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In 1921, #USArmy Sgt. Edward F. Younger, a highly decorated World War I combat veteran, selected the Unknown Soldier of World War I to be interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the plaza of Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater. Younger selected the service member from four identical caskets which contained remains of four unknowns exhumed from each of the four cemeteries in France by placing a spray of white roses on one of the caskets at the city hall in Chalons-sur-Marne, France. For more information about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, visit http://go.usa.gov/GcCj |
The Recruiter
From Skippy Zint:
This photo of members of the Highland Falls Fire Department includes Arnold Brass, at the front, left. Sgt Brass was a multi service recruiter in Newburgh who recruited Rusty Boyan, Bob (Shinny) Lewis, Eddie Vingo, and me into the Air Force. This was in December, 1950. As suggested by Charles "Skip" Zint, this is, indeed a good start for the “Memories” page of those who served both in times of war, and during the peace keeping times.
(Click the photo for a larger view)
Added by KC:
Regarding the Highland falls recruitment efforts, I was recruited by Sgt. Fleming and met with him to discuss the options available. I transferred from the Air Force into the Army in 1966, and paid a second visit to The Seaman's Church Institute on Whitehall Street in New York City while awaiting my transportation to Fort Polk, Louisiana, culminating in two basic training stints, since the Army didn't honor the Air Force version.
[This page will be expanded to include information about every armed service, as well as stories about our fellow villagers....expansion in progress]
This photo of members of the Highland Falls Fire Department includes Arnold Brass, at the front, left. Sgt Brass was a multi service recruiter in Newburgh who recruited Rusty Boyan, Bob (Shinny) Lewis, Eddie Vingo, and me into the Air Force. This was in December, 1950. As suggested by Charles "Skip" Zint, this is, indeed a good start for the “Memories” page of those who served both in times of war, and during the peace keeping times.
(Click the photo for a larger view)
Added by KC:
Regarding the Highland falls recruitment efforts, I was recruited by Sgt. Fleming and met with him to discuss the options available. I transferred from the Air Force into the Army in 1966, and paid a second visit to The Seaman's Church Institute on Whitehall Street in New York City while awaiting my transportation to Fort Polk, Louisiana, culminating in two basic training stints, since the Army didn't honor the Air Force version.
[This page will be expanded to include information about every armed service, as well as stories about our fellow villagers....expansion in progress]
The Army Air Corps
From Richard Saulpaugh:
I remember hearing from my late brother Bob, who enlisted in the Army Air Corps with "Cunjie" Concetta Castagna on December 8, 1941 at 39 Whitehall St, NYC. Castagna (because of his short stature) was assigned as a tail gunner and was shot down by the Japanese.
My brother went on to the Pacific traveling from Australia throughout New Guinea and went on part of a search mission for Gerda Mulak (HFHS), a US military nurse whose plane was shot down in New Guinea. Gerda had lived on Cozzens Avenue near the corner of Church Street. To my knowledge her body was never recovered.
Purple Heart Day “Shot Day” 8/27/68
See description below
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he
today that sheds his blood with me,shall be my brother."
-William Shakespeare Henry V-
My name is Thomas Louis Gruno (Ray). I was a First Lieutenant of an infantry rifle platoon when I earned my Purple Heart in Viet Nam. I was Bravo 26m (2ndPlatoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Bn, 39th Inf., 9th Infantry Division). My Infantry men were the best of the best, and still are.
We got back from the field after two weeks of heavy combat. It was the evening of the 26th of August, 1968. The next day was my birthday, 8/27/68. I thought how nice it would be to sleep in a bed, clean up, eat hot chow, and not be in combat on my birthday. This was not to be.
Charlie Company, 2/39, was involved in a big firefight when my company, Bravo, was ordered to go out to support them. We had to make a combat assault by helicopter into a hot LZ (Landing Zone). During the battle, I was ordered to advance into the jungle. I called in artillery and fast movers (F-4 Phantom Jets) to soften up our assault. As we advanced into the jungle from our position, the NVA opened up with machine gun and rifle fire about ¾ of the way across the rice paddy. Three of us were immediately hit. To my left, private Dyson, from Tacoma Park, Maryland, was shot in the chest, KIA. I was wounded in the lower leg by a Chi-Com type 56 machine gun..7.62, breaking my tibia and fibula. To my right, within an arm's reach, Sgt. Ray Registar of Valdosta, Georgia, was shot in the head, and KIA also. I guess the enemy thought I was dead too, because they shifted their fire to my other squads. When I realized this, I pulled the pin on my grenade and threw it into the machine gun nest, about ten yards away. I knocked out the nest, killing the two NVA.
Specialist Fred Benson, Detroit, Michigan, and Sgt. John Nelson, New jersey, pulled me back to our last position, behind the rice paddy dike. My medic looked at my
leg. I told him to cut off my boot because I thought I was hit in the ankle. Actually, I was hit in my leg even though it felt like my ankle. After he stopped the bleeding and gave me morphine, I called for a medevac. Waiting for the helicopter, I called in some more artillery on the enemy position. It must have been effective because we stopped receiving fire. When the medevac came in, several of my men carried me over to it. As we said goodbye to each other, I thanked them and gave them a thumbs-up sign, because I knew they had to R.O.N. (remain over night).
I thank my platoon every day for their fighting spirit and loyalty to each other and their lieutenant. I thank God, too, for the American Fighting Infantryman, the greatest in the world.
When I received my Purple Heart in the 3rd Field Hospital, I read the certificate. It stated that George Washington (who conceived the Purple Heart medal) awarded the first one in Newburgh, New York. I never knew that, even though I graduated from St. Patrick's High School in Newburgh in 1963.
How about them apples!
“Lest we Forget”
1st Lieutenant Thomas L. “Ray” Gruno
Call Sign - “Mad Dog 26”
Buffalo Soldiers at West Point
Buffalo Soldier Field
The inscription reads:
This athletic field is named in honor of the men of the Ninth and Tenth U.S. Cavalry Regiments, detachments of which once served at West Point. These Regiments of Horse Cavalry were first created by the Army Reorganization Act of 1866, and their early service was on the western frontier. They were composed of Black American troops, who were called “Buffalo Soldiers” by their Indian foes, a sobriquet they adopted with pride.
During the Indian Wars of 1867 – 1891 the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries participated in eleven campaigns against hostile Indians, among whom were included Kiowas, Comanches, Utes, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Kickapoos, Apaches, and Sioux. They were engaged in over 125 recorded battles and skirmishes, most of them in Texas and New Mexico, but also including actions in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Idaho, Montana, and Mexico. Some were major engagements, but many were detachment actions in which noncommissioned officers held the command, and there were many examples of hardships withstood and heroism displayed. Other duties included guarding the border, apprehending bandits and cattle thieves, and maintaining order in sparsely settled and unruly territory.
In the War with Spain both Regiments were in the Cuban Expedition of 1898. The Tenth made the frontal attack
By Bill Coughlin, September 18, 20112. Buffalo Soldier Field Marker in the opening engagement at Las Guasimas, and both regiments participated in the attack on San Juan Hill, the Tenth extricating the Rough Riders from difficulty and then joining with them in the assault on the blockhouse. Both regiments were also engaged in the Siege of Santiago.
Subsequently the Ninth Cavalry was sent to the Philippines, where it saw action in numerous skirmishes from 1900 to 1902 during the insurrection. The Tenth eventually returned to border duty in the southwest, and accompanied General Pershing on the Punitive Expedition of 1916, being engaged at Agua caliente, Parral, and Carrizal.
In 1907 a detachment of the Ninth Cavalry was assigned to West Point in support of cadet riding instruction and mounted drill, which was conducted on the ground now occupied by the athletic field and formerly known as the Cavalry Plain. In 1931 it was replaced by the 2nd Squadron of the Tenth Cavalry, which remained at West Point until inactivation in 1946.
Placed on this site in honor of the Highland Falls natives who served as members of The Buffalo Soldiers.
Additional information is requested. Submit via the link at the top of this page.
This athletic field is named in honor of the men of the Ninth and Tenth U.S. Cavalry Regiments, detachments of which once served at West Point. These Regiments of Horse Cavalry were first created by the Army Reorganization Act of 1866, and their early service was on the western frontier. They were composed of Black American troops, who were called “Buffalo Soldiers” by their Indian foes, a sobriquet they adopted with pride.
During the Indian Wars of 1867 – 1891 the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries participated in eleven campaigns against hostile Indians, among whom were included Kiowas, Comanches, Utes, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Kickapoos, Apaches, and Sioux. They were engaged in over 125 recorded battles and skirmishes, most of them in Texas and New Mexico, but also including actions in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Idaho, Montana, and Mexico. Some were major engagements, but many were detachment actions in which noncommissioned officers held the command, and there were many examples of hardships withstood and heroism displayed. Other duties included guarding the border, apprehending bandits and cattle thieves, and maintaining order in sparsely settled and unruly territory.
In the War with Spain both Regiments were in the Cuban Expedition of 1898. The Tenth made the frontal attack
By Bill Coughlin, September 18, 20112. Buffalo Soldier Field Marker in the opening engagement at Las Guasimas, and both regiments participated in the attack on San Juan Hill, the Tenth extricating the Rough Riders from difficulty and then joining with them in the assault on the blockhouse. Both regiments were also engaged in the Siege of Santiago.
Subsequently the Ninth Cavalry was sent to the Philippines, where it saw action in numerous skirmishes from 1900 to 1902 during the insurrection. The Tenth eventually returned to border duty in the southwest, and accompanied General Pershing on the Punitive Expedition of 1916, being engaged at Agua caliente, Parral, and Carrizal.
In 1907 a detachment of the Ninth Cavalry was assigned to West Point in support of cadet riding instruction and mounted drill, which was conducted on the ground now occupied by the athletic field and formerly known as the Cavalry Plain. In 1931 it was replaced by the 2nd Squadron of the Tenth Cavalry, which remained at West Point until inactivation in 1946.
Placed on this site in honor of the Highland Falls natives who served as members of The Buffalo Soldiers.
Additional information is requested. Submit via the link at the top of this page.
The Beer Baron
From Tom Scott:
Today (May 8) is the 67th anniversary of VE or Victory in Europe Day. Many HF people were impacted. In our HS was that wonderful mural by Glen Heberling, that spoke to all of us without words. Near the painting, was a plaque containing HF'ers who made the ultimate sacrifice. My (Tom Scott's) Dad never passed by without touching, including the name of a HS girlfriend... Like many of that generation, WWII was kinda taboo in the Scott household. During our youth the war was a sinew, binding many of us... So, here is a shot, maybe of the day... The Beer Baron of Berthchgarden, from up on 40 Schneider... after a long campaign, including the unanticipated Battle of the Bulge... And the march across Europe that culminated in Hitlers demise
A Photo Tribute to Those Who Served
