I am saddened to inform the members of the 100th Division Association that my father, Donald A. Anderson, died on Sunday, May 6, 2012, aged 91. Dad's first military assignment was with the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP) at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. Upon dissolution of the ASTP Program, he was assigned to the 100th and served in France and Germany with the Division's Headquarters, Special Troops. He was proud of having served with the Division, and was a proud Son of Bitche. He remained in Germany with the occupation forces until February 1946.
Following the War, Dad's military career continued with the National Guard. He served for many years with the 32nd Division in Wisconsin. He was called to active duty in 1961 during the Berlin Crisis, serving at Fort Lewis in Washington state. He returned once again to active duty in 1974 as the National Guard Liaison Officer to the Commanding General at 5th Army Headquarters, Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. He retired from service in 1978 with the rank of Colonel. In 2002, Dad was inducted into the Wisconsin National Guard Hall of Honor.
Dad was very happy to have had the opportunity to attend a reunion of 100th Division veterans in April 2011 in Illinois.
He was a good man, a great husband, a wonderful father, and a proud veteran. He will be missed.
Dennis E. Anderson <anderden@gmail.com>
Gurnee, IL, U.S.A. - May, 10 2012
My uncle was a member of the 399th IR and he and his men comandeered General Field Marshall Erwin Rommel's home after his death in 1944 near Ulm, Germany and used it as a command post. Would appreciate any stories about this event.
Thank you
David Stroebel <davidstroebel@yahoo.com>
Ocean, New Jersey, United States - May, 02 2012
Is it possible for someone to please tell me how the 100th ID entered France during WWII? By that I mean were they airdropped, stormed one of the beaches on D-Day?
Thank you all.
David Stroebel <davidstroebel@yahoo.com>
Ocean, New Jersey, USA - May, 02 2012
Hello,
My uncle, 1Lt Otto "Dave" Stroebel was a member of the 399th Infantry Regiment and fought in the battle of Bitche, France. "Dave," as he was known by his family earned four bronze Stars and received a battlefield commission in France. I wanted to ask you all for what specific circumstances your relative earned their Silver Star. I would like to know if Dave should have been awarded at least one Silver Star also.
Thank you all
David Stroebel <davidstroebel@yahoo.com>
Ocean, New Jersey, United States - May, 02 2012
My Dad Paul T. D'Ascensio was member of the 100th Division. He passed away 6/17/2012 at the age of 95
John Dascensio <jderif@aol.com>
North Caldwell, New Jersey, USA - May, 02 2012
I found this citation in my cuz's affects after he died 3/1/12.AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL. James M. Farrell, 37551747, PFC 398th IR, for meritorious achievement in action during the period 14 December 1944 to 2 April 1945, in France and Germany. Consistently displaying courage, determination and aggressiveness in the performance of his duties as rifleman, Private Farrell participated in many hasardous engagements , including those at Bitche and Guising, France, in the initial attack upon the fortress city of Bitche on 14 December, his platoon was one of the leading units in the assault and, although subjected to intense artillery, mortar, tank, and small arms fire, Private Farrell and a few comrades advanced to a forward position which they tenaciously maintained for a period of two hours until ordered to withdraw. Entered military service from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Upon his separation his qualification record gave his occupation, rifleman; Served in European theater of operations 19 months, was awarded the combat infantryman badge for excellence in combat as an infantrymen. Was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic action: fought over rough and dangerous terrain in all types of weather both day and night, fired all types of small arms against the enemy and is skilled in methods of close close combat. Cleaned, oiled, disassembled and assembled own weapons keeping them in firing order.
John Emerson <emerson1248@hotmail.com>
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA - May, 02 2012
does anybody remember my uncle Pvt. Felipe M Contreras company B ? im just finding out about him and want to know if anybody remembers him. please lif anybody can help me i would appreciate it!
mike molinar <mmolinar@las-cruces.org>
las cruces, new mexico, united states - May, 02 2012
Uncle Ervin L.(Johnny) Dufrene served with 100th Infantry, 398th Regiment, C Company in Europe starting 11/1944. Received Bronze Star and Oak Cluster for valor. Fought at Rhion L'Etape and Vosges Mt., also Germany. Now living in Lompoc CA at age 92 1/2. Still very alert.
Diane Dufrene <gramadd@sbcglobal.net>
Los Osos CA, CA, USA - April, 24 2012
Anyone remembering my father Sgt. Milton R Ziegler I company 397th infantry please e-mail me at kmb9111@verizon.net. I am particularly interested in when he was wounded.
Marc Ziegler <kmb9111a @verizon.net>
Towaco, New Jersey, USA - April, 24 2012
My father charles new served in the 397 c company. He passed away in 2004. There was one fellow he always talked about and lost track of after the war. Robert Chadwick from worcester mass. does anyone have any information about him. ...thanks charles new jr.
charles new jr. <hooligan9r@hotmail.com>
orlando, Fl, orange - April, 24 2012
My dad Frnak Vincent DePiazza was in the 398th g company. He was awarded the bronse star, the purpal hart, and the silver star at the Jagstfeld river. He did not talk about his experinces very much, or when he did he gave very little info. I have a letter the army sent to my grandma. He was on the other side of the river and the rest of group were on the other side getting ready to cross. Him and another guy were in a fox hole. when everything broke lose the other fellow stood up and was shot thru the head. My dad was a BAR operator. He was wounded in the leg. He told me he killed about nine germans that day. When the other men withdrew he volntered to stay behind and cover there withdrawl. He said he was wonded allready, when I asked him why. He was eventually captured and eventually escaped. When they overain his position they were about to slit his throut, but an officer stoped them. He also said as a BAR man he was instructed to remove a part of his gun if he were to be captuared. He said he removed it stuck his finger in the ground put the part in and covered it with dirt. He told the Germans he just flung it. He told his brothers he was going to get more medals, but decided he didn't want to wait, and got his discharge early. If anybody served with him I would love to hear more. He said the guys called him lucky. I think I remember him telling me it was for the way some things went down in combat. But he did tell me he won a car in a card game, or dice game while they were in England waiting to get to Europe. If anybody has any other information on the other combat he was in, or other information let me know okay. Thanks.
Frank DePiazza <f071852@yahoo.com>
Cedar Springs, Michigan , USA - April, 24 2012
March 16, 1945 - March 16, 2012.
67 years today that centurymens entered Bitche. A big step in fighting but not the last difficult moments of the division.
In any case the end of terror to the people in the region of Bitche.
67 years later still we remember the sacrifices of these men came down from the other side of the Atlantic to free our lands "Bitcherland" from this terror.
In this final year of the association of "Sons of Bitche", know that the younger generations will continue much as they can to perpetuate this memory. this terror.
Remembering the dead young shommes on the lands of Europe. To those wounded in body and spirit. And all others who have left some of their youth on our soil.
KIMMEL J.F. <jfk57230-antispam@-gmail.com>
Bitche, , France - April, 24 2012
My Uncle, Merle A Dodd, was a member of the Century Battalion during WWII. I have an 11 x 14 book that belonged to him, that is a pictoral history of the 100th U S Naval Construction Battalion's activities in the period of time from training camp at Gulfport, Mississippi, to their assigned destinations, and return to the U.S. It contains pictures of the construction of the airstrip on Island "X", which was Majuro, Marshall Islands, along with random shots of life as a Seabee at that time. Can anyone give me any information about this book.
Sally Austin <saleaustin@sbcglobal.net>
, - April, 24 2012
I didn't know a lot about the Century Division until I bought Edward Longacre's excellent book "War in the Ruins". I spent 3-years, '67 - '70 of my total 7-year US Army service in Germany in the US Army Security Agency, most of it in Augsburg. I was all over Germany and was in Stuttgart and Heilbron many times and all along the Necar and Rhine Rivers.
From Longacre's book I learned about US Army actions all over that area and my past presence there greatly enhanced my reading pleasure.
I was a war baby, DOB 2/23/44 and to those brave guys I want to say thank you for ensuring my freedom to be sitting at this computer.
Ken Hughes <connectedcowboy@msn.com>
Decatur, Texas, 'Nuff said - April, 24 2012
I was wondering if anyone out there knew or knows of my grandfather Charles Quast from Highlands, NJ. I believe he was in the Signal Corps of the 100th. Any information you might have would be much appreciated. Thanks so much to those who put this website together.
Carl Steidel <cps593@gmail.com>
Lewiston, Maine - April, 24 2012
I am trying to find information on my Grandfather, Private Edgar R Harper of the 397th Infantry, Company B. He fought in the Rhineland in the fall of 1944. He was seriously wounded on December 8, 1944. It appears through my research that he should be eligible for the Bronze Star because he has his CIB. He never received a Bronze Star. If eligible, I would like to see him receive it posthumously. He passed away in 1977.
Does anyone remember my Grandfather? There was some sort of reunion held for his company or Regiment in 1994. A Joe Collie wrote my g-father about the event. My g-mother gave the letter to me. Unfortunately she did not attend the reunion. Any help is appreciated.
David Pollock <davidpollock2@comcast.net>
Joppa, MD, USA - April, 24 2012
Thur. March 1st 2012 my cousin James Marshal Farrell Died at 89 yrs. old. He was with the 100th ID 398th A company. He was my hero, and will be sorely missed. God bless you cuz...
John Emerson <emerson1248@hotmail.com>
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA - April, 24 2012
No Wall
John Chillemi • James Buchanan • Abner Culbertson • Earl Davis • James Grimes • Robert Hooper • Murray Hornstein • Herbert Hulmes • Lloyd Jester • Robert Kirk • Eugene Klein • Stanley Krusinski • Earl Leland • Philip Librone • Clifford Melkert • Chester Merrill • Jason Miller • John Miller • Gene Newbold • Peter Petracco • James Rembert • Andimo Robbio • Arthur Slutzkin • John Speier • Richard Sprague • Stanley Thomas • William Wattson • Francis Wayte • Garo Yazujian • Charles Zastresek • Richard Polhemus • Robert Burlison •
No wall, no memorial but in our hearts.
Company E, 397th Regiment, 100th Division
Phil Ellsworth <cedarell@tds.net>
Cedaredge, Colorado - April, 24 2012
Sgt. Gun Commander Quirino Pellicciotti (uncle Corey) died Feb 19. He took part in Tunisia, battle at Monte Cassino, and others. Please remember him as well as all the others.
A friend <>
Binghamton, NY, US - February, 22 2012
I am trying to co surviving members of the 397th Infantry Regiment who new my Uncle SSgt. Robert L. Line from N. Ridgeville Ohio and who is buried in Epinal Military Cemetary in France along with so many. Any information you can provide would be of great service to the remainder of our family. God Bless you all - a greatful niece Janet
Janet Line Hodgman <jmline60@att.net>
Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA - February, 21 2012