PRESIDENTIS REPORT: 1978 Reunion in St. Louis …...Trailblazers~ 1978 Reunion in St. Louis Set for Aug. 10-13 REUNION IN GERMANY Lewis Ho ger, Mission, Kansas, took this historic

Vol. 34, No.3 70th Infantry Division Association FEBRUARY 1978

PRESIDENTIS REPORT: Trailblazers~ 1978 Reunion in St. Louis

Set for Aug. 10-13 REUNION IN GERMANY Lewis Ho­ger, Mission, Kansas, took this historic pho­tograph at the reunion banquet at Buch­holz, Germany on September 25, 1977 when members of the 70th dined with members of the German 6th Mountain Di­vision. Details of the Trailblazers' return to Europe were published in our December 1977 issue. In foreground are Bill and Francis Martin of Seattle, Washington.

The 70th Division Returned. Indeed they did! Ninety-five (95) strong and with the utmost dignity and propriety. Each serving through their actions, as ambassadors of goodwill and peace. I was proud to have been associated with the group. The exemplifi­cation of their conduct should well serve as a model to all Americans traveling abroad. I will leave further plaudits and comments concerning this association function to those of our Editor and members participating. Only commenting further by saying, thanks and that we are grateful for a job extremely well done by Mataxis, Freeman, Lassiter and Galaxy Tours; expecially that of Hal Ryder and Jack Scurr.

Our thinking and planning now turns to the next association function. That being­"Reunion 1978". As announced in the July Trailblazer, this event to be in St. Louis, August 10, 11, 12 and 13. We are pleased to inform you as to the various committee

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is published four times a year by the 70th Infantry Division Association, for members and friends of the Association.

Vol. 34, No.3 FEBRUARY 1978

Association officers:

President Orville F. Ellis 9255 Birch Tree Lane St. Louis, MO 63126

Vice President - East Fred J. Cassidy 17813 Vinyard Lane Derwood, MD 20855

Vice President- West Charles L. Horton 6071 Hawkins Road St. Louis, MO 63129

Secretary-Treasurer Merritt Dick 2801 Osborn Road Topeka, Kansas 66614

Assistant Sect.-Treas. Karl S. Landstrom 510 N. Edison St. Arlington, VA 22203

Chaplain Alex C. Johnson 142 N. Olive St. Hoffman Estates, IL 60172

Historian Dr. Eugene J. Petersen 4801 Allen Road Allen Park, MI. 48101

Editor: Frank J. Moran, Jr. 2447 Jefferson Blvd. Hagerstown, Md. 21740

• • • • • • • • » • • • • • • • • • • •

"Reader Update" To assist us in getting the paper to you

as soon as possible, after it comes off the press, would you please send us : your name and wife's name, full address and zip code, Company Batallion or Regiment, Decora­tions or other information and mail to: Frank J. Moran, Jr., 2447 Jefferson Blvd., Hagerstown, Md. 21740. . .. .. . ... .. . .. . . . . . . ... .. .. . . .. .

I A word (or two) from the Editor I Some of our readers with more longevity than your Editor, as a member of this or­

ganization, will surely recall the small feature published in earlier issues, entitled "Chap­PY Speaks" ..... being a short insP.irational message from our Trailblazer Chaplain. The present occupant of that chair, is Mr. Alex Johnson, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. For reasons unknown, we have completely overlooked including this well-received offering in the T/B during this Administration. During our recent visit to Europe, I requested Alex to submit some material appropriate to the occasion. After too long a lapse, let's lead off this edition with the long missing "Chappy Speaks":

Once again the Winter scene is upon us, which causes a flood of memories to return, of other winters and times past. Our group from this organization, whore­cently visited our former battlefields, had the opportunity to also visit the Ceme­tary at Epinal, France, where many of our comrades rest.lt was indeed a moving experience to see the endless rows of crosses and to note the inscriptions indicat­ing the units whose men are buried there, and to see included the 70th Infantry Division. Later, while visiting the Cemetary at Pfaffenheck in Germany, we realiz­ed that our former enemies have similar feelings for their fallen friends.

We should all bow our heads and thank the Lord that we were fortunate to sur­vive and be able to remember the mistakes mankind has made in the past, and try to do better in the future.

.......... Alex Johnson, Chaplain Included in this edition, is a photograph of the memorial ceremony at Pfaffenheck,

submitted by Mr. Wolf Zoepf, of Pinneberg, Germany, a veteran of the Sixth Mountain Division Association . Backs to the camera, are Alfred Steurich, President, 6th Mountain Division Assn. (left) and Orville Ellis, our President.

Facing the camera, between Messrs. Steurich and Ellis, are (uniform) Lt. Col. Hollis, American Chaplain, and Rev. Muller, local-area Catholic Priest. Standing immediately behind the symbolic wreaths in front of the cross , is Mr. Alex Johnson.

In regard to Jack Andersons' article, of November 21, 1977, the official posture of the 70th Division Association, through it's officers, is-no comment and to be non-re sponsive. However , as far as members and others are concerned, the association has no control or say, as to response of other, or would the association even attempt to exer­cise any influence. This is a matter of individual preference and/or judgement. Respon­ses on this basis have been made . This from Orville Ellis:

As an unsolicited response to Mr. Anderson's opinions of the 70th visit , it is well known that Jack Anderson maintains a Religious affiliation. With this in mind, the Edi­tor would like to offer in rebuttal, this short Prayer, from the writings of St. Francis of Assisi.

"Lord , make me an instrument of Your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love ; where there is injury, pardon ; where there is discord , union; where there is doubt , faith; where there is despair , hope ; where there is darkness , light; and where there is sadness, joy.

0 Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying, that we are born to eternal lif " e.

That about says it all, Jack. Not too original-but then, neither is the stuff you pub­lish.

Editorially Speaking Frank J. Moran, Jr.

GET A NEW MEMBER IN 1978 Name ________________________________________________________ __

Wire ________________________________________________________ ___

Street Address __________________________________________________ _

CitY---------------------------------------------------------State ________________________________________________________ __

ZIP Code (Please)·------------------------­Company (Battery) Batallion Regiment---------------------------------Decoration or other information ______________________________________ _

Mail to: 70th Division Association c~ Merritt Dick 2801 Osborn Road Topeka, Kansas 66614

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New Members Ames, Rufus David Vivian 1368 Colonial Dr. Roseville, Minn. 55113 Co. H. 274th Inf. Reg.

Bowles, Donald E. Laverne 17 E. Second St. Webster S. D. 57274 70th Q. M. Bn. Division Quartermaster

Ellis, Prank R. M.D. Gertrude 1020 Anduin Ct. Des Peres, Mo. 63131 Med . Detachmt', 274th Inf. Reg.

Davenport, Andrew F. Dorothy 231 Woodland Ave. River Edge, N.J. 07661 Co. C, 882nd F. A. Bn.

Huff, Fred Ann 15326 Riverdale Detroit, Mi. 48223 70th Recon Troop

Donovan, James A. Lois 1635 Wilson Ave . St. Paul, Min. 55106 Unit (?)

Brown, Clifford R. Louise B. 302 E. Marble St. Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17055 Co. F., 274th Inf. Reg.

Juradc, David H. 1845 E. 2nd St. Los Angeles, Cal. 90033

Munn, Jr. Harry J. Louisa 1112 Friendly Dr. Crestwood, Mo. 63126 Co. I., 275th Inf. Reg.

Milich, Paul Virginia P.O. Box 1972 Studio City, Cal. 91604 T/5, 276th Inf. Reg.

Donaldson, Calvin L. P.O. Box 66 Hedgesville W.Va. 25427

Eisenhauer, Hilmer K. P.O. Box 140 Pearsall, Tex. 78061 270th Combat Engineers

Schmied, William C. 815 Henri Rd. Richmond, Va. 23226 c/o Co. B. 275th Inf. Reg.

Elsie

Lillie J.

Slagle, Richard L. Stella E. 205 Michigan Valparaiso, Ind. 46383 370th Medics, Clearing Co.

Smith, Arthur J. Box 494 Elgin Oregon 97827 70th Div. H.Q. Co.

Tucker, Oric L. Alta 1630 W. Avalon Santa Ana, Cal. 92706

Tartaris, G. W. Lissi P.S.C. Box 19 A.P.O. New York 09021 Co. M., 276th Inf. Reg.

Nolan, Robert E. R.D.1 Hummelstown, Pa. 17036 70th "MP" Co.

Stockman, Ralph R. Ina M. 545 5th Ave. S.E·. East Grand Forks, Minn. 56721 276th Reg.

Fierisohn, Isadore Joyce 57 Sullivan Way East Brunswick, N.J. 08816 Co. G & Co. A 276th Reg.

Van Horn, Harold T. Thelma 2278 Johnson Creek Rd. Barker, N.Y. 14102 Co. B. 275th Inf. Reg.

Deceased Elmo Lee Chappell 321 Cherokee St. Marietta, Ga. Co. B., 274th Reg.

(12-27 -77)

Virgil Harris (12-14-76) 312 S. Gunter Siloam Springs, Ark. 72761 Co. L. 275th Reg.

Leslie W. Dunning 40 1 N. Prairie Champaign, Ill. 274th Medics

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(1-14-78)

MILITARY HISTORY INSTITUTE

SEEKS 70th HISTORY

ITEMS Brigadier General Theodore C. Mataxis, USA Retired Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College Wayne PA 19087

Dear General Mataxis:

Thank you for your letter of Novem­ber 3. The Military History Institute, located at Carlisle Barracks, is the Army's official central repository for historical source material. Our holdings of 300,000 books, 7,900 boxes of manuscripts, thou­sands of photographs, and hundreds of ar­tifacts - all on military history - have been acclaimed as the fmest military library in the United States. We feel we would be the best place for disposition of the re­cords, maps and other items you men­tioned in your letter. This material from members of the 70th Division Association would make a most welcome addition to our holdings on World War II.

Some veterans of your division have already given us their material. Presently, the Eugene A. Stout Collection has narra­tives from him and William A. Long of the 275th Infantry Regiment and a cita­tion from the dedication of the Reginald B. Desiderio Airfield at Camp Humphreys (Desiderio also served in the 275th Infan­try Regiment). We would welcome com­parable material from other Trailblazers.

Mr. Stout has been actively seeking members of the division. He has, doubt­less, been in touch with you, but if he has not done so, let me mention that his ad­dress is: Eugene A. Stout III, 9450 E. 39th Street, Tucson, Arizona 85730.

Thank you for the newspaper article on your reunion on the battlefield. It must have been a rewarding experience.

We hope that you will have other such items to send us, reflecting not only vet­erans' activities and wartime service of the 70th but also all facets of your own military career. Official papers, corres­pondence with family and friends, mem­oirs, daily logs, maps, camp and unit newspapers, photographs, ftlms, tapes, and certain kinds of artifacts, such as uni­forms and insignia (but not weapons and munitions) are what we seek. Sources covering peacetime as well as wartime ser­vice, veterans' affairs as well as military duty are all welcome. Many generals of the mid-Twentieth Century have compar­ably given us their material: We hope that you will do so, too. We woUld value the privilege of having your. papers.

Should you see fit to donate such ma­terial, the five inclosed franked labels will enable you to send it without charge. Five more labels are provided for the

MEMORIAL IN GERMAN CEMETERY This memorable photograph was made during joint wreath laying ceremony at Pfaffenheck German cemetary on September 25, 1977 during the Trailblazers' return to Europe. 70th President Orville Ellis is wearing white coat, facing cross.

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70th's historian. More can be sent if necessary. Should individual members of your association care to donate their ma­terial , we shall gladly provide them with labels, too, upon learning of their inte­rest.

Thank you so much for your thought­fulness in contacting us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely, DONALD P. SHAW Colonel, Armor Director

PRESIDENT ELLIS TELLS OF PLANS FOR 1978 REUNION IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (continued from page 1)

chairmen involved with the reunion. C. G. Comuntzis- Time and Place 1980 Reunion Alex Johnson - Memorial Service Bob Cheves - Publicity Gene Sisson - Nominating Fritz & Winkie Bollinger - Hospitality Merritt Dick & Ellis - Reception Jim Kyle- Trailer & Camper Charles Blackmar - Speaker Orville Ellis - "EX OFFICIO and other stuff'

We have enclosed for your perusal a brochure of the Sheraton-West Port Inn, as well as to include your registration form for Inn accommodations. We would ask a small fa­vor of those attending, but staying in accommodations other than the Inn. Please let this writer know you are coming, by names of those attending and dates of attendance. This informing will be much appreciated for purposes of meal and activities planning.

August 1978 is just around the comer. Please register or inform early. In our last message we urged to come early and enjoy a vacation in St. Louis. We now urge to come early and stay after. If you plan to stay after, you will be treated to an excellent film about St. Louis at the reunion, that will serve as a guide to the offerings of St. Louis.

Ladies Note! We are enlisting professional assistance for your personal activities. Not telling you in advance what the activities consist of, but believing you will enjoy and be pleased.

All Note! Please rest up for this reunion. This is not going to be just another reunion. This is going to the "THE REUNION". From here on in, the reunion theme will be­"Meet Me In St. Louis - Louie" and remember, the ice cream cone and hot-dog origin­ated in St. Louis. Will say no more, don't want to give away all the secrets. Will close on the reunion for now, more later. Just a reminder "You-All Come" ! or you will never know what you missed.

Twenty-two (22) new members were listed in our July issue. Thirty (30) listed in the April issue and thirty-three (33) in the December Trailblazer. Evidence enough that our membership committee and members alike , are actively interested in the success of our association, as well as to believe in what we are doing.

Judging by letters and calls we are receiving, many new and exciting matters will sur­face at our 1978 reunion business meetings . We intend to have an open forum time for these matters. So come prepared to let us know your ideas and thinking for furthering our already viable association.

Don't want to start WW III, but if my records are correct, Missouri has pulled within one (1) membership of tying California for number of members . Let's go Missouri and be number ONE and make California number TWO and trying harder. With that , I will close and go underground.

Orville Ellis

Sheraton-West Port Inn 191 WESTPORT PLAZA, ST. LOUIS, MO. 800-325-3535

Number

--- Single Room - 1 Queen bed

--- Double Room - 2 double beds

--- Suites (if available) 1 King bed

Confirmation Requested o Yes

Guaranteed o

Date arriving------ 6 P.M. o

ONE PERSON TWO PERSONS

o No

0

0

0

0

0

0

Date departure------Name ______________________________ __

Address _______________ Tel: ____________ _

City State

Company or group attending

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Zip

ROOMS WILL NOT BE HELD AFTER 6:00P.M. UNLESS GUARANTEED OR ACCOMPA­NIED BY A DEPOSIT.

Veterans Respond To Jack Anderson's Criticism Of Our Reunion With Gennans Jack Anderson United Feature Syndicate 200 Park Avenue NewYork, N. Y.10017

Dear Mr. Anderson:

Never have I questioned the work of a recognized columnist. Your recent article "U. S. Veterans, Ex-Nazis Honor SS Dead" caused me to respond.

My reference is to your distorted and negative reporting of a meeting in France and Germany in September between members of the American 70th Inf. Div. Asson. and members of the German 6th S.S. Mountain Div. Assn.

Your column appearing Nov. 21st is a disgrace. It is unfortunate a person in your position writes with such a poison pen . It is quite obvious you are uninform­ed which is quite inexcusable. The impli­cations you offer describe you as too small to recognize the courage , compas­sion and conviction possessed by the par­ticipants in the meetings you tried to de­scribe.

You have committed an act of rape in th~ case of the veteran returning to the scene of history. Your description of the meeting is journalism in burlesque.

These former battle-field opponents demonstrated their true worth in an honorable and commendable manner . These former adversaries went to the 1945 battle-fields and extended their hands in a true gesture of reconciliation. This friendly and humane act of kindness and mutual respect brings forth a warmth and closeness you could never appreciate .

Mr. Anderson-you criticize this ex­pression of human understanding. You must be sick. Pray tell, just what do you stand for?

Thirty-three years ago today (my 21st birthday) I found myself in command of a group of American soldiers defending a cross road in the Ardennes Forest. The spear head of the German main effort (German 3rd Parachute Division) started an attack. This was the opening bell of the Battle Of The Bulge.

Twenty-five years later I was the chair­man of a group of 36 Americans repre­senting the 99th Inf. Div. We returned to the area we defended in 1944-to meet (for a second time) sixty-five surviving members of the German attacking forces.

John Eisenhower's book, "The Bitter Woods" paved the way for this unique re­union. The three days we spent together were heart warming and interesting. We participated in two cemetary (1 German and 1 American) ceremonies and one church service. Such moments were to honor and remember the "fallen", both American and German. People from far

and near created over flow audiences on each occasion.

The atmosphere was solemn and re­spectful with honor and dignity. Your de­scription "macabre meeting" (meaning gruesome, horrible, ghastly) is real gar­bage-. Mr. Anderson, you stink, stink, stink.

The former German division comman­der, Gen. Richard Schimpf joined us and discussed openly his dis-taste for war as a soldier. He further reminded us of the dis­like for war as expressed by General-Presi­dent Dwight D. Eisenhower. Gen. Schimpf volunteered the comment that, "The German people like to eat , drink, sing and make love. The American people enjoy the same-we should not make war -but learn to live together in harmony­to have a society of love, peace, friendli­ness and mutual respect."

Mr. Anderson: You do not echo these sentiments? Then you are against ice cream, apple pie and mother-hood!

The visit for me was a revelation. The genuine friendships established in 1969 and maintained since would-if described in detail to you, no doubt tum your sto­mach. My companions and I were duly impressed, and since have suggested to others, a similar visit.

Now-Hal Ryder, President of Galaxy Tours, King of Prussia, Pa. arranged for our 1969 Twenty-Fifth Anniversary re­union with our former battle-field op­ponents. Orville Ellis of St. Louis, Presi­dent of the 70th Inf. Div. Assn. is a very close and respected friend of mine.

As you no doubt suspect at this point, I suggested this type of meeting to Ellis and introduced him to Ryder for consi­deration.

Ryder's experience along with the de­sires of Ellis, coupled to create quite an impressive program. I only regret not be­ing able to tag along as a guest. Because of these factors, you can hopefully ap­preciate my reason for being offended by your irresponsible article.

Then-low and behold. Your blow on Nov. 21st was not delivered low enough. On Dec. 8th, you add more stench to your trash by making a stinko article worse. I relate to your "Love Thine Ene­mies". Yes, some of the former German soldiers are coming to St. Louis in August for the 70th Inf. Div. Assn. reunion. The 99th Inf. Div. Assn. has had former mem­bers of the German 3rd Parachute Divi­sion visit three times (Buffalo, Louisville and Kansas City) since our 1969 visits (can you reveal a better program to strengthen good will and respect with other nations?) Several of our former bat­tle-field opponents have been three day guests in our home. First in 1973 and

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then again in 1975. Multiply this concept by all living human beings that experienc­ed the horrors of war-and then try to promote a war.

Mr. Anderson: You don't approve of this type relationship? You are a complete mystery. Where do you place your value?

Why don't you give yourself a treat and come to St. Louis for the 70th Div. reunion in August. Who knows what will take place-but speculation has it that you would be pleasantly surprised-and may even change your view on the issue. Meet Mr. Ellis and Mr. Ryder, (he will come if you do) they are super individu­als that stand 9 feet tall and will add a few constructive dimensions to your phi­losophy and make you a more complete person.

We have met the enemy-and they are us.

Respectfully submitted, Lyle J. Bouck, Jr. D. C.

P.S. NOTE: None of this is to glorify war or to condone the violations of partici­pants. It is an attempt to forgive and for­get-to offer assurance of lasting friend­ships. (Remember our "Civil War"?). Hopefully your apology in your column­may be at Christmas-you can indicate that you really didn't understand. Also that you value the opinion of citizens tak­ing the time to respond.

War Veterans Columnist Jack Anderson seems per­

turbed when he reported a reunion of U.S. and German war veterans to honor German dead in West Germany. He's hitting a new low if that is the only news to be unearthed.

Our infantry unit fought German soldiers and SS men in the Normandy campaign and if I was presented the op­portunity in the same manner, I would be proud to shake their hands and compli­ment them on their professionalism and their tanacious tactics that delayed us de­spite the fact we had overwhelming superiority of numbers and logistics. Of­ten one well-entrenched German sniper pinned down a whole company of GI.s until blasted out of his position.

And let's not forget that the leader of the German commandos that rescued those airline passengers recently from the terrorists in mere minutes, fought on the battlefield at the age of 15.

ROBERT D. STEIN

TUCSON DETACHMENT AT TOLEDO REUNION IN 1976

Publication last year of the Association roster brought these three lOth vets together in Tucson, Arizona. They did not know one another until they discovered Tucson addresses in the directory. All are vets of the 215th Infantry. From left: Paul McCoy, Co. G; Eugene Stout, Co. I; and Tom Higley, Co. C. Who's in charge of the "detachment''?

Bill Pierce took this photo of Mr. and Mrs. Marcel Baumgartner of LeMay, Missouri during the lOth reunion in 1916. The couple were celebrating their wedding anniversary. They also went on the lOth reunion trip to Europe last fall. Marcel died on Novem­ber 22, 1911.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Mr. Moran:

Enclosed is my check in the amount $7.00 membership dues in the 70th Divi­sion Association, along with data con­cerning my address and the unit to which I was assigned during my association with the division.

I have been in touch by telephone and letter during the last several weeks with Gene Petersen in Napa, California. Since talking to him and having received photo­static copies of bits IIJld pieces of infor­mation about the 70th Division from Ross Milhauser with whom I have been in contact for several years, all my interest in those days of the war have been re­kindled and I am as anxious as can be to help by providing whatever information I can in order for Dr. Petersen to accom­plish his ambitious endeavor. As an aside, I think the title of his book should be "The Snow was Red", however his cho­sen title will suffice.

With reference to Phillipsbourg, I a­long with Captain Harry Severance, our Battallion Sgt. Major, Sgt. Wilkinson, and a driver were the first members of the di­vision to enter this town. All was quiet upon our entry and the people we replac­ed said that nothing had gone on for the last couple weeks. Having just left a loca­tion in France where nothing had been going on, we assumed that this war wasn't

so bad after all, and anticipated continu­ance of relative silence after we set up our position in and around Phillipsbourg, with "I" Company moving out forward of the town, "K" Company established it­self in the village, "L" Company in the left, and "M" Company, the heavy wea­pon company, placing its guns in strategic locations all around the area. I ended up establishing our 3rd Battallion command post in the basement of a house on the right side of the road just at the entrance to the village. This was our position gen­erally as all hell broke loose on January 1st.

I won't bother you with any further details as I reach back in my memory, however I am remaining in constant con­tact with Dr. Petersen. I was able recently to track down Captain William Long of Abilene, Texas, Lt. Lionel Fourrier of Freeport, Texas, Captain Garnet Oliver of San Diego, and Harry Severance of Wil­son, North Carolina. All these gentlemen were delighted to hear from me and I am sure you will hear from them if you have not already.

I would like to take that trip back to Phillipsbourg, consequently would appre­ciate any requirements on my part as far as registering for the trip is concerned.

As to additional information on my military service, I stayed with the 70th

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Division until we were back in the U.S. At the time of my separation I command­ed the 3rd Battallion and returned to my home town of Birmingham, Alabama. I was given a battlefield promotion to Ma­jor along with John Carrier, who by the way I am trying to locate in Houston, Texas, on the lOth of April, 1945 . In a­bout 194 7 or 1948 I was talked into join­ing the Alabama Air National Guard as a 2nd Lt. to fly to football games. I had not anticipated the Korean conflict but when this came about our unit was acti­vated and since I knew nothing about the Air Force, my unit transferred me im­mediately out of their organization and I landed Nagoya, Japan in the Japan Air Defense Force in the capacity of Man­power Management Officer. During my 21 months tour of duty I was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel and upon sepa­ration remained in the Air National Guard and was retired in 1956 with the rank of Colonel. I wish you would write this up somewhere so that Harry Seve­rance could see it. It kills him to think that I should have ever outranked him. He was promoted to Major about a month before I was.

Sincerely, Hunter A. Copeland