Issue Number 7 February 2001
All information in this Newsletter is developed by Fred Clinton, Webmaster, 63rd Infantry Division Association and does not necessarily
reflect the views of other individuals and is in no way an Official Publication of the 63rd Infantry Division Association.
reflect the views of other individuals and is in no way an Official Publication of the 63rd Infantry Division Association.
I have added Battle Campaign streamers to
the Division History Page, in color. For a
look at the new look check out the Division
History Page 1.
I recently received a booklet outlining the
history of Eschringen, Germany to include
the period that the 254th Infantry Regiment
captured that German village on 15 March
1945. The history, compiled by Mr Roland
Schmitt of that village covers the war years
and includes several photos in and around
the village in WWII. One of the photos
shows infantrymen of the 254th entering the
village on 15 March 1945. I have no idea,
at this time, where Mr Schmitt got the photo
but I am sure it will bring back memories to
the 254th men who were in that area. The
photo appears on Page 8, Pictorial History
of the 63rd Infantry Division in WWII.
(Note: The booklet is in German. If I can
find a translator near by I will have that
portion of the booklet pertaining to the
March 45 battles translated and included on
the web site)
I received a message from Mr Harold
Schmidt Sr that invited us to visit his web site
about the US Merchant Marine in World
War II. So if you want to see how the men
and boys of the US Merchant Marine faired
in WWII to to this site "American Merchant
Marine Veterans"
Shannon Lovell and her mother, Gayle
Fitzmaurice (Associate Member of the
Association) are trying to find a photo of
Larry Saliba, B and E Company, 253rd
Infantry Regiment. Pfc Saliba was KIA on 8
April 1945.The family has no photos of Pfc
Saliba in uniform. So if you have any group
photos that might include Pfc Saliba, please
get in touch with Shannon at e-mail address:
sflovell@aol.com
We had 20 new listings on the Newsletter
distribution list this month and several new
applications for membership in the 63rd
Infantry Division Association.
The Association Members list has been
updated as of 15 February 2001
I am still seeking photos and printed
memorabilia to add to the web site. If you
have anything you can send it to me as an
e-mail attachment (jpg or GIF file format) or
by regular mail. I will return all photos and
printed memorabilia items after scanning.
After several years of searching for relatives
of the sixty-six (66) 254th men who were
killed during the Battle of Jebsheim, I
received two messages from relatives this
past month. My purpose in trying to locate
relatives was to let them know about the
plaques dedicated and mounted on the
Jebsheim War Memorial in honor of their
loved ones who died in that battle.
Messages came from relatives of Pfc
Kenneth Buddle, E Company and Pfc John
J. Pelarcik, K Company. If you have
information about either Pfc Buddle or Pfc
Pelacik that you would like to share with
their relatives check out the Mail Call Pages
6 and 7
the Division History Page, in color. For a
look at the new look check out the Division
History Page 1.
I recently received a booklet outlining the
history of Eschringen, Germany to include
the period that the 254th Infantry Regiment
captured that German village on 15 March
1945. The history, compiled by Mr Roland
Schmitt of that village covers the war years
and includes several photos in and around
the village in WWII. One of the photos
shows infantrymen of the 254th entering the
village on 15 March 1945. I have no idea,
at this time, where Mr Schmitt got the photo
but I am sure it will bring back memories to
the 254th men who were in that area. The
photo appears on Page 8, Pictorial History
of the 63rd Infantry Division in WWII.
(Note: The booklet is in German. If I can
find a translator near by I will have that
portion of the booklet pertaining to the
March 45 battles translated and included on
the web site)
I received a message from Mr Harold
Schmidt Sr that invited us to visit his web site
about the US Merchant Marine in World
War II. So if you want to see how the men
and boys of the US Merchant Marine faired
in WWII to to this site "American Merchant
Marine Veterans"
Shannon Lovell and her mother, Gayle
Fitzmaurice (Associate Member of the
Association) are trying to find a photo of
Larry Saliba, B and E Company, 253rd
Infantry Regiment. Pfc Saliba was KIA on 8
April 1945.The family has no photos of Pfc
Saliba in uniform. So if you have any group
photos that might include Pfc Saliba, please
get in touch with Shannon at e-mail address:
sflovell@aol.com
We had 20 new listings on the Newsletter
distribution list this month and several new
applications for membership in the 63rd
Infantry Division Association.
The Association Members list has been
updated as of 15 February 2001
I am still seeking photos and printed
memorabilia to add to the web site. If you
have anything you can send it to me as an
e-mail attachment (jpg or GIF file format) or
by regular mail. I will return all photos and
printed memorabilia items after scanning.
After several years of searching for relatives
of the sixty-six (66) 254th men who were
killed during the Battle of Jebsheim, I
received two messages from relatives this
past month. My purpose in trying to locate
relatives was to let them know about the
plaques dedicated and mounted on the
Jebsheim War Memorial in honor of their
loved ones who died in that battle.
Messages came from relatives of Pfc
Kenneth Buddle, E Company and Pfc John
J. Pelarcik, K Company. If you have
information about either Pfc Buddle or Pfc
Pelacik that you would like to share with
their relatives check out the Mail Call Pages
6 and 7
Well, it has been one busy and exciting
month since my last newsletter.
Groundhog Day has come and gone,
Valentine Day passed without me getting
any ugly valentines like I did when I went
to elementary school, my wife and I (2d
marriage for both of us- and they said it
wouldn't last), President Lincoln's Birthday
passed without incident and we even had a
chance to celebrate New Zealand's
Waitangi Day- whatever that is.
Probably the highlight of my month was my
unprogrammed operation for an abdominal
aortic aneurysm discovered by accident.
Other than a life saving experience, I
learned several things during my
recuperation.
1. The many friends made during my
internet efforts were most generous in their
expressions of care and encouragement.
2. Such messages do a lot to help
someone who is depressed and trying to
overcome an illness.
3. I should make a point to be as generous
to my other buddies and friends in their
time of need.
4. There are many people out there who
are far more in need of cheering up and
encouragement than me.
Again I thank everyone for their help and
words of encouragement.
In this connection I want to bring your
attention to several 63rd Infantry Division
veterans who could use a little cheer.
Cpl Irwin Gold, Antitank Company
253rd Infantry: e-mail lgold@charter.net
Regular Mail at: c/o Lisa Gold 3955 E.
3rd Street, Long Beach, CA 90814.
Mike Myers, Platoon leader, G
Company 254th Infantry Regiment:
e-mail: mary653@mymailstation.com
Regular Mail at 8714 Curtis Ave,
Alexandria, VA 22309, Telephone:
703-780-4930
George E. Murchio, Sr, D Company,
254th Infantry Regiment: e-mail:
gmurchio@csc.com Regular Mail at: 21
Mandeville St. Pompton Lakes, NJ, 07442
MG Howard S. Wilcox, E Company
and 2d Bn Hq, 254th Infantry
Regiment: e-mail:
srwilcox@hotmail.com Regular Mail:
8505 Woodfield Crossing Blvd #224,
Indianapolis, IN 46240
If you want to see some true heroes, men
who were deserving of the awards they
received, take the time to read the citations
for The Medal of Honor and The
Distinguished Service Cross awards on the
regimental pages. They are truly inspiring.
The 63rd Infantry Division Association
(USAR) has announced that they will place
a memorial plaque at Riverside National
Cemetery, Riverside, CA to honor all 63rd
Infantry Division soldiers that served in
WWII and its Reserve Division.
Dedication will take place on Armed
Forces Day, 19 May 2001. Details can be
obtained by contacting SGM Howard B.
Eighmy, 6151 Inverness Dr, Banning, CA
92220-5311, Telephone: 1-909-845-4748
month since my last newsletter.
Groundhog Day has come and gone,
Valentine Day passed without me getting
any ugly valentines like I did when I went
to elementary school, my wife and I (2d
marriage for both of us- and they said it
wouldn't last), President Lincoln's Birthday
passed without incident and we even had a
chance to celebrate New Zealand's
Waitangi Day- whatever that is.
Probably the highlight of my month was my
unprogrammed operation for an abdominal
aortic aneurysm discovered by accident.
Other than a life saving experience, I
learned several things during my
recuperation.
1. The many friends made during my
internet efforts were most generous in their
expressions of care and encouragement.
2. Such messages do a lot to help
someone who is depressed and trying to
overcome an illness.
3. I should make a point to be as generous
to my other buddies and friends in their
time of need.
4. There are many people out there who
are far more in need of cheering up and
encouragement than me.
Again I thank everyone for their help and
words of encouragement.
In this connection I want to bring your
attention to several 63rd Infantry Division
veterans who could use a little cheer.
Cpl Irwin Gold, Antitank Company
253rd Infantry: e-mail lgold@charter.net
Regular Mail at: c/o Lisa Gold 3955 E.
3rd Street, Long Beach, CA 90814.
Mike Myers, Platoon leader, G
Company 254th Infantry Regiment:
e-mail: mary653@mymailstation.com
Regular Mail at 8714 Curtis Ave,
Alexandria, VA 22309, Telephone:
703-780-4930
George E. Murchio, Sr, D Company,
254th Infantry Regiment: e-mail:
gmurchio@csc.com Regular Mail at: 21
Mandeville St. Pompton Lakes, NJ, 07442
MG Howard S. Wilcox, E Company
and 2d Bn Hq, 254th Infantry
Regiment: e-mail:
srwilcox@hotmail.com Regular Mail:
8505 Woodfield Crossing Blvd #224,
Indianapolis, IN 46240
If you want to see some true heroes, men
who were deserving of the awards they
received, take the time to read the citations
for The Medal of Honor and The
Distinguished Service Cross awards on the
regimental pages. They are truly inspiring.
The 63rd Infantry Division Association
(USAR) has announced that they will place
a memorial plaque at Riverside National
Cemetery, Riverside, CA to honor all 63rd
Infantry Division soldiers that served in
WWII and its Reserve Division.
Dedication will take place on Armed
Forces Day, 19 May 2001. Details can be
obtained by contacting SGM Howard B.
Eighmy, 6151 Inverness Dr, Banning, CA
92220-5311, Telephone: 1-909-845-4748
