Hellcat News, (Godfrey, Ill.), Vol. 43, No. 4, Ed. 1, December 1989 Page: 5 of 46
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Abilene Library Consortium and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.
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December 1989
HELLCAT NEWS
Page 5
17th AIB Hq & Sv at San Antonio. Front from left
Finley, Hq., Cleveland, Sv., Cooper, Hq., Mummert, Hq.,
Cleland, Hq. Rear: Gesin, Hq., Cunningham, Hq. & Sv.
Felix, Sv., Giabrone, Sv., Fessler, Hq., Lotz. Hq., and,
Motsinger, Hq. & B. Photo by Gesin, Hq/17.
Hellcats, on one of the bran-
ches is a gift for you from Carl
Lyons. It is a special one which
can't be opened until the new
year, but I will tell you that he
sent me copies of the Co. A
newsletter dated May 1945.
Wow, what a resource. I'll be
using bits and pieces later.
Thanks, Carl. Incidentally did
the other companys have a
newsletter?
Oh, oh here we are with the
star that goes on top. A letter
came from Earl Nichols, Hq
CCA that makes this tree spar-
kle. He wrote:
"Recently while vacationing,
I accidentally met a fellow at
Greenbo Lake State Park in
Kentucky. After talking a
while, he mentioned that he
*7* awe afyx xyfc Iwx aw* xw xw
MCRRy
CHRISTMAS
&HAPPy
NEWyCAP
Mr. & Mrs. John Gentry
A, 17th AIB
xyx XYX xyx sryfc
HOLIDAY
GREETINGS
TO ALL!
(See you of the Eastern)
Charles C. Smith
B Co., 17th
$fkg0g>
had been a member of the 12th
Armored Division in the big
war. Imagine my surprise! He
had never heard of the Associ-
ation, or anything about the
Division since he had been dis-
charged.
"I'm enclosing $10 as a NEW
membership for him. Hope
some of the fellows in the 17th
will remember him and make
him welcome. He was in Co C,
17th AIB.
"He is looking forward to the
information, and hopes to
attend the reunion in 1990. His
name is: Logan Bowling, 4905
Glickman Avenue, Temple City,
CA 91780. Telephone: (818)
448-2039."
Logan is waiting to hear from
us. How about that Christmas
card you were wanting to send.
A way back in some month
gone by, I mentioned a story
that Bob Stanton sent, and now
is the time to lay it on you.
"Christmas Story: Our squad
was billeted in the home of
Herr Heinrich Ott in Brusch-
wickersheim near Strasburg.
The Ott family emptied a big
room, and we laid our fartsacks
- er bedrolls - on the floor. The
Otts were very friendly and co-
operative since they were really
French, although they were Ger-
man speaking Alsations. One
day I opened a belated Christ-
mas package from my Mom,
and found a note that said
"Thought you'd enjoy seeing a
beautiful blonde so I sent you
one." Inside was a celluloid.
Barbie-sized doll! As she sug-
gested, I gave it to a little girl -
the Ott's 4 year old, who was
delighted to receive "Ein Puppe
MAIL CALL!
On behalf of the members,
widows and friends we'd like to
extend our sincere thanks and
appreciation to the Dietz fam-
ily, Don and Gladys; Jo Ann
and Nancy (with the laughing
face) for the hard work and
effort they put into making the
reunion the success it was. Fri-
day was a tour of the "Tank
Factory" where all kinds of
Armor are made.
Saturday was the tour of
Gettysburg and even the rain
didn't dampen the spirits of the
group. After breakfast we took
the bus tour, stopping first at
the Museum where the battle
was shown on an electric board.
Lights denoted the postions of
the armies around Gettysburg.
We then boarded the bus and
with a tour guide and made the
complete tour of the battlefield.
They showed where Pickett
charged but didn't say "How
Much", we saw Lincoln's Gettys-
burg address (Now we can send
a Birthday card!) and all the
rest of the field. All in all 30,000
men were killed, wounded or
captured, more than in any war.
The tour lasted almost six
hours and was very gratifying
to us History buffs.
Then it was back to the Bar-
racks, oops thats MOTEL! to
prepare for the Banquet, and
what a great time it was! every-
one received a door prize and a
commemorative plate. Don
Knupfel won a Basket of things
and was last seen trying to
figure how to get it on the train.
We won a lamp that was almost
von America." The squad shar-
ed the rest of the box of cookies
and candy."
Thanks for your touching
story Bob. Even in the midst of
death and destruction there are
times when we can still be
human.
Well all you Santa's helpers,
Lola and I wish that we could
visit each one of your homes,
sing a carol or two, and share
a cup of Christmas wassail
with you. You are all very
special to us so we will join you
in spirit. A blessed Christmas
to you all, one full of inner
peace and crammed with the
warmth of your families and
our association.
Bill Funhe
as big as the plane we came
on. Now you know how small
the plane was! Anyhoo we got
it safely home. Wilt Svensk said
Grace and asked Blessings on
all those present and for a safe
return home. In closing they
called for a "short" meeting so
Beeth, Couture, Dietz, Mayer
and Watson attended! It was
decided that next year Sept. 7,
8, 9 in Vegas where Ed Sajovic
and Margo will set things up.
Who was there? Thought
you'd never ask. We start off
with: Harry and Jeanette Beeth
from L I., Casper Burghner and
friend Ann, from Mo. Harold
and Ruth Crowell and sister-in-
law Alma; from KY. Don and
Gladys Dietz from PA; Don
Knupfel from Minn; John
Mayer from Conn; Doc and
Betty McElroy from MO; Bill
and Jean Newman from Ind;
Ed and Margo Sajovic from
Vegas; Glen and Doris Sher-
man from MO; Desie and Jim
Sideris from NY; John and
Alice Simpson from Fla; Wilt
Svensk from Minn; and Warren
and Laura Watson from Mich;
Our girls were Jane Bell, 111;
Wanda Elliott, 111; Joyce and
Barbara Plouhar, Mich; Marie
Humphrey, Tenn.
Guests were: Jo Ann and
Nancy Dietz; Don's Son-in-law
Brad and grandaughters Mar-
cie and Jennifer; Larry Hum-
phrey and wife. Hope we remem-
bered everyone cause the old
memory isn't what it used to
be. (Like the ole Grey Mare).
In closing Crowell asked for
a moments silence for C. H.
Humphrey and Roy Anthony
and all those departed for the
"Reunion Up There!"
All in all a great time, and
it's not only great to be a Hell-
cat, it's TERRIFIC! Hope we
can all make it next Sept. 7-9,
1990 in Vegas, Till then may
GOD watch over you all and
keep you safe.
P. S.: C. H. Humphrey and
Roy Anthony's names will be
added to the Plaque.
"Tanks" to all.
John G. Mayer, B/23
Charlotte, NC
AUGUST 29-SEPT 2, 1990
1990 HELLCAT REUNION
It's great to be a Hellcat!
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Godfrey, Ill.), Vol. 43, No. 4, Ed. 1, December 1989, newspaper, December 1989; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410295/m1/5/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.