Hellcat News, (Godfrey, Ill.), Vol. 37, No. 1, Ed. 1, September 1982 Page: 6 of 34
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Page 6
HELLCAT NEWS
Sept. 1982
Hq, wrote that they misssed the
St. Louis reunion, due to other
vacation plans, but wanted you to
know that they enjoyed the won-
derful times at Rochester. They
write us of their vacation which
will include Nashville, and the
Worlds Fair at Knowville, and
wanted to know about Camp
Campbell, and what was Hq's
street and barracks number. With
them going to Nashville this year,
we can't expect them next again
at Nashville. You have already
missed the best reunion. Anyway,
I explained if he went to Camp
Campbell, he was due for a great
surprise. Where we stopped off
the train, at the Quartermaster
Warehouse, that is a beautiful golf
course. The motor, pool, barracks,
theaters, chappels, PX's and
guest houses, where we went to
hear the big bands entertain us,
all gone, and now brick ranch type
houses are everywhere, like a
housing project. Somewhere there
is a stone marker with the in-
scription to the 12th Armored, for
founding Camp Campbell, now
Fort Campbell. Memories are all
there is left. No one even remem-
bers the 12th Armored, as we
spent two days in Hoptown.
William and Neva O'Brien, A,
sent us an invitation to visit them
when we pass through Arizona on
our many travels. They had a
wonderful time at St. Louis with
their ole friends.
To Ray and Dorothy Collier, A,
it was a wonderful thing to see
this man back on his feet, and
being his old self again. His last
operation was a great success. I
understand he is going back to St.
Paul to again teach at the Univer-
sity there this Fall, after a
lengthy sick leave.
Dillard and Virgie Byerly, A,
wrote us a lengthy letter, so I'll
pass on some tidbits of it. He has
been in the hospital five times
since last December, and has
finally given up to retiring, and
signed for total disability and
Social Security. Dillard was cap-
tured in our battle for Herrli-
sheim, and prior to being cap-
tured, tells of he and Ed Logue,
also A, along with a light tank,
capturing 47 Germans while on
patrol. He asked for information
on two other A Co. men, Pelky
and Joe Weinman.
News from Ralph Smock, A,
tells of his looking for Phillip
Pelky, of New London, MN only
to be informed of his death
several years previous. No other
news on his death. Phillip came to
23rd
Tank
Battalion
ELMER T. VALLIE
25114 Oxford
WOODHAVEN, MI 48123
[313] 782-5091
BOOSTERS
Robert Grover (C)
Luther B. Ray (C)
Arthur Niedbalski (B)
Bruno W. Kryska (sv)
C. Donald Metz (C)
Chris Mugavero (Sv)
Warren G. Watson (B)
Ralph B. West (D)
Forrest Smith (Hq)
Anton Waltz (Hq)
Hi Hellcats and Hellkittens. At
this time I would like to thank
Forrest Smith and his wife Jean
for showing my wife Norma and
myself such a wonderful time at
the 12th in Campbell.
Joe Weinman, A, another ole
timer I met at our first reunion in
Detroit. He came by one after-
noon, and I sent him Holiday
cards for two years, but no
answer. I have several letters out
on Joe, in the Detroit area now,
searching for our old buddy.
Geza and Elvora Evans, B,
write that he has received a lot of
pleasure from the Hellcat News,
and thanks his many friends for
writing him, since he joined the
Association last year.
John and Helen Shibley, C,
wrote Ken back in May (and then
the letter was forwarded to me
from Ken Warnes) that he works
for Kelly-Springfield Tire Com-
pany, and work had slowed down
to half production. His name
correction was in either the June
or July issue. We were happy to
meet this wonderful couple at St.
Louis, and hope to see more of
them - how about Toledo, and the
Midwest? I sure wish I could have
met more of these wonderful
people, and visited with them.
Just a few words about myself
and Edna, and why we weren't up
to par. I had been operated on
just ten days prior to the reunion,
and wasn't sure, until Saturday
before, whether we could attempt
to make it at all. I had a bleeding
ulcer in my upper sinus passage,
and had it all removed, and these
things tend to slow one down. We
made it, and the 17th C.P. was
the reunion in St. Louis.
Now, I suppose you would like
to know something about me, and
what I have been doing for the
past 35 years. I worked at a
company called Whitehead & Kal-
es for 41 years. We have 4 boys
and 2 girls. They are all married -
thank heaven. But they are still a
problem, if you know what I
mean. At the present time we
have 16 grandchildren and 3
great-grandchildren. I keep telling
them it is time to quit. I just
retired from my job March 12th,
1982.1 love to golf, but I just took
this game up since I retired, and I
will say I am not doing bad for a
man 62 years old. Also love to
bowl, and carry a 180 average.
Am a past commander of VFW
Post 5709, Ecorse, MI, and now
I'm the bar manager. Now, if any
of you Hellcats or Hellkittens get
near Detroit, please caM my w^e
and I would be more than happy
to make your visit happy. I went
into the service at Camp Camp-
bell, KY and stayed with the 12th
until I came home in 1945. Now, I
quite a success, with your assist-
ance.
We had more members from
other companies, than have at-
tended for several years before.
But no reason why you can't equal
the turnout of A Company. We
were all in the same Hell Hole,
and have the same thing in
common. Lets get someone in B
and C to add an extra push.
Maybe and old chain letter would
help.
Remember, we can't look back
to St. Louis - its forward to the
Reunion in Nashville so till next
month, Same place.
suppose you know me by now, so
lets get on to something else.
I know I took on a very
important job to replace Forrest
Smith. I have my work cut out for
me, from what they told my at the
reunion, I have some big shoes to
fill. I know Forrest will work with
me 100%. It is my intention to
make Forrest proud of me, so I
am going to do my best. This is
my first letter, so I hope you will
understand.
Now, if any of you have any-
thing you want' in the Hellcat
News, please drop me a line.
Forrest gave my a complete list of
all members of the 23rd, and I will
do my best to contact all of you in
the near future.
At this time, I and my wife
Norma, would like to thank all of
you. If you know of any of the
12th former members, please let
know. Will do my best to contact
them. Your dues are due now.
Lets make the 23rd be the first
100% paid up for 1982/83. Its
Great To Be A Hellcat - Your Unit
Rep: Elmer T. Vallie.
From Forrest Smith to: All
Hellcats of the 23rd: Elmer Vallie
will be your new Unit Rep. Elmer
is a new member of the associa-
tion, who saw a notice in the local
paper about the reunion in St.
Louis. He did not know about the
association until he saw the notice
in the paper. He volunteered to be
an alternate for me, and when I
was elected to 2nd V.P., he said
he take over the duties of unit
representive. I feel sure he will do
a good job and I am asking for you
all to give him your cooperation. I
will be working with Elmer as his
alternate. I will also continue my
search for Hellcats who do not
Chewing the fat at the West Coast Chapter Reunion
are Ken Warnes Sv/714, John Sathrum 43,
Lorraine Scott 494. (Photo by Julius Bernstein - Div. Hq.)
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Godfrey, Ill.), Vol. 37, No. 1, Ed. 1, September 1982, newspaper, September 1982; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410696/m1/6/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.