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Yes Paul, I knew Arnold Riewe.
 He
was with "H" from Benning and Bragg days. One of the originals. He
suffered through earlier visits to all the islands from Australia
north. Performed his duties admirably during bouts of Malaria and
Dengue fever. Did everything any NCO could possibly do to earn his
stripes.
I don't recall a single incident when Arnold complained. He led his
men as well as any squad leader I encountered in my stay in the
parachute troops.
After surviving the Corregidor Operation most of us assumed we were
getting close to going home. While resting on Mindoro we often
talked about what we would do in civilian life. He often mentioned
going back to Ohio.
Then came news of the next mission.
Orders came through to jump on Negros. I flew over the island April
5th on a C46 to view landing sites. Orders changed when plane
returned to Mindoro.
April 6th - "H" flies to Ilo Ilo, Panay.
April 7th. - Boarded LCIs for short trip to Negros. Landed
near Bacolod 09:00 hours. Went to Silay. Wasn't long before we all
knew we weren't home yet.
April 17th 1945 --- Moving into mountains for longer than a
week now. We are near Malago River and receive heavy fire. Two men
killed (Riewe and Finkle) and several wounded.
Sgt. Riewe hit in stomach - He falls beside me and is still alive at
this time An aid man arrives and starts to work. Sgt. Riewe became
quiet. I have no idea how a priest happened to on this patrol but
one named Murphy was with the aid man. I told the priest that Riewe
was not Catholic but one of the finest people I had ever met. The
priest prayed over Sgt. Riewe..
He died within a few minutes
with the priest praying over him.
Yes Paul - I knew Sgt. Arnold
Riewe. How could I not remember Sgt. Arnold Riewe?
Jim Mullaney
CO., "H" Co.
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