HG SUM 19 UD 09B27ida.us/documents/HGCurrentS2019.pdfArmy (NKP), were on-going. In the 4-year period of 1966 through 1969, 2nd and 7th Div troops and their imbedded KATUSA (Korean

The Semi-Annual Newsletter of the 7th Infantry Division Association

The Hourglass

Summer 2019

In this issue...

7th Infantry Division Association2102 Newton Dr.

Killeen TX 76549-1164http://7ida.us/

President's Perspective

www.garponline.com [email protected]

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Continued on Page 9...

Here's wishing you all a great summer!

I have a couple of things to share withyou. One that I hope makes you evenmore proud of your Korean service, andanother that might help keep TheHourglass going a little longer.

First, I want to let you know that all post-Korean Warsoldiers who served in Korea between 1953-71 are eligiblefor the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal and here'show to claim yours:

On the Internet, search for "DD Form 149.pdf".Fill the form out, using the followinginformation for indicated lines.

line 5 Award of ROKPUC not received. I wasstationed in Korea (put your service dates here)and served with (put your unit here). I am requesting thatthe Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation be issuedto me, and a correction be made to my DD-214.

line 6 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, whichwas award by the Republic of Korea to the 7th Inf Div, USArmy, is confirmed in accordance with AR 672-5-1, para218. The citation reads: For extraordinary sacrifice andservice rendered the Republic of Korea during the periodAug45-Dec48 and from 17Sep50-Mar71. The 7th Inf Divin war and peace has contributed to safeguarding theRepublic of Korea from Communist aggression.

line 9 DA General Order #50, dated Nov71, awarded theROKPUC to anyone who served with the7th Inf Div inKorea, according to AR 600-8-22 and the US Army HumanResources Command.

2. Defending "The Z"2. I Corps Dedicates Camp Casey3. Deadly Oct’69 Ambush5. 73rd Armor Tanks Tested at Chipori5. Bullet Stops GI's Bid for Citizenship7. Army Museum Unit Tribute Program8. Campaign Streamers9. How I Won The War!- Rosenfield

10. Model 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle12. New Member List13. From Your Treasurer13. Operating Statement14. QM's Corner15. North Platte Canteen, 201816. Letters & Seekers17. Army to Roll Out New Body Armor18. The Quartermaster’s Store20. Today's 7ID21. “Svehla” Deadlift Competition22. New Army PT Test Coming23. Hand-to-Hand Continues24. Reserve Units Merge With 7ID25. Army Participates In RIMPAC26. International Sniper Competition27. Battalion Situational Training27. Gronkowski Visits JBLM28. Task Force Tomahawk29. Ghost Brigade Soldiers30. How I Won The War!31. Helmet Saves Soldier32. Editor's Perspective33. Membership Status33. 7th IDA Booster Club33. 7th IDA Governing Council34. Final Taps36. The Hourglass Staff

Page 2Page 2Page 2Page 2Page 2

The Hourglass Summer 2019

Defending "The Z"Defending "The Z"Defending "The Z"Defending "The Z"Defending "The Z"

Pete Wallacetoday, and...

With this issue we begin a new sectionchronicling the 7thID's service on theDMZ between 1953-1971. We have ahead start with Pete Wallace's greataccount of when he was "on the Z" as a1LT Infantry officer assigned to A Co, 1st Bn, 32nd Inf.

Now we want to hear from YOU! So, send me anythingyou have relating to your service on the DMZ.

new series

Jerry PillerHourglass Editor

I Corps DedicatesCamp Casey

Stars and Stripes, 24Feb52

In dedicating the huge area, which had been converted fromrice paddies, LTG John W. "Iron Mike" O'Daniel, I Corpscommander, joined in paying tribute to the memory of MAJCasey, former S-3 with the 2nd Bn, 7th Infantry "Cotton Baler"Regt.

A native of Haverford, PA, the 26-year old major hadcompiled a brilliant military record with the Cotton Balersin Korea before transferring to a staff position with X Corps.Shortly after his transfer he was killed in the crash of a liaisonplane. He was the son of MG and Mrs. Hugh J. Casey, ofWashington, DC.

Highlight of the impressive ceremony came when troops ofthe 7th Infantry passed in review. Along with the long straightlines of infantrymen was a precise formation of 21 tanks,

Continued on page 7...

...standing by his Jeep at base camp in 1969.

See "Deadly Oct '69 Ambush" on page 3...

I was a 1LT Infantry officer assigned to A Co, 1st Bn, 32nd

Inf on the DMZ (commonly referred to as the Z) during Sep69through Jan70. The 1/32's sector was a couple of miles of

Ambush In "The Z"By Pete Wallace

the DMZ border with ametal cyclone fence alongthe southern border of theDMZ and then north about1¼ miles, to the actualMDL (Military Demarc-ation Line) dividing Southand North Korea, which was marked only by occasional smallposted signs.

In a colorful military ceremony, a new I Corps area wasdedicated recently as Camp Casey in honor of the late MAJHugh B. Casey, who lost his life last month in a plane crashin Korea.

by Pete Wallace


Page 3

Continued next page...

1LT Wallaceready to goout on DMZpatrol in 1969.

The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) runs for 160 miles,the width of the Korean peninsula, between North and SouthKorea. The south side of the DMZ was mostly manned bythe South Korean Army (ROK) troops. In 1966-71, oneportion north of Seoul was guarded by the US 2nd Inf Div. Aportion of that was guarded by an attached battalion from theUS 7th Inf Div. In 1969, that battalion was the 1st Bn, 32nd Inf(1/32), 7th Inf Div. From 1966 into 1970, while the US publicwas focused on the ongoing conflict in Vietnam, the US 7th

and 2nd Inf Divs were involved in the increasing militaryconflict in the Korean DMZ.

Peace from the Korean War (1950-53) had never beenachieved and, in 1966, tactical hostilities had renewedbetween North and South Korea. During this hidden war,aka The Second Korean War, the US classified the KoreanDMZ as a Hostile Fire Zone. Combat incidents and casualtiesdue to direct interactions with the North Korean People'sArmy (NKP), were on-going. In the 4-year period of 1966through 1969, 2nd and 7th Div troops and their imbeddedKATUSA (Korean Army Attached to The US Army) alone,sustained 47 killed-in-action (KIA) and 80 wounded-in-action (WIA). This does not account for any 8th US Armycasualties or those suffered by the South Korean Army duringtheir combat incidents and related casualties.

There are many documented cases of hostile fire incidentsduring this period. But there were many more hostile fireincidents which were, routinely, not documented due to thereporting procedures and the on-going nature of the conflict.An example of the nature of these conflicts occurred inOctober, 1969.

I was a 1LT Infantry officer assigned to A Co, 1st Bn, 32nd

Inf on the DMZ (commonly referred to as the Z) during Sep69through Jan70. The 1/32s sector was a couple of miles of theDMZ border with a metal cyclone fence along the southernborder of the DMZ and then north about 1¼ miles, to theactual MDL (Military Demarcation Line) dividing South andNorth Korea, which was marked only by occasional smallposted signs.

The 1/32 had three infantry companies, as well as a HQcompany, to guard our sector of the Z. Each of the infantrycompany's sectors was about a mile long. The MDL and thesouthern border of the DMZ are not straight lines but wanderback and forth, up and over hills and down into low areas,some of which were still flooded former rice paddies.Vegetation on the south side of the fence was cleared about50 yards wide with the help, I later learned, of the defoliantAgent Orange. Past the fence, going into the Z, it was wildand overgrown the whole width of the DMZ, with no clearingof brush or trees since the end of the Korean War in 1953. Itwas populated by small fanged deer and pheasants.

During this period, with the Vietnam War at its height, thedraft was active and the average age of the US troops wasquite young. I, and all of the other platoon leaders in ourcompany, were ROTC graduates from the class 1968. I was23 years old. Our Company Commander, CPT VernMetzger, was an OCS graduate, and had 1 year of combatexperience in Nam but was no older than we were. Most ofthe enlisted men, including the E5 squad leaders, weredraftees or on their first enlistment, and were under 20 yearsold. Our E6 and E7 Platoon Sergeants had already completeda tour in Nam and were older than the rest of us.

On the DMZ, there were four main duties each companycarried out on a full-time basis. These duties were carriedout on a rotational basis by the officers, NCOs and enlistedmen of each company. They were:♦ Day-time manning and patrolling the southern fence.♦ Night-time manning of the southern fence.♦ Manning of isolated outposts out in the Z.♦ Ambush patrols.

Deadly Oct’69 AmbushBy Peter D. Wallace 1LT, 1/32 Inf (1969-70)



not documented by Battalion, or therefore to Division, ascombat incidents no matter how intense they were because,as we were told at the time, there were no US casualties, noprisoners or bodies of enemy (NKP) fighters, therefore theydidn't exist. This void in the records led to incompleteintelligence analysis when trying to piece together fullscenarios of why and what occurred in later reviews.

All of this led in to the incidents of Oct69 on the DMZ. Onenight in mid-October, while I happen to be OIC (officer incharge) of our sector of the fence, firing erupted along thefence. This was not unusual. If one our troops receivedincoming rounds, he would immediately return fire. Weaponsfiring would usually spread up and down the line. At thispoint the NCOs and/or the OIC for that night would walk theline trying to instill fire discipline. This was often by yelling"Cease fire, what are you shooting at?", then waiting for eachposition to stop firing and explain what they saw or heard,then move down the line to the next position.

Late that evening the firing of our M-16s, and also an M-60,was particularly heavy. As I approached that area of the fence.The firing continued despite my initial entreaties to stop andone of our platoon sergeants reported, "Sir, we think we haveone." meaning a NKP soldier, dead or wounded. He pointedto a bush-covered hill less than 100 yards away, just north ofthe fence. Our NCOs and troops insisted they could see thebody. I could not make one out but I deferred to what theyclaimed they could see. They had more actual time on thefence and our platoon sergeants had Vietnam experience.

At various locations along the fence, US troops nightlyreceived on-going NKP harassing fire from AK-47s. Theresult was that the US troops returned fire, often with theirM-16s on full automatic (rock & roll), and continuedexcessively, as they were prone to do. Harassing fire wasusually that just - rounds hitting close to personnel or positionsbut not hitting any of our troops. We could tell who and wherethe firing was coming from since the AK-47s fired differentcolored tracer bullets than our M-16s. That continued mostnights from when our battalion first arrived in Septemberuntil the cold weather arrived, sometime in November. I don'tremember us getting any harassing fire after it got cold.Starting in November it got very cold, and then it got colder,often below zero F, with strong winds. The troops nicknamedthe wind The Hawk. On cold nights with strong winds theexpression was, The Hawk is out tonight. The Imjin Riverwas frozen solid prior to Thanksgiving that year.

"Deadly Ambush" continued from previous page.

Continued on page 6...

A vehicle shot up by the N. Koreans, killing 4.

Another element of life on the Z was the speakers. NorthKorea had huge loud speakers set up on hills just on theirside of the MDL. These were huge, over about 15'x15' ormore, and could be very loud at the fence and maddeninglyloud on the outposts. I don't remember the speakers playingoften during the day, but they were active in the nights andevenings. Sometimes it was Korean music, at other timespropaganda messages in either English or Korean verballyharanguing us for being there.

The nightly fire fights on the fence, and on the outposts, were

Our troops kept claiming to see movement and firing into thearea we were focused on. Something was definitely out ofthe ordinary because the NKP kept firing at us continuously


Page 5

73rd Armor Tanks Tested atChipori

Stars & Stripes, Monday, 20Mar67

M-48 Patton tanks in the field in Korea.

A live-fire exercise was held on the Chipori Range north ofCamp Kaiser [vic of Chorwon and Kumhwa] by Co C, 1st

Bn, 73rd Armor, 7ID and several crews from 2nd Squadron,10th Cav on Wednesday [15Mar67].

Crews were tested on their ability with the 90mm main gunof the M-48 tank and with .50 caliber machine guns whilemoving. The testing ended a period of training on other ranges,including the Hyen-Ga-Ri Range northwest of Ft. Beaverswhere the tanks fired at stationary and moving targets.

Bullet Stops GI's Bid forCitizenship

On the Chipori Range the tanks had to move down a valleyfiring their machine guns on the run at simulated troopconcentrations and simulated moving trucks. The main gunwas fired at stationary targets placed at intervals along a 2-mile course in the mountains at Chipori.

PFC Lee Catterall, Stars & Stripes, 1968In another month or two, SGT Jan Holmdahl would havebeen an American citizen. But Holmdahl was killed by NorthKorean infiltrators on 21Jul68 when his patrol from Co A,1st Bn, 32nd Inf was sweeping its sector of the DemilitarizedZone.Holmdahl, and his parents, went to the United States nineyears ago from Sweden and settled in Minnesota. Afterattending the Univ. of Minnesota, he enlisted in the Armyand came to Korea in January.

Jan was going home for mid-tour leave in September orOctober to take up citizenship, said SGT Delbert Reed, agood friend of Holmdahl. The patrol had just completed aroutine check of their sector of the DMZ when the incidentoccurred. A marble monument has been erected 800 meterssouth of the incident in memory of the 22-year-old soldier.

The monumentatop the 3/32 InfTOC in Sep70.

Dedication of the monumentby MG Osmund Leahy.

Editors note: In 1971, this monument marker was atopthe hill of the 3/32Inf's TOC on the DMZ. It is unknownif the marker remains in that location. There is anothermarker at the United States Army Garrison, Yongsan,Seoul, South Korea.Armor Branch Insignia



through the night rather than departing. We were trying topreserve what we believed was the capture of an actual NKPsoldier who had been firing on us. We further believed theNKP were trying to recover their troop and leave the area,without leaving him or any traces so that we could not provethe incursion on to our side of the Z. We requested permissionfrom battalion HQ to send out a small patrol to recon andrecover the NKP body. Permission was refused. Accordingto SOP, we were told, crossing out through the fence was notpermitted during nighttime hours.

The fire fight continued all night, until close to dawn, whensuddenly all incoming NKP firing ceased and they could notbe seen nor heard. Our troops had expended significantamounts of M-16 and M-60 ammo and had had to beresupplied during the night. The next morning we wereallowed to cross into the DMZ to check the area in question.Not surprisingly, no firm trace of NKP activity or presencecould be found. Our Company Commander and I went tobattalion HQ to formally report a live fire combat incidentbut the report was not accepted. No wounded, no body, noincident.

All of this preceded October 20th. Since there was limitedinteraction between the different companies, in separatecompounds, I doubt if Co C was even aware of the activitiesin our sector. On October 20th, we got word that a Co Csupply truck had been ambushed on the road up to one of theDMZ outposts. Initial reports were that it was a NKP ambushteam using grenades and automatic “grease guns.” This wasunusual – we had only ever received fire from AK47s.

The other unusual report we heard was that the supply truckcrew had gone up the road through the Z to the outpost withouta gun jeep escort. Another report we heard was that thatnight’s C Co ambush patrol, which was returning towardsthe fence that morning, had heard gunfire and encounteredwhat was later realized to be the NKP ambush squad as theywere returning north. The C Co patrol challenged them andthe NKP dropped several items as they broke and ran to thenorth. No NKP were reportedly hit nor captured in thisencounter, but the patrol did retrieve the items the NKPdropped - some bloodied US flak jackets and other uniformparts.

"Deadly Oct’69 Ambush" from page 4 The patrol called in their contact and findings and a searchwas conducted for the overdue supply truck. It was found onthe supply road, riddled with bullets and the four US GIs -SSG James Grissinger, Sp4 Charles Taylor, Jr., Sp4 JackMorris and PFC William Grimes were all deceased.

That day the fence forces were put on full alert and everyonewas confined to their company areas. The truck wasimpounded and later shipped out, reportedly to be brought tomeeting as the US, through the UN, filed an official protestwith NK.

I am fairly sure no one was informed of our earlier “firefight.” It had never been documented. I personally believethe two incidents were directly tied together. The actions weexperienced the night of our prolonged encounter, the wailingfrom the speakers, and the unusual ambush by a “hit squad”using different weapons than we had ever encountered, allindicated a strong “cause and effect” connection betweenthe two incidents. Because of procedures in effect duringthis period, the full reporting of this and most of the otherlive-fire incidents along the DMZ involving the 7th and 2nd

Division were never documented.

Peter D. Wallace1LT, 1/32 Inf (1969-70)

609 West Union St.Morganton, NC 28655

<[email protected]>

Stars & Stripes headline of another NK ambush, 1967


Page 7

Army Museum Unit TributeProgram

Condensed from Call To Duty, Dec 2018

The National Museum of the US Army has launched anotherprogram for folks to honor their units. For $5,000, 12”x18”Unit Tribute plaques can be purchased, which will line thePath of Remembrance leading into the Museum. The plaquesare engraved in polished Mesabi Black granite. Units candesign the plaques themselves, using the shoulder patch and/or epaulet pin, but the Army Historical Foundation (AHF)has final approval on all designs. Shown below at right is apossible 7ID tribute plaque design.

We already have $1,500 in pledges to kick start thisfundraising effort. If we can get 35 pledges of $100 or 7pledges of $500, we will have reached our goal. If you areinterested, please contact Doug Halbert, our Treasurer andRoster Manager, <[email protected]> or 308 Cortland Way,Roswell, GA 30076.

whose bright red identification panels contrasted colorfullywith the powder blue worn by the troops.

The Air Force also joined in the tribute to MAJ Casey withthree F-86 jets swooping across the parade ground at treetop level. Standing in his Jeep, LTG ODaniel addressed thetroops prior to the parade. "You must keep in mind theimportance of the job you are doing here, and what it willmean to the rest of the world", the Corps commanderdeclared. "We must always be ready, with bayonetssharpened."

The 3-star general eulogized MAJ Casey, who had gone from1LT to MAJ within 9 months, earning 2 Silver Stars and 1

Camp Casey in 1954.

Bronze Star with V device during that time.When LTG ODaniel finished speaking, the parade groundbecame a blaze of color and precision marching. Flyingproudly beside the American flag and the regimental colorswas the blue state flag of Louisiana, recently presented tothe Cotton Balers by Gov. Earl K. Long, in commemorationof the regiment's gallant stand in the Battle of New Orleansin 1815.

Camp Casey Dedication from page 2

The proposed 7th Inf Div’s Unit Tribute plaque. A recent aerial view of the Camp Casey area.



Campaign StreamersSuggested by a Call To Duty article, Aug 2018

The Army has fought in eleven wars and conducted 190 campaigns over morethan 240 years. Those hard-fought actions are represented by campaignstreamers attached to the Army flag as a reminder of the selfless service andcourage of the more than 30 million men and women who have served thenation during times of war and peace.

The history of battle streamers dates back to the 1830s to the custom ofinscribing “battle honors” on Regular Army colors. During the early months ofthe Civil War, Major General John C. Frémont commended troops from Iowa,Kansas, and Missouri for their efforts and ordered the word “Springfield” tobe emblazoned on their unit colors. The following year, the War Departmentauthorized that all regiments were permitted to have the names of battles inwhich they had shown particular skill or bravery inscribed on their nationalcolors.

The tradition carried on throughout the century. On 18Aug1919, owing in largepart to the growing number of battles identified, the practice of listingcampaigns instead of specific battles was adopted. On 19Oct of the same yearthe first official list of 76 campaigns was issued. In June 1920, streamerswere introduced with campaign names, to address a growing concern that theflags looked too cluttered.

When the Army adopted its official flag in 1956, 145 streamers were prescribedto hang from it. As the Army continued to engage in different conflicts aroundthe world, the number of streamers has grown to recognize the new campaigns,now totaling 190.

The 20 streamers authorized to the7th Inf Div as of 2006.


Page 9

How I Won The War!The Company CO - Rank & Privilege

When I became theDivision’s PhotoSection Chief, the Div.relocated. Given theSection’s necessities I“requisitioned” aQuonset hut for ouroffice, darkroom, andequipment repairfacility. It also had analcove which, withsome plywoodpaneling, became mysleeping quarters.

I sent one of our men out to scrounge up some light-coloredpaint to cover the dingy dark brown office area. Having noluck finding enough of one color, he came back with someyellow and some green that we combined, ending up withsomething we called “cheerful chartreuse.” It never the lessmade a great and more cheerful difference, much to theamusement of our official visitors.

As for my “bedroom,” we borrowed a blowtorch to colorand raise the grain of the plain plywood to look like someden paneling I’d seen stateside. This certainly made up formy foxhole and bunker days…before I was assigned to theDiv. Photo Section, I served with the 31st Inf. Regt. as arifleman, a BAR man, and a .30 caliber machine gunner.

Then, when I went for flight training in Seoul, I brought backa steel-framed folding spring bed, mattress and pillow. I don’tremember where the sheets and pillow case came from, butlife was good with no GI cot or sleeping bag. Much to mysurprise, I later found out that our CO, a 1LT, slept in a sleepingbag on a cot in a tent with a dirt floor. All this before “Sgt.Bilko” aired on TV.

Sam Rosenfeld6570 Kelvin Ave.

Canoga Park, CA 91306

SGT Sam Rosenfield takingphotos from an observationaircraft - probably an L-19.

Your President,

Billy Kelly

After completing the form, send it, and a copy of your DD-214 to:

Dept. of the ArmyArmy Review Boards Agency251 18th St. South, Suite 385Arlington, VA 22202-3531

On another note, I know how much The Hourglass means toall you guys. I especially like sharing them with otherVeterans. But our Association is getting smaller and fundsare becoming scarcer, so our newsletter's days are numbered.

One of our members recently reached out to our QM wantingto pay his dues up to his 100th birthday as a way to help keepThe Hourglass in publication. The QM referred him to ourTreasurer and they made it happen. If one-third of us prepaidour dues for the next 6 years, we could keep this wonderfulnewsletter coming for approximately 4 more years. Howmany of you would be willing to commit to this cause?

A special thanks goes out to our Publisher, Frank Wadgeand our Editor, Jerry Piller - good job gentlemen!

President's Perspective from page 1



Model 1918 Browning Automatic RifleFrom Bruce Canfield, condensed from American Rifleman, Sep. 2018

When WWI erupted in Europe in 1914, all of the combatantnations were equipped with traditional heavy machine guns.It was soon obvious that attacking infantrymen neededautomatic weapons that were easily transportable. When theUnited States entered the war, the American Army did notpossess any satisfactory automatic rifles in its arsenal.

It was clear that a new automatic rifle was needed and,fortunately, a legendary American gun designer, John MosesBrowning, devised just what the Army was looking for. Hisprototype was demonstrated on 27Feb1917 at the Colt PatentFirearms Mfg. Co. and was seen as the embodiment of theconcept envisioned by the U.S. War Dept.: “to equip allinfantrymen with a portable shoulder-fired rifle in the standard.30-06 cartridge, capable of delivering semi- and full-automatic modes of fire.” The U.S. Army Ordnance Dept.tested the weapon in 1917 and authorized its adoption andproduction, designating it as the “Model of 1918 BrowningAutomatic Rifle.” It was soon called by its initials, B-A-R,with each letter being pronounced individually.

Even though the Colt Co. owned the rights to the BAR’sdesign, it was first produced by the Winchester Co. and then,later, by the Marlin-Rockwell Corp. and Colt. It weighedabout 16 pounds and was fed from a detachable, boxmagazine. It had a rate of fire on full-automatic of about 550rounds per minute.

The first recorded combat use of the BAR was on 12Sep1918,in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive by the Army’s 79th Division.As the Armistice was signed 2 short months later, the BARdid not see extensive use in WWI. By early 1919, just over102,000 BARs had been manufactured for the US Army.The BAR became the firmly entrenched, standard U.S.

The Model 1918BAR.

military squad automatic weapon. Versions saw extensiveservice during WWII and the Korean War, and limited servicein the Vietnam War. It was officially superseded by the M60machine gun in 1957, but it continued to serve well into thelate 1960s-early’70s. The Editor fired one during trainingas late as 1969, during Infantry Officer Candidate School atFt. Benning, GA.

A BAR in combat during WWII.

A BAR being fired, using a tank as cover, during theKorean War.

The BAR is truly an iconic American military firearm andyet another testament to the genius of John Moses Browning.


Page 11



Organization Name Address City, State, ZIP Phone Co/Batt123rd Aviation McManus, Michael S. 241 Leeward Rd. Manahawkin, NJ 08050 (609) 698-6396 C

13th Engineer Battalion [C] Creeden, Richard B. 44 Cayuga Dr. Peekskill, NY 10566 (914) 739-5048 C

32nd Infantry Regiment Coler, Gerald J. 146 Akers Ave. Akron, OH 44312 A

79th Field Artillery Bn.

Farris, Loyd K. 6750 State Hwy 3W Ada, OK 74820 HHB

Total New Members 4

New Member List

Lost Words from our ChildhoodWe of a certain age have been blessed to live in changeabletimes. For a child, each new word is like a shiny toy - a toythat has no age. We at the other end of the chronological archave the advantage of remembering there are words that oncedid not exist and there were words that once strutted theirhour upon the earthly stage and now are heard no more, exceptin our collective memory.

Where have all those great phrases gone? It turns out thereare more of these lost words and expressions than Carterhas liver pills. (Carter’s Little Liver Pills are gone too!)Well, I hope you are hunky dory after you read this, andhave a chuckle or two.

We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap, andbefore we can say,“Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!” or “Thisis a fine kettle of fish!” we discover that the words wegrew up with, the words that seemed timeless, have vanishedwith scarcely a notice from our tongues, our pens and ourkeyboards. Poof go the words of our youth, the words we’veleft behind. We blink, and they’re gone.

Lickitysplit, pshaw, the milkman did it, hey! it’s your nickel,don’t forget to pull the chain, knee high to a grasshopper,well fiddlesticks!, going like sixty, I’ll see you in the funnypapers, don’t take any wooden nickels, wake up and smellthe roses, see ya later alligator - after while crocodile,heavens to Betsy!, gee whillikers!, jumping Jehoshaphat!,and Holy Moley!

The other day a not-so-elderly lady said something to hergrandson about driving a Jalopy and he looked at herquizzically and said, “What the heck is a Jalopy?” He hadnever heard of the word! She knew she was old ... but notthat old!

Mergatroyd! Do you remember that word? Would youbelieve that spell-checker does not recognize the wordmergatroyd? “Heavens to Mergatroyd!”

Some old expressions have become obsolete because of theinexorable march of technology. These phrases include: Don’ttouch that dial; carbon copy; you sound like a broken record;and hung out to dry.

Back in the olden days we had a lot of moxie. We’d put onour best bib and tucker, to straighten up and fly right. Wewere in like Flynn and living the life of Riley. And even aregular guy couldn’t accuse us of being a knucklehead, anincompoop or a pill - not for all the tea in China!

Back then, life used to be swell, but when’s the last timeanything was swell? Swell has gone the way of beehives,pageboys, spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddleshoes, and pedal pushers.

Kilroy was here, but he isn’t anymore.


Page 13

Doug Halbert

Treasurer & Roster Manager

Nothing makes me happier than to see members getting ajump on the dues cycle. Our 2019-21 dues of $50.00 willcome due on July 1st, 2019. I am pleased to report that 19 ofour members have already paid their 2019-21 dues thisSpring, plus another 33 had already paid in advance. It isyour financial support that makes it possible for us to continuepublishing The Hourglass twice a year.

The finances are one part. The other part is our member’scontributions to the content of The Hourglass. Our stellarEditor, Jerry Piller, really has to work hard to assemble aquality newsletter. It is a big help to him, and the membership,if you can dig down in your memory bank and provide Jerrywith a chronicle of your experiences while serving with theDivision. Your fellow members really enjoy reading aboutthe experiences of others.

Please be on the lookout for men and women that servedwith the Division. Our membership is now at 403, and 51 ofthose are spouses of members who are no longer with us.We need all the new members we can get!

Operating StatementFrom Your Treasurer

10/1/2018 through 3/31/2019 (Cash Basis)INCOME

Donations Received: Booster 925.00Donations Received: Unrestricted 50.00

TOTAL Donations Received 975.00Dues:2017-19 50.00Dues:2019-21 775.00

TOTAL Dues Income 825.00Dues in Reserve:2019-21 150.00Dues in Reserve:2021-23 50.00Dues in Reserve:2023-25 50.00Dues in Reserve:2025-27 50.00

TOTAL Dues in Reserve 300.00Quartermaster Sales 330.50

TOTAL INCOME 2,430.50

EXPENSESHourglass

Hourglass: Production 5,659.22TOTAL Hourglass 5,659.22Quartermaster

Quartermaster: Inventory Purchases 96.49Quartermaster: Postage 160.34

TOTAL Quartermaster 256.83TOTAL EXPENSES 5,916.05OVERALL TOTAL -3,485.55

Balance Sheet - As of 3/31/2019ASSETS

Bank Accounts

Bank of America–33400991802017,544.76

Certificate of Deposit 1,502.41

TOTAL Bank Accounts $ 19,047.17

Cash Accounts

Petty Cash - Quartermaster 300.00

TOTAL Cash Accounts $ 300.00

Credit Card Accounts

B of A Corporate Credit Card 26.28TOTAL Credit Card Accounts $ 26.28

LIABILITIES

Pending Reimbursement 0.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 0.00TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY $ 19,373.45



QM's Corner

We have some items on sale at the Quartermaster Store! First,the store is putting our official Association caps on sale,priced at $10 each which includes shipping. Please stateyour color preference along with your 2nd and 3rd choice ofcolors. There will be no more of these ordered after they aresold out. I currently have 1 White cap, 8 Black caps, and 9Red caps. Include your phone number with the mail-in-ordersso I can call you about your order if I run out. Sometimes Ihave done a little trading for another item in the store if weare out of the specific merchandise ordered.

Second, we have Medium and Large black shirts going onsale for $15 each, shipping included. I have 2 medium and12 large shirts and these will not be reordered when they aregone. Include your phone number so I can call if your size issold out.

The Quartermaster has shipped 33 orders from Sept 1, 2018until March 31, 2019, a few more than the last count in theWinter 2018 newsletter. So, keep the orders coming andsupport our great organization. PayPal orders: please sendme an email or call me about merchandise that has a size,color, or right side, left side to them.

By the time you read this, I will be getting ready to takesome of our merchandise to the Korean Defense Reunion atPigeon Forge, TN. So far it looks like there will be more 7th

Infantry Division veterans in attendance than last year and itis possible we may sell more merchandise at the quartermastertable this year.

We are not set up to take credit card orders over the phoneand, as always, leave me a phone message about yourquestions and I will call you back. I live in the Pacific timezone which is three hours behind the Eastern Time Zone.

Dan McPharlin

Quartermaster102 Danvers Court

Oakley, CA 94561-5047Tel: (925) 308-4337

eMail: <[email protected]>

Correction

On 07Apr19 60 Minutes aired astory telling the story ofJapanese doctor Nobuo PaulTatsuguchi. In the Winter 2018issue of The Hourglass wepublished extracts from his diarywhere unfortunately he wasmisidentified as NebuTatsusucki. A new book aboutAttu, The Storm on Our Shores,has recently been published byMark Obmascik that details Dr.Tatsuguchi's diary.

Comparative Military Terms

ARMY NAVY/MARINES AIR FORCE

Latrine Head Powder Room

Mess Hall/Tent Mess Deck Dining Facility

Mess Cook Cookie Contract Chef

Bunk Rack Single Bed w/ruffles

Cup of Joe Coffee/Mud Vanilla Latte

Kool Aid Bug Juice Shirley Temple

BDUs Utilities Casual Wear

Private Seaman/Private Bobby or Jimmy

Sergeant Chief/Gunny Bob or Jim

Colonel Captain/Skipper Robert or James

Article 15 Captain’s Mast Time Out

Barracks Berthing/Barracks Apartment

Underwear Skivvies/U-Trow T-shirt & panties

Stockade Brig Grounded

Flight Suit Zoom Bag Business Casual

Beret Cover Optional

PX Ship’s Store/PX The Mall

Deploy Cruise/Afloat Huh?

Athletic Shoes Ground Grabbers Flip-flops

Jump Boots Boondockers Birkenstocks

Low Quarters Low Quarters Patent Leather Pumps

Special Forces SEAL/Force Recon Librarian

Hooo-Aah! Ooo-Rah! Uh-Oh!

MRE MRE #3 with a Coke

Drill Field Grinder What?


Page 15

North Platte Canteen, 2018Condensed from the Wall St. Journal, 23Jul18

During World War II, North Platte, NE was a geographicallyisolated town of 12,000. Soldiers, sailors and aviators ontheir way to fight the war rode troop trains across the nation.The Union Pacific Railroad trains that transported the soldiersalways made 10-minute stops in North Platte to take on water.

The townspeople made those 10 minutes count. Starting inDecember, 1941, they met every train, up to 23 a day,beginning at 5 a.m. and ending after midnight. Thosevolunteers greeted between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers a day.They presented them with sandwiches and gifts, played musicfor them, danced with them, baked birthday cakes for them.Every day of the year, every day of the war, they were thereat the depot. They never missed a train, never missed asoldier. They fed six million soldiers by the end of the war.Not 1 cent of government money was asked for or spent,save for a $5 bill sent by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.The soldiers never forgot the kindness. Most of them, andmost of the townspeople who greeted them, are gone now.

Fast forward to June, 2018… the 142nd Fld Arty Bde of theArkansas Army National Guard had conducted three weeksof an emergency deployment readiness exercise in Wyoming,and now it was time for the 700 soldiers to return to theirbase. A charter bus company had been hired for the 18-hourdrive back to Arkansas. The bus company determined thatthe soldiers would reach North Platte, in central Nebraska,around the time they would likely be hungry. The Army hadbudgeted for a stop to get snacks, so the company placed acall to the visitors’ bureau: Was there anywhere in town thatcould handle a succession of 21 buses, and get 700 soldiersin and out for a quick snack? They were informed that, ofcourse, their needs could be met. “People just started callingour office when they heard the soldiers were on their way,”said Lisa Burke, the director of the visitors’ bureau.“Hundreds of people wanted to help.”

As each bus arrived over the two-day period of June 18-19,the soldiers stepped out to be greeted by lines of cheeringpeople holding signs of thanks. They weren’t at a fast-foodrestaurant…they were at North Platte’s events center, whichhad been opened and decorated especially for them.

The soldiers entered the events center to the aroma of steaksgrilling, and the sound of recorded music - current songs byLuke Bryan, Justin Timberlake, and Florida Georgia Line,and World War II songs by Glenn Miller, the Andrews Sisters,and Jimmy Dorsey. They were served steak sandwiches, hamsandwiches, turkey sandwiches, deviled eggs, salads andfruit. Local church groups baked pies, brownies and cookies.

“We were overwhelmed,” said LTC Nick Jaskolski, the unit’scommander and a veteran of the Iraq war. “I don’t reallyhave words to describe how surprised and moved we allwere. I had never even heard of the town before. We couldn’tbelieve what we saw when we pulled up.”

Mayor Dwight Livingston stood at the door for two days andshook every soldier’s hand. Mr. Livingston, an Air Forceveteran of the Vietnam War, had come home to no words ofthanks. Now, he said, “I don’t know whether those momentswere more important for them, or for me. I knew I had to bethere.”

Continued on page 35 with color photos...

COL TAKESHIMA Mikio , M.D., Northern ArmyHeadquarters surgeon, Japan Ground Self Defense Force(left) and COL Robert Forsten, D.O., America’s First Corpssurgeon, prepare to sign a medical support agreement duringYama Sakura 75 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan,10Dec18. This agreement allows mutual medical supportbetween the forces as needed, including patient evacuation,casualty treatment and patient logistics, during the course ofthe exercise. Yama Sakura is a bilateral exercise thatcombines the capabilities of the US Army and the JGSDFand solidifies the working relationship between the forces.

US Army photo by SGT Erica Earl



Letters

I am disturbed by the depiction of my/our beloved symbol of a once great InfantryDivision as portrayed/printed in theWinter 2018 Hourglass. In my long (Korea1952) experience connected to ourDivision, I have never seen our shoulderpatch or any other representation or useof that symbol that looked like the oneused on pages 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, etc. aswell as on the front cover. The correctdepictions can be seen on pages 18 and 19of the issue.

Please also prevent any overzealous, young“artist” from meddling with longrecognized perfection. If it ain’t broke,don’t try to fix it !!

Thank you for an otherwise great andinformative issue.

You do GOOD WORK, please keep it up.

Sam Rosenfeld<[email protected]>

Editor’s note: In response to Sam’s letter, the“offending depiction” of the 7ID patch has been replacedwith the “real” 7ID shoulder insignia.

Seekers

I recently saw an episode of Crusade in the Pacific thatfeatured the 7th Div at Kwajalein.

My question is: Why were some of the troops wearingwhat appeared to be checkered flags tied on the backs oftheir uniforms and packs? What was the purpose of this?

Thank you for your time.

Michael Brown<[email protected]>

Letters

Army Uniforms Through The Ages

Markers used in the Kwajalein landing by the 7IDdesigned to help aircraft identify US troops.


Page 17

Army to Roll Out New Body Armor in 2019Kyle Jahner, Army Times, 23Feb16

In 2019, the Army expects to roll out a new, lighter bodyarmor system. The armor will provide at least as muchprotection as today’s system, but with more comfort, andgreater flexibility to adjust, based on the mission, Armyofficials said.

Already, improved ballistics materials have allowed theArmy to cut the weight of its torso and extremity protection(TEP). When compared to the Army’s current heavy-dutyoption, the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV), whenloaded with heavy plates, weighs about 31 pounds, while acomparable TEP system checks in at about 23 pounds, or26% lighter. There is also a new Ballistic Combat Shirt thatwas designed to improve comfort.

The new body armor suite to be deployed in 2019.

Brown said the Army pushed the industry to reduce weightwhile meeting future threats. In addition, the ability to addand subtract different elements and plate inserts in the vest,is a real “highlight,” Brown said. In addition to TEP, theArmy is developing new body armor plates and a new headprotection system.

Soldier feedback has already played a major role indevelopment of TEP, Brown said. Trials by soldiers atthree different installation, as well as by Marines andspecial operations units, provided design advice andfeedback. Brown said that ultimately helped produce asystem earning a 95 percent positive feedback.

“One great aspect of the Soldier Protection System is wereally listened to the voice of the customer, the soldier,”Brown said. “Based on feedback from the soldier, we wereable to make design changes.”

The newBallistic

Combat Shirt.

The Integrated HeadProtection Systembeing issued in 2019.



Military BeltBlack web belt with brassmilitary 7th Inf. Div. beltbuckle.$15.00 each

Unit PinsThe authorized 7th ID unitpins. One for each epaulet.$7.00 each

Hat Pins$5.00 each

http://7ida.us/

Dog Tag Key Ring$9.00 each

Round Key Ring$9.00 each

7th IDA Tie Bar$9.00 each

Lapel Pin$7.00 each

7th IDA License Plate Holder

1 .......... $ 7.002 .......... $11.003 .......... $15.00

4 .......... $19.005 .......... $23.006 .......... $27.00

Pricing

Order of the Bayonet Pin$9.00 each

17th InfantryRegiment

31st InfantryRegiment

Car Window Decal2¾" diameter.$3.50 each

7th IDA Insignia Decal4½" diameter$4.00 each

Crests $7.00 each

32nd InfantryRegiment

The Quartermaster’s StoreThe Quartermaster’s Store

7th IDA Bumper Sticker$3.00 each


Page 19

7th IDA T-shirtsBlack only.XL, 2XL $20.00 eachM & L $20.00 $15.00 each

While they last, grayT-shirts, M only$5.00 each

1952 YearbookHistory of the 7th Div in Ko-rea, Published by the 7ID Pub-lic Information Office with pho-tos by the 7th Signal Co. and theUS Army Signal Corps.

1954 Yearbook300 pages of photos and textoriginally printed by DivisionCommand.

Association Publications"The Hourglass" 1946 - 2011plus Yearbooks for 1974, 1977,1981, 1985, 1991 & 1995.

Hourglass Patch$6.50 each

7th ID Historical CDsIn Adobe Reader PDF format.$9.00 each 7th ID Hourglass” cap, one

size fits all. Black only.$14.00 each

CapsThe official Association “bill cap”,one size fits all. Available in red,black or white. Give color prefer-ences in order.$14.00 $10.00 each

7th IDA Patch$5.00 each

$10.00 each

7th IDA Souvenir Brass Coin7th Inf. Div. (light), 1980’s & 90’s, 1½" diameter.

Packing & shipping included. State color & size choices.Make check, for the total cost of your order payable to:

“7th Infantry Division Association”and mail your order to:

7th Infantry Division AssociationDan McPharlin, Quartermaster

102 Danvers CourtOakley, CA 94561-5047

Tel: (925) 308-4337<[email protected]>

7th IDA Challenge Coin1¾” diameter, weighs 1.3 ounces. Obverse is red, white andblack enamel w/clear epoxy coating. Reverse is red, blackand bronze.

$3.00 each



MG Willard BurlesonCG 7ID

The 7ID's Summer in Review

Trust In Me!

MG Willard Burleson,7th Infantry Division Commander

As the rainy season winds downand we head into the summerseason, the Bayonet Divisionshows no sign of slowing down.2019 has been both challengingand exciting as we continue tobuild and sustain readiness forour Army and exploreopportunities to enhance andstrengthen our relationships withour allies and partners in thePacific.

I am extremely proud of our formations across the Division.We have consistently answered our nation’s call by being apart of the most lethal and professional fighting force in ourArmy. Bayonet Soldiers competed in multiple competitionsthis year to include, Best Ranger, Best Mortar, Two-GunCompetition, and placed second overall at the Army’sLacerda Cup combatives championships.

Through the continuous support of our surroundingcommunities within the greater Puget Sound and amongst ourveteran organizations, 7ID remains a steadfast staple as partof America’s First Corps. Here are a few examples of whatthe Division has been up to.

Ghost Brigade started the year in preparation for PacificPathways 19 - one of the premier multinational exercises inthe Pacific spanning across Thailand, the Philippines andthe island nation of Palau. Additionally, the Brigade receivedorders to support the Southwest Border mission sendingapproximately 900 Soldiers to Texas to assist Customs andBorder Patrol agents.

Lancer Brigade focused on individual and collective tasksculminating in platoon level live fires and gunneries to helpthem prepare for Bayonet Focus. The Lancers will also assistthe Army’s Modernization initiative by field-testing various

systems and platforms for the Joint Material Command duringthis year’s Joint Warfighter Assessment.

Our combat aviation brigade recently deployed an attackaviation squadron to the Republic of Korea along withsending various training support packages to units at theNational Training Center and our units stationed at U.S. ArmyAlaska.

The Division artillery participated in the Division GroundOperations Command Combined Coalition and the TaegukExercises in South Korea.

The 81st Stryker Brigade (Washington Army National Guard)will deploy to Yakima Training Center to undergo validationand certification for their upcoming rotation to the NationalTraining Center.

Finally, I would like to thank all our Bayonet family membersand volunteers who readily and routinely sacrifice for thegood of their units. Their support and resiliency make itpossible for our Division to be lethal and ready now. Wehave the best Soldiers because we have the best familieshere on JBLM.

Ft. Lewis old main gate.

TTTTTodayodayodayodayoday’s 7ID’s 7ID’s 7ID’s 7ID’s 7ID



“Svehla” DeadliftCompetition

On 27Jul18, the Svelha Deadlift Competition was heldunder the auspices of the Bayonet Warrior AthleteProgram (BWAP). The event, named in honor of 7ID Medalof Honor awardee, PFC Henry Svehla, pitted the contestantsagainst each in order to determine the maximum weight liftedin comparison to their bodyweight.

In order to calculate the results, the BWAP cadre used the“Wilks Formula,” a formula used to measure the strength ofa contestant while accounting for the contestant’s bodyweight.“This is so we can compare a Soldier who weighs 250 lbs.lifting 400 lbs., to one who weighs 180 and lifts 225,” saidLTC Scot Tebo, 7ID surgeon. “Using the formula, the lighterSoldier would have the most Wilks points and would be thewinner.”

Weighing in at 122 lbs., 16 year-old, Justin Madarang,a civilian dependent, won the competition with animpressive deadlift of 425 lbs.

16 year-old, Justin Madarang, a civiliandependent, deadlifting 425 lbs.Photo - SSG Michael Armstrong.

Army Getting New CommandPost Vehicles

SSG Samuel Northrup, 1-2 SBCT, 7th Inf DivSoldiers work tirelessly in their tactical operations centers(TOC) - giving the needed oversight to their subordinateunits. Maps are hanging from partitions with computers andradios manned by Soldiers who monitor the situation on thebattlefield. Sometimes these TOCs need to be moved quickly.

The problem, in the past was the lack of speed and mobilityinvolved in relocating. The old command posts are especiallyvulnerable due to their physical and electromagneticsignature, in addition to the lack of speed and mobility.

To counter this problem, the Army is currently experimentingwith mobile mission command platforms, such as the M1087Expandable Van Shelter. It is integrating it into units such asthe 1-2 Stryker Bde Combat Tm (SBCT) to assess differentconfigurations. The units will then provide feedback onoperational suitability and functionality.

COL Wyszynski, commander of 1-2 SBCT, said, “Thepurpose of the program is to develop equipment that will bemore survivable, more mobile in order to protect the unit inthe future battlefield and enable them to fight more effectively.It takes us about 30 minutes to tear down the new commandposts, which is significantly less than what it takes us to teardown a tent. Our ability to quickly setup, move and to transfercontrol functions from one command post to the next is goingto be vital for mission success.”

This M1087 Expandable Van Shelter was used during1-2 SBCT’s command post exercise, 18-21Mar19.US Army photo – SSG Samuel Northrup.




New Army PT Test ComingMeghann Myers, Army Times

Ding dong, the old Army Physical Fitness Test isalmost dead. The Army is rolling out a whole newphysical fitness test across the force in coming years thatchanges the game completely. Army officials unveiled a newgender- and age-neutral PT test on 09Jul18, and it’s set toreplace the run/sit-ups/push-ups protocol that soldiers haveknown and hated for the past four decades. The new test isexpected to be rolled out by late 2020.

Beginning in Oct’18, there will be a year-long field study todetermine how to grade the new 6-event Army CombatFitness Test, and how it will affect personnel policies likepromotions and separations. The study will begin thisOctober, MG Malcolm Frost said, bringing the new regimento about 60 battalions across every unit type in the Army.“This is a generational, cultural change in fitness for the USArmy, and will be a cornerstone of individual soldier combatreadiness,” Frost said. Once the study wraps up, in late 2019,the Army will have until no later than October 2020 to startrunning the real thing.

This is what the 50-minute test will look like:♦ Deadlift between 120 and 420 pounds, depending onthe individual soldier. You must do three reps in five minutes.Two-minute rest.♦ Standing power throw. You’ll be required to toss a 10-pound medicine ball overhead and backward. You’ll havethree minutes to make one practice throw and two for a grade.The longest distance is recorded.Two-minute rest.♦ Hand-release push-ups. You lower your chest to the floorand lift your hands off the ground between each rep. You’llbe required to do the most reps in three minutes.Two-minute rest.♦ Sprint-drag-carry. In four minutes, you will go 25 metersout and back five times. Each iteration will include a differentactivity: sprint, drag a sled, run a lateral shuffle, carry two40-pound kettle bells, then sprint again.Two-minute rest.♦ Leg tuck. You will be required to hang from a pull-up

A 1-2 Stryker Bde Combat Tm (SBCT) Soldierperforms a strength deadlift. The eventreplicates picking up ammunition boxes, awounded battle buddy, supplies or other heavyequipment.

A 1-2 SBCT Soldierprepares to performa standing powerthrow, whichinvolves tossing a10-pound ballbackward as far aspossible to testmuscular explosivepower that may beneeded to liftthemselves or afellow Soldier upover an obstacle orto move rapidlyacross uneventerrain.

bar and with your body parallel, then pull knees to yourelbows for as many reps as possible in two minutes.♦ Five-minute rest.♦ Two-mile run on a track or a paved, level road, with a20-minute maximum.

The Army has been working on a new PT test of record for




The Hourglass Summer 2019Page 23Page 23Page 23Page 23Page 23

A 1-2 SBCTSoldier drags anylon sled. Thiscan simulatepulling a battlebuddy out ofharm’s way, movingquickly to take cover, orcarrying ammunition toa fighting position orvehicle.

A 1-2 SBCT Soldierdoes a leg tuck. Thisexercise strengthensthe core muscles sinceit doubles the amountof force requiredcompared to atraditional sit-up.

six years. Leadership felt strongly about keeping the runevent, despite protestations from some corners that no oneruns in combat. In short, a fitness test of record has to testboth a soldier’s skills and their baseline health, which iswhere the run comes in.

One decision that’s already been made is that, because thereare no age-based standards for this test, field-grade leadershipwill be held to the same standards as their troops. “You mustpass the Army Combat Fitness Test to have the privilege tolead soldiers as a commander or command sergeant major atthe battalion or brigade level,” Frost said.Photos: SSG Samuel Northrup

Hand-to-Hand ContinuesSSG Samuel Northrup, 1-2 SBCT, 7th Inf Div

US Army PVT Todd Bevan, on the right, during round2 of the 2018 Fort Bragg Combatives Tournamentinvitational on 02Mar18.US Army photo - SGT Christopher J. Gallagher.

Shortly after arriving to 1-2 Stryker Bde Combat Tm inJanuary 2018, Bevan was selected by his First Sergeant tocompete in the Bde-level combatives tournament that tookplace on 18Jan19. "I knew where that fight was going beforemy opponent did. As soon as we hit the floor, I knew I hadhim," said Bevan. Bevan won first place that day in the LightHeavyweight class. Later, he would place third in the sameweight class during the Fort Bragg Combatives Tournament.

Bevan plans to continue pursuing his passion for martial arts.He sees himself becoming a combatives instructor in the Armyand eventually going back to teaching Jiu Jitsu when heretires.

PVT Todd Bevan, an infantryman with 1st Bn, 23rd

Inf, 1-2 SBCT, has been fascinated with combativesand physical fitness for years. Before joining the Army, he

was a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and CrossFit instructor at a gym inOhio. "It is not that I have to go to the gym, I want to go to thegym," said Bevan. "Hand-to-hand fighting is one of the highestlevels of human competition. It infers status as an individual;there is no coming back from losing a fight," he said. ForBevan, combatives is what he calls kinetic chess. It is aboutpositioning the body to do the most damage while receivingthe least and training to always stay one step ahead.




Reserve Units Merge With7ID

LTC Fredrick Williams &SGT Sean Harding, 7ID PIO

MG Patrick Reinert, left, 88th Readiness Divcommanding general, and MG Willard Burleson III,7ID commanding general, sign a MulticomponentOperational Agreement during the 7ID MulticomponentActivation ceremony at JBLM on 03Nov17.

Thirty Army Reserve Soldiers from various units joined theranks of the 7th Inf Div during a multicomponent activationceremony 03Nov18 at French Theater on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

In May 2013, just more than a year after the division wasreactivated at JBLM, GEN Raymond Odierno (Ret), theArmy chief of staff at the time, directed multicomponentaugmentation be implemented to support the 7ID’s mission.The Reservists will finally, after four years, fulfill thedirective and will be utilized to help achieve the Division’smission and fill any training and readiness gaps in thedivision.

“It’s not insignificant that we are here today, with the missionwe have right now, to provide training, readiness andadministrative oversight over a number of subordinate units,”MG Willard Burleson, 7ID commanding general, said afterwatching a historical video that chronicled the Division’sservice over the past 100 years.”

Burleson, in his brief remarks, stressed to the active-duty 7th Inf Div Soldiers and to the incomingReservists that they are all of part of the same team

and there would be no distinction in how the twocomponents would be treated going forward.

MG Patrick Reinert, commander of the 88th Readiness Divand the higher headquarters for the Reservists participatingin the ceremony, further solidified Burleson’s comments. “Wedon’t have Army National Guard on our uniform,” Reinertsaid. “We don’t have Army Reserve on our uniform, we haveUS Army on our uniform - we are all one team.”

The new Soldiers come from various Army Reserve unitsfrom all over the country, which includes the 200th MilitaryPolice Command, located at Fort Meade, MD; the 301st

Maneuver Enhancement Bde, located at JBLM, and the88th Readiness Div, located at Fort McCoy, WI.

The shoulder patch ofthe 88th Readiness

Division

Many of the Reservists said they came to the Division forthe training and career progression afforded to them whileserving in an active-duty unit such as the 7ID. PFC ReeceBeaulaurier, a satellite communications operator and Seattleresident, joined for similar reasons. “We actually get hands-on (training) with the equipment,” he said. “Everyone’s super-friendly and open. They don’t treat you like a WeekendWarrior - they actually treat you like a Soldier.”

Unlike at most Army Reserve units, Reservists in the 7th InfDiv, attend Battle Assembly six consecutive days each quarterand work during the week, which allows them more time totrain with their active-duty counterparts.

During the ceremony, the Soldiers switched patches they worefrom their Reserve units and replaced them with the iconicHourglass patch of the 7ID. The ceremony was used torecognize the Division as one of the newest multicomponentdivisions in the Army.




Army Participates In RIMPAC

Members of the Western Artillery of the Japan GroundSelf-Defense Force launch a surface-to-ship missile fromthe Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands.Photo – CPT Rachael Jeffcoat, US Army.

CPT Rachael Jeffcoat, US ArmyRIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritimeexercise. Twenty-five nations, 46 ships, fivesubmarines, and about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnelparticipated in RIMPAC from 27Jun to 02Aug in and aroundthe Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’slargest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides aunique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining

US Army SGT Ezequiel Orama, of the 25th Inf Div’s,25th CAB, checks the airspace around a UH-60 BlackHawk helicopter transporting multinational specialoperations forces during the RIMPAC exercise.Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Cory Asato, US Navy.

cooperative relationships among participants criticalto ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security of theworld’s oceans. RIMPAC 2018 was the 26th exercisein the series that began in 1971. This year, however,US Army ground forces had a role in the exercise for

the first time as the Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF).

The 17th Field Arty Bde, alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, conducted its first live-fire exercise there,12Jul18. US Army COL Chris Wendland, commander ofthe 17th Field Arty Bde and MDTF, explained, “We are hereto support the Navy and our other services, to show themwhat the US Army’s MDTF can provide to the fight.”The target was a decommissioned naval vessel also knownas ex-USS Racine. The Tactical Command Post personnelwatched the feed provided by the 25th Combat Avn Bde’s(CAB) unmanned aerial system, an MQ-1C Gray Eagle, asthe round impacted the target… it was a good hit! Fire mission“Colorado” was called in to the 17th Field Arty Bde’s HighMobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, crew andthen the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force fired 2 surface-to-ship missiles at the target.

The first missile fired, from a land-based launcher, was aNaval Strike Missile. Following that missile, Apache AH-64E helicopters, assigned to the 25th CAB and 16th CAB,fired upon the ship. Lastly, two surface-to-ship missiles fromthe Japan Ground Self-Defense Force launched missiles inconjunction with the 17th FA Bde HIMARS system.




Bayonet Soldiers InInternational Sniper

CompetitionSSG Samuel Northrup, 1-2 SBCT 29Oct18

SGT Charles Gifford and SSG Daniel Grogan, both from1-2 Stryker Bde Combat Tm, represented the 7th Inf Div atthe 2018 Int’l Sniper Competition, at Fort Benning, GA, 15-19Oct18. Working together as a sniper/spotter team, the duofrom the 1st Bn, 23rd Inf Regt placed second amongst the USArmy division teams and 13th overall during the competition.

”Being a sniper is not a job, it is a lifestyle,” said SGTCharles Gifford. “Being a sniper is no easy task,” saidGifford. Snipers have to retain large amounts of technicalinformation, which is why many constantly go back throughtheir notes and fundamentals. “Any sniper training enhancesreadiness,” said SSG Christopher McKaig, one of the team’scoaches. “The more they do something the better they becomeas a team. They focused and refined their fieldcraft,marksmanship, range estimation, target detection, anddialogue between one another.”

An individual sniper does not know everything, McKaigadded. They all take that position when it comes to learning,as they are always evolving their training. There is always asniper thinking of a better way to do something.

”You can never get complacent, you always have to behoning your skills,” Gifford added. “Part of that isgoing back to the basic things you learned about thesubject as well as the cutting-edge stuff you werejust taught.”

Gifford knew he wanted to join the Army after seeing hisfather return from a deployment. “I remember seeing the taxibehind him and I thought, ‘that is what I want to do,’” herecalled. “I knew exactly what I wanted to be.”

SGT Gifford and SSG Grogan demonstrate the useof the M110 Sniper Rifle with a spotting scope.US Army Photo: SSG Samuel Northrup

SSG Grogan (spotting) and SGT Gifford (shooting)engage targets during the competition.US Army Photo: Markeith Horace

Being a sniper seemed the natural route, said Gifford. Heremembers shooting with his father, looking in the optic of ascope and being fascinated with it. Grogan joined the Armybecause he always wanted to be a sniper. There was aHollywood-type mystique about it. “There is also a sense ofcamaraderie and brotherhood being on a sniper team thatyou don’t get anywhere else,” added Gifford.




Gronkowski Visits JBLMSSG Christopher McCullough, 201st

Expeditionary Military Intelligence Bde

On 27Jun18, 2-time Super Bowl Champion, RobGronkowski, All-Pro tight end for the New England

Patriots, was found honoring the Soldiers at Joint BaseLewis-McChord, WA, with an autograph session at the LewisMain Exchange.

2-time Super Bowl Champion, Rob Gronkowski, All-Pro tight end for the New England Patriots with 1LTRyan Gibley of 2-2 SBCT, 7th Inf Div, during a signingevent.


Rob Gronkowski signs a football for Spc RachelLovato, of the 51st Exped Signal Bn, during a signingevent held June 27 at the Lewis Main Exchange. Gronksigned shirts, footballs and other items while takingphotos with those who attended.US Army photos - SSG. Chris McCullough.

Battalion Situational TrainingConducted

MAJ Sonie Munson, 2nd Stryker Bde Combat Tmphotos - MAJ Sonie Munson

The 2nd Stryker Bde Combat Tm, 2nd Inf Div, 7ID conducteda Battalion Situational Training Exercise at JBLM from22Oct-05Nov18. It improved the unit’s collective taskproficiency. Operation Lancer Hammer also prepared theunit for upcoming training exercises and overall unitreadiness. From the individual soldier up to brigade stafftasks, all warfighting functions were tested during theexercise.

1LT Alex Rafanan, the assistance intelligence officerfor 1st Bn, 17th Inf Regt, explains what the enemy forcesplan is during a battalion level combined arms exercise.

MAJ Thomas Angstadt, the operations officer for 1st

Bn, 17th Inf Regt, explains the unit’s upcoming missionto fight a near-peer adversary during the exercise.





Task Force Tomahawk

MAJ Sonie Munson and SSGKennethPawlak,2nd Stryker Bde Combat TeamPhotos SSG Kenneth Pawlak

Soldiers from 4th Bn, 23rd Inf, 2nd Stryker Bde CombatTeam (BCT), 2ID, 7ID and Charger Co, 1st Bn, 5th Inf Regt,1st Stryker BCT, 25th Inf Div, known as Task ForceTomahawk, conducted a combined arms rehearsal (CAR)during Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise CourageReady 18-02 on 05Aug18. During the CAR, companycommanders, operations officers, and key staff presented thebattalion level plan to COL Jay Miseli, the 2nd Stryker BCTscommander, to ensure it was synchronized with the Brigade’splan.

"By conducting a CAR, we are able to see that the participantsunderstand the commander's intent, understand the mission,exercise discipline, and work together to synchronize theirplans," said LTC Michael Eliassen, commander 4th Bn, 23rd

Inf Tomahawks.

Leaders from 4th Bn, 23rd Inf, 2nd Stryker Bde CombatTeam brief their unit plan during the battalion-levelcombined arms rehearsal (CAR) for the exercise.

"Gronk" continued from page 27.

”It’s just an honor to comehere and see themen and women inuniform and see how happy they areto be able to come through and get a pictureand autograph from me,” said Gronkowski. “It’sa blessing too at the same time, and I want tothank everyone, all the men and women in uniform, forfighting for our country. They’re our real heroes.”

Fans lined up hours in advance for a chance to get a photoand autograph with Gronkowski, who did not disappoint -signing shirts, footballs and other items while taking photoswith those who attended.

With assistance from JBLM’s Mission TrainingComplex training facilities, state-of-the-art equipment

and support staff the realism of the training was enhanced.Training scenarios facilitated by JBLM’s Mission TrainingComplex, with support from the 16th Combat Avn Bde and9th Chemical Co, not only enhanced the realism of thetraining, they improved the Lancer Bde’s ability to deploy,fight and win our nation’s wars.

Soldiers from 8th Sqdn, 1st Cavalry re-consolidate afteran air assault insertion

"Situational Training" continued




Ghost Brigade SoldiersSharpen Shooting Skills

An instructor with the Marksman Master Trainer Coursereviews a target with a student.US Army photo - SSG Samuel Northrup.

SGT Margaret Jochmanncorr,1-2 SBCT, 7th Inf Div

Noncommissioned officers with 1-2 Stryker Bde CombatTeam took part in the Armys Marksmanship Master TrainerCourse 09Jul-10Aug18 at JBLM. The course, instructed bya mobile training team from 1st Bn, 29th Inf Regt, Fort Benning,GA, is a 5-week program designed to train NCOs asmarksmanship trainers.

Teaching a Soldier to shoot beyond fundamentals requirescomprehensive knowledge, not just of the learned skillsetsbut methods to communicate the same concept in variousways, said SFC Jamal Russell, an instructor with the MMTC.

The course has four phases: basic rifle marksmanship,midrange marksmanship, short range marksmanship and unittraining management. Basic rifle marksmanship exposesstudents to Army marksmanship. During mid-rangemarksmanship, students shoot at 600 meters - something mostSoldiers have never done.

This is important in order to test the maximum impact of theequipment they are using. At this range, gravity, air, and otherfactors take a toll on shots. During short-range marksmanship,

Students learned about speed, accuracy and firedpistols. The course concluded with unit trainingmanagement.

By the second week students are coaching one another.Information is analyzed from the targets and, by using thatdata, a trainer can diagnose issues and develop solutions tocorrect the problem.

As Soldiers progress, their confidence will go up, SSG JoshuaCunningham of A Troop, 1-14th Cav, added. Soldiers in the1-2 SBCT will be ready to fight in body armor or MOPP(chemical protective equipment) at anytime, anywhere,increasing lethality and strength for the Ghost Brigade.

SFC Class Jamel Russell, an instructor with theMarksman Master Trainer Course, observes Soldiersqualifying on the known distance range.US Army photo - SGT Margaret Jochmancorr.



How I Won The War!by Robert Fleak - Part II

Continued from the Summer 2018 issue

One early morning my assistant, Johnny Harper, and I werein a bomb crater keeping an eye out for N. Korean troopswho were rumored to want to surrender. We heard a noise toour front and a group of 5 defectors popped up. We escortedthem in to our position and turned them over to our MPs. Wecouldn’t turn them over to the KATUSAs - there was noassurance that they’d ever reach the rear to be interrogated.Another time, Harper and I were returning from the latrinewhen a mortar round hit directly next to us. It knocked usboth down, but I got up and dove under a tank. But when hetried to get up he was hit with several pieces of shrapnel,and he hit the ground again. Had I been one step ahead orbehind him I would have been hit from the waist up by theshrapnel.

Eventually we went back in to reserve and then it was backon line for patrol after patrol. Take a hill, pull off the hill,re-take it and pull off once again…on and on it went.

Finally, in Apr’52 I was sent home. I met up with a friend,Pete Harmon, and we were out-processed through Inchonand sailed home on the MTS General Brewster. And whoshould end up on the ship with us? It was SGT Vince Wilhelm!It was like old home week, and we stayed in touch until hisdeath in 2014.

After a short R&R in Japanwe were sent to the Saete-riValley in Dec’51. It was themost miserable place onearth. But on New Year’s Evewe had a “mad minute” whereat midnight we firedeverything we had - 60mm,81mm and 4.2” mortars,105mm and 155mmhowitzers, and even the shipsoffshore fired their 16” guns– all timed so that the roundsall landed at the same time.The earth shook! I could

imagine that the enemy thought it was the end of the world.

One night we went out on patrol to verify some intel that ourS-3 section had seen in some aerial photos. As we walkedalong, it was -45 degrees, I suddenly smelled “go han”(probably kimchee). I took a few more steps and they openedfire on us. Our KATUSA, Lee Young Hak, tried to convincethem we were friendlies - they didn’t buy it and opened fireagain, hitting Lee in the arm.

We returned fire and were able to get away without furthercasualties. I was so scared I didn’t take my finger off thetrigger until we got back to our lines. It was so cold that myfinger had frozen to the trigger and I lost some skin getting itfree. This patrol was written up in the Stars and Stripes. AsI recall, Lee was wounded 3 times during my 10-month tour- he was one of the bravest men I ever met.

Another night I was sitting in the warming hut drinking a cupof coffee when, all of a sudden, the tarp door cover openedup and standing there was a Korean dressed as an enemysoldier. Before I could grab my weapon and shoot him, hesaid. “Hey Joe, got any more coffee?” Turned out he wasone of our KATUSA spies headed out on night patrol. Myheart didn’t stop pounding for an hour! Their patrol returnedseveral hours later with 5 prisoners.

Robert Fleak in 2017

MTSGeneralBrewsterAP-155

I still suffer from the results of frost bite and PTSD from myKorean service. I don’t like loud noises, have bad dreamsand get the “shakes” on occasion. I actually joined the Navyafter Korea for 4 years to keep myself sane, and I creditthem with saving my sanity.

Robert Fleak157 Parque Recrero

Rhonert Park, CA 94928<[email protected]>


Page 31

Helmet Saves SoldierDevon L. Suits, Army News Service, 06Mar19

It was around lunchtime on 03Sep18 when the shots rang outacross Camp Maiwand in eastern Afghanistan. Two gunmen- one armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and the otheroperating a mounted PKM machine gun in the rear of a pickuptruck - had just opened fire on a group of Soldiers from the1st Security Force Assistance Bde visiting the Afghan base.

“The plan was the fully automatic machine gun was going toopen up on us, and the AK was going to pick us off one byone,” said SSG Steven McQueen, assigned to Charlie Co,1st Bn, 28th Inf Regt.

During the insider attack, McQueen was struck in the backof the helmet with a 7.62x54mm Russian round at a distanceof about 20 feet, knocking him off his feet. “It’s nothing thatI’ve experienced in my life that I can relate it to,” McQueensaid. “If I had to guess, [it would feel like] you stood thereand let a horse kick you in the back of the head. I wassurprised that I was able to react as quickly as I did becauseI knew what had happened… I knew I was shot.”

The attack lasted about 10 minutes before Afghan NationalArmy forces moved in and apprehended the rogue policemen.McQueen was sent to Germany and successfully treated fora traumatic brain injury. In the eight days that it took him toget from Germany to Fort Benning, GA, his brain bleed washealed.

SSG StevenMcQueenduring the04Mar19

ceremony.

SSG Steven McQueen’s damaged Enhanced CombatHelmet.

On Monday, 04Mar19, McQueen was presented with hisdamaged Enhanced Combat Helmet during a personalprotective equipment return ceremony at Ft. Belvoir, VA..McQueen’s damaged headgear shows clear signs of distresswith a portion ripped open to expose layers of shreddedpadding underneath.

The fact that McQueen is still alive today is “a testament towhat we do as acquisition professionals, in terms ofproviding capabilities that will bring our Soldiers homesafely,” said COL Stephen Thomas, Soldier Protection andIndividual Equipment project manager.

McQueen has a newfound appreciation for his military-issuedgear. “Before this incident, I thought the helmet wascumbersome, and it was overkill,” he said, joking that heonce preferred to wear a ball cap and a plate carrier. “I wassorely mistaken. This helmet works, and I’m a livingtestament to it. From now on, all my Soldiers will wear[their helmet] - and if they are in a hostile environment, theywon’t take it off,” he said.

McQueen, a 7 year veteran, is determined to meet the goalshe set for his Army career - making the selection for SpecialForces and completing Ranger training.Photos: Devon L. Suits

Editor’s note: Helmets have certainly changed for thebetter, since the steel pots worn from WWII thruVietnam.

Page 32


Jerry PillerHourglass Editor

<[email protected]>

Editor's Perspective

I must confess it has been an effort to gather material for thisissue. I only received 1 Letter and 1 Seekers inquiry sincethe last issue. They have been included in this issue, just notin their usual location. The two How I Won the War piecesare from material I've been saving for when Member input issparse, like currently, and slowly doling it out as needed.

For some time Dan McPharlin, our QM, has been pushingpost-Korean War DMZ service-related material to me. It hasinspired our new feature "Defending the Z" which coversKorean Defense DMZ service, mostly in the mid to late 1960sup to 1971, when the Division left Korea. Feel welcome tocontribute your stories!

I hope that you find this issue interesting as I've worked togather material I think will be of interest to our 7th IDAMembership. Even if it isn't all 7ID-related, it is primarilyArmy and veteran related. There's much available abouthappenings at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, but much of it isnot 7ID-specific.

SO, now I need your help. Send me the stories, photographs,anecdotes, etc. of your time in the 7th Div and the militarythat you would like to share with the Membership. You don'thave to be an accomplished author or photographer as I'llmake the best of your old photos (they really are worth 1,000words!). I'll even smooth out the words if necessary. MyeMail is below and hard-copy address on the back page.

I would encourage you to attend the 6th Annual KoreanDefense Veterans Reunion, Aug. 8-11, 2019, at Pigeon Forge,TN. The 7ID's representation has been growing lately and itwould be heartening if 7IDA Members made a good showingthis year. So far Members Keith Farris, Billy Kelly, GlenOdberg, Joe Wietlisbach, Henry Mills, Russel Ruth andDan McPharlin have all said they'll be there.

Until next issue then…

To apply for the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation,go to this web site:

<http://arba.army.pentagon.mil/abcmr-app.html>and print out DD Form 149.

Complete the form and mail it to:Department of the ArmyArmy Review Boards Agency251 18th Street South, Suite 385Arlington VA 22202-3531

You might also want to enclose a copy of your DD214.

You can use these answers for the following blocks of theDD form 149:# 5 Award of ROKPUC not received. I was stationed inKorea (time period) assigned to (unit). Request that theRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation be issued toyou and a correction made to your service record.

# 6 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation which wasawarded by the Republic of Korea to the 7th Infantry Division,United States Army is confirmed in accordance withparagraph 218, AR 672-5-1. The citation reads as follows:For extraordinary sacrifice and service rendered to theRepublic of Korea during the period August 1945 toDecember 1948 and from 17 September 1950 to 27 March1971. The 7th Infantry Division in war and in peace hascontributed to safeguarding the Republic of Korea fromCommunist aggression.

# 9 DA General Order # 50, dated 9 November 1971.Awarded ROKPUC to anyone who ever served with the 7th

Infantry Division in Korea. According to AR 600-8-22 andUS Army Human Resources Command (HRC).

There was a question posted on the Internet about how onewould go about applying for the Republic of KoreaPresidential Unit Citation ribbon/citation.

The ROK Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.

Get Your ROKPUC


Page 33

OfficersName Office TermBilly Kelly President 2017-Richard A. Patterson Vice President 2017-Joseph Wietlisbach Executive Secretary 2017-Douglas J. Halbert Treasurer 2005-Daniel J. McPharlin Quartermaster 2013-Jerry Piller Hourglass Editor 2009-

GovernorsGeorge Boggs, Sr. 2007-2019 Henry E. Mills 2013-2019Richard Hazelmyer 2005- Vilas “Sid” Morris 2007-2019Ken Mattingly 2009- Richard Steinmetz 2005-

7th IDA Booster ClubSummer 2019

Membership StatusSunday, March 31, 2019

Total Boosters: 6

Total Received: $975.00

John R. Bullard

Lou A. Drastal

Robert D. Fenstermacher

7th IDA Governing Council

Total Members in Good Standing: 402

2019 273

2021 44

2023 4

2025 2

2027 3

Laurence B. Green

Elaine Peeples

Gene C. Richards

Associate 51

Complimentary 1

Courtesy 2

Honorary 2

Special 2 1

Recruiting Honor RollSummer - 2019

Submitted by: Count of Recruitors

Web Site 2

John J. Rivers 1

David Potter 1

Total New Members 4

Page 34


Final Taps

WWWWWe re re re re remember temember temember temember temember those who hahose who hahose who hahose who hahose who havvvvve lefe lefe lefe lefe leftttttour rour rour rour rour rankankankankanksssss

Organization Co/Bat. Date of Death

13th Engineer Battalion C

Elwood, Richard G. D 1/7/2018

31st Field Artillery BattalionRoberts, Richard J. A 12/21/2018

57th Field Artillery BattalionFenstermacher, Robert D. Unknown 10/22/2017

7th Medical BattalionBeer, Phillip D. Unknown 11/30/2018

Total 4

Kate Smith’s Signature SongFrom the Internet

The time was 1940. America was stillin a terrible economic depression.Hitler was taking over Europe andAmericans were afraid we’d have togo to war. It was a time of hardshipand worry for most Americans. Itwas the era just before TV whenradio shows were HUGE andAmerican families sat around theirradios in the evenings, listening totheir favorite entertainers - and noentertainer of that era was bigger

than Kate Smith. She might not have made it big in the age ofTV but with her voice coming over the radio, she was thebiggest star of her time.

Kate was also patriotic. She wanted to do something to cheerup the country, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin, and asked him to write a song that wouldmake Americans feel good again about their country. Whenshe described what she was looking for, he said he had justthe song for her. He went to his files and found a song that hehad written 22 years before - in 1917 - but neverpublished…“God Bless America”… and he gave it to her.They were not sure how the song would be received by thepublic, but both agreed they would not take any profits from“God Bless America.” Any profits would go to the Boy Scoutsof America.

To this day, “God Bless America” stirs our patriotic feelingsand pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smithwent looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellowAmericans, it is doubtful she realized just how successfulthe results would be for her fellow Americans during thoseyears of hardship and worry...and for many generations ofAmericans that followed. Many people don’t know there’s alead-in to the song since it usually just starts with “God BlessAmerica”, but the video shows the song's original version.

Click on the link below for a video showing the very firstpublic singing of “God Bless America.”

https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0

Kate Smith singingon the radio.

The Tomb of the Unknowns


Page 35

The community welcomed more than 700service men and women, including PFCMcPherson, above.

A group photo of some of the volunteers and soldiers. Photos: Stephen Barkley, The North Platte Telegraph.

"NoPlatte Canteen" continued from page 15.When it became time to settle up, the Army, after all, had that moneybudgeted for snacks, the 142nd Fld Arty was told, “Nope. You’re notspending a penny here. This is on us. This is on North Platte, Nebraska."

SGT Marler cuts the cake.

SSG McLaughlin feeding!

Editor’s note: This is a follow-up to thearticles published in The Hourglass in theSummer issues of 2011 and 2013.

NON PROFIT ORG.

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7th Infantry Division Association308 Cortland WayRoswell, GA 30076-1381http://7ida.us/

Change Service Requested

The Hourglass StaffPublisher: ............................... Frank S. WadgeEditor: .................................... Jerry Piller

Copy Deadlines: Winter Issue - September 15th

Summer Issue - April 15th

Contributions are invited from any 7th Infantry DivisionAssociation member or supporter. eMail submission ispreferred, and should be sent to:

<[email protected]>

Hard copy submissions should be mailed to:Hourglass Editor, 356 Kaiola Place, Kihei, HI 96753

Please include a self-addressedstamped envelope if you wish your

material to be returned to you.

Your Dues StatusThe next dues cycle commences on 07/01/2019 and theamount will be $50.00 for two years. The “Dues Status”printed on your mailing label indicates the periodcovered by your last payment.

• 2019 Your payment for 2019-21 is due now.

• 2021 & above... Paid in advance. Thank you!

• Associate ............You are exempt from dues.

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long as you are serving with the 7th Division.

Send your payment to: 7th IDA 308 Cortland WayRoswell, GA 30076-1381

Your continuingsupport of theAssociation isappreciated.

Page 36

Documents

HG SUM 19 UD 09B27ida.us/documents/HGCurrentS2019.pdfArmy (NKP), were on-going. In the 4-year period of 1966 through 1969, 2nd and 7th Div troops and their imbedded KATUSA (Korean