At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. After the war was finally over and the two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, Collie was sent to join the military police still in Europe. Lawrence Snowden remembers that, though it was an easy victory, valuable combat experience and important lessons were imparted on the Marines. The first operation for the 4th Division was the landing on Roi-Namur. At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. He learned Morse Code and became adept at copying coded messages. When Bill Pontow's ship arrived at Pearl Harbor, there was still wreckage everywhere. He got off a boat in Calcutta and went to work in supply at a quartermaster outfit that was salvaging equipment from the Burma Road. ), After their long and rather snowy journey toward Bitche, Collie and the rest of the 100th Division managed to successfully take the entire city over. ), After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. Three days later, a very special bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Bill Pontow - Navy, Don Scott - Army Air Corps, Bill Garrison - Army Air Corps, Clyde Burnette - Army Air Corps, B.E. He trained in complete separation from white soldiers, going to basic training and then administration school. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Later on 4 April, 1945 General Burress of the 100th Division had the 397th Infantry Regiment cross the Neckar just south of the 398th's position. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) Eventually, reunions with his Navy brothers proved to be a big help. Vaughan - Navy, Ed Harrell - Marines, LtGen Lawrence Snowden - Marines, Joseph Hudson - Army, Lofton Hill - Army, Joe Turner - Air Force, Julius Rainwater - Army, Sherman Howard - Navy, Howard Dean - Army. From there it was their job to cross the Rhine River. Two years later, he was training there as a paratrooper. Joseph Hudson saw things in Calcutta that he never could have imagined. Sherman Howard was a striker, or assistant, to a carpenter's mate. He made it through the war without losing his cool, but he had a tough time adjusting when he returned home. Joe Turner was part of the crew at an Air Corps base in the Philippines and a sympathetic pilot offered to take him along on a flight to Japan. His supply ship was in Tokyo Bay just weeks after the two atomic bombs ended the war. In 1944, Joseph Hudson volunteered for the draft, seeking excitement. The first stop was Hawaii, where he had a chance meeting on the street with his brother, who was also in the service. Click below to see how you can help us expand our mission. 317th infantry regiment, 80th infantry division, eto aug 1944-may 1945 1956 5th INFANTRY Division FORT ORD California HEAVY MORTOR 10th YEARBOO 1945 History 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division ETO 1944-19 En route through the Pacific on a liberty ship, Julius Rainwater heard Tokyo Rose threaten his convoy on her broadcast. After the Japanese surrender, Lofton Hill was certain the enemy troops in the hills in Luzon did not know about it. Then, began the grim task of collecting the personal belongings of the dead and preparing them for burial at sea. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. It was later activiated with a headquarters in Lexington, KY. He trained in complete separation from white soldiers, going to basic training and then administration school. Just don't ask for details. We are a collection of devoted World War II reenactors from Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia who have chosen to portray Co. B, 1st Battalion, 399th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division during World War II. After the war was finally over and the two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, Collie was sent to join the military police still in Europe. One of the most memorable things for Sherman Howard about his Pacific tour was the initiation ceremony at the crossing of the equator. ... 397th Infantry Regiment Veteran Photographs. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. They were on the dock when the order was reversed. Bill Pontow knew how men could get spooked fighting in the Pacific, especially from kamikazes. Bill Pontow tried for the Marines but they declined to take him, so he joined the Navy. Shortly after some much appreciated R&R, Julius Rainwater's Signal Corp unit was told to pack up and get ready to leave. Later on 4 April, General Burress of the 100th Division had the 397th Infantry Regiment cross the Neckar just south of the 398th's position. Good idea. Bill Pontow was ready to go home after the Japanese surrendered, but there was one more job for him, ferrying Marines to occupy northern China. Joe Collie    infantry    combat    France    Mouterhouse France    scout    Vosges Mountains    egg    platoon    front line    German    flakwagen    foxhole    mortar    Roger Goose    Baccarat    tank    artillery, Joe Collie was born and raise in Danville, Virginia. Please practice hand-washing and social distancing, and check out our … It was assigned the 199th Infantry Brigade commanding the 397th Infantry Regiment, the 398th Infantry Regiment and the 200th Infantry Brigade, commanding the 399th Infantry Regiment and the 400th Infantry Regiment. Then time ran out for the B-17 and Don Scott had to slip down the hatch into the slipstream. One of the most memorable things for Sherman Howard about his Pacific tour was the initiation ceremony at the crossing of the equator. From there it was their job to cross the Rhine River. He made very good use of his time while he was waiting. There were still Japanese in the hills, so they had guard duty and, when it was his turn, he was sure he saw something creeping up in the darkness. He just felt more comfortable in the service. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) Copyright © 2020 Witness To War. They were on the dock when the order was reversed. Lofton Hill saw a buddy take a near direct hit from a mortar shell. It was the Navajo code talkers, says Julius Rainwater, a radio operator. Everyone made it out of the plane except George "Danny" Daneau, the nose turret gunner, who went down with the aircraft. ), After their long and rather snowy journey toward Bitche, Collie and the rest of the 100th Division managed to successfully take the entire city over. En route through the Pacific on a liberty ship, Julius Rainwater heard Tokyo Rose threaten his convoy on her broadcast. Witness to War is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the oral histories of combat veterans through digital video interviews. Along the way, Lieutenant Gerald James received help from an unlikely ally to help destroy a German gun emplacement. The 100th Division was constituted on 12 July 1918 in the National Army. They were packed in like cattle on the troop ship. World War I. Clyde Burnette fought for consciousness as the other crew in the back of the plane bailed out. 1 No. Collie remembers a few of the interactions he had with them. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. 2 weeks into Cornell's program, the ASTP is disbanded in favor of putting the members through training for World War II. Three years later, the 100th Division was solely responsible for … Starting at Guadalcanal, the USS Volans distributed supplies to fighting forces and ships in the South Pacific. He resided in Erie County, New York prior to the war. He still holds his love for country close, despite the racism he faced in his career, like a frustrating incident he remembers involving General George Patton. Because of his time in combat, he was given a bronze star. One was a really nice guy and the other was a guy named Nick who was a little off. Joe Collie    World War II    Danville VA    Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP)    Virginia Tech    Cornell University    Fort Benning    West Point    Volunteer Army    drafted    Fort Pickett    Blackstone VA    training    infantry    Louisiana    106th Division    100th Division    Battle of the Bulge    New Jersey    Europe, Before going overseas to Europe, Collie was given training for weapons such as machine guns and mortars. It was their third mission over Berlin and they were heading home. 100th Infantry Division – Century – Sons of Bitche. Finally, the day came. 3 – Donated by Tom H. Kelly; USA – ETO: Regimental Headquarters Company donated by Tom H. Kelly; Company E, Boxcars and Burps: Easy Does It, by Craig Davison and Bill Law Company I: World War II Combat History, by B. Lowry Bowman and Paul F. Mosher Click below to see how you can help us expand our mission. Welcome to the online home for the Men Of The Century: The 100th Infantry Division (Reenacted). Part 2 of 3. It was an empty threat and he made it to Anguar, an island near Peleliu, where he set up a radio communications station. One was a really nice guy and the other was a guy named Nick who was a little off. Menu Home; Our Mission; History; Original Photographs. There were two other men in Joe Turner's tent. Where was that going to be? That was only one hazard at the air fields in China; the others being Japanese air raids and infiltrators. 100th Infantry Division in World War 11. It was during this time that a friend from another platoon named John Bacos had been hit by a sniper, but luckily survived to tell the tale. There were two other men in Joe Turner's tent. It would change names agai… Eventually, they found themselves in Mouterhouse, France where they were met with random mortar fire from the Germans stationed not too far from them. Training; Combat; Occupation; 100th Infantry Division Veteran Photographs. When he shipped out again, he asked the captain if he could start a newspaper on board the ship. Ed Harrell describes in detail the sinking of the USS Indianapolis from Japanese torpedoes, which left nearly 900 Sailors and Marines in shark-infested Pacific waters. Shortly after some much appreciated R&R, Julius Rainwater's Signal Corp unit was told to pack up and get ready to leave. It went well until the word came from the cockpit. The destination was unknown when Juius Rainwater boarded the liberty ship and headed out into the Pacific. Ed Harrell describes in detail the sinking of the USS Indianapolis from Japanese torpedoes, which left nearly 900 Sailors and Marines in shark-infested Pacific waters. Julius would go on to Okinawa where he waited for the points system to allow him to go home. His job there was pretty tame compared to combat, and the worst thing that happened while he was on duty was someone stealing General Withers A. Burress' jeep. 397th Infantry Regiment (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Alvin served as a Private First Class, 397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, U.S. Army during World War II. He made it through the war without losing his cool, but he had a tough time adjusting when he returned home. From there, he crossed the Atlantic on the USS George Washington and wound up in Marseille, France. 100th Infantry Division 397th Infantry Regiment Officers Dress Coat. One night, Nick decided that he would teach Joe to drink whiskey. Joe Turner wanted to be a pilot, but they didn't need any more pilots when he joined the Army Air Corps, so he became part of the ground forces. He was put on MP detail, where he couldn't make much sense of what he was hearing from the civilians. While in the CCC, Lofton Hill helped build the Fort Benning jump field. He was soon in the Philippines, fending off banzai attacks and enjoying the canned tangerines he found in the Japanese camps. Then he was told to load a radar unit on a ship and prepare for a landing. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.). 69th Armored FA Battalion: 08.11.1944-26.11.1944: 495th Armored FA Battalion (12th Armored Division) 05.12.1944-06.12.1944 & 02.01.1945-07.01.1945 Crews were working to clear passage through the capsized ships. Part 1 of 4. It wasn't long after they secured their area in Luzon that the war ended. Very quickly he was thrown into his first combat experience and it wasn't long after that his division had its first casualty. ABMC Headquarters 2300 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22201 Phone: 571-842-0020 The 100th Division was constituted on 12 July 1918 in the National Army.It was organized in October of that year at Camp Bowie, Texas. Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans. Clyde Burnette fought for consciousness as the other crew in the back of the plane bailed out. ), It took a valiant amount of effort, but Collie's division had finally wound up at the end of the Vosges Mountains. In 1944, Joseph Hudson volunteered for the draft, seeking excitement. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB.). Radar officer Howard Dean was in the 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, but he didn't know it yet. 2nd Platoon, B Company, 399th Infantry, 100th Infantry Division. ), It took a valiant amount of effort, but Collie's division had finally wound up at the end of the Vosges Mountains. Then it was off to the Pacific. The 100th Infantry Division served for 163 days in Combat in the European African Middle Eastern Theater; during this time they served in the campaigns of RHINELAND, ARDENNES-ALSACE, and CENTRAL EUROPE. After a nerve-wracking mission to bomb Tokyo and a typhoon, B.E. After that sobering experience, he headed for the Philippines for the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the landing on Leyte. It was during this time that a friend from another platoon named John Bacos had been hit by a sniper, but luckily survived to tell the tale. During the six months in combat, 476 men fought in Company E of the 397th Infantry regiment. His supply ship was in Tokyo Bay just weeks after the two atomic bombs ended the war. There were snake and mongoose battles staged for your entertainment and there were monkeys that went for a daily walk. Joseph Hudson was in Calcutta when the war ended and was home soon because his four children gave him high points. Julius Rainwater had a chance to meet his brother after the war ended with the Japanese surrender. One night, Nick decided that he would teach Joe to drink whiskey. Along the way, Lieutenant Gerald James received help from an unlikely ally to help destroy a German gun emplacement. 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division – Century – Sons of Bitche. Part 2 of 3. Vaughan and the destroyer O'Brien suffered a second kamikaze attack which killed all three of his hometown pals who served with him on board. He'd never been up in a plane. Just don't ask for details. It was their job to fix nearly anything on the ship that needed repair. When Bill Pontow's ship arrived at Pearl Harbor, there was still wreckage everywhere. It was an empty threat and he made it to Anguar, an island near Peleliu, where he set up a radio communications station. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. He was a member of the Army Specialized Training Program, received his college schooling from Virginia Tech and was set to go to Cornell afterwards. Then it was off to the Pacific. Four German fighters pounced on the B-24 and it was engulfed in flame and going down. 2 weeks into Cornell's program, the ASTP is disbanded in favor of putting the members through training for World War II. He just felt more comfortable in the service. That shell carried a special meaning to more than just the men of the 100th. Four German fighters pounced on the B-24 and it was engulfed in flame and going down. He'd never been up in a plane. He learned Morse Code and became adept at copying coded messages. He'd arrived in the Pacific with no real assignment, and was attached to an anti-aircraft battery for a while. There was a mess kit thieving bird that swooped down from the sky. He caught some shrapnel himself but his bandolier deflected it. From there, he crossed the Atlantic on the USS George Washington and wound up in Marseille, France. It was the Navajo code talkers, says Julius Rainwater, a radio operator. It wasn't as good as going home, but it was better than invading Japan. Sherman Howard was a striker, or assistant, to a carpenter's mate. All Rights Reserved. The unit was redesignated in October 1946 as the 397th Parachute Infantry, and was made an element of the 100th Infantry Division. 397th Infantry Regiment; The 397th Regiment Newspaper, Vol. He was soon in the Philippines, fending off banzai attacks and enjoying the canned tangerines he found in the Japanese camps. The destination was unknown when Juius Rainwater boarded the liberty ship and headed out into the Pacific. Soon, his unit was in Japan, freeing and sending home American POW's, who had received harsh treatment from their captors. At this point, Collie was one of many scouts given instruction every day by his platoon leader. The first operation for the 4th Division was the landing on Roi-Namur. Put on your Mae West and your parachute. The Division has three regiments; 397th,398th, 399th. It was their job to fix nearly anything on the ship that needed repair. After his training, he was assigned to a Landing Ship, Medium, LSM for short. Most of the men were from the northeast, but the Georgia boy made fast friends while training. It was organized in October of that year at Camp Bowie, Texas. The 100th Training Division (Leader Development) (formerly the 100th Infantry Division) was an infantry division of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Knox, Kentucky.It currently serves as a major training command of the United States Army Reserve.It has been known as the "Century Division" owing to the 100th designation. It was their third mission over Berlin and they were heading home. ), Before going overseas to Europe, Collie was given training for weapons such as machine guns and mortars. He was only out of the Army a couple of months before he re-enlisted. It was in Inchon that the two crossed paths. Reorganized and redesignated 12 May 1952 as the 397th Infantry, an element of the 100th Infantry Division. The first stop was Hawaii, where he had a chance meeting on the street with his brother, who was also in the service. 1 No. ), Keywords   :     He caught some shrapnel himself but his bandolier deflected it. He was a member of the Army Specialized Training Program, received his college schooling from Virginia Tech and was set to go to Cornell afterwards. It was assigned the 199th Infantry Brigade commanding the 397th Infantry Regiment, the 398th Infantry Regiment and the 200th Infantry Brigade, commanding the 399th Infantry Regiment and the 400th Infantry Regiment. Copyright © 2020 Witness To War. He got off a boat in Calcutta and went to work in supply at a quartermaster outfit that was salvaging equipment from the Burma Road. It wasn't long after they secured their area in Luzon that the war ended. While in the CCC, Lofton Hill helped build the Fort Benning jump field. After their long and rather snowy journey toward Bitche, Collie and the rest of the 100th Division managed to successfully take the entire city over. Part 1 of 4. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB.). Joseph Hudson saw things in Calcutta that he never could have imagined. He'd already been studying radio communications, so the Army sent Julius Rainwater to the Signal Corps. There were snake and mongoose battles staged for your entertainment and there were monkeys that went for a daily walk. (The 397th is the same that I posted previously that was owned by my grandfather). For example, by the end of January, 1945, the 47 th Infantry Regiment (which fought in France and Germany) had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded, missing, or taken as prisoner of war. The division also hosted a reunion of 100th Infantry Division veterans from WWII. Lawrence Snowden remembers that, though it was an easy victory, valuable combat experience and important lessons were imparted on the Marines. Back to all Infantry Divisions. On March 15, 1945, the 100th Infantry Division is ordered to capture Bitche. Soon, his unit was in Japan, freeing and sending home American POW's, who had received harsh treatment from their captors. When they docked at Pearl Harbor, Lofton Hill watched the flag raised every morning on the wreckage of the USS Arizona. Eventually, they found themselves in Mouterhouse, France where they were met with random mortar fire from the Germans stationed not too far from them. Put on your Mae West and your parachute. PFC Mike Colalillo - Co C, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division The museum also displays items from the Viet Nam period, the Desert Shield/ Storm period and the current Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. Very quickly he was thrown into his first combat experience and it wasn't long after that his division had its first casualty. After training, his unit was sent to the west coast, so he figured he was bound for the Pacific. Along the way there, they managed to capture a good amount of soldiers from the German side and make them prisoners of war. After training, his unit was sent to the west coast, so he figured he was bound for the Pacific. His job there was pretty tame compared to combat, and the worst thing that happened while he was on duty was someone stealing General Withers A. Burress' jeep. Bill Garrison was standing in a chow line when a man up the line suddenly dropped, shot dead by a sniper. Vaughan and the destroyer O'Brien suffered a second kamikaze attack which killed all three of his hometown pals who served with him on board. Crews were working to clear passage through the capsized ships. Julius would go on to Okinawa where he waited for the points system to allow him to go home. 397th Infantry Regiment . This distinction as one of the few airborne divisions within the U.S. Army was brief; in 1952 the division was once again redesignated the 100th Infantry Division. Collie remembers a few of the interactions he had with them. Retired from the Army, Joseph Hudson laments the difficulties faced by today's soldiers, who face more complicated conflicts than he did. By the time he got to his assignment in the Philippines, the Japanese had surrendered and the task became one of recovering equipment. Good idea. That was only one hazard at the air fields in China; the others being Japanese air raids and infiltrators. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. (This interview made possible with the support of MS. KETURAH THUNDER-HAAB. Bill Pontow was ready to go home after the Japanese surrendered, but there was one more job for him, ferrying Marines to occupy northern China. Then time ran out for the B-17 and Don Scott had to slip down the hatch into the slipstream. 8:03   |   After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. ), Keywords   :     1 – Donated by Tom H. Kelly; The 397th Regiment Newspaper, Vol. He was only out of the Army a couple of months before he re-enlisted. The division did a wonderful job of recording everything. Lofton Hill saw a buddy take a near direct hit from a mortar shell. After the Japanese surrender, Lofton Hill was certain the enemy troops in the hills in Luzon did not know about it. He woke in free fall with no idea how he had made it out, and soon he was in German custody. By the time he got to his assignment in the Philippines, the Japanese had surrendered and the task became one of recovering equipment. 1997: Operation Future Challenge During 1997 the 100th Division played a major role in Operation Future Challenge, a Fort Knox-based Basic Camp for JROTC. 100th Infantry Division » 397th Infantry Regiment. Each brigade commanded around 8,000 soldiers. They were packed in like cattle on the troop ship. Bill Pontow tried for the Marines but they declined to take him, so he joined the Navy. Two years later, he was training there as a paratrooper. Immediately, he begun his training at Fort Benning for the 100th Infantry Division. Not only did it signal the division'c initial action, but with that shot Centurymen established some kind of a record for getting into combat with a speed that would have dazzled the old-timers. Dedication and Introduction; Activation; Training; Overseas Movement; Vosges Mountains Campaign; Mouterhouse; Bitche; He'd arrived in the Pacific with no real assignment, and was attached to an anti-aircraft battery for a while. The museum is actively seeking more artifacts from the above periods. Finally, the day came. It was a completely different place. Radar officer Howard Dean was in the 12th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, but he didn't know it yet. He enlisted in the Army on March 22, 1944 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. It wasn't as good as going home, but it was better than invading Japan. Retired from the Army, Joseph Hudson laments the difficulties faced by today's soldiers, who face more complicated conflicts than he did. He made very good use of his time while he was waiting. Joe Collie | 100th Infantry Division, 397th Regiment - Army 8:03 | After a few combat experiences, the 100th Infantry Division was instructed to march on to take more towns and cities in France. Late in the day of December 31, the left side of the American line near Sarreguemines suddenly trembled as the Germans opened fire with a well-placed barrage of artillery rounds, followed by a charge of 2,000 men of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division heading straight for the 397th Regiment of the 100th Infantry Division. 100th Illinois Infantry Regiment Three Year Service August 30, 1862 - June 12, 1865 What went on in the decrypting room and why couldn't Japan break the code? in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.). Regiment of the Century: The Story of the 397th Infantry Regiment. After his training, he was assigned to a Landing Ship, Medium, LSM for short. Bill Garrison was standing in a chow line when a man up the line suddenly dropped, shot dead by a sniper. ), Just around the time of the end of the war, Joe Collie was promoted to squad leader. It went well until the word came from the cockpit. Bill Pontow - Navy, Don Scott - Army Air Corps, Bill Garrison - Army Air Corps, Clyde Burnette - Army Air Corps, B.E. The plan is straightforward. 1945 History 397th Infantry Regiment 100th Infantry Division ETO 1944-19. After that sobering experience, he headed for the Philippines for the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the landing on Leyte. Everyone made it out of the plane except George "Danny" Daneau, the nose turret gunner, who went down with the aircraft. Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans. It was in Inchon that the two crossed paths. He was noted as being employed as a … He'd already been studying radio communications, so the Army sent Julius Rainwater to the Signal Corps. He was not a big drinker, so when the officers brought out the booze on VE Day, it got a little out of hand. Julius Rainwater had a chance to meet his brother after the war ended with the Japanese surrender. 3:50   |   Joe Collie was born and raise in Danville, Virginia. Most of the men were from the northeast, but the Georgia boy made fast friends while training. Vaughan - Navy, Ed Harrell - Marines, LtGen Lawrence Snowden - Marines, Joseph Hudson - Army, Lofton Hill - Army, Joe Turner - Air Force, Julius Rainwater - Army, Sherman Howard - Navy, Howard Dean - Army.