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From: Michael Clark
My father, CPL Morris L Clark, served with the 513th PIR. Looking for any info anyone who knew him could provide. I understand he was a POW in Stalag 12A and 9B. Also have a couple pictures of him with fellow soldiers. Would like to attach (in a followup email) and ask if anyone can identify them as well. I will be forwarding a check for the $20.00 via snail mail.
Thanks in advance for any info
Michael W Clark
MSG, Retired
Editors Note: The two photos below were supplied by Michael. if any one recognizes the soldiers with Michael's father, please contact us at "Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com"
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From: Scion Robert Blethrow
A few months ago, while visiting the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, I had the great privilege of meeting Air Transport Command member Richard C. Higgins, USN, who was present at Ford Island on Dec. 7, 1941. With awe and respect, I listened to his testimony. Chief Higgins recounted that all PBY aircraft (flying boats) at Ford Island were destroyed. On the east side of Oahu, Hawaii, two units from his squadron were spared to perform recon after the attack. The lives of Higgins’ squad were spared that day; some were injured. Take the opportunity to recognize and thank these true heroes of our great nation. Be a real part of our grateful nation by honoring our Pearl Harbor veterans – and all of our veterans – whenever the opportunity is afforded.
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Hello,
My name is Patrick from Luxembourg and I am very interested in stories from the Veterans of the 17th Airborne Division especially in the fighting of the Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg. I am also collecting signatures from Veterans and I would be happy if you contact me and tell me your stories or send me your pictures.
My address:
Dax Patrick
11, rue Jules Wilhelm
L-2728 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Email: golf2_power@yahoo.fr
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Dear Fellow Scions,
Please pray for my father, Bob Burns (2nd Battalion, 513 PIR, Company F). Dad has been hospitalized 8 times since July 2011, mostly for pneumonia. His heart condition has also worsened. Dad is scheduled to have angiograms done for his heart on January 9, 2013. He is considered very high-risk. All prayers are greatly appreciated. Dad found the 17th Airborne Division Association very late in life. Unfortunately, he was unable to become involved or attend any of its final meetings because my mom's health was not good. And, now that both Mom and Dad are not in good health, I am not able to be of much help to our new organization because of my obligations to them and their needs. But, I am very proud to be the daughter of a 17th Airborne paratrooper and to be a member of the Scions. We have enjoyed the newsletters. I share them with Dad. We pray for Mr. Tom and hope that his recovery from his open heart surgery continues to go well.
Thank you for your prayers.
Karen Ann Burns Pfeifer
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From: Kem Hart-Baker
ptownpest@aol.com
I'm trying to find out what company a PFC Robert J. Cotanche USArmy served while attached to the 513 Parachute Infantry 17th Airborne Division during WW 2. He died Jan 2, 1945 - I'd like to learn the circumstances surrounding his death if possible. Thank you!
Editors Note: Kem, We are posting your letter in our newsletter, and hope that some of our veterans will possibly have additional information. Anyone having information can contact Kem directly at the email above, or reply to the Scions at Scionsofthe17thairborne@gmail.com (Ed Siergiej Jr)
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From: Blaise Brown
blaise_is@yahoo.com
My uncle was in the 513th P.I.R. K.I.A. 4/1/45 His name was Alton M. Brown I was wondering if you could include his photo with the other troopers on the web site.
Editors Note: Blaize, We are including the great photo of your uncle in the December issue of our newsletter, "Thunder From Heaven". Thanks for sending it in. Perhaps some of our veterans will recall him. We hope that you will join the Scions organization, as we strive to honor all the veterans of the 17th and to tell their story.
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Alton M. Brown (513th PIR)
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Harold “Bill” D. Eastman
Harold “Bill” Dean Eastman, 87, of Louisiana, passed away Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 at Pike County Memorial Hospital.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, Dec. 10, at the funeral home. The Rev. Don Kelly officiated. Burial was in the Riverview Cemetery in Louisiana.
Mr. Eastman was born January 14, 1925 in Creston, Iowa to Walter Roy and Maulcy (Knight) Eastman. He moved to Louisiana with his parents in 1930 and graduated from Louisiana High School in 1942 where he was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball and track.
In 1943, Mr. Eastman was inducted into the Army and served as a paratrooper during World War II with the 17th Airborne Division known as “Thunder from Heaven.”
He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944 and received a Purple Heart. He was also with the first combat unit to jump the Rhine River into Nazi Germany.
After the war, Mr. Eastman worked construction in St. Louis. He married Imogene Willis on Feb. 19, 1955 and they moved to Louisiana in 1958 where Mr. Eastman was employed at Hercules, Inc. until his retirement in March of 1987.
Mr. Eastman was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Louisiana. He was also a member of Elks Lodge 791 and the Pike County Country Club where he was an avid golfer.
Mr. Eastman is survived by his wife, Jean; their two sons, Rick Eastman and wife Pat of Jefferson City, and their children Zach and Karina; and Phil Eastman and wife Kim of Olathe, Kas. and their children Daniel and Matthew.
He was preceded in death by his parents in 1991 and an infant grandson, Nathan David Eastman on July 2, 2004.
Honorary pallbearers were Karina Eastman, Don Ince, James T. Griffith, Jr., and Pike County Country Club Golfers. Active pallbearers were Jerry Narramore, Dennis Deweese, Matthew Eastman, Stan Ehinger, Zach Eastman, Daniel Eastman and Robert H. Ince.
Memorials may be made to Pike County Hospice or the First Baptist Church of Louisiana.
Online condolences may be sent to collierfuneral.com
"Butch" Traini
Butch Traini, passed on to the Lord on Sunday, December 16, 2012. He went very peacefully and without fear. Our family appreciates all the work that goes into keeping in touch with the brave and wonderful 17th Airborne friends. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Marian (Traini) Ansani – Butch’s Daughter
Editors Note : Butch servid with the 17th Airborne in 194 HQ1. He was a Life Member of the 17th Airborne Division Association. Obituary below.
Traini, Vespucci B. 89
New Kensington
Vespucci B. "Butch" Traini, 89, of New Kensington, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at the Allegheny Valley Hospital Emergency Room, Natrona Heights. He was born Dec. 1, 1923, in New Kensington, a son of the late Umberto and Marianna (Coletti) Traini; and husband of 64 years of Anita D. (Intrieri) Traini, of New Kensington. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Benjamin Ansani and Vincenzo Traini; two brothers, Oscar and Duilio Traini; and two sisters, Aida Como Backo and infant sister, Evelyn Traini. He was a member of Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, New Kensington, Holy Name Society, church usher for 15 years, church council, volunteer for the school cafeteria and Mt. St. Peter Men's Bowling League, all of the church. Mr. Traini was a member of the Ezekiel No. 37 prayer group for 25 years. He loved all sports and bowled a 300 game with duck pins. He volunteered for 20 years for the New Kensington-Arnold School District. He graduated from Ken-Hi in 1942, New Kensington Commercial School with a degree in accounting and also attended New Kensington Campus of Penn State University, Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus, New Kensington, Eagles and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lower Burrell. He retired from Pittsburgh Plate Glass, Creighton, as a material control manager after 40 years. He was a proud World War II veteran, serving in the Army as a sergeant with the 17th Airborne Division and also the 82nd Airborne Division. He also he attended parachute school, completing 22 jumps. He later became an instructor in the parachute school in Berlin. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Anita D. (Intrieri) Traini, of New Kensington; two sons, Umberto Traini, of Pittsburgh, and Vespucci (Catherine) Traini, of New Kensington; two daughters, Marian (Thomas) Ansani, of Lower Burrell, and Geralyn (John) Shreiner, of Illinois; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Evelyn (Angelo) Spataro, of New Kensington, and Lillian (James) Dzugan, of New Kensington; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Giunta-Bertucci Funeral Home Inc., JohnPaul Bertucci, supervisor, 1509 Fifth Ave., Arnold. Prayers of transfer will take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at Mt. St. Peter Roman Catholic Church. Burial in Union Cemetery, Arnold. The Ezekiel Prayer Group No. 37 will meet for a service at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home.
To visit the guest book, go to: http://obituaries.triblive.com/listing/217947/Vespucci-B-Traini/
Ray Harper (194 SR)
Ray Harper (194 SR} died on July 21, 2011 as reported by Rose Friday. Messages of condolence may be sent to Faye Harper, 7549 Rolling River Parkway, Nashville,TN 37221.
HARPER, Garvin Ray, Age 91, passed away on 21st of July, 2011. Ray was born on the 7th of September, 1919 to the late Ray & Mary L. (Johnson) Harper. He was a Certified Public Accountant and a lifelong member of Forest Hills Baptist Church. Ray proudly served in the 17th Airborne Division, 194th Glider Infantry during World War II, receiving a Bronze Star for action during Operation Varsity, three battle stars and one arrowhead. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Faye (Rainwater) Harper of Nashville; daughter, Debra H. (Sonny) Oliphant, Columbus, OH; sons, Douglas (Dawn) Harper, Columbia, SC, Sean Harper, Nashville, TN; grandchildren, Will Oliphant, Marysville, OH, Shannon Murlin, Columbus, OH, Bronwyn Harper, Columbia, SC, Gillian Harper, Columbia, SC and five great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 23rd, in the Palm Drawing Room from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., with graveside funeral services to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Orville William Griffith (507th)
My father was Orville William Griffith. He served in the 17th airborne 507 Parachute infantry group. He ended his service as a sergent.
I am writing this to let anyone who might remember my dad that he passed away on Nov. 12, 2012, at the age of 98.
He never talked much about his tour in operation varsity, just a story here and there, but I know it was a life-changing event for him. If there is any way to find out more about his service with the 507th or to contact anyone who might have known him, please let me know.
Thank you so much
Sincerely.
Paul D. Griffith
1380 NW Lancashire Ct.
Beaverton, Oregon 97006
paulgriffith2@frontier.com
Editors Note: Paul, we have added you to the mailing list for our electronic newsletter, "Thunder From Heaven", and hope that you will join our organization, which is growing every week.
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