Pg 2

Fred Poling-with platoon from 1942 then Anzio transferred to a line Company. I think it was “F”CO

Garretson with platoon from 1942 to Anzio stayed with recon platoon thru end of war was from Chicago. Have not heard from him since war.

James M. McNamara with platoon from 1942 to Anzio transferred to Demolition platoon to June 1945

Boyd with platoon from 1942 to? I don’t remember much about him. I think he was from Kentucky.

The above men would have been in combat with Ted Bachenheimer from July 1943 to November 1944 about that time he transferred to the 1st Bn. I believe he was assigned to Recon Platoon. The next action was Anzio and the key man for resources would be Tom McCarty who was I believe the Platoon Sgt. during the Anzio period.

Some of the men in Hq Co 1st Bn who may have known him are Sam Decrenzo, Douglas J. Theriault, Milton J. Knight, Nicholas W. Manzollillo, John J. Kaslikowski, Danny Horsch, Robert M. Kinney, William A Houk.

Recollections of Ted Bachenheimer

When I fist joined the Regt HQ Recon Platoon about Dec. 1942 at Ft. Bragg Ted was Platoon Sgt. he was a good-looking young dark haired ruddy check athletic type who exuded confidence and good nature. He spoke with a slight guttural accent a la Kissenger but not as heavy. He was an intelligent energetic leader. Mature beyond his years exuding optimism. His only fault was his inclination to sensationalism. For Instance on maneuvers we spotted a road that enemy motorcyclists were using. He wanted to stake a rope across the road to unseat and capture the messengers. I had to argue with him to emphasize the danger of injury to those people who were only simulated enemies.

With his vivid imagination he had a habit of romanticizing the most routine situations. Off duty and never went out with him while he was Sgt. then we went over seas and arrived in N. Africa in May of 1943 then about June while we were camped on the desert side of Oujda probably in June he was demoted to private and Don Graber took over as Plt. Sgt.

It was totally unfair and the story I got was that the S2 Capt or Major Fordyce Gorham felt that because he came over from Germany (about age 13) That his background was too sinister. I can’t remember whether Ted Told me this or whether it was scuttle but.

I go to know Ted Better when he became a private and I had to admire his attitude. The demotion must have hurt him deeply as he was a very proud man. He never complained and carried out every task with his characteristic energy and enthusiasm.

I went out with Ted several times between July 1943 and November 1943. Ted was a good companion he could liven about any occasion with his wit and good humor. He was not boisterous and very sensitive to the feelings of others.

Outside of casual remarks I don’t remember either of us discussing our backgrounds. My impression is that he was married, had come to the U.S. from Dresden when he was thirteen. Why he never said, I presumed that he was Jewish I’m not sure of that.

His family had a musical background and settled in Hollywood and were connected with the movies.

There is some substance to this because I was with him one time in Naples and the Theatre was showing a movie entitled “The Stage Door Canteen” featuring a lot of young actors and actress. Ted was excited because he knew some of them and told me he had gone to high school with them in Hollywood.

He was much at ease in cosmopolitan society. On particular pass we went down to Naples Opera Hose were some outfit was putting on a show. We bumped into an English girl who seemed to be.
© 2004

Note original documents are in next topic. Had to keep them big because were hard to read.