★ ★ National ★ ★

WWII MemorialVolume 6, Number 1 • A Newsletter of the World War II Memorial Society • Summer 2003

Message From theNationalChairman

Senator Bob Dole

I n less than 12 months we willgather on the National Mall to

dedicate America’s newest nationalmemorial, a lasting tribute to thesacrifice and achievement of theWorld War II generation.

Planning for the multi-day cele-bration is intensifying. Much of thisnewsletter is devoted to those plans.There is still much work to be done,nailing down the details on impor-tant aspects of the plan such as seat-ing and transportation, but we’vegot a good start on putting togethera memorable event.

Those who journey to Wash-ington for the May 29, 2004, cere-mony will discover much to enjoy.The city and surrounding jurisdic-tions will help us celebrate thecompletion of the memorial with avariety of historical exhibits andcultural events.

Construction remains on sched-ule for completion in March of2004. As you can tell from the pho-tos in this issue, the work has movedabove ground. Since the first pieceof granite—a 20-ton balconystone—was installed in February,the memorial architecture has rapid-ly begun to take shape.

And, we have surpassed $190million in total cash and pledges,

more than enough to cover estimat-ed project costs, which is why youwill not find a donation reply slipenclosed. Our success is a directresult of the generosity shown byyou and hundreds of corporations,foundations, veterans groups, civic,professional and fraternal organiza-

tions, states, and schools through-out the country.

We thank you for the manyways you have supported ourefforts, and look forward to seeingyou on the Mall next May.

God bless you, and God blessAmerica.

Tribute to a Generation: Dedication Taking Shape

See page 4 for listing of

official events

Rendering by Joe McKendry

2 • World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003

Charter Member Dwayne Wilderwrites a weekly column for the Deni-son Daily Post in Texas. The followingcolumn was written for MemorialDay 2002 and is reprinted here withpermission of the author and theDenison Daily Post.

Ihave a Purple Heart. No, I didn’tearn it. I was entrusted to cherish

it and keep it safe. Something Iintend to do. I also will pass it downto my youngest son, Ryan, andexplain to him who Lonnie C.Wilder was.

My uncle Lonnie earned thatPurple Heart in World War II. Hiswidow, Florence Wilder, received itwhen he paid the highest price, hislife, for his country. Uncle Lonnie isburied in the American Cemetery inFlorence, Italy with hundreds ofother Allied soldiers who died innorthern Italy in the last months ofthe war. He died February 20, 1945.

These facts are important, butthey don’t tell the entire story. I amLonnie Wilder’s namesake. He was

my father’s oldest brother and onemy father looked up to as they grewup near Desert and Whitewright,Texas. Dad was only 12 years oldwhen Lonnie was killed in action. Ithit him hard. So much so that henamed his first son after that broth-er to honor his memory. Yes, that’sme. Lonnie Dwayne Wilder.

Lonnie’s widow, who is nowFlorence Coleman, gave me thePurple Heart just last week. She feltit was time and that I should haveit. She just had one request.

“I hope you will cherish it as Ihave,” said Florence with a quiver inher voice. She held the box, openedit and showed me the medal. Thefirst one I had seen in person. I gaveit back and she replaced it in thebox. Florence held the box for amoment before giving it to me. Shehad cherished it for 57 years and Iwill do no less.

“Thank you. This means moreto me than you know,” was all Icould say. Because it’s true. I havelived so many years without know-ing my uncle. Growing up, I wastoo busy playing and learning aboutfun things. I didn’t care about myrelatives that much. Mom and dadwould tell me bits and pieces abouthim, but all I really knew was that Iwas named after him. And for along time, that sufficed.

As I matured and realized whathe did for my country and my free-doms, I had to know more. Dadonly had a 12-year-old’s memory ofhim and, of course, mom neverknew him. So there was littlechance of discovering who he was.Or even if I was like him.

Florence had remarried after the

war and moved to Sherman. Shehad a son and raised him whileworking in the Sherman ISD foodservice department for 15 years andmanaging the Grayson County Col-lege Cafeteria for another 15 years.She retired in 1987 and her hus-band, Charles Coleman, died in theearly 1990s.

This spring, I have had theopportunity to talk with her abouther first husband, my Uncle Lonnie.

“He was so kind,” said Florenceon more than one occasion. “Myfather, Charlie Clark, told me thatLonnie would work himself todeath because he was such a hardworker.” They had married in 1941and farmed near that same Desertcommunity. She told me Lonnieloved country music and to read.They were happy, she said.

“My mother just loved him,”said Florence with a remembering

See Purple Heart, p.11

PFC Lonnie C. Wilder

Chronicles of War

A PURPLE HEART by Dwayne Wilder

World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003 • 3

Construction of Memorialon SchedulePhotos by Stefano Terricola

Workers install a section of the granite bench that will runalong the perimeter of the memorial plaza.

Sections of the extensive fountain piping that will runthrough utility tunnels beneath the memorial plaza.

Workers apply waterproofing to the lower fountain pool basinbelow the north arch.

The channel shown coursing through the concrete foundationslab will contain restored fountain jets of the Rainbow Poolbeing rebuilt in the center of the plaza.

Nearly all of the pillars on the north side of the plaza areinstalled. Fifty-six pillars representing the U.S. states and terri-tories during WWII are part of the memorial design.

4 • World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003

E vent planning for next year’sdedication of the National

World War II Memorial is in highgear. The four-day dedication cele-bration planned by the AmericanBattle Monuments Commission(ABMC) will run over MemorialDay weekend 2004, from May 27through May 30. The official dedi-cation ceremony is set for Saturday,May 29.

Titled Tribute to a Generation,dedication activities will commem-orate the memorial and celebratethe contributions of America’sWorld War II generation, many ofwhom are expected to be in Wash-ington for the ceremony.

Events are planned to appeal toa wide variety of interests. Theyinclude wartime reminiscences,WWII memorabilia and militaryequipment displays, ceremonialmilitary units, a religious service,swing music, and WWII education-al activities for all ages.

Dedication

The memorial will be dedicatedon Saturday afternoon, May 29, at 2 p.m. Gates will open to the publicevent at 11 a.m. Pre-ceremonyentertainment beginning at noonwill include live music, video imagesof the wartime era, and historicalinformation about the memorial.

The dignified dedication cere-mony will recognize the importantaddition of the memorial to theNational Mall and acknowledge theservice and sacrifice of the WWIIgeneration. President Bush has beeninvited to receive the memorial onbehalf of the nation.

We expect the dedication to be

attended by thousands who livedand served during the war, as well asmany interested visitors to thenation’s capital. Priority considera-tion for seating, transportation andother amenities will be given tomembers of the WWII generation;determining how best to accom-plish this is a planning priority.

WWII Reunion

The National World War IIReunion will be produced by theSmithsonian Institution in partner-ship with the American Battle Mon-uments Commission.

The four-day event (May 27-30)will provide an opportunity formembers of the WWII generationto gather together, meet formercomrades in arms, relate wartimeexperiences, and enjoy 1940’s musicand WWII equipment displays. Theopen-air and tented attractions willbe exhibited on the National Mallfrom late morning to early evening.

An important goal of thereunion is to educate all generationson the importance of WWII to ournation. All activities will be open tothe public at no charge.

Veterans Salute

The military service ceremonialunits stationed in Washington,D.C., are planning to join in render-ing a musical and narrative Salute toWorld War II Veterans. Elementsfrom the Army, Navy, MarineCorps, Air Force and Coast Guardwill assemble at the MCI Center indowntown Washington to perform aspecial tribute to veterans that willinspire everyone with their individ-ual talents and musical excellence.

Three performances areplanned: an afternoon matinee andevening show on Friday, May 28,and an evening performance on Sat-urday, May 29. Details for this freeticketed event will be available at alater date.

Memorial Service

An interfaith service of remem-brance is scheduled for Saturday,May 29, at 10 a.m. at the Washing-ton National Cathedral. This serv-ice will celebrate the dedication ofthe memorial and remember thosewho made the ultimate sacrifice inWorld War II.

Military and civilian clergy, aswell as WWII dignitaries, areexpected to participate in the serviceat the cathedral known as A Nation-al House of Prayer for all People.

Attendance at the service will becontrolled due to the limited seat-ing in the cathedral. Efforts arebeing made to develop alternateviewing sites in the Washington,D.C., area.

Details Coming

Specific arrangements for theseevents and other activities associatedwith our Tribute to a Generation willbe made available through updatesto the memorial web site (www.wwi-imemorial.com), our toll free num-ber (1-800-639-4992), our Fall 2003newsletter, and through the media.

Many memorial supporters willbe on hand for the dedication activi-ties, particularly members of theWWII generation. With largecrowds expected, all should be readyfor long lines, unpredictable weather,and inconveniences that could arise.

The ABMC dedication staff isworking to meet the special needs ofour WWII generation guests. Weurge all attendees to consider thechallenges they may face beforemaking travel arrangements.

TRIBUTE TO A GENERATIONDEDICATION CELEBRATION ★ MAY 27-30, 2004

World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003 • 5

Regional Celebration Expands Dedication Tribute

WWII Registry of Remembrances Opens July 4th

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attendthe memorial dedication celebration. For many, the

journey to the nation’s capital will be more than just avacation, as WWII generation honorees arrive to witnessthe dedication of the long-awaited and long-overduememorial.

The American Battle Monuments Commission isworking closely with the Washington, D.C. Convention& Tourism Corporation, and convention and visitorsbureaus throughout the National Capital Region, toensure that visitors have an enjoyable and memorableexperience. Museums, theatres, hotels, restaurants andlocal businesses throughout the region are ready to rollout the red carpet in welcoming guests.

A regional celebration, “America Celebrates theGreatest Generation,” will begin Memorial Day Weekend2004 and continue throughout the summer. Membersof the WWII generation will be distinguished guests atspecial exhibitions, concerts, lecture series and otherevents designed to honor the military and home frontcontributions of the generation.

For more information about the regional celebrationplans, visit the Washington, D.C. Convention &Tourism Corporation web site at www.washington.orgor call toll free to 1-800-422-8644.

Smithsonian “Castle” building, Washington, D.C.

W e are pleased to announce that theWWII Registry will officially go

online for the general public on Indepen-dence Day, July 4th this year. The Reg-istry will be accessible through the memo-rial’s web site at www.wwiimemorial.com.

The Registry comprises more than 1.3million names of those who helped winWorld War II, whether in uniform or onthe home front. While most listings havebeen entered by our Charter Members, theRegistry also includes the National Archiveslist of those killed in service in WWII, thenames of those buried in American BattleMonuments Commission’s overseas WWIIcemeteries, and the names of those listed onABMC Tablets of the Missing.

After July 4th, please go to www.wwiimemorial.com and click on the“WWII Registry” link to view the Reg-istry or enter a new name. The Registrywill also be available for viewing on site at the memorial when it is dedicated in May 2004.

6 • World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003

The memorial staff is working toensure that members of the

WWII generation attending thededication have priority seating forthe ceremony.

A special seating area will bereserved exclusively for members ofthe WWII generation. Our chal-lenge is to accommodate all whodeserve a seat, while meeting ademand that will likely exceed seatsavailable at the memorial site.

Due to space constraints, wecannot guarantee in advance that allindividuals or groups will have aseat at the memorial site. Blocks ofseats cannot be reserved for groups.

No final decisions have beenmade on how to meet this seatingchallenge. The ABMC is workingwith other government agencies andexperts in major event management

Dedication Staff Working to Ensure Access and Seatingto accommodate attendees at on-site and off-site seating areas so allmay enjoy the celebration in a safeand secure environment.

As the seating plans evolve, wewill release detailed informationthrough our web site, toll free tele-phone number, the Fall 2003newsletter, and the media.

Security

A consortium of law enforce-ment professionals will provide secu-rity for the event, including theNational Park Service Police, CapitolPolice, Metropolitan Police of theDistrict of Columbia, U.S. SecretService, and Metro Transit Police.

Information and recommenda-tions regarding security issues willbe available on the memorial website and in the Fall newsletter.

AccessibilityWashington, D.C., is one of the

most accessible cities in the worldfor persons with disabilities. Whenbooking a hotel room, please bevery specific when communicatingyour special needs. The more infor-mation you provide the hotel, thebetter they will be able to serve you.

An excellent source of disabilityrelated information in the Washing-ton Metropolitan Area can be found on the internet at www.disabilityguide.org or by call-ing (301) 528-8664.

Washington’s mass transit sys-tem—METRO—offers a free guidethat provides information on its busand rail system for the elderly andphysically challenged. For copies,call (202) 647-7000 or visitwww.wmata.com.

W e are very interested in learning about reunionsand tour groups planning to attend the dedica-

tion celebration. This will be helpful to our planning,and will allow us to provide information to groups thatmay prove valuable as they make arrangements.

For example, tour buses will not be allowed near thememorial site because of limited space, traffic congestionand the large crowds expected. Instead, tour buses will bedirected to one of several alternate staging areas and pro-vided information on Metro shuttles to the dedication site.

So we may facilitate your group’s visit to the dedica-tion ceremony, please provide the following informationto Ms. Betty Hemby:

• Group name• Group hotel• Point of origin• Contact name, phone, fax, and email• Number of passengers and number with special

needsInformation may be emailed to hembyb@

wwiimemorial.com or faxed to (703) 588-1560. Youwill receive a confirmation.

We Want to Hear from Reunion and Tour Groups

World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003 • 7

Capital Area Hotels Offer Special Rates for Dedication

Washington, D.C.

www.washington.orgWashington D.C. Convention &Tourism Corporation1212 New York Avenue, NW Suite #600Washington, DC 20005

Toll Free: 800-422-8644, ext. 1945Phone: 202-789-7000

Alexandria, Va.

www.funside.comAlexandria Convention & VisitorsAssociation421 King Street, Suite 300Alexandria, VA 22314

Toll Free: 800-388-9119 • Phone: 703-838-4200

Arlington County, Va.

www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com Arlington Convention & VisitorsService1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1500Arlington, VA 22201

Toll free: 800-296-7996 • Phone: 703-228-0873

Fairfax County, Va.

www.visitfairfax.orgFairfax County Convention & Visitors Bureau8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 450Vienna, VA 22182Toll Free: 800-732-4732 • Phone: 703-790-3329

Loudoun County, Va.

www.visitloudoun.orgLoudoun Convention & VisitorsAssociation222 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Suite 100Leesburg, VA 20175

Toll Free: 800-752-6118 • Phone: 703-771-2617

Montgomery County, Md.

www.cvbmontco.comMontgomery County Conference &Visitors Bureau11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 380Rockville, MD 20852

Toll Free Groups: 877-789-6904, ext. 3Toll Free Individuals: 800-925-0880/301-916-0698Phone: 301-428-9702

Prince George’s County, Md.

www.visitprincegeorges.comPrince George’s County Conference& Visitors Bureau9200 Basil Court, Suite 101Largo, MD 20774

Toll Free: 888-925-8300 • Phone: 301-925-8300

M any hotels in the WashingtonMetropolitan Area are offer-

ing special rates to members of theWWII generation and othersattending the dedication. To reservea room: • Phone the hotel directly. Be

sure to tell the reservationsoperator that you are attendingthe dedication and ask toreceive any special rate the hotelis offering.

• Contact your local travel agent.• Phone the toll-free number of

your favorite hotel chain.• Check an on-line travel service.

Travel agents, hotel chain toll-free reservation operators, and on-line booking services are likely notto be aware of special dedicationrates hotels are offering. We recom-mend that you phone the hoteldirectly, or ask your agent to requestspecial WWII dedication rates

when booking a room for you.Once you have arrived, you will

discover a wide variety of cultural,historical and recreational attrac-tions in Washington, D.C. and eachof the jurisdictions in the metropol-itan area. D.C. is easily accessiblefrom most jurisdictions via publictransportation.

For general travel and touristinformation, contact one or all ofthe following Visitors Bureaus:

At the heart of our Nation's Capital

SPECIAL HOTEL RATES will beavailable throughout the summer of2004 for the regional celebration,

“AMERICA CELEBRATES THE GREATEST GENERATION.”

8 • World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003

Getting Here is Half the Fun (or So They Say)

The first thing to keep in mindwhen making reservations for

air, rail or bus travel, as well ashotels and tours, is that restrictionsand financial penalties may beincurred if you need to change orcancel your reservation, so planyour trip carefully.

The following information isprovided to assist your advanceplanning.

Travel by Air

Three major airports serve theWashington Metropolitan Area.They are:• Ronald Reagan Washington

National Airport (DCA);www.mwaa.com; DCA is locat-ed just across the Potomac Riverfrom D.C.

• Dulles International Airport(IAD); www.mwaa.com; IAD islocated in Northern Virginia,about a 35-45 minute ride toD.C.

• Baltimore/Washington Interna-tional Airport (BWI);www.bwiairport.com; BWI islocated on the outskirts of Balti-more, Md., and is an estimated40-45 minute ride to D.C. Inaddition to taxis and publicshuttles, train service from BWIto D.C. is available via MARC,METRO and AMTRAK.Taxis, Super Shuttle and other

methods of transportation are avail-able at each airport, and manyhotels near the airports providecomplimentary shuttle service.

Travel by Rail

AMTRAK (www.amtrak.com or1-800-872-7245) is a widely usedmethod of transportation. Washing-ton’s Union Station is located nearthe U.S. Capitol Building, a short

cab or METRO ride to many hotelsin D.C. and surrounding areas.

Travel by Auto

For individuals traveling by car,a detailed transportation plan willbe posted on the memorial web siteat a later date.

Metro

Within the National CapitalRegion, the Washington Metropoli-tan Area Transit Authority operatesthe second largest rail transit systemand the sixth largest bus network inthe U.S.

Safe, clean and reliable, “Ameri-ca’s Transit System” transports morethan a third of the federal govern-ment to work and millions oftourists to landmarks in theNation’s Capital. ABMC encour-ages all area residents and visitors touse the Metrobus and Metrorail sys-tems. All bus and train operatorsand station managers receive train-ing on the special needs of peoplewith disabilities.

Shuttle bus transportation to thededication events will be available

throughout the four-day period of thededication celebration via Metro andother area transportation services.

Shuttles will run from the down-town stations to the memorial site ondedication day—Saturday, May 29,2004. Golf carts and wheelchairs willbe available at entry points for per-sons with mobility concerns.

Dulles International Airport, Virginia

Metrorail trains

World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003 • 9

MAIL CALLWe welcome your letters and will print a selection in the newsletter as space permits. Letters are subject to editing and shouldbe sent to Editor, NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL Newsletter, 2300 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 501, Arlington,VA 22201. Please include a daytime phone number and, if available, an e-mail address.

Two readers offered alternativedates for events chronicled in the Fall2002 newsletter.

According to Herbert A. Shapiro,president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapterof the 11th Airborne Division Associa-tion, “Your article [Triple Play: POWRescue in the Philippines] states in theLos Banos section that our division’saction was ‘…early on the 15th…’Please note that the correct date of thisaction was on Feb. 23, 1945.”

Larry Sitney presented a differentperspective of the 1944 prisonerexchange at Lorient, France [Red CrossNegotiates POW Exchanges in Europe],which he states “occurred on the 17th,rather than the 16th of November.”

THANKS!

I would like to thank everyoneinvolved with the construction ofthe memorial and Registry ofRemembrances. My dad, Bill Lier-man, served in WWII aboard theUSS Bache DD 470. He was proudof his ship, which was hit by akamikaze on Mother’s Day 1945.

He never talked much about hisNavy days, but in June 2000 I wasable to get him to write a short storyfor me and trace on a map his tripin the Navy. He gave that to me inSeptember 2000 when he and mymom came to visit for my son’sbirthday. When they returned hometo Indiana, he passed away sudden-ly four days later. His story is such atreasure for me.

My dad wanted to see thismemorial built. Unfortunately, hewon’t be there when it is dedicated.I feel blessed to be a member of the

Memorial Society and to be able tocontribute my dad’s information forthe Registry of Remembrances. Hewould be so proud.

I would like to thank all of ourWWII veterans for the service theygave our country. The Library ofCongress is collecting veterans’ storiesand will send a free Veterans’ HistoryProject Kit if you call 1-888-371-5848, email vohp@loc.gov, or visittheir web site at www.loc.gov/folk-life/vets/.

Mary WagnerPittsburgh, Pa.

SEEKING INFO

My grandfather, Liston Hitch-cock of Bone Cave, Tenn., fought inWWII. He has been very excitedabout the development of theWWII Memorial, and he is verypleased with the Registry andnewsletters.

He has asked me to write thenewsletter in an effort to locate menhe may have fought beside or theirfamilies. He fought in the 134thInfantry of the 35th Division, ECompany. He can be reached at Rt.1, Box 510, Bone Cave, TN 38581.

Jessica HitchcockBone Cave, Tenn.

During WWII, not many veter-ans or historians ever heard of thePersian Gulf Command, althoughsome 38,000 served in that area ofthe world. We were the main supplyline to Russia because the Germansubs sank our ships sailing in theNorth Sea and a safer route had tobe established.

During the summer months insouthern Iran, the truck drivers had towear gloves and eggs could be friedvery quickly on the hoods of theirtrucks. We could be court-martialed ifwe were caught off the camp groundsduring the hot summer days.

I served in Tehran (Hqs. andHqs. Co.) and Hqs. Co. of the 9thPort Battalion in Ahwaz and Kor-ramshar, and finally made it back tothe states in July 1945. If there areany vets reading this who served inIran, I would like to hear from youat 8181 Folsom Blvd., #90, Sacra-mento, CA 95826.

Ralph G. CarterSacramento, Calif.

In the American Cemetery atNormandy is buried ElizabethRichardson, who died in a planecrash in France on July 25, 1945.She was a Red Cross worker in Eng-land and then France, born in Indi-ana, educated in Wisconsin.

Would anyone who knew herplease contact me at Madison@indi-ana.edu or at 2901 Olcott Blvd.,Bloomington, IN 47401.

James H. MadisonBloomington, Ind.

I hope to locate anyone whoremembers seeing or talking with thelate A.B. “Happy” Chandler, whowas one of five U.S. senators whoundertook an around-the-worldinspection tour in summer 1943.The senators spent two months visit-ing American forces across the globe,stopping in North Africa, India,China and Australia. Their mission

See Letters, p.10

10 • World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003

Letters, continued from p.9

was to secure firsthand informationon the morale and living conditionsof our fighting forces.

Chandler, who later served ascommissioner of baseball, alwaysconsidered this trip one of thehighlights of his long career. As hisbiographer, I would appreciatehearing from anyone who hasmemories of “Happy” from hiswartime inspection tour. I may bereached at the History Depart-ment, Eastern Kentucky Universi-ty, Richmond, KY 40475.

Thomas AppletonRichmond, Ky.

On Aug. 7, 1944, I was one of51 WACs who landed on OmahaBeach in France. Each of us hadbeen individually selected from U.S.Army bases in England to be amongthe first WACs to arrive in France.We had sailed from Southhampton.

The day after our arrival, wewere transported to Cherbourg andthere given our new assignments.Because none of us had known oneanother prior to our departure forFrance, it was only after our arrivalthere that we began to get acquaint-ed with each other. Among mynew-found friends were Avis Lowry(recently deceased), Kay Perram(deceased) and Margaret Sargo.

I would like very much to hearfrom any other members of thisgroup of WACs. My name at thetime was Catherine Holder. My e-mail address is walcat@core.com.

Catherine DreyfusEvanston, Ill.

I am hoping to locate anyonewho may have known my grandfa-ther, 2Lt. Paul K. Fabian of Laco-nia, N.H. He was a member of the390th Bomb Group(H), 568thBomb Squadron. He was a bom-

bardier killed in action on Jan. 21,1944. He was stationed in Fram-lingham, England. He flew on a B-17, PubPete/Dinah Mite #237818.

Any information would be great-ly appreciated. Please send info tome at 100 Gardiner Street, Lynn,MA 01905.

Michelle Ennis (Fabian)Lynn, Mass.

I am interested in anyone whoserved in the 29th Division 116thRegiment with my dad. His namewas John O’Brien, but he was oftencalled Obie. He came from Eliza-beth, N.J. He was a skinny guy withblue eyes and brown hair. His serv-ice records say he was a truck driver.

If anyone has any informationabout him, I would appreciate if youwould contact me at 116 Raven-wood Blvd., Barnegat, NJ 08005.

Nancy O’BrienBarnegat, N.J.

I am seeking viable, tangibleinformation, namely currentaddresses and phone numbers offellow Army service colleagues whoserved with me in the 326 AirborneMedical Detachment of the 101stAirborne Infantry Division duringWWII in the European Theater ofOperations: France, Belgium, Ger-many and Austria.

Information should be sent tome at 3340 S. 107th Ave., Omaha,NE 68124.

Spiro MoustakesOmaha, Neb.

I am hoping to locate anyonewho served with my uncle, SSgt.Francis J. Schulte. He served in the78th Division, 31st Regiment, 1stBattalion, Hq. Co., and in the 30thDivision, 120th Regiment, 2ndBattalion, G Co.

While with the 30th, he waswounded around Nov. 16, 1944,

near Linden-Neusen, and killed inaction around Jan. 13, 1945, duringthe Battle of the Bulge. At the timeof his death I believe he was near thetowns of Geromont, Baugnez andThirimont.

If you served with my uncle,either stateside or in combat, Iwould appreciate hearing from you.You can write to me at 49 DouglasDrive West, St. Peters, MO 63376.Thank you, and God Bless all ofyou who served.

Cindy OnderSt. Peters, Mo.

My brother, William V. Norrisof LaGrange, Ga., served in theUtah Beach landing in France. Hewas in the 28th Infantry Regiment,8th Infantry Division, E Co. He waskilled in France on Sept. 3, 1944.

Anyone who served with him orwho might remember anythingabout him, please contact me at 764Azalea Dr., LaGrange, GA 30240.

Ralph NorrisLaGrange, Ga.

My uncle, PFC John J. Byrnes,was a member of the 378th InfantryRegiment, 95th Division. He wasfrom Ireland and was killed inFrance in 1944, I believe. His fami-ly knew him as Jack. Anyone whoserved with him or who mightknow anything about him, pleasecontact me at 12 Greene St, Wollas-ton, MA 02170.

John Byrnes & Joanne Hildebrand

Wollaston, Mass.

My uncle, Louis V. Hunziker Jr.,entered the Army in January 1941.For his heroism displayed during theinvasion of France he was awardedthe Bronze Star. On Dec. 17th,1944, while serving with the FirstArmy in Belgium during the Battle

See Letters, p.11

World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003 • 11

of the Bulge, he was killed.I am the only surviving relative

and have tried getting informationabout his records during his servicetime. I have tried the National Per-sonnel Records Center for over a yearwith no help. If some of your readersknow of another course of action ormay have known my uncle, I wouldappreciate hearing from them.

Please send any information tome at 131 E. Golden Lake Lane,Circle Pines, MN 55014.

Michael MeuhlbauerCircle Pines, Minn.

I am writing a book aboutWWII. I need information fromanyone who was aboard the USSNevada on D-Day. Please call mecollect, evenings, Eastern Time at(585) 321-1573.

Jim WojciesonRochester, N.Y.

My father and two uncles servedin WWII, and growing up I nevertold them thank you. So throughthis letter, I would like to expressmy thanks to all who served in themilitary during WWII and riskedtheir lives for my freedom and forthis great country.

I am seeking information fromanyone who served with my father,Frank E. Cartlidge, or my uncle,Chester R. Cartlidge. My fatherpassed away in 1991. I know he wasa gunner on board the USS Mobilein 1945. My uncle served with the9th Tactical Air Force and was withthe 365th fighter group, 387thfighter squad. He said this groupwas called the Hellhawks. Pleasecontact me at 770 Sudduth Dr.,Bridge City, TX 77611.

Judith McKinneyBridge City, Texas

laugh. “She would make his favoritecornmeal pie for him.” Lonnie wasdrafted into the army in May 1944.He had a furlough in September,but wouldn’t tell his wife that he wasto be shipped overseas to Europe.

“But I knew just by beingaround him,” recalled Florence. ByNov. 18, he was in Italy fighting,she said. He sent her a Christmasgift of Italian crystal during Decem-ber and Florence still has the lastletter he sent to her.

“I’ve been blessed to have hadtwo good husbands in my lifetime,”she said as her eyes teared up. “Iloved him so much.”

And so do I, Florence. To knowthat he sacrificed so that I couldwrite these words today and theycould be read by free and independ-ent people is so truly amazing. Wetalk about how wonderful things arein a casual conversation, but what

Uncle Lonnie and thousands ofAmericans did in so many wars iswhat is truly and seriously impor-tant in this world.

Uncle Lonnie died by machinegun fire in a foxhole in the moun-tains of northern Italy so I couldgrow up in a free democracy andnot worry if I was going to be killedtoday. Cherish that Purple Heart?Cherish is just a word we humansuse when nothing else reallyexplains the depth of our feelings.

I owe my life and the way I livemy life because of veterans likeUncle Lonnie. Men and womenwho gave their lives for what theybelieved in. People who left lovedones behind knowing that what theywere doing was the right thing. Oh,I will cherish this Purple Heart and Iwill always remember what it means.

No matter how many times I sayit, there will never be enough. For allyou stood for and for sacrificingeverything, thank you Uncle Lonnie.

Letters, continued from p.10 Purple Heart, continued from p.2

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12 • World War II Memorial Newsletter, Summer 2003

ABMC Cemeteries

F lorence American Cemetery,mentioned in Dwayne Wilder’s

column on page 2, is located aboutseven and one half miles south ofFlorence, Italy. The 70-acre sitecontains 4,402 American graves;another 1,409 names are inscribedon Tablets of the Missing.

Florence is one of 24 overseascemeteries operated and main-tained by the American BattleMonuments Commission. Interredin the cemeteries are 124,917 U.S.war dead, including 93,245 killed

in World War II. For more information about

ABMC cemeteries and memorials,including best routes and modes oftravel to the cemetery sites, visit the

ABMC web site at www.abmc.govor write to the American BattleMonuments Commission, 2300Clarendon Blvd., Suite 500, Arling-ton, VA 22201.

NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIALAmerican Battle Monuments CommissionP.O. Box 96766 • Washington, D.C. 20090-67661-800-639-4WW2 • www.wwiimemorial.com