Letters from my 3rd Armored Division web page

Letters from Visitors

Subj: Re: Gelnhausen
Date: 96-08-03
From: JLangan925@aol.com

We may have crossed paths in '66. I suffered an injury to the back of my head (some guy hit me with the crutch I did not take away, long story) I was treated off and on for the next month in the dispensary and the Frankfurt Hospital around August and Sept. They took good care of me.

I was radio/radio teletype operator and driver of HHC command APC and had many an interesting times in field with hatch lowered and canvas set up in Hohenfels, Grafenweir(???) and Wildflicken(???).

I have many a photos (color and B/W) of both city and post. The company I work for has an office in Wiesbaden and I have been back to the post to visit in 1978 and 1983, they would not let me on the post. I have found out from a internet contact in Frankfurt that all units from Gelnhausen went to Desert Storm and that they were dispanded. The civilians are taking over the post.

I will look thru my notes and send you the contact addresses. Refering back to photos, in '78 i took photos of the sign which was located just outside of the gate. I hear that Bambi's is now a pizza parlor.

talk to you soon

jim langan
bloomfield, nj

Subject: Web Page Link
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 1996
From: Ray Smith <RJSmith@rjsmith.com>

Leon, Thanks for adding the link to my page to yours. I have reciprocated. I was in the 3rd Armored Division too, in 66-68 at Gelnhausen (2nd Brigade, Coleman Kaserne). I enjoyed your page and think the 69th Armor guys will too.

I checked out the Gelnhausen page. Man, just as I remember it. And oh yeah, I froze my ass off too. No vehicle I was ever on in German had a working heater. In Vietnam, every tank had a working heater. Go figure...

Subject: Heiler
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 1996
From: Ray Smith <RJSmith@rjsmith.com>

Leon, Checked out your page recently and noticed the new additions. Pretty cool. I took your advice and looked at the "Gelnhausen" page. The maps are nice but they don't show Coleman Kaserne, unfortunately. Although I do remember staggering up Frankfurter Strasse on several occasions. Do you remember the town of Heiler? You could see it beyond the track park, across the Kinzig river (the highway the Kaserne was on was number 40, right?). We guarded a nuclear weapons dump near Heiler. The only place where we were instructed to load our weapons while on a guard post.

It was the 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Armored Div at Gelnhausen. I found some "Spearhead" menus from Thanksgiving or Christmas. I have two so if you want one I will mail it (I don't need two :-) ). I have been finding other 3rd Armored stuff, including my unit crests from the 1/33 Armor (Men Of War). Hey, again, the page looks very nice!

Subject: RE: Heiler
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 1996
From: Ray Smith <rjsmith@fia.net>

I have a map at home that shows the brigade locations. From memory, the 3/12th Cav (division scouts) was at Budigen. The 1st Brigade was at Friedberg, and the 3rd was at Giessen. The Div Arty was at Hanau, along with other elements of the division trains. At Coleman Kaserne, we had the 1st and 2nd of the 48th Infantry, the 1/33rd Armor, the 2/6th Arty (SP 155mm howitzers) and an Ordinance outfit (memory tells me it was the 122nd Ord Bn). Division HQs was at Rose Kaserne in Frankfurt, along with some other stuff. We also had the "Gelnhausen Navy". This was two guys in a rowboat who had to do a police-call of the pond in front of our barracks every morning. The grunts used to test-swim their tracks in it. The POL dump was at the top of the hill at the rear of the Kaserne and was reached via a road outside the kaserne. We rail-loaded our tanks and APCs at a little town 5 klicks west of Gelnhausen (I'll get the name when I get home).

Thanks again.

Ray

Ray, did you ever hear a story that goes something like this? A trooper in Giessen was used to getting his checks cashed at a local gasthaus. One day they won't cash his checks anymore. So he goes the motor park and makes a midnight requisition of a tank. He drives back to the front of the gasthaus, lowers the cannon and pushes it thru the door. He was standing in a hatch, yelling "Now will you cash my goddamn check?" when the MPs grabbed him. I always thought this was like an 'urban legend'. When the man drove a tank down San Diego streets and over cars a couple of years ago, I began to wonder.

Leon

Subject: RE: Heiler
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996
From: Ray Smith <rjsmith@fia.net>

It was true that a guy got drunk and stole a tank and went on a joy ride. Don't remember what his motivation was though.

Ray

Subject: Web Page Message
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 1996
From: cpt_damon_baine@smtplink.hood.amedd.army.mil

Howdy, As I was searching for information about 3rd Armored Division I found your home page. I just wanted to compliment you on a great looking site. I was also assigned to 3AD. In 1989-91 I was asigned to 5-5 CAV, 1st Brigade located at Kirchgons. I was the medical platoon leader in the battalion and had a fantastic time both in the battalion and in Germany. I deployed with the battalion to Operation Desert Storm, where I became very close with my platoon. Upon our return to Germany I was in charge of inactivating the battalion - sad task indeed. I was proud to serve in the 3d AD. It was a great way to begin my career in the military. I am currently in the 2nd year of the Army-Baylor Graduate Program in Healthcare Administration. I am the Administrative Resident at Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, TX. The location could be better, but being back in armor country is nice. Once again, great home page.

Spearhead,

Damon Baine, CHE
CPT, MS

Subject: Looking for old friends
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 96
From: Dave Wise <dave@startext.net>

I was stationed in Friedberg, Germany (Company B 1st Bn. 32nd Armor 3rd Armored Div. between 11-67 to 9-69. Anyone else?

Dave Wise

Subject: Gelnhausen
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 1996 11:00:38 -0800
From: Charles Schroeder <nightshift@provide.net>

Sorry I don't have a pix of an ambulance. I was also in Gelnhausen Jan65 to Jan66. Hq.Co 2bn. 48th.Inf. I started out in Alpha Co. then in Hq. The last sixth months I went to 3rd of the 33rd at KirshGoens ie the rock. I was just curious the other day about how it would be there. I Remember getting a snitzel sandwich at Bambies and the Charlie Star Bar and other small towns in the area--It was great. For three months I was a stockade guard in Frankfurt, that was tops. It had everything, oh the food was terrific. All that must have changed by now, and maybe its too bad because those gave me some of the best memories of my life. All except humping the hills,kp and guard at the ammo dump with tents in the winter. Oh well thanx for your page, it was nice to visit.

Chuck

Subject: 3rd Armoured Div.(been there, done that)
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 1997
From: Tomber9@aol.com

Hi, Glad to come across your site. I have been looking for what happened to the 3rd Armoured Div. for 3 months. I was with "HQ & A Co.- 122nd Maintance Battalion" at Fliegorhorst Kaserne, in Langendiebach, just outside of Hanau. Was there from Sept. 1965 to Feb. 1968. I was a Track mechanic and a section leader. We worked on Contact teams for 73 Artilery, 23rd Eng., and 6/40th Artilery. We went wherever they did and did 3rd echilon maint. on their Equip. I spent over half of my time ther in the field with one of these units, or our own. Got to know Graf, Hoenfels, & Wildflecken, quite well. I miss german beer in flippie bottles.

You have a nice Web Page & I wish you well with it. So long for now,

Tom Beroney
33 Moody St.
Manchester, NH 03103
tomber9@aol.com

Subject: a co 45 fwd spt bn 2nd bde 3rd armored div
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 1997
From: "James Coleman" <tmgreen@c2i2.com>
Reply-To: <j-coleman@theriver.com>

My name is Chester Haggett. I was assigned to A CO. 45th SPT. Bn. in Gelnhausen as a first duty assignment. I was and still am a 63B(Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic). My CO. was CPT. McLeod, I have lost contact with all of the people I served with in the Persian Gulf and would like to contact them again someday. I am now a Sgt. and am assigned to the 111th M.I. Bde/ 304th M.I. Bn; HHC CO. at FT. Huachuca, AZ. my current address is: 4250 E. Foothills Dr. E2053 Sierra Vista, AZ. 85635. I don't know if you remember a name by: Joseph Warner? He was my roommate at the time. we were both PFCs. I don't know what happened to him, or where he is at the present time. he was CPT. McLeod's driver before we went to the gulf. Then SPC. Ijames from the motor pool drove for him during the war. This is my first time ever on the net, so I am a bit stale at it but am trying to learn. Please mail me with any info you have on anyone who served with our unit.

Thanks, and take care.

Subject: Cracker Box Ambulance
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 1997
From: BBERK@ria-emh2.army.mil

Hello Leon. I really enjoyed your web page. I may have a photo of a cracker box ambulance that I took at Grafenwohr, if you still need one.

I knew the 45th Med well! I served in the 3AD for three years in the122d Maintenance Battalion in Hanau. I hope you build your web site into the official site for the now retired 3AD.

Bob

"Maintien Le Droit"

Subject: 45th Med Bn
Date: Tue, 02 Dec 1997
From: Michael Erwin <ntropy@gwis.com>

I ran across your 3rd Armored Division page and saw that you served in the 45th Medical Bn. I was with the 45th Med from Dec '72 thru my ETS in Jul '75. Like you, I arrived in Germany (via Ft. Dix) on Dec 20th in a state of near exhaustion (a story unto itself) only to be greeted by a grumpy NCO and the correspondingly gloomy weather. My processing took a bit longer, however, being a lowly E-2, as I was shuffled from USAEUR's reception center (located in some dung heap in downtown Frankfurt) to the 3rd AD (Drake Kaserne?), and, finally, to the 45th Med on Dec 23rd. When I joined the unit it had been relocated to Hutier Kaserne in Hanau, where it remained for the 30 months I was with them. (I think that move occurred in '69 or '70.) Though I'm not certain of the chronology, I believe the unit was moved back to Frankfurt in the late '70s and deactivated during the '80s.

It was enjoyable to read about your experiences. Although I can't say that I liked the Army very much, enlisting was probably the smartest thing I could have done at that time in my life. It certainly made me accept the realization that I had reached my adulthood and had better begin acting more responsible. Also, I loved living in Germany and tried to take advantage of all the opportunities to travel around Europe. Thanks for stimulating some very wonderful memories.

Mike Erwin

Subject: Gelnhausen
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997
From: LenConTom <LenConTom@aol.com>

Hi, I too was stationed in Gelnhausen but back in 1956 to 1958 with the A Co. of33rd Tk Btn. which was in the first building up the hill on the left.Headquarters was across the street from us. I was a driver, gunner and then made Staff Sgt. to become a tank commander. Our tanks were parked on the street for qiuck combat access. There were many times when we were alerted, jumped into our tanks and didn't come back to garrison until 2 to 3 months later. We didn't have too many weekends in town, but when we did it was great. I visit the Gelnhausen site every day to see if any of my era buddies signed the guest book. I have made contact with a few and just visited my platoon Sgt. in WV. At present I am working on planning a Btn.Reunion. It's a task but I'm getting there little by little. I was very surprised to see your web page and I will surely pass it on to others.

Sincerely:

A former occupant of the Coleman Kaserne

Leonard Tomasheski

Subject: Gelnhausen
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997
From: jjgrant@webtv.net (Jack Grant)

Hello, my name is Jack Grant, and I too was stationed at Gelnhausen. I was there from Apr. '64-Sept. '66. I was with the 1/33rd Armor. I found the story of your arrival very funny. My trip to Germany took much longer. I went by ocean liner, no, I guess it was a troop ship. Ironically, named after Gen. Maurice Rose.

Coleman Kaserne closed with the deactivation of the 2nd Brigade and the 3rd Armor Div. after the Gulf War. It was used briefly to house refugees from Yugoslavia, and in '96 was empty. It is now being used again to house refugees, and also the buildings are being sold to private German concerns. The theater, NCO club, and some other buildings have been demolished. The O-club is used as a community club. Coleman Village is still open to house families working in Hanau & Budigen. The PX and snack bar are now a printing firm that publishes the Gelnhausen newspaper.

Were you in Gelnhausen when one of Roy Rogers adopted son's died? We had just gotten back in from the field that day. That eve. he went to the EM Club and got drunk. He died later that night of alcohol poisoning. Also, Gen. Colin Powell is an alumnus of Gelnhausen, but I don't have a clue when he was there, or his assignment.

Did you happen to remember a Capt. Lionel Parsons? He was my platoon leader for a while when I was in a recon. plt. in Hdqts. Co., 1/33rd. At the time he was a 2nd Lt. They wouldn't promote him because he was just "one of the guys". He finally made 1st Lt., and they transfered him to Div. Hdqts. in Frankfurt. He was C.O. of the enlisted replacement company. After discharge in Oct. '66, I learned that he was at Ft. Knox. I went down that summer to visit. (I live in Anderson, In., about 25 mi. NE of Indy). Well, LP told me how he was getting out of the "goddamn army", and going back to Oklahoma to teach school. About a year or so later, I was in Cincinnati, and called an old Army buddy who live outside of Covington, Ky. He asked me if heard about LP, and of course I hadn't. I guess he was finished with his tour in Nam, was in a jeep on the way to the airfport to catch a flight home, and hit a damn land mine and was killed. The "Moving Wall" was at a fair in a little town just north of here a few years ago, and I found his name on the wall. I also got a print-out, and sure as hell he was killed by a mine. I'm sure since you were in the Medical Service, you've heard many stories like that, but it really touched home. He was a hellava guy, and very respected by his troops at Gelnhausen (althought I can't say the same for some of his fellow officers).

Remember Col. Smith (Col. Smoke), CO of the 2nd Brigade? I was trying to remember some of the other officers with the 1/33rd, been a lot of years. Lt. Batt was in one of the line cos., Maj. Fisk was CO of A Co. There was a Lt. Smith who was a pltn. leader in A Co. My memory is fading, age I guess.

Anyway, have a Merry Chirstmas, and Happy New Year, and keep in touch.

Enjoy reminising. I have met several guys stationed at Gelnhausen on the web, and there are a couple of guys that were stationed with me that live here in Anderson.

Jack

Subject: Third Armored Division
Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 23:56:49 -0500
From: Charles D Smith <cds1002@compuserve.com>

Leon, thanks for the great 3rd Armored web site. I was station in Friedberg, Ray Barracks, between Mar 1974 thru Oct 1976. Though I didn't think it at the time that was probably most fun I ever had in my life. I was trained to be a tank turret repairman with the C Co 122nd Maintenance Battalion, unfortunately they were more in need of a legal clerk/company clerk than they were tank repair man. I spent most of my time reading MP reports and typing up Article 15s and court martials for drug charges and whatever else they men did bad the night before. I had two company commanders Capt Gluth and Pendergast and a super first sergeant Micheali. He was great first sergeant, but don't get him angry. It seems I spent most of my weekends in Frankfurt with all the other hundred of GI's. And yes, I had the pleasure of visiting Hohenfels and Graft, both miserable place. Thanks for the memories David Smith former Sgt E-5