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January 2017
1
Fifteenth Infantry Regiment
“The Old China Hands” www.15thinfantry.org
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Fellow Old China Hands, Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season and that 2017 has started well for you and promises to be a great year. As you will read in 3-15 Infantry’s report, the Army is converting the battalion from light Infantry to Mechanized. The Regiment loses a line company in the reorganization, so we will have two line Infantry companies and one Tank Company– 3 line companies representing our great Regiment. Let’s hope it won’t be long before one of our other battalion reenters the active force! We have lots of old Mech members, so the battalion can call on us for advice! Bart Viruso, our longtime association treasurer is resigning as of 1 April. We need someone to step up and take the job– this is one of our most important positions! It is time to stand up and “Can Do!” Our membership and publicity chairman, John Campbell, also needs two assistants to continue the great work he has been doing as a one-man shop. Our membership shows a steady increase, but we can and need to do more to get Can Do veterans to join– please continue to reach out to your buddies from your service with the Regiment and get them on board. I received exactly two responses to my question in the last issue of the Dragon as to whether the Association wishes to erect a regimental monument at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia. This idea dies due to lack of interest. I have solicited bids from three stone masons on repairing the 15th Infantry Regiment monument at Chickamauga. I am trying to resurrect that project which petered out in 2013 due to our inability to find the requisite three bidders required by the Park Service. I will keep you posted. Early last year, the Association received a charcoal drawing of the Regimental coat of arms done in 1924. An oil painting was made from that drawing and is reported to have hung in the Office of the Chief of Infantry for many years. I have been trying to track it down as it should be in the China Room, but it is nowhere to be found in the Army Museum System. Colonel George A Lynch, Regimental Commander in China from 1935 to 1937, subsequently served as Chief of Infantry from 1937-1941. Our long-time Old China Hand Tom Mason was his driver! Believing there is a possibility that he took custody of the painting, I have contacted his family to see whether they ever remember seeing it in his home or office. I located his great-grandson, COL George Seaman, who lives in Springfield, VA and works in the Army G-8. He checked with his mother, who is Lynch’s granddaughter, but she does not remember ever seeing such a painting. The Seaman family does have artifacts from Lynch’s service in China, but not the painting. There are two other branches of the family which Mrs. Seaman is checking with– perhaps we may still find that painting! Our Regiment has a proud past and a bright future. We need to say the same thing about our Association. The Association has been active for 23 years, having been founded by our WWII and Korean War veterans to maintain their camaraderie over the years. As their number dwindles, subsequent generations of Can Do warriors must step up. We have many important positions in the Association which remain unfilled– please volunteer to make Association strong and keep it relevant! Can Do! Tim
January 2017
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Association Officers and Staff
President Timothy R. Stoy 6531 Milva Lane Springfield, VA 22150 (703) 912-4218 [email protected]
Commander, 3rd Battalion LTC LaFran D. Marks 594 Vanguard Road Ste 3071 Ft. Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 435-7697 [email protected]
Editor, The Dragon Andrew G. Lerch 15302 Iris Lane Montclair, VA 22025 (706) 325-3705 [email protected]
Vice President Addison D. (Tad) Davis IV 78 Spring Pond Lane Spring Lake, NC 28390 (703) 772-4558 [email protected]
CSM, 3rd Battalion CSM Tom A. Dow Jr. 594 Vanguard Road Ste 3071 Ft. Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 435-7698 [email protected]
Trustee Richard N. McKiddy 12205 E. 89th Street Kansas City, MO 64138 (816) 509-7633
Secretary Sam Aarons 3966 Thompson Lake Buford, GA 30519 (678) 687-9189 [email protected]
Chaplain Charles C. Trout 10191 Birchwood Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92646 (714) 836-4981 [email protected]
Trustee Leonard L. Lassor 690 Salman Fall Road Rochester, NH 03868 (603) 335-3554 [email protected]
Treasurer Bart Viruso 116 Harriet Road North Babylon, NY 11703 (631) 587-0587 [email protected]
China Room Custodian CPT Dennis K. Helms 1110 E Victory Drive Apt 2 Savannah, GA 31404 (706) 559-5535 [email protected]
Trustee Warren E. Sessler PO Box 938 Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473 (626) 617-1185 [email protected]
Membership Chairman John C. Campbell 760 Flatwood Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 (812) 949-2549 [email protected]
Webmaster Michael J. Horn 1833 Walker Ridge Drive Marietta GA 30064 (678) 581-0392 [email protected]
Trustee
HSGMOR Mark T. Baker 5415 Roaring Branch Road Columbus, GA 31904 (706) 566-5165 [email protected]
Historian Timothy R. Stoy 6531 Milva Lane Springfield, VA 22150 (703) 912-4218 [email protected]
Database Administrator Tom R. Heitzer 231 Normandie Drive Bonne Terre, MO 63628 (314) 650-4692 [email protected]
HCOR Jerry Bates 3017 Margaret Jones Lane Williamsburg VA 23185 (757) 645-4765 [email protected]
Public Relations Chairman John C. Campbell 760 Flatwood Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 (812) 949-2549 [email protected]
C & BL Chairman John C. Campbell 760Flatwood Drive Clarksville, IN 47129 (812) 949-2549 [email protected]
The Dragon is the quarterly publication of the 15th Infantry Regiment Association. It is published in January, April, July, and October. Neither its editorial nor article content carries official endorsement of the Association. Input for the Dragon is due the 15th of each month prior to publishing to [email protected].
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Taps
Gordon V. Carpenter-LM-OPH
Elmira, NY SGT, E CO, 2 BN, KW, Apr 1953-Apr 1954 DOD 09/24/2016 Reported to Bart Viruso from Egan Fehnel
Herman C. Clough-LM
Hayward, WI SGT, I CO, 3 BN, KW, Apr 1952-Mar 1953 DOD 01/23/2016 Reported by Wife Patricia to John Campbell
Joseph G. Blanda
Charleroi, PA SFC, A CO, 1 BN, KW, Feb 1953-Dec 1953 DOD 04/29/2013 Reported by wife Dorothy to John Campbell
Otto R. Caster
Medford, OR PFC, HHC, 1 BN, KW, Apr 1951-Nov 1951 DOD 06/06/2016 Reported by son to John Campbell
Samuel E. Fry
Olympia, WA SPC, C CO, 1 BN, CW, Oct 1957-Oct 1959 DOD 12/14/2008 Reported by John Campbell
New Members
Andrew W. Bergen-Associate Cabin John, MD Uncle was at OPH in Korean War History
Bill Hamner Fayetteville, NC 1LT, HHC, 2 BN, CW, May 1963-May 1965
John R. Corson Williamsburg, VA LT, HHC, 2 BN, CW, Jul 1963-Feb 1965
L. Stuart Hirai-Associate Littleton, CO Interested in Regiment’s WII History fighting near the 442nd Infantry Regiment in the Vosges Mountains
Alan F. Stewart Midland, GA LT, A,B, HHC, 2 BN, CW, Jul 1962-Dec 1965
John C. Bush Cataula, GA LT, B, C, HHC, 2 BN, CW, 1962-1965
Paul K. Miyamasu Williamsburg, VA LT, C, HHC, 2 BN, CW, 1962-1965
W. A. Bryan Patten Lookout Mountain, GA CPT, A, HHC, 2 BN, CW, Apr 1962-Sep 1964
Booker T. Danials Tallahassee, FL 1LT, C CO, 2 BN, CW, Jan 1963-May 1965
John Zatorski-Associate Lebanon, PA
Albert W. Dodge-Upgrade to LM Wenham, MA 1LT, B CO, 1 BN, CW, 1963-1965
Will O Mace Savannah, GA 1LT, B CO, 3 BN, RF, Apr 2015-
Patrick C. Parker Smithfield, KY PFC, B CO, 1 BN, RF, Jan 2009-Apr 2010
Ronald B. Price Jr-Upgrade to LM Waggaman, WA PFC, MORT BTRY, REGT, CW, Sep 1957-Sep 1959
Terry W. Duke-Reinstated Houston, TX CPL, CS CO, 1 BN, CW, 1973-1976
Robert D. Boerger-Reinstated Columbus, OH SGT, HHC, 1 BN, CW, 1983-1986
Thomas J. Brazier-Reinstated Waterville, ME SSG, M CO, 3 BN, KW, Jan 1951-Jan 1953
Wendell C. Jones-Reinstated Lancaster, PA SFT, Korea, Aug 1951-Aug 1954
William B. Harrison-Reinstated Hampton, VA SGT, HQ, 1 BN, KW, 1950-1951
Robert E. Hinson-Reinstated Newville, AL SGTM, C CO, 1 BN, CW, Nov 81-Jul 1985
Carl F. Stout-Reinstated-LM Yelm, WA SSGT, MORT CO, REGT, II, 1945-1946
Kirk C. Trofatter East Haven, CT SPC, HHC, 1 BN, CW, Jul 1979-Aug 1981
Oscar F. Konnerth-Reinstated Erie, PA CPL, L CO, 3 BN, KW, Apr 1952-Apr 1953
Michael C. Barkley Richmond Hill, GA 1LT, G CO, 3 BN, RF, Oct 2015-
Orvel L. Romine-Reinstated McAlester, OK SGT, G CO, 2 BN, KW, Mar 1953-May 1954
Patrick A. Schado-Reinstated Charlotte, NC LTC, A,B,HHC, 2 BN, CW, Feb 1975-Feb 1978
Julius B. Kraft-Reinstated Austin, TX SGT, HQ, REGT, KW, 1953-1954
George A. Voehringer Memphis, TN PFC, HQ, 1 BN, CW, Aug 1957-Aug 1959
January 2017
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Membership Report NUMBER OF MEMBERS BY PERIOD CURRENT MEMBERSHIP BY TYPE NUMBER OF CHINA HANDS 0 REGULAR LIFE 248 NUMBER OF WWII MEMBERS 42 REGULAR ANNUAL 134 NUMBER OF KOREA MEMBERS 144 ASSOCIATE LIFE 16 NUMBER OF COLD WAR MEMBERS 103 ASSOCIATE ANNUAL 17 NUMBER OF OPERATION IRAQ FORCES 28 TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 415 NUMBER OF REGULAR FORCES 65 ASSOCIATE MEMBERS 33 TOTAL MEMBERS 415
Financial Report
RECEIPTS EXPENSES
01/01/16 $ 1,866.61 PRINTING OF DRAGON $ 1,418.24
VANGUARD ACCT SALE $ 5,713.84 DRAGON MAILING $ 1,222.64 DUES $ 1,819.97 MEMBERSHIP MAILING $ 1,450.27 LIFE $ 1,840.00 DINNER $ 2,310.20 DONATIONS $ 410.00 RETURNED CHECK $ 35.00 DINNER $ 1,750.00 YAHOO $ 155.40 TOTAL $13,400.42 SERVICE CHARGES $ 200.00 DEPOSIT TICKET ORDER $ 32.00 TOTAL $ 6,823.75
Active Battalion Update
3-15 Infantry Battalion preparing to convert to a Mechanized Infantry Battalion
Greetings and Happy New Year! A lot has happened since our last update. Most
noticeably, last month the Department of the Army announced 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division would convert from an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) to an Armored
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Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). The conversion means many of our battalions will now be equipped with Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.
For the China Battalion this means we will convert from a Light Infantry Battalion to a Mechanized Infantry Battalion. The conversion also means we’ll go from a three light infantry and one anti-tank company maneuver formation to a two mechanized infantry and one armor company formation. This is an exciting opportunity for the battalion to remain at the forefront of modern warfare and continue the great tradition of our Regiment. As it stands today, there is no discussions of 3rd Battalion inactivating or reflagging.
This conversion also better postures the Army (and Division) to execute contingency plans in response to future potential adversaries. The conversion begins this summer and once complete, our brigade will mirror our sister brigade (1st ABCT).
Companies Conduct Squad Live Fire in Preparation for China Focus
In November 2016 Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie companies conducted Squad Live Fire exercises in preparation for China Focus which is a training event designed to validate and certify our squads on combat-related tasks such as movement to conduct, conduct an attack, and executing air assault during limit hours of daylight.
This training represents a significant departure from training prevalent over the last decade. Rather than executing counter-insurgency or counterinsurgency focused training in urban environments, the battalion prepared Soldiers to fight a conventional enemy that represents a near-peer adversary. This training provided the company commanders an opportunity to certify squads using blanks and live ammunition. The event also increased Soldier confidence and competence. The hard and realistic training of this nature has kept our Soldiers motivated and eager to display their readiness during China Focus (platoon collective training). Concurrent to the light companies’ completing squad live fires our anti-tank company (Delta Company) successfully completed crew-served weapons qualifications in November.
Acting as a Brigade Combat Team response cell HHC and the battalion staff were able to support Warfighter Exercise 17-01 in October. This training event allowed the Division Headquarters to test critical systems and the staff’s ability to plan, battle track, and execute its wartime mission.
This support was critical to ensuring the division headquarters was fully prepared for upcoming deployments. After completion of Warfighter support, the battalion staff began extensive planning and preparation for China Focus. This twenty day training event will test our companies’ and platoons’ ability to plan and execute combat operations (force on force) against a thinking enemy. Other elements of the staff planned and facilitated the execution of unmanned aerial vehicle training to support additional collective-level training scheduled for the fall of next year.
The China Battalion Enjoys Marne Week and the Holidays
In November we also welcomed home Bravo Company from a long deployment to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa. As you may remember, they departed in Feburary in support of East Africa Response Force working under the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. During the deployment they performed exceptionally well and received accolades from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford.
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Our Soldiers participated in Marne Week 2017 activities. This was an opportunity to represent the battalion in events ranging from team sports, to combatives, to individual events such as the Best Lieutenant Competition. Additional highlights of the week included the Division Run, which afforded the unit an opportunity to display the esprit-de-corps and pride of this great battalion. Please check us out on the Division, Brigade, or Battalion Facebook pages. Our Soldiers also were able to enjoy some much needed rest as they enjoyed the holiday and two weeks of Christmas Block Leave. Please continue to check us out on Facebook at 3rd Battalion 15th Infantry Regiment. CAN DO! LTC Fran Marks and CSM Tom Dow Battalion Command Team 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment
Alpha and Golf Company Soldiers firing Table 2 of M249s and M240s (Day Qualification).
Medics from HHC train for the Expert Field Medical Badge.
Soldiers from A Co and C Co participate in a Known Distance range on 27 SEP 16. Soldiers fired from multiple shooting positions ranging from 100 meters to 400 meters.
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Bravo Company Soldiers marching to the Company Operations Facility at Fort Stewart, GA after their 8 month deployment to Djibouti, Africa.
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Historian’s Corner
The Lynch Family
By Tim Stoy
As mentioned in my President’s message, I have been trying to find an oil
painting of the Regimental Crest done in China and later displayed in
Washington, DC in the Chief of Infantry’s Office. Colonel George A. Lynch, 15th
Infantry Regiment commander 1935-1937, left China and was promoted to Major
General, skipping Brigadier General, to become the Chief of Infantry. In this
position he played a major role in preparing the Infantry for WWII, including the
development of Airborne forces and the fielding of the Jeep. Major General
Lynch retired in 1941, but had two sons who served in the Army, George E. Lynch and James H.
Lynch.
Major General George E. Lynch received two Silver Star medals as commander of
the 142nd Infantry Regiment of the 36th Infantry Division in Italy, France, Germany,
and Austria. His regiment captured Hermann Goering at the end of the war. He
commanded the 3d Infantry Division at Fort Benning in 1956-1957, while it was the
Army’s test bed for the new Pentomic organization.
Brigadier General James H. Lynch received two Distinguished Service Cross
medals for combat actions in Korea in September 1950 as commander of the 3d
Battalion, 7th Cavalry (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division. He later commanded the 2nd
Battle Group, 30th Infantry at Fort Sill, Oklahoma
From the Foxhole
The Battle of Resaca
By Mike Horn
Recently, I visited the Resaca Battlefield State Historic Site in Georgia. The Friends of Resaca, in cooperation with the state and local government, have preserved a great piece of history here. The park consists of over 500 well-maintained acres on two different sites. The site is right next to I-75 and just south of Chattanooga, TN. Each year there is a huge reenactment that occurs around the dates of the Battle. The Battle of Resaca occurred 13-15 May 1864, and represents the first major confrontation in MG William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. Resaca was the only battle during this Campaign where the full might of both armies faced each other in open battle. Our tour guide, Tony Patton, provided an excellent overview of the battle that included many fine details. The 15th Infantry positions are a short walk from the Visitors Center. Several of the maps at the Visitors Pavilion show the positions of our friends in the 19th Infantry as skirmishers just forward of the Brigade. I highly recommend a walking tour here the next time you are driving south from Chattanooga to Atlanta. For more information visit http://resacabattlefield.com/FoRstart.html
January 2017
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From the Recruiter
By John Campbell Are we overlooking the value of each member as a recruiter? Do we think of ourselves as members only? We all have potential values as recruiters: low-key, soft-sell recruiters. Our membership should not be expected to aggressively pursue former members or active duty colleagues in order to persuade them to join the Association. A soft approach is, however, within our capability. Some of us may have tried it on active duty comrades, friends we want to keep as friends. One can say just a mere, “Why don’t you join us? We can use you. Some of the guys asked about you.” No hard sell, no strong arm. Just a friendly nudge goes a long way.
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Association Staff Vacancies
The Association Staff has several vacancies. These can be found at http://www.15thinfantry.org/staff.html. Volunteers are needed to fill these important positions, which are appointed positions on the Association staff. Active Duty Soldiers are encouraged to apply. Each position listed below shows the anticipated time commitment. Contact the Association Vice President, Tad Davis, as indicated on page 2 for further details or information on how to apply. Full job descriptions are found in the SOP on our website at http://www.15thinfantry.org/documents.html.
Public Relations Chairman – 1 hour per month
Constitution & By Laws Committee Chairman – 1 hour per month
Website
We are always seeking old photos to add to the website. Please contact Mike Horn at [email protected] if you have any pictures to add to the website. The Association is seeking any photos from any era of the history of the Regiment. High quality scanned images will be accepted. Any actual photos you are willing to share for digitization will be returned.
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Application For Membership In The
15TH INFANTRY REGIMENT ASSOCIATION Please Print Clearly
New Member _________________ Renew Membership
(Today’s Date)
NAME: ______________________________________________________
(Last) (First) (MI)
Street Address: _________________________________________________________
City-State-Zip: __________________________________________________________
Phone: (______) ________________________ Spouse Name: (optional)_________________________
Rank: ________ Unit (Co & BN): __________________________________
Dates Served: ___________________ Birth Date: _________________________
E-mail Address: ____________________________________________________
Affinity if applying for Associate Membership: _____________________________________________________________
TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP DESIRED
Regular Annual $10.00 Associate Annual $10.00
On Active Duty Annual $5.00 Life (see dues rates below)
LIFE MEMBERSHIPS ARE BASED ON YOUR AGE AT YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY
Up to Age 60 = $150.00; Age 60 – 69 = $120.00; Age 70 – 79 = $100.00; Age 80 and over =$50.00
You can sign up and pay online by going to www.15thinfantry.org and clicking on the “Pay Dues” tab or
Make check payable to “15th Infantry Regiment Association” and mail to either of the following:
John C. Campbell Bartolo Viruso
760 Flatwood Drive 116 Harriet Road
Clarksville, IN 47129 North Babylon, NY 11703
(812-949-2549) (631) 587-0587
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Editor’s Note
We have been receiving a lot of great content for the newsletter. I highly encourage
members to contribute articles and photos for upcoming editions. Please feel free to send material
via email to [email protected]. If you cannot digitize an item, please send through the
ordinary mail to the below address:
Andrew Lerch 15302 Iris Ln Montclair, VA 22025-1015 I will return any item upon request (i.e. photo). If you have any questions or concerns, please email me or call (703) 767-6565.
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LOUIS W. PERROTTI
1411 N. Beach Street Ormond Beach FL 32174 SGT, C CO, 1 BN, CW DOD – May 14, 2011 Reported by John Burke
MITCHELL J. KOPROWSKI
44 Maria Avenue Southbridge, MA 01550 CPT, 2 BN WWII DOD – December 12, 2010 Reported by Rich Heller
15th Infantry Regiment Association Tom Heitzer, Database Administrator
231 Normandie
Bonne Terre, MO 63628
Address Service Requested
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage Paid
Permit # 111 Bonne Terre, MO
