World War II Recreation Association

Table of Contents

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1

Thunderbird Home
Our collage of 45th Infantry Division past and present; original and reenacted. Also short introduction to the 45th ID.

2

WWIIRA logo Who We Are
A brief explanation of who the World War II Recreation Association is, as well as the 45th Infantry Division Reenactors.

3

WWIIRA logo Volunteers wanted
Information for people interested in helping the Association, Venturing Crew, Veterans History Project and 45th Infantry Reenactors.

4

WWIIRA logo Venturing Crew 1941
An explanation for youths and adults about the Boy Scouts of America, World War II Venturing Crew sponsored by the WWIIRA.

5

261st Coast Artillery Crest

Living History at Fort Miles, Delaware as the 261st Coast Artillery

The 1st US Infantry Division, the 33rd Signal Construction Battalion and the 45th US Infantry Division reenactors came together to bring Fort Miles, Delaware alive. The tradtion lives on with the 261st Coast Artillery Regiment, Delaware National Guard Living Historians.

6

WWIIRA logo 45th Reenacting Resources
Getting started in World War II reenacting can be confusing. There is a lot of things you should know. This section has some of what the 45th Infantry Division Living Historian needs to know.

7

WWIIRA logo Schedule of Events
A list of events relevant to the WWIIRA, and affiliated groups.

8

Thunderbird 45th Division History
Main history page that ties together, Division Organization, Congressional Medal of Honor Citations;personal stories from veterans of the 45th; Summaries of the Campaigns and Battles the 45th Infantry Division participated in; and the recommenced reading list.

9

Thunderbird 45th Infantry Division Organization
(Under Construction) Explains the relationship and composition of the individual units that make up the 45th Infantry Division.

10

Thunderbird Congressional Medal of Honor Citations
Medal of Honor citations for the eight members of the 45th Infantry Division who were awarded this honor: Van T. Barfoot, Ernest Childers, Almond E. Fisher, William J. Johnston, Jack C. Montgomery, James D. Slaton, Jack L. Treadwell, Edward G. Wilkin.

11

157th Infantry Regiment crest Personal Histories of Members of the 157th Infantry Regiment
Remembrance's of Veterans of the 157th Infantry Regiment; including a brief Combat history of the regiment.

12

157th Infantry Regiment crest World War II Combat History of the 157th Infantry Regiment
A Brief Combat History of the 157th Infantry Regiment, compiled by LTC Hugh Foster III (U.S.Army Ret.)

13

157th Infantry Regiment crest Letters home from John W. Kendall Jr. (H Company, 157th Infantry Regiment)
John W. Kendall was drafted in February 1941 and assigned to H Company, 157th Infantry Regiment. He makes it to the end of the war with the regiment.

14

157th Infantry Regiment crest Interview of Murray Levine (G Company, 157th Infantry Regiment)
Murray Levine of New Hempstead, NY, passed away in 1999. He was a veteran of the 45th Infantry Division and a former prisoner of war. He was captured by the Germans at Anzio. In 1998 he was interviewed by Aaron Elson.

15

157th Infantry Regiment crest The Story of Ray H. Drullinger (F Company, 157th Infantry Regiment)
Ray volunteered for service in the United States Army, being the second Washington County man to enlist for such service. He was not inducted, however, until January 16, 1941. Ray was assigned to F Company, 157th Infantry Regiment, a Colorado National Guard outfit.

16

157th Infantry Regiment crest An Interview With Bill Shaw (K Company, 157th Infantry Regiment)
This is a transcript of a recorded interview present are Bill Shaw, his wife, daughter and son-in-law. It covers the events of his life from meeting his wife through the war.

17

157th Infantry Regiment crest Newspaper Article About General Felix Sparks (3rd Battalion Commander)
General Sparks describes how an incident on Easter Sunday, 1944, strengthened his resolve to build within this nation a more highly trained Reserve.

18

157th Infantry Regiment crest Newspaper account of Stephen Burbage Jr. (K Company, 157th Infantry Regiment)
Stephen Burpage Jr. was a Browning Automatic Rifleman in K Company, 157th Infantry Regiment from May 1944 till taken out of the line with Trench Foot in December 1944.

19

157th Infantry Regiment crest Memories of Dr. Peter Carl Graffagnino ( 2nd Battalion Surgeon)
Dr Graffagnino joined up with the 157th Infantry Regiment at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He was captured at Anzio, Italy.

20

157th Infantry Regiment crest Gerald Hall Photo Collection (Mechanic, 157th Infantry)
A collection of photos that belonged to Gerald Hall, a mechanic in the 157th Infantry Regiment; from Italy through Germany. There is also an article written by his son about his Dad.

21

157th Infantry Regiment crest Newspaper Article About Private Bob Sheridan
An article from New York's NewsDay, a human interest piece about Bob Sheridan and his wife and his bronze star medal.

22

157th Infantry Regiment crest Remembrance's from Cpl. Paul Butler
Paul Butler Volunteered in 1941, and was assigned to the Anti-Tank Company, 157th Infantry Regiment. He made it all the way to the end with the 157th.

23

157th Infantry Regiment crest Article about Douglas Studebaker (I&R Platoon)
An article from the 45th Division News about an incident with members of the 157th's I&R platoon.

24

157th Infantry Regiment crest Vere Williams Autobiography (K Company)
Vere Williams was activated with the 157th Infantry Regiment Colorado National Guard and served with them into France. He received 6 Purple Hearts and the Silver Star.

25

157th Infantry Regiment crest State's 'unsung heroes' of W.W.II
Article in the Denver Post on the 157th Infantry Regiment, published at the time of the 2001 Reunion.

26

157th Infantry Regiment crest Louis "Cody" Wims, Autobiography
He was a member of G Company 157th Infantry Regiment. From Ft. Devens, MA. to Reipertsviller, France where he was taken POW through his liberation.

27

157th Infantry Regiment crest BG Russel Weiskircher's memories of WWII
He arrives on the scence at Anzio gives Ike his Long Johns and is boosted over the wall at Dachau by Lt Col Sparks.

28

157th Infantry Regiment crest YOUNG AND DISCIPLINED -THE LIFE STORY OF A SOLDIER WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR ii
Memoirs of George Courlas, G Company 157th Infantry Regiment, Anzio to Germany

29

179th Infantry Regiment crest Personal Histories of Members of the 179th Infantry Regiment
Remembrance's of Veterans of the 179th Infantry Regiment; including a brief Combat history of the regiment.

30

179th Infantry Regiment crest World War II Combat History of the 179th Infantry Regiment
A Brief Combat History of the 179th Infantry Regiment,(Under Construction)

31

179th Infantry Regiment crest Memoirs of William "Bill" Prince (L Company)
Bill was a replacement to L Company, 179th Infantry Regiment in Fall 1943. He served till May 1944 where he received wounds due to German Grenade.

32

179th Infantry Regiment crest Newspaper Account of Paul J. Joulwan (H Company)
Article about Paul Joulwan who arrived as a replacement in H Company, 179th Infantry Regiment. In September 1943. He was captured at Anzio, Italy and ultimately survived Stalag VII-B near Memmingen, Germany.

33

179th Infantry Regiment crest Joe Vien (K Company)
15 August 1944 to end of war.

34

179th Infantry Regiment crest Leonard L. Neely (Anti-tank Company)
Recollections from joining the National Guard, through getting wounded near Maximeau.

35

179th Infantry Regiment crest Remembrance's from Pfc. Cordino Longiotti (D Company)
Assigned to the 179th Infantry Regiment as a replacement in Sicily, he was captured at Anzio. Spent time at Stalag VII-B, but volunteered for farm duty.

36

179th Infantry Regiment crest Wartime Journals of Private Paul Brown (Service Support Company)
A member of 179th Infantry regiments Graves registry section, journal entries from 8 Sept. 1943 till 30 May 1944.

37

179th Infantry Regiment crest A brief biography of Gen. Micheal Shannon Davison (1st Bn Commander)
An article originally printed in Assembly Magazine; Association of West Point Graduates July/August 1997 Issue.

38

179th Infantry Regiment crest The Story OF Floyd Dumas (Company unknown)
Went overseas with the 179th regiment and was captured near Anzio, Italy and later Escaped.

39

179th Infantry Regiment crest Personal Remembrances from SSG Emmet Elden Davis (I Company)
An original member of the mortar platoon Item Company, 179th Infantry Regiment; and served with the 45th through September of 1944

40

179th Infantry Regiment crest A Memorial of Brig Gen. George M. Donovan (H Company)
started as a private in the 179th in Sept., 1940 and received a battlefield commission in France 1944. He also served in the post war 45th ID.

41

179th Infantry Regiment crest Lynn Randels (Anti-tank Company)
A favorite pin up of some members of the 179th Infantry Regiment.

42

179th Infantry Regiment crest Lynn E. Gerber Remembers September Eleventh (company unknown)
Lynn Gerber, 179th Infantry regiment remembers a September 11th; 60 years before.

43

179th Infantry Regiment crest Recollections of Dominic Moscarelli (B Company, 179th Infantry Regiment)
Assigned to B Company in late 1944 and served as a scout through Munich and Dachau.

44

179th Infantry Regiment crest The Diary of Ray Sherman (K Company, 179th Infantry Regiment)
Covers his induction, training, waiting at replacement depot, His arrival just before Anzio, His capture and time as a POW, till May 1945

45

179th Infantry Regiment crest SSG Arville Weldon Littleton (A Company, 179th Infantry Regiment)
Assigned to the 45th Division, 179th Infantry, Company A and went overseas to war. He saw action in North Africa, Italy, and France. Killed in Action 12 September 1944.

46

179th Infantry Regiment crest T/Sgt. Llewellyn Chilson
A member of the 179th Infantry regiment one of the most decorated soldiers of World War II. (Under construction)

47

179th Infantry Regiment Crest LT Robert M. Barnhart
Fall of 1944 Joined the 179th Infantry Regiment of the Thunderbirds.
During the last week of September 1944, I became the Platoon Leader of the 3rd Platoon of Baker Company.

48

179th Infantry Regiment Crest Personal Histories of Members of the 180th Infantry Regiment
Remembrances of Veterans of the 180th Infantry Regiment; including a brief Combat history of the regiment.

49

180th Infantry Regiment Crest World War II Combat History of the 180th Infantry Regiment
A Brief Combat History of the 180th Infantry Regiment,(Under Construction)
50 180th Infantry Regiment Crest Brief Biography of Col. Jack Treadwell (G Company, 180th Infantry Regiment)
A compilation of three speeches given by Colonel Jack Treadwell.

51

180th Infantry Regiment Crest Autobiography of Ray McAllister (C Company, 180th Infantry Regiment)
Was assigned as a replacement to the 180th Infantry, while in the winter line, Italy. Was made a platoon Medic till just short of Germany.

52

180th Infantry Regiment Crest Grandson tells of Howard Aldrich (D Company, 180th Infantry Regiment)
Spent three weeks in Combat in March 1945, till wounded.

53

180th Infantry Regiment Crest Tom Mathews Former POW (E Company, 180th Infantry Regiment)
Sent to Anzio as a replacement for the 45th ID, was captured in September 1944 and spent 7 1/2 months as a POW.

54

45th Infantry Division Crest Personal Histories From Elsewhere in the Division
Personal stories of men from Division HQ, Support units, or we have not yet identified thier unit.

55

45th Infantry Division Crest Bill Mauldin (120th QM, 180th IR., 45th Division News, Stars and Stripes)
A brief Biography of the artist who brought us Willie and Joe.

56

Thunderbird Angelo Casertano (Unit unknown)
A news paper article about Angelo Casertano meeting relatives in Italy.

57

Thunderbird Wilson Kale (Unit unknown)
An article about Wilson Kale and other members of his Chickasaw family that served in World War II.

58

120th Quarter Master Battalion crest Herb Alexander, excerpts from letters to his daughter
Served in the 120th quartermaster from activation through Germany

59

120th Engineer Battalion crest Interview with Eloy Bacca
Served in C Company 120th Engineer Battalion

60

120th Engineer Battalion crest Interview with Ernesto Padilla
Served in F Company 120th Engineer Battalion

61

Thunderbird "Soldier's Prayer" By Allan Osbourne Sr.

62

120th Medical Battalion crest History of COMPANY B 120th MEDICAL BATTALION
History of B Company 120th Medical Battalion, from activation to Munich, Germany. B Company primarily supported the 179th Infantry Regiment.

63

45th Divarty crest Personal Histories From Division Artillery
Personal memories of the members of the Artillery staff and the four Artillery Battalions

64

189th Field Artillery Battalion crest The Letters of Captain Harold F. Kleindienst
Letters written home from Harold Kleindienst, a forward observer for the 189th Field Artillery Battalion and latter on Divarty Staff.

65

Anzio brochure cover Captain Kleindienst's Forward Observer notebook
Contains notes and instructions for the time frame of the Break out at Anzio

66

160th Field Artillery Battalion crest A skein of recollections by James R Bird
Mr Bird was with A Battery, 160th Field Artillery Battalion from Virginia through Germany.

67

189th Field Artillery Battalion crest 189th Field Artillery Band
Some photos and documents from Archie Grubb a member of the band.

68

645th patch A Brief Combat History of the 645th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Highlights from the Combat record of the 645th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

69

645th patch The Letters home of Sgt. Frank Hromadka
Went overseas when the 645th was deployed wounded twice and recieved the Bronze Star Medal, was taken as a POW in September 1944 and Liberated by the Soviets January 1945.

70

Thunderbird Combat Load of the Average Infantryman
A short reference to the equipment used by the infantrymen of World War II

71

45th Infantry Division Crest Battles and Campaigns of World War II
An Introduction to the Battles and Campaigns the 45th Infantry Division fought in during World War II

72

Anzio brochure cover Sicily 9 July - 17 August 1943
This brochure was prepared in the U.S. Army Center of Military History by Andrew J. Birtle and gives an overview of the entire Sicily campaign.

73

Sicily brochure cover DIARY OF THE SICILIAN CAMPAIGN [removed at families request]
BY BRIGADIER GENERAL RAYMOND S. McLAIN ,45th INFANTRY DIVISION ARTILLERY COMMANDER

10 JULY TO 28 JULY, 1943
CAMPAIGN ENDED ON 19 AUGUST 1943

74

Naples - Foggia brochure cover Naples - Foggia 9 September 1943 - 21 January 1944
This brochure was prepared in the U.S. Army Center of Military History by Col. Kenneth V. Smith and gives an overview of the entire Naples-Foggia campaign.

75

Anzio brochure cover Anzio 22 January - 24 May 1944
This brochure was prepared in the US Army Center of Military History by Clayton D. Laurie and gives an overview of the entire Anzio campaign.

76

Rome - Arno brochure cover Rome - Arno 22 January - 9 September 1944
This brochure was prepared in the US Army Center of Military History by Clayton D. Laurie and gives an overview of the entire Rome - Arno campaign.

77

Southern France brochure cover Southern France 15 August - 14 September 1944
This brochure was prepared in the US Army Center of Military History by Jeffrey J. Clarke and gives an overview of the entire Southern France campaign.

78

Rhineland brochure cover Rhineland 15 September 1944 - 21 March 1945
This brochure was prepared in the US Army Center of Military History by Ted Ballard and gives an overview of the entire Rhineland campaign.

79

Ardennes-Alsace brochure cover Ardennes - Alsace 16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945
This brochure was prepared in the US Army Center of Military History by Roger Cirillo and gives an overview of the entire Ardennes - Alsace campaign.

80

Central Europe brochure cover Central Europe 22 March - May 11 1945
This brochure was prepared in the US Army Center of Military History by Edward N. Bedessem and gives an overview of the entire Central Europe campaign.

81

Naples - Foggia brochure cover Winterline, Italy November 1943 to January 1944
A reworking of Center for Military History Publication 100-9 covering the actions of the 45th Infantry Division.

82

Ardennes-Alsace brochure cover SUMMARY OF THE FIGHT AT REIPERTSWILLER, JANUARY 1945
The following summary of the Battle of Reipertswiller was written by, and is used here with the permission of, LTC.(Retired) Hugh Foster III. Mr. Foster is in the process of writing a book devoted to this battle, which almost decimated the 157th Infantry Regiment.

83

Rock of Anzio book cover Recommended Reading list
This website will never contain all that there is to know about the 45th Infantry Division, but we have a list of books that can help you learn more.

84

Thunderbird 45th Separate Infantry Brigade Iraqi Freedom
1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment providing security for Patriot Missile batteries In Kuwait.

85

45th Infantry Division Crest Veterans, Now and Then photo gallery
Photographs of the Chain of command, and Thunderbirds from Division Headquarters, Support units, and those whose unit I do not know; from during the War and after.

86

157th Infantry Regiment Crest Veterans, Now and Then 157th Infantry Regiment
Photographs of Thunderbirds from the 157th Infantry Regiment

87

157th Infantry Regiment Crest Veterans, Now and Then 157th Infantry Regiment page two
Photographs of Thunderbirds from the 157th Infantry Regiment

88

179th Infantry Regiment Crest Veterans, Now and Then 179th Infantry Regiment
Photographs of Thunderbirds from the 179th Infantry Regiment

89

179th Infantry Regiment Crest Veterans, Now and Then 179th Infantry Regiment page two
Photographs of Thunderbirds from the 179th Infantry Regiment

90

180th Infantry Regiment Crest Veterans, Now and Then 180th Infantry Regiment
Photographs of Thunderbirds from the 180th Infantry Regiment

91

180th Infantry Regiment Crest Veterans, Now and Then Division Artillery
Photographs of Thunderbirds from the Division's Artillery units; 158th Field Artillery Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Battalion, 171st Field Artillery Battalion, and 189th Field Artillery Battalion.

92

160th Field Artillery Battalion Crest Gilbert Wailes Photo gallery (A Battery, 160th Field Artillery)
Photographs taken by Gilbert Wailes a member of the 160th FA Bn. donated by his son William Wailes.

93

171st Field Artillery Battalion Crest Lewis Long Photo Gallery (C Battery,171st FA Bn.)
Photographs taken by Lewis Long a member of the 171st FA Bn.near the end of the war through boarding the ship for the USA.

94

645th Tank Destroyer patch Veterans, Now and Then 645th Tank Destroyer Battalion
Photographs of the members of the 645th Tank Destroyer Battalion

95

191st Tank Batallion 191st Tank Battalion photo gallery
Photographs of the members of the 191st Tank Battalion

96

Thunderbird Photos from Sicily and Italy
Photographs from the Sicily and Italy where the Thunderbirds tread.

97

Thunderbird Photos from France
Photographs from France where the Thunderbirds tread.

98

Thunderbird Photos from Germany
Photographs from Germany where the Thunderbirds tread.

99

WWIIRA logo Living Historian Photo introduction

100

WWIIRA logo Reenacting Photos
Photos of the WWIIRA's Reenactors and displays.

101

WWIIRA logo Reenacting Photos FIG 2004
Photos from the reenactment/living history at Fort Indian Town Gap 2004

102

Thunderbird 45th Veterans Reunion information
presently information on a past 157th reunion; page is under renovation for update.

103

WWIIRA logo Main Links page
From this page you will have a choice of 45th Infantry Division related websites; W.W.II history websites; Reenacting websites; Military Associations websites; Boy Scouts and Community websites; W.W.II suppliers websites.

104

Thunderbird 45th Infantry related website links
Contains links to websites related directly to the 45th Infantry Division; including the Museum in Oklahoma City, modern National Guard units, Personal websites of W.W.II Veterans, and Korean War websites.

105

179th Infantry Regiment crest A Memorial of Colonel Preston J.C. Murphy
Served in WWII and Korea as battalion commander in the 157th and regimental commander of the l79th.

In the Works

videos
Aschaffenburg Battle
Operation Husky
Merry Christmas
Hospital Bagnoli
Temporary History page
Temporary table of Contents page

Maps

157th Infantry from Gibraltar to Munich

brochure cover Assault on Sicily, 10 July 1943
brochure cover The fight for Sicily 12 July- 17 August 1943
brochure cover Map of Sicily and Southern Italy (1932)
brochure cover Invasion of Italy September 1943
brochure cover Salerno Landings 9 Sept. 1943
brochure cover Fifth Army Landings 9-13 September 1943
brochure cover Persano Italy/ Sele River 11 September 1943
brochure cover Allied Gains (Italy) 6 October- 15 November 1943
brochure cover Fifth Army Offensive Late November 1943
brochure cover VI Corps prepares for action 29 November 1943
brochure cover Capture of Hill 769 29 November - 6 December 1943
brochure cover Advance by 45th Infantry 15-21 December 1943; Near Lagone,Italy
brochure cover Advance by VI Corps 15 - 21 December 1943
brochure cover Action Along The VI Corps front 21 - 31 December 1943
brochure cover Allied Strategy in Italy January 1944
brochure cover The Landing 22 January 1944
brochure cover Expanding the Beach head 1 February 1944
brochure cover Anzio the German Assaults Jan- May 1944
brochure cover Holding the Beach Head 28 February- 3 March 1944
brochure cover Operation Diadem 11 - 18 May 1944
brochure cover Anzio Beach head 22 January 1944
brochure cover Anzio Beach head 24- 26 January 1944
brochure cover Anzio Beach head 29 January 1944
brochure cover The Breakthrough 25- 26 May 1944
brochure cover The Break Through 31 May - 4 June
brochure cover Rome to the Arno River 5 June - 5 August 1944
brochure cover France 1944
brochure cover Seventh Army Assault 15 - 16 August 1944
brochure cover Breakout from the Beach Head 17 - 19 August 1944
brochure cover Breakout and Advance to the Seine River 25 July- 25 August 1944
Northern France to meet up with 7th Army
brochure cover Seventh Army Advance 4 - 14 September 1944
brochure cover Campaign in Southern France 15 August - 15 September 1944
brochure cover Battle of Attrition 16 September - 15 December 1944
brochure cover Rambervilliers, France Sketch Map 30 September 1944
brochure cover The Battle ground 15 December 1944
brochure cover The Ardennes 15 December 1944
brochure cover The West Wall Monshau -Habscheid zone 15 -19 December 1944
brochure cover Wacht Am Rhein 16 - 19 December 1944
brochure cover Erasing the Bulge 26 December 1944 - 25 January 1945
brochure cover Nordwind 31 December 1944 - 25 January 1945

brochure cover Colmar Pocket 20 January - 5 February 1945
brochure cover Changes in the Western Front 16 December 1944 - 7 February 1945
brochure cover Battle of the Rhineland 8 February - 21 March 1945
brochure cover Crossing the Rhine 22 - 28 March 1945
brochure cover Aschaffenburg, Germany Map
brochure cover Encirclement of the Ruhr 29 March - 4 April 1945
brochure cover Advance to the Elbe and Mulde Rivers 4 - 18 April 1945
brochure cover End of War ETO 19 April - 8 May 1945

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