When a service banner adorned with stars was displayed in a home's window during World War II, it meant a family member was involved in the war. Some of the soldiers never returned, but those who did come home carried memories and war stories. In The Star in the Window, author Louis C. Langone tells the stories of more than seventy-five WWII veterans who lived in Waterville and Central New York. Langone personally interviewed and listened to more than 100 men and women telling their wartime stories-from bombing missions over Europe to the "island hopping" campaigns of the Pacific to suffering as prisoners of war. The narratives are supplemented with material from books, periodicals, the Internet, press releases, unit histories, and letters, providing a mix of memories and facts. Photographs and community honor rolls are also included. The Star in the Window not only preserves special WWII memories, but also gives insight into the hardships endured and sacrifices made by the veterans of the Central New York area. It provides an opportunity to experience history through the eyes and ears of veterans from the various military branches of service revealing shocking and obscure incidents of the war.
The Star in the Window
Select Stories of World War II VeteransBy LOUIS C. LANGONEiUniverse, Inc.
Copyright © 2011 LouiS C. Langone
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4620-1425-5Contents
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS......................................193EPILOGUE...............................................383APPENDIX...............................................385INDEX..................................................457
Chapter One
Carlton Alsheimer
BANDSMAN
Few things are more inspiring to the military man than hearing the sounds of John Philip Sousa parade music. Every branch of service, division, or capital ship has a band and throughout history the soldier, sailor, and airman have appreciated the entertainment and morale boosting that the band provides.
From the Revolutionary War fife and drum music to the modern huge military bands serving around the world, these music men and women have served their country well. Today, the Army, Air force, Navy, and Marine Corps bands also perform for the civilian community including assembly programs at secondary schools and colleges.
During World War II there were 500 bands serving the Army and were divided into three categories- Special – Separate and Organizational. Examples of the Special Band were the U.S. Band (Pershing Band), the U.S. Military Academy Band, and the U.S. Air Corps Band. Separate Bands were bands attached to training units. Organizational bands were infantry division bands assigned to a combat command. The Army also had dance bands, which helped boost morale of the troops. The drafting of men into the service helped to bring excellent musicians into the Army and Army Air Corps/Air Forces (Army 1).
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Carlton Alsheimer of Waterville was one of these outstanding musicians to serve in an Army Organizational Band – the 69th Infantry Division band.
Carlton "Carl" Alsheimer graduated from Waterville Central School in 1937 and then attended the Capital Engineering Institute at Washington, D.C. where he studied electronics and engineering. He had also performed with local bands at hotels and nightclubs.
At the age of 23, and months before Pearl Harbor, he enlisted into the army. His basic training, which he referred to as "rigorous and complete," took place at Fort Benning, Georgia.
After basic training, Alsheimer was assigned to the 78th Division, 101st Tank Destroyer Battalion. Between 1941 and when he became part of the 69th Division band, Alsheimer was a member of Headquarters Company at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. He was assigned to Publications and his duties involved distributing army regulations. He also ran the movie theater and played in small group bands at service clubs during off-duty hours. Promoted to sergeant by 1943, he was transferred to the 69th Division in June of 1944 and to the Division band in August of 1944. While stationed in the United States, the 58-member Division band was required to entertain at concerts, parades, service clubs, and enlisted men's clubs. The band also performed for arriving and departing dignitaries, and embarking and disembarking troops. They also performed for the USO and with celebrities such as Bob Hope, the Marx Brothers, and Peggy Lee when they visited to entertain troops. (Alsheimer's wife, Anne, also sang with the USO in the States.)
According to J. A. de Mond's book, What the Hell! - the 69th Division left Camp Shelby November 2, 1944, destination unknown. "Our instruments and equipment were loaded onto freight cars. For three to four years the band had played for departing troops. Now it was the 65th division playing for us as we left"(2). Thanksgiving Day was spent aboard the troop train and in the early hours of November 23, the 69th arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.
de Mond's book goes on to relate that at Camp Kilmer there was training in security, censorship regulations, lifeboat drills, abandon ship drills, and films on escape methods if captured by the enemy (2-3).
The time came to board ship so they packed up and took a train to Staten Island for the ferry ride to Pier 10 in New York City. The Band was playing for the troops at Pier 10 and the Red Cross was there with coffee and doughnuts. They boarded the USS LEJEUNE and the sleeping quarters, named One Peter Baker, were not very favorable. They were located in the most forward part of the ship. It was very crowded and the lighting was very bad. The LeJEUNE left New York on December 1, and joined into a convoy following a zigzag course to avoid submarines. The ship headed toward the Bahamas and then swung northward and joined another convoy and continued the voyage across the Atlantic.
"While crossing the Atlantic," Alsheimer related, "the Chaplain gave us some instruments and our band performed on decks for various shows. One day aboard ship we heard these loud noises. Our destroyers had sighted some submarines and dropped depth charges destroying one sub."
On December 12th the troops arrived at Southampton, England. Their quarters were about two hours from Southampton at a Boy's School called West Downs.
On January 23, 1945, the 69th left England for the continent. They got aboard a British ship and went to the port of LeHavre. On January 24th, the troops landed on French soil. LCT landing boats transported them from the ship to the shore.
By the spring of 1945 the 69th division was in Germany and by late April had met up with the Russians but the band instruments were 300 miles behind. On April 23 several men took off by bus, truck and a quartermaster truck to bring back the instruments. They returned on the 28th(deMond 31-2).
On May 1st, the band performed for General Reinhardt and two other high-ranking officers. "The 1812 Overture," "The Red Cavalry March", and a Glen Miller version of the "Song of the Volga Boatman." were played. The band's arrangement of "Der Fuhrer's Face" was also included in the performance The Russian officers were very pleased and they said good music could promote good relations between nations. (deMond 36). On May 3rd the band went to the allied prisoner of war camp and played for the prisoners who were mainly French.
In addition to England and France, Alsheimer served in Holland and Germany. Most of the time overseas was spent in Germany. The 69th suffered no casualties but lost one man through sickness.
While overseas, the 69th Division band performed many times. "We played for dignitaries, kings and queens. At the same time we entertained our own troops with concerts, dance music, and parades - similar to what was required of us in the States," Alsheimer explained.
The author asked Alsheimer if he could recall some of his most memorable experiences. He said he had performed for generals as they deplaned at various air bases. One time he was in a marching band, which performed at a Duke University football game. He also mentioned that the band had performed at shows for servicemen.
A talented musician, Alsheimer had written musical arrangements for the band and played in concert and marching bands. They marched in a lot of cities and he played in dance bands before he was shipped overseas. A versatile musician, Alsheimer has played guitar in dance band, the tuba in marching band, and the trombone in concert band. Also, he remembers that because of his talent in electricity he was nicknamed "Sparks".
In addition to his music assignment he stood guard duty with...
