Professional Documents
Culture Documents
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The sixth annual reunion was perhaps one of the most successful reunions that was
had during the association's history. Y_Lile numerically or financially it did
not surpass those of several other reunions, its success was had because of the
spirit of friendliness that prevailed throughout the three day affair and was
enjoyed by everyone.
As usual there were the many familiar faces that attend every reunion and of
course it would not be fair to list the names of some and not others but our re-
unions are becoming more successful every year only because of the spirit that
prevails throughout these 95ers.
We had. many new faces also which is what we like to see. One of the purposes of
having the reunior_ in various cities in different parts of the country is to
make it easier for all to attend and also so its members can enjoy the sights
that other cities have to offer.
The Hotel Statler cooperated with the association in making our reunion a suc-
cess. An early start was had Friday morning with registrations and there was a
line formed to register when we opened at 8:30 A.M.
The complete program is published in the Journal but we might point out some of
the highlights of the reunion. The trip to Stroh's Brewery was perhaps the most
complete and interesting that could he _md. The association was not taken en
masse but was broken into small groups and taken to parts of the brewery that
revealed the "hidden secrets" of hew beer is made. Everything from cleaning and
filling the barrels to actually tasting the finished product. Transportation to
and from the brewery from the hotel was furnished by the association (no charge)
by chartered busses.
Friday an innovation was had insofar as the man's affair was concerned. In the
past we had dinner and entertainment but thought the fellows might like some-
thing new so we had a buffet supper with draught beer and other refreshments
plus an excellent entertainment program. The program was an extreme success and
received many favorable compliments from those attending.
Saturday morning, s business meeting was a spirited one and several constructive
suggestions were received from the floor. The meeting was very wall attended.
Dick Perlish, 26 Himlock Road, Manhasset, Long Island, New York, Co I, 377th
Infantry, assumed temporary chairmanship during the election of officers.
Saturday evening's affair is that gala event that everyone waits for. The gals
dressed in their best and never looked better. Practically all stayed for the
dancing and entertainment after the dinner and enjoyed themselves so much that
the orchestra had to be engaged for a half hour overtime. The affair wound up
at i:OO A.M. only because of the hotel regulations that the ballroom be closed
at that hour. Each group however broke into various private parties or retired
to celebrate the activities for the following day.
The _etz Hour was sincerely enjoyed by all who attended. The organ music added
to the sole_ity of the occasion and Col. Shawhan's talk was most appropriate.
The farewells afterward could be heard throughout the variousparts of the hotel.
"See you next year" and "I% was swell seeing you a_d the Mrs. again" could he
heard as various members and their wives and families get into taxis, automobiles,
etc. bound for home again.
Plan on attending next September if you have not made arrangements as yst. We
know once you attend a reunion you'll live an experience that will want to
bring you back again and again.
FIRST DAY
11:40 A.M.
Two-hour tour of Downtown Detroit including
General Motors, and Fisher Building and Art
Center.
12:00 Noon
Tour of Stroh's Brewery.
2:30 P.M.
Three-hour tour of Belle Island, Detroit's play-
ground, with a side trip to Windsor, Canada. SECOND DAY
1:30 P.M.
_JSI_S _EETING
SIXTH NEETINGs
The Sixth business masting of the 95th Infantry Division Association was opened
by its National President Walter Laskowski at 1000 hours on Saturday, October 1,
1955 in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Statlerj Detroit, Michigan.
SECRETARY'SREPORTs
The Secretary, J. Gerard Sitter, gave the secreta_'s report of last year, s busi-
ness meeting and a summary of membership statistics, etc. which are published
elsewhere in this issue of the Journal. ",
TREASURER'S REPORT:
The Treasurer, Francis Safarikj gave the treasurer's report of the division
Association's financial status.
I_LCO_ ADDRESS:
President Walter Laskowski reported on the successful progress during the past
year. As a result of contacting 10,5OO prospective members from old rosters,
and names furnished us during the pest year, 310 new members were added to our :
rolls. While this indicated considerable progress, your association does n_
feel it has reached its peak. Delinquencies in dues do exist and it is sincere-
_r hoped that members who are delinquent will bring their dues to a current
status. Our cash balance is good but there is also room for improvement.
In accordance with the existing cha_er and bylaws of the 95th Infantry Division
Association that there be a National Headquarters established, an amendment was
passed that Chicago become the National Headquarters of the Association.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Chicago, Illinois 88
New York, New York 51
N_nneapolis, St. Paul 6
_41waukge, Wisconsin 2
New Orleans, Louisiana 1
September 72
August 52
October 9
0uly -_;
6e
ADJOUR_NTs
Motion was made at,1230 hours to adjourn the Sixth Business Meeting of the 95th
Infantry Division Association. SECONDED. PASSED. Meeting adjourned.
Signed: J. _ SITTER
Secretary,
95%h Infantry Division Association
Lifetime msmbers_p i
Tntal membership 1804
CASH RECEIPTS
Membership dues -
For the year 1953 2 @ $ 3.00 $ 6.00
For the year 1954 314 @ 3.00 642.00
For the year 1955 988 @ 3.00 2,964.00
For the year 1956 22 @ 3.00 66.00
For the year 1957 I @ 3.00 3.00
For the year 1958 2 @ 3.00 6.00
TO_AL DUES COLLECTED $3,687.00
Other receipts -
Donatio_ 93.00
Division Insignia decals 13.95
TOTAL OTHER RECEIPTS 106.95
TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS $3,793.95
CASH DISHURSEMENTS
TOTAL DISB_E_NTS
EXCESS DISBURSE_ES OVER RECEIPTS )
ADDs
August 31, 1954 balances -
Cash on deposit 4,279.13
Secretary's petty cash fund i00.00
Advance 1954 reun$on expense 42.50 4,381.63
CASH BALANCE, September 30. 1955 $4t228.97
.........
................ - .......
S_OKER DANC_ TOTAL
TICKET SALES
"1156@ _5.0o $780.00
357 @ 6.oo
TOTAL TICKET SALES -7_ $2,_2.00 $2.922.00
LESS DI_CT COSTS
Cost of buffet luncheon and beer,
including cost of cook, bartender,
taxes and gratuities 662.13
350 dinners @ $4.50 including
taxes and gratuities (minimum
guarantee ) i _779.75
Public address and spot light 25.00
Flowers for speakers table 20.60
Orchestra and vaudville acts 375.00
Orchestra and singer (including
-1/2 hour overtime-) 440.00
Printing of Tickets 15.80 I_.50
TOTAL PROFIT
GROSS DIRECT OR
COSTS
(LOSS) _ )_ ) _ )
GENERAL EXPENSES
Printing -
Programs 88.50
Identification inserts 9.50
Cellophane Jackets 43.77 141.77
Signs, etc. - painting of 24.75
Railroad transportation 351.00
Less amount collected from members 351.00 -O-
Bus for brewery tour (Stroh's) 35.00
Coffee hour -
Do-nuts and coffee 84.75
Memorial service -,
Rental of Organ 50.00
Floral wreath 20.60
Chaplain gratuity i0.O0
Organist gratuity 5.00
Color guard gratuity I0.O0 95.60
Miscellaneous expenees, such as
telephone, gratuities, etc. 43.55
TOTAL GE_FAL EXPENSES 425.42
OPERATING LOSS _)
DEDUCT:
_GISTRATION FEES
291 e $2.oo 582.oo
Cash over 5.00 587.00
EXCESS OF EXPENSE OVER INCO_. _)
9o
We know there are many members who would like to know how representation at the
sixth annual reunion was and what units were there so we are publishing the
members by organization:
Division Headquarters 12
377th Infantry Regiment 86 ,
378th Infantry Regiment 62
379th Infantry Regiment 74
Division Artillery
358th Field Artillery Battalion 2
359th Field Artillery Battalion •5
36Oth Field Artillery Battalion Ii
92Oth Field Artillery Battalion 3
320_h Engineer Battalion 12
795th Ordinance Company 4
320th Medical Battalion 4
95th Reconnaissance Troop 3
95th quartermaster Company 2
•547th AAA AW Battalion 2
95th Signal Company 2
No organization indicated 7
Total 293
The Mets memorial services were unusually well attended. Organ music was pro-
vided by a special organ brought in for the occasion. Colonel Shawhan, 795th
Ordinance Compa_p perhaps one of the closest friends of General Twaddle, was
kind enough to deliver the memorial talk on this occasion. Since his talk was
centered around our late General,it _smost appropriate that we publish his talk
in full_ with his kind permission:
Wemeat here today to observe the Metz Hour, that time we have set apart, during
our annual reunion, to honor the heroic dead of the 95th Division.
Ten years have passed since the Division returned to the United States from the
battlefields of Europe. Again we are meeting in reunion to commemorate the
history our comrades wrote on the fields of the Old World, and to freshen the
friendships formed during our service in the Division. The memories of Metz,
Uckange, Thlonville, the Saar River towns, the crossing of the Lippe River,
Dortmund, and the mar_ other places,,all constitute a bond of comradeship that
grows stronger with the passing of the years. The living have a great pride in
service. But, in their minds there is another memory, that of the still, white
crosses marking the resting places of those comrades who did not return. We
recognize that they rendered the greater service. They gave their lives.
It is the force of all those memories that has impelled the men of the 95th to
form this association so that they may preserve the glorious traditions which
their comrades founded.
As you know, our Division Association was revived a little more than five years
ago largely through the efforts of our beloved Division Commander, Major General
Harry L. Twaddle. The General said that his interest in reviving the Associa-
tion lay in the fact that he wanted to see in existence a 95th Infantry Division
Association as a living reality before he was carried off on a caisson to Arling-
ton. He said that continued association with the officers and men who served
loyally with him was the greatest of his worldly desires, and that he knew of
nothing that would add more happiness to his retired life. He further said that
• by assisting in getting the Association back on its feet that he could offer a
measure of proof that loyalty, after all, does work both ways, from the top do_n,
as _ll as from the bottom up.
Last December 12th, the General answered the final roll call. Now he sleeps in
Arlington. Today, the 95th Infantry Division Association, a living reality,
honors the General.
Our thoughts of the General are usually memories of his qualities of leadership,
a most important attribute Of a military cb_ander. I should lime to talk about
that leadership. Bat before going further I will define the w_rd. The most ap-
propriate definition that I know of is one that I heard a speaker on leadership
use many years ago. He said:
The principal quality of leadership is character. The speaker that X have Just
mentioned sug_sted that there ware five cardinal virtues at the basis of char-
acter. They are honer, courage, Justice, fidelity, and self-discipline.
Military men accept those five cardinal virtues as the basis of character. When
they say that a conI_anderis a man of high character they mean that he is a man
of his word; a men of honorj a man to be trusted; a man who will choose to do
that which is right, and avoid doing that which is wrong.
I believe that these remar}cs on leadership may be properly applied to the leader-
ship of General Twaddle. He had a fine appreciation of human nature, and he held
in high esteem the man who tried to do his part to the best of his ability. I
am sure that the men of the 95th will testii_ that the General was a man of high
character.
The General's code of conduct was sidle and reasonable. He discussed this code
in a letter I received f_.om him in July, 1948, shortly after his retirement from
active military service. I kept that letter and have read it many times for in
it the General has condensed in a few sentences the characteristics of success-
ful leadership. I should llke to read an extract from that letter to you. I
think you will find it of interest. I quote:
"Now that I have been relegated to the catagory of 'has beens', I am able
to scan the thirty-six y_ars of active service in retrospect with a cer-
tain degree of pride for having been given the privilege of serving m_
Country unfettered, and uninfluenced by motives for personal advancement.
Honesty, fair dealing, and loyalty, coupled with a willingness to serve,
have constituted the principal elemants of my Code, and anyons who demon-
strated those traits was the kind of a man whith whom I wanted to serve.
His background or whatever component he came from made no difference
whatever."
11 e
"The high point of my career was the honor extended to me when General
Marshall gave me the command of the 95th Division. I shall never forget
the occasion in his office when he informed me. It was several minutes
afterwards before complete composure was regained. Later the same day he
met with a half dozen newly appointed division conm_nders and charged us
with oar great responsibility. Among other things he emphasized the char-
acteristics which he demanded from his top leaders:
ELlltary skill
Physical stamina
/ Strength of character
Flexibility of mind
I Jotted those points down in my notebook at the time, and referred to them more
than once during combat operations when the going was not so goqd. I recommend
them to all leaders from the squad on up as an excellent guide toward accomplish-
ment of any mission in war or peace."
"To have had the honor of comma_ing the 95th, I shall cherish to my dying day,
and as I watch the water in upstream, I shall recall the feats of the greatest
group of officers and men ever assembled into a fighting organization. There
was no pulling back in the harness; all did their Johe willingly, to the best of
their ability, and with an ever present display of icr/altywhich was most remark-
able. I believe that you will agree with me that the cooperative spirit which
existed among unit comm-nders and staff was of such sincere quality as to make
the division an unusually happy family, which condition did not exist in all
combat divisions. With the high standard of service which the officers and men
sat up themselves, it was unnecessary for me to exercise hard-listed co"m_nd; I
merely had to suggest, and it was done before I visited the next time." End of
quotation.
Those were the words of a sincere man, a modest man who eternally appreciated
the opportunity he had to serve his country. And, _they express eloquently his
feelings for the members of the 95th Division.
A few days after General Twaddle's death I received a letter from Colonel Ihlen-
feld in which he wrote of his admiration and respect for the General. Colonel
Ihlenfeld quoted the author, Hilaire Belloc, who said:
"It is ou_ solemn duty to help preserve this beloved nation of ours; other-
wise our honored dead will have died in vain. What they gained for us may
one day be lest, unless we remain alert, strong and ready on short notice
to take up arme again and fight, as we once did, for the preservation of
all those things we hold most dear."
One thousand three hundred and ninety of our comrades made the supreme sacrifLce.
Our memories of their feats of valor can never be dimmed. Across the fields,
the forests, the streams, and through the towns gloriously they fought, and
gloriously they fell. General Patton told us that their achievements have added
lustre to the glorioushistory of American arms. Their sacrifices have inspired
us to higher achievement, to a greater patriotism, and to the unceasing support
of the principles of liberty and right for which they died.
Now we are met to remember. Let us firmly resolve that we Shall accept t_
heritage bequeathed to us by General Twaddle and our comrades who fell in actL@n,
that we shall not forget, but that we will carry on and keep the faith.
12.
To affirm that resolution may we stand, facing the colors, and while Taps is be-
ing sounded, Join in a salute to our honored dead.
3311Rf_IL'E
PU|. IFYOU6ET INllQ
_r_e' mzeMluMs
14AllrrOF WHEN
PAYING THEM wITHIN
"_" I _ g_-OAV"6RACX'PemOD,'_J
I _ta7 _O_ET AN_ THERiJB_
I LAPSe,,'ourvn',,..
NEW I_MI_RS IN THE ASSOCIATION SINCE AUGUST 1955 ISSUE OF THE JOURNAL
Otis E. Smith, Jr., _edical Detachment, 378th Infantry, 135 Gordon St., Rockmart,
Georgia
Floyd Ganski, Co I, 379th Infantry, Route #I, _kwonago, Wisconsin
Sam,el Jacob Guiler, Co E, 378th Infantry, 4205 Queensbury Road, Hyatteville, _.
Richard A. Lewis, Co D, 378th Infantry, 2204 Perrine Street, Lafayette, Indiana
Robert Tare, Co I, 379th Infantry, 212 S. _eare Avenue, Whitehall, Michigan
Michael Takacs, Headquarters Co, 378th Infantry, 429 West _ain St., Geneva, Ohio
John J. Gallagher, Signal Company, 4 Arthur Road, East Haven, Connecticut
Richard H. Ramsay, Co A, 32Oth Medical Battal_on, 26 High St., Dexter, Maine
Arthur L. Wasescha, Co C, 320 Engineer Battalion, 2211 E._aryland Ave., St. Pau_
Minnesota
Earl L. Grey, Co A, 320th Medical Battalion, 3724 S. 48th St., Milwaukee 15,Wis.
John L. Stegman, Btry B, 359th Field Artillery, 3900 White Ave.,Baltimore, _d.
George H. Towner, Headquarters Co, 377th Infantry, 2435 Marilouise Way, San
Diego, California
C. G. Trevino, Co I, 379th Infantry, Box 18_Alice, Texas
John F. Shaw, 95th Ouartermaster, 530 Bingham Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Ervin A. Tesky, Division Headquarters, 1017 6th Ave. S.W., Tesky Motel, Aberdeen,
South Dakota
Raymond L. Wall, Co F, 377th Infantry, Route #i, Richmond, Missouri
Robert J. _Ivaney, Signal Co, Quarters H-24-C, Fort Lewis, Washington
Clarence E. Busta, Co D, 377th Infantry, Route #2, Box 185, New Prague, Minn.
Warren H. Winter, 95th Recon Troop, 28 Court Street, Newport, New Hampshire
Jerome Zimmerman, 95th Quartermaster, 3144 Wood Valley Rd., N.W., Atlanta, @a.
Raymond Deving, Co F, 377th Infantry, Box 43, Avondale, Missouri
William F. Buck, Division Headquarters, G-2, 99 Oak Ridge Dr., Haddonfield,
New Jersey
Robert S. Hlaski, Co I, 379th Infantry, RFD #I, BOx 13A, Charleroi, Pennsylva_a
John C. Muldoon, Co F, 88 Lafayette Street, Stamford, Connecticut
Jonathan S. Hoyer, 379th Infantry, 1023 Manhattan St., Pittsburgh 33, Pa.
Charles C. Schlom, 2136 N. Lincoln Park West, Chicago 14, lllinois
Verl. E. Moody, Co L, 378th Infantry, Plains, Kansas
Dr. Edward Lauvstad, Co D, 320th _edical Detachment, Osceola, lowa
Gerald Wertz, Btry B, 359th F. A., 724 East Front Street, Dover, Ohio
John W. Carruthers, Division Headquarters, 402 West 6th St., Dover 4, Ohio
Fern Sevey, 378th Medical Det., 2610 Eest Florence Br_, Tucson, Arizona
C. L. L_ilcoxson, 377th Medical Det., 759 Marcilene Terrace, Wichita 18, Kansas
13.
The girl who swears she's neve r been kissed has a right to swear.
Boss: "You are thirty minutes late again. Don't you know what time we start
work around here?!'
New Employee: "Nosir, they're always at it when i get here."
Fred: "The psychologists say that you can often quiet a hysterical, girl by
kissing her." -"
Flare: "Fine, but hew de they say you can make her hysterical_"
A Jockey who had just booted home a long-shot was greeted excitedly by the
horse's owner: "Tell me please what it was that you whispered in my horse's ear
to make him run so fast."
"Oh," said the Jockey, "all I did was recite poetry to him."
"Poetry?", screamed the owner in disbelief.
"Sure," answered the jockey. "Roses are red, violets are blue, horses
•that lose are made into glue.
Driving through a dense fog, a motorist decided to play it safe and Just _follow
the taillight of the car ahead of him. He drove for a full hour without worry.
Suddenly the taillight dSsappeared and the two cars bu_ped.
"Hey," yelled the man in the rear. '_uy didn't you put out your hand
when you stopped?"
"Why should I?" was the calm reply.• "I'm home - in my own garageS"
Sign in a North Carolina restaurant: "Our knives and forks are net. medicine.
._- Please do not take after meals."
Old Fashioned way: '_e do not tear your laundry with machinery. We do it
carefully by hand." .
Sign. in a local laundry: !'Don't kill your wife by letting her do the wash.
Let us do your dirty work."
18.
Asked the mother in a toy shop, "Isn't this a rather complicated toy for a small
child?"
"Perhaps," replied the salesman, "But it's a perfect toy guaranteed to
teach any child how to live in the world of today. No matter how he puts it
together, it's wrong."
A faithful employee had just celebrated his 3Oth anniversary with his company
and in recognition of his service was to select a gift of his own choice at the
expense of the company. He selected a shotgun. His local newspaper wanted to
recognize the employee's service by an appropriate article in its newspaper so
wrote the follo_utng: "Mr. Hanson has just completed 30 years of faithful ser-
vice with the X Company. In recognition of his service the company presented
him with a shotgun. He has two daughters."
1956 DUES
1956 dues are now in order. Your association
needs your dues to keep your organization on a
business like basis. This is the only means of
income we have and it is the means by v_ich all
current expenses are paid. Send in your three
dollars to keep your membership dues up to date.
m m _ me m B _ _ _ m m m'm m m m m _7
_,-
,. Mail to: 95th Infantry Division Association
f Post Office Box 1274
Chicago 90, lllinois
_m4 _oo
_
CS_