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Informational Newsletter No. 1 - Summer 2009
Hello and Welcome!
It's been almost a year since we met for the final reunion of the Polar Bear Association of World War II in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which will be remembered with both tears and cheers- tears that the Association has finally come to a closing but cheers for this new association of folks with ties to the men who served in the 339th Infantry Regiment, the 910th Field Artillery Battalion, Company C, 310th Combat Engineer Battalion and Company C, 310th Medical Battalion; the "Polar Bears" of Combat Team 9.
Time passes quickly as we all know and a lot has been on the plates of our former Polar Bears. That's not to say that the rest of us have not been idle either! Given the state of the economy and other dilemmas the country has faced over the past year, it is inspiring that we as Americans, will always pull through and do what needs to be done to get our country back on its feet again. Isn't that something taught to us by our fathers and grandfathers who served in World War II?
So, where are we going to meet again and when?
The question at this moment is where the Sons and Daughters of the Polar Bears of World War II will meet again to further organize, share stories and honor our veterans. Bill Chiodo and several others have discussed this via e-mail and it seems that our best choice maybe where the Polar Bear Association left off, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Arrangements can be made for the Hotel Gettysburg or another hotel within this area for a two-day meeting and social get together to discuss the future of this organization and where we wish to go with it. I would be glad to contact the hotel for arrangements, provide some historical material for display as well as informational signs illustrating the history of the 339th Infantry and supporting units in World War II. Additionally some the things that were not open last year are now finally open- the historic David Wills House and the fully restored Gettysburg Cyclorama.
Several other sites have also been suggested including Boston, Pittsburgh, and Nashville, so it is up to everyone who receives this newsletter to let us know where and when you'd like to meet again. Laying the preliminary groundwork NOW is important so let's hear your opinion and preferences before September 20, 2009.
Look at the ballot on the last page of this newsletter, circle your choices, and return it to the address stated on the form or by e-mail your choices to John Heiser at cjheiser@pa.net. I will tally up the input and let everyone know by e-mail and on my website where the preferences are!
John Heiser, Association Historian
The National Museum of the United States Army
Targeted for a site at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC, the new museum is scheduled to open in 2013. According to the official Army website, "The centerpiece of the National Museum of the United States Army will be a major exhibition facility where the stories of Army Soldiers will be joined with thousands of artifacts, documents, and images tracing the colorful history of the United States Army from colonial times to today. A series of chronological galleries and thematic galleries will show visitors what it means to be a Soldier in times of both war and peace."
A generous donation from the Polar Bear Association of World War II was sent to the museum in honor of the original Polar Bears who served in the 339th Infantry in World War One as well as the men who served in Combat Team 9 of the 85th Infantry Division in World War II.
For more information about this museum and to make your own donation, visit the Army History web site at www.armyhistory.org
The Polar Bear Association of World War II News
The great association of veterans of Combat Team 9 may have formally disbanded last year but they have been far from sitting on the sidelines! The old executive committee has been going over the past couple of years and deciding how to disperse the association's funds, the majority of which shall go to the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby to help fund perpetual care of the 85th Infantry Division Monument, dedicated in 2002, and the numerous items donated to the museum by the membership. Alas, age and infirmities has taken its toll on some though the spirit of comradeship is still very strong and they are anxiously waiting to see where the "Sons and Daughters" group next meets. Stay tuned! They're not down and out yet!
The Polar Bear Association of World War II Archives Delivered to
Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby.
In April, John Heiser and a comrade drove to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, where they delivered the archival materials and records he had been keeping since 2001 to the museum, in compliance with the PBAWW2 by-laws. The museum staff gladly accepted the collection which included reunion materials, history files, association business reports, correspondence, reunion memorabilia, and items of interest donated by veterans of the association. The museum archivist and curator called in June to thank him for delivering the materials and also relate that everything that was donated would be kept at the museum for research purposes and possible exhibits in the future as the museum expands and rotates special features in their exhibit hall. The current exhibit case to the 85th Infantry Division is filled with items previously donated to the museum by veterans of this organization and from a personal collection. The museum hosts educational programs for school groups, which have become very popular in the past two years and the museum itself has done extremely well thanks to a strong partnership with the Mississippi National Guard, a support group, and individuals such as us.
Sons and Daughters Business
As our fledgling organization gets started, we should realize that we will need additional people to assist in the associations functions. These are volunteers to compose and distribute a newsletter, coordinate meeting and reunion locations and accommodations, and assist with the association's future events. As you prepare to come to the next reunion of this group, please consider what you can offer as a full member to this organization and bring your enthusiasm and ideas to the table when we meet in 2010!
Honoring Our Veterans
As our purpose is to remember the veterans who served in the 339th Regimental Combat team, let us pause for a few moments to remember several who contributed so much to the Polar Bear Association of World War II and perpetuating the memory of that organization:
Paul Engard (MD)- Paul's untimely passing last year left a huge void in the Polar Bear Association that affected each and every member. His tireless efforts in compiling and publishing "The Polar Bear" kept every member in touch with each other and informed as to what was going on with the association. Paul always had a smile and kind greeting for everyone and he was sorely missed at the final reunion. Paul served in the 339th Infantry Medical Detachment.
Floyd Minor (AT Co.; 3d BN HQ)- Floyd was a staunch military man and supporter of the Polar Bear Association. whose contribution as newsletter editor of the Polar Bear Association of World War II before handing off the reigns to Paul Engard, was two-fold in keeping members informed not only about association business but current events that reflected his concerns for the future of the country. As an infantry officer with the 339th Infantry, Floyd served in many roles as company commander of the Anti-Tank Company, assisted with the formation of the Cannon Company, and was executive officer of the 3rd Battalion, 339th Infantry when the regiment went into its first major attack on May 11, 1944. Appointed battalion commander in the fall of 1944, it was his task force in May 1945 that uncovered the gold reserves of the Bank of Italy at Fortezza, along with hundreds of stolen paintings and statuary taken from Italian churches and museums, all destined for Germany. He was the last of the 339th's battalion commanders.
As sons and daughters, we owe a debt of gratitude to these men as well as many others who will be featured in future newsletters.
Members of the 339th Infantry on a day march near Mt. Grande, Italy, February 1945 (US Signal Corps Collection, NARA) |
Where Will The Sons and Daughters of the Polar Bears of World War II Meet in 2010?
Please take a close look at the choices below and mark each with your preference- 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Mail your ballot to Sons and Daughters of the Polar Bears of World War II, c/o John Heiser, 418 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or e-mail to cjheiser@pa.net. The top choices of cities and dates will be e-mailed to everyone in October and posted on Heiser's web site at http://www.custerdivision.us. This is your organization so make your preferences count!
CITIES AND DATES in 2010
____ Gettysburg, PA _____ September 17-19, 2010
____ Pittsburgh, PA _____ September, 24-26, 2010
____ Boston, MA _____ October 1-3, 2010
____ Nashville, TN _____ October 15-16, 2010
Additional Comments:
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Sons & Daughters of the Polar Bears of World War II - 30 July 2009