There was a mess kit thieving bird that swooped down from the sky. Where was that going to be? ), After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. 8:03   |   After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. One was a really nice guy and the other was a guy named Nick who was a little off. Along the way there, they managed to capture a good amount of soldiers from the German side and make them prisoners of war. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) 397th Infantry Regiment (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Unit histories printed post war for the 100th Infantry Division, along with each of the infantry regiments - 397th, 398th, 399th. Joe Collie    infantry    combat    France    Mouterhouse France    scout    Vosges Mountains    egg    platoon    front line    German    flakwagen    foxhole    mortar    Roger Goose    Baccarat    tank    artillery, Joe Collie was born and raise in Danville, Virginia. Sherman Howard was a striker, or assistant, to a carpenter's mate. He'd already been studying radio communications, so the Army sent Julius Rainwater to the Signal Corps. There were two other men in Joe Turner's tent. 2nd Platoon, B Company, 399th Infantry, 100th Infantry Division. In fall of 1946, the division was reactivated in the U.S. Army Reserve as the 100th Airborne Division in Louisville, Kentucky. After the war was finally over and the two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, Collie was sent to join the military police still in Europe. What went on in the decrypting room and why couldn't Japan break the code? 2 weeks into Cornell's program, the ASTP is disbanded in favor of putting the members through training for World War II. He was not a big drinker, so when the officers brought out the booze on VE Day, it got a little out of hand. It was the Navajo code talkers, says Julius Rainwater, a radio operator. Joe Collie | WWII | 100th Infantry Division, 397th Regiment | 6:35 . After training, his unit was sent to the west coast, so he figured he was bound for the Pacific. They were packed in like cattle on the troop ship. Four German fighters pounced on the B-24 and it was engulfed in flame and going down. One of the most memorable things for Sherman Howard about his Pacific tour was the initiation ceremony at the crossing of the equator. The 100th Infantry Division served for 163 days in Combat in the European African Middle Eastern Theater; during this time they served in the campaigns of RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE, and CENTRAL EUROPE. 317th infantry regiment, 80th infantry division, eto aug 1944-may 1945 1956 5th INFANTRY Division FORT ORD California HEAVY MORTOR 10th YEARBOO 1945 History 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division ETO 1944-19 Each brigade commanded around 8,000 soldiers. Collie remembers a few of the interactions he had with them. After his training, he was assigned to a Landing Ship, Medium, LSM for short. Two engines were out, a third smoking, and they were were losing airspeed and altitude, but they were flying level and pointed home. Then, began the grim task of collecting the personal belongings of the dead and preparing them for burial at sea. 1945 History 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division ETO 1944-19. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. It was their third mission over Berlin and they were heading home. When they docked at Pearl Harbor, Lofton Hill watched the flag raised every morning on the wreckage of the USS Arizona. Bill Garrison was standing in a chow line when a man up the line suddenly dropped, shot dead by a sniper. 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division – Century – Sons of Bitche. Radar officer Howard Dean was in the 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, but he didn't know it yet. 69th Armored FA Battalion: 08.11.1944-26.11.1944: 495th Armored FA Battalion (12th Armored Division) 05.12.1944-06.12.1944 & 02.01.1945-07.01.1945 ), Before going overseas to Europe, Collie was given training for weapons such as machine guns and mortars. The first operation for the 4th Division was the landing on Roi-Namur. The division also hosted a reunion of 100th Infantry Division veterans from WWII. ), Keywords   :     En route through the Pacific on a liberty ship, Julius Rainwater heard Tokyo Rose threaten his convoy on her broadcast. Ed Harrell describes in detail the sinking of the USS Indianapolis from Japanese torpedoes, which left nearly 900 Sailors and Marines in shark-infested Pacific waters. After their long and rather snowy journey toward Bitche, Collie and the rest of the 100th Division managed to successfully take the entire city over. ABMC Headquarters 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 571-842-0020 The first operation for the 4th Division was the landing on Roi-Namur. Bill Pontow - Navy, Don Scott - Army Air Corps, Bill Garrison - Army Air Corps, Clyde Burnette - Army Air Corps, B.E. Lofton Hill saw a buddy take a near direct hit from a mortar shell. After his training, he was assigned to a Landing Ship, Medium, LSM for short. It was during this time that a friend from another platoon named John Bacos had been hit by a sniper, but luckily survived to tell the tale. They were on the dock when the order was reversed. That shell carried a special meaning to more than just the men of the 100th. The 397th is on the left to take the high ground to the north and stop German mortar and rocket fire. He was soon in the Philippines, fending off banzai attacks and enjoying the canned tangerines he found in the Japanese camps. Vaughan and the destroyer O'Brien suffered a second kamikaze attack which killed all three of his hometown pals who served with him on board. On March 15, 1945, the 100th Infantry Division is ordered to capture Bitche. It was assigned the 199th Infantry Brigade commanding the 397th Infantry Regiment, the 398th Infantry Regiment and the 200th Infantry Brigade, commanding the 399th Infantry Regiment and the 400th Infantry Regiment. Clyde Burnette fought for consciousness as the other crew in the back of the plane bailed out. Good idea. Soon, his unit was in Japan, freeing and sending home American POW's, who had received harsh treatment from their captors. One was a really nice guy and the other was a guy named Nick who was a little off. Lofton Hill saw a buddy take a near direct hit from a mortar shell. Part 1 of 4. Vaughan - Navy, Ed Harrell - Marines, LtGen Lawrence Snowden - Marines, Joseph Hudson - Army, Lofton Hill - Army, Joe Turner - Air Force, Julius Rainwater - Army, Sherman Howard - Navy, Howard Dean - Army. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. In 1944, Joseph Hudson volunteered for the draft, seeking excitement. He got off a boat in Calcutta and went to work in supply at a quartermaster outfit that was salvaging equipment from the Burma Road. He caught some shrapnel himself but his bandolier deflected it. Lawrence Snowden remembers that, though it was an easy victory, valuable combat experience and important lessons were imparted on the Marines. Two years later, he was training there as a paratrooper. Copyright © 2020 Witness To War. (The 397th is the same that I posted previously that was owned by my grandfather). ), Just around the time of the end of the war, Joe Collie was promoted to squad leader. Joe Turner wanted to be a pilot, but they didn't need any more pilots when he joined the Army Air Corps, so he became part of the ground forces. When Bill Pontow's ship arrived at Pearl Harbor, there was still wreckage everywhere. It was their job to fix nearly anything on the ship that needed repair. He trained in complete separation from white soldiers, going to basic training and then administration school. The destination was unknown when Juius Rainwater boarded the liberty ship and headed out into the Pacific. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. One night, Nick decided that he would teach Joe to drink whiskey. It went well until the word came from the cockpit. 1 No. Put on your Mae West and your parachute. Eventually, they found themselves in Mouterhouse, France where they were met with random mortar fire from the Germans stationed not too far from them. Retired from the Army, Joseph Hudson laments the difficulties faced by today's soldiers, who face more complicated conflicts than he did. The 100th Division was constituted on 12 July 1918 in the National Army.It was organized in October of that year at Camp Bowie, Texas. He'd never been up in a plane. They were packed in like cattle on the troop ship. Joseph Hudson was in Calcutta when the war ended and was home soon because his four children gave him high points. Good idea. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB.). The division did a wonderful job of recording everything. He got off a boat in Calcutta and went to work in supply at a quartermaster outfit that was salvaging equipment from the Burma Road. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) Vaughan and the destroyer O'Brien suffered a second kamikaze attack which killed all three of his hometown pals who served with him on board. Sherman Howard was a striker, or assistant, to a carpenter's mate. The plan is straightforward. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.). Crews were working to clear passage through the capsized ships. ), Just around the time of the end of the war, Joe Collie was promoted to squad leader. 397th Infantry Regiment . When he shipped out again, he asked the captain if he could start a newspaper on board the ship. When they docked at Pearl Harbor, Lofton Hill watched the flag raised every morning on the wreckage of the USS Arizona. Julius Rainwater had a chance to meet his brother after the war ended with the Japanese surrender. It was during this time that a friend from another platoon named John Bacos had been hit by a sniper, but luckily survived to tell the tale. Eventually, they found themselves in Mouterhouse, France where they were met with random mortar fire from the Germans stationed not too far from them. He'd arrived in the Pacific with no real assignment, and was attached to an anti-aircraft battery for a while. While in the CCC, Lofton Hill helped build the Fort Benning jump field. ... 397th Infantry Regiment Veteran Photographs. Reorganized and redesignated 12 May 1952 as the 397th Infantry, an element of the 100th Infantry Division. After that sobering experience, he headed for the Philippines for the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the landing on Leyte. He enlisted in the Army on March 22, 1944 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. 100th Illinois Infantry Regiment Three Year Service August 30, 1862 - June 12, 1865 Copyright © 2020 Witness To War. Three days later, a very special bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans. Joseph Hudson was in Calcutta when the war ended and was home soon because his four children gave him high points. 100th Infantry Division in World War 11. Joe Collie | 100th Infantry Division, 397th Regiment - Army 8:03 | After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. After the war was finally over and the two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, Collie was sent to join the military police still in Europe. Part 1 of 4. Immediately, he begun his training at Fort Benning for the 100th Infantry Division. It was an empty threat and he made it to Anguar, an island near Peleliu, where he set up a radio communications station. 397th Infantry Regiment - 100th Infantry Division | Infantry, Regiment, Army divisions Stay safe and healthy. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. The 100th Training Division (Leader Development) (formerly the 100th Infantry Division) was an infantry division of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Knox, Kentucky.It currently serves as a major training command of the United States Army Reserve.It has been known as the "Century Division" owing to the 100th designation. There were two other men in Joe Turner's tent. We are a collection of devoted World War II reenactors from Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia who have chosen to portray Co. B, 1st Battalion, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division during World War II. 1st Infantry Regiment: 397th Anti-Aircraft Arty (Automatic Weapons) Battalion: 1st Parachute Training Regiment: 397th Engineer Supply Company: 1st Ranger Battalion: 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division: 1st Special Service Forces: 397th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division: 200th Coast Artillery Command: 397th Military Police Battalion (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. While in the CCC, Lofton Hill helped build the Fort Benning jump field. Julius would go on to Okinawa where he waited for the points system to allow him to go home. 3 – Donated by Tom H. Kelly; USA – ETO: Regimental Headquarters Company donated by Tom H. Kelly; Company E, Boxcars and Burps: Easy Does It, by Craig Davison and Bill Law Company I: World War II Combat History, by B. Lowry Bowman and Paul F. Mosher ), After their long and rather snowy journey toward Bitche, Collie and the rest of the 100th Division managed to successfully take the entire city over. Then it was off to the Pacific. It was their third mission over Berlin and they were heading home. Put on your Mae West and your parachute. Then, began the grim task of collecting the personal belongings of the dead and preparing them for burial at sea. Bill Garrison was standing in a chow line when a man up the line suddenly dropped, shot dead by a sniper. Click below to see how you can help us expand our mission. Bill Pontow tried for the Marines but they declined to take him, so he joined the Navy. Very quickly he was thrown into his first combat experience and it wasn't long after that his division had its first casualty. This distinction as one of the few airborne divisions within the U.S. Army was brief; in 1952 the division was once again redesignated the 100th Infantry Division. He was a member of the Army Specialized Training Program, received his college schooling from Virginia Tech and was set to go to Cornell afterwards. Most of the men were from the northeast, but the Georgia boy made fast friends while training. There were snake and mongoose battles staged for your entertainment and there were monkeys that went for a daily walk. 2 weeks into Cornell's program, the ASTP is disbanded in favor of putting the members through training for World War II. His job there was pretty tame compared to combat, and the worst thing that happened while he was on duty was someone stealing General Withers A. Burress' jeep. The unit was redesignated in October 1946 as the 397th Parachute Infantry, and was made an element of the 100th Infantry Division. Menu Home; Our Mission; History; Original Photographs. He was noted as being employed as a … It was in Inchon that the two crossed paths. Four German fighters pounced on the B-24 and it was engulfed in flame and going down. The 100th Division was constituted on 12 July 1918 in the National Army. Very quickly he was thrown into his first combat experience and it wasn't long after that his division had its first casualty. He was only out of the Army a couple of months before he re-enlisted. Joe Collie    World War II    Danville VA    Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP)    Virginia Tech    Cornell University    Fort Benning    West Point    Volunteer Army    drafted    Fort Pickett    Blackstone VA    training    infantry    Louisiana    106th Division    100th Division    Battle of the Bulge    New Jersey    Europe, Before going overseas to Europe, Collie was given training for weapons such as machine guns and mortars. It was a completely different place. Joseph Hudson saw things in Calcutta that he never could have imagined. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Not only did it signal the division'c initial action, but with that shot Centurymen established some kind of a record for getting into combat with a speed that would have dazzled the old-timers. Because of his time in combat, he was given a bronze star. After a nerve-wracking mission to bomb Tokyo and a typhoon, B.E. From there it was their job to cross the Rhine River. Crews were working to clear passage through the capsized ships. Along the way, Lieutenant Gerald James received help from an unlikely ally to help destroy a German gun emplacement. That was only one hazard at the air fields in China; the others being Japanese air raids and infiltrators. In 1944, Joseph Hudson volunteered for the draft, seeking excitement. Julius would go on to Okinawa where he waited for the points system to allow him to go home. Julius Rainwater had a chance to meet his brother after the war ended with the Japanese surrender. It was an empty threat and he made it to Anguar, an island near Peleliu, where he set up a radio communications station. En route through the Pacific on a liberty ship, Julius Rainwater heard Tokyo Rose threaten his convoy on her broadcast. ), Keywords   :     After the Japanese surrender, Lofton Hill was certain the enemy troops in the hills in Luzon did not know about it. Starting at Guadalcanal, the USS Volans distributed supplies to fighting forces and ships in the South Pacific. He made it through the war without losing his cool, but he had a tough time adjusting when he returned home. The destination was unknown when Juius Rainwater boarded the liberty ship and headed out into the Pacific. Ed Harrell describes in detail the sinking of the USS Indianapolis from Japanese torpedoes, which left nearly 900 Sailors and Marines in shark-infested Pacific waters. He still holds his love for country close, despite the racism he faced in his career, like a frustrating incident he remembers involving General George Patton. The first stop was Hawaii, where he had a chance meeting on the street with his brother, who was also in the service. There were still Japanese in the hills, so they had guard duty and, when it was his turn, he was sure he saw something creeping up in the darkness. It wasn't as good as going home, but it was better than invading Japan. It was assigned the 199th Infantry Brigade commanding the 397th Infantry Regiment, the 398th Infantry Regiment and the 200th Infantry Brigade, commanding the 399th Infantry Regiment and the 400th Infantry Regiment. After training, his unit was sent to the west coast, so he figured he was bound for the Pacific. Immediately, he begun his training at Fort Benning for the 100th Infantry Division. 1 No. ), It took a valiant amount of effort, but Collie's division had finally wound up at the end of the Vosges Mountains. Shortly after some much appreciated R&R, Julius Rainwater's Signal Corp unit was told to pack up and get ready to leave. Starting at Guadalcanal, the USS Volans distributed supplies to fighting forces and ships in the South Pacific. From there, he crossed the Atlantic on the USS George Washington and wound up in Marseille, France. From there, they were instructed to march on to the citadel of Bitche and take it for the Americans. His supply ship was in Tokyo Bay just weeks after the two atomic bombs ended the war. At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. It was the Navajo code talkers, says Julius Rainwater, a radio operator. Bill Pontow - Navy, Don Scott - Army Air Corps, Bill Garrison - Army Air Corps, Clyde Burnette - Army Air Corps, B.E. After that sobering experience, he headed for the Philippines for the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the landing on Leyte. Finally, the day came. When he shipped out again, he asked the captain if he could start a newspaper on board the ship. Everyone made it out of the plane except George "Danny" Daneau, the nose turret gunner, who went down with the aircraft. Then he was told to load a radar unit on a ship and prepare for a landing. At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. He'd arrived in the Pacific with no real assignment, and was attached to an anti-aircraft battery for a while. Shortly after some much appreciated R&R, Julius Rainwater's Signal Corp unit was told to pack up and get ready to leave. Click below to see how you can help us expand our mission. There were still Japanese in the hills, so they had guard duty and, when it was his turn, he was sure he saw something creeping up in the darkness. By the time he got to his assignment in the Philippines, the Japanese had surrendered and the task became one of recovering equipment. It went well until the word came from the cockpit. Bill Pontow was ready to go home after the Japanese surrendered, but there was one more job for him, ferrying Marines to occupy northern China. He just felt more comfortable in the service. Joe Turner was part of the crew at an Air Corps base in the Philippines and a sympathetic pilot offered to take him along on a flight to Japan. The Division has three regiments; 397th,398th, 399th. PFC Mike Colalillo - Co C, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division The museum also displays items from the Viet Nam period, the Desert Shield/ Storm period and the current Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. Eventually, reunions with his Navy brothers proved to be a big help. It wasn't long after they secured their area in Luzon that the war ended. Along the way there, they managed to capture a good amount of soldiers from the German side and make them prisoners of war. One night, Nick decided that he would teach Joe to drink whiskey. Welcome to the online home for the Men Of The Century: The 100th Infantry Division (Reenacted). He made very good use of his time while he was waiting. He was only out of the Army a couple of months before he re-enlisted. 20.10.1944: Col. William A. Ellis: 16.11.1944: Lt. Col. John M. King: 25.01.1945: Col. Gordon Singles He made it through the war without losing his cool, but he had a tough time adjusting when he returned home. 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division Unit Distinctive Pin Ba. Three days later, a very special bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Collie remembers a few of the interactions he had with them. Most of the men were from the northeast, but the Georgia boy made fast friends while training. 397th Infantry Regiment; The 397th Regiment Newspaper, Vol. His job there was pretty tame compared to combat, and the worst thing that happened while he was on duty was someone stealing General Withers A. Burress' jeep. Then time ran out for the B-17 and Don Scott had to slip down the hatch into the slipstream. There was a mess kit thieving bird that swooped down from the sky. Alvin served as a Private First Class, 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II. Finally, the day came. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB.). He was soon in the Philippines, fending off banzai attacks and enjoying the canned tangerines he found in the Japanese camps. Later on 4 April, General Burress of the 100th Division had the 397th Infantry Regiment cross the Neckar just south of the 398th's position. Training; Combat; Occupation; 100th Infantry Division Veteran Photographs. It wasn't as good as going home, but it was better than invading Japan. 1997: Operation Future Challenge During 1997 the 100th Division played a major role in Operation Future Challenge, a Fort Knox-based Basic Camp for JROTC. Just don't ask for details. He woke in free fall with no idea how he had made it out, and soon he was in German custody. After a nerve-wracking mission to bomb Tokyo and a typhoon, B.E. Dedication and Introduction; Activation; Training; Overseas Movement; Vosges Mountains Campaign; Mouterhouse; Bitche; Everyone made it out of the plane except George "Danny" Daneau, the nose turret gunner, who went down with the aircraft. Along the way, Lieutenant Gerald James received help from an unlikely ally to help destroy a German gun emplacement. From there it was their job to cross the Rhine River. Bill Pontow tried for the Marines but they declined to take him, so he joined the Navy. He learned Morse Code and became adept at copying coded messages. Late in the day of December 31, the left side of the American line near Sarreguemines suddenly trembled as the Germans opened fire with a well-placed barrage of artillery rounds, followed by a charge of 2,000 men of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division heading straight for the 397th Regiment of the 100th Infantry Division. It was in Inchon that the two crossed paths. From there, he crossed the Atlantic on the USS George Washington and wound up in Marseille, France. He was put on MP detail, where he couldn't make much sense of what he was hearing from the civilians. 100th Infantry Division » 397th Infantry Regiment. Later on 4 April, 1945 General Burress of the 100th Division had the 397th Infantry Regiment cross the Neckar just south of the 398th's position. He made very good use of his time while he was waiting. Radar officer Howard Dean was in the 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, but he didn't know it yet. Joe Turner was part of the crew at an Air Corps base in the Philippines and a sympathetic pilot offered to take him along on a flight to Japan. Clyde Burnette fought for consciousness as the other crew in the back of the plane bailed out. He was put on MP detail, where he couldn't make much sense of what he was hearing from the civilians. It was organized in October of that year at Camp Bowie, Texas. Bill Pontow knew how men could get spooked fighting in the Pacific, especially from kamikazes. 1 – Donated by Tom H. Kelly; The 397th Regiment Newspaper, Vol. At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. Please practice hand-washing and social distancing, and check out our … He caught some shrapnel himself but his bandolier deflected it. For example, by the end of January, 1945, the 47 th Infantry Regiment (which fought in France and Germany) had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded, missing, or taken as prisoner of war. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. Two engines were out, a third smoking, and they were were losing airspeed and altitude, but they were flying level and pointed home. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. They were on the dock when the order was reversed. Joe Turner wanted to be a pilot, but they didn't need any more pilots when he joined the Army Air Corps, so he became part of the ground forces. Part 2 of 3. Eventually, reunions with his Navy brothers proved to be a big help. It was later activiated with a headquarters in Lexington, KY. Retired from the Army, Joseph Hudson laments the difficulties faced by today's soldiers, who face more complicated conflicts than he did. Then it was off to the Pacific. Regiment of the Century: The Story of the 397th Infantry Regiment. 100th Infantry Division – Century – Sons of Bitche. Lawrence Snowden remembers that, though it was an easy victory, valuable combat experience and important lessons were imparted on the Marines. After the Japanese surrender, Lofton Hill was certain the enemy troops in the hills in Luzon did not know about it. One of the most memorable things for Sherman Howard about his Pacific tour was the initiation ceremony at the crossing of the equator. To war is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital interviews! Was given a bronze star the interactions he had a tough time adjusting he. Two other men in Joe Turner 's tent wound up in Marseille,.. 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