Friday, March 6, 2009

Emails...

I get emails from folks from time to time who were on the hill over the course of several decades. Here are a few of them:

1. I was stationed in Peden Barracks in 1981 march until 1982 April it was a great time the people, Graf. So cold in the winter and beautiful in the summer the festivals Wurzburg ,Stuttgart. I was in Nuremburg for thirty days R&R then back to Wertheim 3/35 FA SSG Baker was my section chief the 8'howitzer self propelled was cool put a round down range around 21 miles on with a white bag charge less with greens…

2. Thank you for the pictures. It brought back many memories. I served in Service Battery and HQ Battery from 1958-1960. I was the court's and boards clerk for the Battalion. Thing's hadn't changed much from the time I served in 1958 to your time in the 80's. Interesting to read about the changes to Peden Barracks today. The brewery in town was known as the Lutz Brewery in 1958, original owners of that brewery migrated to the U.S. and helped establish Budweiser. We crossed the river by ferry. There was a small restaurant and bar located in a small area in the castle. Enjoyed walking the street's of Wertheim on a Sunday afternoon. Was stationed with two GI's who entered the town in 1945 shortly after it was invaded by allied troops. They told me the castle was held by member's of the Hitler Youth movement and they had a difficult time getting them out. Many of these young men (teen's) are buried in a cemetery near the brewery. It was a different time, Cold War, alert's, trips to Graf. You always knew when pay day was in Graf, the prostitutes from Weiden would cross over from the Russian zone to take the GI's money. It has been almost 47 year's that I have been away from Wertheim and your picture's brought back many memories. I worked in Germany about 15 year's ago. Alway's thought about returning for a visit to Peden Barracks, never did return. Classmates.com has a section for those who served at Peden barracks throughout the year's. Have connected with a couple of guy's who served there at the same time I did.

3. I had chills going down my spine as I viewed the images. I left Peden on March 30 1992 almost 1 week before complete shutdown. I was in C 3/25th FA in August 1990, 1sg Cook then sent me to SVC Btry 3/35th December 1990 (they thought I was smart) and worked in S-4 and was deeply involved in the shipping and transporting of all equipment and supplies to other barracks (Patton, Wurzburg and Parmesan ). I will never forget the day all remaining personnel stripped the barracks. Tossing out wall lockers onto the ground outside. M998 (HEMMT) loading them up and taking them to other barracks. Railheading all the guns, (started in August 1990 with M210 8", then changed to 155 in 1991). You should Google Earth Peden now. WOW!! the FTA stripped and now farmland, you can see the three white lines where the connex's and guns were lined. Just strange…

4. Just want to say I stumbled on to your web-site and enjoyed seeing pictures of Peden, what a trip down memory lane. I was stationed there from 1985 to 1992, and was actually one of the last guys on the post to help clear it working in Bldg.2. I was with 4-27 but when they moved to Babenhausen, I stayed at Peden until I could get my wife a visa. I'm retired now but sure did appreciate the pictures. I actually drove through Wertheim in 2000 when I was in Germany TDY but didn't have enough time to go up the hill. Thanks again for the memories…

5. I was stationed at Peden from 1989 - 1991. I met, and married a local, we are still married, almost 16 years. She and my son were just there in late Aug. She said that they have made great improvements to the post. The MP station is gone, they have opened many little shops. She said it is really beautiful, now. She did say that the building I was in Charlie, and I believe Alfa were condemned, and so they were boarded off and ready for demolition. The Peden Grill is still there, the Woodstock is long gone. Man, those days were some of the hardest of my life, but glad I did it.

6. I just ran across your web site on Peden Barracks in Wertheim. I was stationed there in the 251st FA Bn. from early 1955 until mid 1956 when the 251st rotated to Fort Carson, CO. Since I was a short timer (less than 6 mos. to go) by then, they transferred me to Bad Kissingen where I served the remainder of my time. At Peden I was in Battalion Maintenance. It is strange, but I have little specific recall of my time at the 'kaserne' in Wertheim. My wife and I drove into the facility in 1967, but just passed through town. But the story about the M52 hitting the arch rings a bell. We had a 5 ton wrecker take out the overhead door frame at the Bn Maintenance shop. I have lost touch with everyone in the outfit, though I did see our motor pool sergeant a few years ago and saw a fellow mechanic in the 60's. It is interesting to see the pictures and information you have posted, along with the stories. I never heard even a rumor about an underground air facility. That is a great story. It tracks with one my Norwegian friends told me about. During the war the occupying German troops took over a church (at Herdla near Bergen) for their commando forces. They dug up a cemetery and built a tunnel to the sea for their commando access. Gravestones were tossed aside and graves churned up. I have some pictures, but that's a different story. One story does come to mind. When the US moved occupation troops out of Austria in (I believe) late 1955, we got a new mechanic who outranked most of our guys and let them know it. When the BN commander's new German Taunus 4-door came in for maintenance he took it over and right away slid the floor jack under it. Someone told him he had it positioned wrong, but he bulled right ahead and jacked it up. Unfortunately, he had put the jack right under the Colonel's oil pan and it sprung a serious oil leak. No new oil pan was available anywhere for several days. On the fortunate side, we had an excellent welder in Ron Rising, the pride of International Falls, MN. Ron was able to stem the leak by welding the aluminum pan, which is no small task. I do not know if the Colonel ever found out, but the car had to be called back a week or so later for its new oil pan. One of these days we'll return to Wertheim.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Remarkable day,Wertheim,Peden B.
I was absolutely thrilled to recieve an assignment in Germany but I had no idea where I was going.When the train chugged into the Wertheim station from Bremerhaven I was more than pleasantly surprised about the setting:Main river,quaint town, and castle on the hillside.Also, it had been snowing providing a serene at-
mosphere.Then a sergeant from the 72nd F/A appeared and warmly greeted us(I was assigned to the 72nd and other soldier,3/35th).At the
unit I was in for an another sur-
prise a medic appeared and
explained he heard about my arrival
and offered to take me on a tour
of Wertheim.How could I refuse?
After the tour we ended up at the
spa.Perhaps this was most remark-
able day in my service at Peden and
it was without a doubt.

Anonymous said...

Comment number 6 is interesting. The author comment that his unit the 251s FA rotated to Ft. Carson Co. I was with the 97th FA, the unit that rotated to Peden Barracks in mid 1956. I enjoyed my time at the Peden. The 97th FA was disbanded in late 1957 as the towed 155 units were being phased out. Would love to hear from anyone that was with the 97th FA.

Fischer said...

Wasat Peden Barracks from mid 56 to 1957. 97th FA Service Company.

Anonymous said...

Taxi service, Wertheim

I know this topic is off tangent
but I still want to comment on it.
To put in the time frame I'm talk-
ing about mid-sixties or so.Going
up or down the hill was truly an
adventure and sometimes darn right
scaring.Also, the road was narrow
and winding unlike today. There were several occasions taxi driver who we affectionately
called "comrade" would
pass on a curve scaring the crap- out- of -us.Most of time it was the
metal to the pedal all the way.
This must have been a cultural thing because back home the cops would not allow this type of driving.But I have to admit there were no accidents.Back in 2006(wertheim) I took a taxi and I was saying to myself..this guy is going to speed up the hill
and lo and behold..back to the Nur-
emberg racetracks.No something
never changes.Survivor.Peden B.

Anonymous said...

GYRO'D WITH 97TH APR 56 TO PEDEN, WORKED ORDERLY ROOM FOR 1SGT KOWOLSKI. TRANSFERRED TO HQ 72D FA GP ABOUT AUG 56 AND WORKED S3 FOR LTCOL SAWBRIDGE AND LATER CAPT EDDIE MANNS WHO WAS THE HONEST JOHN CO BEFORE BECOMING S3. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY ONE IN THE 97TH AND 72D. AM LOOKING FOR JOHN E HILL FROM MS WITH THE 97TH FOR MANY YEARS.LEFT PEDEN XMAS DAY 57 AND WAS DISCHARGED. VISITED GERMANY DEC 07 AND SPENT A FEW HOURS AT PEDEN AND WERTHEIM. VILLAGE IS INDEED PRETTY STILL. AGAIN PLEASE EMAIL AT MCKNIGHTCP@AOL.COM

Sean said...

I was stationed at Peden Barracks from January 1989 till February 1992. I was in Alpha battery 25th FA.

I enjoyed living in Wertheim and meeting so many people in my unit as well as in the community.

Unknown said...

Hey Sean, I was also in A/25 at Peden from 89-91. Tried to find you on Facebook..no luck. - Jim J.

Unknown said...

I was in A/25 Wolfpack at Peden from 89-91.

Unknown said...

Hey Sean, I was also in A/25 at Peden from 89-91. Tried to find you on Facebook..no luck. - Jim J.

Anonymous said...

Oh how time simply goes by so fast!
Honestly, now retired it seemed
just like yesterday graduating from
college and facing the draft.Then
served at Peden Barracks.Yea, returned to college to obtain an another degree while working.Guess what? My experience in the service was very rewarding and I will cherish it for the rest of my life.Without a doubt it was an adventure far beyond my dreams.A soldier,72nd F/A HHB.

Don Gorsegner said...

I was stationed with 3rd PLT 212th MP Co at Peden Barracks from Nov 87-June 91. I deployed to Desert Shield / Desert Storm from there and returned when it was over. My wife Gina and I enjoyed our time there and our daughter was born in Wurzburg. We've kept in touch with a few guys over the years but not many. Someday we would like to visit Germany and lookup some of our German friends.

Unknown said...

I was stationed Peden Barracks from late 85-late 88.LTC Dudley was BN CDR and I remember the infamous Cpt Cooley who was my battert CDR. I loved Werthiem and I loved my time on the hill.
Clay Patterson

Anonymous said...

Case of hemorhoid and bit more.
I had developed a serious case and
treated at the US Army hospital-
Wurzburg.So far so good.Well doctor
recommended that I sit in pan or
pail of salt water to ease the pain.I decided the most appropriate
place to do this was in the shower
room.No big deal,right? Wrong.After
sitting on the pail for few minutes
the officer of the day(CQ)with others charged into the shower room
as if I had taken the payroll.I
quckly explained to him what was
going on and it was cleared with
my staff sergeant.He promptly did
a about face and left.
Apparently, someone had tipped them
off that a soldier appeared to be
doing something in the shower room.
I still laugh about that incident
but not at that time.This can only
happen in the 72nd F/A,HHB.

Anonymous said...

Douglas House,London
Just want to pass on infomation to
those who stayed there during leave
in England.Type in #66 Lancaster
Gate,Douglas House, London and
click on search.There is even a
picture of the place.It was run by
the Air Force but they accomodated
any armed forces personnel and sure
brought back wonderful memories of
roaring mid-sixties in London,
mini-skirts and all.It was centrally located near Hyde Park.
Also,we were able to arrange a
flight back(hop) from RAF base at
Mildenhall to Rhine-Main on C-l30.
I have to say the Air Force really
treated us well providing food and
shelter.Stayed one night at the base and took the flight out the
following morning.As the English would say, "Oh, Jolly Good!".
Veteran of Peden B.

Barry West said...

I was there from 89-92. I did not want to leave, but the Army thought differently. By far the best assignment I have had with 21 years in as of right now. I miss the Rod & Gun, and working the mid shift as an MP. Something about Peden in the middle of the night on the Air Strip. A very peacful feeling. Thanks for all the pics.... Barry West

Anonymous said...

One miserable raining night at Graf.
While on guard duty we(fellow sold-
ier)decided to take shelter in a
2&l/2 ton truck.I'm not sure if we
had a portable radio or if there was one in the truck.Anyway,we were able to get the armed services network.It was simply astounding to listen to S.F Giants game at Candlestick Park with Lon Simmons announcing .Giants was my
baseball team.Can you imagine sitting in a truck at Graf. near
the Czech. border listening to a S.
F. ballgame.It did lift my spirits for that miserable raining night at Graf.Oh, the Lt.on duty
complained that he wasn't able to
locate us.I wonder why.Peden
B/

Anonymous said...

Recent news of changing basic
training brought back memories..
It seemed like only yesterday(many
yrs. ago) when life flip-flop from
sedate civilian to basic.It was
something else.Every morning literally kicked out of the
bunk,yelling and screaming, a string of obscenities.Running in
full battle gear carrying the heavy
M-14 rifle was most challenging.
Language was quite a revelation,"
mother this.. and mother that.."
It was not the time and place to
ask the drill sergeant to join in
singing 'happy birthday'.Conditions
were pretty tough and some of the
recruits were talking about shooting themselves in the foot
to get out.Not a good idea with a
M-14,a powerful weapon.Overall,
most of the troopers made it through the course.I was so happy
to get out of there.

Anonymous said...

I was with the 97th fa. bn. from Jan '56 to July '57. was C&A spec. in Bn. Hq. Assigned to 593rd at Buedingen from July to Oct 18th '57...same slot as with the 97th...time with the 97th was the best....had a chance to get out of the 593rd and turned it down....big mistake.

AzTattooedSean said...

My name is Sean Watts. I was stationed in Alpha Battery 25th FA from 1989-1992. You can find me here: https://www.facebook.com/aztattooedsean

Anonymous said...

I was stationed with the 34th Med BN at Peden Barracks 1960-1963. I remember when the Turm {Tower} was put off limits. Someone suggested to manager to change the name. It became the German-American Relations Club
Everyone was given a membership card. Everyone went back and the post commander left it alone

Unknown said...

Father & family stationed there 1958-1962. Did anyone know John Robert (Bob) Valerio? He work w/helicopters & painted faces on them for Armed Forces Day & other holidays. Often seen at Rod & Gun Club. Worked at movie theater too. Had German wife. Contact me(daughter) vbannrider@gmail.com.

Unknown said...

Did you know John Robert Valerio (Bob). Stationed there 1958-1962. He had a German wife & 2 kids. He also worked w/helicopters and painted faces on them for holidays. Went to Rod & Gun club. Also worked at movie theater. I am his now 58 yr. old daughter. He passed away in 2009. Email me vbannrider@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Did you know John Robert Valerio (Bob). Stationed there 1958-1962. He had a German wife & 2 kids. He also worked w/helicopters and painted faces on them for holidays. Went to Rod & Gun club. Also worked at movie theater. I am his now 58 yr. old daughter. He passed away in 2009. Email me vbannrider@gmail.com

Henry E. Tegtmeyer said...

I was stationed @ Peden Barracks from 07/07/1954
thru 11/10/1956. I was with 192 FABN 155mm,
service battery. 72 FA Group. The Battery was rotated
back to the States, mid-1956. I remained @ Peden.
assigned to a Headquarters outfit. I married a German
girl. After ~ 60 years we have 6 great grand kids. I am
almost 81 y/o. Loved Germany and Wertheim. Went back to visit 2006. Wertheim seemed pretty much the same,
just looked a bit older. Of course Peden is gone. The
'TOWER' ~ 3/4 up the hill, was still there.

Henry E. Tegtmeyer said...

I was stationed @ Peden Barracks from 07/07/1954
thru 11/10/1956. I was with 192 FABN 155mm,
service battery. 72 FA Group. The Battery was rotated
back to the States, mid-1956. I remained @ Peden.
assigned to a Headquarters outfit. I married a German
girl. After ~ 60 years we have 6 great grand kids. I am
almost 81 y/o. Loved Germany and Wertheim. Went back to visit 2006. Wertheim seemed pretty much the same,
just looked a bit older. Of course Peden is gone. The
'TOWER' ~ 3/4 up the hill, was still there.

Anonymous said...

I was a cab driver for 2 different companies........Made many friends along the way , taking GIs to and from town, Woodstock ect. Anyone out there that remembers.....I forgot names......fb Carmen Jarvis-Rose.........left for the States with my then husband , which was a definite mistake.....86 to 89 era .......