Volume I Number 11 • June 2, 1945

SVC. CO., 168TH PRESENTED PLAQUE

SALUZZO, Italy Award of the Legion of Merit medal, the nation's fourth highest military award, and the War Department Meritorious Service Unit Plaque highlighted the 168th Infantry "Rainbow" Regiment's recent award ceremony here. Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte, 34th Division commanding general, presented 33 awards to men oi the Regiment.

Included in the awards were six Silver Star medals, 25 Bronze Star medals and one Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star.

Wins Legion of Merit

Winner of the Legion of Merit was S-Sgt. Frederick A. Hesse, Hq. Co., 3rd Bn., of 24 Tichenor St., Newark, N.J., sixth member of the regiment to receive the award during the present war.

The award of the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque to the regiment's Service Company was made for superior performance of duty in the accomplishment of exceptionally difficult tasks in the (Continued on page 3) (Continued from page 1) Italian campaign during the period Oct. 1, 1944 to Mar. 31, 1945. Sgt. Thomas J. Kavanagh, Co. I., of 235 Eckford St., Brooklyn, N. Y.. received a Silver Star for gallantry in action and an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat. A

Awarded Silver Star Medals

Other awardees of the Silver Star for gallantry in action were: Capt. William H. Harris, S-3, 1st Bn., of R. 1, Auburn, Ky.; 2nd Lt. Jess J. Branch, Co. K of 3700 Wetzel St., Wheeling, W. Va.; Pfc. BenJamin F. Atkins, Co. C, 262 Cave Spring St., Rome, Ga.; Pfc. Markley Morris, Hq. Co., 3rd Bn., 1151 W.Venango St., Philadelphia, Pa., and Pfc. Raymond K. Hess, Svc. Co., of 229 N. 10th St., Reading, Pa.

Members of the 168th Infantry who received Bronze Star medals included: Pfc. Stephen W.Powley, 9 Elliot, New Philadelphia, Pa., and Pfc. Charles H. Wiedey, of 2300 Poplar Grove St., Baltimore, Md,, both of Regimental Hq.Co., and T-5 Harold B. Leedy, Med. Det., R. 3, Myerstown, Pa.

Hq. Co., 1st Bn. men awarded were: T-Sgt. Archie E. Hopkins, R. 2, Council Bluffs, Iowa; T-5 Carlos Neddo, R.1, Parish, N.Y.; Pfc. Kenneth Bickerstaff, 1095 Wilson Ave., Steubenville, Ohio. Pfc. Ernest J. Gruber, 1825 N. Sawyer Ave., Chicago, I11., and Pfc. Richard J. Murray of 6 Wellington Terrace, Brookiine, Mass.

Presented Bronze Stars

Co. A awardees of the Bronze Star were S-Sgt. Earl M. Dale, of Goodman, Miss.; Sgt. Paul H. Brent, 426 E. Walnut St., Louisville, Ky.; SgL. David H. Smith, R. 1, Philipsburg, Pa.. Pfc. Clyde M. Huston, 528 Woodville St., 'Toledo, Ohio, and Pfc. Robert M. Johnston of 1426 S. Napa St., Philadelphia, Pa.

1st Lt. James C. Vaughn, Co. B, of 42 E. 2nd St., Chillicothe, Ohio; Sgt. Glen D. Gentry, Co. C, Of Centerville, Ala., and Pfc. William D. Stockdale, Co. D, of Bedford, Ky., all received Bronze Star medals for heroic achievement in action.

Bronze Star medals for meritorious service in combat went to Sgt. Joseph R. McDonald, 1109 Clay Ave., New York City, N. Y., and Sgt. Roy I. Thompson, 4014 S. Acoma St., Englewood, Colo., both of Hq. Co., 3rd Bn.

For heroic achlevement in action, Bronze Stars were presented S-Sgt. George C. Owens, R. 7, Atlanta, Ga., and T-5 Albert I. Swor, of 2315 Woodhead, Houston, Texas, both of Co. I: S-Sgt. Troy W. Eason, R. 1, Dudey, Mo., Pfc. Willis R. Collins, 302 Pierce Ave. Pulosti, Va.; Pfc. Alvin W. Goolsby, of Forrest, Miss., and Pfc. Raymond W. Velpei, 307 N. Perry Ave., Peoria, Ill., all of Co. K, and Pfc. Horace M. Spero, Co.I, Box 355-z, Freewood Acres, Farmingdale, N.J.

109TH MEDICS SET RECORD FOR DIGGING

What probably is a record time for digging a latrine was established recently by Headquarters Detachment of the 109th Medical Battalion when they moved into a villa in the outskirts of Bologlla.

T-5 Paul V. Weaver had scarcely excavated several shovelsful of dirt from the proposed site in the garden when his shovel struck something solid. Upon closer investigation, the solid object turned Out to be a large wooden keg which had been busied there.

Weaver called for some assistance, and for once the volunteers exceeded the demand. T-5 Royal Whttman, T-5 Earl L. Gettir, T-Sgt. Frank M. Christ, Pfc. George weaver, T-Sgt. Edward J. Harper and several others from the maintenance section and the kitchen (Continued On page 2) (Continued £rom page 1) staff rushed over to help dig out the find.

The shovels flew and dirt piled up around the hole in no time, while other men proceeded to probe around in search of any other kegs which might be buried in the same plot. A total of three barrels were located. Everyone had visions of a real celebration with the newly found vino, congac, vermouth or whatever it might turn out to be in the kegs.

Their expectations were quickly shattered when Sgt. Christ tapped the first barrel and found it Contained lard or grease. A hurried examination of the other two revealed the same contents to everyone's deep disappointment. The work stopped Ihen and there and everyone 1eft but Sgt. Harper, who put the finishing touches on the latrine.

- T-5 Herbert W. Arnold,
Unit Correspondent

General Clark Commends 34th

General Mark W. Clark, 15th Army Group commander, has asked the 34th Division commander to express to all ranks General Clark's appreciation for the Way the 34th Division carried out its final assignments in Italy.

The 15th Army Group commander's letter follows:

"A year ago this month the 34th Division was engaged in the heavy fighting in which the Fifth Army cracked the Gustav and Hitler Lines, freed the Anzio beachhead from the encircling enemy, and drove on to Rome. Your division played a great part in the beachhead operation. I recall with admiration the Red Bulls' gallant actions then.

"We have come a long way in the year which followed, and now we have forced the unconditional (Continued on page 3) (Continued from page 1) surrender of the German forces in Italy.

"In the final offensive, the combat veterans of the 34th were assigned a major role, and they performed with the aggressiveness which has become their by-word. You stormed your way up to Bologna, pounded up to Parma through Reggio and raced on to Piacenza. In cutting Route 62, you sealed off one of the Germans' major escape routes from the Ligurian coast. It must have given all of you great thrill when, in taking the 75th German Corps, you captured your opposite number in the enemy army: the 34th German Infantry Division.

"I ask you please to express to all ranks, for me, my appreciation of the way you carried out your final assignments in Italy. Your actions contributed greatly to the success of the 15th Army Group. Good luck to you all.

Sincerely,

MARK W. CLARK,
General, U.S.A.,
Commanding."

133RD INF. REGT. AWARDS 36 MEN

RIVOLI, Italy - Maj. Gen. Chas. L. Bolte, 34th Division Commander, presented awards to 36 members of the 133rd Infantry Regiment recently at the 3rd Battalion award ceremony here.

Silver Star medals for gallantry in action were awarded to S-Sgt. John Chunko, R. 1, Springport, Mich., and T-Sgt. Willis Johnson, Whitwell, Tenn., both of Co. I; S-Sgt. Gordon H. Yingst, 232 Front, Lititz, Pa., and S-Sgt. James L. Zadny, 3226 S. Highland Ave., Berwyn, Ill., both of Co. K and T-Sgt. Richard O. Ones, of Osage, lowa, of Co. H.

Win Bronze Star Medals

Winners of the Bronze Star medal for heroism in Italy include Pfc. Thomas H. Davison, Park Place, Greensboro, Ga.; Pfc.Harold E. Hicks, 1422 4th Ave., Dallas Texas; Pfc. Raymond P. Layng, (Continued on page 3) (Continued from page 1) 5749 Parkridge Rd., Rockford, Ill., and Sgt. George W. Miller, Leicester St., Auburn, Mass., all of Co. I.

And S-Sgt. Ira I. Arrowsmith, 1535 N. Main, Newton, Kans.; Sgt. Robert H. Felter, 117 Franklin, Sandusky, Ohio; 2nd Lt. Clark R Lease, R. 5, Greenville, Ohio; Pfc. Henry A. Markiewicz, 150 Freeman St., Brooklyn, N. Y.; Pfc. Felix Necklace, Brockton, Mont.; Pfc. Ralph H. Neel, Jr., Cochranville, Pa.; Pfc. Johnny R. Pennington, 800 W. Gold, Wilson, N. Car.; Pfc. John Pytlak, 3900 W. 26th St., Chicago, Ill., and Sgt. Delmas 0. Teel, Tupelo, Okla., all of Co. K.

More Bronze Star Winners

Also, S-Sgt. Albert J. Kassar, 574 Fifth St., Brooklyn, N. Y.; T-Sgt. Merle Pritts, Normalville Pa., and Pfc. George J. Zelasko, 1937 W. Schiller St., Chicago, Ill., all of Co. L.

And Pfc. Lester J. Boss, Box 141, Greenbrook Rd., Bound Brook, N. J., and S-Sgt. Floyd E. Spohn, Shaensville, Pa., both of Co. M.

Pfc. Harold W. Ackerman, Med. Det., 3rd Bn., of 20 Carr, Pompton Lakes, N. J.; T-3 Julius H. Van De Voorde, Med, Det., 133rd Inf., of 707 W. Grimes St., Fairfield, lowa; T-5 Lester A. Lampe, Cn. Co., of Waverly, lowa; T-4 Roy Thomas Gilkey, Svc. Co., of Edgemont, S. Dak; Pfc. Alexander C. Borgardt, Hq,Co., 3rd Bn., of R. 2, Box 218, Oshkosh, Wis.; Pfc. Leonard W. Bailey, Matoaka, W. Va., and 1st Lt Leo D. Dyer, 1311 S. Delaware St., Tulsa, Okla., both of Hq., 3rd Bn.

Awardees of the Bronze Star medal for services performed in ltaly include Pfc. Curtis A. Lillie, Co. I., 634 Adams St., N. Arlington, Mass.; Pfc, Edward C. Anderson, Co. K, Clcarview Ave., Pine Hill, N.J., PfC. Leonard R. Force, Co. M, Box 74, St. Elmo, I11.; Pvt. Wesley R. Banghart, Cn. Co., 326 High, Keokuk, Iowa; Sgt. Ralph O. Merryman, Hq, Co., 3rd Bn., 1911 20th Ave. S., Nashville, Tenn., and T-3 Lawrence E. White, Svc. Co., 155 Riverside Drive, New York City, N. Y.

4,407 Men in 34th Have More Than 85 Points

3,193 Have 100 Points or More

The 34th Division had 4,407 men with 85 points or more, an adjusted service rating credit survey reveals today. Of this number 3,193 men have 100 points or more.

The following list by units shows the number of men with 85 points or more:

Hq.34th Division - 67
Hq. Co., 34th Division - 81
Spec. Trps., 34th Division - 13
34th M.P. Platoon - 55
34th Division Band - 37
34th Cavalry Recon Troop - 66
34th C.I.C. Detachment - 1
34th Division Artillery - 54
34th Quartermaster Co. - 152
34th Signal Co. - 134
109th Engineer Combat Bn. - 311
109th Medical Bn. - 208
125th Field Artillery Bn. - 242
133rd lnfantry Regt. - 817
135th Infantry Regt. 628
151st Field Artillery Bn. - 238
168th Infantry Regt. - 736
175th Field Artillery Bn. - 242
185th Field Artillery Bn. - 240
734th Ordnance Co. - 85

Total men with 85 points or more 4,407

GENERAL TRUSCOTT PRAISES 135TH INF.

Lt. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott,.Jr., Commanding General of the Fifth Army, inspected road blocks on the Italian side of the Franco-Italian border during a recent visit to the 135th Regiment.

General Truscott was met at thc airport at Nice, France, by Col. John M. Breit, of 417 Burr Road, San Antonio, Texas, cOmmanding officer of the 135th Infantry, and driven to San Remo, Italy. The sector on the highway between San Remo to the French border is occupied by both French and American troops.

General Truscott drove through the famed resort center of Monte Carlo and then to Hotel Savoy in San Remo where he remained overnight before returning to Nice.

In addressing several 135th Infantry formations, General Truscott praised the men for their work in the Italian campign.

Captured By Krauts; Rescued

Pfc. Theodore R. Samsoll, (third from left) of Morgantown, W.Va., was captured by the Germans near Fidenza during the 34th Division's final offensive in Italy and rescued two days later when the Krauts surrendered. He is shown back with his buddies of the 34th Cavalry Recon Troop. Left to right: T-4 Forrest Bark, Des Moines, lowa; T-4 John J. Perillo, The Bronx, N. Y.; Pfc. Samsoll and Pfc. Joseph H. Clayberger, Columbus, Ga.

WITH THE 34TH DIVISION

By Ptc. Jerome Lipsky, Co. H. 135th Inf. Regt.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

Dear God:

We've known a lot of good soldiers who aren't here any more. They have gone from us but they are still with You. We all wish them well and when we do, how much more must You. Take good eare of them, Lord, and forgive the nations for the sins that sent them home so soon.

- E. L. Temple
Chaplain (Capt.)
34th Division Artillery

Buy More War Bonds

To a Soldier

When in the silence of the night,
I all alone do weep,
I toss and turn and sit upright
Because I cannot sleep.

I think of thee, my love who art
So many miles away,
And oh what pain doth pierce my heart,
Far more than words can say.

I long your gentle voice to hear,
To feel your tender touch;
Wlthout you life is empty, dear,
I miss you very much.

But when this world is once more free,
'T will be just like before
1 know that you'll come back to me,
To stay forever more.

- Mrs. Evelyn Clowe
(Wife of Pfc. E. Clowe 34th Div.Hq. Trans. Platoon)

Share This Copy

Copies of THE RED BULLETIN are limited so please pass this copy along when vou finish reading it. Sorry, but personal copies will not be available, due to war economy.

Hm-m?

Will my avocation
Be Occupation?

• • •

Short Rounds

"This is a pointless existence," sighed the rookie just starting his basic training.

• • •

WACS To Join Gls In Pacific War Trek.--Headline. Where do we sign up?

• • •

Recommended

Dagwood, Daisy and the pups . . . More than 100 points . . . Meeting a ragazza who capiscos English. . . Italian Lakes . . . Fly-paper . . . Tourin' Turin . . . Letters from home and packages and photographs ... Walking or bicycling around the scenic countryside on a Sunday afternoon.

• • •

Partial Peace, It's Wonderful!

The mountains no longer rumble,
So I no longer grumble

• • •

The 109th Med. Bn. Mail clerk, T-5 Milton O. Larson, of Hettinger, N. Dak., braved the storm of criticism from non-mail-receivers for several days, returned from the A. P. O. the other day feeling in the best of spirits and dragging with him several heavy mail bags. Upon opening the bags he discovered they were filled with Out-going mail he had taken to the A. P. O. the day before!

• • •

- Pvt. Joseph Hoffmann
133rd Inf. Regt.

Pay Tribute To Comrades

At an impressive memorial service held recently in Rivoli, Italy, men of Lt. Col. Frank A. Reagan's Third "Liberator" Battalion, 133rd Infantry, paid solemn tribute to all deceased comrades who sacrificed their lives on battlefields of Tunisia and Italy.

The services were conducted jointly by Capts. Wilbur J. Kerr and Fred R. Edgar, present and past chaplains of the Third Battalion.

In his address to the officers and enlisted men of the battalion, Regimental Commander Col. Walden S. Lewis lauded their distinguished battle performances on both the African and European continents, adding that "your brilliant achievements in combat have enabled the 133rd Infantry to go down in history as a fighting regiment 'second to none'."

Chaplain Kerr delivered the sermon and Chaplain Edgar the invocation and benediction. The 34th Divlsion band played martial music as the battalion passed in review before Col. Lewis.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, trumpeters sounded taps while a squad of six riflemen fired three volleys into the air.

BULLETIN BEAUTY

Dee Turnell

Wins Contest

Cpl. Malcolm S. Metcalf, of service Co., 133rd Inf. Regt., is the first place winner in the Father's Day Greeting Card contest, Special Service Section announced today.

Second prize winner is Pfc. Charles E. Bishop, of the Judge Advocate's Section, Hq. Co., 34th Inf. Div. and Pfc. G. Fregonese, Co. M., 133rd Inf. Regt., placed third in the Division-wide contest.

Winning sketch will be reproduced on V-mail blanks and will be available to all members of the Division.

34th Recieves Corps Commendation

1st Gen. Geoffrey Keyes, II Corps Commander, awarded the Division the II Corps Commendation Certificate (above). It reads: "34th Infantry Division is Hereby Commended For heroic achievement on the field of battle. With determined courage the 34th Infantry Division in three days of relentless fighting breached the heavily prepared defenses before Bologna and captured the city from a stubborn enemy."

Crittenberger Lauds Division

Maj. Gen. Willis D. Crittenberger, IV Corps Commander, has sent the following letter of commendation to the 34th Division Commander:

"The important part which our old friends the 34th Infantry Division played in the operations of IV Corps in the Spring offensive from 23 April to 2 May inclusive, was a source of great satisfaction to this headquarters and I desire hereby officially to commend you and the officers and men of your command for their noteworthy performance of a difficult task.

"Beginning with the arrival of your leadng elements in the vicinity of Modena, you moved rapidly northwest up Highway 9 in zone, to clear Reggio and Vezzano, blocking the exits from the Apennines to the south, and crossing the Enza River by 25 April. Maintaining your rapid advance on the following day you cleaned Purma and crossed the Taro River, combing the area south of the Po River against still strong enemy action, until by the evening Of 27 April you had cleared Piacenza and interdicted Highway 45 to the enemy's retreat.

"On 28 April, while still continuing to mop up in your area, and while turning over your mission to Brazilian Units, you assembled and moved out one RCT, to cross the Po River and undertake a new mission farther north. On the next day you had established your headquarters southeast of Brescia and all elements were closed in the new area. This rapid movement over crowded highways and bridges permitted your command on the following day to clear Brescia and Bergamo of important enemy forces and to establish strong patrols between those two cities, cutting off and capturing many thousands of the retreating enemy.

By this time the final operations of the campaign in Northwest Italy were shaping up with the advance northeastward of the LXXV German Corps in its attempt to escape through the Alps north of Bresci. At this point your reconnaissance elements turned southward to meet the oncoming LXXV German Corps, and with supporting armor, crossed the Ticino River west of Milano, to reach Novara, where again many prisoners of war were taken. Finally, on 2 May you engaged the main body of the LXXV German Corps in the vicinity of Santhia, demonstrating conclusively to them the futility of further resistance, and capturing, among other troops, the 34th German Division intact.

The story of the last ten days of combat for the veteran 34th Infantry Division is one of which every officer and man who participated can be justly proud. and it is very gratifying to me that your final campaign was fought under command of IV Corps. I am fully aware of the importance of the contribution which your division made to the overwhelming defeat Of the enemy forces in northwest Italy and in particular to the unconditiona1 surrender of the German LXXV Corps.

WILLIS D. CRITTENBERGER
Major General, U.S. Army,
Commanding"