CPT Charlie Scheffel, 39th Infantry Regiment, WWII

Gentlemen,

Here's a brief note on Captain Charles Scheffel, who served with the 39th Infantry Regiment (Charlie Company) during WWII. News from Dave Hardesty makes me think we will soon be hearing more from Charlie Scheffel.

I should say 'hearing from him once again', because Charlie's the co-author (along with Barry Basden / bbasden@verizon.net) of Crack and Thump!, about his days in uniform with the unit. And word has it that he's continuing to fill in the historical record even now. More on that as news comes in.

Captain Scheffel and Dale Hardesty went to Oklahoma A&M together before their assignment to Paddy's Gang.

AAAO!

(Photo from his days before the war -- if my eyes don't deceive me, that's an ROTC crest on the peaked cap.)


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Paddy's Gang: SGT Brian Baumgartner, 1983-1985

Here's a brief note from Brian Baumgartner , who served with 1/39 Inf during the early-mid 1980s:

HQ, 1st/39th in 1983-1984

Thanks,

Brian Baumgartner (Sgt E-5 at the time)

I've replied with a request for a bit more info -- meanwhile, if you served with HHC in the 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry at that time, be sure to drop me a line.

Update: turns out Brian was in the S-3 shop, like me, although a bit earlier than my day. These days he's living in Illinois.

AAAO!

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SGT John Francis, 1/39 Inf, Charlie Company

. . . and here's news of another fellow who served with 1/39 Infantry when we were down on the Rhine:

I was in Paddy's Gang from February 1965 until July 1967. I was in Charlie Company for the entire time I served. I was with the unit when we moved from Worms to Baumholder. I started out in the first platoon, was the company armorer for a while, did recon, and was also assigned to third platoon for a while.

John Francis

John's sent along his email address, so feel free to drop a line if you served with him in Paddy's Gang during the 1960s.

AAAO!

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Huellstrounk / Delta Co, 1/39 Inf, 1985-1988

Here's news from someone who served with Paddy's Gang at much the same time I did, Edwin F. Huellstrounk:

I was in the 1/39th in 1985 to 1988. I am trying to find my friends. I was at Delta Co. 1/39th from Nov 85 to Jun 88, in Baumholder.

Turns out Edwin served with 1st Platoon, and later moved to Headquarters Platoon. Anyone who remembers him from those days, please be sure to send along your contact details. I've got Edwin's email address and can help make the link.

AAAO!

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Frank Giordano / 39th Infantry Regiment, Fürth FRG 1954-1956 -- Part 1

One of the great pleasures of running the web beacon is the occasional chance to speak to veterans who served in the regiment long before I did. Frank Giordano has written in to shed light on a period in the unit's history of which I had known very little:

It's nice to see your interest in the 39th Infantry. During the cold war days in Germany I was with the 39th Inf, 9th Division from 2/55 to 10/56, stationed at Monteith Barracks (Atzenhof Kaserne). This was regimental headquarters under Col. William Rosson (I believe he became one of our youngest generals in history).

The 39th had gone inactive in 1946, and then reactivated in 1947 at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The unit returned to Europe in 1954, replacing the 169th Inf at Fuerth, Germany. In October 1956 we were part of Operation Gyroscope and went to Ft Carson, Colorado. We were replaced in Fuerth by the 8th Infantry Division.

I was in B Company 1st Platoon, before being assigned to company headquarters as one of the drivers for Captain John Barrett and other officers.

Most of the time we were in the field training in Hohenfels. We also took part in airlifts and river crossings. We were the #1 company in the battalion during this time.

I have several pictures in b/w of buddies, Monteith Barracks,and area during this period. [note: these are posted on the web beacon here, here and here.]

The last 36 yrs I have been living in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Best Regards, Frank

SP4 FRANK J GIORDANO
B CO. 1/39TH INF 9TH DIV
FURTH,GERMANY 54-56

Well, guys, words fail me. I never imagined I'd catch up with someone who could tell us about those few years down in southern Germany, not so long after the war. Compared to all the fellows who served in Worms and Baumholder, there weren't ever very many from the mid-50s vintage!

As mentioned above, I've posted some of Frank's photos in follow-on posts:

39th Infantry Regiment, Part 2

39th Infantry Regiment, Part 3

39th Infantry Regiment, Part 4

39th Infantry Regiment, Part 5

Trust me, they're far different from what most of us saw with Paddy's Gang, living in the Germany of the 1960s, 70s and 80s -- check them out!

And many, many thanks to Frank Giordano for writing in. I hope to hear more, and share more, in the future. I have Frank's contact details if you want to catch up in person.

AAAO!

p.s. If you're new to the Web Beacon and haven't already written in, you can add your name to the roster now!

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