CHECKERBOARD

Louisville chosen for 2010 convention

After careful consideration, Louisville KY, has been chosen as the site of the 61st annual convention in 2010. Memphis TN, was the first recommendation of the site selection committee earlier this year at St. Louis, with Louisville chosen as the alternate site.

Buddies reunite at St. Louis

Norman Zuckerman and Sam Notkin went to the 60th annual convention with the same expectations as the other 76 veterans in attendance — to see a few old friends and tell a few old stories. Zuckerman traveled across Illinois – about 300 miles — to be in St. Louis. Notkin journeyed through several time zones and about 4,000 miles — from Dublin, Ireland — to attend his first 99th convention. Their friendship began more than 60 years ago. Although Zuckerman was born and raised in Chicago and Notkin’s home was in Roselle Park NJ, their paths crossed in July 1943, during basic training at Camp Fannin in Tyler TX. Both were sent to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge LA, in September 1943, as part of the ASTP.

First timers enjoy convention

We had a great time at the 60th convention in St. Louis MO. The dinner was great and the singers were very good. The “Meet Me in St. Louis” party also was nice and the Nostalgia Big Band was excellent. I’m sure glad I stayed for the party. I met some very nice people, including the Diggers, with whom I really enjoyed talking. I hope to attend the 61st convention.

New organization ‘tests the waters’

About 30 people attended an informational meeting about a new organization of friends and family of the 99th during the 60th annual convention at St. Louis MO. Associate member George Bissette served as moderator for the meeting. He began by saying he knew the 99th Infantry Division Association was discussing its demise. He said the purpose of the meeting was to find out if there was any interest in pursuing the organization of a group to perpetuate the memory of the 99th.

Small group enjoys attractions at Ruidoso mini-reunion

For several years a small group of veterans of the 99th Infantry Division and ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) and their wives have been meeting just before Labor Day in Ruidoso NM, for a mini-reunion. One of the group is my friend James R. McIlroy of Celina TX, whose son has the High Country Lodge in Ruidoso where we stay at a reduced rate. Before I was invited to join them a few years ago, I had never heard of Ruidoso. That year we flew to Albuquerque and drove a rented car south over many miles of desert until suddenly the landscape changed and we were driving up into lush green mountains covered with tall pines. The air was cool although it was late August, the sky was blue and it felt like the north woods. We were in Ruidoso and our lodge was at an altitude of 7,200 feet. Nearby we could see the peak of Sierra Blanca, 12,000 feet high. It was hard to believe we were enjoying cool, pleasant breezes surrounded by hot, dry desert. We were near Alamogordo and the white sands, not far from Roswell, reportedly the site of UFOs.

From the president: Reunion musings

B.O. Wilkins has had an interesting and exciting term as president of the 99th Infantry Division Association. To say that it was a full term would be an understatement. He stepped right in and filled the term of Joe Johnson, and has been on the go ever since. His presence, along with Harry McCracken in Pittsburgh PA, at the transfer of the 99th flag was greatly appreciated. At a more prestigious ceremony in Belgium in December 2008, Wilkins and Howard Bowers represented the 99th at the dedication of a monument to veterans at Elsenborn Ridge.

Board of directors meets at St. Louis convention

The board of directors of the 99th Infantry Division Association met June 25, during the 60th annual convention at the St. Louis Marriott West, St. Louis MO. Those attending were B.O. Wilkins, Herb Knapp, Harry McCracken, Jesse Coulter, Glenn Bronson, John Vasa, H.C. Sullivan, Kent Stanger, Phil Benefiel, Harry Clifton, J.R. McIlroy, Arnold Taylor and Donna Bernhardt.

Business conducted at annual membership meeting

The membership meeting of the 99th Infantry Division Association was called to order at 9 a.m. June 27 by President B.O. Wilkins. The sergeants-at-arms advanced the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

New board holds first meeting

The meeting of the new board of directors was called to order by President Herb Knapp. Those attending included Knapp, J.R. McIlroy, Jesse Coulter, B.O. Wilkins, H.C. Sullivan, Phil Benefiel, Donna Bernhardt and guest Herm Saunders.

Taylor takes the helm at annual memorial service

Newly-appointed chaplain Arnold Taylor conducted the memorial service at the 60th annual convention of the 99th Infantry Division Association at St. Louis MO. President B.O. Wilkins appointed Taylor after the resignation of long-time chaplain Joe Johnson earlier this year. Past presidents filed in as the sergeants-at-arms advanced the colors.

Officers

Former presidents

50/50 winners

Five people shared the 50/50 pot of $600 at the 60th annual convention. Abe Metzler of Coconut Creek FL, won $250.

Taps

George Nothwang, 85, I/395, South San Jose CA, died July 3, 2009. He was the only surviving member of his original squad – 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, I/395. By the end of the war, he was a staff sergeant. After the war, he completed his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and graduated from San Jose State University. He graduated from Stanford University in 1948 with a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering. His professional career spanned more than 35 years with NASA and G.E. He was a wind-tunnel researcher and later a test and integrations manager for the Pioneer Spacecraft Program at Ames Research Center, Moffett Field CA. Marion Harker, 83, Q/393, Urbandale IA, died July 30, 2009. He had just returned from a battlefield tour to Normandy for the 65th anniversary of D-Day and the Ardennes, and the 60th annual convention of the 99th Infantry Division Association. He was known as the Valley Junction delivery man as he delivered medicines, coal, ice and groceries as a teen and for 37 years as a letter carrier. Survivors include seven children; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and companion, Shirley Titus.

College boys: 'dug in and held out'

Florence Dukes’ hazel eyes gape wide with amazement. Her husband of 58 years, Richard, is recalling what he survived in the bitter winter of 1944, during World War II with the 99th Infantry Division, deployed in the dark Ardennes forest of Belgium on the very border with Germany.

Doherty recommends book

Ninety-ninth veterans who participated in the battles on the Wied River line east of the Rhine River in late March 1945, will be interested in a recently published book, “Victory was Beyond Their Grasp,” by Douglas E. Nash (Aberjona Press, Bedford PA, 2008). The book is a history of the 272nd Volksgrenadier Division in the last year of the war, with particular and detailed emphasis on the division’s grenadier regiment.

Lewis Roosa, G/395, remembers a night on patrol

It’s funny the way some things stick in your memory while others fade away in the haze of age. While I remember little of many other events during my nine months in Western Europe in 1944 and ’45, the details of this patrol remain clear even after 60-some years. This particular night remains such a vivid memory perhaps because it was such a harrowing experience, but at the same time it was almost comical – four guys wandering around in a snowstorm, uncertain about where they were, or where the enemy was. This story is not the stuff of Hollywood where all patrols were depicted as great feats of daring and, of course, the mission was always accomplished. I’ll bet what happened to us on patrol that snowy, cold night was much closer to what many GIs experienced.

Letter tells of McKinney’s wartime experiences

To date this letter in history, it was written three days after the German surrender on May 7, 1945. It is an outline of the six months and seven days of Nevelle McKinney’s duty in combat in Europe, including time from when he left Camp Maxey TX, until May 10, two days after the European Theater was secured.

Vet’s WWII memories of holiday Ardennes

Southwest Florida’s weather forecast for Thanksgiving: sunny, with a high near 76, northeast wind between 3 and 8 mph. Almost perfect, and it’s fine with Herbert Netter of Lehigh Acres FL. As a rifleman with the 99th Infantry Division during World War II, Pfc. Netter endured a different kind of Thanksgiving weather.

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.

Rusiecki book available

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stephen Rusiecki’s book, “The Key to the Bulge: The Battle for Losheimergraben,” is now available in paperback. Stackpole Books has made it part of their World War II series and Amazon.com has it available for a reduced price of $12.89. The book focuses on the 394th Infantry Regiment’s defense of Losheimergraben in the first 36 hours of the Bulge.

Where are these guys?

I joined I Company at Camp Maxey a few weeks before going overseas. I was wounded during the Bulge and ultimately sent back through the hospital system from Elsenborn. I’ve wondered about some of the guys I served with. Some of the ones who come to mind are Wingate Barron, Bob Mauer, Sgt. Seymour, Woodrow Lett, John Hill, Sgt. Mizer, Beryl Franklin, Sgt. Northington, Jim Brand, Leo LeSueur, Hendricks, Woodard, and Clift. There also was a Jewish Pfc. we used as an interpreter as he and his family were refugees from Germany. If anyone can fill in the details it would be appreciated.

William Edward Walker Jr.

I am trying to find information on my dad, William Edward Walker, Jr., for my son. I have the invitation for the first reunion in Pittsburgh PA. There was a written message on the back from Alvin “Dot Dit.” I also have the “Story of the 394th Infantry” and many pictures of captured tanks from Germany and other bridges. My dad came home with a large German flag signed by many people. He never would tell me why. My son is now 34 years old, served in the Navy for eight years and has his own children now who are asking questions.

James Chesley

I am looking for someone who knew my father, James Chesley. He served in the 99th and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He died in 1997, and did not talk about his experiences in World War II. Janice Chesley Cappella

Pfc. Lester Bivens

I am looking for any information that anyone might have on Pfc. Lester Bivens. He served in the 394th Infantry Regiment. He was captured on Dec. 18, 1944, and held as a POW until the end of the war. He occupied Stalag XIII C before being moved ahead of the Allied advancing front. If anyone knew him, has any stories, or remembers anything about him, I’d like to hear from them. Our family doesn’t even know what company he was in with the 394th, so even that information would be appreciated.

Andrew Kachmar

My grandfather, Andrew F. Kachmar, served only a few months F/394 before being injured in the Battle of the Bulge. He died some years ago and never discussed his time in the war. I’m curious if anyone remembers him and his time there. He was drafted and trained in South Carolina, shipped out early in January 1945, and was wounded in March or April 1945. Any information would be welcomed. Keith Peterson

LeRoy F. Smith

I am trying to locate a relative, LeRoy F. Smith, who served in the 99th Infantry Division during World War II. He enlisted in 1942. He was a captain and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters. According to his records he was wounded Jan. 15, 1945, April 4, 1945, and April 6, 1945. His military record lists him as an infantry unit commander. After the war, he was a toy salesman and horseman, living in New York NY. Our family has limited information about his service and decorations and would like to know more.

Herman Fay Jr.

The family of Mess Sgt. Herman Fay Jr., A/371, is asking for information about him. Contact Rick Fay, 3630 Paramount Ridge Lane, Cincinnati OH 45247 or e-mail rwf@cinci.rr.com if you can help.

Bob Bennett

I’d like to hear from anyone who recalls serving with my grandfather, Robert W. “Bob” Bennett. He was from Riverside CA, and joined the ASTP program at the University of Arkansas. He was with the 99th Infantry Division from Camp Maxey to the end of the war and was some sort of reconnaissance scout. He was wounded in March 1945, near Linz, Germany, and received a Purple Heart. He never said much about the war while he was alive and now I wish I had asked more questions. He died in 1999. Rob Bennett

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