Recent News
from the 101st Airborne Division Association Website

June
23, 2009
Please review the following link
and help if you can....LF
Joe, we’re trying to help the
active duty contingent of the 506th raise money to complete the memorial to the
KIA of the Currahees in the various wars since Toccoa. We would appreciate it
if you could include the attached media piece in your news section of the
website.
Thanks very much,
John Lally
506th Board of Director
Newsletter Editor
506th Media Advisory

June
18, 2009
Joe Alexander and Johnny Velasquez
asked to have this information on Sam Bass put on the website for our membership
-
To All:
Yesterday, 16 Jun 2009, Sam Bass had an adverse reaction after his chemo
treatment in Nashville. Last night Llewanne took him to the Emergency Room
in Clarksville and during the night, he was transferred to a hospital in
Nashville.
Part of his emergency treatment was a brain scan. It revealed two growths
on his brain and a third nearby. It is unknown at this time if the growths are
cancer. Further tests are being conducted.
I have talked to Sam and Llewanne and their spirits are very high.
We will keep you posted.
Please continue with your prayers for Sam and his very devoted wife, Llewanne.
Joe R Alexander

June 15, 2009
Photo for the SE Mag and the website,
D-Day Anniversary event -. Photos taken at Druid Ridge Cemetery, Baltimore, MD
on 6 Jun 2009 ceremonies.


June
11, 2009
Jim
Norene, a WWII veteran in Normandy, Obama's guest, dies
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/jim-norene-wwii-veteran-normandy-obamas-guest-dies
Jim Norene was a life member of the Association

April
29, 2009
From:
"John A Mr CIV USA IMCOM Minton"
john.a.minton@us.army.mil
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 1:02:29 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central
Subject: Updated 101st Change of Command Date
ALCON:
As of 1130 hours today, the new time and date for the 101st
change of command is 1000 hours, Friday, 31 July 2009 at the Division
Parade Field.
VR,
John A. Minton
Community Relations Officer,
Public Affairs Office,
Building 2574, 23rd Street
Fort Campbell, Kentucky 42223
(270) 798-9971 (Office)
(270) 798-6247 (Facsimile)
(931) 216-1161 (Cell)
john.a.minton@us.army.mil
"Thank you for your continuing support of our 101st Airborne Division
Soldiers and their families." Air Assault!

April
28, 2009
Melvin Frank Lett, 89, Battery C, 377th
Parachute Field Artillery, WW II, passed away this morning (Monday, 4/27/09) at
1:00 a.m. in Colorado Springs, CO. Frank had recently had leg amputation
surgery, having circulation problems since WWII. Frank was a life
member of both the 101st Assn. and the Rocky Mountain Eagles Chapter. No
formal services will be held at Frank's request.
You can find Franks Obituary and sign the
guest book at the following link:
www.legacy.com/gazette
|
Melvin Frank Lett |
|
|
Melvin
Frank Lett passed away on April 27, 2009. He was born March 22, 1920 in
Willoughby, Ohio. He was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division. He
was in the invasion of Europe (D-Day), also in Battle of the Bulge. He
earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was in the Army for 24 years.
Melvin later drove a bookmobile for 15 years for Penrose Library. He has a
son, Juergen Gradl, in Bruckberg, Germany. Melvin was preceded in death by
his wife, Freide Lett and his parents Frank and Hazel Lett. He was a life
member of the 101st Airborne Division, VFW Post #3917, American Legion Post
38, and the Enlisted Assoc. #1. Melvin has requested no services.

|
Frank
was a charter member of the Rocky Mountain Eagles Chapter of the 101st Airborne
Division Assn. He was also the only life member of the chapter, an honor
given to him in 2008 after many years of support. Frank was always the
first member to offer a financial donation to a good cause the chapter
supported, and loved his cars that were decorated to the maximum with 101st
Airborne items.
Julian Romero, a chapter member
offered the following -
Fellow
Brothers,
The Great English Poet, John Donne captured the essence of life and death
when he wrote about people who are close to us. This is what he wrote:
No man is an island, intire of it itself; every man is a piece of
the continent, a part of the maine, if a clod be washed away
by the sea, Europe is the lesse, as well as if a promontoire were,
as well as if a mannor of thy friends or of thine own were; any
mans death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankinde,
and therefore never sent to know for whom the bell tolls; it
tolls for thee.
Frank Lett, Soldier, Paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division
REQUIESCAT IN PACEM
Julian Romero
101st Airborne Division

April 28, 2009
From Jan Coolen
-
Dear
members and fellow associates of the 101st Airborne Association and sympathizers
with the 101st Airborne Division,
During the
great festivities around the 65th anniversary of D-Day is announced –
among others things – the publication of a new book about the 101st
in Normandy and especially the experiences of the 3rd Bat. of the 506th
PIR from Taccoa up to and including Normandy (D-Day-WWII), called: “Tonight
we die as men” and its companion DVD “The forgotten
Battalion”. The title is taken from a brief prayer 3rd
Bat. C.O. Lt. Col. Robert Lee Wolverton (who would be killed during the early
morning hours of D-Day) said shortly before boarding for Normandy in England.
The two British writers Ian Gardner and Roger Day have produced
a highly detailed study. As Ed Shames (E-comp,506th)
writes in his foreword: the most detailed story ever written about the battles
that began the drive to free the European continent of the German armies.
Please read more in the enclosure (bijlage). Please wait a while till all the
pictures are in the text. Thank you.
Best wishes
Jan Coolen

April
5, 2009
We received a note from Charles
O'Connor on March 30th -
Passing of Thomas Wharf, 101st
Airborne Vietnam Vet
My friend was a member of the 101st Airborne Association. His ashes will be
interned in Bourne, MA National cemetery. He was quite proud of his service
with the 101st. I am taking care of some of the details for his internment
(His Mothers wishes). Would there be any special things I must accomplish to
send this Eagle off. I don't know if the 101st has a special prayer or salute
to give him. If you could let me know it would be appreciated.
On April 5th, we received the
obituary from Charles as follows -
|
Thomas James Wharf |
|
|
|
WATERLOO, IA Thomas James
Wharf, of Waterloo, Iowa, died Friday, March 27 in Snow Shoe Township, PA.
Born July 2, 1948 in Boston. 101st Airborne U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran.
Owner/Operator of Tom Wharf Trucking Survived by his wife Sally and son
Matthew, both of Waterloo, mother Dorothy Alldridge, brothers Mark and
Russell and niece Jean, all of Wareham MA, nephew Thomas and niece Sheri of
New Haven, IN. Preceded in death by his father Thomas, 3 brothers
Christopher, William and Stephen, niece Lee Ann, sister Donna. Services will
be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 10th at Massachusetts National Cemetery,
Connery Avenue, Bourne, MA 02532. Phone: 508- 563-7113, followed by
coalition at Plymouth VFW, 7 Hills Rd., 12:30 to 3 p.m.
May the family and
friends of this veteran accept our condolences from the 101st Airborne
Division Association. |

March
29, 2009
From Sam Bass -
Major General John F. Campbell has been named to
replace MG Schloesser as the 101st Airborne Division CG. He is
currently the Deputy Director of Regional Operations for the JCS since Feb 2008.
He has been in the J-3 Operations Directorate in the Pentagon
Commanded the 1st Bde, 82nd
Abn Div. Deputy CG for the 1st Cav. Previous assignments
include the 5th SFG at Ft Bragg. He has served in both Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Sam Bass
Executive Secretary and Treasurer
101st Airborne Division Association
931-431-0199, ex 33
I was a Soldier - I am a Soldier - I will always
be a Soldier

March
26, 2009
From Past President Johnny
Velasquez -
Gentlemen,
CSM Grippe called me the other night informing
me that he was on his way to Iraq.
He has now been there two days. He wanted me to
inform all, and he sends his regards.
May God bless him and all the Troops, and may
they come home safely.
Johnny V

CSM Frank Grippe
speaking at the 2008 Reunion in Reno, NV.
CSM Frank Grippe is currently serving with 1
Corps from Ft. Lewis, WA. He will be in charge of all the soldiers
in Iraq.

March
25, 2009
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jim Ryder
March 25, 2009
Airborne & Special Operations Museum
100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville NC 28301
(910) 643-2774, pr@asomf.org
Monument Dedication for the 112th Signal Battalion at the Airborne & Special
Operations Museum
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- A monument honoring the 112th Special Operations Signal
Battalion (Abn) will be unveiled and dedicated Friday, April 3, at 11:00 a.m. at
the Airborne & Special Operations Museum.
According to Don Kropp, president of the Shadow Warrior Association, "This marks
the first time that Special Operations "communicators" will be formally
memorialized among the historic units of our nation's Airborne Forces. Ours is
the first and only free standing Signal Battalion memorial stone at the Airborne
& Special Operations Museum. Moreover, it is the only monument dedicated to
"Special Operations Signaleers." This monument will memorialize the service of
Signal Soldiers who have served in the 112th from its inception during World War
II right up until today. For 112th Soldiers, past and present, this is your
history and April 3rd is your day."
The 112th Signal Battalion was constituted in 1944 as the 512th Airborne Signal
Company and activated in North Africa. As part of the US Airborne forces in WWII
the 512th participated in operations from Rome to Berlin. The Battalion motto: "Penetra
Le Tenebre" ("Penetrate the Shadows") and Mediterranean-style dagger on the
battalion Coat of Arms are drawn from this early service in Italy.
Today, over 60 years after the original activation of the 112th Signal
Battalion, this unit remains the only airborne Signal Battalion in the Army and
is poised to maintain its reputation as the premier Signal organization in the
Army.
THE MUSEUM
Located in downtown Fayetteville, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum is
part of the U.S. Army Museum System and tells the story of Army airborne and
special operations units from 1940 to the present. Museum hours: 10 a.m. - 5
p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon - 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday; open Federal
holiday Mondays. For more information call 910.643.2774 or visit the website at
www.asomf.org.

March
12, 2009
From Betty Taylor Hill -
From:
Betty Taylor Hill [mailto:bjth23@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 10:39 PM
To: bjth23@yahoo.com
Subject: Early502 Screaming Eagle has soared
Jim was a member of the 502 Parachute
Battalion before entering I Company, 502 PIR of the 101st Airborne
Division.
We last saw Jim in February 2003 at the Snowbird Reunion.
James S. Norris, Sr.,
91, of Roanoke, Va. went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 23, 2009.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Frances, a brother and two sisters.
He was retired from the Salem VAMC in the Engineer Dept. as a welder in
1972. He was a veteran of World War II and served as a paratrooper in the
101st Airborne Division and was in France on D-Day and the Battle of the
Budge, where he was a recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Jim was a long time member of the Northminster Presbyterian Church. For
many years he raised vegetables in Cloverdale, where he raised his corn
and cantaloupe, he had many loyal customers. He transported cars for many
years for Rick Woodson Honda and other dealerships. Surviving are his son,
James S. Norris, Jr., of Roanoke; daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and
Tommy Stultz, of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Heather S. Fields and
husband, Jason, Christy S. Stephan and husband, Matt.
Flowers
are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease
Association.
The family would like to
express their gratitude to the D.A.V, staff of the Salem VAMC, Gentle
Sheperd Hospice and Priscilla Jones for their care and compassion. Funeral
services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday February 25, 2009 at Oakey's North
Chapel. interment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.
Published in the Roanoke
Times on 2/24/2009 |

February 19, 2009
Another Eagle Soars
Melvin Renstrom Sr., 87, of Billings, Montana
passed away Tuesday evening, February 17th. Mel served with Hq. Co. 377th
PFA in World War II. He and his wife Lorina attended many National
Reunions when their health permitted it years ago. He was a true blue
member of the Rocky Mountain Eagles Chapter, and will be missed by all...

L to R - Melvin Renstrom, Sr., his wife Lorina,
and their son Lance. This photo was taken at the 1998 Reunion in Omaha,
NE.
Services were held in Billings, MT on Saturday,
February 21st.
----------------------------------
Melvin E. Renstrom
Melvin Emanuel Renstrom, our beloved husband,
father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away in the evening of Tuesday,
Feb. 17, 2009, from natural causes. He was 87 years old.
Mel Renstrom was born in St. Paul, Minn., Dec. 21, 1921, to Melvin and Alma
Renstrom and was the oldest of three children. He moved to Billings as a child
with the family and attended Pine Hills, Taft, Lincoln, and graduated from
Senior High School in 1940. While attending high school, he met his future wife,
Lorina Oster. Mel enlisted in the Army in the summer of 1943 and volunteered to
be a part of the new airborne division of the army. He was a member of the 101st
Screaming Eagles and took part in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
He returned to Billings after receiving a honorable discharge in 1946 and
married. He went to work for a local oil refinery, a job which lasted over 37
years. Mel always took the time to visit his fellow employees when they were ill
or found themselves in the hospital.
Mel had many interests and the most important was his family. Attending all his
children's sporting events or concerts was one of his greatest joys. The reunion
of the 101st airborne was the event of the year and both he and his wife rarely
missed the opportunity to attend, no matter the location.
He and his wife enjoyed bowling on the local leagues and went to many
tournaments across the state. He loved to work in the yard and putter around on
the cars and other little projects in the garage. He would always find time to
take the family's pets for a walk, at times for extended times and distances.
His beloved wife Lorina having just celebrated 62 years of marriage survives
him. Other survivors include two sisters, Lenore (George) Berryman of Yuma,
Ariz., and Arlene (Jack) Heebner of Three Forks; two sons, Melvin L. (Susan)
Billings and Lance, also from Billings; his granddaughter, Linda (Guthridge);
and four great-grandchildren, Ashley, Emily, Tyler and Jacob. He also had many
close friends and acquaintances throughout the Billings area.
Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and funeral services will be
held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, both at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, 1001
Alderson Ave. Interment with military honors will follow at Sunset Memorial
Gardens.
Memorials maybe donated to Trinity Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran School in
his name.
Remembrances may be shared with the family by visiting www.michelottisawyers.com.

February 4, 2009
Past National President Denis
Parsons Soars....
Sad news tonight
- Johnny Velasquez informed many in the
Association that Denis Parsons of the Northern California Chapter passed away
today (February 4th, 2009). To view his obituary, see
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000123805555X
There will be a Memorial
Service for Denis Parsons On Tuesday morning February 10th at 10:30 am in San
Anselmo, CA
Monte’s Chapel of the Hill
330 Red Hill Ave
San Anselmo, CA 94960
415 453-8440
Johnny
mentioned he has spoken to Erma Parsons, and she would like to request that
in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Screaming Eagle Support Fund to
help our Soldiers and their families.
She thanks everyone for the calls and messages sent to her in these trying
times.
 |
 |
|
Denis and Erma Parsons at
the 2008 Reunion in Reno, NV |
Andre Muerisse (l) from
Belgium and Denis Parsons (r) (327 GIR) visit the statue of General
McAuliffe in Bastogne prior to the May 30th Memorial Services in 1996.
|
Denis Parsons, 89 years old, from the Northern
California Chapter served with G Co., 327th GIR in WWII. He served the
Association well over the years. He was our National President in 1994,
Past President of the Northern California Chapter, Board of Governors for many
years, and currently serving on the Donald Pratt Memorial Committee.

February 4, 2009
DD-214’s are now
online at
http://vetrecs.archives.gov. The National Personnel Records Center is making
it easier for veterans with computers to obtain copies of their military files.
Vets and next of kin of deceased former military members may now use this
service to request documents.
Sam Bass
Executive Secretary and
Treasurer
101st Airborne Division
Association
931-431-0199, ex 33
I was a Soldier - I am a
Soldier - I will always be a Soldier

January
31, 2009
“OUT FRONT!” Best in the Army
The 2nd Squadron,
17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, was
recognized by the Department of the Army as the top Army Aviation Battalion and
was presented with the Lt. Gen. Ellis D. Parker Award in the combat category
during 2008. The commander, LTC John M. Lynch and sergeant major, CSM Raymond E.
Gibson accepted the award on behalf of the squadron. LTC Lynch did report that
this was a team effort with soldier and aircraft from other units of the 101st
CAB.

January
21, 2009
From Fred Behrens - Ron Springer's
Dad
Folks,
Ron is A
1-502 V-N.
His Dad was
one of the "Ghost Mountain Boys" of the 32nd Infantry Division (Red
Arrow), that on 12 October 1942 began the fight against the Japanese
for more than 130 miles (210 clicks) over the 13,000 foot Owen
Stanley Mountain Range of New Guinea in the Second World War. The Red
Arrow Division had the first land victory in the South
Pacific during WWII. We lost another good man
From: Ron Springer <rspring@ci.east-lansing.mi.us>
Subject: Dad
To: "Ron Springer" <rspring@ci.east-lansing.mi.us>
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2009, 2:49 PM
Dear Friends:
Dad had a heart attack, minor stroke then a massive stroke in the
course or 14
hours between late Wed evening and Thurs noon, Jan 7/8. He
passed away at age
89 in hospice at Ingham Regional Medical Center on Saturday, January
17th with
his family present. We will miss him but he had such a great
run.
We will have a remembrance service on:
Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm
University Lutheran Church
1020 S. Harrison
East Lansing MI
He so enjoyed knowing most of you over so many years. We would
appreciate your
sharing your favorite remembrances of Dad with us by email or
other means.
Comments can also be left on line at LSJ.com under obituaries for 30
days
starting Jan 23. Search in archives after first day.
His obituary will run in the Lansing State Journal on Jan 23 and Feb
15
Thank you
Ron
Ron Springer
1423 Roxburgh Ave.
East Lansing MI 48823
|

January
20, 2009
From Jim Agins -
I was just notified that Mike Zelicskovics Sr. passed away on Monday January
19th. He was a life member of the General Anthony C. McAuliffe NY NJ Chapter
101st Airborne Division. He was a veteran of World War II.
The viewing will be on Wednesday, Jan 21, from 2-4 and 7-9 at Mitruska Funeral
Home, 531 New Brunswick Avenue, Fords, NJ 08863 Ph 732-826-1712. Mass and
burial will be on Thursday Jan 22 at 9AM at the church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Fisher House Foundation
in lieu of flowers.
Jim Agins 609-586-3724
Cell 609-851-3475

January
6, 2009
Another Eagle Soars -
Lt. Gen. Harry W. O. Kinnard
passes
This is surely sad news for all of us in the 101st family.
Please pass to all others..
Sam
Bass, Executive Secretary Treasurer, 101st Airborne Division Assn.
------------------------
Libby Kinnard
has asked me to notify you that her husband and member of the 101st
Airborne Division Association, Lt. Gen. Harry W. O. Kinnard passed away this
morning (January 5th). He had been under hospice care and died peacefully in his
sleep at home. I have attached the death notice sent to the Washington Post this
evening.
Bernie Hall
(step-son in law)
Cell
703-606-3995
---------------------------------------
Lt Gen. HARRY W. O. KINNARD (Ret.)
Harry William Osborn Kinnard,
Lieutenant General U.S. Army (retired) at the age of 93 died peacefully at his
home in Arlington, Virginia on January 5, 2009. A soldier, leader and
statesman, he epitomized the motto of his Alma Mater, West Point, “Duty, Honor,
Country”. He was born into an Army family on 7 May 1915 in Dallas, Texas. He
lived an Army life of service to his country beginning with witnessing the
attack on Pearl Harbor and defense of the island, then later parachuting into
France on D-Day, commanding airborne soldiers in Holland and directing
operations during the Battle of the Bulge with the 101st Airborne
Division at Bastogne.
After WWII, he continued to
have a distinguished military career. In the early 1960’s, he formed and tested
a new type of Army division and after 2 ½ years transformed and lead it into
combat in Vietnam as the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). This new
Division set the standard for future U.S. Army airmobile operations. He ended
his Army career as the Commander of Combat Developments Command at Ft. Belvoir,
Virginia in 1969. He received many high military honors, including the
Distinguished Service Cross, and being knighted by the Queen of Holland for his
actions in Holland in 1944. After his retirement he remained very active as a
consultant and advisor. He was president of the Army Aviation Association of
America and inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame. He was president of
both the 1st Cavalry Division and 101st Airborne Division
Associations. He represented the President of the United States during the 50th
Anniversary Commemorative events of WWII in “Market-Garden” ceremonies in the
Netherlands.
He is survived by his wife,
Elizabeth Kinnard; three daughters, Susan C. Payson, of Prescott, AZ, Kathleen
L. Coursey of Stockton, CA and Cynthia L. Harman of Lexington, SC; two sons,
Robert H. Kinnard of Prescott, AZ and Harry W. O. Kinnard III of Gainesville,
FL; two stepdaughters, Libby Nicholson of San Clemente, CA and Janmarie Hall of
Hamilton, VA and one step-son, COL (R) Tom M. Nicholson Jr. of Augusta, GA;
sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. His son, Bruce Kinnard,
preceded him in death.
A viewing and visitation will
be on Sunday January 11th 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the
DEMAINE FUNERAL HOME, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.
Gravesite service and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full
military honors on Thursday March 19th at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of
flowers, donations can be made to Calvary United Methodist Church, Memorial
Fund, 2315 S. Grant St. Arlington, VA 22202
--------------------------------------------------
Additional information -
OBITUARY
LIEUTENANT GENERAL HARRY WILLIAM OSBORN KINNARD
U.S. ARMY RETIRED
Lt. General Harry W.O. Kinnard
(U.S. Army, Retired) died on January 5th of 2009. He was 93 years of age. He
is survived by his wife Elizabeth Kinnard of Arlington; three daughters, Susan
C. Payson of Prescott, Arizona, Kathleen L. Coursey of Stockton, California,
and Cynthia L. Harman of Lexington, South Carolina; two sons, Robert H.
Kinnard of Prescott, Arizona and Harry W.O. Kinnard III of Gainesville,
Florida; two step-daughters, Libby Nicholson of San Clemente, California,
Janmarie N. Hall of Hamilton, Virginia; one step-son, COL (R) Tom Nicholson of
Augusta, Georgia; sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. His
son, Bruce Kinnard, preceded him in death.
Born and raised in an Army family,
he attended the US Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1939. His
first assignment was with the Hawaiian Division where he witnessed the attack
on Pearl Harbor and participated in the defense of the island.
Returning to Fort Benning, Georgia
from Hawaii, he completed Officer Basic Infantry Course and then the Parachute
course after which he joined the newly formed 501st Parachute Infantry
Regiment. After prolonged training and maneuvers the 501st sailed to England
and became a part of the 101st Airborne Division for the duration of World War
II.
He parachuted into Normandy on the
night of 5-6 June 1944, and took command of the 1st Battalion, 501st on June
12th. His next operation as the Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion was the
airborne invasion of Holland, in Operation “Market-Garden”, on 17 September
1944. For those actions, the Queen of Holland knighted him. Shortly
afterwards the Division Commander, General Maxwell Taylor, chose him as
Division G-3 and he served in that position until the end of the war, becoming
a Colonel at the age of 29. In the Battle of the Bulge, as G-3 of the 101st
at Bastogne, he coined the “hole in the doughnut” phrase and also suggested to
General McAuliffe that he reply to the German surrender ultimatum with the
word “NUTS!”.
After the war, he headed the
Airborne Test Section at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where his combat airborne
experiences helped shape the future of airborne operations for the Army.
While at Fort Bragg, he was selected by the Army to be the Technical Advisor
to the MGM studio in Hollywood for the filming of the war movie,
“Battleground”, which portrayed the 101st at Bastogne.
Then, after a series of
assignments as a student and instructor at several military schools, he again
served as a commander of both an Infantry Battle Group and Division Artillery
in the “Pentomic” 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
He returned to Washington in 1958
for a series of staff duties and as a student at the National War College.
While in Washington, he served as Executive to the Secretary of the Army,
until his promotion to Brigadier General reassigned him as Assistant Division
Commander of the 101st Airborne Division. During this assignment he became an
Army Aviator eventually earning Senior Aviator status.
In February 1963, the Army Chief
of Staff chose him to command a brand new Army organization, the 11th Air
Assault Division (Test), at Fort Benning, Georgia. This new unit was to test
the concept of Army Air Mobility enunciated by the Howze Board. As Commander
of the 11th, General Kinnard organized, trained and led the Division
through 2 1/2 years of intensive testing of the Air Mobile Concept (the
substitution of Army aircraft (primarily helicopters) for ground based
transport and weapons systems).
When this testing proved the
validity of the Air Mobile Concept, General Kinnard (by then a Major General),
was directed, in July 1965 to form the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) and
deploy the Division to Vietnam. There, the Army’s first airmobile division
performed splendidly and received the only Division Presidential Unit Citation
of the war. After 39 months as the Division Commander, General Kinnard assumed
duties as Commander of 1st Field Force Command in Vietnam. He returned from
Vietnam to serve in the capacity as the Army’s Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff
for Force Development, which was followed by his promotion to Lieutenant
General in 1966, and assignment as Commander of Combat Developments Command at
Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He held that position until his retirement from the
Army in September 1969. His awards included the Distinguished Service Cross,
three Distinguished Service Medals, Silver Star, Two Legions of Merit, Bronze
Star, nine Air Medals and the Purple Heart.
After his retirement, General
Kinnard remained very active as a consultant in Army matters, particularly
those related to Army Aviation. He was President of Army Aviation Association
of America in 1970-1972, and in 1974 was inducted, as one of the first seven
so honored, into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame. He also served as President
of the First Cavalry Division Association in 1976 and as President of the
101st Airborne Division Association in 1983-1984. In 1994, during the 50th
Anniversary Commemorative events of WWII, he represented the President of the
United States in “Market-Garden” ceremonies in the Netherlands and later
represented the Secretary of Defense in the Battle of the Bulge ceremonies in
Belgium and Luxembourg. In 1995 he received the Infantry’s “Doughboy” award
as the outstanding Infantryman for 1995. In l996 he was named “Airborne Man
of the Year during ceremonies in Atlanta, Georgia. Most recently he served as
the Army’s Grand Marshall in the 2006 Washington, DC Memorial Day Parade. He
lived in Arlington, Virginia for the past 24 years.

December 31, 2008
Visit a
new page created that lists Links for Veterans
Benefits you might need in your quest for your benefits.

December 16, 2008
From
CSM(R) Joe Bossi -
Bastogne Memorial Walk 13 Dec. 2008. It was a great showing of the people
who every year remember those cold dark days of December 1944. The weather was
in one word COLD and one came away from this with the true feeling of the
hardships that those who fought in this the largest Battle involving American
Forces during WWII. My feet are still numb. Bastogne! JM Bossi
See a
great slideshow of pictures/video at this link -
Bastogne
Memorial Walk 2008 by BC Boys

December 11, 2008
Another Eagle has soared -
|
Adolphe G. Gueymard |
|
|
|
ADOLPHE G. GUEYMARD,
95, a native of St. Gabriel, Louisiana, died on Monday, the 8th of December,
in Houston, where he resided for the past sixty years. Mr. Gueymard
graduated from LSU in 1935, with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He
served as Senior Vice President and Manager of the Energy Division of First
City National Bank of Houston until his retirement in 1973. After
retirement, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of several
national and multinational corporations including Zapata Corporation, Camco,
Inc., British Bornco Exploration, First City National Bank of Houston,
Harrisburg Bank and Maxwell Laboratories. He has long been noted for his
fervent support of LSU, as well as the University of St. Thomas and other
educational institutions. Mr. Gueymard served as President of the LSU
Foundation in 1969, and was one of the founders of Campanile Charities and
established the Gueymard Professorship in Geology & Geophysics at the
University. In 2000, he was inducted into the LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction
and in 2006, into the LSU Basic Sciences Hall of Distinction. His military
service during World War II, in the 101st Airborne is somewhat legendary. He
was in the third glider plane to land behind enemy lines at Normandy on
D-day, fought in the Battle of the Bulge and survived the siege of Bastogne.
He was twice the recipient of the Bronze Star. He was preceded in death by
his parents, the late Adolphe and Felicia Babin Gueymard; his wife, the late
Josephine Roberts Gueymard; his brothers, the late Dr. T. H. Gueymard,
Ernest A. Gueymard and Joffre T. "Shot" Gueymard; and his sisters, The late
Marguerite Haydock and Marie Pegg. He is survived by his nephews, David
Gueymard of Baton Rouge, Robert Haydock of San Francisco, J. Thomas Pegg of
Vicksburg, Mississippi and Joffre Gueymard, Jr. of Alpharetta, Georgia; and
his nieces, Anne Shirley of Baton Rouge, Joan McCloskey of Morgan City,
Louisiana, and Kathleen Gueymard of Denver. Friends are cordially invited to
a visitation with the family from six until eight o'clock in the evening on
Wednesday, the 10th of December, in the Library of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons,
1010 Bering Drive in Houston. Additionally, friends are cordially invited to
a visitation with the family from nine until ten o'clock in the morning on
Friday, the 12th of December, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church of St. Gabriel,
Louisiana, where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at ten
o'clock. The entombment service will immediately follow in the St. Gabriel
Church Cemetery. |
Sam Bass
Executive Secretary and
Treasurer
101st Airborne Division
Association
931-431-0199, ex 33
I was a Soldier - I am a
Soldier - I will always be a Soldier

December 2, 2008
From Leaf Chronicle.com -
Troops greet president with cheers
By KRISTIN M. HALL •
Associated Press • December 2, 2008
Thousands of soldiers and their families crowded into an airplane hangar at
Fort Campbell Nov. 25 to hear the President George W. Bush thank them for
their service.
Soldiers seemed energetic as Bush arrived,
especially as he bid them a "Hooah!" and they responded with a powerful one
of their own.
"It was great," said Capt. Terrance Higgins
— his 4-year-old son, T.J., perched atop his shoulders. "It's an absolute
honor ... and it shows his appreciation for what we do — we appreciate him,
too."
Despite low approval ratings nationally,
Bush got a warm welcome on a cold morning just before the Thanksgiving
holiday.
Many of the soldiers listening to him speak
have completed multiple deployments under Bush's leadership, but they
cheered when he said their work was not done.
Master Sgt. Dennis Gibson brought his
15-year-old daughter Sydney to see the president, the first time either of
them had seen him in person. Gibson just returned from a tour in Afghanistan
and said he believes Bush was right to start the war even though he has
received a lot of criticism for the decision.
"This country is a lot safer because of
what he's done," Gibson said. "I agree with the fact that there hasn't been
a person killed by terrorism on American soil since 9/11. That has a lot to
do with what the military has done in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Master Sgt. Tony Colon, a member of the 5th
Special Forces Group based at Fort Campbell, called the speech encouraging
and said he feels Bush has done a great job.
"With everything that is going on in the
world, we have a leader that cares about us and the security of the nation,"
he said.
Colon said he hopes President-elect Barack
Obama keeps the military strong and supports military families and makes
sure "we have what we need to do our job, whether we're at peace or at war."
U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who joined
soldiers in welcoming Bush, said in prepared comments that the visit was
great in helping to welcome soldiers who have recently returned from
deployment.
"It is wonderful that President Bush chose
to honor the 101st with his visit," Blackburn said. "These troops are coming
home because of a strategy that the president directed but the 101st made a
success. That makes this day all that more important."
More deployments
Most soldiers at Fort Campbell say they
still expect to be deployed again under the new commander in chief, but add
they don't know yet how the operation of the war will change under new
leadership.
"But the soldiers are always ready," Colon
said. "We may not like it, and it's hard on the families, and there's always
the possibility of dying, but it's something we signed up to do."
Sgt. Scott Wampler and Spc. Cliffton Barger
are getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan with the 101st Aviation Regiment.
They got up hours early to get a spot in the front of the crowd to see Bush.
They said they agreed with the president
their work is not finished in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"There is a still a requirement for us to
be there and that when we do come home, it will be victory on our terms,"
Wampler said.
Leaf-Chronicle staff writer
Jamie Dexter contributed to this report..

December 2, 2008
Read
about a great growing veterans wreath laying project that you might choose to
support this time of year -
http://www.wreaths-across-america.org/

November 25, 2008
From Rita Salley -
Another Eagle Soars - It is with a heavy heart that I pass this information
to
you. Realize some of you may not have known him personally, but I know you
know him: He is an Eagle from the "Greatest Generation".
Byron Armbruster
WW II
326th Engineer BN
On 23 Nov 08, at 94 yrs young, Mr. Armbruster quietly soared - onward and
upward - to join his comrades in arms.
Please share with others whom I may not have known to include on this e-mail.
Sent from:
Rita Salley

November 22, 2008
From The Army
Times Website -
3 flights return more 101st Airborne troops
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 19, 2008 10:48:48 EST
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division continue to
return from Iraq to Fort Campbell.
The (Clarksville, Tenn.) Leaf-Chronicle reported two planes had landed by
dawn on Wednesday, and a third was anticipated.
The first two flights carried about 300 soldiers each.
Many of the soldiers are coming home early after the military reduced their
previously announced 15-month deployment.

November 13, 2008
Sad news from Mike Daily (Southeast
Pennsylvania Chapter)....He reports the passing of Frank C. Facenda (C 1/502nd
PIR WWII) from Westville New Jersey. See the attached obituary from the
McGuiness Funeral Home -

|
Francis C. Facenda
Born in Philadelphia, PA on Oct. 4, 1924.
Departed on Nov. 6, 2008. Resided in Westville, NJ.
|
| Visitation: |
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 |
| Funeral Mass: |
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 |
| Cemetery: |
Gloucester County Veterans Memorial
Cemetery |
FACENDA, Francis C., 84 of Westville, formerly of Philadelphia, on November
6, 2008.
Legacy
Frank as he was affectionately known, was born, raised and lived in
Philadelphia until he was married and moved to Westville 57 years ago. He
was a veteran of the U.S. Army, who proudly served in the 101st Airborne
Division during World War II, where he was a recipient of the Purple Heart
and Bronze Star. Frank was a member of the VFW, the Disabled American
Veterans, the 101st Airborne Association and an honorary lifetime member of
the Westville Fire Dept. Before retiring in 1970, Frank was an expeditor for
RCA in Camden for 29 years. He was a founding member and former President,
commissioner and manager of the Westville Little League for 15 years. Frank
was huge baseball fan, whose greatest enjoyment was watching the Phillies.
Family
Frank is the beloved husband of 57 years to Mary (nee Kindick); Devoted
father of Vincent J. Facenda; Dear brother of Joseph (Sue) and the late
Albert.
Farewell Service
Viewing Tuesday 8:30 – 9:45AM in the St. Anne's RC Church, 213 Woodbine Ave,
Westville, NJ. Funeral Mass 10AM Interment Gloucester County Veterans
Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown, NJ
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Westville Fire
Dept, 836 Broadway, Westville, NJ 08093
Tributes and memories may be shared by clicking the "share a memory" link.
|

November 7, 2008
Good
News about two brigades of the 101st Airborne currently serving overseas!
Visit the following link to a recent Army Times article-
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_iraq_101st_110508/
October
16, 2008
Visit
the Reunion Page for news and information on the 31st Annual Bastogne December
Historical Walk provided by Laurent Oliver. The event is planned for
December 13th... Reunion
Notes

August 26, 2008
Dr. G.S. Wheeler writes -
I have a framed Camp Toccoa pennant. It has a blue background with in white -
from left to right - 1. the words US Army above a the figure of a parachute
with trooper in a jump, above the word paratroopers. 2. the words CAMP TOCCOA,
GA.
Do you know what this is? I assume that it may be a pennant given to family
and friends during WW2.
Dr. G.S. Wheeler

Can you help identify this piece? Drop him a
line at
bimmyw1@aol.com

August 1, 2008
Army changes criteria for three
war-zone combat badges
By
Jeff Schogol, Stars and
Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, July 26, 2008
ARLINGTON, Va. — Soldiers who face roadside
bomb and car-bomb attacks could now qualify for the Army’s Combat Infantryman
Badge, which is for infantry and Special Forces soldiers, according to the Army.
While such attacks do not automatically merit
the badge, they should be considered as part of recommendations for the award,
the message said.
The move is one of several changes to awards
criteria announced in a July 22 servicewide message. The changes are effective
immediately and retroactive to Sept. 18, 2001.
The wording of the change to the Combat
Infantryman Badge’s criteria is as follows: "Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),
vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs) and the like are direct fire weapons. While no fixed
qualifying distance from an explosion of these devices can be established,
commanders should consider the entirety of the combat situation when considering
award of the CIB."
Marines who respond to roadside bomb attacks
have been eligible for the Marine Corps’ Combat Action Ribbon since March 2006.
"I consider exposure to a detonated IED as
being enemy fire, therefore, Marines who take appropriate actions during such an
engagement meet both CAR (Combat Action Ribbon) requirements," then-Commandant
Gen. Michael Hagee said.
Another change deals with the Combat Action
Badge, established in 2005 for soldiers not directly assigned to an infantry
unit.
Right now, a select number of general officers,
such as the commander of U.S. troops in Iraq, can authorize the award, said
officials at Army Human Resources Command. Now they can delegate that authority
to subordinate general officers and colonel-level commanders, officials said.
In a separate change, regional medical center
commanders now also have the authority to issue the Combat Action Badge,
officials said.
The Army also announced that the badge will not
be awarded automatically to soldiers awarded the Purple Heart, the Army message
said.
The Army also has broadened the eligibility
criteria for the Combat Medical Badge.
The words "not to include aviation" have been
deleted from the criteria, to allow medical personnel attached to combat
aviation units, the message said. Retroactive awards will not be given for
service prior to Sept. 18, 2001.
For more information, go to MilPer Message
08-190 at:
https://perscomnd04.army.mil/milpermsgs.nsf.

December 8, 2007
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 -
Dvids
- Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (main site)
Rakkasan Report (3rd Brigade Combat Team) -
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/pubs_show.php&id=33
Wings of Destiny Magazine (101st Aviation Brigade) -
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/pubs_show.php&id=44
Thunder Eagle Magazine (159th Combat Aviation Brigade) -
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/pubs_show.php&id=38
The Heart Beat (2nd Brigade Combat Team) -
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/pubs_show.php&id=42
Currahee Press (506th Regimental Combat Team) -
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/pubs_show.php&id=71
The Bastogne Magazine (1st Brigade Combat Team) -
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/pubs_show.php&id=110
Band of Brothers (101st Airborne, but nothing current) -
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=pubs/pubs_show.php&id=40
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.
Read about three Rakkasans who have earned their 5th combat
patch at
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=14509
There are 47 pages of 101st stories you can read by simply
entering a 101
in the search field.
Watch a video like
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=30878# which
features the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (Rakkasans) assuming command from the 10th
Mountain Division in Southern Badgdad
Spend some time there for
interesting news, great photos, and videos.....Have fun!
Larry Frazier
