Smiley Barracks Tour - Back to the Dispensary

Oh crapola, we better stop and get a pass to get off base before we leave.

Someone go up to the Orderly Room. Just walk around Ramirez (was his first name Raul?) and Doug "Shorty" Van Anden.

Parry and Ellen Hughes

In March 2003 I called the phone number that Gene had given me and spoke with Parry’s wife Ellen. Parry was also a medic at the 761st from March 1968 to September 1969 and they now live in Laurel, Maryland. Parry is a property manager.


One of our favorite stories…..A Parry Hughes story from Dr. Henry Berman
I was in the American Express Bank (remember that?) when both LTC Lew Wash and Parry were clearing their accounts as part of outprocessing. Lew gave the old short-timer’s sign, holding his thumb and forefinger ¼ inch apart and saying "Four days." Parry held his thumb and forefinger 1/8-inch apart and said "Two days." Lew swiped Parry with his hat, Parry swiped back with his, and everyone but me stood there in disbelief, watching a Lieutenant Colonel and an Enlisted man having a hat fight!
(The ARM PIT: Ah yes, you can almost hear the theme from M*A*S*H can’t you)

Smiley Barracks Tour - Where the EM Club use to be.

That's where the EM Club use to be on Smiley Barracks. Heard they also built a new EM Club off base and turned the old EM Club building on Smiley Barracks into the Stagedoor Playhouse. Here's a story for you.....


One of our favorite stories……………………………………..from Scott Bloom
I got to Karlsruhe in 1973. The theater center was on Smiley Barracks. Now is when memory has to kick in. If I remember correctly, across from the MP station was an engineers building? I remember Germans and Poles? Then behind that a bit was the dispensary? Well on that side of the Smiley perimeter was the Stagedoor Playhouse, which was the Army theater center, run by a wonderful kook of a man named Frank Chapin.
It was a great facility, and we put on plays. When I was there we did You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Camelot, The Pajama Game, and Dial M for Murder. I also believe they were the first military base that got the rights for Jesus Christ Superstar. All ranks were involved in the plays and also German nationals.
Funny story, during Camelot, the guy playing Lancelot’s squire was a German national and he had the line "He’s a unique man, your Majesty" but during our first dress rehearsal he said "He’s a eunuch man, your Majesty", and all of us laughed for days.
Usually the plays were directed by Dave and/or Bonnie Hubert. They were teachers at KAHS, and the reason for Hubert Hall being named Hubert Hall. I had been in touch with their daughter Jan for a while, who lives in Seattle with her husband and is still actively involved with theater.

Gene and Bonnie Louden

Searched and found two phone numbers in the USA for Gene Louden in March 2003. Called and spoke with Gene who was a medic at the 761st from March 1968 to September 1969. Gene now lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with wife Bonnie and works in the public relations department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Gene gave me the phone number of Parry Hughes as they have keep in contact with each other through the years. Gene sent an email on March 17 (see da book – da sequel) mentioning SFC Jim Hurlburt whom I added to the search list. Recently asked Gene how he and Bonnie "weathered" Hurricane Isabel during September 2003. Gene said they were without power until September 23 (a Tuesday) and that his cousin in Indiana delivered a couple of generators on Saturday September 20 that was able to operate two refrigerators, a freezer, the TV, a halogen lamp, and a coffee maker.


What they are saying…………..…It is great to hear from you and make some of the old connections from Army days.
Gene Louden, March 17, 2003

Smiley Barracks Tour - Our barber!

Leaving the bowling alley we see the barber standing outside of the snack bar. Don't know her name since I didn't get a haircut that often. In fact I made it a habit NOT to get a haircut until the third time Sarge would tell me to get one. But I do remember that the barber shop was right next door to the snack bar. Come on, let's see if we can find other places on base.

Dr. Donald and Ann Morton

AS YOU CAN TELL

You should be able to tell by now that I’m not a shy or bashful person. By placing the ad in The American Legion Magazine (see da book – da sequel) I was hoping to contact more of our friends. Also knew that others who served with the 3rd General Dispensary and the 761st Medical Detachment may respond and had thought it would be great to expand the reunion to those who were stationed at either of these two dispensaries in Karlsruhe, Germany at any time.

Two Who Did: Both Al St.Jacques and Phil Leonard sent emails (see da book – da sequel) asking about the reunion. Many of you met Al at the San Francisco reunion and Phil had said he would like to contact a Dr. Donald Morton in one of his emails to me.

Like Magic: In early March of 2003 I did my magic (hocus, pocus, address and phone number come into focus) and found a phone number for Dr. Donald Morton by searching the AMA directory on the internet (see da book – da sequel). Gave Phil that number and he contacted his former Commanding Officer at the 761st Medical Detachment. Phil then gave me Dr. Morton’s email and I sent him the Timeline, Search List, and The ARM PIT.

May Attend In Future: Received an email April 10th (see da book – da sequel) from Dr. Morton who was the CO at the 761st from May 1963 to June 1966. He retired four years ago as Director of Medical Imaging from St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady, New York. Dr. Morton was unable to attend the San Francisco reunion but he may attend a reunion with us in the future.

ANOTHER BIO

I was assigned as the CO of the 595th Clearing Company at Smiley Barracks from September 1962 until May 1963 at which time the Army again "got short" of doctors. I was transferred to the 761st Medical Detachment at Gerszewski and was CO there until I got out of the Army in June of 1966. At night we all took MOD at the 3rd and I ran the OB clinic there on Thursday afternoons. The commander of the 3rd was John Geisler and he left at about the same time that I did. He went to California and did a psychiatry residency and I have lost contact with him. I went to Albany, New York where I completed a radiology residency. I stayed in the Albany area and retired four years ago as director of Medical Imaging from St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady, New York.
I would be interested in hearing from people that were there and although I can’t make the reunion in San Francisco this year may eventually make one!

Those Army years were good training for me because when I left in 1966 I did a residency in radiology and practiced for thirty years as a radiologist. I am now retired and do "hands on" patient care at a clinic for people that do not have medical insurance. I only volunteer one afternoon each week but yesterday afternoon we saw about 76 patients (five doctors). I see the "easy stuff" fortunately I work with a few internists who see the diabetics and complicated patients; but, there are a lot of school and work physicals, sore throats, and a few cases of "clap" etc. that I am comfortable with.

Dr. Donald R. Morton, Commanding Officer at the 761st from May 1963 to June 1966

NOTE: Seargeant Charles Miller says he had a photo of Dr. Morton from back then wearing a cowboy hat and I hope to obtain it so I can post it here.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Frau Karcher

Here we are inside the four lane bowling alley that was on Smiley Barracks in the late sixties. Have been told that the military built a newer bowling alley at some point in time but it was off base.

Top photo from left to right is Dennis Waterman (who I can not locate), Frau Karcher, and Jimmie D. Tyler.
Bottom photo is Dennis Waterman, Frau Karcher, and Jay Pedrin (who died in 1974).

Frau Karcher operated the bowling alley and would invite some of us back to her apartment from time to time to watch German TV. I remember one time watching Bonanza and the entire show was dubbed in German. It was a kick hearing Hoss and Little Joe speak German.

Dr. Lewis E. Wash

LTC DR. LEWIS E. WASH

Many in Boston had asked about Dr. Lewis Wash, the Commanding Officer at the 3rd, from September 1968 to October 1969,after Dr. Bruce R. Fishburn and before Dr. Lee "Whatever you think is best" Sanders.

Connie Husband had provided a lead and I had followed up on it early in 2002 without hearing anything. Could not find any phone numbers for any Lewis Wash in the USA so I tried mailing another letter again in February 2003 to the address I had in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. This time I did receive a phone call at work on February 17, 2003 from a physician who took over the offices of a Dr. Lewis E. Wash and she said that Dr. Wash passed away three years ago from a heart attack or a stroke.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Our four lane bowling alley

Over here is the Bowling Alley. Heard they built a new bowling alley off base sometime near the PX.
Let's go inside and see if we know anyone inside.

Gilbert and Daisy Thorne

I was able to obtain the following "knock your socks off" story from Phil Leonard. Just you listen to this!

SFC Gilbert Thorne left the 761st and went to Ft. Sam and then on to Vietnam. Shortly after his return to the states he retired and has since passed away. His widow was also the widow of Jesse Leroy Brown the Navy’s first black aviator. Her name is Daisy and she is still alive and living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Gilbert was a really great guy and Daisy is just as nice. The Navy named a destroyer after Jesse and they are in the process of building another ship that they will name after him. He was killed in Korea. President Truman awarded him the Navy Cross posthumously. He invited Daisy to the White House and gave it to her. The fellow who tried to rescue Jesse received the Congressional Medal of Honor in the same ceremony. If you go to the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. they have a display giving all of the details and there is a photo of Jesse.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Where the snack bar use to be

Ahhhh! Now we have to drive around on this road since it is one way. Remember?

Look! That’s where the Snack Bar use to be on base.

Phillip Leonard

Phil, who was stationed at the 761st from October 1965 to January 1967, sent an email (see da book – da sequel) on January 3, 2003 responding to the notice in the American Legion Magazine.

Phil was a lab tech at the 761st from October 1965 to January 1967 before going to Vietnam. He is interested in conversing with someone about the history of the 761st. He did know Dr. Ferguson. It seems that I was able to obtain more history from Phil than dispense to him and the next person you will learn about here at this blog (after the next tour installment) came from information given to me by Phil. It was a jaw dropper for me, even more so than the DOES ANYONE REMEMBER segment at the botton of this post, and I hope you will tune in to it.

Phil also mentioned Dr. Donald Morton and another search was on that you will read about here soon.

What they are saying………………………………………...I was originally stationed in Heilbronn just north of Stuttgart, but they needed a Lab Tech at the 761st so they sent me TDY in October 1965. By December I had been PCSd. Initially I bunked at Gerszewski Barracks and then when my family arrived I lived in Military Housing over at Smiley. I worked part time at the 3rd General Dispensary as they were short of Lab Techs and I volunteered to work there two to three days a week. The odds are better than 50/50 that I will be able to join you in San Francisco. Just let me know the details so I can plan.
Phillip M. Leonard, January 7, 2003

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER…………….

Phil Leonard is asking if anyone remembers Dr. Donald R. Morton from the 761st? Phil would like to contact him. Also, does anyone remember a husband and wife who were doctors at the 3rd named Philipowic (spelling?) who had escaped communist Poland and had to leave their baby behind with its grandmother? They were trying to get the US Government to expedite the release if their baby. What ever happened to them? Did they get their baby back?

Smiley Barracks Tour - "Burgie's Camper"

Some of you can get in "Burgie's" Opel station wagon that he converted into a mini RV. Let's go!

Al St.Jacques

Above photos are of Al when he attended the San Francisco 2003 Reunion. Top photo is when we took a little stroll through Lincoln Park. Middle photo shows Al making a point with Diane McMahon at Sears during breakfast. Bottom photo shows Al thumbing through "da book - da sequel" that was handed out at the reunion.

Here is how I found Al or I should say how Al found me on New Years Eve 2002.

AMERICAN LEGION CONTACTS
MAKING NEW FRIENDS

Eddie Overtsreet mentioned that he would look in The American Legion Magazine for reunions of units that he was stationed with. I contacted The American Legion Magazine on November 4, 2002 so that they would list our reunion. The notice was published in the January 2003 issue.

Al, who was stationed at the Third Medical Dispensary from January 1954 to April 1955, sent an email on December 31, 2002. Al and I have become real good friends since and he is planning to attend the reunion.


Al was a medical tech at the Third Medical Dispensary, Karlsruhe Smiley Barracks from January 1954 to April 1955. There’s some history for you. Apparently the3rd General Dispensary was formerly the Third Medical Dispensary. Wonder when the name was changed? Al lives near Amsterdam, New York and is retired but quite active. He is a civil war re-enactor and has appeared in the movies Gettysburg, Andersonville, and Gods and Generals. He has certainly had an interesting career during his 69 years and I'll tell you more about that here soon.


One of our favorite stories…………………a bit of trivia from Al St.Jacques
The army hired a shepherd to use his sheep to cut the grass, saw it through the upstairs ward window. When I told Mr. Jamerson (Warrant Officer) I saw the sheep, he looked out and saw nothing.…………….it took more convincing to show him the sheep as they rounded the corner. Phew!
I got stuck with guard duty, would you believe we slept in the cells? Those were the days when the German army was reforming, old men in long black limos, ex soldiers showing up with their Kine Card, with their ss, and Whermach photos on the cards. They always had a smile on their faces, it was hard to keep a straight face when I looked at their Kine card (Polize card to keep track of denatzified individuals). We also had an ex ss battalion surgeon Dr. Hess working for us at the time, another was an ex surgeon with a grenade crippled hand (forgot his name) and Dr. Kamerling.


STRANGE TALES AND OTHER FACTS……
Al St.Jacques would shoot skeet with LTC Dr. Horace Doty, Commanding Officer of the Third Medical Dispensary, during 1954 to 1955. The shells were one cent each and Al said he always walked on the worn paths.
One day Al was told the skeet range was off limits and got into an argument with MP’s about it. He found out later that the range was still an active mine field from WWII with over twenty tons of mine being dug up going as far back to Napoleon times. When the occupation was about over the officer that had ordered the mines laid finally gave the demolition boys the map of the above. And you thought you had it tough in Karlsruhe.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Paul's Blue Bug

Alright, we can get five in Paul's blue VW and there's "Burgie's" Opel parked next it. Someone find Bob and have him lift up the back to that station wagon.

Bob and Janet Carroll

Top photo is Janet and Bob "BC" Carroll at the 2003 San Francisco Reunion.

Middle photo is from Karlsruhe 1968 showing from left to right after a touch football game: Paul Strauser, Kenny Grant, Bob "BC" Carroll drinking some brew, Marvelous Marvin Black, Bill Weidner, and Bob "Burgie" Burgeson.

Bottom photo is from the 2005 Chicago Reunion and its "BC" with his best bud from Karlsruhe Jack Tolchin. "BC" and Jack were the two medics who worked the night shift at the dispensary from 6 P.M. to 8 A.M. (two days on and then two days off) with a doctor and two ambulance drivers. They would see just about everything pulling this duty from 1967 to 1968 as the 3rd General Dispensary WAS the Emergency Room for the military community in the Karlsruhe area doing everything from delivering babies to bringing in D.O.A.'s from automobile accidents, drownings, etc. and everything else in between that needed medical attention.

Here is how I found "BC" in December 2002 -

JUST HAD TO FIND "BC"

One of my favorite friends from back then was Robert "BC" Carroll. Just had to find "BC" for the reunion party we were planning to have as it would not have been complete without him. Guess "BC" and I got along so well because we were both from large cities on the East Coast (BC from New York and me from Philly).
"Yous guys" did not really know what the two of us were doing one day when we started to play "stick ball" with a broom handle and a ball with a chalk box on the side of a building.
Geez, I remember "BC" and I really got into that "spin" baseball game I had and he always wanted to be the Mets. Do you remember him always talking about that Camaro he was going to get when he got home? Well, he did get it! Here is how I found him.

Late December 2002: It was sometime during Christmas and New Years I believe.
Had wanted to keep searching during the holidays while I was still on a roll finding people. Had found 72 Robert Carroll’s in the state of New York with a phone number. Had also searched for Bob Carroll and Bob/Robert Carol with only one or two having a phone number.

Flushing, New York: Had thought "BC" was near Flushing, New York which is home to the Mets as well as the sight of the 1964 New York’s World Fair. Started to sort the phone numbers I had found by area code and was calling those in the New York City area first. Did find and speak with "BC", a medic with the 3rd from January 1967 to September 1968. He now lives in Valley Stream, New York with wife Janet and works in the Import/Export business. "BC" was just as excited as I was having found him and is planning to attend the reunion.


STRANGE TALES AND OTHER FACTS……
Robert "BC" Carroll, a medic at the 3rd from January 1967 to September 1968, who now lives in Valley Stream, New York and Tom Devincenzi, a medic at the 761st from 1969 to 1970, and now living in Daly City, California are both in the Import/Export business.

and …….of course it makes perfect sense to me that Robert "BC" Carroll is in the Import/Export business, wonder if he still uses any of his old "Black Market" contacts in Karlsruhe?

Smiley Barracks Tour - A Well Read Man

Get dressed Paul and bring that blue bug of yours around front so we can take this tour off base.

Harold and Carolyn Graham

Here is how I located Harold Graham, on the left in above photo, during December 2002.

Had searched and found 176 Harold Graham’s with a phone number in the USA. Though he was from the northwest, but I was not sure, so I called the only one in Oregon but it was not the Harold we knew.

With such an over whelming number remaining I needed to narrow the search somehow.

On December 13, 2002 I sent SOMETHING EXTRA #02 out by email with a photo (see above photo –
I Don’t THINK SO! With Bob Burgeson and Ronald Koel playing cribbage) of Harold in it and asked if anyone knew which state or region he was from.

Marty Bauer, whose memory is sharp as a tack, replied saying Harold was from the state of Washington.

On To Washington: Searched the state of Washington and found five Harold Graham’s. Called and spoke with Harold, and ambulance driver from September 1967 to September 1968. Harold, who now sells furniture, sent a email to me (see da book – da sequel) saying that he lives in Chehalis, Washington (which is between Seattle and Portland on Interstate 5) with wife Carolyn.


SMILEY SPORTS STORIES
Harold also mentioned in his email that he remembers the Archery Club that was headed by Dr. Bruce R. Fishburn, saying "We would load up to five or six guys in Jack Tolchins Volkswagen bug and travel to archery tournaments.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Steve Warman's Green Bug

That's it Steve. Drive that green bug of yours.

Four can ride with Steve.

See if anyone else is in the barracks who has a car.

Kenneth & Irlen Keys

That's Ken Keys standing next to Michael Yount who is strumming the guitar. Sitting from left to right are Jimmie "Diesel" Tyler (showing us his winning hand), Doug "Shorty" Van Anden, Donald Cook, Jay Pedrin, and two guys (whom I don't know) who where with the engineering company that also bunked in the same barrack
building as we did. Here is how I located Ken Keys.................

KEYS FOUND

(Special): Another hard find was Ken Keys. Thought I should have found him before this but he no longer lived in California and the search lasted until late November 2002.
First Search: Searched the state of California, found and called four Ken/Kenneth Keys and twenty-seven K. Keys without any luck. Then called three Keys who lived in Petaluma, California because Ken had sent a post card (see da book) to the dispensary from there when he was discharged in 1969. Still no success. With over 250 Keys in the state of California thought I’d better search each state for Ken and maybe I’d get lucky.
Second Search: Searched and found fifty Ken/Kenneth Keys in the 49 other states with a listed phone number. Started to call the surrounding states first and thought I was going to find him in either Arizona or Oregon. I was getting busy signals from those calls so I started to call the three Ken/Kenneth Keys in Texas just to eliminate them from the search. Guess what? Found Ken Keys, a pharmacist at the 3rd from September 1966 to February 1969, living in Austin, Texas with wife Irlen and son Sean. Now that really surprised me finding Ken just a few hours drive from me here in Fort Worth, Texas. Ken is retired from the military service.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Getting our Wheels

Let's take this tour off base now. Some of you can get in the Mercedes Carl Sachjen is driving. See who is in the barracks that has a car. Steve Warman! Wake up!

Dr. Michael Hirsch

Finding Dr. Hirsch was a real challenge. Had found three Dr. Michael Hirsch’s in 2001. Mailed the form letter to all three during the summer and received a fax reply (see da book) from one who was at Nellis Air Force Base during 1967 to 1968. Then searched and called four Michael Hirsch’s. Also searched the AMA directory without any success. Moved Dr. Hirsch from the "Attempting to locate list" to the "Need more info list". Dr. Kentsmith provided that info by saying he had lost contact with Dr. Hirsch twenty years ago when Michael Hirsch was on the faculty in Psychiatry at the University of California at Davis. Searched October 22, 2002 for a web site for the University of California at Davis and found faculty bios of the Psychiatry Department. Then searched for those who were there during the early eighties and emailed four asking them if they knew how to contact Dr. Michael A. Hirsch. Received a email from a Penny Knapp, MD on October 26,2002 (see da book – da sequel) saying "He is still on UC Davis clinical faculty. Contact UC Davis training office for his number either call 916-734-2614 or email the AA: Marilyn Clark. Reunions are good." Like a hound dog on a trail, I sent a email to Marilyn Clark and she responded October 28, 2002 (see da book – da sequel) saying "Unfortunately, I do not have recent information on Dr. Hirsch. He is no longer on the faculty at the university. You might try the information operator for a number in Davis, California." Thought I was loosing the trail but searched and found a number for a Michael Hirsch in Davis, California. Called during November 2002 and spoke with Dr. Hirsch who was at the 3rd from July 1968 to May 1970.

Smiley Barracks Tour - The 595th Med Co. Motor Pool

Well what do you know? We made it up to the attic in the Mess Hall. A first for me. That's the 595th Medical Company motor pool in 1963 we are looking at. Do you remember driving any of the Army trucks, er, vehicles? (The only truck on base is on the flagpole of course).

Lou Speckart

WHAT A GROUP is right. This is my all time favorite photo from Karlsruhe since it was taken soon after I arrived in March of 1968. That's me standing on the left with Lou Speckart next, then Lou Cisco, and then Marty Bauer. Kneeling in front of us from left to right is Bill Lokay, Kenny Grant, and Joe Vasel.
I had looked at this photo many times through the years wondering where the others were and what they had done with there lives. It took me four years but I finally located everyone in this photo. Here is how I found Lou Speckart in November 2002.

Had been searching for a Len Speckart (see da book). Lou Cisco corrected the first name, searched each state and found only one Lou Speckart in the USA with a phone number. Called and spoke with Lou mentioning to him that I remember his blue Mercedes. Lou, who was a pharmacist from June 1967 to April 1968, lives in St. Louis.

Smiley Barracks Tour - The Mess Hall

The Mess Hall was shut down in 1992 and converted into a library. Did any of you "Attic Rats" ever get to the attic in the Mess Hall? Let's go in and see how far we can climb up the stairs!

Dr. Fred Teyan

Both Dr. D'Alessandro and Dr. Kentsmith provided leads that Dr. Fred Teyan was in New York. Searched and found a phone number. Called in November 2002 and left a message on his answering machine but have not received a reply to date.

Smiley Barracks Tour - "No Less Than The Best"

We are on the main road leading to the Mess Hall on Smiley Barracks and this building is where the 595th Medical Company - "NO LESS THAN THE BEST" was during the early sixties.

Dr. Gilbert "Gib" Haslam

Also in October 2002 found out about Dr. Haslam. I sure do remember how he looked in 1968 real well. If anyone has a photo please send it to me and I'll include it here.


Dr. D’Alessandro furnished the lead that Dr. Haslam was from Oklahoma. However once again I spelled the name incorrectly and was searching for Haslem. Found one number and they of course did not know whom I was talking about. Then tried Haslam, called all and was informed that a Dr. Gilbert Haslam had passed away. The first name of Gilbert was different than the one I was searching for but Dr. Kentsmith confirmed that Dr. Haslam’s first name was Gilbert and he went by "Gib".

Smiley Barracks Tour - Out and About

Good. The storm is over. Follow me and let's walk towards the Mess Hall.

Dr. David and Kitty Kentsmith

Still in October 2002 I contacted Dr. David Kentsmith. No photo is available but should I obtain one I'll post here later. Here is how I found him.

Connie Husband furnished the lead for David and Kitty Kentsmith in Nebraska. Searched, found a phone number, called and left a message on his answering machine in July 2002. Did not hear from him at this time. I’ll randomly search for email addresses on http://www.msn.com/ and typed in David Kentsmith on October 18, 2002. This time to my surprise I received an answer (see da book – da sequel). David and Kitty were in Karlsruhe from August 1966 to August 1969. Dr. Kentsmith was assigned to the 78th Engineers Battalion at Ettlingen Kaserne and worked afternoons at the 3rd until being assigned full time to the 3rd after eighteen months. They live in Springfield, Nebraska on a farm where they have lived for the last thirty years. David retired from the VA and Air Force Reserves after working as a psychiatrist, teaching at the Medical School, and serving in the Air Force Reserves for twenty-four years (four years active duty including Desert Storm). He also served as a Chief of Staff of two VA hospitals and he and his wife of thirty-eight years are now retired.


STRANGE TALES AND OTHER FACTS……
Michael Dryver, whom worked with the optometrist Dr. Pitts in 1969, is the musical director of St. Andrews Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
The daughter of Dr. David and Kitty Kentsmith (whom were in Karlsruhe from August 1966 to August 1969 and now reside in Springfield, Nebraska just a few miles south of Omaha) was married in St. Andrews Church, Omaha, Nebraska.

One of our favorite stories…………………………..from Dr. David Kentsmith.
I particularly remember a rather obese woman (it was very difficult to tell she was pregnant due to her large size), the wife of one of the chopper pilots, flying her to Heidelberg because she was about 6-8 cm dilated and full term. She was the person who taught Lamaze I guess on her own to anyone who wanted to learn – I don’t think she was a nurse either. She was quite loud as she practiced her Lamaze during the time we were caring for her when she was having contractions. We made it to the hospital but it was quite a circus. First her husband wanted to fly the chopper (in fact he said he called his buddies and they were warming up the chopper). After his piloting was vetoed we put her in the ambulance (it took four people to carry her). She yelled she couldn’t ride head first so we took her out of the ambulance turned her around with a lot of huffing and puffing, some strained backs and slid her into the ambulance feet first for the short ride to the air field in Karlsruhe.
When we arrived in Heidelberg, we could not land at the hospital (I think it was foggy or something) so we landed at the airfield waking up the entire barracks on the field which occupied the second floor base operations. With sleepy eyed troops leaning out of their dorm windows in their undershorts trying to figure out what was happening, we carried her out of the chopper through the hall of the base operations/dorm building with her loudly doing her Lamaze exercises (One, two, three, breath etc.). As we rushed her to the front door of the building the ambulance from the hospital arrived but drove directly out to the chopper. We started to pick her up and carry her back down the long hallway towards the chopper when the ambulance drove away from the chopper and to the front door where we carried her in the first place. We remembered to put her in feet first into the Heidelberg hospital cracker box to the confusion of the Heidelberg medics who were trying to help. Fortunately the baby did not deliver during all this activity but waited until it’s mother finally arrived at the hospital. I think they had a healthy girl. Were any of you there for this?

Smiley Barracks Tour - Crusin'

Geez oh pee, will this storm ever pass? Hey? Is that Sergeant Miller in his vette?

Darrel and Dorothy Manning

Sure wish I had a photo of Darrel Manning. If any of you do please email it to me so I can add it here.

Darrel was one cool person, certainly very smart, and he had a keen wit about him so much so that you really had to pay attention to his conversations or they would go completely over your head.

Here is how I found him in October 2002.

Darrell, Darryl, Darrall. Was not sure which way to spell Darrel’s first name. Had called a Darrell Manning in Novato, California July 11, 2001. Also mailed two Darryl Manning’s in California during 2001. There are over 183 D. Manning’s with a listed phone in the state of California and was at a lost searching for him. Reviewed all my notes and conducted another search in California for Darrel Manning in October 2002. Found four Darryl/Darrel Manning’s and started to call all. Spoke with Darrel’s son who gave me his phone number and was finally able to contact him. Darrel, who was a X-Ray Tech at the 3rd from November 1969 to November 1970, is now a paralegal and lives in Blue Lake, California with wife Dorothy.

It was Darrel who lent me twenty dollars so I could ship my car home after I ran out of money during my European discharge. Here are a few others tid bits from and about Darrel.

Uncle Charlie says……"YOU CAN’T DO THAT"………as told by Darrel Manning

Here is one of my experiences with the illustrious Sgt. Martin who was always adding a little color to the situation. It was an early spring day and I was given the detail of mowing the lawn out in front of the dispensary. This was the picnic grounds between the dispensary and the MPs holdout when several urchins about 8 to 9 years old, friends of mine from the fellowship I attended and as all little kids want to do, they wanted to help. So for pennies on the dollar I hired them to push the mower while I enjoyed laying down on the grass in the sunshine. I was just getting into the enjoyment phase when I heard the window slide open up on the second story Orderly Room and out came the infamous cry "Mannins, you can’t do that." I said "What’s wrong with laying on the grass?" and Sgt. Martin replied, "Not the grass, but you can’t make the little kids push the mower." And I yelled back that I wasn’t making them push the mower that they really wanted to do it. And the good ole sarge yelled back to stop talking and push the mower which I dutifully did. I have greatly enjoyed the refresher course on the 3rd General. I could have by passed the military but I have certainly enjoyed the living and the reliving of the 3rd General experience. As my dad who was a major in the 2nd world war stationed in France and Germany use to ask me: "When are you going to try out the military?" Well, I kind of liked our form of military.


What they are saying………All the best to all you friends.
Darrel Manning, December 10, 2002

Smiley Barracks Tour - A Winters Day

Wow! It’s still snowing! Maybe it will let up before we finish this tour of Smiley.

Frank and Mary Trad

Well I do have a photo of Frank and it was scanned but the floppy it was scanned to is now giving me problems. So I'll scan that photo again soon and post here when I can.


I had photo’s of Frank but I could not remember his name when I was looking at them and thus didn’t have him on the search list but on the need to identify list. Terry Brenneman had asked about Frank when we spoke but it still didn’t click in my head at the time who Frank was. It was a few days later when I remembered that it was Frank in the photo’s and in October 2002 I searched each state for him and found Frank and his wife Mary in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Frank, now a computer operator, worked at the 761st as the records clerk from January 1968 to June 1969.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Didn't Need No Stinkin' Badges

All right. Let’s leave this joint. Come on. It looks like Jimmie D, Jay Pedrin, and Paul are dressed and ready to leave. Let’s follow them. Ask them to show you their badges.

Larry and Helen Nagel

Finding Larry was the first hard find that I was able to complete. Knew he was from California and searched there. Found and called five Larry Nagel’s and all thirty L. Nagel’s in California, no luck. There are over 250 Nagel’s in California with a phone number. Looked at "da book" again and noticed that the post cards he had sent to the dispensary were from Orange, California and he signed them Larry, Helen, & Julie Nagel. Searched for Helen Nagel (found seven) and Julie Nagel (found two) and called all, still without any luck. Also called all the Nagel’s in Orange, California without any success. Expanded the search to each state for Larry. Found thirty-nine and began to call the surrounding states first. In October 2002 I spoke with Larry’s youngest daughter at home in Veneta, Oregon whom gave me his cell phone number. I’m sure I surprised Larry when I called him on his cell phone. Larry is a independent trucker and was a medic at the 3rd from March 1967 to January 1969.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Taking It To The Streets

OK, let's leave the barracks. Everyone grab a jacket it's chilly outside. That's Lou Cisco standing on the left, Bob "Burgie" Burgeson standing on the right, with Frank Sciannameo sitting on Carlos Riveria.

I've found them all in this picture except for Carlos and Ho Chin Min.

Let's see who else is in the barracks and wants to join this tour with us shall we.

Bill Weidner

Knew Bill was from Philly as he attended Frankford High School which is the neighboring school to the one I attended. In October 2002 I had found twelve Weidner’s with a listed phone number in Philly but none with the first name of Bill or William. Bill was the Lab Tech at the 761st when I arrived in 1968. Started to call all and spoke with his widow who said Bill had died in 1985 at the age of thirty-seven.

Smiley Barracks Tour - More Posters

These are a few of the posters in my area. The one on the left is called Up In Arms and is an octopus. The one on the right is Snoopy.

Terry and Nancy Brenneman

Was not sure of the spelling of Terry’s last name. Thought it may have been Brennan (se da book). Looked at "da book" and noticed that Carl Sachjen and I did spell his name as Brenneman on the 1980 list. Zeroed in on the wrong state next, thought he was from California. Someone corrected that and said they didn’t think he was from California but didn’t know which state he was from. In September 2002 I did a search of each state and found eleven Terry Brenneman’s with a phone number in the USA. Started to call all of them and some how located Terry at his cabin on a lake in Iowa, which needless to say surprised him very much. Terry, who was a X-Ray Tech at the 3rd from November 1967 to February 1969, now lives in Algona, Iowa with wife Nancy. Terry is retired and had worked at a VA hospital.

What they are saying........I appreciate all the e-mails, will not be able to attend reunion, but still enjoy all the news. We have a daughter getting married this summer and that limits our activities at this time.
Terry Brenneman, December 10, 2002


SMILEY SPORTS STORY
Terry Brenneman has already mentioned the dispensary bowling leagues.
How about this, tomorrow is the 35th Anniversary of the "Triple Header" softball game we had with the MP’s on July 4, 1968. How many of you remember that? Seems to me that you were called out if you didn’t run the bases with a full cup of beer!

Smiley Barracks Tour - Getting Dizzy

Here's Jim "JT" Tapee the fantastic drummer in the amazing barracks band "TWICE."

Hey JT, guess we know why you are always getting dizzy looking at that poster. Take us to other rooms and show some more posters will ya?

Speaking with JT on the phone a few years ago he mentioned he remembers being told -

"JT, life is like a one act play -

and you lost your script!"

Frank Motz

Frank Motz is on the left, Vince Inahara is in the middle, & Bob Burgeson is on the right.

Frank was the Food Inspector during 1968 at the 3rd. Had emailed two Frank Motz on 7/11/01 (see da book) and did not get any response. Searched each state, found and called five people with the name of Frank Motz in the USA. Did not have any success. Bob Burgeson was able to give me the lead that he thought Frank was from the Cleveland, Ohio area. In September 2002 I searched and found eight Motz’s that lived in Cleveland. Called and spoke with Frank’s godmother who told me that Frank had passed away during the spring of 2002. It is always shocking news to receive and I always try to make certain that this is indeed the person we are searching for without asking any other details.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Kiss Me!

That's Doug "Shorty" Van Anden with Annie at a barracks party we were having one afternoon. Just about everyone from the dispensary came on over to have fun with "Wine, Woman, and Song."

Great party guys but we have to move on with the tour. Let's see who else is in the barracks.

Ronald Koel

So here's Ronald Koel trying to talk Marty Bauer out of some cake. Doesn't look like he's doing it does it.

Here's how I ALMOST contacted Ron -

Another person I did not remember at first was Ronald Koel. He worked with the optometrist Dr. Barry during 1968. Added him to the search list after reviewing the list that Carl Sachjen and I had written in 1980 (see da book). Did not remember his first name but knew he was from Kansas, did a search and found his brother Richard. He said Ron lives in Denver and is in the construction business. Called and left a message on his answering machine during August 2002 and followed up with a letter to him in November 2002. Have not heard from him either of these times.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Lady in Red

That's Turid "Trudi" Fosse from Norway who worked in the Orderly Room of the 3rd General Dispensary from 1968 to 1969. Have searched for her without any luck so far.

Frank and Barbara Sciannameo

So here's Frank Sciannameo in his medic whites trying to get some help for the dispensary on a busy Friday or Saturday night. He knew exactly where to go since the medics and the MP's would hang out at Herman Klaus restaurant when we were off duty. Don't you know we all jumped up and went back to the dispensary to help him (yeah, right). Here's how I found Frank.

From speaking with Marty Bauer I was able to locate Lou Cisco. Lou pointed me in the right direction for Jack Tolchin. Jack sent me a email (see da book-da sequel) mentioning many names in August 2002, one for our friend Sciannameo.
Not Even Close: I had tried to spell Frank’s last name but I was not even close. Had spelled his last name as Scanamaoi (see da book) and even with all the wild card characters that I used in his name during the search process I did not find any leads for him during 2001 or 2002. So with Jack’s help I now had another lead and searched for Frank Sciannameo in August 2002. Located a Frank Sciannameo in Illinois, called, but it was not him. Then searched the state of Massachusetts for any and all Sciannameo’s. Found seven. Started to call all and was able to locate and speak with Frank. Frank, who was a medic from June 1967 to December 1968, now lives in Oxford, Massachusetts with his wife Barbara. He is a environmental protection engineer and is interested in the reunion. It was really great to find another one of our friends from those wonderful dispensary days of yore.

It was a blast from the past talking to you!
Frank Sciannameo, August 31, 2002

Smiley Barracks Tour - It's Party Time!

Oh yeah did we ever have parties in the barracks! This one really wasn't on New Years Eve but during lunch as those who could came over to the barracks for a planned lunch. More photos from this Magic Moment coming your way.

Bob and Kathy Burgeson

The above photo is of Bob "Burgie" Burgeson in his car (see him?) with a U.S. Army duece and a half on top of him in 1968. Needless to say "Burgie" has more lives than a cat.

After 35 years, I see Bob "Burgie" Burgeson once again with his wife Kathy at the San Francisco 2003 Reunion. What a thrill!

That's "Burgie" on the extreme left in 1968 holding up the Marvel comic while Frank Sciannameo, Lou Cisco, and Ronald Koel galk at the PLAYBOY magazine.

WOW!

Here, we go. Found my best bud while he was in Karlsruhe up until November 1968 - Bob "Burgie" Burgeson. Man, do I remember some of the great times we had together - going to the Wave pool in Karlsruhe, going to Waterloo and the 1956 Worlds Fair area in Belgium, going to a carnival in Karlsruhe, going to castle ruins with Lou Cisco, and stealing gas so we can get back to Karlsruhe one weekend night. It's all here. Read on.

Bob Burgeson: For some reason I was searching for a Tom Bergesson or Burgeson (see da book) in Minnesota (guess I thought he became the actor Tom Berenger). Did not find any Bergesson’s but did find three Tom Bergeson’s as well as nine T. Bergeson and 151 Bergeson’s. Of course none of the Tom Bergeson’s confessed to be the person I knew. I was stumped, then Lou Cisco corrected his first name and told me it was Bob. Started to call all the Bob and/or Robert Bergeson’s and still couldn’t locate him or any relative. Why couldn’t I find Burgie? Ah! It knocked me up against the side of my head one day, his last name is Burgeson not Bergeson. Finally was able to locate and speak with Bob in August 2002, who was a medic at the 761st from January 1968 to November 1968. This is the first time in nearly 34 years that we had talked with each other and it was a really great phone conversation. Bob said he had searched for me at one time in Pennsylvania but had spelled my last name wrong. He did remember my first name however, which was a whole lot better than my fading memory. Bob lives in Maple Grove, Minnesota with wife Kathy and is a printer. They are planning to attend the reunion this year. Bob Burgeson is a printer and lives in Maple Grove, Minnesota with wife Kathy.


One of our favorite stories…………………. Glad I could find Bob Burgeson, my best bud while he was stationed in Karlsruhe. Bob and I went in half each on a used Opel station wagon. Were my first travels in Europe. Know we went to Brussels. One time on the way back from Amsterdam we ran out of gas and stopped in this little town off the autobahn. Trying to communicate our need of "petro", we could not locate any station open that late at night. Wound up siphoning from a car. Dam passenger train came along shinning its lights and thought we would get caught for sure. We didn’t. Bob eventually found a new hood ornament in downtown Karlsruhe. It was a U.S. Army deuce and a half. Still don’t know how Bob walked away from that one. Have pictures showing the truck on top of the car with Bob still in the car as well as the engine on top of the hood that someone picked up off the ground and placed there after the truck was removed. Can’t wait to hoist a few with Bob and everyone else that is coming to the reunion next year.


What they are saying…………………………….It was really great talking to you again. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed since we last talked. I’m looking forward to the newsletter and hope to find some time to go through some things that might be helpful in locating some of our other friends from that time.
Bob Burgeson, August 12, 2002


What they are saying……………I find it hard to believe how many have passed away already. That’s gotta be really hard on you to get that close to contacting someone and get that news. Frank Motz and I were pretty close while there and that news really hurt.
Bob Burgeson, October 31, 2002

Smiley Barracks Tour - Hanging out with nuttin' to do

Guess Jay Pedrin isn’t to thrilled to see us. That’s Jimmie "Diesel" Tyler on the left and Eddie Overstreet on the right. Jimmie and Vila attended the Chicago 2005 reunion and Eddie and Sandra may attend the 2007 reunion.

Jack and Marianne Tolchin

The top photo is Jack and Marianne Tolchin at the Chicago 2005 Reunion and the bottom photo is of Paul Strauser on the left with Jack Tolchin on the right in the barracks sometime in 1968.

Jack Tolchin: Was searching for a Frank or Bill (see da book) and didn’t have a clue as to what state he may have been from. Believe it was Lou Cisco who provided the lead by telling me his first name was Jack and that he was from California. Again it becomes quite easy with the correct name. In August 2002 spoke with Jack, who was a medic at the 761st from August 1967 to January 1969, and now lives in Los Osos, California with wife Marianne. Jack is a clinic psychologist and both he and Marianne are planning to be at the reunion.

Jack and Marianne also attended the San Francisco 2003 Reunion and are planning to join us once again at the 2007 reunion with a location we have just started to vote upon after receiving sixteen nominated cities.


What they are saying………Would like to be part of next get together in San Francisco.
Jack Tolchin, August 10, 2002

Smiley Barracks Tour - Pillow Fight Champions

Well, well, well, look whom we have here.

It’s Paul and Vince celebrating their championship of the Smiley Barracks pillow fight contest sometime in 1968.

Dr. Vito D'Alessandro

DOCTOR D

I’m on a roll now, the streak of finding people continued into August of 2002.
Dr. Vito D’Alessandro: See the "attempting to locate list" in da book. Knew Dr. D was from New York but was not sure of the spelling of his last name. Was searching for Dealessandro (none found in USA) and D’Allesandro (15 found in USA). Had emailed one D’Allesandro on July 12, 2001 and that person responded by saying she didn’t think any doctors were in here family. Finally tried D’Alessandro and bingo it’s so darn easy when you have the correct spelling. As we spoke I reminded Dr. D’Alessandro that I was the guy that drove him to the Frankfurt airport when he left Karlsruhe to return to the states. Dr. D’Alessandro was at the 3rd from June 1966 to July 1969 and he now lives in Garden City, New York and is interested in attending the reunion.

Again, no photo of Dr. D is available but if someone sends me one I'll post it here. I'm sure many of you have your own memory of Dr. D'Alessandro and what follows below is the one I remember most.

One of our favorite stories………………….And then how can anyone who was there forget the Cook Brothers and the triple stabbing during the summer of 1968. Never did I see as much activity at the 3rd General Dispensary as I did that night. Lou Cisco states that he and Marty Bauer responded to that emergency call, but of course there was nothing that they could do. One of the Cook Brothers picked up the knife that belonged to one of their assailants and stabbed all three of the attackers in the heart. If I remember correctly, two were D.O.A. and the other died right after arriving at the dispensary. Believe it was ruled self defense.
Who was the doctor on duty that night? Lou, Marty, do you remember? If my memory serves me well, I think it was Dr. D’Alessandro.

Smiley Barracks Tour - Down Time

Here is Dennis Stepanik, Pharmacist at the 3rd from September 1969 to June 1970, waiting for another issue of the PIT. Look at the stereo equipment he has. Also look at the wall paper that Dennis and most of us would use during those days.

Lou and Cris Cisco

We have Lou making faces at the camera in the top photo at the San Francisco 2003 Reunion as his wife Cris looks away since since she has to see that mug every day. Ha!

The bottom photo has Lou packing up as he prepares to return to the world from Karslruhe in 1968.

Here's how I located Lou in July 2002 -

Had been searching for a Glen Cisco and emailed a Glen Cisco on July 12, 2001 (see da book). Had found thirteen Cisco’s in Arizona, but none with the first name I was looking for. Marty Bauer had corrected the first name and he also told me that Lou worked for Jim Click Ford in Tucson. Searched, found a phone number for Jim Click Ford and left a message for Lou. Started to call all of the Cisco’s in the state of Arizona a few weeks later when I didn’t hear from him. Found a relative and left a message asking that Lou call me. Lou, who was a medic at the 3rd from January 1968 to November 1968, returned my call and is planning to attend the reunion with wife Cris.


What they are saying………Thank you so much for sending us all the newsletters and updates. Lou loves reading all the news. Your newsletters always put a smile on his face. Lou and I are looking forward to the next get together. Lou was sorry to read that Bill Weidner had died. He has fond memories of him.
Lou and Cris Cisco, November 11, 2002