Eagle Talk

2:01 PM 6/30/2009 Eagle Talk

"The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance. Things go wrong when good men do nothing."

"The truth must be repeated again and again because error is constantly being preached around us. And not by isolated individuals, but by the majority!"
Goethe-1828

EAGLE TALK

By Mark A. Bando

Bi-Monthly Voice of the website created by Mark A. Bando

REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11th!

Most of the current eagle division is at home in Ft Campbell, awaiting their next mission. Welcome home to the 4th Brigade, whose members have returned since the beginning of March.
We all owe these heroes a debt we cannot repay, for doing the dangerous duty that relatively few individuals can handle. They, along with our other military forces, are the first-line sentinels, who risk it all to preserve and protect our way of life.

Article for November-December, 2009 "101st Airborne spoken here..."

After a year of hectic travel, the webmaster is standing-down until 2010. With an absence of new travel news, I'll mostly fill this edition of ET with photos and stories from past research projects. E.O. PARMLEY, FOX CO. 502ND PIR

Emmert goes by the nickname of 'Jess' and he resides in Antioch, CA. He is the best living source on the members and history of Fox Co. 502 PIR in WW2. Jess joined the Deuce at Ft Bragg, N.C. and he went through the entire history of that regiment except for missing the winter sports at Bastogne, for reasons I'll explain below.
Some of E.O.'s adventures in Normandy can be found in my 7th book. When interviewing him in 2006-07, I found that his memory for detail of events and stories is amazing and he also recalls some details about almost every member of his former company.
After recuperating from a bullet wound to the base of his neck, sustained near Bloody Gulch on 13 June, 1944, Parmley rejoined F Co. and jumped into the Netherlands. He survived the brutal fighting near Best and his unit took up positions between Dodewaard and Opheusden on the Island. While there in the rainy and cold fall of 1944, Parmley's squad occupied a Dutch house and his LMG crew took turns manning a machine-gun in the yard outside. When it was Parmley's turn to man the gun, he saw that the previous gunner had placed the tripod on a wooden door and with the wetness from the rain, the gun would surely slide around on the unstable surface in the event it needed to be fired. Jess decided to lift the weapon off the door and re-position it. He placed his left hand over the muzzle and grabbed the pistol grip of the weapon with his right hand. The exposed trigger was accidentally squeezed at that moment and the weapon fired a burst, blowing-off the left index finger of his hand. This wound caused him to be evacuated and hospitalized for two months. As a result, he missed the freezing winter campaign at Bastogne, which wasn't all bad. If you look at the photo above, you can see where the index finger is missing on Parmley's left hand.
After WWII, Jess didn't attend many reunions, but he kept in touch with Joe Pistone until Joe's passing a couple of years ago. He also networks with Dan McBride, Willis Robinson and other F Company survivors, including Calfboy Blasingame, who was his best buddy in the company.
Jess maintains himself in good physical condition and he was among those who parachuted into Normandy for the 50th anniversary of D-day in 1994.

Caterpillar Club Certificate for a Paratrooper

As most of you know, the Caterpiller Club was invented to recognize personnel who were forced to leave a plane in flight and land via parachute due to emergency conditions aboard the plane. As such, most recipients were pilots or air crews of shot-down planes. Since it was the normal business of paratroopers to descend by parachute, they would only qualify for the Caterpillar Club if leaving the plane under unusual circumstances. Just the fact that a plane had been hit by ground fire or even if it was burning when the troopers jumped, was not enough.
Steve Clarke recently found this certificate in the effects of his later father, Sgt Richard Clarke, of RHQ/501 PIR. It seems that on the Market-Garden jump, the C-47 in which Clarke was flying to the DZ was hit by ground fire and started going down. The troopers aboard had not even received the order to stand-up and hook-up yet. The emergency was such that Clarke and others went out the door un-hooked and had to deploy their reserve chutes after clearing the plane. Landing with a reserve chute, which is attached to the front of one's body is hazardous and the jumper's back can easily be broken, unless he reaches through the risers and moves his body into a upright position before landing. Sgt Clarke survived this landing unhurt, rejoined his regiment and made it through Holland and Bastogne. How/when he received this certificate is not known, but it is a rare award for a WW2 paratrooper.

TT Friends in Europe

The webmaster with Daniel Hamchin, Mayor of Angoville au Plein, France. This was taken in 2008 in front of the famous church with bloody pews. Sparky's stained glass window adorns this side of the church. DZ 'D'lies to the SE-this was 2/501st PIR country on the first 2 days of the Invasion.

MB with 'Boy' Eyesbroek, a Dutchie who works at the Schipol airport in Amsterdam. Due to his ethnic appearance, Boy has been mistaken for the webmaster in such places as St Mere Eglise (Bando has never been known to wear a ponytail). Boy has made collages of WW2 then & now locations, overlaying images of troops with the locations-very artfully done. This was taken at ETT #2 in Eerde.

Another Visit to Ft Campbell

Here's an overview of new monuments installed behind 4tth BCT HQ. The markers are in remembrance of 506th fallen in all wars that the 101st ABD has participated in. They were dedicated on 12 November, 2009. Family members of some of the Currahee Warriors who have been KIA were present for the dedication ceremony.

The center marker bears the shape of Mt Currahee, surmounted with a black spade at the top and on the reverse are unit citations awarded to the 506th in WW2. Notice the large black spade inlaid at ground level in front of the WW2 marker.

Aside from the grouping of stones is an isolated marker, engraved with information about Currahee KIAs in wars past and present.

Another Vintage Example of 506th PIR Exercise Shorts

Collectors who frequent this site have seen the dark blue shorts which have a white stripe on the side, attributed to Bill Guarnere of E/506th. You've also seen the medium blue shorts from Art DiMarzio of Dog Company. This past summer while visiting Merlin Shennum of Fox Co., I acquired the much lighter blue shorts which he was issued at Camp Toccoa, GA in late 1942. Some vntage pics do exist showing 506th troopers at Toccoa, wearing trunks of a lighter shade. In addition, Merlin says the color has faded slightly on these, however, they never were much darker. Interestingly, they also never bore any patch of either the cap, shoulder, or pocket variety. If you look closely, you'll see several small burn holes, from mishaps with cigarettes.

It's the Time of the Season

2009 is streaking past like greased lightning and Thanksgiving and Christmas will soon be upon us. For now, here is Candace's annual pumpkin picture.

The New 506th Infantry Blackjack Company Transfers/Updates

The webmaster took this photo at Ft Campbell, KY on 11-13-09, depicting some of the close-knit buddies who served in the 08/09 deployment to Afghanistan with third platoon, B/2/506th Inf. Standing l. to r.:
David 'Doc' Bryan (plt medic), Alan Vogel, James 'Cola' Kolasinski, Erik Wahlin, 'Sgt Rash' (Paul Rashid), and Josh Kerby. It was good to see Sgt Gardner for the first time since late April 08, also many other familiar faces, like Justin Tagg, Jeremy Neureiter, Sgt Toby Barnes, Chad Cargil, Matt Travis, Sgt Allan Campbell, 1st Sgt Whetstone and Captain Rush. The latter left on the 13th for Ft Polk-there are rumors of another JRTC soon, which can only mean one thing.

After each deployment, a BCT routinely loses a percentage of soldiers from each returned company. I heard via the grapevine, that some members of B/2/506th have already been transfered.

Updates on B Co. 2/506th transfers:
Captain Dave Conner has gone to Ft Leavenworth, the Command and General Staff College. His replacement as company skipper is Captain Edwin Churchill, a 36 year old Airborne Ranger/Master Blaster.
Captain Abe Rush now works in the Brigade S-3 shop.
Here are more: Jeffrey Hart, Lucas Stevenson, Thomas Guy and Fortino Lopez plan to ETS, Sgt Danny Fisher will also ETS or re-classify this fall, Robert Carillo has gone to Ft Erwin, Misael Perez has gone to Germany, Mark Krammer is a college drop, 'Bones'Jones is a driver for the Bn Sgt Major, Rusty Burke will be an instructor at Ranger school, Tim McGuire will go to Special Forces, B.P.'Chaptered' for being overweight, K. Fritz and Ryan Estes are at Benning. Estes is training recruits in Infantry Basic. Lt Joe Walsh has rejoined the ranks of civilians in Mass. Sgt Shaw goes to Benning and Mike Hilliard attended a school for recruiting sergeants at Ft Jackson, S.C. with Trent Aisner of 1st Bn. These two guys met while recuperating from wounds received in Iraq in 2006. They recently went to Toccoa, Ga and they ran Mt Currahee. Mike is now working at Gainesville, GA. Trent is now recruiting in W. VA. Mike says recruits are lining-up at the door of his office in a shopping mall because of the failing economy.

Back at Campbell with third platoon, Matt Tankersly will go to the 173rd in Italy after attending Airborne School, Sgt Rashid will either ETS or join SF, Evan Irr is in the Bn Scout Platoon, but plans to attend Ranger School. James Kolasinski will attend Air Assault School, Benjamin Park has joined the cooks in Fox Co. John McKinney has transfered to a post in Hawaii. Chris'Popeye'Reimer(recovering from knee surgery)also has two children now.
Erik Wahlin recently married the cousin of Josh Kerby.
Is that enough 'change', Mr. Obama? Wow! It's hard to keep-up lately, things are moving so rapidly.
Thanks to Sgt Sam Sanchez for these updates.

The following info is courtesy of Captain Dave Conner, who left command on 17 July, 2009: Captain Calhoon went to Benning in July, 2009, to attend the captains'career course.
SFC Frank Turbyfill went to Ft Benning, to be a first sergeant in the Lieutenant's Infantry Basic Course
1st Lt Winrow left B Co. to be XO of D/2/506.
Sfc Ryan Poetsch is in FL, training National Guard troops, to prepare them for deployment.
1st Lt Brandon Price left B Co. to become XO of HHC/2/506
A former B Co. officer, intitials J.B. a.k.a. the six million dollar man, is now XO of Company 'C'.
1st Sgt Roosevelt Whetstone left B Co. to become 1st Sgt of HHC/2/506.
SSG Geoff Riordan left B Co. to become the 2nd battalion mortar platoon sgt.

Captain Brandon Bangsboll attends the captains' career course at Benning in September.
Captain Mo Hickman left in May, 2009, to become a minority recruiting officer at West Point.
A batch of former 3rd platoon men have transfered to the 4th ID (mechanized) at Ft Carson, CO. These include John Wayne Meeks, Josh Gebhart, William Shane Fisher, Tim LaFountain, and Johnny Boy Garrison, who is now the father of two.
*Recent News:
Shane and Brooke Fisher became the proud parents of a baby girl on 16 October, 2009. The baby's name is Sophia Amelia Alexis Fisher. Shane now belongs to B Co., 1/22nd Mechanized Inf. 4th Infantry Division. I was pleased to receive a phonecall from him on 17 October, 2009.
Kay McGuire, mother of Sgt Tim McGuire sent me the following news flash on November 1, 2009:
"Sgt. McGuire was married on October 24, 2009 to Celia Ellington in Madisonville, Ky". (Tim served in the second platoon of B Co. during the 08/09 deployment to Afghanistan).
Congrats to the happy couple from Trigger Time-We wish you a lifetime of hapiness and harmony.

I think you can already see from the above, that the Blackjack Company I observed in Afghanistan is already a shadow of its former self, as I update this, in November of 2009.
Blue skies and best of luck to all the fine soldiers I met in B/2/506, in 2008. It was an honor to associate with all of you and I'll never forget you. It's looking like my B Co. book will not be released until the middle of 2010, but updates on that project will be posted here, as well.

On 13 November, 2009 Army Commendation Medals were awarded to members of B/2/506th who earned them on the recent 08/09 deployment to Afghanistan and who are soon leaving the company, either to exit the service or to transfer to other units. Here Sgt Rashid of 3rd platoon who is leaving for Special Forces, receives his medal. 1st Sgt Jackson read the citations while Captain Churchill the company commander pinned the medals on the proud recipients.

Sergeants Tim McGuire and Danny Fisher were among the other recipients, as was Matt Tankersly. Congrats to all these fine soldiers from Trigger Time.

(page under construction-stay tuned for more, to come soon-MB)

Art Print of the Filthy 13

Those interested in purchasing this print can find oredring info here: http://www.victoryartgallery.com/

New 2010 ADT Calendar Now Available

As you all know the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team exists to honor WWII veterans by performing C-47 parachute jumps at reunions and air shows. Rodney Roycroft has compiled ADT calendar edition #2 for 2010, and it is now available. The image for each month features a different historic, WWII vintage and Airborne-related photo, some of them from the Bando collection.
This is not only a fund-raising item for the ADT, it is a useful product, that will be appreciated daily by those who enjoy Airborne history.
Rodney debuted the calendar at the recent TT#4 Convention in Philly and it was well-received. Ordering info will be posted here soon.

Bando's Garage Sale/Auction Most of the items offered here, will be things I acquired from dealers, collectors, or veterans other than 101st ABD vets, although occasionally I will offer pieces with 101st vet provenance and on rare occasions, will offer some bonafide historical treasures. So the offerings will range from the mundane to the rare.

As you will see in coming weeks, among the items offered will be patches and other insignia (both US and German), uniform components, printed matter such as vintage books(including original unit histories),original maps, orders, postcards, photos, etc, modern books by the webmaster,including some now out of print,(signed by the author to the winning bidder), occasional edged weapons, field gear, decorations (US and German), etc. There will be pieces of camo parachute canopy from chutes actually used on the Normandy or Market-Garden drops, battlefield-dug items like spent cartridges, parachute harness buckles shrapnel, etc from 101st locations in Normandy, Holland or Bastogne and whatever else I dredge out of my boxes and closets.

Photos of the offered item will be posted, along with descriptions as detailed and honest as I can make them.

MAKE BIDS TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS: markbando@aol.com

Bids will be made in US dollars and the winning bidder pays postage & (if desired),insurance. I'm not set-up to receive payments by Paypal or credit cards, so payments will be made by cash, check, or money order, sent to:
Mark Bando
PO Box 350
Walled Lake, MI 48390.

Auction Offering for week ending Saturday, November-- 2009 at Midnight- Sorry all, I've been traveling too much and too often to run this auction-I'll try to do better at the end of the summer and during the fall/winter months. Thanks for your patience, MB.

Minimum bid on this item will be -----.

(page under construction)

Webmaster's New 7th book NOW IN PRINT
but NO MAIL ORDERS HERE

Here's the ad which Zenith Presss ran in the latest issue of WW2 Magazine. There are various additional ordering options, including Amazon.com and visiting your local bookstore.

Zenith Press, a division of MBI Publishing has released this large-format coffee table book as part of their 'High Style' series. Some of you have already seen examples of this type book in Eric Hamel's USMC books on the Pacific war: 'Pacific Warriors', 'Iwo Jima', and 'Guadalcanal'.
This new book of mine retails at $40- per copy, contains 250 vintage 101st WWII photos (162 of the photos are previously unpublished) accompanying a 50,000 word text of all 'new' war stories. This is a brief history of the entire screaming eagle division in WWII. The last chapter of the book deals with collecting 101st artifacts, uniforms, insignia and other memorabilia and is illustrated in color photos.
Now that the book is released I will NOT be filling mail orders.
The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Books A Million and Amazon.com.

THIS IS NOT JUST A PHOTO BOOK! READ THE ALL-NEW WAR STORIES IN THIS BOOK-THEY ARE FASCINATING IN THEIR OWN RIGHT AND NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE.

Publishers'Weekly cited this book, 'Screaming Eagles in WW2' as one of four significant new books on WWII published in the last quarter of 2007.

Anyone who purchases a copy from the various sources cited above, can get their copy signed by the author at the next event where we meet in person. I'll also be selling copies at future militaria shows and 101st-related reunions.
Update:
See the BOOKS page for reader reviews of my 7th book.
This book has already gone into a 2nd printing-THANKS to all of you who purchased it and made this happen.

Have you read AVENGING EAGLES yet?- Price: $22- plus $3- Shipping

See the BOOKS page
http://www.101airborneww2.com/books.html
For ordering information on the webmaster's 6th book.
Each month more and more titles on WWII get published and they crowd the shelves of bookstores. Sadly, the vast majority of these titles offer nothing new in the way of stories or information. What many authors call "research" is no more than reading a bunch of previously-published books on the same subject and taking eclectic passages from each, scrambling them into a 'new' variation and calling it a book. Along with the previously-told stories, a lot of erroneous information also gets repeated as well, which only serves to reinforce public myths and misconceptions.
'Avenging Eagles'covers new ground and there is no precedent for it in previously- published works. It is the result of primary source research, i.e. veteran interviews, conducted over a period spanning almost four decades.
Read 'Avenging Eagles' and discover a lot of material that you won't get anywhere else, presented for the first and only time in this book. Wade through the mountain of book- report books and discover something tailor-made for the discerning reader.
Just say 'no' to the recycled pablum found in most available history tomes.
The stories in 'Avenging Eagles' range from outrageously funny to shocking or poignant.
This is a unique tribute to the WWII warriors of the mighty Eagle Division.
Order 'Avenging Eagles' today and discover what you've been missing.
Thanks for your interest in my books.

JOIN THE BURGETT FAN CLUB

Update: -Don Burgett is pictured above right with MB, in September, 2005, in front of St Catharina's church,in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. After sending Don to Normandy in May of 05, the DBFC Members made it possible for Don to tour Holland and Belgium with a small group of 101st WW2 relatives and history fans. The trip was a success and Don called to tell me he enjoyed this one more than any of his previous return trips to Europe.
The Fan Club now has over 100 members. The DBFC continues, now on Don's own website.
To join, send a $25-(minimum)check, made out to Donald R. Burgett
All dues and requests for membership should be addressed to:
The Don Burgett Fan Club
4848 Vines Road
Howell, MI
48843-9513

The Historian's Mission: Get the Facts Straight Webmaster's note: This story, as well as 'Solving Another Mystery', have moved to page 5 of the War Stories Section. MB

THE PHOTO GALLERY HAS MOVED TO PAGE 2 OF WAR STORIES

Gallery of Past Ms Trigger Times It all began about 8 years ago, when a brave volunteer named Nadine Wierzbowski dressed-up in M42 pants, a sleeveless WWII GI undershirt and wool knit jeep cap. The classic Ms TT pose has been back to camera, peeking back over the model's shoulder. This was inspired by Betty Grable's iconic WWII cheesecake photo. Betty turned her back to the camera because she was 6 months pregnant and 'showing', when her WWII vintage photo was made.

Nadine Wierzbowski-Field (l), daughter of the legendary Lt. Ed Wierzbowski H/502 PIR, was the original and very first Ms Trigger Time.
Catherine van der Maas, Grand daughter of Barney Momcilovic HQ/1 and C/501) is shown in the classic Ms TT pose.

I have long been a proponent that the daughters (and later descendants) of WWII paratroopers have been exceptionally healthy and beautiful, coming as they do from a gene pool of America's fittest and finest. The Ms Trigger Time feature has been a tribute to the beauty of daughters and Grandaughters of US Airborne troopers. During months when genetic descendants have been unavailable, I have sometimes substituted other American beauties, who get the title of 'Trigger Time Pinups', rather than Ms Trigger Time. Only biological descendants of WWII 101st troopers qualify for the 'Ms Trigger Time' title and someday we may stage an election to vote for the all-time favorite in that category.
In the near future, I may start a new feature here for present day troops in the Sandbox- 'Ms TT Sandbox', with girls posing in ACUs and other accoutrements currently in wear in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Now I'll post cameos of some of the past Ms TT's (I can't locate pics of all the past girls). Only 3 have been Daughters of WWII vets, while the rest are Grand daughters.

DAUGHTERS

Nadine, daughter of Ed Wierzbowski, Jana, daughter of Lt. Ed Jansen C/501, and Roberta, daughter of Bob Tripp, I/502.

Grandaughters

Amy, Grandaughter of Don Burgett A/506th, Ashley, Great niece of Jack Sizemore B/506th,Heather, Grand- daughter of Bob Beachy H/501 PIR.

Catherine, Grandaughter of Barney Momcilovic HQ/1 501, Keely, Grandaughter of Wayne Nearpass C/506th PIR, Lauren, Grand-daughter of Guadalupe Flores HQ/1 501 PIR.

(Future MsTT), Mara, Grandaughter of Glen Derber HQ/2 501 PIR, Michelle, Grandaughter of Tex McMorries, G/501 PIR, Tessa, Grandaughter of Lt. Bill Sefton HQ/2 501 PIR.

Misc. TT Pinups, not 101st Related

In a true spirit of volunteerism, other beauties have stepped-up to volunteer their services as shown above. This sampling includes Gina Knapp, Nyssa Rabinowitz, and Erica, a vet tech at the Detroit Zoo, recruited by Candace.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS-REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS TO THE TRIGGER TIME FORUM

Paul Adamic a.k.a. Kickoff Red (l) is a fireman in Joliet, IL and also a WW2 reenactor-his medical captain impression at Rockford, IL is pictured above. Paul is researching a book on Baker Co. of the 502nd PIR in WW2.
Emmanuel Allain (r) was born March 29, 1968 (Aries). He's married, no children, and is a historian and collector of 502nd PIR in Normandy. Emmanuel (a.k.a. Manu) lives in Normandy and is compiling a history of Company E of the 502 PIR-one of the 'other' Easy Companies of the 101st Airborne, to be published in 2005.

These two History buffs reside in Minnesota. Ryan Baker (l) is a sales rep, history fan and distance runner. He's a typical Aries robust, outdoors type, who has challenged Mt. Currahee on numerous occasions.
History teacher Kurt Barickman (r), does WW2 living history projects for his students in Albert Lea, MN, and is an avid Airborne militaria collector. Kurt is a U.S. Navy veteran who lost a brother KIA with the USMC in Vietnam. He is also a runner.
Because Frank Drebin complained about the previous photo of Kurt looking too 'mean', I've posted this kinder, gentler pic, taken in Normandy, in 2004.

Mark Barber a.k.a. 'Smokejumper'writes:
"I work as an industrial maintenance supervisor at one of the worlds largest aluminum extruders/fabrcators- Hydro Aluminum. Love to fish as I live just a couple miles from the ocean and also deer hunt. As a family we love to visit historic places and camp. I read A LOT - exclusively military history".
Mark is shown above, with his son Chris- in a photo made at the WW2 Memorial.
Above right, is Spartanburg, S.C. TV newsman Tom Colones, who contributes more stories and photos to the forum than anyone else-even the webmaster. Tom served in the US Army several decades ago and now works for Channel 62. WASV, a UPN station.

Joe Beyrle II is a Vietnam War survivor of the 101st Airborne, and an avid WW2 history buff. His dad is the Joe Beyrle of I/506th PIR, who is the subject of the book 'The Simple Sounds of Freedom', more recently re-published with the title:'Behind Enemy Lines'. The photo of Joe at left was taken in Vietnam in 1969, when Joe was a member of the 326th Airborne Engineer Bn. The more recent photo at right, shows what Joe looks like today.

Barb and Mike Bigalke(r) are longtime friends of the webmaster. Mike is a retired mailman, and an avid Airborne collector and history buff. Mike does many living history presentations at schools in his area of Northern Illinois. The Bigalkes reside in Marengo, IL.

Known on the TT Forum as 'HeadyD506' Sgt David Brackett has completed his 3rd tour in Iraq. We are proud to have an active duty senior noncom from the 101st Airborne as a regular participant on the TT forum. David has also done WWII reenacting with both 509 PIB and D/506th PIR units, which is how Paul Adamic came to introduce him to me. On David's last deployment, he was assigned to the 3rd Bridage Combat Team, 'The Rakassans'.

IAIN Bramwell (l) resides in Manchester, England, and is a WW2 history buff with main emphasis on the Airborne landings of the Normandy Invasion.
Robert 'Drew' Cook (r) is an avid Airborne History buff and a policeman in Cincinatti, OH. A long time Airborne History buff, Drew is a detail guy, who frequently corrects and informs the webmaster on various facts. Drew went to Normandy with me in 2000.

Paul Clifford (l) is a Vietnam Vet of the US Army, known on the forum as "Cimmaron 44", while Tony Coulter from south Philly is known as "Jiggers from Philly", in tribute to his hero, the original Jiggers, Babe Heffron.

John DeNeef at upper left is a Dutch friend of the 101st, who resides in western Holland. This battlefield archaeologist is a former member of the Triple A reenactment group and posts on the TT forum under the screen name of 'John502'.

Frenk Derks van de Ven(rt) is another Dutch Airborne friend and Corridor historian, known on the forum as 'JoeMann44'.

Kevin Distel lives and works in NYC. He is an avid history buff and musician, an occasional poster on the forum and a frequent lurker. He has toured Normandy, Holland and Bastogne with the webmaster.

Chris Garcia lives in upstate NY; he's a militaria collector and history buff, known on the Forum as "Abncollector". John Horn lives in the Camden NJ area and is known on the forum as "Eagle Johnny". Both these guys are regulars on the TT forum, as well as TT convention attendees.

Raphael Giot lives in Givry, Belgium, west of Champs (NW of Bastogne) and is a Forum regular who posts under the screen name of 'Giopolis'. I had fun touring the Bastogne perimeter seeking 'Then & Now locations with Giopolis and Laurent Olivier in early October, 2007.

Anthony Ilnicki is a member of the F/501 reenactment group in Belgium-he is better known to Forum regulars under his screen name of 'Snoup Dog'.

Lynn Kessler has been a forum regular for several years now. As you can see from the photo, he is into 101st reenacting and he also does the 7th Bn. of the Black Watch at timelines, parades and tacticals.
He paints military miniatures and customizes and collects 1/6th scale figures. He is a Pisces Goat and his job description: sales support for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (copier manufacturer).
He also wrote and published "Never In Doubt --Remembering Iwo Jima" in 1999, through Naval Institute Press

Craig McAvoy (l) is a resident of the U.K.and a Scot, who is a descendant of the legendary Lt. Joe McGregor (E/501) who was KIA at Recogne, Belgium, during the battle of Bastogne. This 2002 photo was taken at the Wings of Liberation Museum near Best, Holland. Craig appears with his kids, Steven(6), & Jennifer (2).The kids seemed to enjoy the museum exhibits, but Craig suspects that they might have liked the ice cream more than anything.

Ann Durnin McKendry lives on Long Island and is a physical therapist. She has also been designated as my symbolic sister by her mom, Pegg Mero-Durnin, whose brother T/4 Joseph Mero was KIA in WW2, as a member of HQ/2 501 PIR. Pegg has become my surrogate 'udder mudder'and Ann has become a regular 501st reunion guest and occasional poster on the TT forum.

Brandon McMorries is a Grandson of the legendary 501st machine-gunner Melton"Tex"McMorries. He lives and works in the Midland, TX area and has toured Holland and Belgium with the webmaster.

Stephane Molitor is another European history fan, known to forum regulars by his screen name of 'KELSO'.

Laurent Olivier (L) has been a career officer in the Belgian Navy for almost two decades. Maybe he will move to the USA after he retires?
Laurent was the sparkplug who organized the 1st European TT Convention and he is a major booster of the webmaster's books and the TT website in continental Europe.

Stan Ortman is a financial analyst in the Kokomo, IN area, an occasional poster and frequent lurker on the forum. He is an avid WW2 history buff and has also toured Belgium and the Netherlands with the webmaster twice.

Mark Patterson (l) is known to Forum visitors as 'Sparkyasundevil',which derives from his being a big Arizona state fan. Mark lives in Chandler Arizona with his wife Sandy and two teenaged kids: Whitney and Ryan. Mark collects both British and U.S. Airborne- related items, focusing more on the U.S. stuff. He's also heavily involved in Scottish Highland Games, with Whitney being an accomplished dancer. The Patterson's originally hail from Northern Ireland. Mark's family has a long history of military service, (his father served with The Irish Guards and later the SAS). His cousin was with the British Para's during the Falkland Islands operation. Mark served in the 82nd Airborne and sustained significant jump injuries. He is a typically outspoken (read blunt) Leo.
More recently, Mark P. has become well-known for designing and making the memorial stained glass window which now graces the famous French church with bloody pews from D-day wounded at Angoville au Plein in Normandy. He has also started his own tour guide service (Pathfinder Tours). for Normandy battle areas.

James Parker is a Reb Airborne collector from Tennessee. Wily but personable, he is an eagle patch addict and has compiled an impressive collection of WWII vintage insignia. James has become a true CSI analyst of WWII Airborne patches and uniforms.

Matt Pellet is a teenager from southern England, who idolizes Dick Winters but who also has a healthy interest in the entire 101st Airborne's history in WWII. Tall and slender, Matt has a rather formal type of British accent and his dark features are a clue to his ethnic ancestry, which is 1/4 Italian, 1/4 Greek and 1/2 English. Matt joined us on the September 09 Pathfinder tour of the Netherlands and Bastogne. He is a very personable Leo Horse, who posts on the TT Forum as 'JacquesWood1'.

Alwyn Onori from Vaxholm, Sweeden toured with us in 2009 in Normandy. He is a serious student of the battles in Normandy and frequent lurker in the TT Forum.
The venerable Jake Powers resides in Grafton, MA and is a man of many talents and many occupations. He is the master of the large deal, a long-time friend of the Easy 506th veterans, a surrogate son to Major R.D. Winters, and a major supporter of the webmaster, Bando books, and the TT website.

Rich Riley above left, is a 40-ish Airborne history enthusiast, who resides in the Cleveland, OH area. Rich's father was tragically KIA in the Vietnam War. Rich has interviewed most of the WWII 101st veterans in northern Ohio and he hosted the 2nd Annual TT Convention, in August, 2007.

Norman Sibbald is a Scotsman, living in the north of England. He is an avid WW2 history buff and has been lucky enough to visit Normandy (his christian name is pure coincidence!) on many occasions. Norm's late father-in-law was an navigator in Halifax bombers and flew on many missions during the war.
Bando's TT tour group met Norman for 1/2 day in France on 14 August, 2004. Norman did a research project-on site in 2005/06, re: the docks at Glasgow, Scotland, and he also gives historical presentations re: Normandy to groups in the UK. He is a gentleman and a scholar.

Ralph Sporay (l) is a 31 year veteran of the US Army and served time with SF as well as the 101st ABD. He is also a long-time collector of US Airborne insignia and memorabilia. His name on the TT Forum is '101Combatvet'.

Rob Stark lives in Washington state and his forum name 'Holeshotrob' is a biker term from his motorcyclist days. Rob showed-up in person for TT#4 in Philly and he not only shares Mark Patterson's sense of humor, but seems to be equally outspoken, in expressing his mostly Politically-Incorrect opinions. He is a lot of fun, especially after imbibing some Calvados.

Mark Stephenson (l) has done a detailed and scholarly study of the Bizory-Foy Belgium areas northeast of Bastogne. He has visited the area personally and the research continues. His frequent posts pertaining to that subject have been a real asset to the forum. Mark lives 'out east' and is tall, athletic, and smart. He is also an extremely talented fine artist, who can duplicate paintings of the old masters with oil paints.

Bob Talbert (r) is a younger brother of Floyd 'Tab' Talbert of E/506th PIR. Bob served as a paratrooper in the 11th ABD in Japan right after WW2 and later became Executive Vice President of the National Electrical Contractors Association, in the Detroit area. Bob currently lives in Dearborn, MI.

Jeff Thomas (l) is a lifelong Detroiter, who resides on the far west side,and shares an interest in WW2 history. As a typical disgruntled employee of the City of Detroit, Jeff must endure many of the same indignities which I experienced during my time working for inept political appointees, who place racial politics above all else.

Tom Timmermans is a great guy who I met at the 1st European TT Convention. A Dutchie who conducts investigations into battle locations and artifacts, he has a website called 'Battle Detective.com'and he also posts on the TT Forum as 'Battle Detective'.

Forum regular Eric van de Sande posts on the forum under the screen name "AT BEST". He is one of our Dutch Airborne friends, from the Corridor.

WW 2 history buff Rob Van der Pol above right, resides in Knotts Island, NC and is a regular contributor to the TT Forum. Rob posts a prodigious amount of photos and news, under the screen name of 'le Bigguns'.
This photo of him was made at TT Convention #2 in Strongsville, OH, August 07. Rob also attended the 1st European TT Convention with his wife, Kelly...nice people.

Terry Webb (l) a.k.a. Terry37, is a WW2 militaria collector and avid history buff, who resides in Murfreesboro, TN. Terry's dad was a career aviator in the USAF, which started Terry's interest in all things military.
Johan WILLAERT with his wife Kristien, shown with their (then) 3-year old daughter Ellen, in one of Belgium's theme parks. Johan lives at the Belgian coast, close to the battlefields of WW1, and he's a Senior NCO in the Belgian Armed Forces, having served for over 21 years in Belgium, Germany and other countries. He currently works as a PR-Officer for an Army NCO Training Center near the historic city of Bruges, Belgium. He started collecting WW2 US Army in the ETO militaria in 1976 and has a great interest in the D-Day actions, especially the ordeal of the 29th Infantry Division on Omaha Beach.

Nadine Wierzbowski-Field is our original TT pinup girl. Born a Gemini Ox in 1973, Nadine is the daughter of Ed Wierzbowski H/502, who was with Joe Mann when he performed a feat of heroism which resulted in a poshumous award of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Nadine is a world class forum lurker, who works as a RN in Orlando, FL.
Nadine is now married to a law enforcement officer named Geoff Field; they have a son and a daughter.

Mike Willis, known as 'Slim Cricket' on the TT Forum, toured with us in Normandy in 2009. Mike certainly is 'Slim', standing about 6'4 and amazingly skinny. He speaks French,which proved to be a significant asset to our tour group. Mike is carrying-on his dad's study of WW II history and I first met him at a Band of Brothers reunion. He studied in Europe 2008/09.

If more Forum regulars would care to email me a jpeg mugshot of themselves, I'll be happy to add their faces to this gallery of Trigger Time General Discussion celebrities. Regards to all, and thanks for your participation, MB.

Normandy Tour Services The webmaster conducts battlefield tours in Normandy as part of Mark 'Sparky' Patterson's 'Pathfinder Tours' group. I conduct four solid days of tours to 101st Airborne battle locations and describe the actions which transpired there. Lots of locations, names, units, stories, etc, which you can't get anywhere else.
You can read more details here:
http://www.pathfindertour.com/BandoNormandyTours.html

I have received an updated DVD of 'The Americans on D-Day' and watched it recently. The portions with Mr. Manoian have been deleted and replaced by interviews cuts with other veterans. This is a useful tool for schools and a different approach to informing audiences about the basics of what happened on D-day. There is one graphic illustration that shows a C-47 approaching the Cotentin from the wrong direction and I can't fathom how Forrest Guth's name could be mis-pronounced as (short 'u') Guth, rhyming with rough or guff. Other than that, I found it to be an enjoyable presentation.
You can find ordering info for this DVD here: http://www.theamericansondday.com/welcome-to-our-online-store.html

Cal KATO-Webmaster's Cousin

Above you can see photos of my 1st cousin, Calvin Kato, taken at Basic Training 1969, and after AIT school 1970. Calvin is the oldest son of my dad's youngest sister. He gave-up trying to get people to pronounce his name properly a long time ago. It is properly pronounced Kah-toe, but everyone prefers to call him KAY-toe like the Green Hornet's partner.
Calvin served briefly with the Second Armored Division at Ft Hood, TX, then was sent to Nam as an infantry replacement (he was not a jumper), and was assigned to Company 'C' 2/506th, 101st Airborne. He arrived there soon after the costly Ripcord battle and spent enough time in the field to get the C.I.B. He was then re-assigned at Camp Evans where he served the rest of his year in-country as a mail clerk for 2/506th. During his time in the jungle, he acquired dysentery, pneumonia and jungle rot.
So Calvin served in both of the divisions I have written books about. Some guys were born to live history and others only to write about it. Calvin (an 11 June Gemini) and his Gemini wife Shelly, reside in southern California. Calvin is now a broker of lawnmower parts. His dad invented and patented one of the earliest power mowers, back in the 1950s.

Update: 2009: Here's a shot taken in August, 2009, showing my cousin Cal Kato with me. He traveled all the way from San Juan Capistrano, CA, to be at Ft Campbell for the Week of the Eagles.

Wallace Tao-Another CousinWally was the oldest son of my mother's brother. He served as a paratrooper with the 503rd Infantry in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Nam in 1966. Wally's dad was in the Army Corps of Engineeers in WW2 and his brother Marlin was a Major and an Army dentist for 20 years. Wally was very seriously wounded in action in the Iron Triangle, in '66. An article was written about him in the VFW Magazine, describing how a mortar fragment had severed a ventricle of his heart. His survival was a modern medical miracle, made possible by medivac procedures and immediate surgery. In any previous war in history, Wally would've been a dead man.

Wally told Marlin after he returned from Nam, that his entire patrol was ambushed and wiped-out and that he was possibly the only survivor. When American medics surveyed the ambush site, they looked at Wally and thought he was just another 'Gook', and walked past him. He did some colorful American swearing to get their attention, so they returned and loaded him onto a helicopter and sent him for medical attention.
Wally died in 2004, a victim of lung cancer at age 59. Above, you can also see the photo of him that was in VFW Magazine.

So the webmaster had two cousins who saw combat with Airborne units. I do not believe that their accomplishments enhance my credibility in any way, but I sure am proud of them. Both of them are/were better men than I, and they served in an unpopular war, in which they looked like the enemy and the vast majority of their brothers in arms did not.