The "mugshot" photos are scans of negatives that Special Forces Historians were given from the Association and they scanned them for us. Huge thanks to Ken Finlayson and Earl Moniz and their team for all the hard work.
Unfortunately we have not been given any scans of 3 -2 as of this time. Hopefully we will see some in the future.
Unfortunately we have not been given any scans of 3 -2 as of this time. Hopefully we will see some in the future.
3 - 2
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Lindell O. Aldridge
S/Sgt. 3-2 Detroit, Michigan My Dad was born on January 27, 1923 to Jesse Robert (Bob) and Lottie Lee Aldridge in Flat River, Missouri. The family later moved to a farm in Ripley County, Missouri where he spent the remainder of his childhood years. The family moved to Detroit for a short period of time in search of work, although they later returned to Missouri. In 1940 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and volunteered for the "Darby's Rangers;" being assigned to First Battalion. He was one of the few First Battalion men left after the Cisterna battle. He joined the Force on the Anzio beachhead, with 3rd Company, 2nd Regiment. After the Force broke up in S. France, he remained in the newly constituted 474th Infantry Regiment, 4th Company. |
He retired in 1952 when the serious illness of his father took him home to run the family farm. Shortly after my grandpa's death, he moved to Berkley, Michigan where he met and married my Mom, Mary Whitley, in 1954 and my sister Denise and I were born. They remained happily married until his death on March 10,1991.
He remained extremely devoted to the "Force" throughout his life and spoke often, and with great pride, of his friends. After his death, on the Platoon photo taken just before the "Force" breakup, I found that he had written: The Old 3rd Platoon - 3 Co. F.S.S.F - The fightingest platoon ever put together.
Story
Ironically, it was not until after my Dad died that I discovered one of my dearest high school friends, who picked me up every morning and drove me to school, was the son of another Forceman. My friend's dad was Donald Golde. Not only did they serve together in F.S.S.F. 3-2, but they had also served together in the Darby's Rangers. We had lived only a mile from one another and never knew the connection our father's had until after my Dad had passed away. I was, however, fortunate to have been able to speak with Mr. Golde many times after that and he spoke very highly of my Dad. They were two incredible men.
Shortly after my Dad passed away I became an Associate Member of the F.S.S.F., a fact which I am very proud of.
Charlene Aldridge-Bienenstock
He remained extremely devoted to the "Force" throughout his life and spoke often, and with great pride, of his friends. After his death, on the Platoon photo taken just before the "Force" breakup, I found that he had written: The Old 3rd Platoon - 3 Co. F.S.S.F - The fightingest platoon ever put together.
Story
Ironically, it was not until after my Dad died that I discovered one of my dearest high school friends, who picked me up every morning and drove me to school, was the son of another Forceman. My friend's dad was Donald Golde. Not only did they serve together in F.S.S.F. 3-2, but they had also served together in the Darby's Rangers. We had lived only a mile from one another and never knew the connection our father's had until after my Dad had passed away. I was, however, fortunate to have been able to speak with Mr. Golde many times after that and he spoke very highly of my Dad. They were two incredible men.
Shortly after my Dad passed away I became an Associate Member of the F.S.S.F., a fact which I am very proud of.
Charlene Aldridge-Bienenstock
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Raymon A Elizondo
3-2 Salt Lake City, Utah "No More Battles to Wage" On Wednesday, November 5, 2008, another warrior of the Greatest Generation found peace. From a long hard march to the highest mountain climbed, take off your pack Dad; you have earned a well deserved rest. Raymon A. Elizondo, born April 6, 1921 to Adrian and Juanita Abrigo Elizondo, was one of nine sons and three daughters. Raymon was fiercely proud of being a member of the joint Canadian-American Unit: The First Special Service Force 3rd Company 2nd Regiment. Raymon also served in Company E, |
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505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. He was discharged from the Army with the rank of Sgt, having earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
After World War II, Raymon was a Union tradesman in home and construction painting. One of the highlights of his career was his involvement in painting sets for the William Holden movie, "The Devils Brigade", which was filmed in Utah. The movie was about the very outfit Dad served in during World War II.
Raymon's family wishes to extend their thanks to all the employees at the Salt Lake VA Medical Center who worked with him through his many treatments throughout the years and who provided solace in his final moments. Raymon loved our Utah Mountains, Big Band music and dancing, Mexican cooking and was an avid reader. He is survived by: wife, Elisa Esparza (later divorced); sons, Mark (Raedell), Luis, Lloyd (Carol); and only daughter, Elsa his "#1 Head ache"; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and various nieces and nephews.
After World War II, Raymon was a Union tradesman in home and construction painting. One of the highlights of his career was his involvement in painting sets for the William Holden movie, "The Devils Brigade", which was filmed in Utah. The movie was about the very outfit Dad served in during World War II.
Raymon's family wishes to extend their thanks to all the employees at the Salt Lake VA Medical Center who worked with him through his many treatments throughout the years and who provided solace in his final moments. Raymon loved our Utah Mountains, Big Band music and dancing, Mexican cooking and was an avid reader. He is survived by: wife, Elisa Esparza (later divorced); sons, Mark (Raedell), Luis, Lloyd (Carol); and only daughter, Elsa his "#1 Head ache"; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and various nieces and nephews.
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Donald H Golde
Sergeant 2 Regiment 3 Company Detroit, Michigan |
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John A Izatt
3-2 Schumacher, Ontario Here is what friend Geoff Wilson has to say about John A. Izatt: I'm a mere "associate" member of the FSSF Assoc., having worked for years with John Izatt, 3-2. The organization is close to my heart, and I spend a lot of time around Ft. Harrison. I'll just quickly give you a little more info on John and me, and then a really neat story. John Izatt ran the Edmonton Police Service motorcycle squad at the time I was accepted into the unit in 1968. It was a fine year to be riding with a guy who regarded every operation as a FSSF raid. Vietnam War protest marches were taking place with regularity, and we routinely got to hospitalize our share of the participants---with the full support of the public, in those days. (Yes, that's all changed, now.) I organized the parade for the FSSF reunion in Edmonton in 1969, and got treated extremely well by the FSSF vets. I was given, for example, the FSSF blazer crest that I believe is normally only worn by FSSF members who have served. Although not really active in the organization, I do maintain my "Associate" FSSF member status. |
Photos and info submitted by Geoff Wilson
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My Edmonton Police regimental number is 312. As you know, John is 3-2 in the FSSF. That warms my heart.
Story
Anyway, there is another Edmonton cop who's linked to this tale---John M. Reid. In his book, "All Those Other Guys and Me," John tells of being in charge of the gangplank on the HMCS Prince Henry, as she rode at anchor in Naples harbor, during WW II. One evening, the sentry shouted a warning, as a number of swimmers were observed heading towards the ship. WTF? Enemy saboteurs? It turned out that the swimmers were FSSF members who had grown tired of living in filth on the ground and eating C-rations, and decided they'd swim out to the ship for a real meal and a shower---both of which were generously provided by the sailors.
Years later, completely by coincidence, John Reid bumped into John Izatt in the hallway at Edmonton Police HQ, where they were both now employed. It was an emotional reunion, when they realized they'd met once before---in Naples harbor. John Izatt took John Reid to the 1969 FSSF reunion I've alluded to, and John Reid was able to meet a few other participants in the big swim at Naples.
That story truly warms my heart!
Thank you Geoff for the wonderful memories of John!!
Story
Anyway, there is another Edmonton cop who's linked to this tale---John M. Reid. In his book, "All Those Other Guys and Me," John tells of being in charge of the gangplank on the HMCS Prince Henry, as she rode at anchor in Naples harbor, during WW II. One evening, the sentry shouted a warning, as a number of swimmers were observed heading towards the ship. WTF? Enemy saboteurs? It turned out that the swimmers were FSSF members who had grown tired of living in filth on the ground and eating C-rations, and decided they'd swim out to the ship for a real meal and a shower---both of which were generously provided by the sailors.
Years later, completely by coincidence, John Reid bumped into John Izatt in the hallway at Edmonton Police HQ, where they were both now employed. It was an emotional reunion, when they realized they'd met once before---in Naples harbor. John Izatt took John Reid to the 1969 FSSF reunion I've alluded to, and John Reid was able to meet a few other participants in the big swim at Naples.
That story truly warms my heart!
Thank you Geoff for the wonderful memories of John!!
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Herb Langdon
Lieutenant 3-2 Timmins, Ontario |
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Aurele "Frenchy" Levesque
2 Regiment (3 Company) |
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Kenneth Vernon Spears
3-2 Photo and info submitted by granddaughter Tanya Benoit |