|
 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] |
