|
A
n interesting story concerning one of our members, Bernard Sterno who was a member of "H" Company of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment was related to me during the 45th Anniversary Remember September trip in 1989. Sterno had been wounded several times in the actions at Carentan (see pages 190-193 in Rendevous With Destiny for "Private Sterno's Odyssey") so consequently he spent a lot of time in hospitals in England. Released on a pass (medical leave) to London, Sterno heard the news that another airborne landing had been made. He hurried back to camp where he found only the rear echelon present. He removed his hospital fitted uniform replacing it with his GI-issued jump suit. Learning that resupply flights and equipment drops were being made on a daily basis he headed for the nearest airfield and learned that a flight of planes was indeed being readied for another resupply mission. He approached one of the plane crews and convinced them that he had authority to help with the loading and could help push bundles out of the door as he had such experience. That plane crew was happy to have him as they were short a man. The supply run was made on September 21 and was for the 82nd drop zones near Nijmegen. Equipped with the seat type Air Force parachute, Sterno completed his job of pushing bundles out and immediately followed the last one out. The lone white chute attracted the attention of Dutch civilians and German troops in the vicinity. The enemy soldiers raced toward the descending chute across a field - the landing site being concealed by a long hedgerow. Upon landing, Sterno was greeted by an elderly Dutch gentleman who insisted he get on the back of his bike. The two rode off with the Dutchman peddling furiously to get out of the area before the enemy soldiers reached the site. As they rode toward friendly territory the two waved at enemy troops and civilians. Upon reaching a safe area, Sterno was provided with transportation and traveled south in a resupply truck reaching his own unit near St. Oedenrode in the late afternoon. A few days later when "H" Company was part of the action to reopen the section of highway between Veghel and St. Oedenrode which had been cut by the enemy (see Hell's Highway or RWD for good descriptions) Sterno was captured while serving as point for his platoon. Thus he spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner.
Oh - and yes, like Joel Mehall, he was listed as AWOL from the hospital and the Air Force wanted its parachute back. That was Sterno's "Second Odyssey."
| ||
|
| ||
| "George Koskimaki is a well known writer and historian that served with the 101st Airborne in World War II. He regularly writes a column in the Screaming Eagle Magazine called K's Corner." | ||
|
| ||
| . |