Hello K,

My sympathy to you in the loss of your dear friend, I can feel how much he meant to you. Through your post I too developed a kinship with Smitty.

My local connections (Springfield, Ohio) to Smitty are:

A copy of "Brothers in Arms", given to me by Maj. James Caldwell (Ret) who also served with the 761st Tank Battalion. "Jim" writes "From: an original member of the 761st Tank Battalion (World War II)
- Basic & advanced individual training at Fort Knox, Kentucky,
- advanced unit training at Fort Hood, Texas.
* Europen Theater (6 countries), Three (3) armies, 6 Divisions, 183 consecutive days of combat..including The Battle of the Bulge".

Also, here in Springfield, Ohio, we recently lost Lyman C. Alexander. Lyman was a training Sgt. for the unit when they were in Fort Knox, Kentucky and served with the 761st during their service in Europe. Lyman and his wife Charlene were named "Man and Women of the Year" by the 761st Tank Battalion at their 2004 Reunion.

Knowing Jim and Lyman, reading the book and your previous postings about Smitty give me a tremendous sense of pride in the accomplishments of these great gentleman .....in War and in Peace.

Art Thomas