SGT Clifton J Elliott, HHC 1/39 Inf (M)

Here's a late post, with news of Clifton J Elliott who served with Paddy's Gang back in the late 1970s.  He was with HHC from February 1978 to May 1979, and is in Dayton Ohio these days.  Drop a line if you want to get back in touch.

AAAO!

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Jack Falcone, Paddy's Gang 1961-1964 Part II

Following on from my previous post on Jack Falcone in January 2009, here are some more important details about the unit. (You'll recall that Jack served with 1/39 Inf back in the early/mid 1960s.)

My squad leader was SGT Daniels. Our track driver was Richard A. Warick. I was home on leave when my APC sank in the river. SGT Bickford, Newton and another fellow, all in my squad, died in there.

In 1964 another friend died in a river crossing. His name was Javier Alonzo, he drove the jeep for the Captain. He was crossing a river directly after me. I came out and he went down in a new scout APC. I was talking to him on the radio and yelling for him to get out. He got out but the wrong way and was pushed into the mud. His life vest came up but he didn't. Javier taught me to drive stick shift on the 3/4 ton in the motor pool in Graf. His famous call was 'KOREA'.

One night a soldier went berserk and was firing his M-14 all over the barracks. We finally got him down and placed him in a straight jacket . . . the captain told me to get my .45 and told me to guard him through the night. My orders were to shoot him if he got loose.

Got some great pictures. I posted them on the 48th Infantry web site.

Talk soon,

Jack

Well, those are certainly some sobering tales. Must say, I never had any great enthusiasm for floating the tracks, and this just tends to confirm my view.

Anyone from the unit in those days, be sure to drop me a line.  I have an increasing number of contact details from fellows like Jack who served with the 1st Battalion 39th Infantry Regiment in Worms.

AAAO

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SSG Orville Simpson Smith, 39th Infantry Regiment, WWII

Team,

This gent is looking for information on Paddy's Gang during North Africa days, back in WWII, particularly anything on SSG Orville Simpson Smith. I've passed along what I can, but if there are any amateur historians reading then please let me know and I'll send you his contact details.

Naturally I'd be interested in the research myself, because out here where I live it's pretty much impossible to lay hands on historical documents for primary research.

AAAO!

Hello,

I'm conducting research on my grandfather who was a member of the 39th during WW2. I don't have exact dates but I know he participated in a battle near the Kasserine Pass in North Africa, and continued with the unit until the Battle of Troina when he was wounded by a sniper sometime around July of 1943. My grandfather's name was Orville Simpson Swift and his rank was Staff Sergeant. Other than that, I don't have much more information. I am hoping to try and glean some information from any sources that could possibly detail his service during World War 2 and would be grateful if you have anything that could assist me.

Thanks for your time.

Jason Swift
Lexington Park, Maryland

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SSG Ron Hoeltge - Charlie Co 1/39 Inf, 1983-1984

Team,

Here's a report from Ron Hoeltge, who served with Paddy's Gang back in 1983-1984. I've had this for a long time, but a database crash has proved a real setback since 2009.  Anyway, in the interest of getting this into print I've simply included a few words from Ron along with some photos that will definitely bring back some memories. He's left both email and snail mail addresses -- drop me a line and I'll make the connection.

SSG Ronald R. Hoeltge
Charlie Company 1/39 Inf (M), 2nd Platoon and HQ Platoon
Arrived 10/1983
Departed 12/1984

Here are a few words from Ron about his with 1/39th Inf.:

• Arrived FRG as SGT E-5 (on the promotion list) in early October '83 - deployed from Ft. Carson B Co. 1/12th Inf, 4th Inf Div.

• Assigned as 2nd Squad Leader, 2nd Platoon, C 1/39th Inf. in Baumholder, FRG.

• Promoted to SSG - typical duties as Mech. Infantry squad.

• Assigned to Border Guard duties in support of Alpha Co. 1/39 Inf to relieve Armored Cav. unit for training - Jan-Feb '84.

• Assumed responsibilities as NBC NCO (54E30 - secondary MOS) and Unit Map NCO.

• Awarded Army Achievement Medal for outstanding IG Inspection performance.

• Went to Oktoberfest in Munich with other 1/39th troops - drank more beer than thought to be humanly possible.

• Umpire Unit responsibilities (NBC)for REFORGER exercises, '84 - wettest Fall in history, many training maneuvers cancelled to reduce maneuver damage cost. Gave NBC briefing to foreign NATO officers/officials, including King of Norway.

• Medically discharged in late Dec. 1984 for knee injuries related to service with 82nd Abn in the early '70s and 19th SF and 4th Inf Div in the '80s.

. . . and here are those photos:

Look familiar? Tell us about it!

Thanks, Ron!

AAAO!

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Charlie Greenwald and Dan Knapp, 1/39 Inf Combat Support Company, 1981-1982

This is what the FM was talking about, when it was talking about 'cold wet weather'. Note that it's either been raining, or is raining, or is going to be raining again soon, or all three . . . while there's still snow on the ground, and more snow to come later, and it's cold enough to wear a parka with a hood.

Oh *&^%$#@!

Back in Baumholder, on days / weeks / months / years like this I used to wonder if I'd ever be dry or warm again.

Charlie Greenwald and Dan Knapp in the field, from the CSC, AT Plt days, 1981 or 1982.

Chuck Braziel

Thanks once again, Chuck, for the great photos of Paddy's Gang during the late 70s and early 80s.

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!

Didn't find what you were after? Try looking in the 'previous posts' over to the right, or use the search tool at the top left of this page.

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