CHECKERBOARD

Brochure and registration form

Elsenborn Ridge monument dedication is Dec. 16

A new monument will be dedicated Dec. 16 on the east side of Camp Elsenborn. “The monument is dedicated to all American and German soldiers who fought and suffered during the Battle of the Bulge, as well as all the Belgian civilians,” according to Jean-Philippe Speder, one of the 99th MIA Project “Diggers.”

History Round Table events are announced

The Dr. Harold C. Deutsch World War II History Round Table has announced programs for 2009 sessions. All presentations are held at the Historic Fort Snelling Visitor Center the second Thursday of each month through May.

Expansion planned at Arlington National Cemetery

Expansion plans during the next 10 years are expected to keep Arlington National cemetery open for burials through 2060, according to John C. Metzler Jr., cemetery superintendent. A series of land acquisitions will help make this possible. Contracts to control drainage on 26 acres of the cemetery have been awarded. Under survey are 12 acres transferred from the National Park Service historic Arlington House, onetime home of Robert E. Lee, 10 acres from the adjacent Fort Myer and four acres of cemetery maintenance property.

Neighbors: Brothers meet behind the lines

Jim Larkey was a member of I/394 in the 99th Infantry Division during World War II. His brother, Lewis was a lieutenant in 2nd Division anti-aircraft and next in line to the 99th. Jim and Lewis first met before the Bulge while I Company was still in the forest and attached to the 394th Infantry Regiment. Lewis found the company CP and Capt. Morris sent for Jim. As Jim approached, he walked right past his brother without recognizing him. The two had a good laugh and were able to meet several times, during which they took the photo at right.

Send those address changes!

The 99th mailbox often overflows with letters, dues checks, address changes, and various other requests. The box also has its share of those yellow notification cards the post office sends out, alerting the recipient that there is “postage due.” It appears that 99’ers are a mobile bunch. This time of year, “snowbirds” are making the annual pilgrimage to warmer climes. In the spring, they reverse the journey. Others are downsizing, making the move to smaller dwellings.

Side effects of pills hard to swallow

My subject for today is pills. I hate pills. A goal of mine at one time was to live out my days on this planet without popping a handful of pills every night. And for a good long while I thought I was going to make it. When I celebrated my 80th birthday I wasn’t taking a pill of any kind, and feeling pretty fair.

Harley Lewis

I am from Holland and have an interest in World War II, especially the Battle of the Bulge. I have been doing some research about Harley R. Lewis. He was born in Delaware, and enlisted in Baltimore MD.

John Erxleben

I found your e-mail address through the Internet. I wonder if you could help me. For awhile now, I have been trying to find more information regarding the following soldier who was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge.

George Foote Clark

I am trying to find George Foote Clark, a former member of the 99th Division. I do not know what his regiment was. He was a friend of mine. Where is the best place to find rosters or mention of him? Robert Rand Russell
Kerrville TX
timberr59@yahoo.com

Where was I/395?

Roger Foehringer's grandson needs gear

My dad was Roger Foehringer, 924th FA Bn. I attended many reunions with him. My son, Erich Foehringer is interested in doing World War II living history reenactments. He is in need of some gear. One large item is an M1 Garand rifle or an M1 carbine. I was hoping one of the remaining veterans or their families might have such an item that Erich could purchase for his use. It would mean much more coming to him from a 99th Division man. Erich attended a few conventions as a little boy with myself and grandfather, Roger Foehringer. They were great times he always cherishes. Roger Foehringer Jr.
375 N. Worth Ave.
Elgin IL 60123
630-936-0142, cell
847-888-1476, home

Humphrey's book hits the streets

Robert E. Humphrey’s book, “Once Upon a Time in War,” is now available. Veterans of the 99th Infantry Division have been eagerly awaiting the book’s publication. Humphrey presented a program in August at the 59th annual convention. He told of his experiences interviewing and writing the book as well as some of the issues he encountered during the publication process.

"Once Upon A Time In War: The 99th Division In World War II"

For the soldier on the front lines of World War II, a lifetime of terror and suffering could be crammed into a few horrific hours of combat. This was especially true for members of the 99th Infantry Division who repelled the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge and engaged in some of the most dramatic, hard-fought actions of the war. Once Upon a Time in War presents a stirring view of combat from the perspective of the common soldier. Author Robert E. Humphrey personally retraced the path of the 99th through Belgium and Germany and conducted extensive interviews with more than 300 surviving veterans.

About the author

Interview with the author

Larkey: Book recreates true life experience

At last we have a book about World War II whose author successfully recreated, for the reader, the true life experience of the front line combat infantry soldier. No cover-up or glossing over was employed in revealing the horror, fear, and primitive living conditions of those existing on the lowest rung of the military caste system. With extraordinary sensitivity, Dr. Humphrey interviewed 350 former combat solders from the 99th Infantry Division, and thereby was able to present a graphic picture of the brutal existence that befell the front line infantry soldiers that most severe winter and those life-threatening events of December 1944 to May 1945, and the end of the war in Europe. Dr. Humphrey uses words clear and concise, to visualize the nightmarish conditions and events that turned an inexperienced and untried group of recruits into a fighting machine that was able to stymie the best efforts of an overwhelming German force outnumbering them from three to as many as 10 times.

Perlman: "This is the book to pass on to my grandchildren"

OK guys, I think we’ve found it. This is the book that I will pass on to my grandchildren. It’s “Once Upon a Time in War,” and if you’re a 99th Division veteran, you will find your story reflected in its pages. California State University professor Robert E. Humphrey tracked down 350 of us for the interviews which give life and passion to his account of our division.

Other Bulge books

Several books have been written about the history of the 99th Infantry Division and the Battle of the Bulge. A partial list is included here. Readers are invited to send additions.

Banner goes home: Peiffer returns item from WWII

During the waning days o the Battle of the Bulge, an old woman carrying a brown paper bag in her Belgian village approached an Army sergeant from Linglestown (PA), gave him the bag and hurried away. “We weren’t supposed to take anything from civilians,” recalled Warren Peiffer, who was 23 at the time – January 1945. “The lady appeared out of the blue, shoved the bag at me and walked away. I stuffed it in my duffel bag and didn’t look at it until later.”

Veteran receives Purple Heart, 64 years late

If you know where to look, you can still see Nick Swyka’s 64-year-old faded scars from when the shrapnel hit him during the Battle of the Bulge, the infamous World War II battle in which German forces advanced into the Allied front lines along Belgium near Luxembourg and the Ardennes region. Approximately 76,000 American solders were killed, captured or wounded in the battle, but it only has been recently that Swyka was counted as one of them. After years of fighting through U.S. military bureaucracy with his wife, Mildred and friends, Swyka at last received his Purple Heart July 10.

Shared article may have 'ring of truth'

This article was published Dec. 24, 1964, in the Honolulu Star Bulletin. From my point of view, it is a “feel good” article. One can raise all kinds of questions about how the mother and son got from Aachen to the Ardennes during the height of the Bulge. This may be a story that has a ring of truth to it, and one can hope it was one of those very rare humane events that actually happened during those difficult and miserable days and weeks in 1944-45. Joe Thimm K/395 Who’s News
with Cobey Black Dear Cobey Black:

Elected and appointed Officers

Board of directors

Former Presidents

Athens (TX) resident crosses Rhine River

On June 6, 1944, on the west side of the Athens (TX) courthouse, I got on a bus headed to Camp Walters in Mineral Wells, leaving a young wife and a three-year-old son. We all took that fatal step forward. “You’re in the Army now!” I was sent from there to Ft. Hood for 17 weeks of basic training. After being quarantined for two weeks, I was allowed to come home for a visit for 15 weekends in a row. I traveled by my thumb for most of that journey. But it was worth it to see my loved ones.

Summer of '43 at Paris, Texas

Basic training was at the “Jap Trap,” Camp Maxey TX, in the summer of 1943. I never had been to Texas before, having grown up in Kansas and Oklahoma. The first few weeks were spent in a barbed wire enclosure built for Japanese prisoners. The housing was “hutments,” 16x16-feet of plywood. The lower four feet was fixed plywood and the upper four feet was pivoted plywood and screen. The roof was pyramid-shaped plywood.

Van Dorn Museum is worth the visit

A friend and I went to Centerville MS, recently, and visited the Camp Van Dorn Museum. I was amazed at the quality of their displays and the amount of 99th items they had. It certainly was worth my time to go by there to visit. We were greeted by Patricia Rodgers, who gave us a good tour of the museum and told us the history of its part of the training of the 99th. She had a wealth of knowledge and shared it with us with a pleasant attitude.

The untold story of E/394

There are, no doubt, many stories about various units that participated in the Bulge that no historian has ever written, only the surviving veterans will remember them. I am sure the story of Company E is not much different or unique than others. Company E was part of the lost battalion that held the line for 60 hours. Companies on each flank were heavily hit, especially B Company.

Postal error leads to meeting

When my father, R.O. Miller received the latest issue of the Checkerboard, another copy was with his. Lo and behold, the other copy was addressed to Herbert Doden, also with a Milan address. Instead of returning Doden’s copy to the mailbox for the postal employees to correct the error, my dad chose to hand-deliver his copy. I accompanied him on the mission. The other Milan 99th Division member was pleased to meet a fellow veteran. The Dodens invited us into their home to visit. In a few minutes, Doden mentioned Elsenborn Ridge and these two 99ers were off on a welcome mental trip back to the Battle of the Bulge.

Chain of events prompts return of silver ID bracelet

I became involved in a strange and incredible chain of events that began with my Philadelphia induction into the Army in 1943, and ended 65 years later in Florida. At that time, my mother bought me a silver ID bracelet engraved with my name and army serial number. I wore it all through the first 18 months in the Army. After we went onto the in the Ardennes, my unit, I Company 394th Inf., was transferred to the 393rd Regiment which was attacking the Roer Dams and we were placed in their service. Just before we got there, the Bulge was launched by the Germans and we were forced into a chaotic withdrawal along with everyone else.

All in the family

Medal of Honor vets converge on Denver

The Congressional Medal of Honor veterans just held their annual convention in Denver CO, and they were treated royally – concert, golf tournament, many interviews in schools, book signings and final banquet. Interestingly, there now are 100 Medal of Honor vets still living. Sixty-five of these were at the reunion, which I thought was an excellent attendance considering the age and other factors.

99th members

Col. Charles P. (Carlo) Biggio Jr., C/372, of Arlington VA, died July 7, 2008. He was a well-known authority on the artillery and had written many essays and articles for the Checkerboard. He also gave presentations at annual conventions, the latest being in Washington, D.C., with author Joe Doherty. Survivors include his wife, Winnie; three son; one granchild; and one great-grandchild. Leslie Pintler, B/395, Sulphur Springs TX, died Oct. 2, 2008. He was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service during World War II. He was a master carpenter. Survivors include his wife, Nell; five children; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Mary K. Maisel

Mary K. Maisel, 85, of Portage IN, died Aug. 6, 2008. Her daughter, Kathy Winkle, wrote this tribute:

Kansas City convention fun for all

About 250 veterans, family members, and friends met Aug. 6-9 in Kansas City MO, for the 59th annual convention of the 99th Infantry Division Association. That number included about 85 veterans. Attendance was about one-third of the previous year’s in Washington, D.C. Several factors contributed to the lower attendance, including the advancing age of the veterans, family conflicts, the economy, and gas prices.

More than 60 remembered at annual memorial service

The annual Memorial Service was conducted Aug. 6 during the 59th annual convention of the 99th Infantry Division Association at Kansas City MO. Past presidents filed in as the sergeants-at-arms advanced the colors.

Membership meeting

The meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by vice president B.O. Wilkins in the absence of president Joe Johnson. The sergeants-at-arms advanced the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Board of directors meeting

The board of directors of the 99th Infantry Division Association met Aug. 8, 2008, during the 59th annual convention at the Westin Crown Center, Kansas City MO. Those attending were B.O. Wilkins, J.R. McIlroy, Herb Knapp, Jesse Coulter, Howard Bowers, John Vasa, Ron Kraemer, Harry Clifton, Glenn Bronson, Bill Wright, Stan Colby, Phil Benefiel, and Donna Bernhardt. Major Bruce Kish, 99th RRSC, also attended.

New board's meeting

The meeting of the new board of directors was called to order by president B.O. Wilkins. Those attending included Wilkins, Herb Knapp, Ron Kraemer, H.C. “Sully” Sullivan, Kent Stanger, Jesse Coulter, Howard Bowers, Phil Benefiel, J.R. McIlroy, Harry Clifton, John Vasa, Donna Bernhardt, and guests George Bissette, Lawrence Bissette, and Kenneth Bissette.

It's never too late to attend your first convention

The 99th Infantry Division Association held its 59th annual convention Aug. 6-9 at Kansas City MO. I was one of the 85 World War II veterans attending who had served in that division, once nearly 15,000 strong. I am 85, and was 18, a University of Illinois freshman, when America entered the war on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, 1941. So most of those veterans are near my age. In addition to the 85 veterans attending, the wives, children, grandchildren, and other guests raised the attendance to 250, a far cry from the 1,200 who attended my first reunion in 1990. Many of the old soldiers were in wheelchairs, or with walkers or canes, and many were to able to attend. Those who attended enjoyed the camaraderie of old friends with whom they served 63 years ago in the Battle of the Bulge, the Remagen bridgehead, the Ruhr and Bavaria, or in Nazi prison camps. It was good to be able to share with these aged Americans the memories and freedom for which our comrades gave so much. Next year, possibly our last, our reunion will be June 24-27 at St. Louis MO.

Return to current issue