Copyright © 2020 Witness To War. 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. It wasn't as good as going home, but it was better than invading Japan. Then, began the grim task of collecting the personal belongings of the dead and preparing them for burial at sea. Eventually, they found themselves in Mouterhouse, France where they were met with random mortar fire from the Germans stationed not too far from them. 397th Infantry Regiment Then it was off to the Pacific. ), Keywords   :     397th Infantry Regiment; The 397th Regiment Newspaper, Vol. 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. He resided in Erie County, New York prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on March 22, 1944 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. On March 15, 1945, the 100th Infantry Division is ordered to capture Bitche. Copyright © 2020 Witness To War. Bill Pontow tried for the Marines but they declined to take him, so he joined the Navy. Bill Pontow - Navy, Don Scott - Army Air Corps, Bill Garrison - Army Air Corps, Clyde Burnette - Army Air Corps, B.E. Lawrence Snowden remembers that, though it was an easy victory, valuable combat experience and important lessons were imparted on the Marines. Eventually, reunions with his Navy brothers proved to be a big help. ), After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. 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. One night, Nick decided that he would teach Joe to drink whiskey. They were packed in like cattle on the troop ship. Finally, the day came. From there, he crossed the Atlantic on the USS George Washington and wound up in Marseille, France. That shell carried a special meaning to more than just the men of the 100th. Retired from the Army, Joseph Hudson laments the difficulties faced by today's soldiers, who face more complicated conflicts than he did. He'd arrived in the Pacific with no real assignment, and was attached to an anti-aircraft battery for a while. Joseph Hudson was in Calcutta when the war ended and was home soon because his four children gave him high points. 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. Bill Garrison was standing in a chow line when a man up the line suddenly dropped, shot dead by a sniper. 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 Clyde Burnette fought for consciousness as the other crew in the back of the plane bailed out. 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. He caught some shrapnel himself but his bandolier deflected it. It was in Inchon that the two crossed paths. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. 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. That was only one hazard at the air fields in China; the others being Japanese air raids and infiltrators. There was a mess kit thieving bird that swooped down from the sky. One was a really nice guy and the other was a guy named Nick who was a little off. 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. One night, Nick decided that he would teach Joe to drink whiskey. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. ), Before going overseas to Europe, Collie was given training for weapons such as machine guns and mortars. 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. It was the Navajo code talkers, says Julius Rainwater, a radio operator. Immediately, he begun his training at Fort Benning for the 100th Infantry Division. Julius Rainwater had a chance to meet his brother after the war ended with the Japanese surrender. His supply ship was in Tokyo Bay just weeks after the two atomic bombs ended the war. All Rights Reserved. ), It took a valiant amount of effort, but Collie's division had finally wound up at the end of the Vosges Mountains. Julius would go on to Okinawa where he waited for the points system to allow him to go home. He was not a big drinker, so when the officers brought out the booze on VE Day, it got a little out of hand. ... 397th Infantry Regiment Veteran Photographs. 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. 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. That was only one hazard at the air fields in China; the others being Japanese air raids and infiltrators. By the time he got to his assignment in the Philippines, the Japanese had surrendered and the task became one of recovering equipment. Along the way, Lieutenant Gerald James received help from an unlikely ally to help destroy a German gun emplacement. 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. Each brigade commanded around 8,000 soldiers. He was not a big drinker, so when the officers brought out the booze on VE Day, it got a little out of hand. 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division – Century – Sons of Bitche. He'd never been up in a plane. The 397th is on the left to take the high ground to the north and stop German mortar and rocket fire. The destination was unknown when Juius Rainwater boarded the liberty ship and headed out into the Pacific. Along the way, Lieutenant Gerald James received help from an unlikely ally to help destroy a German gun emplacement. Back to all Infantry Divisions. Shortly after some much appreciated R&R, Julius Rainwater's Signal Corp unit was told to pack up and get ready to leave. Most of the men were from the northeast, but the Georgia boy made fast friends while training. Bill Pontow - Navy, Don Scott - Army Air Corps, Bill Garrison - Army Air Corps, Clyde Burnette - Army Air Corps, B.E. After the Japanese surrender, Lofton Hill was certain the enemy troops in the hills in Luzon did not know about it. World War I. The 100th Division was constituted on 12 July 1918 in the National Army. Lofton Hill saw a buddy take a near direct hit from a mortar shell. Then time ran out for the B-17 and Don Scott had to slip down the hatch into the slipstream. 20.10.1944: Col. William A. Ellis: 16.11.1944: Lt. Col. John M. King: 25.01.1945: Col. Gordon Singles Because of his time in combat, he was given a bronze star. 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. 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 He caught some shrapnel himself but his bandolier deflected it. Most of the men were from the northeast, but the Georgia boy made fast friends while training. He learned Morse Code and became adept at copying coded messages. Two engines were out, a third smoking, and they were were losing airspeed and altitude, but they were flying level and pointed home. Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans. One of the most memorable things for Sherman Howard about his Pacific tour was the initiation ceremony at the crossing of the equator. When he shipped out again, he asked the captain if he could start a newspaper on board the ship. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. 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. He was noted as being employed as a … Three years later, the 100th Division was solely responsible for … 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. ABMC Headquarters 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 571-842-0020 Bill Pontow knew how men could get spooked fighting in the Pacific, especially from kamikazes. Then, began the grim task of collecting the personal belongings of the dead and preparing them for burial at sea. The destination was unknown when Juius Rainwater boarded the liberty ship and headed out into the Pacific. The division did a wonderful job of recording everything. Then it was off to the Pacific. 100th Infantry Division in World War 11. He just felt more comfortable in the service. Two years later, he was training there as a paratrooper. Because of his time in combat, he was given a bronze star. 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. 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. Four German fighters pounced on the B-24 and it was engulfed in flame and going down. 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. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Eventually, reunions with his Navy brothers proved to be a big help. 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. The museum is actively seeking more artifacts from the above periods. Collie remembers a few of the interactions he had with them. While in the CCC, Lofton Hill helped build the Fort Benning jump field. 397th Infantry Regiment - 100th Infantry Division | Infantry, Regiment, Army divisions Stay safe and healthy. ), Keywords   :     Joseph Hudson saw things in Calcutta that he never could have imagined. Starting at Guadalcanal, the USS Volans distributed supplies to fighting forces and ships in the South Pacific. He trained in complete separation from white soldiers, going to basic training and then administration school. He woke in free fall with no idea how he had made it out, and soon he was in German custody. In 1944, Joseph Hudson volunteered for the draft, seeking excitement. Two years later, he was training there as a paratrooper. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB.). There was a mess kit thieving bird that swooped down from the sky. 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division Unit Distinctive Pin Ba. What went on in the decrypting room and why couldn't Japan break the code? 100th Infantry Division – Century – Sons of Bitche. (The 397th is the same that I posted previously that was owned by my grandfather). Joseph Hudson was in Calcutta when the war ended and was home soon because his four children gave him high points. 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. At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. Reorganized and redesignated 12 May 1952 as the 397th Infantry, an element of the 100th Infantry Division. It was later activiated with a headquarters in Lexington, KY. Sherman Howard was a striker, or assistant, to a carpenter's mate. 3:50   |   Joe Collie was born and raise in Danville, Virginia. After that sobering experience, he headed for the Philippines for the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the landing on Leyte. There were two other men in Joe Turner's tent. While in the CCC, Lofton Hill helped build the Fort Benning jump field. It was their job to fix nearly anything on the ship that needed repair. Bill Pontow tried for the Marines but they declined to take him, so he joined the Navy. ), Just around the time of the end of the war, Joe Collie was promoted to squad leader. He woke in free fall with no idea how he had made it out, and soon he was in German custody. 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. 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. En route through the Pacific on a liberty ship, Julius Rainwater heard Tokyo Rose threaten his convoy on her broadcast. The first operation for the 4th Division was the landing on Roi-Namur. In 1944, Joseph Hudson volunteered for the draft, seeking excitement. It was the Navajo code talkers, says Julius Rainwater, a radio operator. It was organized in October of that year at Camp Bowie, Texas. 1 No. The first stop was Hawaii, where he had a chance meeting on the street with his brother, who was also in the service. Collie remembers a few of the interactions he had with them. During the six months in combat, 476 men fought in Company E of the 397th Infantry regiment. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Just don't ask for details. 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 2 weeks into Cornell's program, the ASTP is disbanded in favor of putting the members through training for World War II. Radar officer Howard Dean was in the 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, but he didn't know it yet. All Rights Reserved. By the time he got to his assignment in the Philippines, the Japanese had surrendered and the task became one of recovering equipment. There were snake and mongoose battles staged for your entertainment and there were monkeys that went for a daily walk. Then he was told to load a radar unit on a ship and prepare for a landing. Joseph Hudson saw things in Calcutta that he never could have imagined. He trained in complete separation from white soldiers, going to basic training and then administration school. When they docked at Pearl Harbor, Lofton Hill watched the flag raised every morning on the wreckage of the USS Arizona. 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. It would change names agai… Part 1 of 4. Along the way there, they managed to capture a good amount of soldiers from the German side and make them prisoners of war. Lofton Hill saw a buddy take a near direct hit from a mortar shell. 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 Division has three regiments; 397th,398th, 399th. Click below to see how you can help us expand our mission. He was soon in the Philippines, fending off banzai attacks and enjoying the canned tangerines he found in the Japanese camps. En route through the Pacific on a liberty ship, Julius Rainwater heard Tokyo Rose threaten his convoy on her broadcast. The casualties suffered by a typical American infantry regiment serving in World War II were horrendous. 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. Signal Corps Photographs. 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. Bill Garrison was standing in a chow line when a man up the line suddenly dropped, shot dead by a sniper. He learned Morse Code and became adept at copying coded messages. Dedication and Introduction; Activation; Training; Overseas Movement; Vosges Mountains Campaign; Mouterhouse; Bitche; 100th Infantry Division 397th Infantry Regiment Officers Dress Coat. When they docked at Pearl Harbor, Lofton Hill watched the flag raised every morning on the wreckage of the USS Arizona. The unit was redesignated in October 1946 as the 397th Parachute Infantry, and was made an element of the 100th Infantry Division. He made very good use of his time while he was waiting. One was a really nice guy and the other was a guy named Nick who was a little off. After training, his unit was sent to the west coast, so he figured he was bound for the Pacific. Regiment of the Century: The Story of the 397th Infantry Regiment. Good idea. From there, he crossed the Atlantic on the USS George Washington and wound up in Marseille, France. He'd never been up in a plane. Julius Rainwater had a chance to meet his brother after the war ended with the Japanese surrender. Where was that going to be? The division also hosted a reunion of 100th Infantry Division veterans from WWII. Immediately, he begun his training at Fort Benning for the 100th Infantry Division. Training; Combat; Occupation; 100th Infantry Division Veteran Photographs. 100th Illinois Infantry Regiment Three Year Service August 30, 1862 - June 12, 1865 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 was only out of the Army a couple of months before he re-enlisted. After his training, he was assigned to a Landing Ship, Medium, LSM for short. 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. It wasn't long after they secured their area in Luzon that the war ended. 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 was their third mission over Berlin and they were heading home. He was only out of the Army a couple of months before he re-enlisted. It went well until the word came from the cockpit. 8:03   |   After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. It wasn't as good as going home, but it was better than invading Japan. After a nerve-wracking mission to bomb Tokyo and a typhoon, B.E. 1 – Donated by Tom H. Kelly; The 397th Regiment Newspaper, Vol. 1945 History 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division ETO 1944-19. It was a completely different place. There were snake and mongoose battles staged for your entertainment and there were monkeys that went for a daily walk. Unit histories printed post war for the 100th Infantry Division, along with each of the infantry regiments - 397th, 398th, 399th. At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. 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. He was soon in the Philippines, fending off banzai attacks and enjoying the canned tangerines he found in the Japanese camps. He made it through the war without losing his cool, but he had a tough time adjusting when he returned home. Menu Home; Our Mission; History; Original Photographs. Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans. There were two other men in Joe Turner's tent. Finally, the day came. One of the most memorable things for Sherman Howard about his Pacific tour was the initiation ceremony at the crossing of the equator. Julius would go on to Okinawa where he waited for the points system to allow him to go home. 2nd Platoon, B Company, 399th Infantry, 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. Lawrence Snowden remembers that, though it was an easy victory, valuable combat experience and important lessons were imparted on the Marines. It was their third mission over Berlin and they were heading home. From there, they were instructed to march on to the citadel of Bitche and take it for the Americans. Sherman Howard was a striker, or assistant, to a carpenter's mate. When Bill Pontow's ship arrived at Pearl Harbor, there was still wreckage everywhere. They were packed in like cattle on the troop ship. It was in Inchon that the two crossed paths. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Put on your Mae West and your parachute. It went well until the word came from the cockpit. 100th Infantry Division » 397th Infantry Regiment. Crews were working to clear passage through the capsized ships. He made very good use of his time while he was waiting. 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. Where was that going to be? ), Just around the time of the end of the war, Joe Collie was promoted to squad leader. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) He was put on MP detail, where he couldn't make much sense of what he was hearing from the civilians. Soon, his unit was in Japan, freeing and sending home American POW's, who had received harsh treatment from their captors. ), It took a valiant amount of effort, but Collie's division had finally wound up at the end of the Vosges Mountains. 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. Part 2 of 3. 397th Regiment Century 100th Infantry Wwii Military Army War Color Illus. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. 1 No. Starting at Guadalcanal, the USS Volans distributed supplies to fighting forces and ships in the South Pacific. After the Japanese surrender, Lofton Hill was certain the enemy troops in the hills in Luzon did not know about it. After a nerve-wracking mission to bomb Tokyo and a typhoon, B.E. 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. They were on the dock when the order was reversed. In fall of 1946, the division was reactivated in the U.S. Army Reserve as the 100th Airborne Division in Louisville, Kentucky. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB.). Soon, his unit was in Japan, freeing and sending home American POW's, who had received harsh treatment from their captors. Then time ran out for the B-17 and Don Scott had to slip down the hatch into the slipstream. After his training, he was assigned to a Landing Ship, Medium, LSM for short. What went on in the decrypting room and why couldn't Japan break the code? 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. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Welcome to the online home for the Men Of The Century: The 100th Infantry Division (Reenacted). Part 2 of 3. ), 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. He'd already been studying radio communications, so the Army sent Julius Rainwater to the Signal Corps. Put on your Mae West and your parachute. 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 100th Division was constituted on 12 July 1918 in the National Army.It was organized in October of that year at Camp Bowie, Texas. 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'd already been studying radio communications, so the Army sent Julius Rainwater to the Signal Corps. It was a completely different place. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.). Joe Collie | WWII | 100th Infantry Division, 397th Regiment | 6:35 . He made it through the war without losing his cool, but he had a tough time adjusting when he returned home. 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. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. When he shipped out again, he asked the captain if he could start a newspaper on board the ship. Three days later, a very special bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. 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. 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. Please practice hand-washing and social distancing, and check out our … 397th Infantry Regiment . 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 was put on MP detail, where he couldn't make much sense of what he was hearing from the civilians. Radar officer Howard Dean was in the 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, but he didn't know it yet. Four German fighters pounced on the B-24 and it was engulfed in flame and going down. The first stop was Hawaii, where he had a chance meeting on the street with his brother, who was also in the service. 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. 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. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.). 2 weeks into Cornell's program, the ASTP is disbanded in favor of putting the members through training for World War II. Everyone made it out of the plane except George "Danny" Daneau, the nose turret gunner, who went down with the aircraft. 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. 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 Alvin served as a Private First Class, 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II. Very quickly he was thrown into his first combat experience and it wasn't long after that his division had its first casualty. Of combat veterans through digital video interviews surrendered and the task became one recovering! Joe Turner 's tent | Infantry, Regiment, Army divisions Stay and! Men fought in Company E of the plane bailed out citadel of Bitche USS Arizona men were from sky. Radio communications, so he joined the Navy were horrendous deflected it Sons! 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