Besterda
Berndt
Colpitts
Cox, J
Cox, W

Foss
Gibson
Hilt
Holland
Keene

Mestas
Schuko
Striar

New additions

Gallant
Vargus

350th Infantry Regiment

Basterda, Carl J

From: Mbesterda@xxxxx.com
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 2005 13:43:38 EST
Subject: Greetings from old Germany
To: hello@mtmestas.com

Dear Mr Smith,
hallo,and many greetings from Germany.
At first i must excuse me for my very bad english,but i hope you understand me so.

This day i have read your side of the 350th infantry Reg. and in the list of the soldiers i have found one soldier with the name of my  family.
Carl J. Besterda , S/Sgt. !

The name wasn`t very spread in Germany,and i think in the USA too.
My family in Germany was an old family of German soldiers,and so i was very surprise to found the name by the US-Army.But i am very proud to found our name by a very good Reg.of the US-Army !

And i am very surprice too,because in the WW II my father was fighting in the German Army. Karl H Besterda ,Oberleutnant,10.Panzergrenadierdivision.
Ha was fighting in Polen,Belgien,Frankreich,Rußland,Afrika and...Italy .
And so Carl Besterda in the US-Army have the Purple Heart,and Karl Besterda in the German Army have the Ritterkreuz. What a history!

Now i was very interesting to contact Mr Carl Besterda in the USA,and i hope you can help me.

Please,send me informations of him or of his family,so i can contact him.
My Adress in Germany :
Michael Besterda
Werdohlerstraße 26
58762 Altena
Germany

If you have a photo of the S/Sgt. Besterda in the 350th Infantry Reg. i am very proud if you can send me, because i have a gallery of the soldiers in our family.

If you are interesting , i can send you a photo of the Oberleutnant Besterda in the German Wehrmacht.

I thank you very much

Many greetings to the veterans of the 350th Infantery Reg.

Michael Besterda

350th Infantry Regiment

Berndt, Raymond J

Hello, my old pappy was with the 350th. arrived on Christmas eve 44. Came home jan 46. He didnt talk about the war a lot. I have an old paper clipping stating he earned Combat Inf Badge with the 350th. Serial # 36 982 678. When he left he had 2 sons, came home and had 3 more. He and ma always called us the 5 of kind. The only thing he told ma was that the guys before him had it worse than he did, but many nites we would hear him having nitemares.. Any possible info? G.(butch) TEC 5 Raymond J Berndt born 1918 -died 1993.

Pictures: CLICK HERE

350th Infantry Regiment

Colpitts, Clarence

21 February 2005
What a wonderful site. My mother-in-laws first husband was also in the 350th infantry, 88th Division and was also killed in action Oct. 1944 in Italy. He was reported missing in action Oct.4,1944. He received his training at Camp Gruber, Okla. and Ft.Sam Houston, Tex. His name was Clarence Colpitts.

Janice Bucci
knjbucci@*****.com
Location:
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From: "J Bucci" <knjbucci@*****.com>
To: cheapgary@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: 350th Infantry - Clarence Colpitts
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 19:19:28 +0000

Gary, I have two pictures of Clarence Colpitts taken at Camp Gruber in Oklahoma 1943 that you can have. I don't know any stories about him only that he was well liked and that his nickname was Chunk. I have a book that was send to my mother-in-law after he died called the Blue Devils. It is in my attic I believe. I will try to look for it. I have a letter that states that she will receive the Purple Heart medal, Which has been posthumously awared by direction of the President to your husband, Private Clarence C. Colpitts, Infantry. The letter is signed by Henry L. Stimson (not sure on the last name). I have a larger picture of Clarence that I put into the book and also I think I put in the telegram stating that he was missing in action. I put it away so long ago that I really can't remember. I do remember that the telegram was all faded and I could hardly read it. I kept it all anyways. Clarence's wife remarried and my husband was born in 1948. His mother never really talked of Chunk and it wasn't until after she died that we found the book, pictures and telegram. Again you have a great site and I will keep checking it out. See attached. Janice

350th Infantry Regiment

Cox, James

From: "Jeff Rose" <jeff@xxxxx.com>
To: hello@MtMestas.com
Subject: Movie About 88th ID, WWII
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 13:02:03 -0400

Dear Sirs,

My name is Jeff Rose. I was doing research on the 88th when I came across your website.

My Grandfather, Capt. James B. Cox, was a member of the 88th during WWII. He received the Purple Heart on Mt. Battaglia in Italy in 1944.

I am a filmmaker who decided to honor my Grandfather and the men of the 88th with a Short Film that I entered into Robert De Niro's film festival, Tribeca. Well, my movie, called "Battaglia", has beaten literally hundreds of other movies and made it to the FINALS with four other films. This is an awesome honor for me and my staff and also for the 88th ID!

My movie is about the first 5 minutes of the German ambush of the 88th on Mt. Battaglia in September of 1944. There is also a present-day wraparound sequence set in a WWII museum honoring the 88th. Some historical elements like the cold, wet weather during the battle were impossible for us to recreate with little money and little time. We also had to add a few civilians on the mountain for the sake of the seven minute limit that was imposed upon us by the contest. Please know that it is my intention to sell Mr. De Niro's company on the dramatic value of the battle of Mt. Battaglia and to tell the story of the 88th the way it should be told...in a major motion picture. Every detail will be addressed if and when that happens. We are only one step away from that reality!

Thank you for your time. I am truly appreciative of your help, and I am forever grateful for my Granddad and the many others who fought and died with the 88th ID.

Sincerely,

Jeff Rose
"Battaglia"

Note; Jeff's movie Battaglia came in second in film competition. IMO, the voting was spammed pretty badly and upset the results. Watch for the "Battaglia" movie here soon.

350th Infantry Regiment - Co G

Cox, Wilbur

"Travis Cox" <traviscox112@*****.com
To: hello@mtmestas.com
Subject: Co G 350th Infantry 88 Division
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 01:45:36 -0400

I came across your site while researching my grandfather's miltary records. I've never really known much about WWII other than what we've seen on TV and at the movies. When I did a Google search for "Co G 350th Infantry 88 Division" a wealth of knowledge was laid out before me.

I never knew my grandfather. He passed away from a blood clot in 1969, six years before I was born. Just a few days ago, I came into possesion of his discharge papers, and other documents. He was awarded a Purple Heart, after being wounded on September 28, 1944 in Italy. He also received 3 Bronze Stars for his efforts in the European African Middle Eastern Theater.

Attached you will find his "Honorable Discharge" form, and you can feel free to post it on your site if you see fit to do so.

In Memory - Wilbur Cox (1925-1969)

Thank you for your time,

Travis Cox
Louisville, KY

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"Travis Cox" <traviscox112@*****.com>
To: cheapgary@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: Co G 350th Infantry 88 Division
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2005 08:00:01 -0400

Gary,

I did find his name listed on your site. Attached is a photo of him. I'm not sure of the date.

Thanks,
Travis

350th Infantry Regiment - Co G

Foss, Richard D.

At 31 years of age, he was drafted by the army and ended up in the 88th infantry Division, the first all-draftee infantry to serve in any war.

Richard was sent to Italy after training. Although he trained as a radioman, he was handed a rifle and served as an infantryman with the 88th Division until the surrender of the Germans in Italy.  Richard was a Blue Devil in company G of the 350th Infantry Regiment. This is the company that took and held Mt. Battaglia for a week against repeated attacks.  At the end of the battle, in what many consider to be one of the worst battles in Italy, Richard was one of only 50 men from company G still alive.  Later, the 350th Infantry Regiment adopted the name of "Battle Mountain regiment".  The battle incurred 2,105 casualties.

The Germans finally surrendered all their forces in Italy on 2 May, 1945.  Richard was on guard duty that day and was in the building to witness the German commander surrender to the Allies.  After the surrender, Richard was on one of the first ships to return as he had earned enough combat points to send him home.

Richard’s regiment received the French Croix de Guerre, the Meritorious Unit Citation,  and the Presidential Unit Citation. The latter award was created during WWII to recognize units for a collective display of extraordinary heroism. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.  Richard was also awarded the Bronze Star, the European Theater Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, a WWII Victory Medal, the Marksman Badge with Carbine & Rifle bars, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.  As with most infantrymen, Richard was most proud of the CIB.

350th Infantry Regiment - 2 Bn

Gallant, Edward

Subject: 350th. Regiment
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2006 10:45:59 -0500
From: "Gallant, Jeffrey D Mr DCS, G-2" <Jeffrey.Gallant@xxxxx.mil>
To: Hello@MtMestas.com

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

Sir: Greetings………
I want to tell you that I enjoyed your site and your work concerning the 88th. Infantry.

I am the second oldest son of PFC Edward J. Gallant, of the 350th. Infantry Regiment, 2nd. Battalion, and I would be honored and proud to provide you some information about my father, who is rapidly approaching 84 years of age, and resides, still, in Massachusetts. He was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions on 11 & 12 May 1944, at the Battle of Monte Cassino…. The war basically ended for him there as he was so egregiously wounded that he was given the last rites of the Catholic church three times and once declared dead. However he survived, is a 100% disabled veteran now, and is hanging in there as the Blue Devils do.

The next reunion is Labor Day Weekend, 2006, in Boston.

Please respond in return……

Best,
Jeff Gallant

350th Infantry Regiment

Gibson, Eugene L.

Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 9:41 pm    Post subject: 350th roster.

In researching Pvt. Eugene L. Gibson's (my Grandfather) WWII experience I found he was a member of the 350th. I do not know very much about him as he died 23 years ago and did not talk very much about it. He had told my Dad not to look, because he wouldn't be able to find anything as much of his operations were secret (he was only accountable to the officer who gave the order.) I would be very interested to know anything you could tell me from what you were able to obtain in your research. Yours is the first place I found any acknowledgement for the bronze star. However you have him listed as middle initial I instead of L. I know he enlisted in Oct. 1942 in the cavalry. Then went through (i believe Ranger) training in Scotland, Then was an instructor Finally demanding to be sent over seas. This I believe is wher his association with the 350th starts. I understand he also won the purple heart, oak leaf cluster for his bronze star, distinguished service cross, and CIB. Until the day he died he considered himself infantry though. Any information anybody can give me on him would be greatly appreciated. I was told he fought alongside the Girka soldiers and rangers most of the time and usually only fought Schuttsaffel(sp?) (German Paratroopers). He served in Africa, Scicily, and Italy. Wounded in Cassino? (Nov. or Dec '43) Spent a year in the hospital at Harmon General Hospital in Longview Texas, Where he received his discharge in Jan. '45.

Thank you for any help you may be able to give me.

shanegib97@*****.com

Shane Gibson
904 Moore St. #478
Baraboo, WI 53913

350th Infantry Regiment - Co G

Hilt, Paul

Hello, Gary!
I have been e-mailing your website address to several people who contacted me in the past about my dad's service. While my father's story is not as dramatic as your uncle's, I am still mighty proud of him. His story follows this message. I am looking forward to visiting your website again and again and I know my younger brother will, too. Thanks so much for taking the time to document this important information and for sharing. My dad's info may not be 100% accurate. He will soon be 82 and his memory is failing.
Tammy Kennedy Hilt
------------------------------------------------
Gary,
I had also noticed that your uncle and my dad were in the same company. My brother (an avid history buff) was very excited when I told him and gave him your web page address. I don't think my dad has any photos of his service time. Unfortunately, there was a housefire not too awfully long after he and mother married and I think most things probably were destroyed then. I know his medals were because we were finally able to replace them for him a few years ago. There may be a couple of photos of Daddy in one album that my parents have. I will check when I go over. I know that there are photos of him recuperating at Walter Reed Hospital, but I think I remember a photo of him and his army buddy John Beasley. Mr. Beasley used to come and visit us but contact was lost probably in the 70's. I have tried for quite sometime to track him down for Daddy, but I haven't had any luck. Mr. Beasley was originally from NC, but he moved to Michigan after the war and I think he worked in the auto industry (probably some sort of plant). His middle name starts with a "T"---I think his middle name might be Thomas, but I'll ask my mother to make sure. He really might have photos if we could track him down. There may be one other photo of Daddy with a buddy, but I'm guessing it was at Walter Reed, too. I will keep looking and send you a copy of anything I find. Thanks so much for the information.
Tammy
-------------------------------------------------------
Gary,
I happened to think of two things that might be of interest to you and that I will try to e-mail to you. 1) Mel Cooper sent me some information that he has collected on the 88th. I will send it to you as an attachment. I told Mel about you, so he might be in touch. I don't think he would mind if I forward the info to you. He is very active in veterans' groups. 2) A lady got in touch with me quite some time ago and told me that her uncle (or maybe dad) had been in the 88th. She does have photos and offered to share them. I am going to check to see if I still have her e-mail (I'm almost positive that I do) and I will forward it to you. Take care!
Tammy

----------

Daddy's outfit, the 350th Infantry Unit, Company G, landed at Casablanca, and fought in Africa before going to Italy. He says, "We landed in Naples and then went on to Anzio. One boy I knew, who was a Holly boy from St. Paul (VA), was killed at Anzio. When we first arrived in Italy, the weather was really pretty. Then, it got cold and started snowing. It would snow awhile and let up awhile. Near Rome, it got very cold. It was so cold that when I dug my foxhole, I thought I would freeze to death (His feet were badly frostbitten at that time and he still has problems with them as a result)."

After landing in Naples, they went on to Oran (not sure of the spelling),Casino, Rome, the Po Valley, and Pisa. He said they traveled to the upper end of Italy (almost to the border of another country---France, he thinks). Eighty-seven percent of the outfit was killed. As to morale, Daddy says, "We didn't like being there, but we couldn't do anything about it. We had to fight Hitler." He adds, "If any hell is on earth, it was there. It was as bad as it could be."

"We went into the mountains---awful mountains---not like the ones here," he recalls. His outfit was captured while in the mountains and held prisoner for three days. The Nazis told them they would be sent to prisons in Germany and they began the trek out of the mountains. His unit was rescued after coming down a hill when a hidden American company surrounded the Nazis and forced them to throw down their weapons. Now, the previous captors were the prisoners. After being rescued, they traveled to near Rome to what he remembers as "a big wooded area near what appeared to be a farming area with big fields."

His major told them they would be camping out for 2-3 days. As soon as they erected their tents, big trucks roared up and began unloading cargo. The men speculated for awhile as to what the contents of the trucks were. Then, some of them decided to go closer to see what it was. Horrified, they realized that bodies were being unloaded and stacked like crossties. There was a terrible stench the next day. Their major made the decision that they would move quickly to another area. When they set up camp again, they were instructed to dig foxholes. As they were digging, it began raining. That night, they were "up to their knees" in water. As the temperature plummeted, the water soon froze.

The next morning, he told his major, "I can't walk."

"Sure you can," the major replied and he pulled at Daddy trying to get him to walk. When Daddy couldn't walk, he sat down and pulled his boots off. The major told Daddy that he would probably lose his feet. He took him to a field hospital that had been set up in an old house. A doctor there also told him that his feet would probably have to be amputated. The doctor gave him medicine to soak his feet in twice a day, but told him that if his feet weren't better in two days, they would have to be amputated. Two days later, his feet were improved and his doctor sent him back to his unit. One month later, he was shot and badly wounded by some snipers who kept shooting at them from an old farmhouse. He was scared and tried to convince the others to wait or go back until a tank could help them. One of the men kept urging them on. Three of the other men were killed while trying to kill the snipers. Daddy got off a couple of rounds, but then he tried to lift his arm to his gun and realized his arm was wounded too badly for him to do anything else. The other remaining man was also wounded. A tank came rumbling over the hill they were on and, after checking to see if they were okay, the driver said, "Don't worry. We'll take care of them!" The tank took down the house and, thus, the sniper (which turned out to be about 8 Nazis. They were killed when the tank took the house out).

Of his injury, Daddy says, "It burned. It didn't hurt like I thought it would when I was shot." The pain came later during recovery.

He was flown to a tent field hospital in Rome, where he stayed for three weeks, then on to Naples for a short while. Then he was loaded onto a ship which was to take him to Norfolk so that he could be sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., for specialized care.

While at the field hospital in Rome, he told the doctor his arm kept badly itching, but he couldn't scratch it and asked if the doctor would look at his arm to make sure it was okay. The doctor then told him that they had used maggots to eat the dead flesh away in an attempt to avoid amputating his arm. He looked down and, to his horror, realized the doctor was right. The doctor assured him the maggots would be removed the next day, which they were.

Although he protested that he could walk on his own two feet, he was carried on a stretcher up a ramp to the ship. He heard someone yelling, "Hey, Paul! Hey, Paul!" A boy he had gone to school with (Gene Skeens) was on the crew and was yelling at him from an upper deck. Skeens had the orderlies carry Daddy to a bunk near his so that he could help Daddy. Daddy was very happy to have someone from home to talk to and to see. Skeens told him if he needed anything to eat, drink, or anything else to let him know and he would take care of it. He proceeded to take care of Daddy all the way to Norfolk.

Daddy was taken to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, where he spent approximately 18 months. In September of 1945, doctors removed a section of a bone from his lower leg and grafted it onto the bone in his arm. They also placed a silver pin in his elbow to hold his bones together. He was discharged in April, 1946. He is now 81 years old.

350th Infantry Regiment - 1st Bn

Holland, James G.

I am the son of James G. Holland, Jr. My father served on the Regimental Staff and commanded the 1st Bn, 350th Inf.

Dad passed away as the result of complications caused by Parkinson\'s disease in 1997. He was very proud of his service with the 88th Division, first with the 350th and then as G-2 during the occupation.
My mother, sister and I joined dad in Italy during the occupation.

James G. Holland III

350th Infantry Regiment - Co E

Keene

From: "Jack and Jan" <traveler@*****.com>
Subject: 350th Inf, 88th Inf
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 23:24:03 -0500

Dear Mr. Smith,

Been searching 88th for some time. Just happened upon the Mestas page last nite and your message board tonite. My brother was in Co E of 350th. He was killed in Italy in July, 1944. I notice his name was not on the listed casualties on the web page. he received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. If you could help me get in contact with anyone who was in his outfit so I could talk to them, I would greatly appreciate it. I've never been able to find anyone who really knew how he was killed.

Thanks very much,
Franklin Keene

350th Infantry Regiment - Co I

Schuko, Anthony J., Sr.

350th Infantry Regiment - Co I

Striar, Bernie

Hello Gary
Thanks for the e-mail about "Cowboy" Mestas. He was killed on the same day (29 Sept) as Bernie Striar the soldier that I was looking for. Bernie was in Company "I" 350th. I am trying to reconstruct the events and geography (what units & who was where) of the action. The story on your web site is another piece.

Thanks again
Bill Cook

350th Infantry Regiment - Co L

Vargus, Albert

Hello Mestas family,
My name is Alex Vargas and am the youngest son of Pvt. Albert R.
Vargas, 88th. Infantry Division, 350th. Infantry Regiment, "L"-Company. My dad was the eldest of "L"-Co's. BAR-TEAM (Pvt. Albert R. Vargas, Pfc. Robert D. Segura, Pfc. Louis S. Loia). I would very much like to thank you for what I have found to be thee best Blue Devil web-site. I also am
looking forward in sharing about my dad and the men that he served with as
well as finding out any additional information and photos that anyone
might have.

thank you and God bless,
the Vargas family