Issue Number 54 October 2014
All information in this Newsletter is developed by Fred Clinton, Webmaster, 63rd Infantry Division and does not necessarily reflect the
views of other individuals and is in no way an Official Publication of the 63rd Infantry Division or 63rd Infantry Division Association.
views of other individuals and is in no way an Official Publication of the 63rd Infantry Division or 63rd Infantry Division Association.
Well it has been about one year since my last
newsletter so I thought I'd better do another one
just to let you all know that I was still alive and
kicking.
Much has transpired since the last newsletter
relating to the existence of the 63rd Infantry
Division Association and unfortunately none of it
is all that great.
I will try to recap where we are now and what it
looks like in the future for the Association.
A special Note: I just realized that this newsletter
has been published for just over 14 years.
Where does the time go?
NATIONAL REUNIONS
As previously stated in prior newsletters, the
Association will no longer have National
Reunions due to dwindling membership and
ability of many of our members to travel.
I have heard nothing from the two "active"
chapters, IMOK and Philadelphia, about having
or scheduling any mini reunions.
If I hear anything I will include the information on
the Reunion Page of the 63rd Infantry Division
Website.
DISPOSITION OF THE 63RD INFANTRY
DIVISION ASSOCIATION:
As you know, the 63rd Infantry Division
Association is in the process of closing the books
and deactivating. I announced this sad notice
previously on my 63rd Infantry Division Face
Book page. At the time of the initial notification
from the President and Vice President there was
some assurance that the 63rd Infantry Division
Association would live on as part of the 63rd
Infantry Division Association (USAR). For a few
years we even had members of that Association
on our Board of Directors. Up until recently it
was almost assured that the USAR group would
absorb our surviving members, files, history,
treasury balance and newspaper, the Blood and
Fire.
Recently I received word from the USAR group,
via their publication "The Blade" that their
membership did not approve a merger "due to
some problems relating to the Blood and Fire
publication". What a disappointment and a
short-sighted decision by the members of the
USAR group.
So it looks as if when our books are closed we
will no longer live on, at least not as an organized
Association.
I, of course, will continue to act as Historian for
the WWII 63rd Infantry Division and as
webmaster for the 63rd Infantry
Division web site at www.63rdinfdiv.com. That is
as long as I am able.
I was also notified that our donation of $5000 to
the National Army Museum being constructed at
Fort Belvoir, VA has been made and
acknowledged. Basically this means that our
division name and information will be posted in a
place of honor in the Museum.
I have been notified by Judith Schaefer, Vice
President of our Association that there will be
one more and final issue of The Blood and Fire.
When, I am not sure, but I will keep you informed
if I hear anything new about this.
Rest assured that despite the refusal of the
USAR group to accept us into their Association,
the WWII 63rd Infantry Division will continue to
live on in the form of the 63rd Infantry Division
Web Site and the many CDs and DVDs that I
have sent to a number of museums, libraries and
US Army Schools.
VETERANS DAY 2014
In a couple of weeks we will be honoring all of our
veterans and in particular those who gave their
all in Combat for their country.
I am sure that there will be the usual ceremonies
in your home town as in mine. But it would be
appropriate if you were to take a little time to view
the names and details on our comrades that
were killed in action, died of wounds or were
killed in a non-combat situation.
Take a few minutes to view our Honor Roll which
contains over 1000 names of our comrades who
gave their all during WWII. Go to the following
address for page one of the honor roll:
www.63rdinfdiv.com/honorrollpage1.html
While you are at it take the time to visit the
Regimental and Div Arty sections of the web site
where you will find citations for the various
awards earned by division units and soldiers-
Presidential Unit Citations (4 for 254th and 3 for
253d), Croix de Guerre with Palm (254th ),
Medal of Honor (1-253d and 1- Div Arty). You
will also find citations for those earning the
Distinguished Service Cross.
newsletter so I thought I'd better do another one
just to let you all know that I was still alive and
kicking.
Much has transpired since the last newsletter
relating to the existence of the 63rd Infantry
Division Association and unfortunately none of it
is all that great.
I will try to recap where we are now and what it
looks like in the future for the Association.
A special Note: I just realized that this newsletter
has been published for just over 14 years.
Where does the time go?
NATIONAL REUNIONS
As previously stated in prior newsletters, the
Association will no longer have National
Reunions due to dwindling membership and
ability of many of our members to travel.
I have heard nothing from the two "active"
chapters, IMOK and Philadelphia, about having
or scheduling any mini reunions.
If I hear anything I will include the information on
the Reunion Page of the 63rd Infantry Division
Website.
DISPOSITION OF THE 63RD INFANTRY
DIVISION ASSOCIATION:
As you know, the 63rd Infantry Division
Association is in the process of closing the books
and deactivating. I announced this sad notice
previously on my 63rd Infantry Division Face
Book page. At the time of the initial notification
from the President and Vice President there was
some assurance that the 63rd Infantry Division
Association would live on as part of the 63rd
Infantry Division Association (USAR). For a few
years we even had members of that Association
on our Board of Directors. Up until recently it
was almost assured that the USAR group would
absorb our surviving members, files, history,
treasury balance and newspaper, the Blood and
Fire.
Recently I received word from the USAR group,
via their publication "The Blade" that their
membership did not approve a merger "due to
some problems relating to the Blood and Fire
publication". What a disappointment and a
short-sighted decision by the members of the
USAR group.
So it looks as if when our books are closed we
will no longer live on, at least not as an organized
Association.
I, of course, will continue to act as Historian for
the WWII 63rd Infantry Division and as
webmaster for the 63rd Infantry
Division web site at www.63rdinfdiv.com. That is
as long as I am able.
I was also notified that our donation of $5000 to
the National Army Museum being constructed at
Fort Belvoir, VA has been made and
acknowledged. Basically this means that our
division name and information will be posted in a
place of honor in the Museum.
I have been notified by Judith Schaefer, Vice
President of our Association that there will be
one more and final issue of The Blood and Fire.
When, I am not sure, but I will keep you informed
if I hear anything new about this.
Rest assured that despite the refusal of the
USAR group to accept us into their Association,
the WWII 63rd Infantry Division will continue to
live on in the form of the 63rd Infantry Division
Web Site and the many CDs and DVDs that I
have sent to a number of museums, libraries and
US Army Schools.
VETERANS DAY 2014
In a couple of weeks we will be honoring all of our
veterans and in particular those who gave their
all in Combat for their country.
I am sure that there will be the usual ceremonies
in your home town as in mine. But it would be
appropriate if you were to take a little time to view
the names and details on our comrades that
were killed in action, died of wounds or were
killed in a non-combat situation.
Take a few minutes to view our Honor Roll which
contains over 1000 names of our comrades who
gave their all during WWII. Go to the following
address for page one of the honor roll:
www.63rdinfdiv.com/honorrollpage1.html
While you are at it take the time to visit the
Regimental and Div Arty sections of the web site
where you will find citations for the various
awards earned by division units and soldiers-
Presidential Unit Citations (4 for 254th and 3 for
253d), Croix de Guerre with Palm (254th ),
Medal of Honor (1-253d and 1- Div Arty). You
will also find citations for those earning the
Distinguished Service Cross.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND IMAGES:
As usual I am asking for you to search your files, files
of your father or grandfather, for any photos relating to
the 63rd Infantry Division in Training, Combat or on
Occupation Duty.
I am still receiving a few photos, but I know there are
more out there just waiting to be added to our historical
files. In this regard I periodically send new sets of unit
histories and our pictorial history files to the many
addressees mentioned previously.
REMEMBER IF YOU DON'T RECORD THOSE WWII
PHOTOS IN OUR HISTORICAL FILES, THEY MAY BE A
LOSS TO OUR CHILDREN, FAMILY AND HISTORIANS
You can send them to me, Fred Clinton at 102 S.
Jenkins Street, Alexandria, VA 22304 or if you prefer
by e-mail attachments or on CDs or DVDs.
I would ask that if you are sending digital photos that
they be in jpg or pdf format. Also where possible a
caption would be nice for identification purposes.
Note: Any hard copy photos sent to me will be
returned as soon after processing as possible.
FRENCH LEGION OF HONOR MEDAL:
The good news is that I continue to hear from our
veterans that they are the recipient of the French
Legion of Honor, having applied for that award as
outlined at the following address.
www.63rdinfdiv.com/LegionofHonorpage1.html
So it is not too late to make application for this
prestigious award.
BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS
SERVICE:
If you are a veteran of the 63rd Infantry Division and a
recipient of the Combat Infantryman or Combat Medical
Badge you should check the following page on our web
site to see the correct procedure for applying for the
award of A Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious service.
Immediate next of kin can also make the application if
the veteran is no longer living.
www.63rdinfdiv.com/bulletinboardpage2.html
If you want to make an application but do not have the
proper documentation to support your request, please
contact me at joyclint@comcast.net and I will see if I
can find the necessary documentation to make the
application.
CD'S AND DVD'S CONTAINING UNIT HISTORIES
I am still able to produce the History CDs and DVDs
listed at the following address:
www.63rdinfdiv.com/memorabiliapage4.html
Prices for the CDs and DVDs are contained on that
page. Just let me know which one or ones you want,
send a check to me in the proper amount and your
priceless history CDs and DVDs will be on the way
within a couple of days.
THE BULLETIN BOARD
Just how many of you have checked the 63rd Infantry
Division Web Site Bulletin Board? Not many, I guess.
Well there are a number of interesting items where
military historians are seeking information about WWII
in general or a specific battle. You will also find
information telling you how to make application for all of
your medals or maybe request award of the Bronze
Star Medal if you are the holder of a Combat
Infantryman or Combat Medical Badge.
The one thing you won't find on the Bulletin Board is a
KP or Guard List.
Go to the following address to access the Bulletin
Board Section of the web site:
www.63rdinfdiv.com/bulletinboardpage1.html
As usual I am asking for you to search your files, files
of your father or grandfather, for any photos relating to
the 63rd Infantry Division in Training, Combat or on
Occupation Duty.
I am still receiving a few photos, but I know there are
more out there just waiting to be added to our historical
files. In this regard I periodically send new sets of unit
histories and our pictorial history files to the many
addressees mentioned previously.
REMEMBER IF YOU DON'T RECORD THOSE WWII
PHOTOS IN OUR HISTORICAL FILES, THEY MAY BE A
LOSS TO OUR CHILDREN, FAMILY AND HISTORIANS
You can send them to me, Fred Clinton at 102 S.
Jenkins Street, Alexandria, VA 22304 or if you prefer
by e-mail attachments or on CDs or DVDs.
I would ask that if you are sending digital photos that
they be in jpg or pdf format. Also where possible a
caption would be nice for identification purposes.
Note: Any hard copy photos sent to me will be
returned as soon after processing as possible.
FRENCH LEGION OF HONOR MEDAL:
The good news is that I continue to hear from our
veterans that they are the recipient of the French
Legion of Honor, having applied for that award as
outlined at the following address.
www.63rdinfdiv.com/LegionofHonorpage1.html
So it is not too late to make application for this
prestigious award.
BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS
SERVICE:
If you are a veteran of the 63rd Infantry Division and a
recipient of the Combat Infantryman or Combat Medical
Badge you should check the following page on our web
site to see the correct procedure for applying for the
award of A Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious service.
Immediate next of kin can also make the application if
the veteran is no longer living.
www.63rdinfdiv.com/bulletinboardpage2.html
If you want to make an application but do not have the
proper documentation to support your request, please
contact me at joyclint@comcast.net and I will see if I
can find the necessary documentation to make the
application.
CD'S AND DVD'S CONTAINING UNIT HISTORIES
I am still able to produce the History CDs and DVDs
listed at the following address:
www.63rdinfdiv.com/memorabiliapage4.html
Prices for the CDs and DVDs are contained on that
page. Just let me know which one or ones you want,
send a check to me in the proper amount and your
priceless history CDs and DVDs will be on the way
within a couple of days.
THE BULLETIN BOARD
Just how many of you have checked the 63rd Infantry
Division Web Site Bulletin Board? Not many, I guess.
Well there are a number of interesting items where
military historians are seeking information about WWII
in general or a specific battle. You will also find
information telling you how to make application for all of
your medals or maybe request award of the Bronze
Star Medal if you are the holder of a Combat
Infantryman or Combat Medical Badge.
The one thing you won't find on the Bulletin Board is a
KP or Guard List.
Go to the following address to access the Bulletin
Board Section of the web site:
www.63rdinfdiv.com/bulletinboardpage1.html
Just a few words to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday period. Also a Happy
New Year
It is not likely that I will issue another newsletter before the end of the year so I guess I should extend
my wishes to you all for those holidays soon to come.
Thanks for your support all of these years.
New Year
It is not likely that I will issue another newsletter before the end of the year so I guess I should extend
my wishes to you all for those holidays soon to come.
Thanks for your support all of these years.
DEDICATION OF A NEW WING AT THE NATIONAL
WWII MUSEUM IN NEW ORLEANS, LA
On 12 December 2014 the National WWII Museum in
New Orleans, LA will have a dedication ceremony of a
new wing of the museum relating to the European
Theater of Operation.
The Museum personnel have invited one member of
each division that participated in the European
Theater operations to attend as a special guest. They
will also be able to bring a guest with them. The
veteran selected must have a good knowledge of the
history of his division and be able to discuss selected
events that appear in the new wing
I am honored to say that I have been selected by the
63rd Infantry Division to represent the 63rd Infantry
Division. I will attend the ceremony with my wife, Joyce.
In the interim I have just mailed a complete updated set
of 63rd Infantry Division Historical DVDs to the National
WWII Museum to be used in their library.
I will be sure to add some photos of the event in the
Miscellaneous Photo Section of the Web site.
WWII MUSEUM IN NEW ORLEANS, LA
On 12 December 2014 the National WWII Museum in
New Orleans, LA will have a dedication ceremony of a
new wing of the museum relating to the European
Theater of Operation.
The Museum personnel have invited one member of
each division that participated in the European
Theater operations to attend as a special guest. They
will also be able to bring a guest with them. The
veteran selected must have a good knowledge of the
history of his division and be able to discuss selected
events that appear in the new wing
I am honored to say that I have been selected by the
63rd Infantry Division to represent the 63rd Infantry
Division. I will attend the ceremony with my wife, Joyce.
In the interim I have just mailed a complete updated set
of 63rd Infantry Division Historical DVDs to the National
WWII Museum to be used in their library.
I will be sure to add some photos of the event in the
Miscellaneous Photo Section of the Web site.