Administrative Documentation
82ND AIRBORNE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
John P. Czahor, Company D, carried this membership card bearing his personal signature.
WENDELL GRIFFIN BASEBALL CONTRACT
In 1941 Wendell Griffin was playing Class D baseball in the Georgia-Florida League of the American Baseball Club. He was released from his contract with the Valdosta, Georgia Club on 22 January 1941 for reasons unstated.
CHARLES WARF'S DRAFT CARD
Charles Warf received his "Greetings..." letter presumably in early October 1942 as he enlisted on the 10th of that month. The date of this registration card is unknown but based on his age versus birth date, must have been at some point in 1941,
His occupation upon enlistment was "Machinist". In that period, the textile mills of North Carolina were a strong employer (note that his mother's employer was Carter Fabrics Corp.) so Charles probably was familiar with large sewing or knitting machines. That background made him a likely candidate for the Parachute Maintenance Section which he was assigned to in Frankfurt. He may have sewn many of the white scarves worn by the Honor Guard.
NICK DEGAETA'S SURVIVAL AT ST. VITH AND TRANSFER TO THE 508TH
Nick DeGaeta sent a letter to Janice Silver as a consequence of the 2008 membership drive for the Family and Friends of the 508th PIR Association.
In his letter Nick describes how he had originally been in the 509th which was decimated at Sadsot (sic, should read as Sadzot), Belgium.
During the Battle of the Bulge, the 509th fought in Belgium to blunt the German attack. An account of this battle is described in the book "Bloody Clash at Sadzot."
The 509th was disbanded at the end of January 1945 with 46 survivors of its 700 members emerging after the battle near Saint Vith. The men left were used as replacements within various units of the 82d Airborne Division.
Degaeta was then transferred to the 508th for the remaining seven months of his service.
ENLISTED MESS PASS
Enlisted Men's Club Pass for Aubrey N. Daniel, Jr., Frankfurt Germany, ca. 1946
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE
HEADQUARTERS 820 AIRBORNE DIVISION
OFFICE Of THE DIVISION COMMANDER
A.P.O. 469, U.S. ARMY12 January 1945
Dear Mrs. Myers:
It is with deep regret that I write of the death of your son, Private
Max Myers (35563869) a member of my command who was killed in action 7 October 1944.
Your son was a member of the 508th Parachute Infantry, 82d All American Airborne Division.
Private Myers was a loyal and dependable soldier whose services were a credit to his organization. His cheerful and willing attitude was a great
morale builder. Your son was killed in Holland by small arms fire while his organization was occupying a defensive position. It is regretted that censorship regulations forbid the disclosing of more details and exact locations.
Your son was buried in Holland, and I can assure you that this was accomplished in a most befitting manner by his comrades with a Protestant Chaplain officiating. For further information concerning burial or disposition of personal effects an inquiry should be addressed to The Quartermaster General, Army Service Forces, Washington, D. C.
Putting aside family ties, the admiration, respect, and affection of comrades are a soldier's most priceless possessions, because collectively these comrades are unfailing judges. These possessions I believe your son had earned in full measure. Death of such a man leaves with each member of the Division a lasting sense of loss, from which there comes to you a deep sense of personal sympathy.
Sincerely,
/s/ James M. Gavin
JAMES M. GAVIN
Major General U. S. Army
Commanding.
Emma Myers
Route #2
Portland, Indiana
UNCLE SAM SENDS HIS GREETINGS
Bill Goudy, destined to become a member of Hq 1st, received his draft notice in late September of 1942. It advised him that he was to report to Room #214 of the 1st National Bank Building in Marietta, Ohio at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 1942.
His destination after that was to be an unnamed Army induction center. It is interesting to note that Bill was advised to bring eight days of clothing when he reported in. Obviously the initial process was going to take some time before he was issued uniforms, etc.
Nonetheless, the timing of his reporting in was prophetic as the 508th formed just 16 days later and Bill's willingness to become a parachutist earned him a quick train ticket to Camp Blanding, Florida.
MEL ECHELBERGER'S JUMP CARD
Melvin B, "Mel" Echelberger was a jump-qualified medical x-ray technician who graduated from jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia, with five jumps using a T-7 'chute completed between 4 February and 8 February 1954.
Following graduation he was transferred to the 508th at Fort Campbell, Kentucky the 508th in Kentucky. While at Fort Campbell, now using the T-10, he completed nine more jumps between 5 March 1954 and 6 April 1955.
After the 508th arrived in Japan, he made his 15th jump.
Since this book was filled, whether he began entering a second jump book is uknown.
ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP CARDS
These membership cards were retained by Harry Roll (H Co). The first two images are the front and back of a card issued and signed by the 508th PIR Association (WW-II) founder, O.B. Hill. The third image is a card issued by Don Jakeway to all men of H Company who were association members. Neither card is dated but were probably issued during the mid-1980s.
ENLISTED MEN'S PASSES
Company Special Privilege Pass for Pvt John M. King, Frankfurt Germany, 4 September 1946[courtesy of Justin Baum]
1st Battalion, Company Mess Pass for Pvt John M. King, Frankfurt Germany, ca. 1946
OFFICERS MESS PASSES
Lt. William Knapp's Mess Pass for use in the Frankfurt Officers' Mess and Officers' Club(courtesy of Bill Knapp)
this card, issued in December 1944 to Lt. Combs, was only used until the 18th when the 508th left for the Bulge
nearly a year later, the 508th was in Frankfurt as part of the United States Forces European Theater
This Officers Mess card was purchased by Lt. Rex Combs for the month of May ... but the year was not noted, nor the location. Does anyone recognize this format?
MOVIE PASS
Free movies at the Red Devil Theatre ... but only if you are an authorized member of the regiment!
Bill Goudy, Hq 1st was one of the men that were issued such a pass. Although undated, the fact that Capt Harold E. Snow signed it as the commanding officer implies this may have been issued in Nottingham as Snow, according to Morning Report entries, was the C.O. between 15 June and 25 July 1944.
PAY BOOK
This personal pay record of Pvt Eugene A. McMillan reflects his initial enlistment date of 13 October 1942 which occurred at Camp Grant, IL, about 100 miles south of his home in Beaverdam, Wisconsin.
As a Private on parachutist pay, Eugene had a monthly pay rate of $100, less any taxes that were taken out. Of the remainder, about 50% was given up by a monthly deduction of $6.50 for a $15,000 life insurance policy premium and another $37.00 a month was sent home as an allotment.
Although there is an entry showing that Eugene was reduced in grade from Pfc to Private on 3 March 1944, it did not weigh heavily on his career as he subsequently re-enlisted as a TSgt on 16 November 1945 and ultimately retied as a commissioned officer.
Note that this book was signed by 2nd Lt. Arthur F. Snee who was KIA on 6 June 1944.
POW POSTCARDS
Sept 9. 1944
Hi Betty I'm sorry but it wasn't my fault. I hope you people at home forgive me. I wish you'd write to [me?] as often as you can to sort of square things up. Right now they're my chief worry. The Jerries treat me as good as can be expected. Love GustNOTE: this piece of correspondence appears to be similar in format to a V-mail, i.e., a folded letter.
The images at left are the delivery address for betty and the return address for Gust
Dec 3, 1944
Dear Betty Well it's getting close to Xmas and I beat a buddie [sic] out of this blank [form] so I can wish you a merry Christmas. To [sic] bad I can't send you any presents. Its getting kinda rough we can't get any news and I haven't heard from Mom or Dad since May 13. In other words I'm starting to get kinda blue. I really pray everything is all right at home. Xmas night do me a favor and hang one on for me, will you? Take car of yourself Betty. Gust
Dec 24, 1944
Dear Betty Xmas eve is really nice here. Everybody with long faces and nice barbed wire to look out of. It's a special occasion so I got myself and my buddie [sic] a loaf of white bread between us. I just had a piece & it tastes like cake Gust
Jan 28, 1945
Dear Betty, Well I'm still kicking, I guess I'm just too ornery to die or St. Peter don't want me around. I still have that picture of you and miss Henry in your bathing suits. As yet I haven't received any letters but I'm still hoping. Take care. Love Gus
Feb 16, 1945
Dear Betty, my post is limited so you'll have to forgive me for not writing. I am as well as can be expected. I haven't received any letters from anybody as yet. Some of the guys got as high as 18 letters already. Give me news of home. Love Gust
Feb 25, 1945
Dear Betty, This day was the happiest I've had since I have been a P.O.W. I got two letters from you Thanks a lot. Some how it just isn't enough to just thank you. One was postmarked Dec 10 and the other the 20th of Dec . Give my regards to my sister-in-law. Love Gust
WHITE HOUSE LETTER
To you who answered the call of your country and served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks if a grateful Nation. As one of the Nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one van be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out the task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace.
/s/ Harry Truman
Short Pass
Bob was granted a 7 1/2 pass to see the sights in Nottingham
ETO Ration Card
enabled the bear to purchase certain things at the BX. Note the warning regarding black market activity!
Strict Controls
were in place as each rationed item was accounted for as purchases were checked off
Enlisted Man's ID
issued by USFET
ID Card Inside
issued to TSgt Speers by Capt Murray Harvey
NCO Club
TSgt Speersca 1945-45
Immunization Recordfor Smallpox, Typhoid, Tetanus and with shots given between 19454-47More Shots!
this record shows various vaccines received between 1947 and 1954!
Other Immunizations
but also Spectacles (none), Gasmask (none) and Dentures (none)
ARMY EXCHANGE MEAL TICKET
CHELTENHAM CORNER CLUB MEMBERSHIP CARD
Ration Card
issued to Clarence Shipton in July 1946 shows that he was a member of Company E. His son stated that the folded card has an inside page which "shows that Dad did not miss any of the rations…all are punched!".
The Corner Club (Cheltenham) Ltd.
was apparently frequented by Lt. Francis L. Mahan of I Co.
Cheltenham is not close to Nottingham and it is unclear why Lt. Mahan was in that area. Although he does not yet appear on the Purple Heart list, he may have been convalescing in a hospital in that area.
Whatever the case, the card expiry notice indicates that it was valid only through November 14, 1945. There is a good chance that by that time Francis may well have been homeward bound.
ARMY EXCHANGE RATION CARDS
Bob Chisholm
had this ration card issued to him on November 20. 1944, This front side details certain items that can be purchased on a weekly basis while others are for every two weeks or even every four weeks depending on how long a given item will last
More Durable
items could only be purchased every eight weeks. and goods that were highly sought after were relegated to be available at the discretion of the BX officer.
Army Exchange Ration Card
A different version of the Exchange card issued to Albert Koch. Why two versions were in use at the same time is unknown.
ATHLETIC & RECREATION MEMBERSHIP
[Courtesy of Branch McQueen]
This card was issued to Theodore R. Houghton, Company G. Although it is undated, it had to have been in Frankfurt 1945 based on his rank.
What it specifically entitled him to is not known.
SPECIAL ORDERS FOR GERMAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS
