The Thoroughbred – The Newsletter of the Second Cavalry Association
December, 2018
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Message from the Chairman:
You all should know that the Association is building a memorial at the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning. The uniqueness of our design is that it will acknowledge all Troopers who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our Regiment since 1832.
Recognizing the 1600 or so fallen Troopers is expensive, it is also our duty. The draft plan and budget will be presented to the Board next month.
My bottom line comments on the current status of this great project are:
1. Target for project construction completion is May 2021.
2. Planning is well underway to complete design and gain board approval of our go forward plan.
3. Budget planning for this project is also well underway but clearly is a large challenge given the anticipated costs the project will demand. We anticipate the budget will be between $100 and 200K which is driven by final design approval.
4. Design and budget activities are obviously linked and are being considered in parallel so that our objectives of a first-class memorial on the ground at Fort Benning on a board approve timeline and a board approve budget.
5. Board approval will be achieved no later than 1QTR 2019 for us to meet project timeline demands for the “Ribbon Cutting” event at our May 2021 reunion at our Fort Benning Reunion.
This is the largest and most ambitious project the Association has ever taken on. It is going to require everyone’s support to make it happen, this is the time to Remember your Regiment. Please consider a generous donation to this very worthy effort. Donations are being accepted now and will be advertised in all communications from now to project completion. No amount is too small or too large. To donate, please go to our website, https://www.2dcavalryassociation.com.
Always Ready!
//signed//
William M. Bewley
2CAV Association Board Chairman
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Thoughts from the President
Greetings fellow Dragoons!
With Halloween and Thanksgiving behind us Christmas must be just ahead… and contrary to my usual greeting I am not Always Ready!!
What an exciting past couple of months as we traveled out west to recognize a couple of long fallen troopers and went to Vilseck to bring new members into the fold. Three great examples of the Association continue to demonstrate service to our members past and present.
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In September association members attended the refurbishment of Blacksmith Sam Glass’s grave site, led by Mr. Jay Hill. Jay is a shining example of an American that saw a problem and fixed it. Jay led the charge in a project spanning over five years, incorporate local, state and federal government agencies, to refurbish the badly neglected and eroded grave sight of Trooper Blacksmith Glass, killed in August 1877. Jay dedicated hours of his personal time and energy into this and we are eternally grateful for his efforts. A good guy just looking to ensure a fallen trooper is not forgotten. Not bad For a Navy Guy! Read more about this in the Thoroughbred!
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Dragoons Michael Davidson, Rob Lytle, and Lance Mertz doing a great Job representing the 2nd Cavalry Association at the rededication of Blacksmith Sam Glass’s grave site in Idaho!
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Pat Biddy, Dave Gettman, Bryan Denny, 1SG Richardson, Ryan Meyer, SGT Maclavin, SGT Barnett and 1LT Dutton standing tall at the PFC Ashley grave site.
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Special recognition is warranted for Mr. Patrick Biddy (C Troop, 86-88). Pat led the charge in unraveling a decades old mystery that resulted in the subsequent identification of one of our MIA Troopers, Private First Class Fred Ashley, killed in the closing days of WWII. A remarkable story that brought closure to two families that experienced tragedy in WWII. Please check out the article in this Thoroughbred and know that your association is always at work and Always Ready to take care of Dragoons.
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And a personal thanks to John Walker (81-84), who brought in 60 new association members at a Community Open House sponsored by the Regiment in Vilseck. Not bad for a day’s work!! During this Holiday season I ask each of you to reach out and check in with a former Dragoon, and ask them to join the Association. We are, as always, stronger together.
Always Ready! Dragoon for Life!
Bryan E. Denny
President
2d Cavalry Association
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CSM Brown, COL Hough and
John Walker at Team Day in Vilseck.
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2019 2d Cavalry Association Reunion
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The 2019 Reunion will be at the Harrah’s North Kansas City Casino and Hotel on April 25 – April 28th. In addition to the normal opening reception, punch ceremony and banquet, there will be optional trips to the Truman Presidential Library, the WWI Museum (located in Kansas City) and to Fort Scott.
Please mark your calendars and save the date. We are hoping for a strong turnout of cavalrymen and ladies.
We expect to open registration in Sept, 2018.
Future reunions – the 2021 reunion will be at Ft. Benning where we hope to dedicate an lasting and encompassing memorial to the history of the Regiment and to those who served and died as Cavalry Troopers.
2023 is tentatively set to be in Montana to trace the 2d Cavalry in the Second Indian Wars.
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Col. A.J. (Beau) Bergeron
COL (RET) A.J.(Beau) Bergeron, 74, passed away peacefully at the Washington State Veterans Home, Retsil, in Port Orchard, WA on September 1, 2018. A combat veteran of the Vietnam War, he served with the First Armored Cavalry Regiment as an Infantry Platoon Leader during his first tour, 66-67 and with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment as a Cavalry Troop Commander during his second tour, 69-70. He commanded the 2/63rd-3/37th Armor Battalion in Fort Riley, KS, 82-84 and the 3rd Brigade (Stryker), 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA, 88-90. He was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star (5OLC, 3 with Valor).
Beau was born on December 6, 1943 in Ventress, Louisiana to Alfred Wilmer and Cora Lee Bergeron. After graduating from LSU in 1965, he joined the Army and was assigned to Fort Knox, KY. He served his country proudly for 24 years and 8 months. He dedicated his life to mentoring, educating and advocating for soldiers and their family members. He loved being a warrior leader and protecting all those in his care. His jobs after his Army career include: Assistant and Director of the WA State Department of Veterans Affairs, Assistant Director of the WA State Health Care Authority, Manager for JB Management, Chapman University Professor, and a Senior Strategic Integrator for Boeing. He was a man who believed in positive changes and who always wanted the best for those he worked with and for.
While Beau accomplished a lot professionally, his greatest joy was his family. On August 31st, 1968, he married Judy Merritt in Huntington, WV. He loved his ‘Cher’ and they spent 50 full years adventuring together. He is remembered by his family as being courageous, fun, competitive and a ‘teller of tall tales’. He is survived by his son, Alfred (Joe), his daughter-in-law, Julie, his daughter Tara Lea Mowreader, his son-in-law, Jack, his sister, Adele Marie Olinde, his sister-in-law, Sandra Oldaker, his grandchildren, Baudilio, Ryan and Ashley Mowreader and Molly Bergeron, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Wilmer and Cora Lee and his brothers-in-law, John M. Olinde and Joe Oldaker.
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Thomas W. Riley
Millville – Thomas W. Riley, age 64 of Millville, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday afternoon, October 17, 2018. He had been in declining health.
Born in Iaeger, WV, Tom was raised by George and Lenora (Burchett) Riley, and moved to Millville at age 16. When in West Virginia, Tom was quite popular and a star football player.
Tom graduated from Millville High School, Class of 1972. After high school, Tom then served our country in the U.S. Army for eight years as a Staff Sergeant E-5, serving in Germany in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at the end of the Vietnam War era.
Upon returning from his military service, Tom worked briefly as a correctional officer at Leesburg State Prison, and then accepted a position with the Millville Police Department to serve as a Police officer. He moved up through the ranks over the years and served as acting police chief, before retiring after over 26 years with the department. Tom was an instrumental part of Police Youth Week in Millville, which stirred interest in countless local youth over the years, inspiring many of them to one day become police officers.
Tom will be sadly missed by his loving wife of over 13 years, Phyllis; two daughters, Diane Johnson (Devin) of Scottsdale, AZ and Christina Petrichko (Kyle) of Scottsdale, AZ; adopted daughter Gina Nicole Riley of Salt Lake City, UT; three step-children, Prudence Smaniotto (Dave) of Vineland, Peter Simpkins (Mafhel) of Georgia, and Courtnia Turner (Mike) of Georgia; three brothers, Donnie Riley (Maggie) of Vineland, David Riley of Vineland, and Steve Vaught; six sisters, Phyllis Rowland of Millville, Jennifer Owens of Millville, Lisa Burgess (Daniel) of Millville, Susan Turley, Cheryl Sheets (Stephen), Carol Slusher(Steve); two grandchildren, Charlotte and Libby Johnson; seven step-grandchildren, Stephen and Tyler Kubiak of Vineland, Tripp & Tatum, Aaron, Arielle, & Arriane; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, George Riley; one brother Gerald Brown Vaught and one step-grandchild, Zoey.
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The following piece, by Pat Biddy is lengthy. It demonstrates,however, the commitment of this Association to its Regiment and to its Troopers. I have omitted some customary sections of the TBred to accommodate it. Please remember this commitment as you consider supporting the Memorial initiative.
-Editor
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FINDING PFC FRED WARREN ASHLEY
1st PLT, C-Troop, 2nd RECON SQDN, 2nd CAVALRY GROUP (MECZ)
PFC Fred Warren Ashley Born – 12 January 1923
Died of Wounds/Missing in Action – 4 May 1945
Recovered – 10 June 1945
Mistakenly Repatriated to Filley Nebraska as Flight Officer Richard Wesley Lane,
483rd Bomber Group (Heavy), 815th Bomber Squadron, 15th Army Air Force – 1948
Recovered from Filley, Nebraska – June 2018
Identified as PFC Fred Warren Ashley – 27-Aug-2018
Story Written by Patrick Biddy – Former Medic HHT/C-Trp ½ ACR 1986-88
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THE BATTLE
During the last days of World War II, the 2nd Cavalry Group (MECZ), had pushed through into
Czechoslovakia. They had liberated several hundred POW’s, displaced persons, the famed Lipizzaner breeding stock of the Spanish Riding School in Austria and were capturing and accepting the surrender of hundreds of German troops.
However, even with the war closing fast, there were still hard line Schutzstaffel (SS) Troops, Wehrmacht, Hitler Youth and the so-called Werewolves’ guerilla fighters in the 2nd Cavalry sector putting up fierce resistance.
On May 3rd, 1945, 1st Platoon C-Troop, 2nd Cavalry Group (MECZ) under the command of 1st Lt. Albert C. Gannaway Jr. had moved into the area of Paseka, Czechoslovakia, an area in Czechoslovakia known as Sudetenland. The region was heavily populated with German peoples spread throughout villages across the land. 1
st platoon moved into a small village in the area of Neuhurkenthal (Nova Hurka in Czech.) and Paseka, CZ and set up a stronghold. They were unaware that they were being observed by the enemy.
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According to an account from a German Prisoner who had been captured by the 2nd Cavalry, the German soldiers in the area saw the men of 1st platoon from a hill top north of the location. It was decided by their command that if the platoon remained through the night, they would attack the American soldiers the following morning. They pulled back to wait. The following morning, the platoon was still in the village. As the platoon was going about their morning readiness, the German force which had discovered them the day before, positioned a strength of approximately 300 soldiers, some being SS, others from a nearby local officer candidate school (OCS) that were at the point of completion. The attack came from the north, east and south of the platoon’s position. Once all were in position on the morning of 4 May 1945, the attack on the platoon from the Germans began.
According to Regimental history documents, after action reports, and local witness, the soldiers were taken by surprise, with some seated for breakfast. Mortars impacted into the platoon’s bivouac area where reports state the PFC Hancock was injured along with another soldier. Grenades began to detonate, and rifle and machine gun fire were going off. The platoon was moving to cover wherever they could. Elements of the platoon according to a later account from PFC Joel Mattson, were in a house with some soldiers on the upper floor, PFC Ashley being one of them and Mattson and others on the lower level. Lt Gannaway, the platoon leader, had also been caught in the battle upon returning from the 2nd Cavalry Command Post (CP), west of their position. Reports have his jeep being hit with a bazooka and running off the road. He made his way back to the CP to get help.
After one soldier was killed and several wounded, the platoon was captured. B-Troop, with Lt Gannaway, made an attempt to go back into the area but met with heavy resistance. It was not possible to go back in, so, through the night, artillery shelled the area in hopes of dismantling the German troops. The following morning, B-Troop went into the area and learned from the locals in the village that the German soldiers gathered 1st platoon and their vehicles and left the area. There was a medic with the German forces that treated some of the wounded. PFC’s Murphy and Hancock were able to pass him a note which was later recovered once he was captured.
After the day past, the remaining platoon was ultimately liberated. Three soldiers were missing, PFC George Buttron, PFC James Hancock and PFC Fred Ashley. PFC Buttron was recovered several days later near Hartminace, CZ. PFC Hancock was recovered from a chapel cemetery at Bergreichenstein, CZ and remains believed to be those PFC Ashley were recovered later on June 10, 1945 in Gutwasser, CZ. There were no identification tags, but the remains were in a US Army uniform, the characteristics matched PFC Ashley, members of the platoon believed it was him.
Two wounded soldiers, Pvt Thorman D. Williams and PFC Leo B. Lubus were recovered in the area as well as another enlisted soldier (Unnamed.) and a troop who escaped captivity during the night, Tec 5 Leon J. Gursky was wounded by friendly fire when he approached C-Troop’s outpost during the night. In the end, those who were killed were:
– PFC George Buttron
-CPL William Murphy
-PVT Bryant P. Lofton
– PFC James Hancock (Not noted in the DPAA reports, but we have the AAR’s and his individual deceased Personnel File (IDPF) as well as other documentation.).
-PFC Fred W. Ashley
As well, the vehicles captured from the platoon were utilized by the German forces in an ambush in Zhuri, CZ, of the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, resulting in 9 American soldiers killed.
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A day or so later, I received an email from Janie. She informed me a friend of hers, had lunch with someone who was asking about information on his uncle who was missing in action from WWII. This gentleman was PFC Ashley’s nephew, Bruce Ashley. Through Janie we were able to get linked. He knew and remembered Fred as did his sister. Fred had visited the family just before he went off to war. That was the last time they had seen him. Fred had sent a letter home, written on May 2nd, 1945. PFC Ashley was telling the family how the war was about over, that the weather was getting better, although, still cold and morale were good. They were looking forward to coming home.
Bruce had very little information on where Fred was, only, that he is missing in action. He had letters from Fred, the missing in action letter from the Army and some photos of Fred in his 2nd Cavalry uniform and in uniform during his visit to the family before leaving for Europe. Also, he had an article about PFC Ashley having been wounded in Vitre, France in August 1944. I informed him that we were beginning to look for him. We did not have a lot of information and were not certain we could locate Fred but that we would try. Any information he could provide would be helpful.
As we continued our search for information, John Walker, one of our ½ ACR veterans, from the 1980’s paid a visit to Epinal, France and asked them about PFC Ashley. He was informed that no remains were at Epinal for Ashley and that he was only named on the Tablets of the Missing.
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Research continued sending emails to Military Personnel Records and connecting with the US Army History and Education Center through former Regimental Command Sergeants Major Roger Blackwood, looking for locations where the documents might be that was noted in the news article. Over time with traveling to the National Archives in College Park, MD and researching the 1945 archived after action reports (AAR’s.), morning reports and maps as well as traveling to Germany and the Czech Republic, we were able to locate the area where the battle had taken place. We located information in the 1945 Second Cavalry History book as well as other period publications about the battle. Our Czech friend, Ruda Bayer, also located a personal account of the battle in a local book. We were in the area. At this time, Ryan Meyer (Director of the Reed Museum, Vilseck, Germany at the time.), began sending out emails to all the American Battle Graves Commission cemeteries in Europe. He was able to receive an Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) and an X-293 File (For unknown personnel.) for PFC Ashley.
Once we had the IDPF and X file along with the other unit stories and archival documents, the dialogue continued between John, David, Ryan and me, discussing locations, movements, etc., and things were scattered. Per the May 1945 reports, it had the fighting in Zebjis, CZ, St. Brunst, Germany, Paseka, CZ and the dots were not connecting. There was a Zebjis, CZ. There was a Brunst, DE across the border and Paseka was far east of the location. There were grid coordinates for Paseka which David pinpointed on a map that per the reports was near the area where the fighting should have been. He pinpointed it on one of the maps that is from the 1945 History Book. After scanning the maps from archives, we discovered the word “Brunster”. We then realized; the names were different from map to map and from Czech to German. Upon looking at all maps available we located St, Brunst, CZ north of Zebjis and after looking closer, found the name “Paseka” peeking out from the letter “B” which represented B Troop on May 5th, 1945, the day after Fred was listed as MIA. Paseka, CZ was a small area and village and compared to the map that David had plotted the grid coordinates, it was in the same location, only not marked on that map. It all began to come together.
What was learned from all the documents once pulled together was that PFC Fred Ashley’s Remains were recovered. The German soldiers pulled to the side of the road by a village called Gutwasser, CZ and buried him. A woman witnessed this and when the Americans came through later, she informed them of this. His body was recovered on 10 June 1945. Fred was taken to Nurnberg and placed in the temporary US Military Cemetery there. He was then taken to St. Avold, France and over several years was examined for identification. The family had repeatedly requested he be sent home. His platoon sergeant had identified him. His belongings had been sent home to his family. However, due to dental records that after Nurnberg appeared to not align with PFC Ashley’s, he was never 100% identified so, the remains associated with him at that time were classified as unknown and unidentifiable and placed in Plot DD, Grave 218, Row 9 in Lorraine American Military Cemetery, Saint Avold, France.
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Ryan and I continued the research. We studied the IDPF and the X293 files. PFC Ashley’s file was also shown as identified as X58. Initially, all in the files for identification was promising. A local Czech, dentist and Friend of Ryan Meyer’s, Frankie Nachlinger, after studying the dental records of PFC Ashley and the Gutwasser, CZ recovered remains, also believed the tooth chart of the remains, aligned with PFC Ashley’s service dental charts. However, it appears that at some time around 1947, the tooth charts and the condition of the remains had changed from similarities and intact to being badly damaged respectively. We also discovered there was an Air Force uniform listed as being with the remains and a note that the identifier “X59” was also on the case for the remains that were associated with PFC Ashley’s unidentified remains. As we researched further, we looked to see who PFC Ashley had been interred beside in Nurnberg, DE and France. It was a Sgt Moleti with the USAAF on one side and a Flight Officer Richard Lane – USAAF on the other side. We began to think of the possibilities of a mix up of remains. Could this have happened?
There was no record of F/O Lane other than the notation of him in the Ashley IDPF. In the continued research, we were able to contact someone from the US government side and some other researchers. We asked about the X-file X59, and it was confirmed that the X59 file belonged to a Flight Officer (F/O), Richard Wesley Lane, who had been in a downed B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft. This was the same Lane who was buried beside Fred Ashley in Nurnberg, Germany, who would have had an AAF uniform and who was X59. Notations in the file also showed that the remains were not in St, Avold France, but were permanently interred in Henri Chapelle American Military Cemetery, Belgium.
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In researching F/O Lane, we located the Missing Air Crew Report for the crash he was in. Richard Lane was a Flight Officer with the 483rd Bomber Group (Heavy), 815th Bomber Squadron, 15th Army Air Force based out of Sterperone, Italy. They were on a bombing mission to Linz, Austria on December 27th, 1944 when the aircraft was downed by heavy flak near the target area. There were survivors who were able to parachute from the aircraft but, other crew members perished. During this time, we connected the Ashley family with the Defense Personnel Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) and the the Past
Conflict Repatriations Branch (PCRB) sent a DNA testing kit to them. A sample was obtained from PFC Ashley’s nephew, niece and great nephew for testing to take place in the event the Army and Department of Defense took on the case.
We continued the research, looking for where F/O Lane might have been buried, if there was family still living, history of the downed aircraft, etc. We were able to locate remains in the Beatrice, Nebraska area for a F/O Lane, whom had been in a downed aircraft in Linz, Austria. A website had noted him and his service number to WWII personnel killed from Nebraska. I was not able to learn much more so began cold calling different newspapers, libraries, etc. in the Beatrice area and I then found an organization that maintained local cemeteries. I was ultimately referred to another local Veteran services person who also was a friend of the Lane family. We learned that F/O Lane had brothers still living. The contact said he would investigate things and learned that they did have some information but did not have any of the IDPF or X Files.
Once in contact with the Lane family we explained the possibility of the remains in Nebraska are those of someone other than F/O lane, and possibly those of PFC Fred Ashley, and that the remains in Belgium are those of their Relative, F/O Richard Wesley Lane. The Lane family was willing to do a DNA samples for the PCRB and he stated the family would assist in any way possible. I conveyed this new information to PCRB. We explained our thoughts are that if the Army was willing to obtain the DNA sample, it could be that the remains in Belgium could be tested to the two samples from the families and there could be a rule out, before any upset would need to be had at the Nebraska gravesite. The PCRB in turn requested the Lane family contact information from us, of which was provided and they in turn
We learned in the interim time that the remains in Belgium were disinterred and taken to the DPAA testing lab at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. in June 2017. On Memorial Day weekend 2018, I received a call from Wendell Lane and he had learned that the remains from the Belgium disinterment were indeed those of his uncle, F/O Richard Lane. Plans were then made for Richard to be permanently laid to rest in his family plot on 9 August 2018, in the very plot he was believed to have been placed in, in December 1948. The remains that had been in the Filley, NE cemetery, of whom we believed were those of PFC Fred Ashley, were disinterred to undergo examination and DNA testing with the Ashley family DNA.
On Aug 8th, I flew to Nebraska to stay with the Lane family and I had the honor of attending F/O Richard
Lane’s funeral with them. It was a beautiful service with a color guard from Fort Riley Kansas, a Casualty
Assistance Officer, CW4 Paul Robinson, from the Nebraska National Guard, Major General (USA Ret.) Charles Barr present (MG Barr was also assigned to the 2nd Armored Cavalry in Germany during his career.) and Reverend Suzanne How, (Sergeant Major, USMC Ret.) officiating the ceremony. It was a celebration of life and homecoming. A lot of discussion as well about the remains believed to be those of PFC Ashley and I believe all the Beatrice area was curious as to the results of the testing would be.
On 29 August 2018, I was contacted by Mike Hanna from the Ashley family that they had been notified by DPAA that the remains from the grave in Filley, NE were indeed those of PFC Fred Ashley, 1st Platoon
C-Troop, 2nd Cavalry Group (MECZ). We then knew where PFC Ashley was, he was no longer MIA. PFC Fred W. Ashley was at Offutt Air Force Base, NE, where he is surrounded by other fallen Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines waiting to be identified as well.
The funeral for PFC Ashley was set for October 20th, 2018 in Emmett Idaho. Over the almost 5 years of research, All Regimental Commanders informed us that if PFC Ashley was identified, they would in some way a part of this repatriation. As it turns out, the Regiment did just that. 1st Lt. Mitchell Dutton, 1SG William Richardson, SSG Raymond Barnette and SGT. Matt McCalvern, all from 1st Platoon, C-troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, made the trip over from Vilseck Germany. Also, in attendance was Col. Bryan Denny (USA Ret.) 2nd Cavalry Association President, Ryan Meyer, David Gettman and me. As well, the Mayors of the Czech Villages the 2nd Cavalry liberated, sent ribbons with each villages name and a letter offering their condolences and thanks for PFC Ashley’s actions and ultimate sacrifice for their country.
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PFC Fred Warren Ashley at Funeral Home – Mountain Home Nebraska.
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We were able to meet with the family, the local VFW, the Patriot Guard Riders and the Ashley family and town of Emmett, ID to celebrate PFC Fred “Freddie” Ashley’s lifer and sacrifice and homecoming. The streets were lines with the citizens of Emmett with our Nation’s flag flying, hands over hearts, billboards with notes for PFC Ashley and all out honor and respect with his homecoming.
1st Lt. Dutton presented PFC Ashley’s POW Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Campaign Medal and Victory Europe Medal to Bruce Ashley and his nephew Mike Hanna. 1SG Richardson presented the family with a Stetson, a Stetson rack with plaque and gold combat spurs. A wreath was provided from the 2nd Cavalry Association and we offered our appreciation to the family and expressed how honored we were to be there celebrating Freddie’s life with them.
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The final chapter of this story was on November 10th, 2018, when at the Tablets of the missing in Epinal, France, John Walker who initially visited there inquiring about PFC Ashley, visited again with his son and with Lance Dyckman, current Director of the Reed Museum in Vilseck, Germany. Their visit was to honor PFC Ashley and place a bronze Rosette beside PFC Ashley’s name, to show he has been identified.
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John Walker and Lance Dyckman – Epinal, France.
PFC Ashley’s name on Epinal, Tablets of the Missing and Rosette marking him as recovered.
We are also researching our other two remaining MIA, 2nd Cavalry troops, Tec 5 Troy Earp and PFC Edward Yeast. We will make every effort to bring all our troop’s home and leave no one behind.
Respectfully,
Patrick Biddy
HHT/C-Troop ½ ACR 1986-88
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Grave of Samuel Glass | Mike Price, EastIdahoNews.com
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Trooper Glass, a blacksmith with L Troop of the 2nd, was wounded in the battle of Camas Meadows in August 1877 by the Nez Perce. The 2nd Cavalry was part of the large military effort to capture the Nez Perce, who were trying to get to Canada and Sitting Bull. Glass and Pvt. Fred Munn, according to one historical account, slept under one of the freight wagons one night. When they heard Indians shooting and yelling, they jumped out with guns in hand. “As Sammy got to his feet, he called, ‘Fred, they got me.’ A bullet struck his belt of cartridges, tearing a hole in his abdomen in which four fingers could be inserted,” Munn said in the account.
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The wound to his lower abdomen was too severe to be properly treated in the field so he was loaded in a wagon and sent to Livingston, Montana. He never made it. He was transported to the stage waystation in the valley on the way there and there succumbed to his wounds. The doctor and the manager of the waystation carried him up to the hill and buried him. In 1937 an official grave marker was placed on the lonely grave. Afterward the gravestone was vandalized and nature intruded. Finding the condition of the grave, Jay Hill and Bob Skinner decided to make things right.On September 15, 2018 the grave of Trooper Samuel A. Glass of L Troop, 2nd US Cavalry was rededicated. The location is on top of a ridge about 15 miles north of Dubois, Idaho overlooking a pretty little valley, a very peaceful and special place.
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We were all there that day due to the hard work and dedication of a couple of local men, Jay Hill and retired Navy Captain Bob Skinner of the American Legion and many others who supported their efforts. These men were the primary drivers of the effort to restore the gravesite and replace the vandalized headstone. Both had recently become aware of the condition of the grave and worked together to get it refurbished and rededicated. Over a period of almost 4 years the men organized, requested donations and coordinated, besides doing much of the work themselves, replacing the headstone, erecting a new fence, and leveling the ground around the grave. The flagpole was obtained and raised as Aaron Bitsoi’s Eagle Scout project, who was awarded his Eagle Scout rank at the ceremony as well.
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World War II veteran Marine Sgt. Harry Pederlin and Eagle Scout Austin Bitsoi raise the American flag over Trooper Samuel Glass’ grave. | Courtesy Gwenna Hill
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The rededication was attended by an assortment of people and I am pretty certain that the trooper would be surprised at the crowd his grave generated. The participants included two Generals, BG Robert K. Lytle (retired) and BG Johnson of the Idaho National Guard. Besides this there was a rifle detail from the US Army, the American Legion chaplain, SSG Mark Biers (the bugler), a WWII Marine veteran, Sgt Harry Penderlin and Eagle Scout Austin Bitsoi (who raised the flag over the grave), American Legion Flag Detail from Post 56 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Former 2nd Cavalry Trooper SSG Michael S. Davidson and I were privileged to attend the ceremony and participate in putting the 2nd ACR insignia on the fence along with BG Lytle. Several local businesses and nonprofits were also involved in providing financial and material support to the effort.
The ceremony included the reading of a letter by BG Lytle from the current Colonel of the Regimen, Col. Thomas M. Hough written for the ceremony. Full military honors were conducted, including the traditional three-volley salute and the playing of Taps by SSG Mark Biers (retired).
This type of thing happens once in a lifetime and I feel very humbled to have been allowed to be a small part of it. I am sure everyone who was there will remember it as a special day. Toujours Pret!
Lance
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2d Cav Store Featured Item
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Item Description
This good-looking and warm 2d Cavalry hooded full zip fleece has the unit crest embroidered on the left chest. An exposed zipper and contrast raglan sleeves give this shrink-resistant jacket a vintage look.
- 9-ounce, 65/35 ring spun combed cotton/poly fleece
- Three-panel hood
- Dyed-to-match drawcords
- Metal zipper
- 2×2 rib knit cuffs and hem with spandex
- Raglan sleeves
- Front pouch pocket
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Watch this space for monitoring our fundraising progress for the Memorial
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Upcoming Events
April 2019 – Kansas City Reunion
Summer 2019 – 2/2 Change of Command
Sept 2019 – Lunnevile, France
Spring 2021 – Memorial Dedication/Reunion
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