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T/5 Leon H. Papazian, the New Jersey flash, raised his hand and took the oath, at the request of his friends and neighbors, in December, 1942. From that time until he was transferred to Division Artillery in April, 1944, he served in Headquarters Company, Division Trains, as well as attending school at Fort Knox, Kentucky. As radio operator in the S-2 track, Pappy has performed his duties in an exemplary manner and thereby contributed greatly to the fine job done by the Radio Section. The 26-year-old former machinist of plastics claims 173 Prospect Ave. in Maywood, as his home.
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Pfc. Louie H. Peeler is one of Florida's representatives in Division Artillery. He answered the President's greetings in April, 1942. Before coming to Headquarters Battery in April, 1944, he was with the 124th Infantry Regiment and the 128th A. F. A. Bn. Red, who is 35, drives for the Air Section. As a civilian he was a subsidiary oil dealer, residing at 414 Broward Street in Jacksonville.
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Pvt. Floyd H. Ratcliff, who is 24 years of age, is a son of the Lone Star State. Route 3, Gilmer, Texas, is the complete address. The 24th of September, 1942, the date of his debut into the Army will long be remembered by Floyd. The 212th A. F. A. Bn. was the first unit to which he was assigned. He served with it until April, 1944, when he joined Division Artillery. During the drives across the Continent, Floyd jockeyed the S-3 track without a mishap despite the rough conditions caused by the enemy, snow, ice, rain and dust.
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Pvt. Alvin J. Ratzlaff is one of sunny California's representatives in Division Artillery. He started his military career in August, 1943, and received medical basic training at Camp Barkeley, Texas. Upon completion of this training, he attended the Dental Technician's School at the William Beaumont General Hospital in EI Paso, Texas. It was in May, 1944, that Alvin first came to Headquarters Battery. During the latter part of the campaign when Division Artillery acquired a dentist, Ratzlaff did an admirable job as his assistant. The 20-year-old former student will wait until he gets back to Box 82 in Sanitarium, California, before taking definite action on plans for the future.
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T/5 Edward J. Reidt, the man from Kalamazoo, Michigan, came to Division Artillery in October, 1944. The 32-year-old mechanic took his oath of allegiance in November, 1942, had basic training with the 13th Armored Division and then attended school at Fort Knox, Kentucky. As a mechanic in the Maintenance Section, he has turned in a flawless performance. Ed, who was a printer prior to his entry into the service, has one main purpose and that is to get home to R. R. No. 9 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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T/4 Willis H. Riggenbach, 29, joined the boys in OD at Camp Roberts, not too distant from his home town, Montevista, California, back in February, '41. April Fool's Day, 1945, "Rig" met up with us across the Rhine (No reflection on "Rig" for he is an A-1 mechanic and knows his stuff). When people were calling him "Mr.," "Rig" earned a good living mining hard rock in California quarries.
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T/5 George E. Rodgers is another Missourian who entered the Federal Service with the 2nd En., 128th F. A. Regiment. In November, 1940, he served with that unit, later changed to the 231st A. F. A. En., until his transfer to Division Artillery in April, 1944. George, who is a lineman, has been one of the mainstays of the Wire Section and played an important role in maintaining communications despite the adverse conditions under which the section had to work. The 23-year-old lineman will have his civilian mail sent to 823 North Grand Ave., Sedalia. His ambition right now is merely to be a civilian.
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Pvt. Howard E. Rollins of the New England gentry, made his first appearance in the Army in August, 1943. From that time until his debut with Division Artillery in April, 1944, he had clerical basic training at Fort Bragg, N. C., and made the rounds of a few of the replacement depots. Rollo has performed admirab1y throughout the period he has been with the unit, doubling as a switchboard operator and battery clerk. The 22- year-old former student plans to continue his education as well his express business upon his return to 193 Arthur St. in Springfield, Massachusetts.
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T/3 Jack W. Rubey is top man of the battery as armorer and machine gunner. Jack gave the occupants of any vehicle in which he rode a sense of security unparalleled. His sure shooting and constant alertness made him the most desired gunner and tank man in the battery. Such service consistently rendered earned for him the Bronze Star Medal. The mason trade is Jack's choice of an occupation. His ambition at present is joining his wife at 301 Park, Hamburg, Iowa, and living happily ever after, not too unlike those ending in our favorite childhood story books.
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Pvt. John R. Schaeffer, one of the youngest men in the battery, only 20 years of age, proved his worth as a meteorologist and a soldier. Given the complicated task of studying and putting to practice, in short order, the intrinsics of predicting the elements, "Shaef" did a fine piece of work. Trained at Fort Knox as a tank driver and a member of the 707th and 745th Tank Battalions, he was later assigned to work with this unit in England. If our friend is not away at a university, visit him at Main St., at
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