I thought I had mentioned reading this book on this forum some time back, but after searching this section I couldn't find it so I'll proceed anew.. I first read this book in 2005, although it's been around for decades. At the time I had recently made an email friend in Ukraine after reading his grandfather's WWII story on the 'I Remember' web site. It is based on the personal experience of a young female journalist who was living in Berlin at the time of the city's capitulation to the Red Army in May, 1945 and the subsequent rape of (reported) several hundred thousand German women of all ages in Berlin by Russian soldiers. That figure could be as high as 2 million, as many were not reported and there were thousands of suicides in Berlin by women and men alike. Some German parents loyal to the Nazi Party chose to kill their children first and then commit suicide themselves rather than be subjected to Soviet rule and/or revenge they knew was coming after the atrocities that were commited by German soldiers to Russian civilians over the course of 5 years of Nazi occupation.

When this book was first published in Germany in 1958 it was met with extreme anger, as many thought it was an insult against German women's honor by the author, who was herself a victim who did what was necessary to survive, as did many other women who were left defenceless. I had a hard time putting this book down once I started reading it, so I was happy to see that a movie version was released in 2009, and available on Netflix. The cast includes many of the fine German actors and actresses who had major roles in "Downfall." This post has grown larger than I intended so I will close with a recommendation that you read the book and/or see the movie. Both are excellent in my opinion.

Well, holy cow (and other assorted animals), there are three b-days today!!!!

3 members are celebrating their birthdays today

Parnell-H(40), CaptO(38) and Larry L(60)

A very happy birthday to all three, especially our dear captain who is actually a MAJOR now!

Korea 60: Eisenhower the Peacemaker

Honoring Those who Served in Korea

ABILENE, Kan. - The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum will host a day of programs on July 24 to honor the service of Americans who have served in the Republic of Korea from 1950 to the present.

The day begins with a presentation by intelligence agency historians and ends with dinner and entertainment. All events are free and open to the public with the exception of the dinner, which costs $20 per person. Eisenhower Peacemaker Coin

The schedule is as follows:

Eisenhower, Intelligence, and Korea

Visitors Center Auditorium, 10:30 a.m. - noon

-Dr. Clayton Laurie, CIA "Baptism by Fire: CIA Analysis of the Korean War" -Dr. David Hatch, NSA historian, "DDE and COMINT: Astute Consumer and Agent of Change"

The Korean War was the Agency's first role in an international conflict. The opening of classified material as featured in the "Baptism By Fire" book will contribute significantly to the historic record of the Korean War, making possible new research and great understanding of early Cold War history.

Korean War and Service Veterans Panel Discussion

Visitors Center Auditorium, 1 to 2:45 p.m.

The panel will feature Dr. Paul Edwards, Director Emeritus, Center for the Study of the Korean War, as moderator. Panel members include veterans who have served in Korea at various times from the 1950s to the 1990s.

Keynote Address | Lt. Gen. Robert Arter, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Presentation of Eisenhower Peacemaker Coins

Visitors Center Auditorium, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Keynote speaker retired Lt. Gen. Robert Arter is a veteran of the wars in Korea and Vietnam and former commander of the U.S. Sixth Army. Arter is a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, and a consultant and bank director. In 2009 he received the Distinguished Civilian Service Award for his work as a Civilian Aide. It is the highest award a civilian can receive from the Army.

The Eisenhower Peacemaker Coin is available to Korean War veterans and all those who have served to keep the peace in Korea since the signing of the armistice on July 27, 1953. (Coin recipients or their representatives MUST be present at the ceremony.) If you or a loved one served in Korea and are able to attend the ceremony, sign up to receive the Eisenhower Peacemaker Coin.

Reception and Dinner

5:30 p.m. Social | Library Lobby 6:00 p.m. Dinner | Library Courtyard

Cost is $20 per person and includes the remarks by retired Maj. Gen. Singlaub and entertainment by Ray Marco. RSVPs required by July 16. Please send check, made payable to Eisenhower Foundation, to P.O. Box 339, Abilene, Kan. 67410.

Remarks | Maj. Gen. John K. Singlaub, U.S. Army (Ret.) | www.generalsinglaub.com

Singlaub is a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. From July 1976 to June 1977 he served as Chief of Staff, United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea. He is recipient of many decorations and awards. His autobiography, Hazardous Duty, was published in 1991.

Entertainment | Ray Marco | raymarco.com

Mr. Marco is a veteran performer of the stage, television and motion picture screen. His 1956 hit "Abilene" was the unofficial campaign song for President Eisenhower's successful re-election. Mr. Marco is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force Security Service.

This program is in partnership with the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Please visit the Truman Library web site at www.trumanlibrary.org for a full schedule of events. The Truman Library programming focuses on the early time period of the war while the Eisenhower Library focuses on the latter time period and years since the signing of the armistice. This program is sponsored by the Eisenhower Foundation and Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. It is dedicated to President Eisenhower's successful conclusion of the conflict on July 27, 1953.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, a nonpartisan federal institution, is part of the Presidential Libraries network operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential Libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. We preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.

I'm Caryl in the sunny HOT HOT HOT Panhandle of FL. My beach is slathered in oil, so I've taken to my winter activity of family history and geneology to entertain myself after my morning pool swim.

Obviously I'm new here. I am working on research on my grandfather, who passed in 2000. He never spoke of the war with the grandchildren as war wasn't something you discussed with genteel young ladies. Sigh.

I was able to finally get a hold of his service records from the archives (luckily none of them were in the great fire).

He is listed as:

before 44 he was in his 3.5 year at Valley Forge Mil Acad. - his whole senior class enlisted at Christmas, without graduating. I'm hoping to get VF to confer honorary diplomas for that class that went off to war.

Co L 311th INF March 30 of 44

Co A 280th Eng Combat Bat from 4/23/44 until 8/11/45

730th Engineer Det Dist Co 11 OCt 45

(after that he went to flight school and went officer.)

I know he was at the BoB, Aredennes, and Alsance Fr. I THINK he was in some part of D-Day.

I'm looking for areas of work, and battle lines, any photos, unit patches pictures etc.

I know it's a lot to ask, but I've been reading the forums and you all are amazing. He was a bridge builder and a construction forman.

We're AirForce and I'm lost with all the army history.

Any help or direction is greatly appreciated. I will check back often for replies. Again, thank you.

(DH is a PH recipiant from Khobar Towers, still AD AirForce. I'm a life member of the Ladies Auxilery. So if there is anyone here of that group, "Howdy!" We don't have a local group down here, so I've been out of that loop for 6 years!)

From my buddy Tom...

Navy TV Airs Korean War Film “Floating Fortress”

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, on June 25, 1950.

In honor of this historic date, Navy TV is airing the 1952 Navy-produced film “Floating Fortress,” which portrays life aboard the battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) during the war.

The 14-minute documentary highlights the crew’s living conditions and bombardment of enemy positions along the shore.

Click here... NavyTV