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News
From The
508
JANUARY 2007 |
Taps: RAYMOND T.
O'CONNELL, Born September 19,1922 Died September 14 2006, interment Oct
7,2006 in Fullerton, California. A Memorial Service was held in the
American Legion Hall, Bloomington, Minnesota on November 11 for RAY's
family and friends in Minnesota, ERNIE LAMSON attended the service and
reported this news.
RAY was in the Demolition Platoon, Hq
Hq Company. RAY received a Bronze Star for heroic service in Holland. When
asked what he had done to get the award, RAY couldn't remember. But HARRY
HUDEC remembered and described RAY's brave action.
One dear bright night, the 3rd demo
section had to lay a minefield in flatlands. A truck, loaded with mines,
was parked a long way from where the mines were needed. The driver,
fearing that a nit by German fire would destroy the truck and driver, left
the truck and waited at some distance. RAY, knowing they would never get
the job done hand-carrying the mines, exposed himself to enemy fire by
driving the truck to the cover of a dyke, The demo crew then unloaded the
mines and RAY returned the empty truck to the driver, again exposing
himself to enemy fire.
Taps:
WILLIAM (BILL) GOUDY, reported by GEORGE STOECKERT, "Our beloved comrade
WILLIAM (BILL) GOUDY (Hq 1st, 508th PIR WWII) died today 11/04/06. BILL
died of pneumonia. Please send prayers and condolences to MABLE GOUDY and
her family at410 Bukey Avenue, Williamstown, WV 26187-1312. Sgt BILL GOUDY
was in Lt GEORGE STOECKERT's Mortar Platoon.
From ROCK MERRITT: BILL GOUDY made
all the combat operations of the 508th and after the war provided the
inspiration for starting the 508 Association.
KENNETH (ROCK) MERRITT:
delivered the eulogy at BILL GOUDY's funeral in Williamstown, West
Virginia. BILL was buried with full military honors, performed by members
of American Legion Post 159.
One of STEVE TETAK's relatives
sought information through the 508th Newsletter about TETAK's death. BILL
GOUDY was happy to respond with the details because the same shell that
killed STEVE TETAK wounded BILL. About the time I received information
about GOUDY's death, JOE BRESSLER sent me a note about STEVE TETAK. Below
are some quotes about STEVE.
"Steve was a big, overgrown
coalminer, strong as an ox. STEVE always carried more gun parts and
ammo than his share. Then he would bitch every step of the way. His
favorite expression was, The Germans have horses for this sh_!
"STEVE was a quiet guy, He
did not go to town, did not gamble - sent his money home."
For more
information about BILL GOUDY and STEVE TETAK see The 508th Connection,
pages 386-387.
Taps: JAMES R. ALLARDYCE, of B Co
died November 12,2006 in Frankenmuth, Michigan. This was reported by
JAMES SMITH and WALTER BARRETT. Condolences may be sent to ALLARDYCE's
widow ANNE ALLARDYCE who has moved to an assisted living home. Her address
is 255 Mayer Road, Apt 251M, Frankenmuth, Ml 48734. Phone: (989) 652-4251.
JlM's funeral was conducted in the
Frankenmuth United Methodist Church, December 15,1006, with burial in
Ottawa, Canada. JIM and ANNE had previously selected burial sites among
ANN'S people in Canada.
JlM ALLARDYCE now rests in
peace after a long painful illness. Throughout JlM's illness, he and ANNE
had the support and comfort of their large family. Most of whom lived
nearby.
For 19 years JIM ALLARDYCE served
faithfully as Secretary of the 508th PIR Association. He kept the roster
up to date; he wrote and mailed out the newsletters; he kept up with all
the correspondence, minutes and other records; and he served on the Board
of Governance. JIM told me, when I succeeded him as Secretary, that the
job required an average of about 20 hours a week. I can personally verify
that statement as being true.
JlM ALLARDYCE transferred the
responsibility of Secretary in a smooth and effective way and he continued
to help throughout the years. JIM was a wonderful friend and dedicated
servant of the 508th PIR Association!
GRAHAM LAWSON, Friend of the 508th:
GRAHAM LAWSON of Nottingham, England sent the following message for me to
pass on to the Association: Address
graham.nott508@ntlworid.com.
I would like to thank the 508th
Family and Friends Association for the great hospitality shown me. I met
new friends, as well as friends I met at last year's reunion, who embraced
me with a welcoming smile and a hug.
Also thanks must go to the PALMER
Family, who put on a great reception. Thanks, TROY.
ROCK MERRITT showed great
leadership and quality. He should have run for congress. The world would
be a better place with 10 ROCKS around.
As the winter months start to settle in
and those dark days and nights approach, you shall all be in my thoughts.
Until we meet again, God Bless, GRAHAM. |
ZIG BOROUGHS, Interim 508th STATIC LINE Columnist
P.O. Box 1131
Pickens. SC 29671
PH: (864) 878-9523
e-mail: ralph.boroughs@att.net
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