Last names starting with F through L
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Irvine Philip Fox
2-2 KIA 05/28/44 Buried at Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy Photos submitted by Great Nephew Ken Farrow Ken stumbled upon a box of his great aunts belongings in which he discovered the photos and V Mail Grave photo taken by Eric Morgensen on FSSF Italy Tour 2010 |
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Robert T. Frederick
Robert T. Frederick was born on March 14, 1907 in San Francisco, California. He attended Staunton Military Academy from 1923 to 1924 and the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1924 to 1928. Upon graduation from West Point, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery. He graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1939. In 1942, as a staff officer serving in the War Department, then-Lieutenant Colonel Frederick was tasked with raising the joint U.S.-Canadian force which became the 1st Special Service Force. The unit, activated on July 9, 1942 at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana, was originally intended for commando operations in Norway, and trained extensively in winter and mountain warfare, as well as hand-to-hand combat and other |
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infantry skills. In April 1943, the unit moved to Vermont for training, first at Camp Bradford and then at Fort Ethan Allen. The Norway mission was cancelled, however, and the 1st Special Service Force was sent instead to the Aleutian Islands in July 1943. It returned to the continental United States in September, and then left in October for the European theater.
Frederick's men arrived in Casablanca in French Morocco in November 1943 and quickly moved to the Italian front. Landing at Naples on November 19, 1943, the 1st Special Service Force went into the line. In December 1943 and January 1944, the 1st Special Service Force conducted a series of operations at Monte la Difensa, Monte la Remetanea, Monte Sammucro (Hill 720) and Monte Vischiataro. After the 1st Special Service Force (or Devil's Brigade) attacked and captured the enemy forces at the impregnable Monte la Difensa, the victory prompted Winston Churchill to declare that Robert Frederick was "the greatest fighting general of all time" and "if we had had a dozen more like him we would have smashed Hitler in 1942".[1]
Frederick was promoted to brigadier general in January 1944. On February 2, 1944, Frederick's men landed at Anzio and went into action along the Mussolini Canal. They were the first Allied troops to enter Rome on June 4, 1944. For valor with the 1st Special Service Force in Italy, Brigadier General Frederick was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the United States Army's second highest valor award. The first award was for actions on January 10–13, 1944 and the second for actions on June 4, 1944. While at Anzio he was wounded a number of times, including two separate wounds on a single day.
On June 23, 1944, Brigadier General Frederick announced he was leaving the unit. He was to be promoted to major general and given command of an ad hoc division-sized airborne formation, the 1st Airborne Task Force, for the invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon). The task force, formed that July, consisted of the British 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade and the U.S. 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, 550th Glider Infantry Battalion, 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion and 460th and 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalions, along with various support units.
Frederick's men arrived in Casablanca in French Morocco in November 1943 and quickly moved to the Italian front. Landing at Naples on November 19, 1943, the 1st Special Service Force went into the line. In December 1943 and January 1944, the 1st Special Service Force conducted a series of operations at Monte la Difensa, Monte la Remetanea, Monte Sammucro (Hill 720) and Monte Vischiataro. After the 1st Special Service Force (or Devil's Brigade) attacked and captured the enemy forces at the impregnable Monte la Difensa, the victory prompted Winston Churchill to declare that Robert Frederick was "the greatest fighting general of all time" and "if we had had a dozen more like him we would have smashed Hitler in 1942".[1]
Frederick was promoted to brigadier general in January 1944. On February 2, 1944, Frederick's men landed at Anzio and went into action along the Mussolini Canal. They were the first Allied troops to enter Rome on June 4, 1944. For valor with the 1st Special Service Force in Italy, Brigadier General Frederick was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the United States Army's second highest valor award. The first award was for actions on January 10–13, 1944 and the second for actions on June 4, 1944. While at Anzio he was wounded a number of times, including two separate wounds on a single day.
On June 23, 1944, Brigadier General Frederick announced he was leaving the unit. He was to be promoted to major general and given command of an ad hoc division-sized airborne formation, the 1st Airborne Task Force, for the invasion of Southern France (Operation Dragoon). The task force, formed that July, consisted of the British 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade and the U.S. 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion, 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, 550th Glider Infantry Battalion, 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion and 460th and 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalions, along with various support units.
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Camille Gagnon
3 Regiment (2 Company) Rank: A/Sergeant Number: D/158509 Award: Silver Star Place: Italy 1944 Additional Information: Canada from Montreal,Quebec |
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C. Garbedian
Techician 4th Class HQ Detachment FSSF Brantford,Quebec,Canada Picture taken on La Difensa |
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Sandy Enos Basil Geldart
2-2 Photo submitted by granddaughter Melissa Cummings |
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John S Gibbon
1 Regiment (1 Company) Rank: Sergeant Number: G/153501 Date Of Death: 28th November 1943 Age: 20 Gravesite: Naples War Cemetery,Italy III.E.16 Additional Information: Canada born 18.7.1923 Saint John,New Brunswick son of James Arnold and Eva Marian Gibbon,Fredericton,New Brunswick Killed when bazooka exploded during a test fire in Santa Maria,Italy |
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Joe M Glass
It is hard for me to put up this spot with so little to share about Joe. I was able to meet up with Joe and Mark Radcliffe in March of 2008 and forgot to take a picture with them. He was at my grandfathers funeral and spent some time with me which I appreciate more than he will ever know. If you have seen ANY documentary or read ANY book on the Force you most likely have heard from Joe Glass. Thank you Joe for all of your service and your willingness to share your experiences in the Force. I am proud to say that I have met Joe and that he was friends with my Grandfather Herb Goodwin. I hope you enjoy this small honor to Joe Glass. |
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Joe Glass was born in Sarnia, Ontario, in 1920. He quit school his sophomore year, and at the age of 17 became a steamboat deckhand on the Great Lakes. In 1940 he joined the Canadian Army in Chattum, Ontario.
Glass, who was a bayonet instructor at Ottawa, volunteered for a "suicide mission" so "he could get into combat quicker."
That mission was the First Special Service Force.
During his FSSF training at Fort Harrison, Glass met and became buddies with another Devil's Brigade member, Lorin Waling. The two were best men at each other's weddings, and went on to become lifelong friends.
Assigned to 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, Glass received his baptism of fire in December 1943, during the FSSF's legendary midnight assault up the cliffs of Mount la Difensa in southern Italy.
In an exchange on la Difensa with a German sniper, he was injured when a round from a 9mm shell from a Schmeisser machine gun pistol struck his hand, and when rock chips flew into his face. After the capture of the mountain, the Force had to defend la Difensa against intense mortar fire in sub-zero temperatures.
Next came the siege of the Anzio beachhead, where Glass and Waling were part of the night-time scouting operations near the Mussolini Canal.
During the breakout of Anzio in March 1944, Glass was hit by a mortar.
"A big piece of shrapnel from an '88' went through my chest and out my back. My lung collapsed, it broke all my ribs connected to the backbone and I was paralyzed from the waist down. When I started coughing up blood, I told a friend of mine, 'Say goodbye to my wife and kid.' They picked me up and dragged me out of there, and then another shell hit me in the arm."
He was then transported to the beachhead hospital in a Jeep.
But God was not ready for Joe yet.
In the hospital, the doctors wired his ribs onto his backbone and removed one rib to repair his lungs. Glass returned to Helena on 50-percent disability, working at various jobs over the years, including driving cab for Taylor Taxi, truck driving for Helena Sand and Gravel, tending bar at the Moose Club, selling insurance for Franklin Life and delivering milk for Ernie Krout Dairy.
In about 1958, Glass was part of a group who built and operated the Valley Speedway stockcar race track. He worked for Nalleys Fine Foods from 1959 to 1973, sold cars for Dodge City from 1974 to 1981, and then owned and operated B&J Bingo and Glass's Fish and Chips for about 10 years.
Glass currently resides in Helena.
Taken from the Helena Independant Record http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/08/15/helena/a07081506_02.txt
Glass, who was a bayonet instructor at Ottawa, volunteered for a "suicide mission" so "he could get into combat quicker."
That mission was the First Special Service Force.
During his FSSF training at Fort Harrison, Glass met and became buddies with another Devil's Brigade member, Lorin Waling. The two were best men at each other's weddings, and went on to become lifelong friends.
Assigned to 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, Glass received his baptism of fire in December 1943, during the FSSF's legendary midnight assault up the cliffs of Mount la Difensa in southern Italy.
In an exchange on la Difensa with a German sniper, he was injured when a round from a 9mm shell from a Schmeisser machine gun pistol struck his hand, and when rock chips flew into his face. After the capture of the mountain, the Force had to defend la Difensa against intense mortar fire in sub-zero temperatures.
Next came the siege of the Anzio beachhead, where Glass and Waling were part of the night-time scouting operations near the Mussolini Canal.
During the breakout of Anzio in March 1944, Glass was hit by a mortar.
"A big piece of shrapnel from an '88' went through my chest and out my back. My lung collapsed, it broke all my ribs connected to the backbone and I was paralyzed from the waist down. When I started coughing up blood, I told a friend of mine, 'Say goodbye to my wife and kid.' They picked me up and dragged me out of there, and then another shell hit me in the arm."
He was then transported to the beachhead hospital in a Jeep.
But God was not ready for Joe yet.
In the hospital, the doctors wired his ribs onto his backbone and removed one rib to repair his lungs. Glass returned to Helena on 50-percent disability, working at various jobs over the years, including driving cab for Taylor Taxi, truck driving for Helena Sand and Gravel, tending bar at the Moose Club, selling insurance for Franklin Life and delivering milk for Ernie Krout Dairy.
In about 1958, Glass was part of a group who built and operated the Valley Speedway stockcar race track. He worked for Nalleys Fine Foods from 1959 to 1973, sold cars for Dodge City from 1974 to 1981, and then owned and operated B&J Bingo and Glass's Fish and Chips for about 10 years.
Glass currently resides in Helena.
Taken from the Helena Independant Record http://www.helenair.com/articles/2006/08/15/helena/a07081506_02.txt
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Jack Frederick Glenn
1 Regiment (6 Company) Rank: Sergeant Number: C/32030 Date Of Death: 25th December 1943 Age: 21 Gravesite: Cassino War Cemetery,Italy IV.K.12 Additional Information: Canada son of Herbert G. and Jeanette M.Glenn,Brockville,Ontario KIA 25 Dec 1943 Italy |
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Gordon Glew
3rd Comp 1st Regt From London NW5, England DOW - 17 Aug 1944 |
Photo submitted by nephew Neil Kaleal
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Howard W Gray
1-1 (in Burhans) He trained in Camp Hale and was ready to go when they shipped out to Italy. Unfortunately, he broke his ankle in training at the end. He wasn’t allowed to ship out with the rest of his buddies. He was forced to transfer to the 10th Mountain Division where he underwent additional training at Camp Swift, Austin, Texas. He did make it to Italy in the combat engineers for the 10th Mt. Div. They were responsible for clearing the tunnels and roads in northern Italy around the Lake Garda region. His group built the bridge over the Po River which the Germans had bombed as they retreated. He is buried at the Santa Fe VA Cemetery, Feb. 27, 1988. Photo and info submitted by daughter Linda Gray Barbee |
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Donald H Golde
Sergeant 2 Regiment 3 Company Detroit, Michigan |
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S L Goodman
5-1 My Dad broke ribs after his 1st jump, went up again to get it over with, I think he jumped 3 times. He told my son that he jumped out of an airplane 3 times in 1942 and didn't land until 1958. ( He did not get into an airplane again until he flew to Alaska in 1958) Guess they did not need to parachute into Italy. They were prepared for everything. My Dad was turned down for the FSSF the 1st time he applied because he was married. They did not want married men. He applied again, convinced them that Mom was A ok with him joining up and that he was fluent in Icelandic. The powers that be thought he would be an asset when they went into Norway. The Icelandic language is old Norse, the basis of the Scandinavian languages.He was so glad to get into this outfit. Photos and info submitted by daughter Lynne Shelton |
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M. Herbert Goodwin
5-1 in Helena - 6-1 Italy - Hq 2nd Battalion France Herb Goodwin was never wounded in World War II Herb Goodwin was born in Elmira, Ontario, in 1919. He attended six years of` high school — three years basic and three years commercial, which is equivalent to two years of college. Goodwin joined the Army in 1940 in Kitchener, Ontario, and was part of the Scots Fusiliers of Canada. After N.C.O. school in London, Ontario, and Officer Training Center in Gordon Head, British Columbia, Goodwin graduated from Brockville OTC as a 2nd Lt. in July 1942. One of his classmates was Stan Waters, who went on to become a three star Canadian Army General, and later was a senator in Alberta. Goodwin’s first night in Helena he stopped into the Placer Hotel’s Cheerio Lounge and met Doris Porten of East Helena. Eleven months later they were married in Vermont, where the FSSF was training. |
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When the Devil’s Brigade made its famous assault on Mount la Difensa in southern Italy in December 1944, Goodwin was at the base of the mountain assigned to 6th Company, 1st Regiment, 2nd Battalion. They were pinned down along the trail by heavy shell and mortar fire from the lower German outfits, sustaining heavy casualties. During this action, Goodwin lost a carbine, shattered by an enemy round.
After retrieving their casualties, they were sent to the top of la Difensa as reinforcements. Their next battalion mission, from their base at Caserta, was to take Hill 720. Moving at night, they encountered “friendly fire” from U.S. artillery. “We radioed and finally got them to stop shelling, but lost a lot of men first,” Herb recalls.
“After capturing the hill, we then received heavy enemy fire. We lost our company commander on the top.” Goodwin, who became company commander for the conquest of Mount Majo, was hit by machine gun fire in the attack, which went through his backpack, knocking him down.
“My rations were ruined and a bullet went through my flashlight. But it still worked,” he smiles.
When the force assisted in the siege and breakout of Anzio, Goodwin’s company helped capture 120 Nazis. The 6th was one of the lead units to push off the beachhead. Accompanied by some armor, they exchanged fire with some Tiger tanks past Highway 7, and then joined up with French forces on Highway 6 into Rome. Here Goodwin was promoted to captain and executive officer of 2nd Battalion.
Next, during the invasion of southern France, Goodwin recalls that the taking of a medieval fort on Port-Cros was a costly procedure, but they succeeded with the help of dive-bombers and naval gunfire. In the push eastward to the Franco-Italian border, he lost Floyd Schmidt, a friend from his hometown.
After the FSSF broke up, Goodwin became an instructor at Aldershott, England, and then went to London, Ontario. He and Doris came back to Helena in January 1946. Goodwin worked for Unemployment Compensation from 1946-48; McKinnon-Decker Construction from 1948-1953; and the Montana National Guard from 1954-65. He then owned and operated Herb’s Quick Service (across from the Helena Junior High) from 1965-82 before retiring. Although the couple had no children, they helped raise a niece and two nephews. Doris Goodwin passed away in 2000.
Goodwin, who was never wounded, describes his experiences in World War II as “very exciting; it was quite an adventure. One of the worst parts was at graves registration, to identify people. I remember how lucky I felt to still be alive.”
Taken from the Helena Independant Record http://www.helenair.com/articles/2002/08/17/stories/helena/6a1.txt
Curt Synness, an IR staff writer, is a U.S. Navy veteran. He remembers ordering pop and candy from Herb Goodwin at “Herb’s” from 1965-67 while attending Helena Junior High.
After retrieving their casualties, they were sent to the top of la Difensa as reinforcements. Their next battalion mission, from their base at Caserta, was to take Hill 720. Moving at night, they encountered “friendly fire” from U.S. artillery. “We radioed and finally got them to stop shelling, but lost a lot of men first,” Herb recalls.
“After capturing the hill, we then received heavy enemy fire. We lost our company commander on the top.” Goodwin, who became company commander for the conquest of Mount Majo, was hit by machine gun fire in the attack, which went through his backpack, knocking him down.
“My rations were ruined and a bullet went through my flashlight. But it still worked,” he smiles.
When the force assisted in the siege and breakout of Anzio, Goodwin’s company helped capture 120 Nazis. The 6th was one of the lead units to push off the beachhead. Accompanied by some armor, they exchanged fire with some Tiger tanks past Highway 7, and then joined up with French forces on Highway 6 into Rome. Here Goodwin was promoted to captain and executive officer of 2nd Battalion.
Next, during the invasion of southern France, Goodwin recalls that the taking of a medieval fort on Port-Cros was a costly procedure, but they succeeded with the help of dive-bombers and naval gunfire. In the push eastward to the Franco-Italian border, he lost Floyd Schmidt, a friend from his hometown.
After the FSSF broke up, Goodwin became an instructor at Aldershott, England, and then went to London, Ontario. He and Doris came back to Helena in January 1946. Goodwin worked for Unemployment Compensation from 1946-48; McKinnon-Decker Construction from 1948-1953; and the Montana National Guard from 1954-65. He then owned and operated Herb’s Quick Service (across from the Helena Junior High) from 1965-82 before retiring. Although the couple had no children, they helped raise a niece and two nephews. Doris Goodwin passed away in 2000.
Goodwin, who was never wounded, describes his experiences in World War II as “very exciting; it was quite an adventure. One of the worst parts was at graves registration, to identify people. I remember how lucky I felt to still be alive.”
Taken from the Helena Independant Record http://www.helenair.com/articles/2002/08/17/stories/helena/6a1.txt
Curt Synness, an IR staff writer, is a U.S. Navy veteran. He remembers ordering pop and candy from Herb Goodwin at “Herb’s” from 1965-67 while attending Helena Junior High.
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Please visit the wonderful page that Thomas' grandson Nathan has made in honor of his grandfather.
http://web.mac.com/nathangordon/Memorial/Thomas_Coy_Gordon.html |
Thomas Coy Gordon
Unit: 2 Regiment (1 Company) Rank: Lieutenant (A/Captain) Number: Award: Silver Star Place: Italy 1944 Additional Information: Canada from St Catherines,Ontario born Welland,Ontario son of Lt Ross Alexander and Mary Adele Gordon educated St Andrew's College (2 years) educated Queen's University (Lt,OTC) FSSF 1942-44 WIA 1944 Rome 1 Canadian Parachute Bn 1945 (Major) postwar studied University of Toronto investment councillor postwar married Helen McCormick 1945 (3 children) died August 1979 |
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Palmer O Griffiths
Here is what Palmer has to say about his grandfather Palmer O. Griffiths My Grandfather Palmer O. Griffiths served in the FSSF and last year he was awarded the Bronze Star from the United States Government. He was hq det 1st rgt. Sadly he passed away March 29,2008.I was very close to him and will miss him alot.Unlike my friends I got to meet my Grandfather and he shared some of his stories with me of his time in the Black Devils.I'm very grateful for what he and the other men in the FSSF did to help defeat Nazi tyranny. |
Photo submitted by Palmer Griffiths. Grandson who happens to be named after his grandfather.
Menton, France 1944
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Story
As for Stories my Grandfather told me snippets of things.He said that one time he and another guy were sent out on a night patrol and to fix a broken phone line.They thought they found the line but here it was the wrong one.It turned out they found the one that belonged to the Germans and followed it right into the German lines.He said that he and his buddy had to lay low for a while and hide because the place was crawling with a bunch of Panzer tanks and German troops all over the place. I think he found out too that they were SS.I'm not sure of what regiment or division they were or belonged to.Anyhow he said that they were hiding behind rocks and brush if I remember correctly.He said they cut the German communication line and managed to get out of there unscathed.
Thank you Palmer for submitting info about your grandfather!!!
As for Stories my Grandfather told me snippets of things.He said that one time he and another guy were sent out on a night patrol and to fix a broken phone line.They thought they found the line but here it was the wrong one.It turned out they found the one that belonged to the Germans and followed it right into the German lines.He said that he and his buddy had to lay low for a while and hide because the place was crawling with a bunch of Panzer tanks and German troops all over the place. I think he found out too that they were SS.I'm not sure of what regiment or division they were or belonged to.Anyhow he said that they were hiding behind rocks and brush if I remember correctly.He said they cut the German communication line and managed to get out of there unscathed.
Thank you Palmer for submitting info about your grandfather!!!
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James Emmett Guerin
Hq Det 1 Regt Peterborough, Ontario - DOW 28 May 1944 Photos and info submitted by James 1st cousin Jim Hawley. |
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Clarence Norman Guynup
2 Regiment (4 Company) Rank: Private Number: M/105942 Date Of Death: 3rd October 1944 Age: 20 Gravesite: Mazargues War Cemetery,Marseilles,France Plot 3 Row D Grave 25 Additional Information: Canada son of Clarence Norman and Blanche Guynup,Delburne,Alberta KIA 3 Oct 1944 France L. Durant, 4-2, states that he was near Guynup when a mortar round hit close to them and killed Guynup. He says the Force was on the move and he couldnot retrieve Guynups body. (No man left behind was their unspoken motto) |
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Derrick Wilfred Haney
1 Regiment (6 Company) Rank: Private Number: A/17116 Award: Canadian Efficiency Medal Place: France 1944 |
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John J Hankes
Sergeant 2 Regiment (5 Company,2 Bn) Hastings, Minnesota |
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James F Harris
1 Regiment (5 Company) Ironton, Ohio former 1 Ranger Bn (Company B) married Brenda (7 children) died 24.8.2002 |
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Geoffrey A.W. Hart
2nd Regt 1st Company Dawson Creek, B.C. Bronze Star - Colleferro July 9th 1944 Died April 27th, 1966 at Hudson's Hope B.C. Photo submitted by son John Hart |
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Frank A Harvey
Frank died of wounds (DOW) on Jan. 8, 1944 He was wounded on Jan 4th, 1944 with 2 gun shot wounds to the abdomen, but he managed to walk back down the mountain till he reached some stretcher bearers, then taken to hospital where he died of his wounds on the 8th. S.Sgt. Frank A. Harvey 1st Company 3rd Regiment from Moncton New Brunswick Born April 13th ,1916. Left Moncton for Helena on night of Aug 26,1942. Received his wings on Sept 5th, 1942. Originally with the St.John Fusiliers. DOW 8 Jan 1944 Thank you to Mary Bhagan for the info and pictures |
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Earl Thomas Hawkins
3-3 From Calgary, Alberta KIA 12/6/43, Buried in Cassino War Cemetary Photos submitted by Ken Gallagher |
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Rowland Haydon Hawkyard
Hq Det 3rd Regt Toronto, Ontario Photos submitted by daughter Marianne |
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Albert (Bert) Hopkins
2-2 ToberMory, Ontario Photos and info submitted by Bert's friend Jim Cosgrove. |
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Roy Hudson
3-3 Vancouver, British Columbia |
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Hugh H Hutton
Maintenance Company from Turner, MT Photo submitted by son Rowlie Hutton |
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Norman Joseph Ingram
Norman lived in Winnipeg and enlisted in the Canadian Army on 16 April, 1942. Norman saw service with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment in the Italian Campaign before joining the FSSF. Norman volunteered for the First Special Service Force as a replacement for losses suffered during the push to Rome. He was officially taken on strength by the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion on 23 June, 1944. His name appears on the replacement list dated 5 July, which includes the names of all the replacements that joined at that time. This list was made to record the fact that all these men had signed the Force declaration when they joined. While with the First Special Service Force, Norman was a member of 5 Company 1 Regiment (5-1) (according to the Burhans book, which erroneously has him listed as H.J. Ingram). |
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Upon disbandment of the FSSF, Norman was assigned to the Perth Regiment, with whom he finished the War.
Along with several pictures of Norman during his FSSF tenure, I have included a picture of an original FSSF V-Mail which he sent home to his mother, as well as a modern picture of his “coming home” uniform, which still wears the FSSF patch on the sleeve.
Norman passed away in 1990
Photos and Info submitted by Grandson in Law
Craig Baron
Along with several pictures of Norman during his FSSF tenure, I have included a picture of an original FSSF V-Mail which he sent home to his mother, as well as a modern picture of his “coming home” uniform, which still wears the FSSF patch on the sleeve.
Norman passed away in 1990
Photos and Info submitted by Grandson in Law
Craig Baron
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Victor A Coja (Innanen)
KIA - 11 Jan 1944 1 Regt 3rd Company Toronto, Canada Vic was only 15 when he joined the military under his real name Innanen. He was kicked out after when they found out his true age, and rejoined later still at the age of 15 under his mother's maiden name Kojo. But the military wrote it incorrectly and from then on it was Coja. Photos submitted by Vic's Nephew Colin Gomez |
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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 submitted by friend 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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Charles F Johnson
1 Regiment (6 Company) Rank: First Sergeant Number: 7060861 Gravesite: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery,Italy Plot G Row 9 Grave 28 Additional Information: USA from Mountain Grove, Wright County,Missouri KIA - 25 Dec 1943 Italy |
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Freddie J Johnson
2 Regiment (2 Company) Radicosa,Italy Jan.1944 Posing with M1941 Johnson light machine gun from Chivington, Colorado |
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Harold "Ted" Johnson
4-2 South Saint Paul, Minnesota Photos submitted by granddaughter Tricia |
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Clement A Kea
1922 - present Was a member of Svc Co Remained in service and became an artillery instructor. Also served in Korean War and Vietnam. Photos submitted by daughter Susan Kea Morris |
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James Keleher
Sergeant St John, New Brunswick Photo of James being awarded the Silver Star by General Mark Clarke submitted by nephew Sean Keleher |
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Frank L Kelly
Staff Sergeant 3 Regiment (6 Company) Baldwin Park, California photo submitted by his grandson Bryan DeBolt |
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Kenneth W Kelly
2 Regiment (5 Company) Rank: Corporal Award: Bronze Star Additional Information: from Carlisle,Pennsylvania former 4 Ranger Bn (Company B) 4 Bronze Stars died 5.7.2003 |
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Joseph Kostelec
2 Regiment (1 Company) Rank: Lieutenant Number: Date Of Death: 4th March 1944 Age: 23 Gravesite: Cassino Memorial,Italy Panel 15 Additional Information: Canada son of Joseph and Katherina Kostelec husband of Phyllis V.Kostelec,Calgary,Alberta MIA - 4 March 1944 - Italy |
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Cyril V Krotzer
Staff Sergeant 3 Regiment (HQ Det) Picture in Anzio April 1944 From Arlington, Virginia |
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Herb Langdon
Lieutenant 3-2 Timmins, Ontario |
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O. A. Larson
Dominion City, Manitoba Pictures and info submitted by his son Dayeton Larson |
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Medric Joseph LeBlanc
Born Oct 6 1923 raised in Saint John N.B. After being struck off strength of the New Brunswick Rangers, summer of 42 and waiting in Halifax for overseas shipment he volunteered for the force and arrived in Helena Montana in August 1942. Initially assigned to 4th company, 3rd regiment, then after radio training to 2nd battalion headquarters,3rd regiment(as a T-4) in communications . Wounded in Anzio laying a phone line when hit in the right arm February 14 1944 classified as a 40% disability. Photo and info submitted by son Thomas LeBlanc |
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Glenn Lee
Staff Sergeant Award: Croix de Guerre (Fr) Place: France 1944 |
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Joseph Conrad LeGault
Rank: Lieutenant 2-3 Award: Silver Star Italy 1944 Ottawa, Ontario 1944 |
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Aurele "Frenchy" Levesque
2 Regiment (3 Company) |
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Cecil W Littster
Private Number: B/131211 Award: Silver Star Place: Italy 1944 Additional Information: Canada from Sudbury,Ontario Last name is spelled Littster with 2 T's in the Burhans book. If you knew or are related to Cecil please let me know how it was actually spelled |
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Alec Edward Lyle
Sergeant C65528 Canada 2 Regiment (4 Company) died 1985 From Bowmanville, Ontario Photos given to him by Alec's son John |
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