The Red Bull in World War II 34th Infantry Division Resources 1941-1945

Volume I Number 14 • June 23, 1945

General Bolte Greets Former 'Custer' Men

Commends 85th Division

RACCONIGI, Italy--At an informal meeting recently, Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte greeted former men of the 85th Division who have been transferred to the 34th "Red Bull" Division. The following is the text of General Bolte's talk:

"The War Department policy of assembling those officers and men with high Army Service Rating Credits into one unit has brought about the transfer of several thousand men between the 34th and 85th Divisions. We are sorry to lose the old faces, many of whom on which we depended for over four years. To replace them, we received some four thousand from the 85th Division.

"I welcome these new members (Continued on page 4) (Continued from page 1) from this fine division. The men of my command and I know of your splendid records, of your actions at Minturno, the fighting at Hill 66 and Hill 69. We know of your brilliant drive through the mountains to Terriccina and on to Rome ... your resplendent attack of the Gothic Line, Monzano and Mezzano. We too have had our successes. We remember such places as Fonduk, 609, Cassino, Velletri, Bologna and the Po Valley.

"I know that the amalgamation of the junior members of these divisions will produce an organization of which we can all be proud."

THE RED BULLETIN is your Division newspaper and your suggestions and material are always welcome. If you have stories, poems or cartoons for use in the paper, send them by Message Center to the Public Relations Section, Hq.,34th Inf. Div.

34th Track Star Hurts Leg

Capt. Robert N. Lemen, 151st F. A. Bn., being presented first place medal for the 220 low hurdles, at Ihe 34th Div. meet at Savigliano by Maj. Everett A. Thomas, 151st executive officer. Lemon, who captained the 34th team at the Fifth Army meet recently' pulled a ligament in his leg during the preliminary heats at Milan and was unable to compete in the final events.

Awards Presented at Two 168 Ceremonies

Presented by General Sherman

SALUZZO, Italy -- Under the hot June sun, while their comrades from the 2nd Bn. and other attached units in the regiment looked on, 35 members of the 168th Inf. Regt. were recently decorated by Brig. Gen. Harry L. Sherman, assistant commander of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division. Seven Silver Stars and 28 Bronze Stars were presented at the ceremony.

A double winner at the presentation was S-Sgt. Winifred C. Barnett, of Atlanta, Ga., a memher of Co. B, who received the Silver Star for gallantry in action April 20, 1945 and the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in action on March 15, 1945.

Others receiving the Silver Star for gallantry in action include: Sgt. Melvin H. Barnett, Co. A; Pvt. Charles A. Baker, Co. D; S-Sgts. Johnnie Novarese and Orville E. Nodsle, both of Co. G; Pfcs. John H. Gerhart and John A. Robinson, both of Anti-Tank Co.

An Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star was awarded to Pfc. Wllliam F. Kresal, Hq. Co., 3rd Bn., for heroic achievement in action Feb. 6, 1945, and also to Pfc. Alvin R. Covey, Co. A, for meritorioUs achievement in combat, March 17, 1945.

Recipients of the Bronze Star medals were: Sgt. Lloyd E. Kite, T-5 Gottfried Scheele, Pfcs. Charles E. Jones, Howard Mitnick and Herman A. Stamper, all of Co. A; S-Sgt. Frank T. Hoff, T-5 John F. Gwinn, Pfcs. Max Holtzman and Holace J. Smith, all of Co. B; (Continued on page 4) (Continued from page 1) S-Sgt. Francis McHarg, Pfcs. Merle V. Anderson and Joseph F. Pellone, all of Co. D; T-5 Allen T. Anderson and Pfc. Charles V. Smith, both of Hq., Ist Bn.; Pfc. Jack E. Compton, Co. E., Pfcs. Wayne Moyer and Ray A. Murrah, both of Co. F; Pfc. Arlis A.Jones, Hq., 2nd Bn.; 2nd Lt. Belford H. Gray, Jr., Co. L; Sgt. Carroll T. Grimes, Pfcs. Frank A. Bunich and Kenneth J. Steeno, all of Hq., 3rd Bn.; T-5 Andrew C. Kress and Pfc. Henry C. Laird, both of the Med. Det.

MEETS FATHER SECOND TIME

Maj. John Z. Driver, of Greenfield, Ohio, and his son, Cpl. Albert E. Driver, had their second reunion overseas recenty when they met at San Remo, Italy.

Major Driver, who is with the Signal Section Headquarters, 12th Army Group, in Germany, was on leave to Nice, France. He had learned that his son was with the 34th Division Medical Detachment not many miles away.

Arrangements were made by radio for Corporal Driver to go to the headquarters of the 135th Infantry at San Remo and the two had their one-day reunion on the Italian Riviera.

"This was our second meeting overseas," Corporal Driver explained. "My father was in Italy with Fifth Army headquarters when I arrived at a replacement depot near Naples. I was able to locate him and later he went to England and then took part in the Normandy invasion."

Corporal Driver was originally assigned to the 135th Infantry at Tarquina, Italy, and last June was transferred to Division Headquarters.

The Red Bulletin

Combat newspaper of the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division.
Published under supervision of A C of S, G-1.

Editor: Pfc. William J. Brewer, Acting Public Relations Officer. Mechanical Director: Pfc. Raymond H. Dietz. Photographer: Pfc. John J. Ling. Printers: Pfc. Michael Guman, Pfc. Raymond L. Bailey, Pfc. Leon Marmarosh. Staff: Pfc. George Molnar, 133rd Inf. Regt., Pfc. Elmer O. Fehlhaber 135th Inf. Regt., Pfc. James V. Wadden, 168th Inf. Regt., T-5 Nathan S. Levy, 34th Div. Arty. THE RED BULLETIN is published weekly in the field in Italy by and for the men and officers of the 34th Infantry Division, United States Army. Address all commnications to THE RED BULLETIN, 34th Infantry Division, APO-34, United States Army. Member of Camp Newspaper Service, New York, N. Y. Contents may be sent through the mail. VOL. 1 NO. 14 June 23, 1945

What... ?

What are you doing with your spare time? Are you bleeding for something to do? Are you trying to wear out the old sack, or do you feel like you want to do something in your spare time? If so, continue reading.

Did you know that the army is making available to each and every one of you the very same Educational Manuals it did during the war, free of charge, no money involved, gratis, free for nothing?

Because these courses are now offered free of charge doesn't mean that they have been shortened or are of less value in any way; it's just an added thing the army is offering to help you get an education.

Suppose you are interested and want to take advantage of these courses - here is what you do:

Contact your Company Information Education Officer or non-com and have him show you the "Monthly Availability List" of Educational manuals published by MTOUSA. Look through this list and choose the course or courses you want. After you have selected the course you want, fill out an application blank (which your I-E officer has) and then have your I-E officer send it through for you. Within a comparatively short time You will receive the course material, and then it's up to you.

This is an opportunity for you to take some educational courses. You aren't fighting--you have spare time--and there's no cost to you. Since the division hasn't gone on a duty time educational program thus far, there is no need to waste time. Start now and study those courses you want.

-- I. and E.

Share This Copy

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

SPECIAL SERVICE PRESENTS

Editor's note: This is a weekly (we hope) feature of the RED BULLETIN. Movie and sport schedules will be printed here when avaliable, as well as other bits of Special Service news. Right now, meet T-5 Bob Rosen.

"Blues Chasers"
U. S. O. Camp Show No. 499

For those of you who did or did not see the "Blues Chasers", here's a bit of gossip about the cast.

Ed Hanley - Hails from New York and has been with the U. S. O. Camp Shows for over a year now. He's played in some of the finest night clubs and hotels on the continenet. On Broadway, Ed played in "Du Barry Was A Lady", and in Hollywood, a show called "Fun For Your Money."

Eddy says, "The guys of the 34th know how to do two things, and do them both well . . . FIGHT and LAUGH"

Ralph and Mary Carnavale - Hail from Lodi, New Jersey. Played some of the leading theatres and hotels in the country and have been with the U. S. O. two and one-half years touring five continents entertaining G I's.

Ralph and Mary say, "If all the fellows receive us as hardily as the 34th boys, then it's worth knockin' yourself out to entertain them."

Lynn Montgomery - Hails from Minnesota. Sang at some of the swell night clubs and hotels throughout the country. Last year Lynn vocaled, via the short-wave station, to the GI's in the South Pacific. That's what gave her the idea to come overseas to see the fellows.

Lynn says, "The fellows of the 34th are the best in the world (naturally, a lot of them are from Minnesota). Really had a fine time singing for you. Good Luck."

Glenda Rysell - Hails from Chicago (the windy City). Been dancing ever since she could stand on her two legs. Glen ha danced all around the country with some of your favorite swing bands, namely, Gene Krupa, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and numerous others. She's been with the U. S. O. Camp shows for well on three years. She's entertained a lot of GI's.

Glen says, " You boys were grand and I enjoyed dancing for you. Hope to see you again soon. Best Wishes."

Herman Polikoff - Hails frorn the ever loved part of the country, Brooklyn, N. Y. He has traveled with the U.S.O. camp shows for the past four years. He just about covered all of the camps in the states. On his trip here, Herman had the very good fortune of seeing his son, a Tech. Sgt., in the 15th Air Force. The maestro has played some of the night spots in New York and was music director for some of the top Broadway shows.

Herman says, "For my money, I'll take the guys of the 34th 'Red Bull' Div. They're tops. May God bless you and bring you back home soon."

Keep your eyes peeled on the Special Service Section of The Red Bulletin for SPECIAL SERVICE PRESENTS.

- T-5 Bob Rosen Special Service

LIPSKY
By Pfc. Jerome Lipsky, Co. H. 135th Inf. Regt.

Please

You aren't quite like other men
Your manner is more thrilling
And when you said please walk with me
My heart and I were willing

And now I know the time has come
When you must be away
But both my heart and I will wait
For your return someday

I don't ask God to make me rich
Or shower me with joy
All I ask is will He please
Protect my soldier boy

I'll pray for Joy and freedom
And I'll pray for victory
But first of all I pray to God
To send you back to me

You need not be a general
You need not win great fame
And even if your body's hurt
I'll want you just the same

And now I close my eyes and pray
While down my face tears creep
If God can't send my soldier back
Then let me stay asleep

- A 34th Div. Wife

Buy More War Bonds

BULL, STRICTLY!

Redeployment Numerology!

Toni-7, she sure is sweet,
But Hedy-5, she can't be beatl

• • •

Remember When!

There was just one more hill-- 10 in l rations tasted like nectar from heaven--the nightly sandwich and a letter from home were better nerve tonics than those pills the medics gave you-- a shower bath was a word in the dictionary-- in other words the Italian Campaign.

• • •

Dreaming!

Spend the 4th with the 34th in ???.

• • •

Lest We Forget!

It's o. k. to have a good time, but remember there's another war to be won. A big head the next morning, an empty pocket, and it all could have supplied some "Joe", maybe you some day, with one more round of ammo. Sure, have a good time, but put a little aside each payday and buy Bonds!

• • •

We hope!

We got ties today, Maybe they'll taske our guns away.

• • •

Why!

Does the whole family come along, when you invite a pretty signorina to a dance-- do all the ads in the magazines from home always picture a Gl from the Air Corps with a lovely eyeful --don't I write finis until next week.

—T-5 Bill Bornstein Hq. Co., 1st Bn., 135th Inf.

Interlude

Mad fate has signed an armistice;
Has begged a moment's peace.
Our cold-masked, puzzled eyes will miss
Her scowl, in this release.

Not trusting time, we ask,'`How Long?"
"How many days until;
Fall in. Load up--you, move along!"
To a distant, deadly hill.

So gulp the glass, and dance the night,
Fan fast youth's fragile ember.
Exult in wlid-spilled city-light-
Forgotten laugh, remember.

Glance soft, my lovely Piedmont flower,
Smile, so; and toss thy hair.
Let far fields call, let far fears cower;
The wind and thee are fair.

- T-4.Jim Walsh
34th Signal Co.

34th Non-Coms Commissioned

Upon recommendations from their commanding officers, two enlisted men from the 168th "Rainbow" Inf. Regt. of the 34th "Red Bull" Division, whose courage and leadership have proven inspirational to the other men in their units, have received field commissions as second lieutenants.

The newly commissioned officers are Russell W. Schtmidt,of Cleveland, Ohio, and R. Ralph Floyd, of Haleyville, Ala. Both served in rifle companies of the "Rainbow" Regiment, Lt. Schmidt as a platoon sergeant in Co. P, and Lt. Floyd as First Sergeant in Co. A. the unit to which he was was reassigned as a platoon leader. Lt. Schmidt's new duties are with Co. H.

It was the second week in June when the final orders raising them to the rank of lieutenant reached the pair, and as they pinned the crossed rifles and gold bar on their collar, their comrades extended hearty congratulations.

A regular army man since 1935, Lt. Floyd has served in the 168th Inf. Regt. since last August. Once wounded in action, he received the Purple Heart, and as a member of the 1st Bn., of the 168th Infantry, he is entitled to wear the Presidential Unit citation badge.

Lt. Schmidt entered the army in May 1943, and joined Co. F, of the 168th, as a rifleman in January, 1944. Since that time he has served as squad leader, platoon guide, platoon sergeant, and now as platoon leader. The new officer wears the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster and the Presidential Unit Citation badge as a member of the 2nd Bn. of the "Rainbow" regiment.

'LADY JUDY' PRESENTS PUPS

SALUZZO, Italy -- The sentry at the gate early the morning of June 14, sounded the alarm, "Corporal of the Guard, Judy's having pups!"

With the greatest of care she was rushed to the maternity ward by her owner and mid-wife, Cpl. Adolph "Pat" Solderich, of Bethlehem, Pa. By breakfast. the first was delivered unto dog-dom, and throughout tbe day, as the members of Cn. Co., 168th Inf. Regt., nervously awaited the end of the ordeal, the pups arrived at regular intervals until supper time, when Cpl. Solderich yelled from a window. "Number six on the way; mission complete!"

On this auspicious occasion, each Member of the company came to shower congradulations for a job we11 done on "Lady Judy." For Judy is no ordinary pet in the "Rainbowd" Regiment of the 34th Division. She had just produced the third generation of the "Bosco" lineage.

Grandmother Bosco, Judy's playful mother, is a veteran warrior in the "Red Bull" Division, with a total army adjusted service rating of 98 points to her credit, according to Cannon Company statistics. For service during the Italian campaign she is entitled to four bronze stars on her European Theater ribbon.

But to send Bosco home would involve a complicated stuation, for she was given to Cpl. Solderich in July 1943, in a training area at Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria. Since then Solderich has made it his business to care for and nurse Bosco through the past two years. Last October, when her first pups came, he was mid-wife in the birth of seven. But of these, only Judy, the pride and pet of today, remained in the company. Another, "Miss Priss", was presented to the former commanding officer of the company, Capt. James A. Luttrell, who recently left his assignment as Regimental Staff Intelligence officer to return to his Knoxville, Tenn. home. However, Miss Priss remains as the favorite at regimental headquarters. All the others of that litter went astray.

Who's Who In Salazzo

SALUZZO, Italy-- This medieval city in the Province of Cuneo, in northwestern Italy, where some units of the 168th Inf. Regt. are garrisoned, has contributed several noted personages to Italian history. It is the birthplace of Giambattista (John) Bodina, about whom the local folks will hurriedly announce upon inquiry about his statue, that stands in a prominent piazza in town, was the collaborator of Guttenburg a German, in the invention of the printng press.

Another native of Saluzzo, Silvio Pellico wrote quite a noted piece of literature entitled "My Prison" while a political prisoner near Brunn, Austria. He lived from 1788 to I845.

According to the townfolks, Cappa was another home-town boy who made good in his own field as a violin maker.

The Mario Musso Army Barracks, named after an officer of the last war, stands in the center of the city, where the 44th Italian Infantry Regiment was garrisoned before the war. When the Germans came to Saluzzo, the barracks were used to quarter their Organization Todt (forced defense laborers). Later, during the last few months, the Germans held prominent local citizens there as hostages against further attacks from the Partisans. The latest occupant of the buildings is the 168th Anti-Tank Co.

STORK VISITS MRS. FISCHER

First results of furloughs to the States during the past year among artillerymen of the 34th, comes with the announcement of a seven and one half pound "Kathy", born in Minneapolis on May 31. Capt. Ray C. Fischer, formerly a battery commander in the 151st F. A. Bn., and now S-1 at Div. Arty. broke the tape with the arrival of his "furlough baby."

Others anxiously awaiting either a ticket home or news of the birth of expected offspring are Maj. Donald Grant, Maj. Everett Thomas, 1st Sgt. Frederic Rettinger and Sgt. George Kinkead.

When in Torino

STOP!

at the

34TH DIVISION ENLISTED MEN'S
SERVICE CLUB

72 Via Corso Monealieri

BOATS - GAMES - SHOWERS - REFRESHMENTS

DANCING

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Management - 133rd Inf. Regt.

Here's something to get your Irish up. She's Universal's Kathleen O'Malley,
resting after a workout on the "horse" - Wonderful way to make a living!

Presented by -
General Bolte

SALUZZO, Ita1y - Individual acts of gallantry and heroism and other outstanding achievements in support of combat operations in Italy were publicly recognized by Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte, commander of the 34th " Red Bull" Division, when the General personally decorated 26 enlisted men of the 168th "Rainbow" Regiment during an impressive award ceremony recently.

General Bolte pinned the Silver Star, for gallantry in action, on 10 of the recipients, and the other 16 men received Bronze Star awards.

Several awardees had won previous recognition. S-Sgt. Ernest S. Teague, Service Co., of Lancaster, S. Car., added the Silver Star to a Bronze Star and Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster which he already wears. T-3 Harold B. Leedy, Med. Det., of Myerstown, Pa., was presented a Silver Star to add to his previously won Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Pfc. Florentino Alvarez, Hq. Co., 1st Bn., of Adolfo, Tex., was awarded the Bronze Star and Oak Leaf Cluster for heroic achievement in action. T-5 Morris A. Johnson, Med Det., of San Francisco, Calif., was presented an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Star; he also wears the Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. Pfc. Carl L. Pauschert, Co. L, of Kenosha, Wis., received the Bronze Star; he was previously awarded the Purple Heart with three Clusters.

Others who won the Silver Star for gallantry in action include: Pfc. Benjamin Koffman, of Nashus, N. H.; Pfc. Ciro Amato, Brooklyn, N. Y., and Pfc. Leon A. Cota, of Hartford, Conn., all of Med. Det. Pfc. Gillie M. Stueart, of Nashville, Ark., and Pfc. Everett W. Kitchen, of St. Louis, Mo., both of Co. L; Sgt. Robert F. Brown, Co. F., of Tupelo, Miss., Pfc. Richard B. Bogner, Hq. Co., 1st Bn., of Wooster, Ohio, and Pfc. James F. Hamilton, Service Co., of Toledo, Ohio.

The Bronze Star medal was also presented to T-5 Herbert L. Rothra, Mayville, N.Y., and Pfc. John Passanante, Chicago, I11., both of Hq. Co., 1st Bn.; Pfc. Glenn M. Beck, Darragh, Pa., and Pfc. Ralph E. Laukitis, Dubois, Pa., both of Anti-tank Co.; T-Sgt. John F. Mains, Co. B, of Casco, Me.; T-4 Angus O. Gibson, Med. Det., of Sumrall, Miss.; S-Sgt. Rocco J. Triano, Co. K, of Naugatuck, Conn.; Pfc. Dallas L. Lipham, Hq. Co., 3rd Bn., of La Grange, Ga.; Pfc. Frank F. White, Co. M, of Riverdale, Md.; Pfc. John P. Pastuszak, Co. L, of Sewaren, N.J.; Pfc. Andrew M. Bishop, Co. E, of Paragould, Ark. Pfc. Bernard J. Haley, Co. A, of Frankfort, I11., and Pvt. Paul P. Samas, Co. F, of Duluth, Minn.

NO WAITERS?

Veteran cannoneers of Btry. C., 125th F. A. Bn., are enjoying the almost forgotten pleasure of sitting down to meals in foursomes at tables covered with white table cloths, due to the initiative of the battery commander, 1st Lt. Peter Boyle, Flushing, L. I., N. Y.

Lt. Boyle's battery has been assigned an occupation post at San Remo, on the semi-tropical foliaged Italian Riviera. When the men quartered in a slightly shelled hotel, Lt. Boyle decided that full facilities should be used for men who had been in combat for more than two years. So, with the cooperation of the manager of the hotel, he not only arranged for linens to be used in the dining room but also arranged for personal laundry service, tailoring, barbering and bar accomodations within the hostelry itself.

The men still go through the mess line with aluminum mess kits but they sit down on chairs at cozy little tables in the spacious room which served as the hotel's dining room. They take to hotel service with an easy adaptation.