Taps
Harold F. Lange, 84, I/395 and H/394, of Hamilton OH, died Sept. 9, 2005. He was employed by Champion International for 45 years, retiring in 1987 as director of accounting services. Survivors include two daughters; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
William T. Dougher, 83, N/395, of Dallas TX, died Aug. 22, 2005. He was stationed at Camp Van Dorn MS, and went overseas with the 99th. He was employed by Central Freight Lines Inc. for 37 years as the pickup and delivery manager. Survivors include four children; and five grandchildren.
James Coleman Wood, 82, T/394, of Monroe VA, died April 4, 2005, at the VA hospital in Salem VA, following a 17-year battle with cancer. He was seriously wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and was sent to a hospital in England. Survivors include two sisters.
Wilmer R. Barts, 84, Q/924, of South Bend IN, died July 26, 2005. He retired from Bendix in 1986, and worked in Energy Control Systems in the final calibration department. He was an avid Notre Dame fan and also followed the Cubs. Survivors include his wife, Ruby; three sons; and four grandchildren.
James C. Burtner Jr., 84, G/394, of Houston TX, died Aug. 25, 2005. He was a platoon leader and received two Purple Hearts. He worked for Baker Oil Tools for 31 years. He served as a Master of the Masonic order and also was a member of the Scottish Rite. Survivors include his wife, Roberta; a daughter; son; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Sherman C. (Red) Kindle, 83, K/393, of Erie PA, died Aug. 12, 2005. After World War II he worked in maintenance at GAF and as a security guard. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian. Survivors include three daughters; three sons; 31 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Ben Wayne Greig Jr., 81, E/394, of Houston TX, died Aug. 11, 2005. He was serving as a forward artillery observer when the Battle of the Bulge began. He arrived home after the war the same day his father arrived from service in the South Pacific. After the war he completed his education at the University of Texas, and was employed by several businesses before entering the real estate development business. Survivors include his wife; two sons; two daughters; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Lossie Carman Ballengee, 82, K/393 of Front Royal VA, died Feb. 3, 2005. He began his service with the 99th and was sent to the 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Division, and served in Africa and Italy. He was wounded three times and was awarded the Bronze and Silver Stars for combat in Italy. He was chairman of the Polar Bear Association of the 339th Infantry. Survivors include three daughters; two sons; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Herbert D. Davis, 85, I/395, died Jan. 22, 2005. He joined I Company with the original group at Camp Van Dorn and was with the company until he was wounded March 14, 1945, at Stumperich Quarry. He and his son, Herbert Jr., had attended the past few conventions.
Tod Morcott, 81, L/393, died June 13, 2005, at his home in Palo Alto CA. He earned a Silver Star for single-handedly disabling a Panther tank. His exploit is mentioned on page 141 of "Dauntless." He was a member of Kenneth Juhl's first platoon and Vern McGarity's squad.
Clifford McDaniel, 80, L/394, died May 14, 2005, at his home in Albany OR. He was a squad leader in the Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns. After being released as a POW and receiving the Purple Heart, he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1946. He taught high school biology and math, retiring in 1982 after 30 years of teaching. Survivors include three sons; a daughter; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
John Robert Highley, 85, B/371, of West Chester PA, died June 1, 2005. He served with the 99th from his arrival at Van Dorn in December 1942, all the way through until his discharge at Indiantown Gap in January 1946. He was the driver of the mess truck and had a T/5 rating. After the war he worked as a manager for Agway in West Chester, and a well driller manager for Keyes Water Co., retiring in 1984. Survivors include two children; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Emory F. Stambaugh, 85, L/393, of Spring Grove PA, died Feb. 4, 2005. He retired in 1983 from Continental Wire and Cable in York PA. Survivors include his wife, Anna Lee.
George W. Reed, H/393, of Columbus IN, died April 1, 2005. He was proud of his service with the 99th and was looking forward to attending the San Antonio Convention.
Kenneth Emmert, 88, of North Myrtle Beach SC, died May 1, 2005. He was a first sergeant in L/395, and was discharged as a second lieutenant. He retired as a long haul driver in New York before moving to North Myrtle Beach. He lived there 25 years and worked at a golf course. Survivors include his wife, Ethel; two children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.
Russell L. Hoover, 88, 370 FA Bn., of Sand Lake MI, died April 14, 2005. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star during the war. Survivors include four children; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Bill Tumblin, 87, Hq. Co., 1st Bn., 393rd, of Beaumont TX, died Dec. 29, 2004. He retired from the YMCA as physical director and the City of Beaumont Parks and Recreations as director. Survivors include two daughters; and five grandchildren.
Ralph Finklea, 81, L/395, of Austin TX, died July 20, 2005. He had basic training at Camp Maxey TX, then served as first scout in the 3rd Battalion 395th Inf. Regt. During the Korean conflict he was a second lieutenant with the 169th T Amphibious Truck Co. He was a school techer, principal, and superintendent of schools. He is survived by his wife, Anne; and two children.
Harry Krieger, E/395, of Cleveland OH, died Aug. 24, 2005. Survivors include his wife, Margaret; and three children.
Edward Hojnowski, 87, QMED, of Prescott AZ, died July 15, 2005. He served as captain with the 1st Medical Battalion during the Battle of the Bulge. He and his companion Philomena Drozdz attended many battlefield tours and 99th conventions. He also is survived by a daughter, Suzanne.
Lenus H. (Hersch) Hileman, L/393, died Jan. 30, 2005.
Walter Radomski, 80, I/395, died March 26, 2005.
Albert Sutorka, K/393, of Tarentum PA, died Feb. 14, 2005.
Harry W. Davis, K/393, of Gratz PA, died April 4, 2005.
