Robert E Thomas I Co.347th Infantry Reg.87th Division.Tells story of a high school buddy Frederick B Sprinzen who was killed by German sniper over 600 yds away on other side of Rhine River.
This was posted by a new friend on Facebook, David J Clare. Happy to share this with my 87th Infantry friends. Enjoy
I never know what will come across my desk and yesterday was certainly no exception, for I was graced with a personal history, written by Major Frederick C Woods, of the 540th Combat Engineer Regiment, my dad's unit.
What makes this EXTRA special, is the fact that I had already read many of the official reports from NARA, and Fred's reports have been among those documents. And now I can place a face to that NAME and get to know who he really was.
Many thanks to Dan Ewing and Wirth Yarborough for sharing this with me. Here's the letter I received:
Marion,
A good friend of mine Wirth Yarborough, asked me to send the personal memoirs of his late friend, Major Fredrick C. Woods 540th Combat Engineers to you as a possible addition to your website. Wirth cleared release of these memoirs with one of Fred’s surviving daughters. If you have any questions concerning this material please feel free to contact us. BTW, your website is superb and a wonderful tribute to “The Greatest Generation”.
The Battle for Iwo Jima was a major turning point for Allied Forces during World War II. The Allies considered the capture of Iwo Jima Island to be strategically necessary in the campaign to invade Japan, because of its central location between the Japanese mainland and Pacific U.S. military bases.
L-R Sgt. Brett Hatch, Salinagives candy and toys to some kids in a small village near Lake Habbaniyah, Sgt Brandon Condor, Richfield, is on the right. Although the kids love candy, Soccer balls seem to be the most requested gift by the Iraqi kids in the area. photo by Rick Egan 9/17,2005
Difficult to imagine New York without the famous statue. It was inaugurated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886. Gift from France and the sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, the statue is the first symbol of Franco-American friendship developed during the War of Independence (the order is made in 1876 to commemorate Independence). It also symbolizes the ideals of freedom and democracy. Generally it is seen as a reminder of international friendship and the reception of immigrants.
For the record we note that the statue, a gift from France, was to be installed on foundations paid by the US, which provoked much debate at the time. To carry the statue was dismantled into 350 of the pieces placed in 214 boxes!
The painting is made by Edward Moran (1886 for the inauguration).
