Hellcat News, (Kirkland, Wash.), Vol. 31, No. 1, Ed. 1, September/October 1976 Page: 3 of 16
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495th
Armored
Artillery
DIVISION GROUPING NEWS
CONO SIDERI Div.Hq.
526 Elton Street
Riverhead, N.Y. 11901
ROBERT J. SCHWARTZ C/495th
4345 Purdue Street
Los Angeles, CA. 90066
Saehloff says it about Springfield. This
month's column is written by Bab Saehloff
and we send him our annual thanks for doing
the chore . . .
The 495th good old reunion days are back!
Our battalion drew 18 members and their
families to Springfield. We had a ball. When
John and Maxine Owen signed the first line
on the register, little did they know they
were starting an influx of some of the best
people on earth — the 495th'ers. Don and Flo
Halsey were there celebrating their last
reunion before moving to Florida from
Auburn, N. Y. Will and Catherine Fielding
arrived to join the party — or was it for
Catherine to shop? Of course, no 495th
gathering would be complete without the
Erichsens. Fred and Ev drove in right behind
the Halseys. Fred blew his whistle all the
way to let us know he was coming. Bob
Saehloff flew in from Kingston, N. Y. Dave
Viverito, our baseball authority, came down
from Chicago without Helgeson, the ace
Chicago Tribune Sports Writer, to back up
his baseball stories.
Frank and Millie DeGenero are just
bursting with enthusiasm to get more
members to the next reunion. As a matter of
fact, Millie has started a movement to that
end. Lew and Dorie Ostraat joined in the fun.
Dorie, God Bless her, expressed our
sentiments in tears at departing time.
Reunion hours together seem so few when
we must leave.
Our re-elected historian, Clint Seitz,
arrived with all the division paraphernalia.
When he left, Jane's shopping purchases
almost crowded out son Steve's place in the
car. Clint once again did the honors by
singing the division song at the banquet. Joe
Couser, dapper as ever, came up from
Dayton. Don and Jane Sears drove down
from nearby Peoria.
We kept increasing in numbers as we were
joined by Dale and Helen Piddington, Art
and Leona Worth, Sarah and Walter Harden,
Hank and Joan Dojutrek, Harry and Leola
Woodward, Len and Mil Gildehaus, Dean and
Charlene Strubbe. Woodward came with the
news that he is in touch with Heschke,
Sanders, Arpin, McHenry and Humphrey —
let's get them all as members.
Speaking of getting members, the 495th
organized at Springfield. First, we re-elected
Bob Schwartz as our unit rep. Then, to give
him help, we elected a secretary from each
battery: (Hq.) Halsey, (A) Erichsen, (B)
Sears, (C) Dojutrek, (Sv.) DeGenero. We are
going after the BIMI in a big way this year.
Add your support. Write to our rep Bob
Schwartz or your battery secretary. Give
them 495th names and addresses that you
may know about who are not members. The
494th has taken over the artillery
membership lead that the 495th held for over
twenty years. Let's get it back.
The Springfield reunion brought together
many of us who said we'd be there, plus a few
more. However, we missed one — John
Croker, where were you?
For those of you who suspected you were
going to receive a late phone call from
Springfield as the annual choice for our "late
phone call from reunion", you were
disappointed. We forgot to do it. Aren't you
lucky? You'll miss it again next year if you
are with us at the 1977 Philadelphia reunion.
MRS. BERRY WELCOMED
The reunion habit, once started, is hard to
break. Rose Berry, widow of a former
Hellcat, joined us at the Springfield reunion.
We welcomed her at reunion 30 with hopes
that we'll see her again at reunion 31.
Well I guess the Exec. Sec. said it all in the
last issue. You gotta believe it. When I kept
seeing month after month — "No Reporter,
No News", it annoyed me and I know you
people out there would also like to see a
column with familiar names of old friends and
buddies, so I upped and volunteered for the
job of reporting for the Division Group. Also,
this lack of communication could easily make
for drop-outs and we don't want that. When I
wrote Ken, it seems like only a few hours
later I received a fat envelope with a letter
that said in essence: "You're It! Thanks A
Lot! "Good Luck"! So here is my first effort
and I hope it turns out to everyone's
satisfaction. This column can only be as
successful as you guys make it. So don't
hesitate to drop me your letters and help
make this a bountiful column every month.
First I would like to commend NAT
CESARI, D-44 for also volunteering to do the
44th Tank Bn. news. As you know, the 44th
was incorporated in the Division Group. Now
thanks to Nat, they will be a separate item.
His initial entry was very good.
The dues are starting to roll in for the new
year. Needless to remind you to please send
them in as soon as you can as it takes this
dough to keep the association moving and
also to keep this monthly publication coming
to your mail box.
Dues with no news have been received
from FRED GARCIA and WILLIAM A.
CLUNE, 572nd AAA AW Bn.; GUS
DeFRANZA, M.P. Brig. Gen. W. A.
HOLBKOOK, CARL TIELSCH, MAX
SCHWARTZ, Div. Hq.; RAYMOND F.
CHURCHILL, CCA and HUGO W.
COLMAR, Div. Band.
One of the first letters that came out of this
envelope of goodies Ken sent was one from
JOHN MELFI, Hq. CCB. John informs us of
his address change. He tells that he is now
retired and apparently spends June to
December in his Columbus, Ohio home and
January to June lolling in the Florida
sunshine. His change of address which is now
back in Ohio was noted in the July issue.
John sends a booster to a great organization
that he is very proud of. Incidentally John,
you and your reporter are no strangers. If
you can remember, I was on the production
staff of our musical show "Hellcat Holiday". I
operated the switch board creating the color
moods and effects for the different scenes. I
toured with the show in Texas for awhile. We
had a good friendship going at the time. I still
have the Playbill of the show. If you don't
have and your grand children don't believe
that you and your wife starred in this
beautiful musical show, let me know and I
will send you a xerox copy. In looking over
the Playbill, I also note that HUGO W.
COLMAR, mentioned above, played clarinet
in the show.
Another letter comes from W. KEITH
FISHER, Div. Band, he sends his dues and a
booster brings him up to date. He is
instrumental in getting a former member,
HEBER DANN, back in the fold. We
welcome him back. Keith tells us that he
recently talked to Heber by phone and that
this was the first contact since 1945. Boy, this
is old home week. The "Hellcat Holiday"
Playbill also has listed under the Glee Club
baritones, a T/5 WILLIAM K. FISHER who
was also in charge of the glee club. If any
more of the cast check in, we may be able to
put the show on the road again.
A short note together with dues and
booster from LEON DWORKIN, Div.
Trains. Leon is sorry that he cannot attend
reunions and says he wouldn't miss the
Hellcat News for anything and loves to keep
up with all the news. In closing he commends
and congratulates the association and HCN
staff for their work.
PAGE 3
thinks that he is one of the oldest members of
the division as he was with the original cadre
that came from Fort Knox to organize the
12th A.D. He started with the 44th Reg.
Band, was later transferred to Div. Trains
where he remained until deactivation. John
brings up a very interesting point in his
letter. Something that I mentioned
heretofore. He lost interest and let his
membership run out because he never saw
news about any of the fellows he worked
with. Well he has now re-upped and sends his
dues with a good luck message and wants all
members to hang in there for years to come.
Thank you for a nice letter and we want you
to hang in there with us and I'm sure you'll
see some familiar names now that the column
is being reactivated.
Dues, a booster and a beautiful nostalgic
letter comes from Tuscon, Arizona via
ALLEN F. HANSEN, Div. He. Allen was
impressed as I guess we all were when he
saw General BREWER'S picture on the
cover of the June issue together with the
dedication notice. He was more so impressed
as he worked for the general at that time and
remembers him as 'one of the finest
gentlemen he has ever known and much of
his meager success in civilian life is owed to
him'. Allen was G-4 Automotive from '42 to
'44 working for Col. CHARLES F.
HOWARD. He corresponds with the Col.
from time to time who now resides in Sun
City, Arizona. This interesting anecdote that
Allen incorporates in his letter has to be
passed on, pointing out General Brewer's
character. Allen was present when General
Brewer and Chief of Staff Col. JACK RYAN
had to listen to a complaint from Camp
Campbell Post Commander that our tanks
and half-tracks were tearing up his paved
streets. Without raising his voice nor using
any bad language, General Brewer let this
gentleman know in no uncertain terms
exactly what he could do with his precious
streets, he further pointed out that his job
was to train a division of fine young men to
fight to the best of their ability and that if
even one life was saved by tearing up all the
pavement at Camp Campbell, it was worth it.
Allen still has the Camp Campbell driving
course hanging in his office and is proud that
he helped train these young men to drive a
vehicle any place it was physically possible
and the result was rewarding as there was
not a single serious mishap during the
Tennessee maneuvers. Allen was appointed
to the Joint U.S.-Brazilian Military Mission
shortly after arriving at Camp Barkley. He
claims to have spent the rest of the war doing
"tough Duty" on the Copacabana Beach.
[Editor's note: How did you ever survive
it???]. Allen closes with a sorry that he could
not make this year's reunion but hopes to
make it next year.
The last letter for this issue is a very
touching and heart warming message from
the 23-year-old son of George N. Christofel,
CCA. He is Nick G. Christofel of Annapolis,
Md. and thanks the association for dedicating
the July issue of the Hellcat News to the
memory of his father who passed away on 20
April 1976. It was this young gentleman who
informed our Executive Secretary of his
dad's death. The first letter appeared on
the front page of the July issue. I wish to
repeat this second letter in its entirety:
Arfilory
KENNETH BRADSTREET A/494th
1018 Prairie Street
Emporia, KS. 66801
CAUGHT IN MID-AIR
Many of us Hellcats have had our ups and
downs but 19 Hellcats, mostly from the 23rd,
spent about 40 anxious minutes in the Forum
30's elevator that halted between floors. The
23rd's fearless leaders, Chris and Jo
Mugavero, who were also aboard, claim that
all occupants showed true Hellcat courage
and survived the ordeal.
THOMAS TEACHES
Vern Thomas, 23rd, tells the story of how
he went to sign up for a course at his local
community college. When the college found
out his background, they discounted his
student application and substituted a
teaching contract. The course he was going to
take as a student, he wound up teaching.
Hellcats are smart.
ERNEST N. HOLT, C/17 drops a line
telling us that he recently visited with EMIL
MATTIS, CCB and had a good time talking
about their tour of duty with the 12th. He
mentions Emil sustaining wounds at the end
of the war. It seems that these two gents are
now living in retirement and spend most of
their time at home.
JOHN WILLIAMS, Hq./Div. Trains sends
along a nice letter claiming to be the first one-
he ever wrote the association. He mentions
an old buddy LA VERL KENNEDY. John
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LOUD
AND CLEAR
The terrific attendance at the association's
30th reunion Saturday morning meeting
resulted a resounding, heart tingling, pledge
of allegiance from the full house. Gene
Blackford must have experienced a feeling of
pride in the association as he lead the pledge
of allegiance at that meeting.
Hi Gang,
It is hard to know where to begin this
report! 1976 has been such a great year for the
494th! We have welcomed many more of our
buddies and their families back to the 494th
and been reunited with a number of them at
the reunion. The reunion was the biggest and
best ever for the 494th with old friends being
reunited for the first time in 32 years. It was a
time for pride, wonder, laughter and tears.
Everyone enjoyed the 30th Reunion and it was
hard to say farewell.
The 494th, all of you Redlegs, can take great
pride in your accomplishments in this
Bicentennial Year. You have again won the
BIMI, the third consecutive award in as many
years, a feat that in all probability will not be
duplicated in the years to come! The 494th
also led all units of The Association in
attendance at the reunion, and best of all our
Hellkittens were out in force!
There are many who deserve our thanks for
a successful and great reunion. Our reunion
chairman, George Moss and his committee,
did an outstanding job and each of us should
express our thanks in a letter to him. He did a
job above and beyond the call of duty and
many were the hardships and wounds he
endured to make^ the reunion a memorable
one for all of us. Get those cards and letters in
the mail to him — better late than never!
Hosts for the Artillery Room deserve
plaudits and letters of appreciation for the
great job they did, it was terrific! C Battery
with Joe Moulder as chairman and his
committee consisting of Walter and Glenice,
Keith, Joe and Irene Maji, George and
the 493rd, 494th, 495th and DivArty. The
Artillery Dinner on Friday night was an
enjoyable event with 178 Hellcats and
Hellkittens sitting down to a dinner of Swiss
steak, baked potatoe, vegetable, rolls, coffee
and a parfait. After dinner, all present
introduced themselves and became
reacquainted. Honored Guests at the Artillery
Dinner were General Carlos Brewer and Mrs.
Brewer. We were very happy to be honored by
their presence at the dinner. The General is
now 85 years young and a prouder Hellcat can
not be found anywhere! He accepted our
invitation to say a few words, and as he spoke,
the pride in his Hellcats came out for all to
hear. Thank you, General, take it from us, it
goes both ways!
The Challenge and Gauntlet were given to
the 493rd and 495th to take up the battle for the
BIMI and keep it in the Artillery for the next
few years. Owen Schumacher and the 493rd
are optimistic, but Frank and Millie
DeGenero say they are going to get in the
battle and help Bob Schwartz and the 495th
bring home the Award! Bernie Deaton of
DivArty says they are also not out of it and
will give everyone a run to the roses! It will
be a tough task all around as rumor has it that
Chris and Jo Mugavero of the 23rd also have
their sights set on the BIMI and are going to
go all out. Just a little post script from the
494th, do not rule out the 494th, we have four
new members since the reunion and
six possibles, so get with it, we will give you
a run! (Note Ed and Stan; are you in?)
At the reunion Noteables and
interesting observances;
Picture this, 01' Sarge T.K. Clement of A
Btry on the stage doing his own interpretation
of the Charleston, bare legs?
Joe Maji of C Btry after checking the hotel
lobby floor "I knew I should have brought my
roller skates!"
F.D. Haight of A Btry dressed in his
familiar western toggery renewing old
acquaintances and readily making new ones,
trying at all times to find foster homes for the
wild horses of the west.
Roy Cook of A Btry was again placed on
K.P. by 01' Sarge, insubordination, we think!
But Roy came back on Saturday night to have
the band play "I don't know why we love you
like we do" just for Sarge.
Jim Moulder of C Btry was feeling like
Custer, walking around getting things
together for the Artillery Dinner, saying
"Where are they all coming from?"
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Twelfth Armored Division Association (U.S.). Hellcat News, (Kirkland, Wash.), Vol. 31, No. 1, Ed. 1, September/October 1976, newspaper, 1976; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth410357/m1/3/: accessed June 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum.