PFC Mike Smith, 1/39 Infantry, Worms 1961-1963

Not long back, I heard from PFC Mike Smith, one of only two guys we know of who were with 1/39 Inf when it was redesignated (in Worms FRG) from 1/48 Inf. Needless to say, that goes back a day or two before my time, and I'm downright excited to hear from guys who were there for that part of the unit's history.

For the record, the other vet who was in both the 48th and Paddy's Gang was Jack Falcone (known as Jack LaPiana back then) .

Here's Mike Smith's message:

PFC Michael Smith
Jan 1 1961 - June 1963

H/Q: S4 supply
D Co: 2nd PLT
C CO: 1ST PLT

I arrived in Worms Jan 1 1961 and rotated back to the land of sliding windows and round door knobs June of 1963. When I arrived it was the 1/48 Inf and then redesignated 1/39 Inf.

I was first assigned to HQ Company S-4 supply. At the time they had more people in S-4 than they needed so I was transferred to D Company, 2nd platoon as a B.A.R. man. I later found out that all the new guys were given that magnificent weapon.

My buddy Joe Delahunt (with whom I went from basic training, then to supply school in Ft Leonard Wood, and finally to Worms) was transferred to C Company as an APC driver in the third platoon. Robert Wildish, who also went to supply school with us, remained in HQ Company S-4 .

I was also in the river crossing when the track sank. The exercise was canceled for that day, and I don't believe that we made any battalion-size crossing after that date. What I was told was the bilge pumps froze up half way across the river, and the track started filling with water, by the time it got across the river it couldn't pull itself out on the muddy steep bank, and then it slid back under the water with three of the men drowning - it was a sad day, and made you think of your own mortality. At the time I was in C Company 1st platoon, serving as commo man.

We had several cold war casualties in the 1/48 and 1/39 during the period 61-63. PVT Tyrone Keys drowned in the Rhine River on a Sunday swimming outing on the river beaches on the other side of the Rhine Bridge. A buck Sergeant tried to save him and also drowned when caught in the under current of the river. I don't remember the sergeant's name -- it's been a lot of years.

We also have a Staff Sergeant run over by an APC in Graf. He was in his sleeping bag, asleep, and they were moving a track after dark with only one ground guide, and the track backed over him. There was a battalion directive to govern the procedures at night. I don't know whatever happened to the driver and guide.

I don't want you to think that all I remember is the back thing and gloom. I have a lot of fond memories of the good time down town at Lily Marlene, Golden Lion, Atlantic bar, sports central [flat top] bakery bar even when you went up to see the queen at the Bambi Bar. Worms had a lot of history and great architecture dating back to Roman times, if you could pull yourself out of the aforementioned establishments.

I'm trying to collect and put in photos from the this time frame to post on the unit web site. Also the 3rd Armour has a web site where you can add your name and memories from the 1/48th.

Would be glad to hear from any one from this time period, and you can contact me at smithbdwc@aol.com.

Mike Smith

Wow.

I really don't like the sound of swimming those APCs. I think, but can't swear, that Charlie Co swam the Rhein during the 1987 (?) REFORGER, and back in Baumholder we all had our fingers crossed for them.

As for 'real' swimming in that big, wide river, my heart goes out to all those guys who drowned. I can definitely empathize. After I took a European Out, I had friends in Worms, and one night some GI friends from Taukkenen invited us to a barbecue on the near side of the Rhein. After much drinking, one of the guys -- a huge, tremendously fit but not especially smart LT -- decided to go for a swim. He jumped in fifty meters upstream, and by the time he struggled back out he was already well downriver. Walking back through unfamiliar woods after dark, drunk, barefoot and in his underwear . . . I don't think that was part of the original plan.

Anyway, unless a fellow looked close, he wouldn't really notice just how fast and strong that river went -- it gives me chills to think about falling in there during an exercise wearing cold weather gear.

OK. Mike, thanks again for writing. Most interesting.

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.