He was very talkative this day, he told of things in his childhood, how his Grandma would tell him about Jesus.  He talked of his war buddy Cub, they had stayed friends all these years.  He talked about the time Cub was chosen to become a glider pilot and left the 17th Airborne platoon that they both had started out in. He told me to get in contact with Cub and tell him what was going on with his broken hips, surgery and hospital stay, I told him I would.

He mentioned how much he appreicated everything Raymond Castle had done for him, and gladly looking forward to comming home and spending some nights with us, to visit with the dogs and get out and about a little bit. I put his dog Charlie in the bed with him, he smiled at Charlie and said, "I have to get you out of here little boy", then he hugged Charlie and shut his eyes a little.   He was getting weak from talking, and wanted to rest.

We prayed togther, and he thanked me for praying with him, we shared some personal words and insights, he told me he wanted to rest, so I kissed him, and told him I loved him.  He kissed me goodbye and told me to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and get off the couch.  He said that I had to get off the couch and walk, start out slow he said, but keep moving.

He did not say one bad thing about anyone, was kind hearted and loving in all that he had to say.  He spoke of going home with his brothers and sister.  I thought he was going to pull out of this, he seemed so perky and strong. 

He died the next day to my surprise, and he went home to be with his parents, brothers, sister, son, and all the many relatives waiting on him there in heaven.

He served in 101st Airborne, 17th division.

Campaigns: Ardennes-Alsace Rhineland, Central Europe. Days of combat: 45. The 17th Airborne Division was stationed in the United Kingdom from 25 August to 23 December 1944. From 23 to 25 December, elements of the Division were flown to the Reims area in France in spectacular night flights. These elements closed in at Mourmelon. After taking over the defense of the Meuse River sector from Givet to Verdun, 25 December, the 17th moved to Neufchateau, Belgium, then marched through the snow to Morhet, relieving the 28th Infantry Division, 3 January 1945. The Division entered the Ardennes campaign, 4 to 9 January, at the Battle of Dead Man's Ridge. It captured several small Belgian towns and entered Flamierge, 7 January, but enemy counterattacks necessitated a withdrawal. However, constant pressure and aggressive patrolling caused the enemy to retreat to the Ourthe River. On 18 January, the Division relieved the 11th Armored Division at Houffalize, pushed enemy remnants from the Bulge, and seized Wattermal and Espeler, 26 January. Coming under the III Corps, the 17th turned toward Luxembourg, taking Eschweiler and Clervaux and clearing the enemy from the west bank of the Our River. Aggressive patrols crossed the river to probe the Siegfried Line defenses and established a limited bridgehead near Dasburg before being relieved by the 6th Armored Division, 10 February. A period of reequipment and preparation began. Taking off from marshalling areas in France, the 17th dropped into Westphalia in the vicinity of Wesel, 24 March. Operation Varsity was the first airborne invasion over theRhine into Germany itself. On the 25th, the Division had secured bridges over the Issel River and had entrenched itself firmly along the Issel Canal. Moving eastward, it captured Haltern, 29 March, and Munster, 2 April. The 17th entered the battle of the Ruhr Pocket, relieving the 79th Infantry Division. It crossed the Rhine-Herne Canal, 6 April, and set up a secure bridgehead for the attack on Essen. The "Pittsburgh of the Ruhr" fell, 10 April, and the industrial cities of Mulheim and Duisburg were cleared in the continuing attack. Military government duties began, 12 April, and active contact with the enemy ceased, 18 April. The Division came under the XXII Corps 24 April. It continued its occupation duties until 15 June 1945 when it returned to France for redeployment. The 17th Airborne Division was stationed in the United Kingdom from 25 August to 23 December 1944. >From 23 to 25 December, elements of the Division were flown to the Reims area in France in spectacular night flights. These elements closed in at Mourmelon. After taking over the defense of the Meuse River sector from Givet to Verdun, 25 December, the 17th moved to Neufchateau, Belgium, then marched through the snow to Morhet, relieving the 28th Infantry Division, 3 January 1945. The Division entered the Ardennes campaign, 4 to 9 January, at the Battle of Dead Man's Ridge. It captured several small Belgian towns and entered Flamierge, 7 January, but enemy counterattacks necessitated a withdrawal. However, constant pressure and aggressive patrolling caused the enemy to retreat to the Ourthe River. On 18 January, the Division relieved the 11th Armored Division at Houffalize, pushed enemy remnants from the Bulge, and seized Wattermal and Espeler, 26 January. Coming under the III Corps, the 17th turned toward Luxembourg, taking Eschweiler and Clervaux and clearing the enemy from the west bank of the Our River. Aggressive patrols crossed the river to probe the Siegfried Line defenses and established a limited bridgehead near Dasburg before being relieved by the 6th Armored Division, 10 February. A period of reequipment and preparation began. Taking off from marshalling areas in France, the 17th dropped into Westphalia in the vicinity of Wesel, 24 March. Operation Varsity was the first airborne invasion over theRhine into Germany itself. On the 25th, the Division had secured bridges over the Issel River and had entrenched itself firmly along the Issel Canal. Moving eastward, it captured Haltern, 29 March, and Munster, 2 April. The 17th entered the battle of the Ruhr Pocket, relieving the 79th Infantry Division. It crossed the Rhine-Herne Canal, 6 April, and set up a secure bridgehead for the attack on Essen. The "Pittsburgh of the Ruhr" fell, 10 April, and the industrial cities of Mulheim and Duisburg were cleared in the continuing attack. Military government duties began, 12 April, and active contact with the enemy ceased, 18 April. The Division came under the XXII Corps 24 April. It continued its occupation duties until 15 June 1945 when it returned to France for redeployment. Nickname: Thunder from heaven. His recon group was well known for wearing white hats and white bow ties into battle, it helped camouflage them in the snow.