The 68th Annual Reunion Of The 106th Infantry Division

Chaplain’s Message . . .posed a question to myself that I wantto challenge you with. How can we seefit to honor the contributions of veteransbeyond the days of Memorial Day andVeterans Day? How do we ensure theircontributions are remembered on morethan just a single day of remembrance,gratitude and honoring? The only answerI could come up with was that wemust teach others, especially the nextgeneration, about the sacrifices that weremade. We must ensure future generationsunderstand that their patriotism iswrapped up in the loyalty of men andwomen who answered the call. We mustensure that future generations understandthat their freedom was bore on the backsof men and women who in essencegave up their freedom, whether it wasby becoming a POW or by paying theultimate price and dying. Lastly, we mustensure that future generations understandthat the debt of gratitude we owe thosewho have served is sacred. Not onlysacred but also that it cannot be repaid,not in a lifetime, not this side of heaven.Along with that I firmly believethat we should talk about heroism andsacrifice. If you flip through our nation’shistory books you will be inundated withaccounts of bravery that still resonatedeep within us decades later. We arehumbled by the tremendous courageshown by our brave soldiers, of allservices, throughout our history. Thereis no doubt that our veterans have pavedthe way for our military’s reputation asthe finest fighting force in the world –both in strength and in character. That’swhy it’s important – in fact imperative –that we remember them always.Almost 150 years ago, PresidentAbraham Lincoln stood before awar-weary nation and uttered the mostfamous words ever said about veterans.Lincoln spoke of the sacred obligationof our nation to “.care for him whoshall have borne the battle, and for hiswidow and his orphan.” Those wordsare inscribed on the entrance above theDept. of Veterans Affairs in our nation’scapital and spoken at almost everyMemorial Day or Veterans Day event.While we are saddened by ourlosses; both from the direct resultsof combat and as our loved ones arenow aging and are going to their finalresting places. Those who gave whatAbraham Lincoln called the “last fullmeasure of devotion” in the fight forour liberty. There is no doubt in mymind that Americans share a proudheritage of duty and honor forged inthe heat of terrible battles and on thebacks of dedicated soldiers, soldierslike the 106th. Freedom has a priceand this week, while we all gatheredhere to enjoy good food, fun, familiesand our precious liberty, I think it isonly appropriate that we stop for amoment to say thank you! Thank you,106th Infantry Division for offering upyourselves to ensure that the freedomof generations to come was secured.In conclusion I want to visitPresident John F. Kennedy’s statementone more time. “A nation reveals itselfnot only by the men it produces butalso by the men it honors, the men itremembers,” With that being said, Iwant to do due diligence in makingthis nation great by honoring you.106th Infantry Division, yourdedication to duty and your loyalty bringgreat credit upon yourselves and thisgreat nation and for that, I salute you.Forcefully Advancing Vincent CharronThe CUB of the Golden Lion5

The Adjutant’s Message . . .My Brothers and Sisters,Reunion “68” is now history,with the lowest attendance in ourAssociation history. And yet, in spiteof two unfortunate incidents: Mr.William Martin of 424/C, came downwith pneumonia, was hospitalized andmissed most of the reunion. As of thiswriting, I was informed by his daughter(our Board member) Kris that he wouldbe in the hospital until Friday Sept.12, Kris indicated that he was doingbetter and would be returning home.[Editor’s note: We are sad to report thatMr. Martin did pass away on Sept. 16 .Please see memorial on page 41.]Also, Francis Cook (422/H) fellwhile entering the dining hall at theNorfolk Naval Station, tore his elbowand hit his head on the concrete. Hewas treated at the dining hall by alovely Naval doctor. He was doing wellimmediately (hard head). Yes, in spite ofthe low attendance — and these incidents— the Reunion was a grand success.The tours at the Naval Yard andthe MacArthur Museum, the service atthe hotel and the meals were fine (asgood as hotel food can be); as were thebanquet, the general’s speech and thelove and friendship for each other! Atthe banquet, our Order of the GoldenLion chairman, John Schaffner (589/A)named three outstanding choices forthe awards. They created a numberof emotional moments to be longremembered. The awards went toMr. Sy Lichtenfeld (422/I) —Commandeer Class, Mr. Mike Scheaner— Officer Class, Mrs. Wilma Wood —Companion Class.Our choice of Brig. Gen. WilliamMurray Stein, 423/I,Ex Comm, Adjutant8372 Calabria Lakes DriveBoynton Beach, Fl. 33473561-336-2660murraystein1925@yahoo.comHix as our guest speaker turned outto be an excellent one. Gen. Hix andhis lovely wife Sharon were graciousin meeting with almost everyone inattendance. The General’s speechindicated that he researched our GoldenLion history. He made us aware of allthe new innovative ideas being workedon by our Military. How fortunatewe are to have men like Gen. Hix tolead and protect our country. We werehonored by his presence.Our now past-president RandyWood was the first non-106th veteran,Associate member to serve as ourAssociation President. After thisreunion, I’m certain that there is nodoubt in anyone’s mind that we madethe finest choice. His outstanding,professional leadership was evident tous all. Randy’s lovely wife Patty andmother Wilma prepared all those lovelypackages for everyone who registeredfor the reunion (even my friend Myrnahelped a little). Patty was a terrific “1stThe CUB of the Golden Lion6

The Adjutant’s Message . . .Lady.” We thank Randy and Patty fortheir generosity in the gifts for all thewomen and 106th veterans.On a personal note, I will missworking with them as I did this pastyear. Randy is one of the finest youngmen I have had the privileged andgood fortune to meet and know! Hisfather, Robert M. Wood (423/I), wouldhave been so proud to see him as ourPresident. And a personal thank youto the Wood family, Wilma, Carol andDean, Beth and Ron and especiallyJanet for all the hugs and kisses.Our Board of Directors voted thenew Officers for 2014–2015: PresidentBernard Mayrsohn (423/CN); 1st V.P.James Forsyth (424/I); 2nd V.P. BrianWelke; and Treasurer, Mike Sheaner.Our Board of Directors also votedto continue with our 69th reunion andchose Charleston, South Carolina, forSeptember 16 to 20, 2015 at the CrownPlaza, near the airport as the site.Let’s all make plans to be there.We’re counting on the GUY upstairs towatch over us until then. We’re hopingthat our YOUNG members will spreadthe word and help keep our 106thInfantry Division Association aliveand well.I love ya’ll,MurrayGolden Lions During World War II –– A Photo ArticleRequested by Association Adjutant Murray Stein (423/I)Every so often, I see a picture in The CUB of one of us as a young soldier.In a previous issue (Vol. 67, No. 1) I thought it would be fun to have as many ofour soldiers’ photos as are available, to be published in The CUB. Editor WilliamMcWhorter agreed to my request to continue this series in subsequent issues ofThe CUB. Look for photos throughout the magazine and keep sending them in!590th Field Artillery, Service Battery – taken approximately May 1944 at Camp AtterburyPhoto courtesy of Gail Eanes Mcguire, daughter of Paul Eanes, 590th Service BatteryNote: See this picture five-times larger at: http://106thinfdivassn.org/photos.htmlThe CUB of the Golden Lion7

Historian’s Message . . .A Reader RespondsIn the last issue of The CUB Isubmitted the story of the tragic eventthat took place at Oradour-sur-Glane,France. It was my belief at the timethat no valid reason for the actions ofthe German 2nd SS Panzer Division,Das Reich, was ever forthcoming.Our CUB article was read by my goodfriend currently living in Germany,Edward Lapotsky, Col, U.S.A., Ret.,leading member of several militaryorganizations in Europe, and mostimportant, knowledgeable about thisevent. Ed keeps up with our 106thInfantry Division veterans and is usuallyavailable to meet and assist us whenvisiting the battlefield. He is a member ofthe 106th Infantry Division Association.Please read his response below:Dear John,Good to have conversed with youyesterday. (27 Aug. 2014)Regarding the massacre at Oradoursur-Glane, More than a few years ago,when my Uncle August Basso was stillliving, I came across the book by MaxHastings on The Das Reich Divisionand read and reread it as it containeda detailed account of the move of theDas Reich 2nd Panzer Division fromMoutauban where the unit was locatedin Southern France to Normandy to stopthe Allied advance. Mautauban was notfar from where my mother along withher mother and sister and my uncle wereliving, on a small farm near the town ofNerac. My mother and her sister weremessengers for the French undergroundduring the entire German occupationperiod. My uncle joined the FrenchJohn R. Schaffner 589/A,Historian, Past President 2002-20031811 Miller Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030410-584-2754, pumexim2@verizon.netMaquis to escape deportation andsurvive, as he did.He was involved in more than afew operations against the GermanDas Reich soldiers and units. Theycalled him the “Man in Gray” becausethe story has it that he wore a long graycoat. He killed many Germans as hewould say to me. A few years beforehe passed away — about ten years ago— he was called back to France andreceived honors for his service in theresistance. The return was quitecontroversial as he made some remarksabout German sympathizers in thecrowd and knew who they were . . . wellto make a long story short he receivedhis honors and was well received by themajority. He had mixed emotions goingback after so many years but his tripmade closure.My uncle fought in one of thelocal maquis in the Geronne Region ofFrance for years. Understanding theFrench resistance history, the FrenchCommunist forces were very strong inThe CUB of the Golden Lion8

Historian’s Message . . .France during the occupation and theybecame stronger when Germany invadedRussia in 1941. They in all actualitycontrolled the French countryside.My uncle was a part of the Frenchcommunist organization called theF.T.P.F. They had Russians embeddedin their chain of command. He and mymother spoke about them in our talks. Ashistory shows, The FFI under DeGuallewas placed into power by the Allies tocounter the F.T.P.F influence as the warended. A politically correct decision ofcourse as the Cold War became a reality.So it went and DeGualle came to power.John, to back track, I sent MaxHastings book to my Uncle and fromthere on we engaged in some long talks.He told me how the F.T.P.F militias hitthe German columns moving from theirstaging area of Mautauban to NorthernFrance. It was no small operation aswe’re talking about a column of 15,000Waffen SS soldiers with over 200 tanksand SP Artillery moving close to500 miles. Instead of three days it took15 days for the Das Reich to get there,so the attacks were effective.My conclusion is that of manyothers that we will never know allthe facts surrounding the Oradoursur-Glane massacre. The 642 Frenchcivilians who died there did not liveto tell it and the few that did could notgive a full account. My uncle confirmedthat they attacked the Das Reich atevery opportunity. He also mentionedthat they savagely killed Germans. Hestated that Germans were captured andheld as hostage. The German commandcertainly knew of this. So for whateverreason the Germans did what they didwe can say it was for all of this. Theother massacre at Tulle was a preludeto Ouradour as Germans were brutallykilled and their bodies mutilated andthen French civilians were killed inretaliation. So on it went.My mother always said that theGerman occupation forces were verydisciplined and she said any break ofthat discipline was severely dealt with.She told me a story of a German whoraped a French woman and the Germanunit assembled the next day in the townsquare and executed the German soldier.I guess this discipline was no longerenforced as much when the occupiersfelt their time was short and the warwas going against them and desperationset in. The Das Reich was a ruthlessdivision and the most decorated andbattle hardened SS Waffen Division,that is a true fact. It could and did fightruthlessly especially on the RussianFront and so it was easy to do whatthey did — they were use to it.To end this narrative, let me saythat my Uncle laughed when we talkedabout all the reasons why the Germansdid what they did at Ouradour. I can stillhear his laugh. He said that more thanone F.T.P.F. resistance fighter becamewealthy after the war as he was amongwitnesses to the taking of the Das ReichDivision’s payroll, gold, among otheritems that the Division moved with them.He said all was seized by maquis bandsand eventually ended up in Switzerland.How would the Das Reich pay itstroops? There was a concerted hunt forthe stolen loot and the Germans werelooking for it. The Germans did ransackOuradour looking for something. Yes,they did find caches of explosives andThe CUB of the Golden Lion9continues on page 10

Historian’s Message . . .weapons but they did not find the loot.Nobody talked and the Germans hadtheir orders from above. I think myuncle’s story has some substance and Ihave no reason to believe that he wouldmake the story up. Would the Germanskill everyone because the French hadcaptured a German officer and killedhim? Perhaps, but the taking of theDivision’s payroll I think would havegotten the attention of the German chainof command including the Divisioncommander General Lammerding.John, my family were survivors. Ihave a photo hanging in my office of myuncle marching down the main avenuein Agen, France in 1945. He is the thirdman on the right side of the column ofmarchers. Before the column is a largebanner that reads “22,000 F.T.P.Fsons gave their lives for France.”(The quality of the photo was not goodenough for reproducing for The CUB.)This story coming from my uncleonly adds to the many twists about thereason behind the Ouradour Massacreand perhaps gives another reason whythe Waffen SS acted as they did in thevillage. If they don’t want to tell us wherethe payroll is they will never see it.Last note: John how I would love tomake it to Norfolk for the 68th AnnualReunion but I simply have too manyirons in the fire over here. Do know howmuch I recall our times together over theyears. I will continue to keep the historyof the Golden Lions alive. Work withCarl Wouters, Doug Mitchell and otherswill continue. . . always something to doto keep your history and the memoriesof your comrades alive.Take care good friend!Golden Lions! Airborne!EdHinder forward: The 168th EngineerCombat Battalion in ZI and ETOfrom May 1943 through November 1945By Dean F. Jewett (168th Eng)Dean F. Jewett has written a book about the168th Engineer Combat Battalion, which wasattached to the 106th Infantry Division during theBattle of the Bulge. The book is 456 pages andsells for 75, which includes postage, sales tax, etc.New copies are only available through Mr.Jewett at P.O. Box 148, Saco, ME 04072 orby phone at 207-284-6778.Used copies are available online through outfits,such as Amazon.com or Ebay.com.Note: the cover may not look likethe pictured image.The CUB of the Golden Lion10

Treasurer’s and Membership Chair’s Report . . .Make checks payable to “106thInfantry Division Association” andmail them to the Treasurer:Please report all changesof address and deaths to theAssociation Membership Chair:Mike Sheaner, TreasurerPO Box 140535Dallas TX 75214sheaner1@airmail.net214-823-3004Jacquelyn S. Coy, Membership121 McGregor Ave.Mt. Arlington, NJ r Annual Dues Are No Longer DueIn 2010 the Board of Directors voted to dispense with annual dues, however,we continue to ask for donations, whatever you can give, to help defray the cost ofprinting and mailing The CUBs, which go out three times a year. For the Associationto be able to meet not only yearly expenses, these donations make possible theenjoyable time at each Annual Reunion.We will also continue to collect Memorial, Honorary and Life Plus donations.Any contribution that helps defray cost and sustain the association is greatlyappreciated. Please consider donating to the Association.“We were once Brothers ” and will remain so forever.Once, brother carried brother through the trials of trainingat Camp Atterbury and endured in battle on the Schnee-Eifelof Belgium and Germany. Support the 106th Infantry DivisionAssociation by making a Memorial or Honorary contributionin the name of your brother, friend, father or spouse.New membership applications are available for everyonein your family. Membership is only 10 and is open toall veterans and non-106thveterans (of every generation)and comes with full voting privileges. We encourageall family members to join to help honor our veteransand continue the legacy of the 106th.Contact: Membership Chair, Jacquelyn S. Coy,membership@106thinfdivassn.org or Treasurer,Mike Sheaner, sheaner1@airmail.net.The CUB of the Golden Lion11

Treasurer’s and Membership Chair’s Report . . .Life and Memorial/Honorary Contributions Essentialfor Keeping this Organization GoingYour gifts are essential to maintaining The CUB magazine in its current formatwith high-quality content and tri-annual delivery. The cost of printing and mailingeach edition of The CUB exceeds our current level of giving. Therefore, weencourage all readers to make an annual contribution, as you are able, to helpdefray the cost of printing and mailing.Contributions make it possible for the Association to meet yearly expensesand host Annual Reunions. Please consider making an annual Life , Memorialor Honorary donation to the Association today.The Annual Dues of 10 are no longer billed or collected. We are now acceptingonly donations for membership, memorials and LIFE PLUS. The previously-allowedpayment of 75 for Life Membership creates a financial shortfall, as our expensesexceeds our income.Our solution? We are asking you to join theLIFE PLUS ClubThose Members who contribute to the LIFE PLUS Club will have their names (only,no amounts will be shown) published in the next CUB.You can donate as much or as little as you can and as often as you like.By donating, you are helping perp

238 Devore Dr., Meadville, PA 16355 Bernard Mayrsohn jrobb238@hotmail.com 814-333-6364-----106th ID Association’s Belgium Liaison: Carl Wouters Waterkant 17 Bus 32, B-2840 Terhagen, Belgium carl_wouters@hotmail.com cell: (32) 47 924 7789 CUB Edit