national wwii museum ~ apr 2011

8/3/2019 National WWII Museum ~ Apr 2011

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www.NationalWW2Msm.og

V-

MAILNews from The NaTioNal wwii museum Volm 12, Nmb 1: Sping 201

Msm Mmbs

gat in Nw Olans!Pags 10 ad 11

As part o Veterans Day events at The National World War II Museum, local

schoolchildren sat down with World War II vets to ask questions and listen to stories in

the shadow o the Museum’s C-47.

Eyes wide with wonder, more than 80 th graders rom the New Orleans area

listened to World War II veterans relay their stories o aerial dogghts, naval battles

and joyous amily reunions during the war that changed the world. Students also

had the opportunity to meet real-lie Rosie the Riveters, a Holocaust survivor, one

o the rst emale Marines and some o the women who did their part or victory on

the Home Front.

The meeting was part o the Museum's “Talking to Living History” initiative, which

introduced the country’s newest generations to members o its “greatest” one.

“Families and school groups need to hear wartime stories rom those who lived them,”

says Dr. Gordon “Nick” Mueller, Museum president and CEO. “These citizen soldiers

witnessed one o history’s most momentous events, and they have much to convey abou

courage, teamwork, service and sacrice, especially to young Americans. And there’s

not much time let to listen.”

The sense o urgency is due to a grim calendar. Veterans are dying at the rate o 740 a

day, according to the U.S. Department o Veterans Aairs. By the end o 2011, less than 2

million WWII veterans will remain o the 16 million who served.

Veteran Tom Blakey jumped and ought at Normandy as part o the 82nd Airborne and,

as a Museum volunteer, shares his stories daily with visitors. “There are a lot o things

in this Museum, but it’s not a Museum about things. It’s about the people and the stories

o what we saw and did. It’s important to share those stories with uture generations so

they can learn rom them and continue to pass them on ater we are gone.”

Find tips or talking to veterans at www.nationalww2museum.org.

READ A LETTER FROM MUSEUM TRUSTEE DREW BREESo te mportae of reag out to eteras – page 3.

A CALL TO EARSThe Greatest Generation meets the next generation

All images courtesy o Kevin Swan, SwanLuxury.com


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The NATIONAL WOrLd WAr II MuSeuM, Inc.

Stephen E. Ambrose, Ph.D. (1936-2002)Founder

Boa o Tsts 2010-2011 OfcsPhilip G. Satre, ChairmanHerschel L. Abbott, Jr., Vice ChairmanGovernor Pete Wilson, Past Chairman James A. Courter, Secretary

Harold J. Bouillion, TreasurerGordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Ph.D., President & CEO

Boa o Tsts 2010-2011 MmbsSenator Diana E. BajoieDavid BarksdaleBrandon B. BergerW.A. “Cappy” BissoThomas L. BlairDonald T. “Boysie” BollingerDrew BreesPhilip J. BurguieresRaymond C. Burton, Jr.Michael S. Bylen Jerey R. CarterElaine Chao

Thomas B. Coleman Jed V. DavisRobert M. EdselH. M. “Tim” Favrot, Jr. James R. Fisher, Sr.Louis Freeman John D. GeorgesTerence E. HallRobert Tucker HayesC. Paul HilliardWilliam H. HinesCol. Jack H. Jacobs, USA (Ret.) James W. Jacobs John E. Koerner IIIMark R. KonjevodKevin J. Lilly

E. Ralph Lupin, M.D.Robert H. MalottDennis A. MuilenburgRichard A. PattarozziM. Cleland Powell IIIKevin P. Reilly, Jr.William P. RutledgeRobert “Bobby” SavoieCurt SchillingFrank B. Stewart, Jr.Carroll W. SuggsPaul Tagliabue John M. Turner, Jr.David R. VoelkerTed M. WeggelandBruce N. Whitman

Fred S. Zeidman

The National World War II Museum tells thestory o the American Experience in the war

that changed the world – why it was ought,how it was won, and what it means today – sothat all generations will understand the priceo reedom and be inspired by what they learn.

Your Letters and E-mailsThe Museum is honored to hear regularly rom our World War II veterans with stories o thei

service. These memoirs are added to the Museum’s library where they are a potential source

or uture research on the war. The Museum is happy to accept any written account but ideall

they should be typed and accompanied by a high quality WWII era photo i possible. Send yo

story to us at: The National World War II Museum, Attn: Archivist, 945 Magazine Street, New

Orleans, LA 70130 or [email protected].

In a recent letter rom Reid Gardner Cayce o Summerville, SC, he recounts his service in the

Mediterranean, European and Pacic Theaters in great detail. Here are some highlights rom

his account.

On hiS EnLiSTMEnT

Ater graduating rom Columbia High School on February 2, 1942 and working or approximat

one year at J.C. Penney Company in Savannah, Georgia, I enlisted in the United States Navy on

January 15, 1943. Those lie-size posters in ront o the post ofce, “Uncle Sam Wants You,” had a

strong appeal.

On ThE nORMAnDy invASiOn

We sailors were very ortunate in that ater unloading we could leave the beaches and return to

homeports or another load o troops, equipment and supplies. I elt sorry or the troops that we

let to proceed ater the enemy.

On ThE cOST OF vicTORy

Thousands didn’t come home. Many, many ships were sunk along with men, equipment and

supplies. The losses were insurmountable and almost unbelievable.

Reid Gardner Cayce was honorably discharged on January 31, 1946 ater three years and sixte

days o service.

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Like many men in their thirties, the demands o building

a career and amily means my gaze is ocused on what’s

ahead, not what’s behind. I do, however, enjoy reading

about history -- especially military history -- but it took

a trip to Okinawa, an island near Japan, to make me

realize the deep, i not always visible, connection betweenAmerica’s youngest generations and its “Greatest” one.

In April 1945, Okinawa became the site o one o World

War II’s bloodiest battles between invading US orces

and the deending Japanese. My grandather, Ray Akins, then a 19-year-old Marine

rom Brady, Texas, was in the thick o it. As I walked around the island I realized I was

walking in his ootsteps. I stood at the very spot where my grandather stormed the

beach with the rest o the First Marine Division. I imagined hitting the sand, storming

the hills that looked like jungle, capturing ground and the noise and death surrounding

the soldiers as they rst stepped oot on the island. Suddenly, a rush o emotion came

over me, and I had to know what my grandather was thinking at that moment.

So I called my grandather, rom that very spot. I told him where I was, and with tears

rolling down my ace I asked him to recall that day.

“I was 19 years old on April 1, 1945, and my birthday was in May. I was just trying to live

to be 20,” he told me. I will never orget that conversation, and neither will the uture

generations o my amily. Had a Japanese bullet killed my grandather I would not be

here. Nor would my two sons.

When I returned home, my grandather told me more stories about the War: the surge o

patriotism ater Pearl Harbor; his boot camp in San Diego; his adventures in China and

his encounters in the Pacic. I met more veterans when I joined the board o The NationalWorld War II Museum, the New Orleans institution Congress designated the nation’s WWII

museum and tasked to honor and preserve the stories and deeds o the Greatest Generation

or the uture. Listening to the veterans’ experiences moved me greatly. All Americans

should hear them. Especially our kids. But they need to be heard soon.

The World War II veterans are leaving us. Now in their 80s and 90s, they are dying at

the rate o 740 a day, according to statistics rom the U.S. Department o Veterans Aairs.

There’s not a lot o time let to meet them. I urge amilies to seek out these veterans.

Thank them or their service. Ask them questions. Let your children listen.

The NATIONAL WOrLd WAr II MuSeuM945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130www.nationalww2museum.org504-528-1944 or 877-813-3329

hOurS OF OPerATIONMsm eibits an Msm StoOpen seven days a week, 9:00 am – 5:00 pmFind out more about the Museum Store at

store.nationalww2museum.org or call

877-813-3329 x 244.

T Solomon Victoy Tatwww.victorytheater.org | 504-528-1942Showing Beyond All Boundaries Seven days a week, hourly,Sunday-Thursday at 10:00 am – 4:00 pmFriday and Saturday at 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.

T Stag doo Cantnwww.stagedoorcanteen.org | 504-528-1943Featuring live entertainment with all thesass and swing o the 1940s. View the

schedule o shows online. Dinner and brunch packages available.Reservations are strongly recommended.

The Museum, Theater, Canteen and Store areclosed Mardi Gras Day, Thanksgiving Day,Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

T Amican Sctowww.american-sector.com | 504-528-1940A Che John Besh restaurant,Open seven days a week,Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm.Call or go online or reservations.

The American Sector is closed Thanksgiving Day,Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

GrOuP VISITSTo schedule your reunion, church, schoolor tour group, call 504-528-1944 x 222 or go towww.nationalww2museum.org/plan-a-visit.Ask about our Call o Duty and Behind the Lines VIP tour options!

e-MAIL uPdATeS

Sign up or ree e-mails about Museum eventsand exhibits and special discount oers atwww.nationalww2museum.org/bulletin

ACCeSSIBILITYAll areas o the Museum are wheelchairaccessible. A limited number o wheelchairs areavailable or use on site at no charge. Serviceanimals are welcome.

V-MAIL is published quarterly by The National World War IIMuseum, Inc. as a beneft to Museum members. Contact us atThe National World War II Museum, Attn: V-MAIL, 945 MagazineStreet, New Orleans, LA 70130 or 504-528-1944 x 357 or [email protected]. 14088

In Our

Grandparents'

FootstepsBy Drew Brees

FOOTSTePS continued on page 14


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The story o the 291st Engineer Combat Battali

and their vital contribution in the construction

o the Ludendor Bridge will be eatured in an

exhibit in the upcoming Campaigns Pavilion.

The 291st Engineer Combat Battalion was

ormed at Camp Swit, Texas in April o 1943.

The unit began intensive training during the

summer o 1943 and nally shipped overseas tEngland in October o that year. Arriving in Liverpool,

England, the 291st and commanding ocer, David E. Pergrin,

were immediately put to work constructing tent camps and building

roads in order to house and move troops or the upcoming D-Day invasion.

On June 23, 1944, the 291st landed in Normandy and moved inland, tasked with the job o

maintaining the roads to and between Carentan. It was in Normandy that the 291st receive

its baptism by re, sustaining light casualties during intermittent periods o German

artillery re. During the long summer o 1944, the 291st constructed and maintained road

through the Normandy area towards Paris.

By December 1944, the unit was occupying several small villages in the Ardennes Forest ar

o Belgium. The men o the 291st enjoyed Thanksgiving and prepared or a quiet Christma

On December 16, the Germans unleashed a violent counterattack in the Ardennes Forest

designed to re-capture Antwerp and cut the Allied armies in two. The American ront line

were thrown into disarray as the Germans captured thousands o GIs and pressed their

attack orward with relentless ury. For the rst time in the war, the men o the 291st put

down their building equipment and picked up their rifes and TNT.

Throughout the early stages o the Battle o the Bulge, the 291st distinguished itsel in close

and vicious ghting, stopping the German advance several times at key road networks with

strong deense or blowing up numerous bridges across the many rivers in the Ardennes.

Ater witnessing another vital bridge blow anddisruption o his crucial

time table, German

spearhead commander,

SS Obersturmbannuhrer

Jochen Peiper, is said to

have pounded his sts on

his tank and screamed,

“The Damned Engineers!”

in reerence to the 291st.

By the end o January 1945,the US Army, along with

the 291st, had resumed its

advance into Germany. In

early March, rumors began

circulating that a railroad

bridge in the town o Remagen

was the last bridge standing

across the Rhine River. On

March 7, the Germans attempted

Sgt. Charles Hensel o the 291st EngineerCombat Battalion was interviewed by

Historian Tommy Loton at his home in

Lockport, NY, on November 10, 2010.

Sgt. Charles Hensel grew up in Lockport,

NY and spent much o his youth playing

sotball and staying active in the Boy

Scouts. He was drated by the Army in

1943 and eventually let his home in New

York or Camp Swit, Texas. Upon arriving

at Camp Swit, he was assigned to the291st Engineer Combat Battalion, under

the command o then Lt. Col. David E.

Pergrin. With the 291st Hensel underwent

engineering training and the unit spent

some time in Louisiana beore eventually

shipping out to England.

Ater months o hard fghting and

successully repairing roads and bridges

in Normandy, the 291st Engineer Combat

Battalion reached Belgium. It was therethat the Germans launched Operation

Wacht Am Rhein (better known as the

Battle o the Bulge) against the Allied

troops within the Ardennes Forest. As the

Germans advanced in the direction o Col.

Pergrin and his men, the 291st expanded

along the American ront line in order to

deend or destroy the crucial bridges in

the area and slow the German advance.

Hensel, now a Sergeant in Company C and

ORAL HISTORY SPOTLIGHT

Sgt. Charles Hensel291st Engineer Combat Battalion

SPOTLIGHT ON THE 291ST ENGINEER

COMBAT BATTALION

HENSEL continued on page 5


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to destroy the Ludendor Bridge ahead o the 9th Armored Division by detonation. The

German emergency charge went o, but to their astonishment, the bridge remained intact.

By the evening o March 8, over 8,000 American troops crossed the Ludendor Bridge.

Although the bridge had been captured intact, it was severely damaged rom the explosion

and the massive volume o military trafc. The 291st was selected to build a new bridge

across the Rhine River in anticipation o the Ludendor’s inevitable collapse.

On March 9, with cries o, “Rise and Shine, we’re bridging the Rhine!” the 291st beganconstruction o the longest treadway bridge ever built. They worked under constant German

artillery fre and air attacks. Several times throughout the building process, work had to be

stopped so that the engineers could dash or cover under the seemingly un-relenting German

artillery. By the end o the frst day, the 291st had suered several casualties and had named

the end o the lengthening bridge “Suicide Point.”

Roughly 32 hours ater construction began, the bridge was complete. At 1,032 eet, it was the

longest tactical bridge built under fre, and the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion’s fnest hour.

By war’s end, the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion had constructed 23 timber bridges, 44

Bailey bridges, 7 treadway bridges, constructed 11 bridges under fre, destroyed 6 bridges,

made 7 river assault crossings, deactivated 15 bombs, cleared 7,000 mines, and taken8,500 German prisoners. As a result o its stellar record, the unit was awarded the

Presidential Unit Citation.

squad leader of 3rd Squad, had orders to

set up a road block in front of one such

crucial bridge located just outside of

Stavelot, a crucial town between Trois-

Ponts and Malmedy.

Under the cover of a dark night, Hensel

sent one of his men, Pvt. Bernard

Goldstein, just ahead of the road blockarea to keep a lookout for German units

moving into the area. The rest of the

squad went into action setting up a “daisy

chain” of landmines across the road to

impede the advance of German armor.

Upon completion, Hensel decided to take

another man down the road to assist

Pvt. Goldstein with watching for German

armor. These men had no idea that a

German column of tanks was pulling upto Goldstein’s position. All of a sudden

“Halt!” echoed through the area as

Goldstein yelled at the tank column,

unsure of whether they were German or

American tanks. Hensel and his man

ducked down as shots rang out in all

directions. They worked their way back

to the squad and fell back to wait on

Goldstein’s return. After waiting as long as

they could, Hensel decided to get his men

back into friendly territory, uncertain ofGoldstein’s fate.

As the squad approached the bridge,

Hensel remembered a group of GIs along

the road stopping the truck and asking

what all the commotion was about down

the road. Hensel told them he didn’t know,

but that he was getting his men to safety.

Upon pulling away, he realized that there

was something odd about the GIs, that

only one man talked and the rest seemed

eerily quiet. Looking back, he feels quite

certain that some of these men belonged

to Otto Skorzeny’s Panzer Brigade 150.

As the Battle of the Bulge wound to

a close, Hensel and his men found

themselves in Baugnez at the site of the

“Malmedy Massacre.” Their duty was

to clean the snow off of the dead GIs

and police them for booby traps that the

HENSEL continued on page 14

HENSEL continued from page 4



PaCK Your BaGs for aN hisToriC aDVeNTure wiTh fiVe sTar Tours

Victory in EuropeJue 2011This 2-week tour oers access to World

War II veterans, distinguished scholars,

expert local guides and historic sites that

can only be experienced on the Victory in

Europe Tour. Guests can participate in one

or both portions o the tour. Pre and post

tour options are also available.

London/Normandy/ParisJue 1- 8, 2011

» Hear a rst-person account o the June 6,1944 Normandy invasion by a veteran.

» Dine with Viscount Montgomery o Alamein, son o Field Marshal BernardMontgomery

» Tour the Imperial War Museum witha behind the scenes tour o Churchill’sCabinet War Rooms

» Enjoy private access to Brecourt Manor,made amous by the actions shown inHBO’s Band o Brothers

Paris/Battle of the Bulge/FrankfurJue 8 – 15, 2011

» Hear rst person accounts rom a Battle othe Bulge veteran

» Visit the remains o the Ludendor Bridgat Remagen

» Explore the Huertgen Forest and key sitesalong the Siegried Line

» Visit General Patton’s grave at the AmericCemetery in Luxembourg

» Walk along the American and Germanpositions around Bastogne

»

Enjoy a guided behind the scenes tour o National Museum o Military Historyin Luxembourg

In the Footsteps of the Monuments MenSeptember 16 – 25, 2011This exclusive inaugural trip, led by The Monuments Men author, Robert M. Edsel,retraces the route scholar soldiers took acrossa battered, war-torn continent in a race to savecivilization’s treasures rom destruction by the

Nazis in the chaotic nal days o World War II.Stops include the Louvre, the Residenz Palacein Wurzburg, the Church o Notre Dame inLa Gleize, the Jeu de Paume Museum in Paris,St. Pietersberg mine in Maastricht, Hitler’sEagles Nest retreat at Berchtesgaden and thesalt mines o Altaussee –the repository thatcontained thousands o works o art destinedor Hitler’s Führermuseum.

Visit www.nationalww2museum.org/travel or more inormation or to download tour brochures or email [email protected] Museum’s travel hotline is 1-877-813-3329, ext 257. Space is limited and sales are already underway so make your plans today!

“Remember Pearl Harbor.” Those three words

serve as both a remembrance and a call to action

or Americans as the nation commemorates the

70th anniversary o the 1941 Japanese attack on

Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2011.

In conjunction with the anniversary o Pearl Harbor,

the 2011 International Conerence on World War II

will ocus on the surprise attack that plunged the

nation into war and the resilience o America and

her Allies in the early stages o the war in

the Pacifc. The conerence will eature Don

Miller, Richard Frank, Allan Millett, Dr. Ed D

other leading historians.

Topcs wll clud:

� T attack on Pal habo

� T rising Sn conqst

o t Pacifc

� T doolittl rai

� T Battl o Miway

� Gaalcanal

The INTerNATIONALCONFereNCe

ON WOrLd WAr II:From Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal

deCeMBer 7-9, 2011NeW OrLeANS, LA

SAVe The dATe

Join us as we walk in the ootsteps o history with our exclusive Five Star Tours. All tours are planned by experts in the feld o World War II history and trav



The Museum o Jewish Heritage’s award-winning exhibition, Ours to Fight For: American Jews in

the Second World War, examines how the war was experienced by Jewish men and women who

served in America’s Armed Forces, on and o the battleeld. The voices o soldiers and sailors,

airmen and marines, WACs and WAVEs drive this exhibition. Presented in video, audio and

as written “labels,” these testimonies become, in a sense, exhibition artiacts that place letters,

documents, military paraphernalia and images into a human context.

The voices are drawn rom more than 400 interviews the Museum o Jewish Heritage conducted

with Jewish servicemen and women throughout the country. Ours to Fight For powerully

illustrates what it was like to be American – and Jewish – in a time o war. Those interviewed

describe their motivations or joining the ght and the shock and horror that swept through U.S.

orces upon discovery o the concentration and death camps.

“This is one o the more extraordinary exhibits we’ve had the pleasure o hosting and it highlights

an essential part o the war eort,” said Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Museum President and CEO.

“The work o the Museum o Jewish Heritage in gathering oral histories parallels our Museum’s

ongoing eort to interview veterans and make excerpts available or public viewing. The exhibit’s

blending o personal refections and other artiacts—including an amazing collection o uniorms

rom Jewish veterans, gathered as i hanging in a closet—gives emotional het to this window into

the war experience.”

SPONSORED IN NEW ORLEANS by

NEW yORk DEvELOPER PEtER S. kALIkOW

in dedication to his father, Harold J. Kalikow, who served

in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II.

Major unding or this exhibition has been generously provided by Jack and Susan Rudin and amily in

memory o Lewis Rudin; by Irving Schneider in memory o his riend, Lewis Rudin; and by Irving and

June Paler in memory o June’s ather, Duncan Robertson, who ought or justice in both World Wars.

COMING SOON

JOe BeYrLe:A herO FOr TWO NATIONSJn 1, 2011 – Sptmb 7, 2011

Joe Beyrle: A Hero or Two Nations tells the incredible story o an

American Airborne soldier who

ought with both the American and

Russian orces during World War II.

The exhibit includes background

inormation about Beyrle’s lie as

a young man, including his school

years and amily lie, and details

his military career o service to

both countries with artiacts and

documentary flms.

On view through April 24, 2011

SPONSORED BY



MArCh 2011Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLncbo Lct - Gnt Bisco psnts“T Tatmnt o POWs ing WWII” Join The National World War II Museum the frstand third Wednesday o every month or ourLunchbox Lecture series. Presentations ocus ona wide array o World War II related topics andare ree and open to the public. Feel ree to bringyour lunch or just come to enjoy the lecture. Formore inormation call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Thursday, March 3, 2011, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Fist Tsays WagamsThe National World War II Museum hosts WWIIboard and miniatures gaming on the FirstThursday in every month or gamers at all levels.Pre-registration is required. A minimum number ogamers must register or the meeting to be held.For more inormation call 504-528-1944 x 333.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011Mai GasThe National World War II Museum, SolomonVictory Theater, Stage Door Canteen andadministrative ofces will be closed or Mardi

Gras Day. T Amican Scto staantwill b opn. For more inormation, contact theAmerican Sector at 504-528-1940.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 5:00 – 7:00 pmMt t Cato: Lo Lvin, T Msm oJwis hitagMeet the curator o the special exhibition Ours to

Fight For and learn the behind the scenes storieso putting together the exhibit and its contents.For more inormation call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLncbo Lct – d. Cals Camblainpsnts “WWII an t Mobilization o tAmican Sot”For more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Saturday, March 19, 2011, 11:00 am – 3:00 pmLiving histoy CopsThe Museum’s World War II re-enactors,collectively known as the Living History Corps,are local volunteers who enrich the visitor’sMuseum experience with their wealth oinormation and stories. Wearing the uniormsand carrying the equipment o both the Alliedand Axis orces, they share their knowledgeabout the day-to-day lives o military men andwomen and the broader lessons o World War II.For more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 243.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pmSltz Fom on Wol Aais“Nw Pspctivs at t Smitsonian” byWayn Clog, Sctay o t SmitsonianInstittionFor more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 331.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011Film Scning: Bga: Solds of Aot

Wa (2003)6:00 pm – 8:00 pmStory o a group o more than 300 Americansoldiers who were captured by the Germans

during the Battle o the Bulge. Because thesoldiers were either Jewish or, to the Germans,“looked” Jewish, they were sent to concentrationcamps instead o POW camps, where many othem subsequently died. Directed by CharlesGuggenheim. View our special exhibition Ours to

Fight For or grab a bite in the American Sectorbeore the flm. Reservations are not required.For more inormation call 504-528-1944 x 229.

APrIL 2011Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLncbo Lct – rick Jacobs psnts“Taawa”For more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Thursday, April 7, 2011, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pmFist Tsays WagamsFor more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 333.

Sunday, April 10, 2011Panl: Caplains ding Wa2:00 – 3:30 pmMilitary chaplains o dierent aiths talk abouttheir experiences administering services during

wartime. See our award-winning special exhibOurs to Fight For: American Jews in the Second

World War, a traveling exhibit by the Museum o Jewish Heritage. For more inormation call 504528-1944 x 229.

Saturday, April 16, 2011, 11:00 am – 3:00 pmLiving histoy CopsFor more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 243

The NATIONAL WWII MuSeuM - 2011 SPrING CALeNdAr

Tog Apil 24, 2011

SPeCIAL exhIBIT –

Ous to Fgt Fo:

Amca Jws t

Scod Wold Wa

A tavling ibit

by t Msm o

Jwis hitag – A

Living Mmoial to t

holocast, Ous to Fgt Fo invits visitos to

plo an liv t pincs o Jwis

mn an womn wo join t Amican wa

ot on an o t battlfl.

AT The STAGedOOr CANTeeN

On The Air! Mac 25 – Jn 26

Friday & Saturday Evenings & Sunday Matinees

On the Air is a rollicking rendition o a live radiobroadcast rom 1945! The cast o fve includes

a singing W.A.C., a swinging crooner, and ablues singer who can belt a torch song! A liveband brings the era to lie with a timelessmusical score, comedy and more! It’s a tripback in time and guests will love comingalong or the ride as the live studio audience!Add spectacular dining by Che John Beshand the American Sector restaurant or theultimate experience! Advance ticket purchaseor reservations are recommended. Purchasetickets at www.stagedoorcanteen.org or call504-528-1943.



Tuesday, April 19, 2011Film Scning: Gtlma’s Agmt (1947)6:00 pm – 8:00 pmA reporter pretends to be Jewish in order tocover a story on anti-Semitism, and personally

discovers the true depths o bigotry and hatred.Starring Gregory Peck. View our special exhibitionOurs to Fight For or grab a bite in the AmericanSector beore the flm. Reservations are notrequired. For more inormation call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011Lncbo Lct: Kimbly Gis psnts“Mmoial Books”12:00 – 1:00 pmFor more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 229.

MAY 2011Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLncbo Lct - Toni Kis psnts “San WWII: Postitts an Popylactics”For more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Thursday, May 5, 2011, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pmFist Tsays WagamsFor more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 333.

Friday, May 6, 2011, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmMsic at t Msm – May Ck higScool BanFor more inormation on this ree program, call504-528-1944 x 229.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pmLncbo Lct - Linsy Bans psnts“Popagana an Psasion: Post Ating Wol Wa II”For more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 229.

Saturday, May 21, 2011Am Focs day

Saturday, May 21, 2011, 11:00 am – 3:00 pmLiving histoy CopsFor more inormation, call 504-528-1944 x 243.

Monday, May 30, 2011Mmoial dayFor more inormation, visit www.nationalww2museum.org or call 504-528-1944.

All events are subject to change. Please visit

www.atoalww2musum.og/calda

or call 504-528-1944 or updates.

Join us or Victory Ball 2011, the Museum’s

annual undraising event which supports

local and national education outreach.

This Black Tie Optional celebration eatures

our exclusive Patron Party, a poignant

program with special surprise guest

honorees and our second-annual Dessert

Party eaturing live entertainment and

delectable delights!

For more inormation, please contact

Jessica Skelly at 504-528-1944 x 334 or

[email protected]

SAVETHE DATE!

Victory Ball2011

Friday, June 3, 2011

MUSEUM

WEBSITE

TO GET A

MAKEOVERVisit s soon at t nw an impov www.nationalww2msm.og to

plan yo visit, catc p on Msm pogams an ibits, s at

atiacts om t collction an mo. Yo can also sign p o on o

o -mail lists to gt gla pats an os om t Msm.



On November 11-13, 2010, The National World War II Museum gathered

hundreds o Charter and Patriots Circle Members representing 13 states

around the country or a special thank you.

Thanks to their ongoing support, the Museum now boasts the largest

membership base o any museum in the country. In appreciation, Museum

President Gordon “Nick” Mueller invited members or an exclusive behind-

the-scenes look at expansion progress. The special tours included an up-close

look at progress on PT-305 (a Higgins Industries PT-Boat which served in the

Mediterranean), construction progress on the John E. Kushner Restoration

Pavilion and a preview o artiacts and oral histories reserved or the

Campaigns Pavilion. “Our members are the heart and soul o this Museum,”

says Mueller, “and we want to make sure they know how much we appreciate

their annual support.”

Planning has already begun or the 2011 Members Appreciation Weekend,

so save these dates – December 7-9 in conjunction with activities

commemorating the 70th Anniversary o the attack on Pearl Harbor. Watch

your email this summer or event details. I we don’t have your email

address, please log on to our website, www.nationalww2museum.org, and

register to make sure you’re up on the latest membership news.

SNAPSHOTS FROM

MeMBerS APPreCIATIONWeeKeNd 2010



Clockwise rom ar let:

Noted historian and author, Don Miller, with WWII Veteran Joe Arminini celebrate the private screening o Air War, a History Channel presentation, with producer Scott Reda.

Members question Harold Buchler, leader o the PT-305 restoration project, about the progress on the boat. The all-volunteer crew expects the project to take ve years to complete.

In the space that will become the John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion, Melanie Holmes,assistant to the senior vice president o capital programs, shows a member renderings o the Pavilion, slated to open this summer.

Museum volunteer and Patriots Circle member, Bob Wol (center), views special exhibit Ours to Fight For: American Jews in the Second World War with riends. The special exhibit opening waspart o the Patriots Circle Member and Donor Appreciation Reception that launched Members Appreciation Weekend on November 11-13, 2010.

Museum president and CEO, Nick Mueller participates in an Expansion Preview Tour and discusses how artiacts in one o the Museum’s warehouses will be restored in the John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion. Many o the artiacts cataloged in the storage acility will be restored by volunteers and sta beore becoming part o the planned exhibits or

uture Pavilions.

Susan Hess, one o the original ounding members o the Patriots Circle, accepts a surprise thank you git rom Museum President Dr. Gordon “Nick” Mueller. Since the Patriots Circle began in 2003, membership has grown to 2,000 individuals, corporations and organizations around the country.



Leichter Ladungsträger Goliath(Sd.Kz. 302/303a/303b)

ArTIFACT SPOTLIGhT

World War II was a time o great change in military technology;

ideas that had originated in World War I were ully developed and

put into practice. The armored ghting vehicle or tank, long range

bombers and paratroopers all went rom ideas and concepts to

decisive weapons on the battleeld. This was also a time when new

ideas that would later reach technological ulllment were rst

put into action. One o these ideas was the smart bomb or guidedmunitions. An early version o guided munitions was developed by

the German Army and carried the nickname the Goliath.

The Goliath, also known by its ull name and designation

Leichter Ladungsträger Goliath (Sd.Kz. 302/303a/303b), was

a sel-propelled, wire-guided, ully-tracked vehicle capable o

delivering approximately 200 pounds o explosives to a target and

detonating, destroying both the target and the Goliath.

The idea or the Goliath originated in 1940 when German

orces recovered a French prototype vehicle rom the Seine

River. Recognizing the advantages o being able to place a large

explosive charge exactly where desired without exposing soldiers

to enemy re in the process, the German Army directed the auto

maker Borgward o Bremen to develop and produce the vehicle.

Initially developed with two battery-powered electric motors,

the Goliath was later produced in a larger size with a gasoline

motor. The electric model relied on 650 meters o wire which

spooled o the vehicle to guide it. Soldiers could observe and direct

the Goliath rom relative saety with a control box on the end o the

wire. The gasoline model was directed by radio control, advancing

the smart bomb technology and eliminating the wire which was

very susceptible to damage.

Although advanced or its time, the Goliath perormed poorly.

It was lightly armored and could be damaged by small arms r

Once Allied troops had learned what a Goliath was, it posed

little danger.

Photograph. Fith Army, Beachhead Area, Italy. MM-5-44-3527. “Sgt. Lester Sacks, 1276 E. 19th St.,Brooklyn, N.Y.; VI Corps Ordnance, looks at one o the motors o the ‘doodlebug’, a sel propelled miniature tank containing an explosive charge. The Germans have used this tank against our positions on the Anzio Beachhead. Contrary to popular belie this ‘doodlebug’ is not radio controlled. The tank has a large battery and two electric motors. The tank is controlled by means o the control wires payed out rom the back o the tank. The enemy can make the tank move orward or turn. When tanks are in proper position the explosive is set o. This tank was picked up by a company o the special service orce. It was carried back on a hospital stretcher. It was rst discovered by a patrol rom the same company, just 150 yds. rom the enemy.” Photographer: Blau. 163rd Signal Photo Co. 11 April 1944

NOTE: In this original caption, the Goliath was incorrectly identied as a V-1 fying bomb or “doodlebug.”

GOLIATh continued on pag



Gail “Bud” Freeman was born in Duluth, Minnesota, in 1919. His

riends suggested that he join the Minnesota National Guard in

1939 to earn an extra $4.00 a month while he went to college. His

unit, the 125th Field Arti llery Battalion, was ederalized in early

1941 and became part o the 34th Red Bull Division. Ater the

Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Bud’s unit was mobilized and

trained with broomsticks instead o real weapons. He went to

Northern Ireland or additional training in 1942 and saw combat

in North Arica and Italy in 1943.

Bud was attached to the inantry as a orward observer or the

artillery, so he was usually close to action. He was wounded in the

leg during a battle in Arica. When he went to an inantry aide station

or treatment, or some reason “it was never recorded that I waswounded,” he said. However, Bud knows he was because he still has

the piece o shrapnel. Later, during the assault on Monte Cassino, he

was knocked in the air by a shell blast. The last sight he remembers

rom the back o an ambulance was the bombing o the Abbey. When

he recovered and returned stateside, he was assigned by the Army

to work at German POW camps in the Midwest until the end o the

war. One o his responsibilities was to show movies to some o the

same men he ought against in North Arica and Italy.

On April 24, 2010, Senator Al Franken (D-Minnesota) presented

Mr. Freeman with eight service medals that he earned duringWorld War II. It was a great event with amily, riends and an honor

guard in attendance to recognize the service o Bud Freeman.

Mr. Freeman believes strongly in preserving the history o

World War II. He is a generous supporter o the local historical

society and The National World War II Museum. The Museum

is a beneciary o a bequest in his wil l. Through his planned git

he will provide needed unding or our Endowment. A strong

endowment allows the Museum to continue with research and

education programs, as well as maintaining the collections and

creating new and innovative exhibits.

To learn how a bequest or other planned gits work, please contact Craig Bardell at 504-528-1944 x 401 or [email protected] or visit www.nationalww2museum.org/plannedgiving.

GAIL “BUD” FREEMAN

Veteran Gives A Lasting Gif

Let: Patch or the 34th Red Bull Division.; Below: Gail “Bud” Freeman in uniorm; Below let: The North Arica exhibit in the upcoming Campaigns Pavilion will tell the story

o units like the one Bud Freeman served in.



The Goliath was typically employed by

engineer troops and was ound on both

the western and eastern ronts. American

soldiers rst encountered it at Anzio

where a number o them were used

during counterattacks, particularly at

night or in other periods o low visibility.

The Goliath was also oten encountered

by Allied orces on landing beaches. The

device was prepositioned on the beach

in a small camoufaged bunker with

the intention o driving out to destroy

landing crat. They were oten damaged in the pre-invasion bombardments and rendered

inoperable. In an eort to nd some suitable use or them, disarmed captured Goliaths wer

oten traded by Allied engineers to advanced ghter squadrons or use as tugs in relocating

aircrat on airelds. Unortunately or Air Force personnel, the Goliath design was intende

or sel destruction not long term use and they would quickly break down.

One occasion where the Goliath proved eective was in the Polish uprising in Warsaw i1944. Lacking sucient small arms, Polish resistance ghters were highly susceptible

to attack rom the Goliath. When attacking occupied buildings, German soldiers would

simply drive a Goliath into the ront door and detonate it, blowing up the Goliath, the

building and the Poles.

The National World War II Museum is ortunate to have a Goliath on loan as part o the

Curt Schilling Collection. The Goliath is periodically on exhibit in the Louisiana Memoria

Pavilion. Although not an outright success, the Goliath heralded a new technology which

has come to dominate the delivery o munitions on the battleeld resulting not only in

more ecient munitions, but also greater accuracy and in less random destruction.

They will learn about battles ought in

Burmese jungles and on Italian hills. Hear

o the heroism displayed on Normandy’s

beaches and in submarines beneath the

Pacifc. And it wasn’t just the soldiers.

Millions o American women streamed into

the actories to build planes, tanks and

ships so vital to our victory. They were

called “Rosies” ater the popular character

“Rosie the Riveter.” These women, many

mothers and wives, symbolized the

independence and ‘we can do it’ spirit o

the Home Front.

For me, a proessional ootball player, the

most valuable lesson children will learn

talking to WWII veterans is the value o

teamwork and the idea that i we all pull

together we can accomplish great things.My team, the New Orleans Saints, and

our Super Bowl victory last year, pale in

comparison to what ordinary men and

women achieved 70 years ago.

To them it didn’t seem remarkable. “We

did what we had to do,” my grandather

told me. But it was remarkable. America’s

reedom was endangered. They ought

or it, and they saved it. And our children

need to know it. Our vanishing WWII vetscan teach them that a nation, united and

working together, can win any victory.

This Veteran’s Day, visit with a member

o the Greatest Generation and invite

him or her to share their memories (The

National WWII Museum’s website www.

nationalww2museum.org has sample

questions to ask). Sit. And listen. You’ll fnd

yoursel walking in the ootsteps o heroes.

HHH

This letter was originally published by

USA Today and on www.usatoday.com

in support of the Museum’s “Talking to

History” Veterans Day initiative. Special

thanks to Drew Brees for his continued

support of the Museum’s mission, our

veterans and our military.

Germans may have let or unsuspecting soldiers. Fortunately, none were ound,

but Hensel did notice that, as the bodies were cleared, nearby men, waiting to pick up

the dead, just tossed the rozen bodies in the back o the truck like sacks o four.

Hensel was enraged and immediately grabbed his rife and ran to these men insisting

that they treat their dead brethren with more respect. This seemed to get the point

across and ensured that the dead men received more respect when being placed in th

transport truck.

A ew months later, Hensel and the rest o the 291st ound themselves entering German

building bridges, repairing roads, and clearing mineelds the whole way there. Upon

reaching the Rhine River, the Ludendor Bridge was in danger o collapse and it was

deemed that another bridge was necessary to continue the troop fow across the Rhine.

The 291st was assigned with building a pontoon bridge down river o the Ludendor

Bridge as quickly as possible. Hensel and his squad were tasked with xing the approac

to the bridge on both sides o the Rhine. Ater successully completing this endeavor,

Allied troops, tanks, and trucks started crossing the bridge the next morning.

To this day, Sergeant Charles Hensel is very proud o his work in the 291st and o thei

accomplishments across Europe during World War II. He plans to attend the 291st

Engineer Combat Battalion reunion at the Museum in spring 2011.

HENSEL continued from page 5

GOLIATH continued from page 12FOOTSTEPS continued from page 3



www.NationalWW2Msm.og

The National World War II Museum recently launched the WWII

Museum Press, an exciting and innovative new way or individuals

to honor their personal connection to WWII.

Using print-on-demand technology and images rom the

Museum’s collection o rare WWII-era pictures, customers can

add their own personal photos and text to a unique line o custom

tribute products.

“The decision to establish the WWII Museum Press is the directresult o extensive research and eedback rom Members o the

Museum and constituents around the country,” said Museum

President and CEO Dr. Gordon “Nick” Mueller. “That research

showed that special messages o appreciation, the ability to

download archival images or a amily olio and creating a way to

tell a amily’s story all rank high in the ‘must have’ category or

our supporters.”

The most impressive product currently available is a one-o-a-kind

commemorative book. This inspiring, photographic timeline o

WWII uses some o our most stunning images to tell the story

o the American Experience in the war that changed the world.

Customers can also add their own photos and stories to this

hardcover book to honor their WWII hero, preserve their legacy

and share their story.

“We designed these products so they can be appreciated

whether or not you have your own collection o photos,”

Mueller explains. “A wide range o personalization

options makes it easy to honor your WWII hero – even

i you only have basic biographical inormation about

your veteran or simply want to dedicate the book to

their service.”

WWII Museum Press also oers ten dierent

sets o elegant note cards as well as a

“Create Your Own” option. Each set uses

ve iconic photographs to represent a

dierent group during WWII. Available

are sets or each branch o the Armed Forces, Women

in WWII, the Home Front and Animal Mascots o WWII. The

centerpiece o the note card options is the “Victory Set” which

contains the most iconic images o WWII.

As with the commemorative book, you can add your own tribute

to each set purchased – including the option to upload your own

photos or select rom a library o Museum-provided images.

All purchases rom the WWII Museum Press support the Museum

and provide the resources necessary to continue preserving and

collecting the stories o our WWII heroes. To learn more about

how you can purchase products or your personal collection or

note cards with your

company logo, pleasevisit the website at

WW2MuseumPress.org.

Patriots Circle and Charter

Members receive a 10%

discount on every order.

The exclusive, members-

only discount code to use

at checkout is 1944.

W WII Museum Press A TRIBUTE LIKE NO OTHER FOR YOUR WWII HERO


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/national-wwii-museum-apr-2011 16/16

F

D E

I

H

B

G

C

S T O R E

B Gold and Crystal Eagle BroochItem # 1, $28.00

C Red, White & BlueCrystal Flag EarringsItem # 2, $28.00

D Strong Men Armed By: Robert LeckieItem # 3, Paperback, $17.95

E Top Secret Rosies DVDItem # 4, $24.99

F Rosie SweatshirtItem # 5, Speciy Size: S, M, L, XL, $25.00

G WWII SweatshirtItem # 6, Speciy Size: S, M, L, XL, $25.00

H The National World War II Museum GuideItem # 7, Paperback, $14.95

I World War II Logo BaseballItem # 8, $6.99

Visit o onlin sto atsto.nationalww2msm.ogo call 877-813-3329 et. 244to o ts an many otgat itms.

ThE NATIONAl WORld WAR II MUSEUM STORE ORdER FOR

Name

Address

City State Zip

Telephone: Day Evening

ShIPPING ANd hANdLING ChArTIF YOur Order TOTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Add0.00 – 10.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 5.0010.01 – 30.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9.0030.01 – 75.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1 2.5075.01 – 200.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1 6.00200.01 – and up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Fre eOv s as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A $3 0 to t ab ov c a tPLeASe ruSh MY Order! Priority handling orders received beore 11:30 a.m. CST will ship thatday. Normally, orders are ready or shipping on the ourth day ater the order is taken. Rush ordercharges must be added to the above shipping charges. Please check or availability by callingour number, 504-528-1944 Ext. 244 Pio ity hanl ing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 5.00

MeThOd OF PAYMeNT: Please make check or money order payable to: T National WWII Msmand mail to: 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

❑ Check/Money Order ❑MasterCard

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national wwii museum ~ apr 2011

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