KSUFans Archives
Fan Life => The Endzone Dive => Topic started by: jeffy on June 07, 2009, 05:42:54 PM
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(http://members.cox.net/powercatjeffy/panel.jpg)
I had the distinct pleasure this weekend to meet some of the greatest Americans this weekend at the 65th DDay Commemoration events at the Eisenhower Center in Abilene. One of these gentlemen was Lt. General Richard J. Seitz. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5pmsZ6JNBc) (far left) Here is his bio:
Entire Panel Bios (http://www.eisenhower.utexas.edu/Veterans_Panel_Bios.pdf)
Lt. Gen. Richard (Dick) Seitz (Ret.) - Prior to the start of the war, Lt. Gen. Seitz received his commission as a
2nd Lt. at Kansas State College in 1939 and was called to active duty in February 1940. Approximately three years
later, he was given command of the 2nd Battalion, 517th Parachute Infantry and took the battalion overseas
fighting in Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany. In his 35-year military career, Seitz also served in Korea and
commanded the 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He retired in 1975 after serving as the
commanding general for Fort Bragg, N.C. and the 18th Corps.
Upon his introduction, he proudly declared "ksufans copycat," to which a nice applause followed.
The remainder of the panel was quite notable as well.
2nd from left: 1st Sgt. Albert Curley (Ret.), Buffalo Soldier - Trooper Curley is one of the last living Buffalo Soldiers of the
9th Cavalry. Curley served in the U.S. Army for 28 years and has remained involved with Fort Riley for over 40
years since his retirement. Curley enlisted in the Army at Ft. Riley in 1940 assigned to Troop A, 9th Cavalry, then
a segregated horse cavalry unit. In 1943 he was reassigned to Company B, 371st Infantry Regiment, 92nd InfantryDivision at Fort Huachuca Ariz., where he participated in the Italian Campaign during World War II. Curley
earned several honors, including a Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Curley was
assigned to the 216th Supply Company at Fort Riley in 1967 and retired in 1969.
Middle: Col. George Boyd (http://www.wingsoverkansas.com/tuskegee/article.asp?id=169), Tuskegee Airman - George Boyd is a former Tuskegee Airman (Class 45-G) who flew with distinction during World War II in the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He also served in the
Korean and Vietnam wars and served as a squadron adjutant, detachment and squadron commander,
management engineer and jet fighter radar intercept officer for 28 years with the United States Air Force before
retiring as a Major in 1971. After his Air Force career, Boyd served as Commander of the Kansas Wing of the
Department of Civil Air Patrol, and has served as director of the Division of Aviation for the Department of
Transportation.
2nd from right: Sgt. Wendell Gugler - Born in Abilene, Kan., Gugler joined the Army after high school and was assigned to Company E of the 85th Mountain Infantry at Camp Hale, Colo. In December 1944, the Division was transferred to Virginia where the unit boarded ship bound for Naples, Italy. The 10th Mountain Division led the Allies through the remaining Apennines and through the PO Valley, ending in the Italy Alps around Lake Garda. On
May 2, 1945, the Germans in Italy surrendered. In 114 days of combat, 992 Mountaineers had lost their lives;
4,154 were wounded. Gugler was honorably discharged on February 8, 1946, after spending his entire wartime
service in Company E. He received various awards, including a Combat Infantry Badge and two Battle Stars.
Far right: Staff Sgt. Walter D. Ehlers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lmyGrObaho), Congressional Medal of Honor recipient – Born in Junction City, Kan., Walter
Ehlers enlisted in the Army on October 4, 1940, along with his older brother, Roland. They began training for
the war in the Pacific when Pearl Harbor was attacked. In 1942, the Ehlers brothers shipped out to fight in
North Africa and Sicily. They fought in three major campaigns over almost four years as part of the 1st Battalion,
18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Just before June 6, 1944, Walter and Roland were placed in
separate companies – Walter was assigned as a squad leader in Company L. Both Ehlers brothers stormed the
beaches of Normandy on D-Day with their fellow Big Red One brothers. It wasn’t until a month later that
Walter learned Ronald was killed on Omaha Beach.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9-10 June
1944, near Goville, France, Walter earned the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest honor. He led
his unit's attack June 9 against German forces and single-handedly defeated several enemy machine gun nests.
The next day, his platoon came under heavy fire and he covered their withdrawal, carried a wounded rifleman to
safety, and continued to lead despite his own wounds.
Meeting Mr. Ehlers was by far the highlight of the day, but hearing Lt. Gen. Seitz declare his EMAW was a pretty good moment!