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FORT BENNING GA NEWSLINE  (2)

Night Jump Almost Fatal
Cpl Glenn B. Rehmel had a chute malfunction when he jumped over Lee Field, Fort Benning.  He deployed his reserve chute with just 250 feet of altitude left  That must have been a scary situation as Glenn was still holding the reserve handle when he landed,
   Lee Field was named in honor of Major General William C. Lee, who was known as the Father of the Airborne, and who was a former commander of the 101st Airborne Division.

QUICK THINKING SAVES PARATROOPER

FT. BENNING, Ga., Jan. 23 (UPI) --- A 26-year-old paratrooper from Memphis, Tenn., floated into the paratroopers hall of fame here on his emergency 'chute.
   Cpl. Glenn B. Rehmel of the 508th Airborne Infantry Regimental Combat Team was making a routine night jump, his 11th one over the fort's Lee Field, when he realized that his regular parachute had not properly opened.
   Rehmel plummeted through the black space for more than 700 feet before opening his reserve 'chute just In time to afford him a safe but hard landing.
   The son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd A. Rehmel of Memphis picked himself up and sighed, "Boy! That was close."

[The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, SC, 24 January 1952, Thursday, Page 1]

Unusual Mascots
Rule in Benning
Airborne Unit

   A 508th Airborne Infantry Regiment Company at Fort Benning has a mascot that doubles as a disposal unit.
   Men of the regiment's Company G use George, their pet goat, during the daily police call --- the Army term for picking up trash and debris.  They claim his unique eating habits are a terrific asset.
   Actually, George is just one of several unusual pets found within the confines of the 508th's Second battalion of which Company G is a part.
   The four companies of the battalion --- E, F, G, and H --- are jokingly referred to as  Elephant, Frog, Goat and Hog Troops.  As a result, the units decided it would be more fitting and proper  to secure mascots more closely associated with the individual units to which they belonged.

   The numerous cats and dogs that abide on the post did not fill the bill, so a search was launched to find animals that were more appropriate.
   Of course, there are some difficulties still to be overcome, such as the acquisition of an elephant for Company E.  However, Lt. Col. Herbert Mansfield,  of Peoria, Ill., battalion commander, says the men are trying mighty hard.
   Frog Company's pet is the exception to the rule.  He is an impish little fox who answers to the name Diablo. He was presented to the company by its commanding officer, Capt. Donald Siebert of College Point NY, after the adoption of a pet frog ran into some difficulties --- to the dismay of the airborne unit which feels that a frog would be a better jumper.
   A chubby little porker is the pride and joy of Company H.  He, like the other pets of the battalion, will soon became a qualified jumper, complete with his own paratrooper wings.

[Columbus Daily Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Mon, Jun 09, 1952, Page: 4]

Medal Presentations
[l-r] Col. Glenn McGowan, C.O. Hq Hq, Pfc Dickey (Col's orderly); Lt. Russell B. Morgan; Gen. Harvey H. Fischer; Cpl Jesse Clay; Sfc Collingsworth.
   Cpl Clay, being pinned, was a POW in Korea.
   Note the Red Devil emblems on the left shirt pockets
(courtesy Mickey Archinbeque)
 
Paratroopers Boast
Best Chaplains This
Side of Heaven

   FORT BANNING [sic], Feb. 11 --- (INS) --- The Red Devil paratroopers of the 508th Airborne Combat team boast Sunday that they have "the finest set of chaplains this side of heaven."
   The chaplains, like other men in the outfit, "hit the silk" with regularity.
   The four chaplains in the combat team boast a total of 91 jumps.
   "Jumpingest" sky pilot is chaplain (Maj.) Perry Truman Raley, who has leaped earthward 38 times.  Capt., Charles A. Meek has jumped 24 times,  Capt. Clifford C. Cartee, 19 times and 1st Lt. Philip G. McComville has jumped 10 times.

[Columbus Daily Enquirer, Columbus, GA, Tue, Feb 12, 1952, Page: 16]

 

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