Rhineland Campaigns WWII. Jones was wounded in Holland during Operation Market Garden while commanding "H" Company, 502d PIR, and returned to the US in February 1945 for hospitalization.

Colonel Jones was assigned to The Parachute School, Ft. Benning, GA, May 1945 to May 1948, then to 511th PIR, 11th ABN DIV, Camp Haugen, Japan. He was subsequently assigned to the 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division April 1949. Jones engaged in five offensive campaigns in Korea. He participated in the Inchon landing as Company Commander "C" Company, 32d Infantry. As a participant in the Chosin Reservoir attack in North Korea as SI of the 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry, Jones led the remnants of that Battalion, comprising himself, two other officers and 18 soldiers, out of Chosin Reservoir while attached to the 7th Marine Regiment, 1 st Marine Division. He remained in Korea as Executive Officer and Battalion Commander until his return to the United States in June 1951.

Jones served as an Airborne Instructor at the Command and General Staff College 1951-1954, followed by a three year tour in Hawaii as a National Guard Advisor, G3 Staff Officer and as G5 US Army Pacific. His next assignments were with the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry 1957-1960, and as Executive Officer, Deputy Commander and Group Commander, Ft. Campbell, KY.

In 1960, Jones was assigned as an Infantry Unit Advisor to the Turkish Third Army. In 1961, he was selected to attend the US Army War College; upon completion he was assigned to Special Warfare Directorate, Office of the Chief of Staff for Operations, Department of the Army at the Pentagon 1962-1964, then to the Joints Chiefs of Staff J3, actively engaged in planning and operations of the Vietnam Conflict.

Initially assigned to USAEUR Heidelberg In August 1966, Jones assumed command of the 10th Special Forces Group (ABN) Bad Toelz, Germany. Upon return of the Group to the US in September 1968, he traveled to Vietnam to serve as Deputy Director, Phoenix Directorate, COORDS, HQ MACV until 3 June 1970. He then departed to be Chief of Staff and Deputy Installation Commander, Fort Lewis, WA.

Colonel Jones received his Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico A&M College in 1939, with Post Graduate work at the University of Texas. In 1965, he received a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

Colonel Jones' awards and decorations include: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two clusters, Bronze Star with cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal with two clusters, Purple Heart with cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Metal Pendant, Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Presidential Unit Citation 1st and 2d Awards (Navy), Belgian Fourraguere, French Croix DeGuerre with Palm, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnamese Police Medal of Honor 1st Class, Vietnamese Rural Revolutionary Development Medal, and various other Service Medals. He received the Combat Infantry Badge with Star, the Master Parachute Badge and a Glider Badge. Jones was awarded the Departments of Army General Staff Identification and Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badges.

After retirement from active duty in 1973, Colonel Jones resided in Clarksville, TN, where he continued his public service through many military and community pursuits. He was granted and assigned the distinction of being the original Honorary Colonel of the 502nd Infantry Regiment, a Distinguished Member of the 502nd Infantry Regiment and a Distinguished Member of the 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Jones was past President and Chairman of the Board for the 101st Airborne Division Association; Chairman of the Board for the 32d Infantry Regimental Association; and a Member of The Chosin Few, survivors of the Chosin Reservoir action. In 1997, a building at Ft. Drum, NY was named for Colonel Jones by the 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry Regiment to recognize his leadership in bringing the Battalion's last remnants out of Chosin Reservoir.

Colonel Jones was named by Rotary International as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a past Worthy Patron of Eastern Star; 32d Degree Mason for more than 50 years, a Sojourner and a Knights Templar. Jones was named by the 101st Airborne Division Association as The Airborne Man of the Year when he was president of the Association. He received the ultimate honor of being named The Airborne Man of the Year from The Static Line, an organization of all airborne associations comprising many tens of thousands of warriors.

Colonel Jones was a co-incorporator and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, which is building the Wings of Liberty Military Museum at Ft. Campbell.

Joe Alec Wells
1930 - 2008
Joe A. Wells, a loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away Friday, Jan. 25, 2008, at a local hospital after a lengthy battle with cancer. Funeral: 3 p.m. Tuesday at Laurel Land Memorial Chapel in Fort Worth. Burial: Laurel Land Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Laurel Land Funeral Home. Joe was born Jan. 9, 1930, in Ratcliff. He was a retired U.S. Army veteran who proudly served with the 11th Airborne K Company, 187th Combat Infantry Team during the Korean War. He later served in the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, Ky., and retired on active reserve status. Joe was active in many veterans and civic organizations. He was past commander of American Legion Post 516 and served the American Legion in many local and district offices. He was a member of the color guard of VFW Post 2137, a master Mason of Masonic Lodge 1348 in Richland Hills, a member of Rakkasans 187 ARCT, Lone Star Chapter, and the American Airborne Association. Joe never met a stranger and will be greatly missed by his family and a multitude of friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Dawn. Survivors: His wife of 55 years, Bunny; grandchildren, Blake, Brent and Brittany Pigrenet of Bedford; sister, Corrie Bob Webber of Irving; nephews, Mike and Randy Phillips; and niece, Gail Phillips. Published in the Star-Telegram on 1/28/2008.