Marauder Winslow Stevens's son, “Win,” responsible for "Tampa Bay Times" interview with Marauder James T. Collins
 

Marauder Winslow Stevens is pictured far left … and also left with William L. Varn, a China Burma India veteran he met late in life.  The two men died nine days apart in January 2014. At age 84, Stevens, was a “poster boy” to help raise funds to create what became the WW II Memorial in Washington, DC. Around age 95, Stevens had his left leg amputated as a result of lingering issues from an old combat wound received in Burma.

The son of Marauder Winslow B. Stevens – also Winslow Stevens – contacted the “Tampa Bay Times” in 2020 to convey that James T. Collins in Florida was one of only eight still living who would be honored by the Merrill’s Marauder Congressional Gold Medal Act. Stevens' father, a Silver Star recipient, was also featured in that Oct. 21, 2020, story. An encounter Stevens had during the Easter Sunday 1944 rescue of 2^nd Battalion’s “walking skeletons,” who had been surrounded almost two weeks by the Japanese, is included in British author Gavin Mortimer’s Marauder book:

 Marauder George Rose with 2^nd Battalion had his machine gun pointed to movement in the undergrowth and was waiting for a banzai charge, when 2^nd Lt. Winslow Stevens’ 3^rd Battalion Orange Combat Team patrol broke through the undergrowth.
 

“I had witnessed some horrible sights at the back of my machine gun,” recalled Rose.  “That morning before noon, April 9, Easter Sunday, I witnessed the most wonderful sight I have ever seen.”

For a moment, neither man spoke.  Stevens stood and stared at the four pitiful figures in front of him, their fatigues coated in red from the village clay.  Rose spoke first, “Being Easter Sunday and all,” he said.  “I wasn’t quite sure whether you were the Second Coming or not.  But you sure look good to me.”

“3rd Battalion broke through 1200,” wrote Col. George McGee, commander of 2^nd Battalion.  “Boy, good to see them.”

Award-winning film maker Tim Gray announces November 2020 that WW II Foundation will produce Merrill’s Marauder PBS documentary – veteran TV newsman & author Tom Brokaw will narrate it.

For years, documentary film maker Tim Gray hoped to produce a PBS documentary on the 5307^th Composite Unit Provisional.  Passage of the Congressional Gold Medal legislation in 2020 was the perfect time to begin his long-sought goal.  Successful efforts began immediately to raise an “initial $10,000” to hire film crews – because of Covid-19 – in each of the cities where five of the Marauders lived capable of being interviewed.  Three of those, Gilbert Howland, 97, in New Jersey, Bob Passanisi, 96, in New York and Gabriel Kinney, who turned 100 Feb. 2, 2021, in Alabama, were interviewed in 2020. Sadly, Marauder James Richardson, 99, in Tennessee died before his interview could be done. Completion of the fifth interview in January 2021 pushed the documentary project into its second phase, where a second $10,000 is necessary to research and purchase archival film.  

PLEASE … help us quickly raise the next $10,000 so the documentary can be completed in late 2021.  All contributions are tax-deductible and can be made – specifying Merrill’s Marauder Project – to the WW II Foundation at www.wwiifoundation.org

PLEASE click the link below for detailed instructions on ways you can financially support the WW II Foundation’s Merrill’s Marauder documentary.

Ranger Cory Remsburg’s goal was met in 2020 to have 1^st Ranger Battalion banner signed by ALL surviving Marauders

Marauder Raleigh Nayes, 98, holds Cory Remsburg’s banner after signing it in the long-term care facility where he lives in Wisconsin.  Nayes is not permitted visitors, and his wife, Betty, 92, visits him daily through his window.

Ranger Cory Remsburg’s years-long goal to have his 1^st Battalion banner signed by the remaining Merrill’s Marauders became a reality in 2020 when the flag was mailed to the then nine surviving Marauders for signatures. Covid-19 temporarily stopped the flag’s journey. Remsburg was seriously injured by an IED explosion in 2009 during his 10^th combat tour in Afghanistan.  PLEASE click the link below to learn more about Remsburg’s miraculous journey to better health .. and to see each of the NINE surviving Marauders holding his banner.

Plans made in 2020 for 2021 Ft. Benning Ranger Rendezvous

Planning started last year for the annual 2021 Ranger Hall of Fame week-long ceremony which was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19.  The 2021 “Ranger Rendezvous” is the “big event,” which occurs every two years when ALL Ranger associations will be meeting at Ft. Benning.  Ranger Rendezvous and the Ranger Hall of Fame induction ceremony are scheduled for the week of July 19, 2021.   Make your reservations now – you can always cancel.

Marauder daughter Linda Cunningham released new book in 2020

Linda Cunningham, daughter of Marauder Larry Stephenson, 3^rd Battalion, Orange combat Team, released her new book, “Early Thursday: A War, A Hurricane, A Miracle!” in August 2020.  She said the book is a human interest, historical fiction about Hurricane Audrey that hit Lake Charles and Cameron in 1957.  Linda grew up in Lake Charles and lived through Hurricane Audrey.  At that time, her father was director of Civil Defense for Calcasieu Parish.  He provided access to coroner’s photos that “lend authenticity to the novel.”  Her novel has five-star reviews on Amazon. 

Merrill’s Marauder James Richardson died at age 99 in Tennessee December 2020

James Richardson, 2nd Battalion, Blue Combat Team, and his Marauder buddy, Clyde Cooper, are seen in 1943 with a local native and his basket of wares in India.

The year 2020 ended on a very “sad note” with James E. Richardson’s unexpected death Dec. 27, 2020. The loss of Richardson along with Fred Randle from Arkansas who died at 98 and Lester Hollenback in Florida, who was almost 98 when he died, reduced the number of living Marauders to seven.  PLEASE click the link below to open a tribute page to Richardson’s almost 100 years.

Marauder son John Jones strives to keep Tennessee’s 5307^th CUP history alive

Above: Tennessee’s “The Greeneville Sun” gave extensive coverage to the Sept. 22, 2020, passage of the Merrill’s Marauder Congressional Gold Medal Act.  John M. Jones III is seen in the inset top photo with BG Frank. D. Merrill in Burma.  “Spearhead,” the book Jones collaborated on with Marauder physician James E.T. Hopkins is shown on the left. Jones was an intelligence officer working with the Kachin Rangers and a public relations liaison for both the British Southeast Asia Command and the China Burma India Theater’s 5307^th CUP.

More than 60 Tennessee native sons volunteered in 1943 for the top-secret “dangerous and hazardous” mission that became known as Merrill’s Marauders. One of those, John M. Jones III, who died at age 101 July 26, 2016, was the decades-long publisher of Tennessee’s “The Greeneville Sun,” which remained in the family until the last several years. Jones was one of six Merrill’s Marauders who have lived to 100.  His wife, “Arne” also lived to 101 and was a co-owner and columnist for “The Greeneville Sun.”  One of their sons, also John M. Jones, is a journalist who continues to ensure Marauder history is not forgotten. His father kept a diary during the 1944 campaign, “Merrill’s Marauders: the War Diary of the 5307^th Composite Unit (Provisional).”  The senior Jones also collaborated with Marauder physician James E.T. Hopkins on the book “Spearhead,” considered a “Marauder Bible.”  The younger Jones said Marauders from Greene County, TN include Chester Farmer, J.C. Kidwell, Junior Potter, U.M. Clemmer and his father John M. Jones III. Mars Task Force veteran Coolidge Cutshall was also from Greene County.  Wayne Carpenter, who lived in nearby Morristown, was a Marauder.
 

2020 Christmas card features Sally and MG Kenneth “Ken” Leuer, who spearheaded creation of Ft. Benning National Ranger Monument

Sally and MG Kenneth “Ken” Leuer’s 2020 Christmas card triggered thoughts of the four years I worked for Leuer as editor of the National Ranger Memorial Foundation’s email newsletter, then called the Anet.  Two 2020 deaths of people I worked with during that time have been a huge loss to the Ranger community.  Retired COL ”Bob” Poydashef, the foundation’s legal counsel and former Columbus mayor, died Sept. 24, 2020, at age 90.  He was on the five-person team who interviewed me for Anet editor. Tabitha Kidd, who became the third Anet editor when I resigned December 2013, died Oct. 11, 2020, at age 43. The year 2013 was also when Joe Leuer resigned after 15 years as NRMF executive secretary.  He was replaced by the current executive secretary, Blair Brown, whose father is a Ranger Hall of Fame inductee.  When Leuer, 87, who spearheaded creation of the National Ranger Monument, later resigned, he was succeeded by current chairman, BG Joseph “Joe” Stringham.  Leuer is a former Ft. Benning commander who was the pivotal force in creation of the National Ranger Memorial Foundation and construction of the National Ranger Monument.  Leuer was selected in 1974 by Army Chief of Staff, GEN Creighton Abrams, and given the Abrams Charter for formation of the modern Ranger battalions. Leuer also co-authored the “Ranger Creed.” Leadership under Brown and Stringham brought new ideas and technology to the NRMF. A new look was designed for the website, and more recently the newsletter, whose editor is Ilene Kent, was given a new name, Checkpoint.  To purchase a stone for a qualified Ranger, visit https://rangermemorial.com   PLEASE click the link below to see a photo page of National Ranger monument images.

Marauder daughter Jonnie Melillo Clasen greets 2020 with visit to Marauder widow Beverly Martin in Pahrump, Nevada

Marauder daughter Jonnie Melillo Clasen reads a map for her 2020 drive back to Columbus, GA after visiting Marauder widow Beverly Martin (inset) in Pahrump, NV. Clasen, who doesn’t use a GPS, has made countless cross-country drives since age 24.  She’s now 74.  A highlight on her 2020 drive back to Columbus was nibbling on the biscotti Beverly baked for her.

After a 2019 Christmas visit with her son, Michael, in Reno, NV, Jonnie Melillo Clasen made a quick stop in Pahrump, NV to visit Beverly Martin, widow of Bernard “Marty” Martin, who died July 31, 2015. “Marty” in 2014 was the guest of the Chinese government in Bejing for opening of “National Memories – CBI Images from the United States National Archives,” at the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution. The exhibit, which toured major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., focused on WW II cooperation between the United States and China. The photos are part of a collection at the Yuezhong Museum of Historical Image in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province.
 

Marauder champion Nestor Aliga greets January 2021 with joy when Congress passes California’s Mare Island Cemetery legislation

Retired California Army colonel and ardent veterans’ champion Nestor Aliga is radiant in the “selfie” above taken in front of his television when U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson announced Jan. 2, 2021, that his legislation to repair and maintain the Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo had officially become law.  Aliga made years of repeated trips to Congress seeking to have the Veterans Administration take over care of the nation’s oldest naval cemetery in the West. Three Medal of Honor recipients are buried in the cemetery. Aliga said many people fought “for the nearly 1,000 Veterans and their family members buried at the cemetery so they are properly honored in a national shrine just like all our veterans buried in U.S.-owned cemeteries in America and around the world.”  In 2019, Aliga added the Marauder Congressional Gold Medal campaign to his pile of objectives in Washington, D.C.  He started “the magic” leading to passage of the Merrill’s Marauder CGM during the 116^th Congressional Session.”  Aliga was also responsible for Marauder Gabriel Kinney receiving a “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition” on his 100^th birthday from California Congressman Mike Thompson.

Merrill’s Marauder historian and Vietnam veteran Hansel Haycox dies January 22, 2021

Author Jim Noles shares plans to write book about life of champion sailor and Merrill’s Marauder “Phil” Weld

Merrill’s Marauder Philip Weld appears jubilant in both the black and white photo and color “Sports Illustrated” image.  The French version of the book he wrote, “Moxie,” is described as providing “an enormous amount of good advice and plain home-spun philosophy.”  Author Jim Noles is inset.

Merrill’s Marauder Gabriel Kinney in Alabama celebrated his 100^th birthday Feb. 2, 2021

 

One of Merrill’s Marauder Gabriel Kinney’s daughters, Carol Crawford, has been working with her other siblings to honor their Dad, who turned 100 Feb. 2, 2021.  Covid-19 prevented the family from having the celebration they’d hoped for. However, Kinney was honored with a birthday party Feb. 7, 2021, at Carol’s home, where he was able to look at the many birthday greetings he received.  Kinney and his wife Elena, 94, celebrated their 75^th wedding anniversary in 2020.  They live in a senior apartment in Daphne, Alabama.  Above Kinney is looking at a card created by Jonnie Melillo Clasen. PLEASE click the link below to see the inside pages of that card which show both his family and military history. 

 

 

 

Marauder “Bob” Reott’s widow, Mildred, is proud of her husband's service

 

 

Thoughts of her Merrill’s Marauder husband, Robert “Bob” Reott, who died January 29, 2018, at age 96, are a familiar presence to Mildred, 97, seen above recently at her Michigan home holding a copy of British author Gavin Mortimer’s Merrill’s Marauder book. During the last month of his life, Reott’s family, which includes seven children, honored his WW II military service by purchasing a stone at Ft. Benning’s National Ranger Monument for his January 15, 2018, birthday, so his name would join those of the men he served with in Burma.  Reott fought with 1^st Battalion, Red Combat Team.  Also during the month of January 2018, Reott received a letter from SEN Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, saying she supported the current bill in the Senate seeking to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Merrill’s Marauders.

 

 

Sylvia Williamson finds poem in her father’s Merrill’s Marauder  memorabilia

Sylvia Williamson, daughter of Merrill’s Marauder John L. Tyre, who died July 11, 2002, at age 81, was going through a box of her father’s memorabilia at her Dexter, Georgia home when she came across the poem, “The Battle of Merrill’s Marauders.”  The poem was written by John E. Devine in 1965 and modified in 1976 to adapt for a musical score.  It was probably a handout for a Merrill’s Marauders Association reunion because it is written on their letterhead. Sylvia and her older sister, Lana Thomas, have been very involved in the Marauder Congressional Gold Medal campaign.  Their father served in 1^st Battalion, White Combat Team.  Their Dad’s best friend in Burma was Clyde B. Benefield. Both Marauders said if they survived the war, they would name their first son after each other. Both survived but Sylvia’s parents had two girls.  So, her sister was named Lana Clyde Tyre, after her Dad’s best friend. PLEASE click the link below to see a copy of “The Battle of Merrill’s Marauders.”