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43rd
Infantry Division |
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| Division History | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1950s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: "A Guide to the 43d Infantry Division", orientation booklet published by the 43rd Inf Div in 1953.) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| One of
the highest honors to befall the 43d Division was the winning of the
USAREUR Commander's Athletic Participation Trophy. This was accomplished
by Winged Victorymen winning the USAREUR track and field meet and
the USAREUR swimming championship. The Division also piled up many
of its points by having excellent teams in baseball, soccer, tennis
and golf. Another group that brought fame to the 43d Division was the Winged Victory Chorus which for the second consecutive year won the title of "Best Chorus in Europe" by sweeping the USAREUR Soldier Singing Contest. The chorus has presented many concerts for civilians and has participated in some of the large music festivals throughout Europe. Armed Forces Day in '53 was an interesting occasion. This was the first time since WWII that soldiers had paraded in the streets of Germany. All the Kasernes were open to the public and the Germans flocked to see the displays and equipment. Training played the major role in the division's activities for the year. Starting with small unit training during the first part of the year the the problems became tougher and tougher. As a mark of achievement the top infantry battalion as judged by their scoring in the VII Corps tests is presented the Gold Rifles Award. This year the 2d Bn, 172d Infantry Regiment, won the honor by placing highest in the Corps. The best artillery battalion in the Division is also presented an award -- the Standard of St. Barbara. It, like the infantry award, is presented to the battalion which makes the highest score in VII Corps tests. In '53 the standard was won by the 192d FA Bn. As September rolled around the true test of Division's training was brought out as the Winged Victorymen took part in three large scale manuevers. The first and largest was the NATO Field Training Exercise "Monte Carlo." In this exercise the entrie division brought credit upon itself for the excellent manner in which it performed. It was the 43d Divison men that broke through the "Enemy" lines and reached the final objective. In the other two exercises the division did an outstanding job. They were highly commended for their part in the VII Corps FTX "Harvest Moon." The Division not only was outstanding in training and athletics but the men also did much to show the German people the generosity of the American way of life. Through the GYA (German Youth Activities) thousands of German children learned about Americans. The GYA is sponsored by the 43d Division and the variety of activities sponsored ranged from an American type Soap Box Derby to a Meistersinger Contest for promising young opera singers. The soldiers of the 43d also did a wonderful job of supporting two of the outstanding charities that are well-known in the States. Over $31,000 was contributed towards the March of Dimes during 1953. In this campaign only one other unit topped the 43d. In response to the plea for funds by the American Red Cross, the Division led all the troops in USAREUR by contributing over $15,000. When funds were requested for the Army Emergency Relief program the entire Division threw in their support and as a result led all of the units stationed here by putting in over $17,000. What was probably one of the brightest occasions during 1953 was "Operation Friendship." Under this program the men of the various units sponsored Christmas parties for German orphans and for the needy in the area. More than 10,000 children were guests of the servicemen at their kasernes. They were given dinners, shown movies, and received valued and needed gifts. The look in any of the children's eyes made all the effort worth while. As 1953 drew to a close, the men who had served in the 43d Division throughout the year could look back and say, "We did a good job." |
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| Division Organization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ADDITIONAL DUIs - 1950s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Email from Paul Henry, Sr., Division Band, 1953) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was in the 43rd Infantry Division Band most of 1953 in Flak Kaserne. Would be interested in finding any other band members that may be around. As one of about thirteen trumpet players in the band (since this was division HQ) every thirteen weeks I pulled duty as the bugler standing next to the cannon for retreat ceremonies. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 102nd Infantry Regiment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: John Tyler, Tank Co, 102nd Inf) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 169th Infantry Regiment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Email from Tom Rozman; three tours in Germany: 1952-54 (dependent), 1961-65 (again as a dependent), and 1983-86 (1st Armored Division as battalion XO and Asst G-3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I'm the son of then, 1950-54, CPT Robert W. Rozman, now LTC R. W. Rozman (ret). Upon mobilization, Dad was, I believe, S-2 of 2nd Battalion, 169th Infantry Regiment. We made the move to Blackstone, Virginia from Hartford as the Division deployed to Camp Pickett, Virginia in about October/November '50. Dad disappeared for among other events, Operation Southern Pine. We lived in a trailor park near the rail yard. We took a TDY trip to Fort Riley, Kansas where Dad attended the Intelligence Officers Course, then back to Camp Pickett. Traveled to Camp A. P. Hill more than a few times. Division got on busses early morning, dark with moon out about October 1951. Said good by to Dad. Division moved to Newport News, boarded troop ship General Buckner and sailed for Deutschland. My brother my Mom and I returned to Hartford. About February 1952 sailed from New York on the General Maurice Rose. North Atlantic in winter, even in a 550' ship is an experience. Took train at Bremerhaven and all through the dark night made way to southern Bavaria. Pretty exciting for a little kid, watching Germany go by in the dark -- a mysterious land. Arrived at Kaserne near Munchen where 169th Infantry was garrisoned. Short stay -- in less than a year redeployed to Furth near Nurnberg, Darby Barracks. Actually, 2nd Battalion was billetted at Monteith Barracks, an old Wermacht airfield and Kaserne. We remained in the Nurnberg area until the Divison was returned to state service. Dad elected to remain in the active Army and the divison in place was redesignated as 9th Infantry Division. The 169th redesignated as the 39th Infantry Regiment. While we were in Germany with the Division, Dad served as 2nd Battalion S-2, than HHC Commander, Company F Commander, S-4 and ultimately 39th Infantry Regiment Assistant S-2. I have many great memories of Germany at that time, though much was still in ruins. My brother and I had a ball. As children of the regiment it was a good time. My sister was born at the Army hospital in Furth in 1954. Dad enlisted in October 1939. Rose through the ranks to First Sergeant, Company F by 1944. Received a direct commission while the regiment was operating in the Ippo Dam area north of Manila in May 1945. Initially mustered out of active service in, I believe, March 1946. Was approached to help reorganize 2nd Battalion and rejoined the regiment sometime in 1946 commanding HHC and Company F while in state service. His service 1941-46 was recognized by CIB, Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts and an arrowhead and I believe with four stars on his Asiatic-Pacific Theater campaign medal. Subsequently, he commanded another company at Fort Knox, SVC, Battery, 67th Armd. Art. Battalion, DIVARTY, 3rd A.D. Then S-4 5th Training Regiment, Asst. S-2 Armor Center, MAAG Viet Nam (working with the South Viet Namese Infantry School), Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Reserve Components duty with 26th I.D., Boston, Battle Group staff, 30th Infantry, 3rd I.D., Schweinfurt, Germany, and finally, Commander 112th Service Center Headquarters, Pulaski Barracks, Vogelweh, Germany. He retired from the Army in December 1965. My memories of the 169th Infantry and the 43rd Division, two of my father's brothers also served in the Division, were of such character that I served in the infantry for 22 1/2 years retiring as a LTC in 1992. My brother is also a retired Army officer who served initially in the infantry. My son is now an active officer who served two tours in Bosnia. Prior to active service he did serve in the 169th Infantry in its last year of existence as a mortarman. We do have a heretic, however, my daughter and her husband are active USAF officers and his Dad's a retired Marine LTC, though in his early career an infantry officer. At least in this family, the legacy of the 43rd's sojourn in Germany has been a long and willing service through three generations. As I put this together many memories of the Division and Germany in the early 50s come flooding back. For the most part, they are good and happy ones -- like the late Christmas my Dad arranged when we got to Munich in 1952. |
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| (Source: Photo Album compiled by SGT John E. Blood, 169th Inf Regt) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The photos posted below were taken by a John E. Blood who apparently served with the 169th Inf Regt in Munich 1951-1952. I was able to obtain a photo album he had compiled that was being sold at an auction. I assume SGT blood has passed away. If anyone knew Sgt Blood or any of his buddies during this period, please contact me to provide some details about his tour in Munich and to help me identify some of the people in the photos. Upon arriving in Germany in September 1951, HHC, 169th Inf Regt; and 1st and 2nd Battalions were stationed at Will Kaserne in Munich; 3rd Battalion was located at Flint Kaserne, Bad Tölz. Higher resolution images for the thumbnails will be added later this weekend. |
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| 172nd Infantry Regiment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Email from Lou Spruill, 172nd Inf Regt and Div Honor Guard, 1953-54) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I served with the 43rd Infantry Division during 1953-54, first with the 172nd Inf Batallion at Warner Kaserne and later with the Division Honor Guard at Flak Kaserne in Augsburg. I served as a squad leader in the Honor Guard Platoon. I note in looking through memorabilia that the 5th Inf. Div replaced 43rd Div in name on 25 May 1954. I assume that the 43rd returned to National Guard status at that time. The Commanding General at the time was Major General Richard C. Partridge. H e was preceeded by Major General Charles K. Gailey under whose direction (I believe) the Honor Guard was formed. |
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| Division Artillery | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HHB, DivArty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Email from William Bowers, HHB, Divarty, 1952-53; images scanned by Art Crowe) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Your web site was given to me by my son-in-law. It brought back many memories, most pleasant.
I arrived at Flak Kaserne, Augsburg in August 1952. The duty assignment was HQ BTRY 43 ARTY DIV as a Ballistic Meterologist so most of my work time was out in the field. I left in September 1953 returning state side on the troop ship General Patch which was an advenutre in itself.
Your site has encouraged me to dig out the photo taken during my service in Germany. If I find anything that I think may be of interst to others I shall forward later. |
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| 103rd FA Battalion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Source: Aydin Mehmet, Germany) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (Source: Email from Virgil E. Fenn, 103rd FA Battalion Air Section) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I was drafted on October 6, 1950 and assigned to the 43rd. Division as a filler to help bring the Division up to strength. My background was in aviation, as I learned to fly while I was in high school. When I graduated in 1948, I had my Commercial License and Flight Instructor Rating and was employed by Dothan Aviation Corporation as a flight instructor, flying the local newspaper 115 miles every day, deliver papers to the distributors. In the summer months I was an aerial applicator. As a result of this background, I was assigned to the 103rd F.A. (Bn) Air Section working under Sgt. Francis P. Cook. We had two L-13's assigned to the unit and we maintained these while the unit was at Camp Pickett, Va. When the Division was sent to Germany, Sgt. Cook had less the 6 Months remaining on his enlistment and did not go overseas with the 103rd. I was promoted to Sgt. and became the Crew Chief on two (2) L-19's that was waiting for us at the Augsburg Military Airstrip. The Augsburg Military Air Strip was at the sight of the old Messerschmitt Factory and I remember it was close to the Augsburg Zoo. The 43rd. Division was scattered over different towns in Bavaria. The 103rd was assigned to Sheridan Caserne in Augsburg. This all took place before there were Aviation Companies and we had to stay with our home unit away from the Military Airstrip. We were spending most of the working hours traveling to and from the airstrip. General Ford was the Divarty Commander and as a result of all the lost time going back and forth, he had living quaters and a 48 man mess hall built inside our hangar. This mess hall had German Cook's and KP's. He brought all the 43rd Div. Air Section Aircraft that were scattered over the area and located all the aircraft in this central location. Everyone still had to go back to his home unit to get paid. As a result of his move, I have heard it said, that he was the father of Army Aviation. The pilot's assigned to the 103rd. were Lt. Stanley Valacer & Lt. Ted Healy. Maj. George Tillery was the air section commander. I hope this gives you some insight of Army Aviation before there were Aviation Companies. I live close to Fort Rucker, Alabama, The Home of Army Aviation. Virgil E. Fenn |
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