This Page Last Modified: Friday April 25, 2003

New messages are placed at the top of this page - - -
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Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 11:46:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Lois Tussing <lil_lo_tussing@yahoo.com>
Subject: Ft. Devens

My name is Lois Kelso-Tussing. My father Guy Edward (Eddie) Tussing was stationed at Ft. Devens in 63'. He's shared his scrap book with my son and myself many times an has a lot of wonderful memories from there. He was with Co. A, 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf. 5th Div. During his stay there he drove an A-14, A-11, and a A-3 Jeep which ended up transferring with him to Hq. Co 2/2 for 2nd Lt. Lynch at Camp Drum N.Y.

I've read the letters that others have sent in to you about there time stationed there and friends that they were looking for. I wish all of them the best of luck. I think it's great that someone took the time to care about others giving them the chance an ability to keep in touch. That's something people now days don't do anymore.I wanted to thank you for the time that you did put forth during your work on the Fort Devens photo page/mail bag. You did a wonderful job and on my fathers behalf thank you again!! If there's anything I could do to help you continue this project please let me know.

I know I've more then likely caught you a little late for this, but I'm looking for a few guys my dad was stationed there with. If you or anyone else for that matter have any suggestions as to how I could find out there current were about s or anyone he might have been stationed there with, I would appreciate it.

The four Ohio boys- Walter Schall, Jerry Morris, Jack Snay, my father was the fourth.
Also looking for Willie Poole, Pvt. Trail (Maryland), Pvt. Dill Talmage and PFC Ron Buss.

I would love to put my father in touch with at least one of the guys from the "Good old days". I would be more then happy to help anyone out who is looking for information about Ft. Devens during the time my father was stationed there. I can be contacted via e-mail at the below address.
I wish you well Bill!

Thanks again,
Lois Tussing
lil_lo_tussing@yahoo.com
Cable, Ohio
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-- Christine Greenthaner cgreenthaner@mail.com wrote:
Dear Mr. Simons--

First of all, thanks for your page. I have been visiting it off and on for a couple of years now, and always enjoy the updates.

I am writing with a somewhat unusual request.
I live in Australia, daughter of German migrants to this country. My father was a Prisoner of War of the US, captured towards the end of the war at the end of the battles in the Huertgen Forest. He spent a year (April 45-April 46) in the PW Camp at Fort Devens, before being sent to England, where he spent a further two years.

Since the advent of the internet, he has been very keen to see photos of the Fort Devens he knew during his time there. He did several kinds of work while he was there, including gardening, laundry work and work as a KP.

I have tried all avenues I know to obtain a good map of Devens at that time. Dad has been keen to see a map, on which he could identify the camp and the various locations in which he worked.

Unfortunately, I have only been able to get very sketchy maps, and no one has been able to mark out various locations for me. Dad remembers being in a camp with double-storey timber barracks. He said they could climb out of the upstairs windows and sit on the "skirt" around the building (a verandah roof) and watch sports being played in a sports field over the fence.

I am wondering whether, if I were to mail you a map, you might be able to mark places on it for me?

ALSO - would there be any photos among the many on your page, which show the area which was used as the PW camp during WW2? I have seen photos with double-storey wooden barracks, even some in front of an open field. If I pointed you to these, might you be able to identify them for me?
..... snip .....
I would appreciate any help you can give me very much.

With best regards,
Christine Greenthaner
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Bill Simons <billsimons@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 12:04:39 -0800 (PST)
To: Christine Greenthaner <cgreenthaner@mail.com>
Subject: Re: Fort Devens photo page/Christine Greenthaner

My recollections of the six months or so that I spent at Devens in 1959 are very sketchy at best. Most of my time was spent in the wooden barracks of the type you
mention and going to the training areas and to town.
I have not seen any maps of the period 1945-1960 that might be of some help to you.

I'll add a copy of your letter to the Mailbag page and would be happy to post a copy of your map as well in the hope that someone out there might recall the various areas of the base and how they were used in 1945.
=============================================================
Dear Bill --
..... snip .....
I would be grateful if you would post the map I am sending as an attachment. I hope that it will work in the format I am sending. I have marked in red the area which a larger map I own named as the "POW Camp". On this other map, I notice the position of Rogers' Field in relation to this region, and am thinking this would correlate with my father's story of watching sports from the porch roofs.

Could you point out to me where your barracks were situated at the time you were there? I realise that '59 was long ago, and 6 months not so long a stay.

When I contacted the Freedom's Way Heritage Association, who are setting up a museum at Devens, the person told me that there were no 2 storey wooden barracks there. So I guess they were demolished in time. I am also attaching a photo, from your page - there is a sports field with such barracks behind. Any hope of identifying these?

I thank you for any and all help you (or anyone else!) could give me.

Best wishes,

Christine
======================================================================Bill Bill Simons writes: Unfortunately, I could not be of any help to Christine in her search. It's just been too long and my memory has not improved with age.
Click HERE to see the map that she sent. If anyone can be of help, please contact Christine directly via email at cgreenthaner@mail.com.
===========================================================
From: "Archie Keihn" akeihn@msn.com
Subject: Fort Devens
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 06:25:57 -0500

I served at Fort Devens from Febuary 60 to April 61 with the 11th Ord co.Would sure like to hear from some of the guys I was with, having trouble locating any on people search.like to hear from Ronald Kersey,Terry Mitchell,Ed Blouser and any of the others that were there at that time.

Robert ( Archie) Keihn
Email akeihn@msn.com
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Bill Simons writes: My apologies to Chas Inman. I received his message, printed below, on Dec. 9th but managed to "misplace" it for 3 weeks while undergoing some computer problems.
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Date: Mon, 9 Dec 2002 14:56:45 -0500
Subject: Ft Devens
From: charles a inman phatdrum@juno.com

I just stumbled on this site--WOW!!
The flash back of memories that it has offered me.
I was stationed there from late 1986 to early 1987 for MI training (33P).
What a wonderful experience it was!!
Ft Devens was unlike any military base I have ever been stationed. I was a member of Alpha Company (also known as the "Alpha-holics"...don't know if that was such a good thing) unfortunately I don't remeber the Battalion/Brigade number.
I was fresh out of basic training and out of an atmosphere of "Drill Sergeants". We were among the last of the AIT's not to have DI's in charge of us (we were probably the reason they placed DI's there!! (ha/ha) It was a great laid back experience...more like college than the Army. We had our duties to accomplish but after that it was our time.
Man, did we have a good time. It was such a small intimate base...nothing in comparison to the large bases I would later be stationed at. I remember just hiking through the woods at Ft. Devens and coming across the small ankle to knee high stone "fences" which I learned was the way they used to mark personal property as far back as colonial times.
The winters were really cold (especially being a Florida boy) and the summer was so hot (even being a Florida boy). It always made it interesting marching to Hale Hall for classes and back to the barracks.
As well as attending AIT there I also joined the sport parachute club there on base (taught by some of the members of the Special Forces stationed there at the time) we used to jump from the Pepperell (spelling?) drop zone there in Massachussetts. That was an incredible experience and to be trained by such elite members of the Army was an experience never to forgotten. I'm so proud to have been a part of Ft. Deven's long military history; thank you for providing this site...you've given alot of forgotten memories back to me.

RIP Ft Devens.
Have A Great Day and God Bless!!
Charles (Chas) Inman
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Bill Simons writes: The link shown below for an "058 Christmas card " was sent along by Floyd Roberts. It originally came with a morse code introduction which infortunately could not be transferred onto this web page. Click below to see the card.

An 058 Christmas card
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From: raek@HUA.ARMY.MIL
Subject: Pictures of Devens
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 13:33:09 -0700

I am looking for a good color picture of Hale Hall, where 33's were trained. This is for a man named Otis Wilbon who I think was Gen. George Washington's personal technician. Seriously, If you can help me out it would be great. Mr. Wilbon is retiring after 49 years of service.

SFC Keith A. Rae
NCOIC, Windows NT
(520) 538-6526
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From: Lrdan4th@aol.com
Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 11:24:11 EST
Subject: Robert Goddard Memorial

I was stationed at Devens in 1971. I was on a crew, one day, that mowed the grass around what, I believed, was the grave of Robert Goddard.
I now understand that Goddard is buried in Worcester.
Can anyone tell me what the Goddard monument is at FT Devens and if it is
still there?

Thanks
Lloyd. R. Danforth
lrdan4th@aol.com
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From: "Stuart & Ann McKay" <samckay@attbi.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 14:13:06 -0400

I am trying to find a friend of mine's birth parents.
He was born at Fort Devens on August 30, 1971 and adopted through Catholic Charities. We don't know anything about his birth parents and I'm hoping someone can help me ... my friend is tall and very blonde, green eyes, cleft chin - if anyone remembers someone who was maybe at Fort Devens around 1971 and can supply me with any information, that would be helpful.

You can email me at darrah48@hotmail.com
Thank you!
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Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 11:29:04 -0400
Subject: Fort Devens
From: "D. DiMatteo" <ddimatte@twcny.rr.com>

Hi!
I was at Devens from Sept. 55 to March 56. Spent the next 2 years at Sobe Camp. Would like to hear from any one who was at Devens during that period.
My best friend, Bill Hoadley (we had consecutive S.N.'s, died this past summer.
He spent his 2 years, after Devens, in Korea.

Dick DiMatteo, MOS 058
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From: "Robert Haddad" rhaddad@peoplepc.com
Subject: looking for old buddies
Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 19:13:24 -0700

I WAS STATIONED AT FT DEVENS FROM NOV 1959 TO SEPT 61
523 TRUCK CO AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND THREE OLD BUDDIES
NORBERT LEWANDOWSKI FROM BUFFALO N Y
DINO BONACORE FROM BROOKLYN N Y AND
RONNIE DEVANE FROM OHIO I THINK ?

WE WERE ALL IN ARMOURED PERSONELL CARRIER DRIVERS
ACTUALLY ANYBODY FROM MY COMPANY WOULD BE NICE TO CONTACT AGAIN !!
IF ANYONE KNOWS THERE WHERE ABOUTS PLEASE CONTACT ME
IT WOULD BE NICE TO TALK TO THEM AGAIN

THANK YOU !!!
ROBERT HADDAD LOS ANGELES CAL
AT EMAIL RHADDAD@PEOPLEPC.COM
============================================================
Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2002 09:55:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Paul Melanson" sunevi@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Camille Alfred Melanson

If anyone out there remembers working with Camille Melanson (known to his friends as "Joe") who worked in procurement, drop me a line.
.....
Dad worked in procurement both as active duty military and in civil service. He
retired from civil service in the early 1990's. He was working at Devens at this time.
================================================================
From: "Jodi Nash" <jnash@topechelon.com>
To: billsimons@yahoo.com
Subject: Fort Devens Mug
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 16:10:13 -0400

My wife's Grandparents have recently passed away and I came across this gold rimmed Army coffee mug form Fort Devens. I do believe my Grandfather In-law was a cook in the US Army around the time of WWII and later.
Was this mug standard issue, and does it have much value? Also is there any records I could tap into to see if he was stationed there? I would appreciate any info, before I decide to get rid of the mug.
Great site, very informative to someone who never served in the military.

Thanks!
Brad Nash
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Simons replied:
Hi Brad,
Not sure about the mug but think that it might be a souvenir or special event item issued by one of the enlisted men's/NCO clubs on base at the time.
The Department of Defense has a web site where you can probably order a copy of your wife's grandfather's army records. It should list all the army bases at which he was stationed as well as a lot of other information. Family members can order these records for a nominal fee ($10-$20?).
I'll post your message on the Mailbag page and perhaps someone will contact you about the mug.
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From: "John Blankenberg" <mventur1@rochester.rr.com>
Subject: Fort Devens
Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 18:46:58 -0400

Hi Bill, I was stationed in fort devens in 1960 - 1962 .
I was attached to the fifth field medical hospital as a medic.
Do you remember the old hospital . I often wonder what happened to the fifth ?
John Blankenberg
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Bill Simons replies: My memory is a blank about the 5th Field Medical hospital, can anyone else help out John here?
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From: SeascoKidd@aol.com
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 2002 22:45:59 EDT
Subject: (no subject)

bill chenard. I was in the 196th lt inf brig, 3rd btn, 82 artillery "c'' barty.

I began at fort devens in oct 65 to july of 67. I was in Vietnam too.
Thanks and thank you bill,

bill chenard
=================================================================
I don't have the time nor background to get involved in a project such as that described below. If one of you, our loyal visitors is interested, please go ahead and contact Tiffany Howe and good luck.

Bill Simons - Manager - Fort Devens web site.
=======================================================
Subject: Arcadia Publishing
To: billsimons@yahoo.com
From: thowe@arcadiapublishing.com
Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 15:18:48 -0400

Dear Mr. Simons,

My name is Tiffany Howe and I am the acquisitions editor for Arcadia Publishing's military history series. We are most popularly know for our Images of America Series which focuses on telling local town and community histories through photographs and approximately 10,000 words of text. I am writing because of my interest in publishing a book on the history of Fort Devens.

My hope is that you might be interested in this opportunity. I was reading an article in the Heliogram about plans to develop different building wings that tell the history. In the past we have published such titles as Fort Dix, Fort Ontario, Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Volume I and II, and Fort Monroe. I believe that the history of Fort Devens would be very successful within the series, and could be a great and timely addition to the renovations on site.

I would love to send you some information about Arcadia, our publishing procedures, and the series. Please, let me know if you or someone you know would enjoy getting involved with this book project. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Howe
Acquisitions Editor
Arcadia Publishing
224 State Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
telephone: (603) 436-7610
fax: (603) 436-7611
thowe@arcadiapublishing.com
www.arcadiapublishing.com
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Date: Mon, 01 Apr 2002 11:42:02 -0500
From: "GeorgeBaldwin" enjunier@optonline.net
Subject: 5th Div

Hi, I am trying to track down the deployment of the 2nd BDE, 5th Inf Div, which was based at Ft Devens from 1962 to ?. Was this a training brigade or were they part of the garrison? What were the subordinate units (i.e., 2/61 INF; 5/4 Arty; X Company, 7th Engineers, etc). I would appreciate any information which you may have, or pointers to where I might be able to obtain information. The Society of the 5th Division claims that the Brigade was never there. Center for Military History has no information.

Thanks George Baldwin
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From: "steven f. rothert" <sroth@siscom.net>
Subject: A.S.A. Fort Devens, Mass.
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 19:00:09 -0500

Stationed at Fort Devens from 6/67 thru 12/67 for AIT as a 98 B. Oh by the way , my name is Steve Rothert. Hated all those non ASA officers, who when we had to salute them and say ASA and of instead of saying "all the way", they would say "sucks". Well those grunt officers were probably fragged in NAM. Many great friends at Devens, ( Steve Owens, Fred Roundtree, John Mortenson, Jim Wilson, and others ) . I went to Okinawa for our first overswas duty with these guys. Also, stationed in Korea with the 177th. Didn't have a car, so soon learned how to get out the back fence and walk the shorter distance to town along the R.R. tracks. Hitch-hiked into Boston with only enough money for the bus fare back , just to see the big city. Yes, I was just a "good old country boy", fresh out of corn country Ill. Remember going to some of those USO type dances they would have, " forget it!". Seems like I'm writing a book, so I'm stopping.
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From: "Angela Kimberley" <Carbie34@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 2 Mar 2002 00:12:15 EST
Subject: Help!!!!!!

Hi. My name is Angela, I am Looking for any info on the lease and/or sale of the pieces of land that became (Camp) Fort Devens...My Grandfathers great uncle sold or leased part of his land to the Army for Fort (Camp) Devens. I would like to find documents for proof ...I am writing a Family history Book on The Gardner Family, and that info would make a great addition to our family history....Any info, please E-mail me at : carbie34@aol.com.

Thank you, Angela Kimberley
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From: "Phillips" phillipsca@sbcglobal.net
Subject: Camp Devens fringed pillow cover
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2002 12:27:48 -0800

I was never stationed at Fort Devens, although I was in the Air Force and my husband is from Massachusetts. While living in New Hampshire in 1984 I purchased an antique cedar chest from a nice lady who was moving to a retirement home. In the cedar chest were many hand finished linens and doilies. There was also a Camp Devens fringed pillow case. I am looking for more info about the pillow case. It is in storage right now, as we have just moved to California and have not moved into a house. If anyone is interested in the pillow case or has info on it please let me know.
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From: "Decoste, David" ddecoste@opm.sppn.af.mil
Subject: Fort Devens
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002 20:04:20 +0300

Hello Bill,

First of all thanks for putting together the Fort Devens Photo Page. I came
across your site while looking for a map of Fort Devens on the Internet.
I was among the "Last of the Mohicans" to serve on the active Fort Devens,
signing into post in late November 1995. I was fortunate (and had to maneuver the action through PERSCOM) to be assigned to the Readiness Group at Fort Devens, one of the few active duty units to remain after the closing ceremony in 1996. It was a great mid-career assignment for a senior Captain/Junior Major. The unit was basically tasked with training the Guard and Reserve throughout New England. It was staffed entirely with senior NCO's and Officers; easily among the most professional units I have been assigned to.

The active Army units now at Fort Devens include the Training Support Brigade (a successor to the Readiness Group); the New England Corps of Engineers, the New England ROTC Brigade and a Criminal Investigation Unit: a far cry from what was once there.

From what I hear, the 10th Group is happy out to Fort Carson, though the MI/SIGINT folks are much less so in Arizona. It is tough to say that being in the middle of the desert in a glorified trailer park is any improvement over being in Central New England.

It 's a shame that Fort Devens is closed for good; unlike Fort Dix, which was basically mothballed, Fort Devens has been sold off and couldn't be activated even if conditions required it. The Army now has next to no presence in New England now and it is next to impossible for anyone from the area to be stationed close to home; this does not help the recruiting/retention mission in the area.

In any case, I'll check around from my contacts back in Ayer for some pictures to add to your site.

v/r

Dave DeCoste
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From: "Harvey Pendergraft" <hdpender@mo-net.com
Subject: Blue Hills outpost of Ft. Devens
Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 21:08:05 -0600

I have been searching for information about the outpost near Melton, Mass.
I was stationed there 1952-54.  Headquarters was Ft. Devens. 

Thanks
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Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 20:16:12 -0800
From: Andrea Olson <cflandocn@turbonet.com>
Subject: Photos

Well Bill I finally got some pictures posted on Military Connections for
Rothwesten Sites. There are a few more of the Devens group that I have in that site also. Hope to get anyone that served in Rothwesten from 65 to 68 to check them out and let me know if they recogonize some of the guys that I have forgotten names to. They may also be interested in some of the Sgts that were there.

Tim Olson
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From: "MADOC ROBERTS" MADOC_BARKINGMAD@btinternet.com
Subject: Chaplain Fly
Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 15:55:24 +0100

Dear All

I am trying to trace Chaplain Fly. I believe his first name was Louis. I am making a documentary film about William Patrick Hitler the UK born nephew of Adolph who fought on the right side in WW2. He served in the US Navy medical corps, Seaman first class and was possibly at Fort Devens. This may have been for demobilization as there is a photograph of him with Chaplain Fry getting his honourable discharge in 1946. I know from Lisa B Roth's page that she was married by a Chaplain Fly it could be the same one. If anyone could give me any information about either Chaplain Fly or William Patrick Hitler I would be most grateful.

Yours sincerely,

Madoc Roberts
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Date: Sun, 09 Sep 2001 16:58:55 -0400
From: "Anthony J. Agostinelli" <ajagostinelli@att.net>
Subject: The Army Band at Fort Devens (1956-1960)

I was never at Fort Devens. Sometime during the period 1956-1960 there was a Army band there. I don't remember what corps it was in or what....however, I am trying to obtain some information about it.....a friend in England is writing a biography of the late trumpeter and band leader, Don Ellis, who played in that band. At least we would like to know something about it.....at the time, he also played in the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, which was nearby at the time.

Can you tell me anything about the band.....and would there be someone
who knew about Don Ellis at the time?

All the best, stay well and in touch,
Tony
================================================================
From: "Rosalind Hodgdon" <rosalindhodgdon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Fort Devens Theater 6 Entertainment Division 1961-1964
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2001

Hi Mr. Simons, Don't really know how to begin. I wasn't stationed at Fort Devens, but I knew a G.I. whose name was Myron "Sully" Sullivan. He had heard me sing at my brother's house in Nashua, New Hampshire. He then got me a try-out to sing for George Grosgritz (not sure of spelling), to see if the Entertainment Division wanted me to perform for the soldiers at theater 6 and the NCO Club at the Crossroads.

Well, they did want me to do that, and I sang there for 3 years in the summers and at special times during the year. I came from Mt. Desert Island, Maine, so it was quite a trip to make every couple of weeks while I was in high school. I just would love to get in touch with some of the entertainers that were there when I was. I certainly can't remember all the names, but here are a few of them. Perhaps you would know how to get in touch with them or could help me get in touch with them myself. I just don't know where to start. I had a lot of pictures, but lost them in a big storm here a long time ago. Back to the names: Bob Walsh, he was the poster and make-up man, Dave Brown, he was a great singer and a super person, Jose Perez, he was a singer and did a beautiful job singing Grenada. A girl named Kathy ?, she sang show tunes, and became a good friend. A girl named Betty, she was a singer. She broke the heel off of her shoe, I loaned her mine. There was a man that was in the orchestra, he gave me the words to a song "Careless Hands". There was a great singing group that called themselves the Dreamweavers--wow, were they ever good. We sang a song together on stage at theater 6, they were really good guys.
Anyway, there were more, but if I could just get in touch with one of them, It would be great. Also, would Fort Devens have any memrobilia from the shows that they had a theater 6, ie, posters, pictures, or news write-ups? My name at that time was Rosalind Smith. A man that played the guitar for me (country music), was Dick Purchase from Arizona.
Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,
I was there in 61-64
Rosalind Hodgdon
================================================================
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000
From: william.lazzell@trw-dcsc.com
Subject: Devens Memories

Oh, Ft. Devens....

I was stationed there from '80 - '83. 642nd Engineer Company. I really enjoyed my time there. We plowed snow in the winter time and built roads, airfields, athletic fields all over New England.

Going to the Wagon Wheel or the Mohawk in Ayer on weekends. I remember back roads from South Post to Shirley. On ARTEP, we would drive our equipment to the local store to buy beer.

One my last projects before I left was building some athletic fields
for a high school (I think it was North Billerica High School).

I was saddened to hear of Ft. Devens closing. I saw the picture of the BX with weeds in the parking lot, and remembered plowing snow on that lot.

Colonel Kater (spelling?) was the Post Commander at the time. I imagine our motor pool is no longer there - I haven't been back for
17 years.

A bunch of us actually went to New Years in New York City one year.
I spent a lot of time in Boston, Salem, and skiing at Killington.

E-mail me if you were there around the same time ... blazzell@hsonline.net

Bill Lazzell
=============================================================
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 12:56:47 -0400
From: "Douglas A. Gwyn" gwyn@arl.mil
Organization: US Army Research Laboratory
Subject: TC&S '71-'74

I was at Ft. Devens from 1971-1974, originally an electronics student (33F), later technically an instructor, although actually I was attached to the Educational Consultant (Dr. Legere) in "Project Miltown", centered around an abandoned CDC 1700 computer that we got working and applied to statistical studies and cryppie training. (Also worked on 05B student record systems on DDP-516s.)

I would like to hear from any of the 98B instructors of that time period, or anyone else who may have known me.

---

Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 12:57:43 -0400
From: bphill7@bellsouth.net
Subject: My Experience at Fort Devens

I arrived at Fort Devens on Sept. 2, 1956. The day before Labor Day. I was told on arriving that I had to have black shoes and boots by the next day. I had to buy all the black shoe polish in the PX as they were out of dye. I got my boots black after about 100 coats of polish. I bought a new pair of black shoes at the PX, and sent the brown ones home to my Dad.

My first full day at Devens, I pulled KP. The next day I pulled Guard Duty. I was told I could got to language school in Calif. or to Morse Code school at Devens. They told me that the language school didn't start for four weeks and I would be at Devens pulling KP and Guard Duty for four weeks. But the Morse Code school started the next Monday. I said I would take Morse Code school. I was there about twenty-two weeks, with my buddies that I had joined the army and went through basic training with, William S. (Bill) Deloach from Claxton, Ga. and Jimmy Thompson from the Savannah, GA area. We finished Morse Code school together, except for Bill and he finished about one week ahead of the rest of us. Bill went to Hawaii, but ended up in Northern Japan, at the 12th US ASA Field Station. Jimmy Thompson went to Germany. I was sent to the Far East and ended up at the 14th US ASA Field Station in Southern Japan.

Bill, Jimmy, and I were great friends. I remember us going to New York and just walking the streets all night. You could drink in NYC at 18 years of age. We liked that. We couldn't do much drinking, as we never had enough money. We got to see a lot of sights in New York. Places like Jack Dempsey's Bar, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. The girls around Ayre seemed to like us southern boys. They liked to hear us talk, said we talked funny. It was funny, because that is what we thought about them.

Once they told me I couldn't down a pitcher of beer without stopping. I did it, but it all came right back up. Bill DeLoach finished first in our class, Jimmy Thompson finished second, and I finished third. I'm still in touch with Bill DeLoach, and Jimmy Thompson.

---

From: "Roger & Ayako" <rowensan@ptway.com>
Subject: Another heard from
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 09:00:57 -0400

Fellow Bearers of Compass Rose and Sword:

I arrived at Devens one frosty January in '61, by way of Logan Airport and its ill-fated Viscount from Detroit (a week later, one crashed into Boston Harbor).
I survived that, Con 4, both its chow and stints of KP, as well as 982 training (fudged on the typing) and was assigned to the 14th, Riviera of Japan.
Met Capt. Jack Chagnon and Sgt Clem Lamb at Devens and was later to serve with them. Always wondered what happened to Dick Schaeffer (sp?) and Bernie Kohler and where they ended up, also the Clark Street Diner in Ayer.
What was the name of the bar just off the main gate that served pitchers of Scheaffer and Narragansett, icy from the tap? Played Zippo shuffleboard there, first tasted Moxie, had a thing for one of the waitresses (tall, long red hair, big...)

Great site, Vigilis Salutis, Troops!
Roger Rowen

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From: "Chuck O'Connell" Omathon@aol.com
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 04:43:11 EDT
Subject: Devens 1960

Gee it was great looking at the pictures of Devens. I was in F company
from April 1960 til Nov 60. 058 first and then 056. I lived in Boston (and still do) at the time so I had the best of both worlds. But I still remember Ayer, the bus stop under that shelter, the Little Club and especially the Wigwam Club. Lord, yes...the Wigwam club. The Carlings 1/2 quart beers were 25 cents and that was even within the price range of us $73 per month soldiers.

I was invited to address a graduating class from the "ditty bop" school in 1990, exactly 30 years after my own graduation. It was a real treat, but rather bittersweet. I couldn't get used to the idea of women in the mix though. Not a bad thing, just seemed strange to me.

Went from Devens to 177th ASA Korea, then to 401st SOD, 7th SF@ Bragg, 313thASA @ Holmstead for Cuban crisis and left Army Jan 1963.

My email is <omathon@aol.com>.

Chuck O'Connell, Boston MA
Devens April-Nov 1960
177th Korea Dec 1960-Mar 1962
401st SOD 7th SF Bragg Ap-Oct 1962
313th Holmstead AFB Oct '62-Jan '63

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From: "Clinton Smith" <Cpop32@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 19:17:04 EDT
Subject: Saying hello to Ft Devens

Hello Bill,
sure was nice reading the mail in the mail room. brings back good memories from the old school ground, was there in Jul 60 to Nov 60 again in 72 and last time was around 74 for 98z school. my name is Clinton Smith and was an 058/98c until I retired in l976 from Berlin, Germany.

some of the old friends at devens was h b hoyt, fred cummings, tony cencotta (spel) and a bunch that i cant remember full names, had tours at Synop, Herzo base, Two rock Ranch, Asmara, Korea, Vietnam, Ft Devens three times, Vent Hill Farms, and El Paso Texas. I am now retired at Cabot, Ark and my E-mail is Cpop32@AOL.Comm. Add is 15 Rockwood, Cabot Ark. 72023 phone 501-9413631. If any of you old ASAers want to give me a call please do.
Tks again Bill and will be looking forward to reading the mail room in the near future.

CUL SK SK SK

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From: "Joe Cowern" Carjoco@aol.com
Date: Sat, 19 Jun 1999 01:12:43 EDT
Subject: Devens

The first time I was there was in the early stages WW2 . My oldest brother shipped out of there and ended up in Africa.
My next trip there was in '56 to attend 981 school in the birdcage, all of us were assigned to CO. A on the hill. We had our own messhall there and I believe the mess Sgt was Rooney, also had a guy cooking by the name of Ed Harp who eventually was my next door neighbor at Two Rock Ranch. Ran into Harp again in Germany as he was my sponsor to Herzo Base.

Went back to Devens in '67 and was instructing 98B until Phu Bai called in '68. Remember well the adventures with the "little people" out in the woods! Anyhow, ended up back in Devens in '76 and retired there in '77. If anyone knows of the people especially Ed Harp would appreciate knowing where he is.
Tks and keep the sites coming.

Regards,
Joe Cowern.

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From: "Ralph R. Thadeus" alpiners@inlink.com
Subject: First ASA unit at Devens?
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 11:01:19 -0500

Picked up your site just by chance searching for 333rd Comm Recon and got a hit on Gene Hyche's "mail bag" message. I think that the 333rd Comm. Recon. was the first ASA operational unit to be stationed at Devens. It was activated in 1950 at Camp Pickett, Virginia, and went to Devens as a PCOS in August of 1951. The 333rd Comm. Recon. Advanced Detachment went to Marks Air Force Base in Nome, Alaska, in October, 1951. The rest of the Company followed in 1952 IIRC.

The 333rd Comm. Recon. has a new site just starting (June 99) to build at:
https://members.tripod.com/~Ralph_Thadeus/333.html

The address IS case sensitive so don't forget the caps or underscore.

Ralph R. Thadeus

In God we trust - all others we monitor

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From: VALDEZ CARLOS A <CARLOS.VALDEZ@KELLY.AF.MIL>
Subject: "My Times"
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 16:58:51 -0500

Bill, Great site!
Was stationed at Devens between Dec73-Aug74. Co.D & B/33C.
Was with the ASA Band (Co.B Bugle Boy)and had a great time except when we were heckled by Vietnam protesters (boy did you want to break ranks!) in some of our parades. But the VFW's ALWAYS took care of us (Beer on the house!) Though I was slightly embarrassed when a few of the "newbees" wanted Coke or Dr Pepper. I tried to make-up for them though.

Also, joined Ft. Devens Sports parachute club and jumped Jan-Mar 74 at some small airport in N.H.. SF were our jump masters and we had a blast. I lost my 110 camera in NH or somewhere!, wish anyone knowing of it let me know, Pics were of a bunch of us ASAers in black SF jumpsuits (Boy, I regret losing that camera to this day!)
Also, Me and Gary Reppetti let off some fireworks (2 M-80's I believe) in front of the WACs barracks some time in Jun or Jul 74 on a late Sunday afternoon. (It was Gary's idea). We picked them up in NY china town and brought them back to the base for fun. (It was at the time). By the way it just scared allot of people and didn't hurt anyone.
Well hope to hear from some of my "Lost Comrades" from Devens73-74, 376th/74-75(Ft Meade), 146th/75-76 (Taegu AB) and 337th/76-77(Ft Riley).

Thanks for the
Memories!

Carlos Valdez
San Antonio, TX.

Looking for James Cameron, and ASA MP's from Ft. Riley(76-77)

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From: "Richard Lapkin" <ralapkin@gte.net>
To: <hland@earthlink.net>, "Robert Mc Knight" <rwmck@mediaone.net>
Cc: "Bass, Graham" <gbass@swbell.net>
Subject: Re: Thanks!
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 1999 23:42:10 -0700

Hello Hank and Graham!!

What I remember of George Van Hoose is his: "Kiss my ass for a big red
apple and then try to get it."

I also remember someone putting Graham's name tag on my jacket, only changing the name to Graham Tunafish, and during an inspection, the Captain (I guess) looking me up and down and saying to me. "Looking pretty sharp there, Tunafish". I about died keeping a straight face.

Does anyone remember Elbert Hubbard "Poogin" Risser from Little Rock, Arkansas? Or did I meet him at Fort Riley?

By the way, I love this stuff - I hadn't thought of this since I ran into Bob in Melbourne Beach, Florida when, after some dozen or so years he remembered my laugh. I still tell that story.

Bob, what you didn't put into your Sgt. Petrie Story on your web site was that, in an attempt to keep myself from laughing, I chewed on the inside of my cheek till it was bloody.

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From: KF120@aol.com
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 21:00:27 EST
To: rwmck@mediaone.net
Subject: Saw your web page

Bob,

Now I think you were 1 week ahead of me at Devens. You sure look the same as the last time I saw you. You know that was 41 years ago. Those were the days at Devens with all that dam snow. I enjoyed looking at the pictures.

I have a lot of pictures of those days up there. from the fall through the winter. I remember on November 11th we had off and it snowed a foot that night.

I spent the afternoon shoveling snow from the side walks at the school. Do you remember them firing that cannon every afternoon right at the school and the bugler blowing his horn. We had MSG O'Halloran to put up with and that was enough. I ran into him on Taiwan in 1958 and he as nice as anyone could be.

He must have hated privates and that was what we were at Devens.

Well Bob keep sending those pictures and messages.

Ken Farmer KF120@AOL.COM

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Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:10:51 -0400
From: Robert Mc Knight <rwmck@mediaone.net>
Subject: More Tales From Devens!

Here are a few quick memories for ya'll:

a) Remember when the Army decided we would be the perfect test animals for the new flu shot? I remember getting in line...we were to roll up our left or right sleeve alternately...and these 'shooters' were on each side shooting every other guy. The guy ahead of me had his right sleeve up, so I rolled my right one up too, GI behind me had his left sleeve rolled up....well, the guy in front got his shot, then skipped me to shoot the guy behind....he told them he'd already got a shot in his left arm (which he did), but the 'shooter' told him to roll up his right sleeve....he did....and he had to go on sick call for an antidote. Me(?), I didn't get a shot or the flu!

b) Who was the guy who fell against the corner of the ping pong table in the rec. room and broke his tail bone? I thought it was Hank, but he say's no....poor guy had one painful injury!

c) I remember watching t.v. in the orderly room (or rec. room, whatever) when a short feature came on about the beaches near my home....I jumped up telling everyone "that's my home town!".....Some of the guys asked..."No kiddin', you're from Port St Joe?"....I was so excited..."Yes, have ya'll been there?".....there was this loud chorus of...."Never heard of the damn place!"

d) Remember Sgt Petrie trying to find out who was throwing the snowballs while we were in formation....and/or marching to school?!

e) Graham Bass and I visited Dick Lapkin's family in the Bronx one weekend....we were on our way to the Empire State Bldg....asking Dick what to expect....He said "How should I know, I've never been there before!" He told us that New Yorkers don't go sightseeing in NYC!

f) Saw two of my all time favorite movies...."Picnic" and "Carousel"! One at Radio City Music Hall....the other at a Boston theater....can't remember which/where....but I've had a lifelong crush on Susan Strasberg (who recently died) and Shirley Jones ever since.

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Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 17:58:50 -0400
From: Robert Mc Knight rwmck@mediaone.net
Subject: Re: More Tales From Devens!

Bill;
Re: Posting my messages on the Devens page...sounds o.k....use your own judgement and editing! You may notice that some of my mail is to/from guys that I mentioned on the page....Hank Land who is in business in Buffalo....Dick Lapkin, retired after years in Hong Kong, living in Santa Monica....Horace Libby (according to a Maine resident who called me claiming to know him as an attorney and political figure in Augusta), died....Alex O'Hare (I called him 'Michael' in one of the photos) has had a stroke, and lives in Norwalk, CT.....I communicate fairly regularly with Graham Bass, Ken Farmer, and Terrell Kingen......nobody knows what happened to George VanHoose. Thanks to your website, we have had a 'rallying point'! FYI, I'll forward a couple of e-mails from the guys....use them 'as' or 'if' you wish!

Bob McK

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From: "Vollman, Gregg" GVollman@prcnet.com
Subject: Evil Echo
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 08:52:27 -0400

Great Webpage. Although I might seem a little wet behind the ears to a lot of your readers (and members), I attended Ft. Devens in March '83 (Company E - Evil Echo). Toured Torii Station, Okinawa, Japan '84-'85 and completed service at Medina Tape Laboratory of Kelley AFB (ASA detachment) San Antonio, Texas '86-'87.

I enjoyed my service as an O5H10. Followed in my father's footsteps when I found out that he used to be an instructor at Ft. Devens (Charles F. Vollman). I believe he was teaching there following the Korean Conflict (War) and was selected by CIA for Embassy service worldwide.

I am interested in finding some of my alumni and hope that you can assist. Again, it seems at though most of your readers are from a more mature generation of ASA members but nevertheless I hope to find them somehow, some way.

Regards,

SP4 Gregg E. Vollman
gevollman@yahoo.com
(gvollman@prcnet.com)

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Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 17:05:04 -0500
From: Robert Mc Knight <rwmck@mediaone.net>
Subject: Re: Scanned Photos!

I sent the page to a couple of Devens comrades that contacted me
recently....Now I'll have to get busy scaring up some more pics and somewar stories to go with them.
......BTW, the Army gradually fazed out our Ike jackets and brown shoes just prior to my exit.....Never issued any new stuff, but did give us some black shoe dye. We used to refer to ourselves as "the last of the brown-shoe Army!"
I'll be back with some reminiscing soon! Maybe we can scare up some of the ol' codgers!

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Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 13:06:49 -0500
From: Robert Mc Knight <rwmck@mediaone.net>
Subject: Ft Devens Training

Hi! I was a displaced Florida native boy in 058 school; Sept55-Mar56!
What a winter! Made wonderful friends who took me home to visit in
Gray, Maine; NYC; Buffalo; and loved the kind citizens of Leominster, Lowell, Fitchburg, Ayer, and Boston who made my stay so memorable!
Thanks for the memories!
Bob McKnight
Jacksonville, FL
rwmck@mediaone.net
rwmck@usa.net

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Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 11:03:34 +0000
From: Lisa Roth rothcrew@earthlink.net
Subject: Fort Deven's memories

Hi,
Just happened upon this site and am so happy I did. What great memories it brought back. I had to take out my old photo albums to see if I had any pictures you could use. I might find one of the barracks I stayed in. I, along with many other women, were in G company. My husband was in B company. We knew each other exactly 6 months when we married in the chapel on post.
In May, we will celebrate our 25th anniversary.

I was at Deven's from November '73 to July '74, when I was sent to Thailand. I trained as an 05H and then 05D. I have some pics of the parties we had. I remember the Wagon Wheel and the place up the road a ways.....darn, wish I could remember the name!.....great times were had there!

Lisa (Bowman) Roth
Sp4 USASA 9/73-9/76

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Date: Sat, 02 Jan 1999 00:10:54 -0800
From: "Tino 'Chui' Banuelos" apuwai@hotmail.com
Subject: Link Hi Bill,

Happy New Year!

Thanks for the link to my page. I'll be setting one up to your page from mine pretty quick.

I liked my stay at Ft. Devens. I had never been back East or seen snow fall before spending time in the woods on base. I enjoyed the time we KP's spent down on Washington St. in Boston. I thought I was never going to get off KP.

It was a long time ago but it's good to find pages like yours that keep the memories alive.

later,

Chui

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From: "CRAIG Willis" cakesw@gte.net
Subject: GOOD OLD DEVENS
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1998 17:16:59 -0500

BILL, ENJOYED READING THE PAST HISTORY OF FT. DEVENS. WAS THERE 61- 63 IN THE INFANTRY NEAR THE JACKSON GATE. GOOD TIMES IN CLINTON AND THE AREA.

CRAIG WILLIS, MARION,OH

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From: Gene Hyche <Genehy@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 19:45:11 EST
Subject: Devens

I was at Fort Devens about 3 months from June 53. Shipped to Fort Gordon, GA for 6 months of school as a High Speed Radio Op, MOS 1766. Went to Alaska and to 333rd Comm Recon Co. and to 8614 DU ASA Hq. Alaska. I think that the new MOS was 054 but I am not sure.
Do you have anyone signed in from these two outfits?

Gene Hyche genehy@aol.com

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From: Sinop155@aol.com
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 19:06:36 EST
Subject: Re: (no subject)

I bumped into the ASA site last night and enjoyed very much reading about the "hill". I have some pictures of Sinop put away somewhere, if I can find them and figure out how to send them I will if you would like.

On the hill from Aug of 66 to Aug of 67 then back to Devens for a couple of years as an 05K instructor. Presently live about 40 miles from Devens. They are turning it into an industrial park. Mostly down where the old barracks were and where you went to "dittie bop" school. Was out for a ride there a few months back they are bulldozing the old barracks down. The brick barracks appear to be used now by NG's or Reserves. Many buildings mothballed. It looks like a ghost town.

Regards,

Paul Browning, Sp5 E-5, MOS - 05K with a 05H back-up .

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Date: Tue, 27 Oct 1998 10:30:44 -0800
From: Monte Steiger montes@belle.lib.uidaho.edu
Organization: University of Idaho Library
Subject: Fort Devens Assignment

I was at Devens from August l962 to June l965, most of the time in Headquarters Company. I originally began 058 training, but couldn't make 15wpm and washed out. My first assignment in Headquarters Co. was as the Regiment's blank forms and publications clerk in the Adjutant's office.The lst ninteen months of my enlistment was spent in the school's library in Revere Hall. I later got a Master's degree in librarianship and am now the associate dean of the University of Idaho library.

Throughout the years I've met a number of librarians who serves in the ASA, which is odd because there weren't a lot of us.

Its good to talk to you.

Sincerely,

Monte L. Steiger

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Date: Fri, 02 Oct 1998 00:49:45 -0600
From: "Desk 2 Inn at Beaver Creek" INNBC2@vailresorts.com
Subject: ASATC&S Band

Hi Bill, This is Chip Ford. I was in the ASA Band in 68/69. It was a great way to go while there as we were able to get off post to march in the parades at Concord and Lexington and many other locations. The VFW's made sure we were ready to march with plenty of "anti-freeze" before the show began. The band also made for no KP!!! When we would march into the quadrangle before school, boy, would the drums make some noise between the buildings. Everyone would come out and watch the show. We were a straight line marching band in that we really couldn't execute corners or intricate patterns at all. We had a Sgt. Butler for a band master and knew right off that he was going to be OK when he had us unload his trunk, which was filled with beer, for our first get together. In the bays you had to take your shoes off before you could enter. The band was a good alternate to O5k and O5h training. Those were sure the "good old days". I'm now at 970-926-3488.

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Date:Sat, 29 Aug 1998 23:46:33 EDT
From: C. Earl "Duke" Hagood CEarlH@aol.com
Subject: Devens

Bill: Glad to see the page on old Devens.

Was there 61-62, 50 + weeks, 980-983 TA & computer/crypto programing course. Wig Wam and Little Club were local hotspots, University scene Boston, New York, and Cape on weekends and holidays.

Interesting event is this period was Berlin Wall crisis preceeding Cuba. Devens, in addition to "weed" students, also played host to a hoard of old intelligence service members dating back to Korea & WWII that were recalled for Berlin problem. After "cooling their heels" for months, they reached the stage of rebellion w/ wives on Nat'l TV picketing Devens gates in fur coats & old hands kidnapping young 2nd Lts. from their barracks and dumping them out in snow. Truly interesting period, 61-64. Glad to see the page, hope it grows.

C. Earl "Duke" Hagood

PS to 1st trans. Last saw Devens in mid 80's when took wife there after spending two weeks in Boston and Golf Digest school at New Seabury. Devens looked unchanged, but Ayer was slightly worn.

The "Duke"

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Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 07:06:16 -0400
From: Kathy Shaiken adiel@home.com
To: billsimons@rocketmail.com
Subject: Just a note Re: Devens

Dear Bill,

I tried to access your comments page and the tripod link said it was no longer active.

I was a WAC at Devens from about Aug 1972 to Feb 1973.

It was fun to see Devens again although I haven't been back since 1973.

Thanks,

K Shaiken

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Date: Sun, 02 Aug 1998 19:55:35 -0400
From: "Gene F. Mack" <rebel1@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Ft. Devens, Ayer and The Wigwam

Hi.. Just kinda found this site by accident. I was at Devens in 59, and once again in 62. I have good (and bad) memories of Devens and Ayer. Used to go to a little pub downtown, seems like you had to go Down stairs to get in. They used to have a Jam session on Sunday Afternoons.
OOPS! Forgot to say.. The name of the bar was THE WIGWAM... I am Sure you know about it since you were there then.. Take Care,

Gene Mack (an ol 982.6!)

From:SHADNICK 7 SHADNICK7@aol.com
Date:Mon, 27 Apr 1998 20:23:26
Subject:Ft. Devens Site

BILL, YOU HAVE A GREAT FT. DEVENS PAGE. I WAS THERE FROM 1952 TO 1955. WAS IN THE ASA 336 COMM RECON CO. MY MOS WAS A 1290, REMEMBER A LOT ABOUT THE "OLD" DEVENS WHEN I WAS THERE.
BY THE WAY, THE RIVER YOU MENTIONED IS CALLED "THE CHARLES RIVER". I'M ORIGINALLY FROM BOSTON, NOW LIVE IN SOUTH HADLEY, MASS., RETIRED FROM UNIV. MASS - AMHERST.

LAST TIME I WAS AT DEVENS WAS 1958 OR 59, WENT THERE ON AN ARMED FORCES DAY. FAMILIAR WITH THE
NORTHEAST GATE, SHIRLEY GATE, MAIN GATE, MAIN SERVICE CLUB, THEATRE NO.6, MOTOR POOLS, RED CROSS BUILDING, AND MORE. SUPPOSE THERE ALL GONE.
DON'T TELL ME THEY ARE STILL THERE.

O. FLANNERY

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Copyright © 1999 by William W. Simons. All rights are reserved.