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This page will load slowly - because it's so extensive. Start here.
('TROOPERS MAIL 1)
for other incoming mail, see
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Frank Kinsmen
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Wayman Ferris Champney, Age 28,
Westfield, Pennsylvania Frank Kinsman is searching for anyone with information about his uncle (pictured), particularly the Company in which he fought on Corregidor. He writes:
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Don Abbott
to John Lindgren 12 Aug 2001
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Thanks for the copy of the Jones letter of 26 Oct 43 concerning the Nadzab operation. I don't know if I have ever mentioned this little experience at Nadzab. As you know I was a young Second Lieutenant, Assistant Platoon Leader at Natzab. Assistant Platoon leaders really had only one job: stay alive and take over the Platoon when the First Lieutenant Platoon Leader is killed. For some reason, however, I was tagged to take a six-man detail on a patrol to the North and West of the Regimental perimeter. After patrolling to a small native village, which showed on aerial photos, we were to set up as a listening post and outpost to warn against an enemy encroachment from that quarter. The patrol reached the small (only a half-dozen, or so, huts) village we found it had been abandoned in a hurry as the natives heard us coming. The natives never did return during our day, or so, occupation. At least the huts got us out of the nightly rainstorms even if they were very dirty. Oddly enough there were interesting wood carvings left behind which showed they had some artistic skills. If we had not been loaded down with equipment I might have carried some of them with me. This small village had a substantial (several acre) plantation of what looked like banana trees. We very carefully checked ever tree, however, and never saw anything looking like a banana. We understood banana stems needed to be cut green and ripened by hanging the stem but that would have taken days we didn't expect to have. Since that experience I learned of Plantains, which look like green bananas but never get to a yellow stage. I, now, believe this was just a large Plantain plantation. In addition to setting up the outpost for the Regiment, I placed two men at a time on an outpost designed to alert us if a Jap patrol came along our track to the front. We never caught sight of as single Jap but, since that was our first combat patrol I was scared to death all the time we were out there that we would be attacked and wiped out. After a couple of days we received word we were being withdrawn and flown back to Port Moresby. We could not have been happier. When we got back to "E" Company, I learned that Lindsay Milikin had been badly wounded when one of our nightly grenade booby trap had been tripped by him and set off. I managed to visit Milly in the small hospital which had been set up. He seemed in fair shape to me but he died only a short time later. It seems that the reason for having an assistant platoon leader was justified since I took over the platoon for the months that followed, including Noemfoor. And a great platoon it was! Don Abbott
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Tony Sierra 14 Aug 2001 |
Fellow troopers and other buddies, For the next ten days we will be unavailable on the E mail and otherwise. We are going across the border for a visit with Elizabeth's elderly father. I would appreciate it if you would continue with your bountiful mailings...believe it or not it has become a big part of my day. Additionally I hope to bring back some novel items of interest to most of you, especially the tequila drinkers. We have been busy as a one handed mortarman in preparation for the trek to Biloxi. Also I have enrolled in the VA hospital plan (tentatively) I lucked out and found a very professional young doctor, who concurred with me that I should try them out before I severed connections with my current primary med. Everything is going well with the present medical services I have, except I feel as many of you do, that one never knows what lies ahead and we must , as we did with the regiment, have reserves however remote the need may appear at the moment. It is like having an extra platoon right behind you in the event! I will from time to time try to deliver a small dissertation on the situation at the VA facilities. I sense that many of you have shied away from the VA because of its decades old reputation. So far I have received nothing but smiles and great courtesy. It almost seems they have been waiting for us old vets. If things continue to work out at the VA. I think many of you should consider its services After all it is set up for us and they realize they do not have too long to tend us. Incidentally, contrary to what impression you might have gotten in my first paragraph, I am not crossing the southern Border (Mexico), It is the northern Border!!!(Canada) Regards,
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Tony Sierra
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Harvard Magazine
Harvard University
Cambridge, Ma.
02138
Dear
Sir/Madam,
There was no way I could refrain from writing this note, after reading
Charles Hickling Bradford’s obituary in your September 2000 issue.
I realize your publication does not center on Military issues, or
personnel, and probably does scant research about the passing of an
alumni.
I am a former rifleman in the
503rd Parachute Regiment and was attended several times by
Captain Charles Bradford, our cherished battalion surgeon.
He was a treasure to our regiment and stated, on several occasions,
the years he spent as a paratrooper were the most fulfilling in his
illustrious career.
You
always found Captain Bradford wherever situations were at their worst.
He charged across embattled fields with his medical bag swirling
about him as he dashed toward some tornup paratrooper.
He particularly distinguished himself on the Island of Corregidor
where he was one of the few medical men who survived the jump.
I
hope he is not so lightly forgotten and trust that some one at Harvard
University will see the proper honor is given to an alumni who brought
enormous credit to your institution.
Regards,
Tony
N. Sierra
P.O.
Box 1562
La
Jolla, California
92038
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Don Abbott to Arlis Kline
11 Aug 00 |
Arlis In my haste to get some photos of Gordonvale off to you yesterday I neglected to comment on the book "Retaking the Philippines" by William Breuer you mentioned. Yes, I have a copy and see it was given to me by some veterans of the 173rd Airborne, a bunch of whom signed it. I have met Breuer several times but I didn't have him autograph this book. General Jones asked us to write a few words for Breuer, and at other times a few words for other authors such as MG "Fly" Flannagan and Gerard Devlin, both of whom have written books with some coverage of the jump on Corregidor. Unfortunately, I think all these books are no longer in print. I have haunted used book stores and have managed to put together a fair library. One of the best books, because of the extensive research behind it, is "Corregidor, The Saga of a Fortress". This was written in 1967 by twin brothers, James and William Belote, both of whom were History Professors. Needless to say that book has been out of print for many years. I found my copy used. The report on your injuries in Breuers book is, undoubtedly, closer to the truth than the report of my landing after the jump. At the time I talked with Breuer I had not been back to Corregidor. I now know I was a long way from being blown over the cliff but it sure seemed close in 1945. Your problem was considerably more serious than mine and Beuer covers it well. I don't think I saw you hit the roof of the Barracks but I watched the second wave jump in the afternoon from a position about in the middle of the Barracks. I saw a couple of men hit the building, one who had a streamer. Don |
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Verne White
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Paul, Seeing that I couldn't make it to the reunion, let me tell you a few interesting stories. Pretend you have a beer in your hand when you read this. A whole bunch of us troopers arrived in or near Lae, New Guinea probably late Oct. or early Nov. of '44. We were replacements yet to be assigned to units in the South Pacific theater. We spent most of our time drilling, exercise, and helping out at the various supply depots around there. The Army works in mysterious ways. One was that they made the mistake of putting a bunch of us in a warehouse that had canned foods in it. We would move cases of these from one location to another. At the end of the day they (the supply guys) would put us back on the 6 X 6 trucks to return to the replacement .depot. Some smart NCO decided he'd better shake us down and had us off-loaded before the trucks took off. They found a whole lot of canned food stashed on the truck so they gave us a cursory body check and got us back on the trucks. "Wait a minute," some one said, "you didn't check very closely. Get them off again." Well sure enough they found some more cans of food on the trucks. Another shake down and then off we went back to our area. Where we all enjoyed canned fruit for another day or so. Just before Thanksgiving a few of the guys were called out to help distribute Turkeys to the company kitchens. Mistake. Our platoon got a turkey, of course, which we roasted over a fire in back of the tent area. Hardest part was to get the butter to melt for basting. But it was a good turkey spitted and roasted just right. We were issued on a somewhat regular basis, stateside beer. Top Hat I think was the brand. Naturally, it was warm; what else could you expect in the summer tropic heat. So we would get a few bottles together and use the fire extinguisher foam and cold to "freeze" them up a little. Had some difficulty in finding full extinguishers after a while. Finally, we were issued arms and ammunition. A difficulty came up when someone realized it was also beer night. Unfortunately someone took a tommy gun to the camp commanders tent. He shot it up in a Z shape. Good thing the commander wasn't in there at the time. About 11:00 P.M. we all had to fall out into the street (?) in whatever. There was some rain so a couple of guys had on rain ponchos but most of us were in our skivvies. Some had boots on but a lot were barefooted. The C.O. made a stern speech asking for the guilty guy to step up or for some one to say who did it. Naturally, that went over about like he expected. The company was divided into two groups. One group was told to march around a planned course in one direction and the other in the opposite one. When they came together they could turn around and march back. We started out like nice soldiers but we had trooper officers so after a hundred or so yards we all began to run, in the rain, dressed in whatever. It turned out to be about a 5 miler, but we didn't care the straight legged commandant wasn't a trooper and we sure knew that the punishment was no big deal to us. Anyway, that's pretty much the story of the replacement depot in late '44. Freshen that beer? Verne White |
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Verne White
30 July 00 |
Sure would like for the original cat in the chute patch to come back to life. After all there is more to the 503 than Corregidor, even if it was our finest hour. Regards, Verne White
The "Cat Patch" was dreamed up by the Walt Disney Studios some time around 7 Dec 41. Then, or around then, they came up with other "Cat Patches". It wasn't hard. They used the same background and added the number of the outfit. I'm not trying to brag about the length of time I was in the 503rd beginning with the Battalion. But I was in the Battalion when the patch came out. I need help on this but I am almost certain it was not an official patch. I don't believe we wore it on our Class A uniform. I seem to recall sewing it onto one of the old field jackets but nowhere else. As far as I am concerned, they can keep the Catch Patch and the "Five Fort" insignia too for that matter. That was dreamed up in Washington and I don't, really, know who was, or is, authorized to wear it. Don Abbott
Don, You probably have a very valid point. When I got back to the states, as a woundee, I wore the cat patch proudly on my class A's right up until I was medically discharged in July of '45. Nobody told me it was not an official patch and it did draw a lot of favorable comment during that 4-5 month period. You old timers know better than I what was official for the 503. My uniform had so many different patches over my 2+ years that I should have had snaps for each time my outfit changed. Regards, Verne White
Don and others, I have seen a photograph of Harris Mitchell sitting in an orderly room busily engaged in writing. He is wearing a leather flight jacket with the "cat patch" sewed to the left breast of the jacket. Local commanders had the authority to approve insignia worn by the troops in their command; nothing "official" was necessary. This practice was the basis for the stand I took in the research of the "Rock Patch" painted by Tom Mc Neill on Mindoro following the Corregidor campaign. Hugh Breslin criticized my committees' findings in a letter to the Static Line about a year ago. General Jones approved the "Rock Patch." He told me this at the reunion in Little Rock. He also stated that he asked Bill Bossert to improve the drawing of the eagle on the "Rock Patch." The fact that field commanders can approve insignia "for local wear," is well documented. Elden "Buzz" Campbell also made reference to wearing the "cat patch" on the leather flight jacket while serving in Nadzab. So, there you have some leads. Those of you who know Buzz or Harris can easily satisfy your intellectual curiosity. Copy me in on what you find. Bob Flynn |
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THE MIRACLE OF NOEMFOOR ISLAND
Dr. Watters &
3 Aug 00
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Recall the story of how Haywood Burbage was taking down grenades that had been set for booby traps. [JUMP TO THIS LETTER] He would replace the safety pin and drop a grenade in the pocket of his fatigues. Suddenly, he heard the unmistakable pop of a timer set off. He tried to dig the grenade out of his pocket but it went off in his pocket. Dr. Watters noted that a major artery was still intact and decided against amputation. Miracles happen and Burbage kept his life and leg. Yesterday I received the
enclosed letter and photo. Since it was your good work which made this
exchange possible, I thought you would like to see the letter and
photos. Don Abbott (Don, I can't accept credit for what was a team effort - none of it would have happened without yourself, John Lindgren and Tony Sierra - Ed) |
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Julian Q. Watters, M.D. Dear Donald, Here is another chapter in the ''Mysteries of Noemfoor Island''. I should term it, ''Miracle of Noemfoor Island." My wife and I met with Haywood Burbage and his wife two weeks ago and had a pleasant lunch together. We met in a little town about half way between Atlanta and Greenville, S. C.
Enclosed is a photo of our meeting. (Haywood on the left.) I am afraid that Haywood is not in the best of health. He has been losing weight and reports that he has some type of heart trouble. But he is walking and walks better than I do. We wish you the best. Regards.
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recalling DOC BRADFORD
4 Aug 00
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Yes, I thought a great deal of the great doctor. He lived a full life. The good doctor and I shared a tent on several occasions. We were loading our battalion aboard "USS Custer' (APA-40). We were leaving Noemfoor Is. going to Leyte, as I led the group up the loading ramp, the ship's Captain came walking down the ramp -- to meet me -- I thought. Captain Terry and his surgeon passed by me and greeted Doctor Bradford. At Hollandia Doc Bradford, Father Powers and I shared a tent near the CO's. One night the three of us 'liberated' some beer from the CO's tent. We were never caught. When I told the good warden this story he did not believe me! I kept one bottle of good Aussie Beer. Doc and Father Powers didn't touch it. All went to the Sgt Maj' who distributed it to his men. The Doc was skilled in a number of fields: toured the USA on a motorcycle, active in sports, not a bad 'bone doc' and also wrestled. The two of us spent many hours wrestling. In the early fifties was a guest of the good doctor. Had the pleasure of meeting his mother and from the roof top of their home saw much of Boston. Visited the Greek, Italian and Irish sections of Boston. Everyone knew Doctor Bradford and were lavish in their esteem. Visited a tree alongside the Charles River. His great-grandfather had carved his initials on the trunk. On Corregidor Doc was his usual self. Brave, compassionate and always ready to help. The night Al Turinsky's CP was hit, Doc was ready to go to their aid. Was talking to Turinsky when the attack hit. Jones called and while briefing the CO a grenade was tossed into the Bn. CP. Was almost daylight, had organized some Arty support and a few men to escort the Doc to Turinsky's position. The Doc was giving first aid when I arrived. Some of the casualties had lost so much blood the Doc was using his jump knife to find a vein. I learned a lot from the Doc. After Corregidor we returned to Mindoro. Bradford, myself and several EM were selected to return to the USA on R&R for a week or so. We did not know at the time that this time that plans had been made to drop the "A" bomb. Col. Britten came to our tent and informed us we had a few minutes to pack and depart. Col Britten suggested that since I was single and he was married with children that perhaps I might let him go in my place. We cut cards. Doc and I returned to CONUS. The "A" Bomb was dropped, the war ended. We both left the Army. Without a doubt the Doc was an unusual person. I was fortunate to have the good fortune of sharing thoughts with him. Larry Browne 1st Lt. 503d Prcht. Inf. Ex. Off. 2nd Bn. |
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Tony Sierra 17 July 00 |
Paul,
It has occurred to me that it is time to
expand to new "horizons".
The older men are leaving us and in some
cases even if they are still here
they have forgotten events that should be recorded.
As I sit with margarita in hand and contemplate the passing of time
I realize that many good troopers who came in too late for Corregidor and
as you might figure are a bit younger are silent so far.
The Negros campaign, which was in great part fought by these newer
men, was the longest stay in the field the regiment suffered.
Many of these fellows hold back a bit because we have delved so
much on Corregidor and to some extent on Noemfoor.
There are some great moments from Negros that must brought out and
preserved. I am sure with a bit of proding these men will shine in the
telling as they did in the doing.
Think about it. Secondly, how would it be if we researched and related the awards, say from the Silver Star on up that the fellows earned. There are not that many. Rumor has it that the 503 higher-ups were rather chintzy with recommending of awards. It would add to the web if another section could gradually be built up as the stories come up. Several of these awards were earned in Negros (Hadrava and Lt. Mara, etc ) and I am sure there are some I know nothing about. This is just fodder for your brain. Do with them what you wish. Tony Sierra
Tony, et al, I would be very, very careful about singling out any of our members for awards perceived for combat heroism at this date so late after the end of the action. You know, as many of us do, that some of the heroic feats of our comrades were not rewarded with decorations. No-one who has witnessed such action will doubt that combat bravery is not unheralded in the hearts and memories of those who were witness to it. We have an obligation to our special comrades to perpetuate their names and the name of the Combat Team. The Combat Team and the safety of their comrades was so special to them that they chose to risk their well-being for its continuation. In June 1991 at the reunion in Scottsdale, Arizona, General Jones asked to see the manuscript of my article on the history of the 503rd which had been published in the book, "USA Airborne, 50th Anniversary." My wife "Buddy" and I received the General in our room and spent over two hours reviewing and commenting on the text and the accompanying photographs in the manuscript. When we had finished the examination of the manuscript General Jones asked me if I intended to have it published. I replied that there was a lot of "filling in" to be done because the editor for the publication had limited each unit to designated measured word content. General Jones offered to contribute to the publication of the manuscript and he also made this remark which is pertinent to this discussion; General George Jones said, "I think I was stingy in the awarding of medals for heroic action in combat against the enemy. If I had known how generous other combat commanders in other units were in recognizing the actions reported by field commanders, I would have been more generous." Bob Flynn I have agreed to open the 503rd on The Rock website to all matters 503d, and will publish any article submitted. Chet Nycum's recollections and photographic collection have spearheaded the new policy, and will, I hope, herald many other contributions. The obligation to special comrades to perpetuate their names and the name of the Combat Team can, in my opinion, be accomplished through the website, it being one of several ways - but the only one to which I have access. If I have an opportunity to be generous through the publishing of an original piece of writing, or the opening of some careful scholarship to the consciousness of the general public , I shall. Being in Australia, there are limitations upon me, of course. There is no-one who would welcome some American based assistance more than myself. Paul Whitman |
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MEMORIAL DAY 2000
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Memorial Day has passed and some of our guys did a little honoring our lost mates. Charlie Rambo and Bob Donavan placed a wreath on the 503rd monument in Arlington Cemetery. The wreath is 24 inches across on a metal stand. It had red, white and blue flowers and a large red white and blue banner with gold letters. LEST WE FORGET
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MAJOR ARLIS KLINE |
My name is Steve Vance and Arlis Kline is my Father-in-law. We saw your web site today when using a search engine. He's been at our house since the 4th of July and will be staying until July 18th. He lives in New Zealand now and it has been 2 1/2 years since his last visit. He is like a walking history lesson with so many facts. He remembers so many details about the 462nd/503d PRCT that he has been telling me this week, so when we discovered your web site, he pointed out a lot of things on the map. Thank you for that web site. It's very interesting. Regards, |
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James M. Mullaney to
Ray Basham 10-11 July, 2000 |
To:
[email protected] Thank You
Gary, Paul Whitman sent an e-mail and a copy of your e-mail to him in regards to your father -- Raymond Basham of "B" Company 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team in World War II. There is definitely a possibility that back then I met Ray because during nostalgic periods I’d look up fellow Kentuckians just to see if we had any mutual friends. Kentucky, being small, there was always that chance. I served in "H" Company which was in the 3rd BN so we really weren’t too close on most occasions. There are ten names of troopers from Kentucky listed in the 1998 503 membership directory and at least one of them has passed on. He is Ralph Bates from Louisville. I attended his services along with Bill Manz of Richmond, Ky. Bill is now president of this organization. There were many 503ers from our state but time has taken its’ toll and some seem to have just disappeared. War and what your father experienced affects each one of us differently. Some wish to be around the people they suffered with and some don’t want to even think about it. Then again, some change as they get into the golden years. These thoughts, of course, have never really left their minds but were pushed back in the inner recesses. I honestly believe the friendships we made then will never be completely forgotten and tend to be accentuated as years pass. Sorry, Gary, I have a bad habit of rambling at times when talking or writing about the 503. Wish I could be of more help to you and I’m sure others who served in "B" will be in touch with you and your dad. Two men I recall from your area were in "H" One was named Fant and he was from Glasgow. Was shot in the head but survived as far as I know. Haven’t heard from him since the war. The other was a lead scout - his name, Denham and his home was Eighty Eight, Kentucky which is not far from Glasgow. He, and his partner in scouting, MaGinnis - his home Parker’s Landing, Pa, - were killed instantly while on patrol during the Noemfoor operation in July 1944. They both died from the same burst of machine gun fire. Thanks again for writing Paul
- you wrote the right person for any info about Raymond’s unit. He spends
an untold amount of hours in trying to keep the 503 veterans in touch with
each other.If you, your dad or any the family get to Louisville please
call or come by. You will be most welcome.. Jim Mullaney
Jim, Thank you very much for your reply. I am sure Dad would like to communicate with you gentlemen. You mentioned in the reply how each man that went through what you all did ,"handles the memories in there own way," I can definitely relate to that with Dad. I and the rest of my two sisters and one brother have always had great respect for him and an unconditional love for him, and I think it stems in part to the character building experience to say the least that you men went through when so young. Dad has always cherished living or I should say shown us that he felt fortunate to be alive and at times on camping or fishing trips spoke of the poor guys that didn't make it back to see loved ones and raise a family. He will still talk to me and my brother about these things when asked, but never has he volunteered any war stories on his own. I am 44 years old and graduated high school in 1973 , the very summer that the Vietnam war draft was abolished, so I can only make a feeble attempt at imagining what hell you guys went through. I`m rambling on so I `ll close for now, but I `m sure Dad would like some info. on you all`s whereabouts, reunions and such. He has always talked about going to one and now I think he would. I live in Clermont, Florida at present and you have my wife`s e- mail address here and I will give you my sister-in- law`s e-mail also, her and my brother live next door to Dad and Mom, it is [email protected] Maybe we can get that ole Paratrooper to a reunion and see some of you fellows before "Father Time" catches up with all of us! Thank you again for replying and keep on with your research. From one of the "Children of
Corregidor", RAY BASHAM can be reached through [email protected] |
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The Death of Karsten L. Hall
- Negros Island, R.P.
Chet Nycum
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Karl, At your request I
will try to paint a verbal picture of the Negros
mission.
I just returned to
the outfit (503rd now located on Mindoro Island) after 47 days in the
hospital being treated for wounds received on Corregidor. The regiment was getting ready for the Negros strike.
I collected my gear and made ready.
We boarded planes
at the strip on Mindoro and took off.
En route we were told that we would not be jumping on Negros but
rather that we would land on Panay and cross to Negros by LCM.
Arriving on Negros
we boarded trucks and were moved inland.
The 40th Div. was already in combat on the island, and we were
moved to their left flank, to
engage the troops that were flanking the 40th Div.
How long we were
fighting and moving forward I no longer remember, but I do recall a Banzai
charge that lasted, it seems, forever. It was judged there were 500
Japanese attacking. On
another occasion the Japanese crept in during the night and were on top of
us at dawn. Hand to hand we lost seven men, they lost seven. Our fighting was
always uphill, the Japanese were dug in so we had to rout them out.
Paratroopers have no heavy weapons so it all had to be done with
small arms. I have no idea how many men were killed as we moved
forward, but one I will never forget .
On patrol in the
foothills of the mountains, in an area of rain forest we came upon a
patrol of Americans we
assumed were from the 40th Div.
We shouted and waved to attract their attention , they in turn
opened fire. A trooper named
Guthrie was hit but the bullet struck a grenade on his webbing. We all
heard the detonator go off.
As the grenade dropped to the ground, every one hit the dirt.
Guthrie threw himself on the grenade to protect the rest of the
squad. Guthrie was given no
medal for bravery because our commander did not believe in giving medals.
G company moved
forward up the mountain. The 1st platoon walked into a
Japanese position, their scout was killed.
The Japanese position was a knoll roughly 200 ft across the top.
The approach to the position was a ridge with the ground sloping off to
the right and a sheer cliff on the left, rising from a river.
The scout that was killed was about 200 ft from the Japanese line.
A machine gun, Nambu type, was dug in on the right front.
That gun killed the scout. The patrol returned to our lines and I
was told to see if I could recover the body.
Scared as hell, I went up to where the scout was laying.
He was at the base of a large tree, of the type that had
fins around the base.
Our trooper was on the forward side of the tree, exposed to the machine
gun. I reached around the tree and grabbed clothing on his
shoulders, but the weight was too much and I would expose myself no
further. I did see that he had
been searched and his ring finger cut off.
I moved back and reported my actions, found a place to lay down and
spent the night.
At dawn I was
called on to lead the company back up and to attack and take that machine
gun. After a cup of coffee I
moved out. The second scout was a trooper named Andy Percale who was about 100 ft to my
rear. The rest of G company followed.
I moved up without incident until I was at a point where if I stood
erect I could see across the top of the hill.
I straightened up and there were four Japanese soldiers, three with
rifles slung on their shoulders and one, with his back to me, wearing a
sword , apparently an officer.
I brought my tommygun and fired bursts of three into each man. They fell and I strafed the ground to insure the kill.
I quickly dropped
the clip (20 rounds ) and jammed another clip into gun. Suddenly I saw movement in the corner of my eye, and turning
to my right I was facing a Japanese soldier who had me in his sights. I
don't know why he did not fire, but his hesitation cost him his life. I started to move
on the machine gun when I heard Andy calling my name. Taking a quick look back to see what he wanted he motioned
that we were being called back and when I looked for the men behind Andy
they had started down the hill.
The balance of the
day was spent watching to see that whatever Japanese were on the hill
would not attack us.
Toward evening the
second platoon was called on to manoeuvre around the Japanese position and
attack from the rear. I was,
once again, to lead 1st and 3rd platoons up on a frontal attack.
At dawn I received orders to move out.
I carefully moved back up the same path I had taken two times
before. Just as I reached the
military crest of the hill I heard the Nambu open up.
It fired two bursts of about five rounds each. I leaped forward to
get into the fight and one of the second platoon men waved me down and
pointed to my left front, where there was one of our
men down.
The Japanese had
pulled the gun from the bunker to a point in the left rear where they
could see anyone moving across the top.
Unfortunately,
your uncle had to be the scout that got to their position first.
Karsten L. Hall was hit in the upper torso and died instantly .
Karl, I have
written this in more detail than I needed to, but it is only a
brief pause when you consider
your uncle’s involvement at Markham Valley, Hollandia , Noemfoor,
Corregidor and Negros. You
have an uncle to be proud of.
Had you not sent me Karsten’s picture and told me Sleepy’s story of the
foot locker, I am sure I would never have recalled the incidents I have
written about.
Stay in touch . Chet Nycum
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Tony Sierra
to CT&N |
Paul I am glad you are putting up the KIA list with information of the trooper. I particularly wanted to write about Sgt. R. V. Holt (my squad sergeant.) I believe the story about his death in the assault on Battery Monja is worth telling. His death has never left my mind even after fifty years. Regards |
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Robert J. Flynn to John Lindgren
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Subject: Re: Japanese reported suicides on Corregidor, P.I. John, I talked tonite with one of the former Engineers from the 161st, a Warren Elfrank who was a corporal at the time we jumped on Corregidor. He related that his squad which was led by Sgt. Eugene Whitman, was sent to Wheeler Battery after the fighting to help dispose of the bodies of the enemy and recover the dead and wounded American troops. His account supports your recollections and those of Tony Sierra. Warren indicated that the men assigned to the detail paired off and took the Japanese corpses by the arms and legs and swung them over the side. He indicated that he could not see the beach below and had no idea where the bodies would come to rest after they were disposed of. That puts the beach patrol that I was in at a different location on the island. There aren't many of our engineer group left but I will pursue this until we get at least one other eye witness. Cecil Duquesne should be able to shed some light on this. Bob Flynn |
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Chet Nycum |
Paul,
My first memories on Corregidor are of my landing. Exactly where I landed leaves me wondering how detailed do you want me to get. All I can say is that it was the area referred to as "A" site, the area to the Southeast if you were viewing the drop from Malinta Hill. I could not have asked for a better landing spot. I came in flat on my back against a bomb crater. My first sight after landing was a trooper with a camera pointed at me. If you have the video taken by the headquarters trooper watch for the close-up of me landing on my back in a bomb crater. Look closely and you will see the point where I viewed the photographer. The clincher in recognizing me is to look for the leggings, WW1 type. If you have seen any of the pictures taken on Topside during the landing, look for the trooper making the landing I described and wearing WW 1 leggings. They could not supply me with jump boots in time for the jump. My jump boots were completely worn out and all they had in my size was army shoes, and WW1 leggings. I have seen my landing on TV "The Big Picture" and also "You Are There", and I bought a series of videos called "Great Battles Of The Pacific", the shot of my landing is in that also. Seems I was meant to be a star, though the only problem is, I feel, I am the only one who is sure that it is me. I have trouble separating my first night from any other night, I feel your question is aimed at getting me started on my Corregidor story. Let me state that things were tense the first night but became more relaxed as time went by. Almost as soon as I landed I was set upon by Headquarters troopers helping me out of my chute. After freeing me they pointed me toward the South (the mainland side of A Landing site) where my company was taking positions. I took a position looking down the slopes toward the water. As I lay there waiting for something to happen I saw a trooper climbing, using his rifle as a pick jamming the barrel into the ground and pulling himself up the grade. Without thinking I told the man next to me to give me cover and laying my tommy gun down went down and got him on my shoulder and carried him up to the first shelf below Topside. I ran west along this shelf to a bomb crater and deposited him in the crater, then I cleaned the dirt out of his rifle barrel and took a ready to fight position. No more than I began to relax two men jumped down into the crater and started asking questions, my name and where I was from in the states. I honestly think they were news photographers. If they were, the pictures must have gone bad, as I have never seen them or heard what happened to their story. The action that day moved us toward the Amphib. Landing site. My position was directly above the site where I had a birds eye view of the landing. I had no contact with Japs the first day. This part was easy. From here on things get a good deal rougher. Chet Nycum |
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Jim Mullaney to CT&N
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Paul, Thanks for the e-mail concerning how the history of World War II can be told and what ranks can do it best. I personally think everyone who was "there" has a tale or tales to tell. Nearly all of us saw things and heard things that their fellow troopers possibly missed, overlooked, or just forgot. Don Abbott, John Lindgren, Verne White and a host of others all have related interesting accounts of their days on the Rock. Personally I haven’t as yet read any article on your website by a 503 man that wasn’t of great importance to me. They are all good. You mentioned getting Joe Conway and Bill Bossert into the e-mail fold. I’ve pretty much lost track of Bossert but Joe is a different story. I talked to him about two weeks ago and he is not in the best of health. He is on oxygen 24 hours a day and has an aneurysm in his stomach. He still works his garden plot and keeps plenty busy. He has never mentioned having a computer but I’ve told him about your ventures many times. Believe me, Paul, Joe could tell some stories. We went through Jump school together - he was my platoon leader, company commander and battalion commander. He served in the Korean conflict and then stayed on active duty till retirement. Joe has paid many visits to my domicile and we have talked of the war. We’ve drank beer - paid our dues at Churchill Downs - and even hosted a small re-union (with the help of John Watson - another "H" man) here in Louisville years ago. John’s home was Indianapolis and Joe lives in Estill Springs, Tenn. Louisville was chosen because it is nearly in the center of the states we drew 503ers from… It was a wonderful meeting but sadly most of those who attended have passed on. John Watson died about six years ago shortly after his wife, Helen, expired. Got a letter from Ben Guthrie (author of Three Winds of Death) yesterday. He is considering a run of about 500 more copies of the book. Nothing decided as of yet but it is on his mind. (The line forms after me - I pledge to do everything I can via the website to assist Ben to market his book - Ed) Getting back to the subject at hand - I can’t see that any rank has an edge on telling a good story of what the 503 accomplished. Please tell all your contributors to continue doing exactly what they have done in the past. The most important thing is to get more of them to scour their minds and share their anecdotes before it is too late… Jim Mullaney |
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Verne White
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Paul, Another big thank you from a grateful 503rd'r. You are, beyond doubt, the epitome of the amateur historian. Once the many facts and pictures are collected there is no question but what you will be the one point authority of what happened on the Rock. Of course, the regimental leadership will have much to say (as has already happened) about the operation, but yours will be the input from those of us who were down on the ground in day to day face offs. Military protocol will not allow the top officers, wonderful as they are, to express their men's feelings and experiences. Col. Jones, rest his soul, will forever be remembered by me as one of the bravest men I've met. On our sortie down the hill he was ever the consummate soldier. Not that he and the other officers would not have done the things we did, it was just that they had other responsibilities than doing all the myriad of things required of the enlisted ranks. Anyway you have my undying thanks for your efforts. My grand children and their descendants also thank you as they are now learning about one of their ancestors and his life. Verne White Verne overrates my qualifications, but not my ambitions to make this site the internet authority on what happened on Corregidor - Ed |
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Don Abbott 18 May 00 |
Paul, Unless they have already put their thoughts on the Corregidor mission down in writing, or other media, Verne need not be concerned with any remarks by the "Regimental Leadership". Consider the following:
We had better hold on to Bill Bossert &
Joe Conway! Don Abbott
NBC recently announced that WW2 veterans were dying at a rate of 30,000 per month. Hold on to Bill Bossert and Joe Conway? Not enough! Quick, somebody get them hooked up to e-mail! There are plenty of books about campaigns, but relatively few about the men who actually fought them. Most not available to anyone other than the rare book collector. At last, with the internet, with this website, there is now a means to educate people en masse to understanding what the men on Corregidor's ground thought, felt, suffered, experienced, and fought against in their nightmares for years afterwards. My quest for 'troopers to write their thoughts on Corregidor can be justified on any number of valid reasons, but it remains that for some, "what they experienced there, they have spent their lifetimes leaving there". It makes me all the more thankful when the website can feast on the titbits from the table.- Ed |
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John Lindgren Subject: "Doc" Bradford
4 Aug 00
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Paul, This letter on Doc Bradford's wearing of the uniform is probably a valid criticism. The letter is courtesy of Larry Browne. Charlie Bradford was never a clothes horse to say the least, even by the rough and ready standards during the War in the Pacific. John Lindgren.
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Tony Sierra 25Mar 00 |
Paul, It has occurred to me that your 503rd call page should devote some ink to incidents about a second battle the regiment fought in, "Negros". Many consider this a tougher campaign for its length, it lasted several months, with many troopers constantly out in the field, chasing up and down those horrid mountains on what seemed an endless killing drudgery. Additionally, many of the newer troopers who were not at Corregidor were outstanding at Negros and there are many incredible tales they have to offer. For starters, there is the story about Lou Hadrava. He was recommended for the Silver Star, which he received fifty years later. Lt. Jack Mara and Hadrava both, from the 503 were submitted by the hierarchy of the 40th division, under whose command we served at that time. Both of these men are some of the stars of the regiment and their deeds are very moving. There are many incidents about the Negros campaign that are worth preserving and we must tap the memories of those who were there before they too go as many of the older troopers have gone. Regards,
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Bob Flynn |
Bob, Bob Flynn |
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Don Abbott |
Paul, James McNight was in "B" Company. Being in the 1st Bn., that means McNight probably did not jump on Corregidor but came in on the landing craft on the 17th. Don Abbott |
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Pfc. Sam Cunningham "H" COMPANY
4 Aug 00 |
Anyone who served in "H" company who jumped on Corregidor please drop me a line.
Pfc. Sam Cunningham Sam Cunningham 944 11th Street Imperial Beach, Ca 91932
(619)429-6187
Sam Cunningham, Saw your e-mail to Paul Whitman: Been many a year since hearing from you. That California address threw me off for a minute because your home was Selma, Alabama when we were touring the Pacific. Let me hear from you when you have time.... Jim Mullaney - H Company Louisville Ky.
Well, Sam Cunningham did have time to contact Jim, and this is what became of it:
19 October 2000:
You put an e-mail letter on the site from a Sam Cunningham. Sam wanted to hear from anyone who served in "H" company. I contacted the writer who is Sam's grandson. About a week later - on a Sunday afternoon - I got a phone call. Sam and I talked a good hour. He phoned because he is not into computers and just felt like talking. Seems he stayed in the service for better than twenty six years and was in all the airborne units at one time or another. Wounded in Korea - others sharing a dugout were killed. Lives in California now -- his home was Selma, Alabama when he was in "H". Had some info on our 1940 friends but not all that much. I filled him in and gave addresses of the one I hear from regularly.
Another mission accomplished by the Brisbane website.
Jim Mullaney - H Company Louisville Ky.
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Don Abbott |
Paul I have just now logged onto your new web page setup. I hope your last E-Mail (announcing the Topside Series) was connected with a lot of the 503rd people who are on the internet. This is a plea to all 503rd people: log on to"corregidor.org" immediately. You will not be disappointed. You should receive the highest accolades for the new Web Page! It is outstanding. Don |
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Bob Flynn |
Paul, I second Don Abbott's appraisal of the web site as an outstanding internet experience. The portrait of the combat operations is presented in an accurate, historical perspective. The resolution of the pictures of Fred Hill's are pristine and well-composed. The narrations are precise and artfully crafted. My one insertion would be to correct the designation of the 161st Parachute Engineer Company. (Corrected - Ed) By the way Don Abbott omits the participation of the 161st Engrs jumping in the first wave on Corregidor. I jumped in the first wave, and missed the topside by about 50 meters. While getting rid of my parachute I saw my company commander, Capt. James S. Beyer, struggling up the slope. Together we labored up to the topside. We had not gone too far on top when we saw a body partially covered with a parachute. The parachute had failed to open. Captain Beyer peeled the canopy from the fallen soldiers face to reveal the unfortunate death of my platoon sergeant Charles Lindsay. We covered his body with the chute, looked wonderingly at each other, murmured a silent prayer, and proceeded with the mission. Bob Flynn, |
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Brock Mullis |
Ed, My father, Duane R. Mullis served
in the 503rd throughout the war. He passed away in 1974 and I wondered if
anyone would have a roster that would have his name and designation within
the 503rd. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Brock Mullis, |
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Jeff Holbrook to CT&N 07 Feb 00
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Greetings, My father was a paratrooper with the 503rd and helped to retake the island. I don't know what group he was in, however I do have a few photos of the jump and shots of the boys on the ground. My father's name is Delmar Holbrook and he came from Illinois. Thanks for a great site and keep up the good work! We can never forget what these men did! Jeff Holbrook |
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Victor Erdahl to
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I knew Del well. He was my assistant gunner on my light 30 machine gun, Headquarters Co. 2nd Battalion. We lost contact after the war. I always wondered what happened to him. At one of our reunions I asked Bernie O'Boyle if he had ever seen him. he said del had visited him once in Chicago but he did not have his address or phone number. Jeff, I hope your letter doesn't mean your Dad has passed on. Victor Erdahl |
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Tony Sierra |
Dr. Jungle, Of all the fellows who was 100% in on the Corregidor action, save for the few hours the third battalion was ahead of us second battalion contingent, I remember the least, if all the history coming out recently is to be believed. But now at last I have come across an incident where I have indisputable rememberances, "Suicide Cliff fairy tale." I was one of the most active of troopers in the socalled two platoons who were assigned to heave the bodies of the killed Japanese soldiers early on the morning after the 19 February. I never saw a single Japanese "leap" over the cliff or any sign that any had done so during the night attack. Any of them that ended on the beach either fell during the attack (which is pure spectulation) or were thrown over. One of us would grab the feet and another the arms and swing them over as far as we could. I believe this was done to reduce the smell of decaying bodies in that tropical setting, if that was ever possible. We were so desperate to get this chore over with that I can't even recall any of us worrying in the least with searching their bodies for souvenirs or even military information. I hope this sets to rest this small item once and for all, brochures notwithstanding. Regards |
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James Mullaney |
Paul, Wish I were going with you on the Corrregidor trek next week. You asked about my landing there in 1945. I jump-mastered the seventh plane of the first drop at 8AM. Jumpmasters went out last on this particular mission. So I was approximately the 49th man to land on the Rock as "H" Company planes dropped seven men each pass. I landed right in the middle of the Parade Field in front of the "Mile Long Barracks". They really aren't that long. At any rate if you get the opportunity walk out to this area, drink a beer and think of your correspondent in old Kentucky. Have a good trip and take care Jim |
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Don Abbott
Subject: Pvt. Samuel L.
Knott, Jr. |
Bill & Bob While I didn't know Samuel Knott in person I know a bit about him and how he died. He was reported killed on the Morning Report of 26 Feb 45 for "B" Company. He was buried in the American Cemetery in Manila. For the information of people who have not seen the Cemetery, it is a beautiful place. Labor, by US standards, is cheap in the Philippines consequently a lot is used to keep this one in immaculate shape. Knott's name appears in "Return to Corregidor", the book put together by Templeman in 1945. I believe it was Louis Aiken who told me Knott was from North Carolina. Since Knott was killed on 26 February it can be assumed he was killed in the catastrophic explosion at Monkey Point when the Navy Intercept Tunnel was blown up, killing a lot of Japanese troops in the tunnel and a lot of American Paratroopers from the First Battalion. I would really suggest calling or writing to Louis Aiken. He has a very detailed memory of the people in "B" Company and will, undoubtedly, remember Samuel. Louis B. Aiken, Sr. |
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Verne White
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Paul, Thanks for the efforts you make on the site. You are a good webmaster. Watch yourself on Corregidor and at all times do not let your fingers leave your hands! Verne |
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Don Abbott |
Paul Had a long telephone call from Guy Crull, the Murder Inc. Sherman Tank driver. You would not believe how excited he was to talk with someone who knew about the incident. It was hard getting a word or a question in edgewise. He was taken to Hollandia where he spent many months being treated for his troubles. Among other things, he lost most of the flesh from his right arm. While he was in Hollandia he met a bunch of our men who had been badly wounded. Yes, you do have some significant successesyou can be proud of with the CT&N page. You have uncovered several people who discovered just what they had been hoping for as a historic resource. You, also, have provided an outlet for some of the pent up memories of some of us old WW II has-beens. In the latest, I gather Crull's daughter is going to drag out his memories of that fateful day he happened onto a practically unremembered postage stamp of an Island in the Philippines. All your hard work is paying off--thanks. Don |
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Tony Sierra to CT&N Subject: Haywood Burbage
15 Mar 00
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I knew if Lindgren got into the Noemfoor act he would jog some ones mind. The trooper he relates about is named Burbage. He also was in D Company. After a day of patrolling, I believe by the entire D Company, we were ordered to set up a perimeter for the night. We were too far out to return before darkness. Several men, led by Burbage were sent out to booby-trap the area around the perimeter. Grenades were wired around trees with phone wire and wire was strung from grenade to grenade tied to the almost-pulled pin. The slightest tug anywhere on the wire would set the grenades off. In the early hours of daylight usually the same men went out to disarm and retrieve the booby trap. In the gathering up of grenades, Burbage fully reinserted the cotter pin and spread the tips apart, thus rendering the grenade supposedly safe. He then dropped the collected grenades into the deep pockets of the infantry fatigues we wore. Somehow one of the pins from a pocketed grenade slipped out and Burbage was unable to to pull it out before it exploded. Those of us around him were shocked and mesmerized. I for one could only hit the ground and wait for the boom. When it was over I sneaked into the brush and cried with shock. Years later we heard Burbage had miraculously survived, returned home and raised a great family. I don't know if any of the troopers have been in contact with him. Maybe we can run him down, somehow. They claim his leg was saved. Regards. Haywood Burbage has been traced. Follow how in the two letters below |
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John Lindgren Subject: Burbage
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Bob, I didn't get anything on who came up with the Burbage's name. I finally found it in McNerney's Noemfoor journal. God bless the Irish! ttfnj. I must have missed a message somewhere after getting Heyward Burbage's name on another message. Who supplied the name? I eventually found his name and the date of his wounding. He was a member of A Company 504th PIR that later was designated D Company 503rd PIR. Burbage was a 3rd platoon mortarman who jumped at Nabzab. Later the organization of the rifle company was changed and the mortar squad in each rifle platoon was moved to a fourth platoon made up of three mortar squads. This change was made long after Burbage left the company. There is a 2nd Battalion Noemfoor history of sorts and what is more valuable, a well kept journal that often gives us great detail about events that happened long ago. The company was at Namber Drome, a small coral surfaced airstrip, from August 2nd to August 27th. and after 20 August it was the only rifle company there. On 12 August, John Britten, the 2nd Battalion commander had told his company commanders "extreme vigilance will be maintained on the perimeter." This would mean that among other things the perimeter would be booby trapped during hours of darkness removed during daylight hours to prevent our own people from tripping them. At night, movement on the perimeter was forbidden and the booby traps were placed to warn of night infiltration but during daylight there was no prohibition on movement and booby traps posed a real danger to our own people. The normal procedure required the traps be picked up early in the morning. This undoubtedly was why Burbage had the grenades in his pockets; he had been removing them. There were several types of booby traps but in the rifle platoons the hand grenade was the weapon of choice. The safety ring was much like a cotter key and the split ends were straightened a bit so it would slip out of place when pulled. A length of thin wire was tied to the ring and the grenade staked down or tied to a tree or rock and the wire stretched across a likely area of entry. To remove the grenade the pin was bent so it wouldn't pull out and put in a musette bag or as in Burbage's case in his pockets. The safety ring somehow was pulled out releasing the handle and starting a fuse that emitted a click and burned for about six seconds before the grenade exploded. He must have heard the click and I would guess he tried to remove the gathered grenades. The incident happened 27 August, the day the company moved to their new camp. At 1230 the following entry was made; "Five men [with] blood type A were requested by the 71st Evacuation Hospital to give blood to Burbage, D Company wounded by grenades." ttfn |
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Tony Sierra 21 Mar 00
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Fox, When the first call from Dr. Watters came requesting the fate of a 503rd trooper who had suffered a serious leg injury and who had the possibility of loosing his limb, I dug into my rusty mind and came up wiith two names, Red Cantrell and Burbage. At that time I did not know Burbage's first name. I submitted the two names to Whitman and some one else refined the choice to Burbage. I did not know exactly the road both of these troopers had followed after their wounding, but I heard somewhere during the reunions that both had survived and were in fact still living. Cantrell has isolated himself from the association and I guess so has Burbage. I submitted some D company names, including yours, who might have better follow-up information and such has been the case. I am happy that you and McNerney are so meticulous in searching out the detail records. Recently, Haywood Burbage and Dr. Watters met after all the years - Ed Additionally I hope you can send me a copy of the "D" company roster (Moresby-Mindoro era) . I also wish you could list the awards and medals the average 503 trooper is entitled to wear. I hope this is not on overload on you, but I have a project going with troopers from other outfits and I need to settle these issues. Regards |
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Tony Sierra
Subject: Green Light on his recent by-pass op
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The cargo plane tilted slightly to the left and slowly lost altitude, the green light was on and we were all jammed tightly chest to back. The jumpmaster counted off, I don't rightly recall how many (1-thousands). In the blink of an eye I was out the door and headed much too fast to the Rock below. When I awoke I was in ICU. I knew I had made one more jump and everything was now okay. Fellow troopers and friends, I can not find words to express the humility I feel when so many of you prayed and were concerned for me. I know many of you have also experienced these by-passes, so now we have one more tie that binds us. Al and Marjean McGrew brought a very moving card signed by the troopers meeting that met that very day at El Toro. The boys meeting at Apache Junction also sent a great card signed by their group meeting on the next day. My computer is over loaded with E mail and I have not had time or energy to go through their many wonderful expressions of friendship. Actually, I am grateful but not surprised; after all we are troopers. GOD BLESS THE WHOLE DAMN BUNCH OF YOU Regards, |
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The "Tank Pilot's Daughter" |
Mr. Whitman,
Thanks |
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Tony Sierra
Subject: MITCHELL |
Once again it is my sad task to let you fellows know that another mighty trooper has left us. Ray Mitchell, D company, 2nd platoon, died on 24 december, 1999. As those of you who had the pleasure to know him, recall he suffered greatly the last four to five years and showed up at the reunions hooked up to his oxygen tanks but participating in all the activitiies nonetheless. Ray was a brave man not only in combat where his second platoon often used him as a way ahead scout, but also in his battle against awfully painful and exerting health problems. He often said to me," As long as I have a breath left in my body I will attend the reunions." The last time he joined us was at Valley Forge. His son, Joe drove him, prone in the family RV. I visited him in the unit where I had a drink of "Shine"... I felt I was in a hospital room, nevertheless he ventured to parts of the reunion, appearing jovial and happy, although some of us knew he was hurtin', as he used to say. Ray Mitchell was buried at Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, Greenville, Tennessee. His daughter Sheila asked that I notify his fellow troopers. He really cared for all of us. Regards, |
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John Lindgren |
Paul, I'm glad I didn't tell Al (McGrew) about the caches of whiskey, champagne and huge stores of first class canned crabmeat. I am sure Al didn't get into any of that either. You weren't in the Army in those days when it was bugger the enlisted swine and more whiskey for the officers. The Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion mortarmen got into the spirits store and fired all kinds of mortar rounds as they celebrated. But those were the later days on the Rock. My company, hard luck D never found any of these bounties and in fact F Company not only found trucks but booze as well. Calhoun writes that they found among other things some Bacardi Rum [the navy always went first class]. F Company's Richard Lampman in a letter to Bill (Calhoun) had this to say. "I didn't even try and sell any of the drink I had!! There was one of our 75mm gun crews [i.e. 75mm pack howitzers] who I thought the most unlucky group on the island. They had to scrounge parts from three other guns in order to have one work. They kept taking it apart and setting it up, then taking it apart and setting it up again. I remember laughing at them about 'wearing the gun out taking it apart so much.' * They didn't beat "H" out of me so when I got the spirits I gave them four bottles to soothe their nerves. I got 'mouth' for giving it away. A group of 'Hard Luck D Co got a few bottles too." Had I known I would have given a month's pay for a bit of strong drink at the time and Bacardi at that. Unfortunately I didn't even hear about this bonanza until four decades later. A huge supply of San Miguel beer was found somewhere on Topside. Someone talked when they should have been listening and higher headquarters was alerted. In a trice, please pardon the expression, trucks appeared** and began hauling the beer down to Bottomside where it was loaded on boats and enjoyed by the straphangers at IX Corps and Sixth Army; a sad day for the Liberators indeed. I must say that I did sample the exquisite canned crabmeat. Unfortunately by the time the lower ranks got it the island was unbelievably infested with flies. It was utterly impossible to spoon out food from a can without it being covered with black flies. The unburied corpses of thousands of Japanese marines were being eaten to the bare bones by maggots soon to become flies. The corpses were literally covered with maggots that undulated like ripples from a stone tossed in a pond. I hate to think how many pounds of these flies our troopers swallowed with their meals. It wouldn't do for Doug to be bothered by these nuisances and just before he was to have George Jones raise the colors some airplanes appeared over the tiny island dropping a magic white powder from their tails and miracle of miracles! No more flies! . ttfn * There has been some light-hearted controversy over whether there were trucks remaining on the Rock as at 16 Feb 1945, how many and in what condition, and whenever the word "truck" is used in polite conversation, it is advisable to genuflect or duck. - Ed **The gunners set the howitzer on the second story porch of quarters 28 D [the westernmost set of officers quarters] that looked down on Battery Wheeler two hundred or so yards to the west. The guns had to be taken apart to be manhandled, they were too heavy to lift when assembled. - JL
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Don Abbott |
Paul, Am I the first 503RCT person to check in with you? I jumped with the first wave of paratroopers who landed on Corregidor on 16 February 1945. I was one of the lucky ones and did not get a purple heart on the Island. I was, however, evacuated on 1 March with a case of hepatitis. In the meantime we had one skirmish or another most every day. Our most difficult time was on 26 February when we attempted to take Battery Monja on the South Shore Road at Wheeler Point. We killed a lot of Japs and had a bunch of casualties. After WW II ended I got out of the Army and worked in a large paper company. After retirement, we traveled. One of the trips, in 1984, was to Australia where we had spent about a year in 1942/43. During one period in 1943 we spent about six weeks in Brisbane (actually I spent most of that time at the jungle school and assigned to an Australian Army Company). While in Gordonvale in 1984 I learned about the 503rd Parachute RCT Association, joined and have been active ever since. My first trip back to Corregidor was in 1987 when I spent about 10 days on the Island. In total I think I have been back 8 times. Several of those times I've spent about a month. I believe I probably know more about the place than any other paratrooper. As you may have learned there is a fairly large group of people who are very knowledgable about the harbor defenses of Manila Bay including, of course, the star--Corregidor. I note that you have taken
the "Brief
History of the 503rd RCT", I wrote, from "The Drop Zone"
Good--I like to have people know who we were. Your web page has some great
photos. A number of these I have or know about but the private
collection is very interesting. Don Abbott [This letter was the first of many from Don, who has become an active contributor, not just on matters involving the 503rd, but in the general history of the island. - Ed] |
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Verne White
Subject: BT Cave 08 Nov 99 |
John, Sorry if the long message mislead you. Yes we, 1st Bn, went topside on the 18th. The 19th was when the detail from C(?) went down the trail to the perimeter road or South Road above the water line. As we went by the BT Cave we were fired on and the detail went up the ridge to Topside. On the 20th I took Jones down the trail we had climbed on the 19th. So I was wounded on the 20th and evac'd on the 21st. Your MR (Morning Report-Ed) dates and general info are correct. What was incorrect on the 20th's report was how I was wounded and whom I was with and where we were at the time. So if you have the MR for the 19th it should show me and another Hq S2 guy being assigned as observers to a detail with, what I think was C company to go down hill to the road for recon. By the way, are there any troopers active from the 503 PIR who were in New Guinea? My friend Phil Seff would more than likely like to be in contact with them. Regards, |
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Jack Herzig |
Hi V, I don't know if I fall under the "active" category but I was assigned to the 503rd in May/June 1942 - that is 1942- had the pleasure of the Paula Laut voyage, made the overland jump in Gordonvale and the weekly travels into the local scenic jungles, went to Port Moresby and made the jump at Nadzab, back to Brisbane, up to Buna and Hollandia, jumped on Noemfoor, landed at Leyte, then Mindoro, and the B Co assault on the radio station up the Mindoro coast at Palaun where we lost four dead and 13 wounded, thereby eliminating the 1st Battalion from jumping first on Corregidor, landed at Corregidor and then went down to Negros where I was among five of us in B Co who were the first to be returned to the USA. If you have access to the internet, try thedropzone.org In case you're not sure, try me at [email protected] or (other details withheld for privacy reasons). Regards |
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