Col. Charles P. (Carlo) Biggio Jr., C/372, of Arlington VA, died July 7, 2008. He was a well-known authority on the artillery and had written many essays and articles for the Checkerboard. He also gave presentations at annual conventions, the latest being in Washington, D.C., with author Joe Doherty. Survivors include his wife, Winnie; three son; one granchild; and one great-grandchild.
Leslie Pintler, B/395, Sulphur Springs TX, died Oct. 2, 2008. He was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service during World War II. He was a master carpenter. Survivors include his wife, Nell; five children; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Bernabe Aguilera, 82, B/394, Independence MO, died Sept. 29, 2008. While fighting in the Battle of the Bulge he was captured and was a prisoner of war for four and one-half months. He was awarded a Bronze Star. He retired from the Missouri Pacific Railroad as an assistant terminal manager. Survivors include 10 children; 24 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.
Glen Harding, 89, C/395, Aloha OR, died Sept. 19, 2008. Lacking enough points to come home at the end of World War II, he went on to serve as an escort guard at the Nuremberg Prison during the trials. After coming home, he resumed his career as a machinist and tool grinder. He is survived by two children; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Stanley White, 89, K/393 Dunedin FL, died Oct. 20, 2008. He joined K Company on Elsenborn Ridge Jan. 2, 1945, and was with the company until the war’s end. A lifelong magician, he entertained the troops during the war. After the war, he returned to college, and received an MA in education. He taught in Flint MI schools. He retired in 1978. Survivors include two children.
Ed “Mack” Cumbie, 87, D/394, Athens TX, died June 6, 2008. He was drafted in late 1944, and was assigned to the 99th Infantry Division in Europe as a replacement mortar squad member following the Battle of the Bulge. Upon return to civilian life, he used the GI Bill to take a welding course. He drove a taxi cab for awhile, but the bulk of his career was spent delivering the Dallas Times Herald and as circulation manager at the Athens Daily Review, where he retired. He also was a court bailiff for several years. Survivors include his wife, Jeana; children; and grandchildren.
Robert D. Cornell, 83, D/394, Munster IN, died Aug. 7, 2008. He was a member of the ASTP, then joined D Company, 394th Infantry Regiment. He saw combat in the Battle of the Bulge and at the Remagen Bridge. He was awarded a Purple Heart with oakleaf cluster, Bronze Star, three battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He worked for Standard Forgings Corp. for 40 years. Survivors include two children; and four grandchildren.
Furman Grimm, L/394, Temple TX, died June 26, 2008. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and spent the remainder of the war in Stalag XIIIC. He and Al Nelson went all through the University of Texas in the same classes and got their geology degrees at the same time. They were in the same platoon at Camp Maxey in basic training. Grimm initially worked for Humble Oil Company in the geophysical department and later was a geophysicist with Exxon, and still later a cattle rancher in central Texas. Survivors include his wife, Fran; son; and two grandchildren.
Henry Thomas, 86, M/395, Clemmons NC, died March 11, 2008. He was wounded March 6, 1945, on the Rhine River. He attained the rank of master sergeant and his unit was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. He retired from Ford Motor Company, Dearborn MI, after 32 years. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis; three children; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Frank Garrett, 84, S/924, Plymouth MI, died July 15, 2008. He was captured by Peiper’s column in Bullingen the morning of Dec. 17 and escaped approximately five months later.
Ward Hypes, 86, 1/395, Lewisburg OH, died June 22, 2008. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge, Remagen, Rhineland, and the Ruhr Pocket. He also was involved in the liberation of the Mooseburg POW camp and was one of the last groups to cross the bridge at Remagen. He retired in 1987 after nearly 50 years in the agricultural chemical field. He also farmed for many years with his son, Tom. He participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in November 2007, to visit the World War II Memorial. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three children; three step-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren.
William Molketin, 85, T/395, Parma OH, died Feb. 18, 2008. He was retired from Ford Motor Company where he worked in quality control at the Brook Park plant. Survivors include his wife, Mitzi.
Charles Phillip Swann, 84, Laredo TX, died May 13, 2008. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After the war, he worked for Texaco for 35 years in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Survivors include two children; two grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Leonard Halpern, 85, K/393, died May 28, 2008, at Houston TX. He was one of the original LSU Enlisted Reserve Corps group and part of the LSU ASTP sent to the 99th in March 1944. He was in the First Platoon and was captured the first day of the Battle of the Bulge. He was part of the “Hammelburg Seven,” fellow POWs who stayed together for most of their time in captivity. After the war he worked for Gumps and Nieman-Marcus and later opened his renowned LEONARD Ladies Shop.
Joseph Shimko, L/394, Mentor OH, died April 3, 2008. He was awarded the Bronze Star and several other commendations during the war. After his discharge from the Army, he earned a BA in business and worked for Carborundum Abrasive Manufacturing until his retirement. He was a regular attendee of 99th conventions until his health prevented travel. Survivors include his wife, Betty; four children; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Lewis Weible, 85, M/393, of Collinsville IL, died Sept. 22, 2008. He retired as a traffic manager specialist from the U.S. Department of Defense in St. Louis MO. Survivors include his wife, Eloise; two daughters; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Donald MacDonald, T/395, of Sarasota FL, died June 6, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Beverly; one son; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.