Why have I create this website ?

It is certainly an important question because I was born in 1969 and so I never personnally knew the Second World War era. This troubled period had marked my grandparents and since my youngest childhood I’ve heard stories about the nazi occupation and liberation of Belgium in 1944. It has always been with the same emotion that they told me about their surprise when they saw the GI’s for the first time. These young and smiling men represented the end of four years of deprivation. The kindness and generosity of the US soldiers have greatly affected my compatriots. Gradually I developed interest for their stories and I began to read a lot of books about World War II. I took advantage of every occasion to learn more about the American units. After that I collected souvenirs from that period and I very well remember my great excitment when I found my first US helmet. I was only 12 year old ! However in 1996 I made a discovery wich changed a lot of things for me …

That summer I founded an American identification tag in woods near the little village of Hemroulle (Bastogne). It read: WARREN E LILLY. A friend of mine rapidly identified the man as a member of the 17^thAirborne Division, 193^rd Glider Infantry Regiment, Company E. Unfortunately he had passed away in 1989. At that time I didn’t very well know that unit and I started researches with a crazy idea: finding Warren Lilly’s buddies! I sent a lot of mails for finally rediscover veterans of that unit. Their kindness and their precious help were extremely valuable to me and month after month I collected a lot of information concerning Company E and 193^rd Glider Infantry Regiment. Rapidly I developed a real passion for the 17^th Airborne Division. I decided initially to write a book dedicated to the 193rd GIR but my job is really time consuming and more than ten years later I have not yet found the time to publish it. It will be more simple and probably more interactive to share my researches by the "internet way". I am proud to present you with this work. It contains the results of my researches since 1996. Through it I hope to keep the memory and honor the sacrifice of all these young men. 

Hereby I want to express my gratefulness to the veterans and their families who have helped me : Bill Taylor, Donald Canfield, Tony Heigl, Glenn Widdows, Jean Klick, Irvin Shore, Harold Osborn, Edward Shartle, Allen Myers, Bartley Hagerman, Charles Thomas, Robert McGlasson, Eugene Hermann, Phillip J Rice, Joe Quade, Jim Wittenmyer, Russell Dierolf, Edward Siergiej, William Tom, Curtis Gadd, John Kormann, Phyllis Vandeviver, Dorie Zitch, Ruth Torch, Phil Smith, Anne Telesca-Robinson, Lisa Robinson-Stuart, John Senick, Earl Cavanah & his family, Michael Meyers, Tony Glavan, David Bailey, Adam Coolong, Jere Lee McClendon, Patrick Gudaitis, Bruce & Patricia Overman, Melvin Lagoon & his family, Chris Caschera, Margaret Eadington, Richard P Pohanish, Vincent Ortega, Jayne Linfante, Mark Dill, Jeanne Sandison, Charles and Bob Foulon.

Richard (TFH)    

Honorary Member 17th AB Assn

PS : some poeples try to contact me by my Guestbook or the Comment section of my photos or articles. In doing so, I can't obtain the email address and can't so answer. So please, use the Contact section. Thanks.

Pourquoi ai-je créé ce blog ?

Il s'agit d'une question intéressante car je suis né en 1969 ai je n'ai donc jamais connu la deuxième guerre mondiale. Cette époque terrible avait toutefois durablement marqué mes grands-parents et depuis ma plus tendre enfance, j'ai été bercée par leurs récits de l'occupation allemande et de la libération de la Belgique en septembre 1944. C'était toujours avec la même émotion qu'il décrivait la surprise qui avait été la leur lorsqu'il ont vu les premiers GI's. Ces jeunes et souriants soldats représentaient en effet la fin de quatre dures années de privation. Leur gentillesse et leur générosité a grandement marqué l'esprit de mes aînés. Peu à peu j'ai développé une véritable passion pour ses récits et j'ai alors développé mes connaissances historiques de cette période en lisant moult livres consacrés au sujet. J'ai tout naturellement complété cette "éducation" par la recherche et l'accumulation de souvenirs militaires relatives à cette période et je me rappelle encore très nettement l'excitation qui a été mienne lorsque j'ai découvert mon premier casque américain. J'avais alors douze ans ! En 1996, je fît toutefois une découverte qui donna encore une autre dimension à cette recherche d'histoire ...

Cet été là, je découvris en effet, lors d'une campagne de fouille non loin du petit village de Hemroulle (Bastogne), une plaque d'identité américaine sur laquelle on pouvait lire : WARREN E LILLY. Un bon ami identifia rapidement que ce soldat appartenait à la compagnie E du 193° régiment aérotransporté de la 17° division parachutiste américaine. Quelques recherches complémentaires m'apprirent qu'il était décédé en 1989. A cette époque, je ne connaissais que peu de chose sur cette unité et j'entrepris alors des recherches avec la folle idée de retrouver les camarades de Warren Lilly ! Après de nombreuses lettres envoyées aux USA, j'obtint enfin les premières réponses de vétérans. Leur gentillesse et leur aide me furent d'un précieux secours et mois après mois, j'accumula des informations diverses sur le 193° régiment aérotransporté. Rapidement, je développa une véritable passion pour la 17° division parachutiste américaine. J'ai d'abord envisagé de publier un livre avec l'ensemble de mes recherches mais finalement, mes occupations familiales et professionnelles ne m'ont toujours pas permis de finaliser ce projet dix ans plus tard. J'ai donc décidé d'utiliser la "toile" pour partager mes découvertes. Cette manière de faire sera je l'espère plus évolutive et plus interactive. Je suis fière de vous présenter ce travail. Il est le fruit de mes recherches depuis 1996. A travers elles, j'espère préserver un peu la mémoire et honorer le sacrifice de tout ces jeunes hommes. 

Je tiens ici à exprimer mes remerciements les plus sincères aux vétérans et aux familles qui m'ont aidé dans mes recherches : Bill Taylor, Donald Canfield, Tony Heigl, Glenn Widdows, Jean Klick, Irvin Shore, Harold Osborn, Edward Shartle, Allen Myers, Bartley Hagerman, Charles Thomas, Robert McGlasson, Eugene Hermann, Phillip J Rice, Joe Quade, Jim Wittenmyer, Russell Dierolf, Edward Siergiej, William Tom, Curtis Gadd, John Kormann, Phyllis Vandeviver, Dorie Zitch, Ruth Torch, Phil Smith, Anne Telesca-Robinson, Lisa Robinson-Stuart, John Senick, Earl Cavanah et sa famille, Michael Meyers, Tony Glavan, David Bailey, Adam Coolong, Jere Lee McClendon, Patrick Gudaitis, Bruce & Patricia Overman, Melvin Lagoon et sa famille, Chris Caschera, Margaret Eadington, Richard P Pohanish, Vincent Ortega, Jayne Linfante, Mark Dill, Jeanne Sandison, Charles et Bob Foulon.

Richard (TFH)    

Membre honoraire 17th AB Assoc

PS : certaines personnes tentent de me contacter par le Guestbook ou par la section Commentaire des photos ou des articles. En procédant de la sorte, je ne peux obtenir l'adresse email et ne peux donc répondre. Utiliser donc la section Contact de mon blog. Merci.

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private Jack ADRAGNA (ASN 33148207) - F/513th PIR

(December 16, 1917 - January 16, 1945)

Jack ADRAGNA was born at Carnegie, Allegheni County, Pennsylvania on December 16, 1917. He entered service at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania in February 5, 1942, received ASN 33148207 and was finally assigned as Pvt to F/513th PIR.

He was killed in action on January 16, 1945. Jack is now permanently buried to the Holy Souls Cemetery of Pittsbugh, Allegheni County, Pennsylvania. 

NARA file

NARA File

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Sergeant John C BAASE (ASN 36516085) - C/550th AIB

(January 16, 1921 - January 04, 1945)

Son of Charles and Susan BAASE, John Chester BAASE was born on January 16, 1921 at Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan. He entered service in August 22, 1942 and received ASN 36516085. He was finally assigned to C/550th Airborne Infantry Battalion later re designated 550th Glider Infantry Battalion. In late December 1944, the 550th was attached to the 194th GIR as a third battalion of this regiment. It fought with this unit during the battle of the Bulge and was disbanded on early March 1945 with the 193rd GIR to consolidate the 194th GIR in its new configuration, according the T/O of December 1944.

Sergeant BAASE was killed in action during the first day of battle in the Bulge, on January 04, 1945, in the vicinity of Renuamont. He is now permanently buried to the Mount Olivet Cemetery of Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan. 

NARA file

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private First Class David A CAMP (ASN 38533190) - A/513th PIR

(August 24, 1924 - February 08, 1945)

Son of Noah and Pauline MEDEN - CAMP, David Abner CAMP was born in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas on August 24, 1924. He entered service on August 30, 1943 and received ASN 38533190. He was finally assigned as Pfc to A/513th PIR.

He was killed in action on February 08, 1945 while his unit fought in Great Duchy of Luxembourg. David is permanently buried since 1949 to the Grove Hill Memorial Park Cemetery of Dallas, Dallas County, Texas. 

NARA file

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private First Class Julius A DAVIS (ASN 34824787) - C/513th PIR

(April 03, 1925 - January 04, 1945)

Julius A DAVIS was born at Rebecca, De Kalb County, Georgia on April 03, 1925. He entered service at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Georgia in July 10, 1943, received ASN 34824787 and was finally assigned as to C/513th PIR.

He was killed in action during the battle for Cochleval, on January 04, 1945, at the age of 19 yrs-old. Julius is permanently buried since 1949 to the Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery of Lithonia, De Kalb County, Georgia. 

NARA file

NARA File

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private Jack A EADIE (ASN 33670788) - E/193rd GIR

(May 11, 1924 - January 07, 1945)

Jack EADIE was born at Fayette County, Pennsylvania on May 11, 1924. He entered service at Greensburg, Pennsylvania in April 12, 1943, received ASN 33670788 and was finally assigned to E/193rd GIR.

He was killed in action on January 07, 1945 at the age of 20 yrs-old. Jack is permanently buried since 1949 to the Sylvan Heights Cemetery of Oliver, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. 

NARA file

NARA File

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private First Class Charles E FAIRCHILD (ASN 37610689) - 194th GIR

( ? - January 04, 1945)

Charles E FAIRCHILD from Missouri entered service on the same State and received ASN 37610689. He was  assigned to 194th GIR.

He was killed in action on January 04, 1945. Charles is permanently buried to the Luxembourg American Cemetery of Luxembourg City, Great Duchy of Luxembourg (Plot H, Raw 7, Grave 69).

NARA file

NARA File

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private Thomas A GALJOUR (ASN 38502217) - E/513th PIR

(February 20, 1925 - January 05, 1945)

Son of Joseph and Octavia THOMASSIE - GALJOUR, Thomas Alton GALJOUR was born in Lafourche Parish County, Louisiana on February 20, 1925. He entered service on January 11, 1944, received ASN 38502217 and was finally assigned to E/513th PIR.

He was killed in action on January 05, 1945, at the age of 19 yrs-old. Thomas is permanently buried since 1948 to the Holy Rosary Cemetery of Larose, Lafourche Parish County, Louisiana. 

NARA file

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private John HABINYAK (ASN 32096887) - F/193rd GIR

(1915 - January 07, 1945)

Son of Vasil and Katherina KRETT - HABINYAK, John HABINYAK was born in Central City, Somerset County, Pennsylvania in 1915. He entered service at Fort Jay Governors Island, New-York on June 24, 1941. He received ASN 32096887 and was finally assigned to F/193rd GIR.

He was killed in action on January 07, 1945, at the age of 30 yrs-old. John is permanently buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery of Luxembourg, Great Duchy of Luxembourg (Plot D, Row 10, Grave 6). 

NARA file

NARA file 

Fallen during the Bulge. Let's never forget him ...

Private George C JACKSON (ASN 13000730) - 550th AIB

(1918 - January 04, 1945)

George C JACKSON was born in 1918 in Texas. He entered service in August 03, 1940 at Baltimore and received ASN 13000730. He was finally assigned to 550th Airborne Infantry Battalion later re designated 550th Glider Infantry Battalion. In late December 1944, the 550th was attached to the 194th GIR as a third battalion of this regiment. It fought with this unit during the battle of the Bulge and was disbanded on early March 1945 with the 193rd GIR to consolidate the 194th GIR in its new configuration, according the T/O of December 1944.

Private JACKSON was killed in action during the first day of battle in the Bulge, on January 04, 1945, in the vicinity of Renuamont. He is now permanently buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery of Luxembourg, Great Duchy of Luxembourg (Plot F, Row 9, Grave 26). 

NARA file

NARA file