Jeter pulls up to the barracks half lit with SGM Helton in the trunk of his car (also lit)
Cpt Costillo punches out Jerome
SSG Butler punches out Zawatski?
Malott and I get drunk on guard duty in the field and Hollander and Talley get captured by OPFOR because of us.
1LT Nelson rips off brass hammer and compass East German plaque (border marker) and makes going away present for CPT Woodbury. (brass balls award to LT)
Merideth goes to stockade for 30 days for assualting german police at swimbad.
Pulling guard duty at the ammo dumps
Stoffer wrecks 10Ton truck and has to pay for it.
Holcomb's load of gravel shifts and some falls on German's Mercedes?
Building a floating bridge accross some frozen river
Many trips to Feurth Nurenburg Stockade -picking up and delivering
Who fell of the second floor ledge and broke his leg? Drinking invloved ?
Who is the LT in the photo with SFC Armenta, he was my last platoon leader?
Who was the Spec 4 that was the parts clerk at the motorpool? Remember he stabbed that guy in the neck that tried to molest him? (Strange I remember that).
ANSWER: 2LT ANDREW SOULE'
One story I see you got backwards. I stole the border plaque and made the
going away gift of it for 1LT Nelson. SSgt Butler punched Pvt Brown(?)
because his canteen was dirty during an IG Inspection. It was not Zawatski
unless that was a different incident. The soldier that was punched was
Black. Good kid and about a third grade education. He wanted to file
charges but after some reflection decided he had slipped and fallen on the
stairs. Don Madderon who fell from the second floor locked himself out of
his room and thought he could be Spiderman. I think he was on something
more than alcohol-I have a vague recollection he had a nurse girlfriend back
home but then I could not remember Soule's name. - CPT. WOODBURY (COL. RET.)
Some of my memories may have gotten twisted over the years but the 54th was,
without a doubt the best assignment over my twenty years. I know several
folks we knew ended their career and forever changed their lives while at
Wildflecken. Hopefully they are back on track. I felt pretty lucky and
admired the leaders we had. I had just turned 20 when I got there and was
certainly impressionable. When I first got to Wildflecken it was a shock
and an adventure. There was a lot of negative stuff going on for sure but I
was lucky to be put under some great NCO's and officers. This changed me and
they were responsible for my decision to make the Army a career. The great
leaders we had allowed me to accomplish things that probably wouldn't have
happened without them (going from PV2 to SGT in two years, many awards, and
great leadership experiences). I could probably go on and on about specific
moments (that I do remember correctly) about the leaders we had. Because of
then CPT Woodbury, 1LT Nelson, SFC Armenia, 1SG Hollander and a several
others, I could really see what leadership was about. Shortly after CPT
Woodbury left, we had an ART (Army Readiness Test) and an IG inspection. We
were rated the best company in V Corps. That I do remember correctly.
Unfortunately those that made it happen had pretty much left the hill.
Leaving the hill I was assigned to the 4th Engineers, 4th ID, at Ft Carson.
What a riot. The company had failed 3 IG inspections in a row, the new
volunteer Army was in effect, and I my first son was born. I was seriously
thinking about calling it quits but once again some new officers and NCO's
stepped in and turned it around in a month. My 1SG there talked me into
reenlisting for the then STRATCOM (Strategic Communications Command). I
didn't have a clue what to expect but followed his advice. After a year in
school, my new career in the Army was launched. I spent four more overseas
tours with the signal corps and 2 in the states with the 7th Infantry and
one more with the 4th Infantry. What a wild ride.
I always felt that I was an Engineer first and the leadership from the hill
carried me through my career. Once retired, I found out how much I missed
the Army and the good people in it. Today I work with several veterans
groups and the VA to help other vets. After twenty years I was just a
little worse for wear but the sacrifices of others who were severely wounded
(mentally and physically) left them unable to take part in the American
dream. Any of these men and women I work with daily could have been one of
the great soldiers I had the opportunity to serve with and I owe my
successes in life to the great folks with whom I served. I hope you all get
involved with some vet groups and help our brothers and sisters who served.
You'll be surprised how good and humble it makes you feel.
Aaron
Narrowing it down......
SSG Sheffield? Came in with Briggs Don't remember Sheffield or Briggs. - Scheffield fired a live round in the barracks while cleaning weapons after range.
Cpt Costillo punches out Jerome ???? We were doing some rigging excercise and Jerome mouths off to the CPT(don't remember that). CPT Costillo has us all stand at attention, do an about face and punches out Jerome.
Building a floating bridge accross some frozen river I just remember bridging the Rhein in the summer time. -- It was a small bridge, cold as hell, at night and we all fought and bitched all night.
Take care,
Aaron
