Franklin T. Wike, Sr. is sitting on the ground. His leg brace is open and sticking out on the side of his left foot.
Standing behind Frank, is his brother Harvey with his arm around their sister Doris.
Their other sister Myra and brother William are in the back row.
This photo was taken on their farm in Fredricksburg, PA around 1946 and was submitted by Harvey Wike.
August 2003
Dr. Zo Simmons
From the moment Tiffany and Christopher were born, the love they received from their father along with myself was immeasurable. You realize at that very moment that forever in your heart there is love for your children. What you don’t realize is the love that emanates from grandparents.
The many endless Sundays that we spent at the Simmons home has provided many wonderful memories for Tiffany and Christopher. Paw-pee taking them to the creek, letting them play in his truck, teaching them to ride bikes, and growing strawberries for his little baby girl, and sharing the family tradition of fishing with his little mini-me, Christopher. Ome always having goodies baked for them; well, I must be truthful; for all of us. The cooking classes, the warm baths, the fuzzy blankets, shopping trips to the stores, and the list can go on and on.
Charles and Rose-Marie Simmons hearts flow with love, love that only come from grandparents. We have moved from Georgia, and not a minute goes by that my children don’t bring things up about their paw-pee and ome. Nothing can compare to the love of grandparents.
Christopher recently won first place for growing a turnip at the Del Mar fair. We talked about him winning the next day and the first thing he spoke about was his paw-pee, that his paw-pee taught him how to grow things. We have a garden growing in our backyard around the pool; tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, lettuce, herbs, strawberries, grapes and peaches. While planting them, Christopher would tell me, that’s not how paw-pee does it, paw-pee said to do it this way. As frustrating as it was to be corrected by my son, I also enjoyed him telling me his memories. Till eternity and beyond, paw-pee and ome will be remembered, cherished and loved by their two special grandkids.
Thank you Charles Henry Simmons and Rose-Marie Simmons for sharing your hearts, your minds, your home, your kitchen, your truck, and your love to our children. Tiffany and Christopher are the luckiest grandchildren in the world!!!!
Split wall
My Dad called his unit patch the Split wall, and truly that’s what it looked like. I’m trying to find what unit he was in. He passed away recently, and when I was young, never spoke of Viet Nam. By the time he was ready to talk, he was ill with TIAs (mini strokes) and suffered so much damage he made little sense. But my mother claims the second unit he was in he called the split wall, and I wanted to know what that was.
Has anyone heard this reference before?
Teresa
Large Caliber Brass Shell
Ever since I was a child we have had in our possession a large caliber brass shell. Measuring about 5" high and approximately 1.5" in diameter. When my granddaughter married, her husband coveted this badly, lol, and I gave it to him for Christmas. However, I’ve always wanted to know the history of it. When I was a child it just stood on a bookcase, and when it came to me it still stood on a bookcase. The only info I ever heard about it was that someone had given it to my daddy after WWI. I assume, because it is in such good condition, that it was never fired. It comes apart; the top is shaped like a bullet and is extremely heavy, with two narrow copper bands around it. The bottom is brass and polishes beautifully. Inside the casing, someone had tucked a small square of parachute silk, real silk, not WWII nylon. There are double rows of letters and #s on the bottom of the shell casing, near the firing pin hole. (I am guessing that is what its called.)
The row closest to the firing pin hole has the numerals: 37.85. The row above that has the letters: PDP with a space and a lowercase “s” near the top of the last P, thus appearing as (PDP s 140 9.17)
Do you have any idea of how, or where, I can get information as to what these letters and numerals might mean in the way of identifying the shells origin? I am interested in finding out where it may have been before my daddy acquired it.
G.W.
Wool Army Overcoat
Hello. I recently obtained a heavy wool Army overcoat that has a patch on the left shoulder that I am unable to ID. Internet sources do not seem to have this one. The patch is circular design with a bulls-eye like pattern. The outer ring is red, middle white, and center blue. I’d say that its a UK patch but the coat is US made and old Bakelite chocolate Army buttons. If any one can help, please let me know. Thanks!
Steve
Silver Wolves
My grandfather was in WWII and received a purple heart. We are having a difficult time tracking down what his specific unit was.
I thought he was in the 5th Infantry or the 5th Armored Divison of the Army. His patch has a wolf on it and my dad thinks they were referred to as the Silver Wolves. But I am not finding anything. Thanks.
Jackson
Dear K. Jackson,
After doing some research and from my own knowledge, I do hope the information here will be of some help.
The Timberwolves dates back to 1921 where they were organized as a reserve unit at Fort Douglas, Utah. In 1942, the Army activated this division at Camp Adair, Oregon. General Terry de la Mesa Allen commanded the Timberwolves when in he joined them in 1943. The Timberwolves were noted for their night attacks while they battled Hitler’s Wehrmacht troops in Western Europe.
With the information that you provided, your grandfather most likely would have been in the 102 Infantry, 5th Armored Division.
If you know of specific military bases or dates, I could possibly provide more information.
Dr. Zoe Simmons
Discharge Papers
Can anyone tell me where I can find discharge papers for my grandfather? He was born in Italy, came over as soldier and lived in Brooklyn NY in the 1800’s, don’t know when for sure. This is all the info an Aunt could remember. He died in 1925 in Brooklyn. Thank you for any information I can receive.
502 AAA Gun BN CAC
My name is Bonnie and I am in desperate need of some help. My grandfather served as part of the 502 AAA Gun BN CAC in World War II. (Maryland). The unit had an official military photograph taken, in which all soldiers had a number pinned to their uniform. Each of their names appears at the bottom of the picture along with their corresponding number.
After the death of my grandmother, my uncles decided that it would be a good idea to take the photograph from the frame and in doing so, they destroyed it. I understand that it could possibly be restored, but hard feelings among most of the family prevents me from contacting the family member with the original. Does anyone know where I may acquire a copy of this photograph? It would mean so much for me to get a copy for my family history.
To Frank Wike, Jr.
I received your June issue of U.S. Legacies. I liked your article on your father. Your one error on him being wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. He was there, but he wasn’t wounded until 5 March 1945, during the Rhineland Campaign.
I can tell you, it was an artillery round. They have 2 types of fuses; (Time and Point Detonating). He was under a tree, and the round hit the tree and detonated. He had to be lying on his stomach, as a piece of Shrapnel went into his back, into his lung, and a piece went through his thigh cutting the muscle which controls the movement of the foot, (holds the foot up). He [later] started wearing cowboy boots, to hold his foot up, so he didn’t have to wear a brace.
From SSG A William H. Wike Ret.
Published U. S. Legacies August 2003
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