"He commanded the first non-infantry unit to be awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team's Regimental Engineer Company--they were reorganized as infantry at the front during an intensive, sustained combat phase of the Korean War. The 187th ABN RCT also placed an aluminum footbridge across the Ura-Kawa River adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone, following a history-making "heavy drop" on April 16, 1954. To that date, this was the longest bridge dropped in the Far East by U.S. forces."
I was talking with my WWII friend today and we were talking about a 157th member that did not make it home. One thing my friend remembered about the man was that the he was always whistling the song "Holiday for Strings". I was able to bring it up on the internet and play it for my friend and he said it was the first time he had heard it in more than 60 years. It was a wonderful and emotional moment remembering the fallen soldier.
It is with regret, that I post the passing of my friend, Bob Felker, 36th Combat Engineer.
I got to know Bob and meet with him for the past several years at the reunions in PA. It was a real honor to be his friend.
I am posting a note from his daughter Lorraine. The apple didn't fall far from the tree, for she was just as wonderful as her father. Lorraine and I also got to be friends, and shared many laughs and stories about her dad and the "boys" from the 36th.
Rest in peace my friend. You shall be truly missed.
Hello All,
I wanted to let you know that Bob passed away this morning. As you all know, he had slowly but steadily declined over the last 6 years as his congestive heart failure progressed. He began hospice care in early April, but still had many days where he could walk (with a walker) & was fairly alert; best of all, his sense of humor never deserted him. From last Wed thru Sun, he declined noticeable each day, and by early Sun eve he was in bed. I was with him from noon on Sun until last evening, and Barrett was with him from yesterday afternoon until he passed away this morning. The hospice staff were wonderful & kept him comfortable throughout.
At his request, Bob is being cremated & will be buried with our mother, Libby, in Roanoke, Virginia. The family will gather there in a couple of weeks for a memorial service.
Though we will miss him greatly, we are thankful that he had 96 good years & was spared any suffering at the end. He was grateful for his many friends, especially his "army buddies".
I look forward to seeing many of you in Lebanon.
Fondly,
Lorraine
The picture below was taken at last year's reunion. Here is Bob sitting next to Colin. We were having an absolutely wonderful time outside on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. It will be a memory which will linger for a long time.
The second photo is of Bob holding his silver star!
The third photo shows his daughter Lorraine. Also pictured are Carl and Tony.
The final picture in this series - Bob and Lorraine at our formal dinner
Hello all i am new to this forum so first off i am sorry if this is in the wrong place if so admins feel free to move it or delete it.
i am ex-british armed forces and also a member of a living history group in scotland were i live, The group covers american forces from WW2 up to the end of vietnam, I am wanting help with an impression i am doing of a member of the 326th Engineer Battalion (AAASLT) cerca 1944 D-Day , They were a part of the 101st airborn devision at that time and are still a part of the devision today. i have the basic uniform sorted but i am struggaling to find infomation about any specialist patches or badges they wore on there jump jackets also what equipment they carried apart from the weapons and other basic kit that all soldiers carried. I want to get my impression as accurate as possible so as to pay respect to those that did there job and still do there job
My grandfather is John Carlos Da Cruz. He served in the 61st Engineers Combat Battalion. He served in England, France, Belgium, Luxenbourg, and Germany. His birthday is coming up and he has mentioned that he would like to see if we can locate a buddy of his named John Clemont Drimala. Not sure if he has the name spelled correctly.
