Honor Page - 12 Guest Authors Excellent history stories from proud veterans

Page 12

"BOOMER JOE" & BERLIN'S DRUM & BUGLE CORPS as told to John Parmenter by JOSEPH D' ONOFRIO

The Forty Hired Guns 385th Military Police Battalion Attached to 287th Military Police Company written by Don Keller CW3, U.S. Army, Retired

My BERLIN MEMORIES by Capt. Phil Metzler, Adjutant General Corps Staff Headquarters Berlin Brigade March 1960 - March 1963

 

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"BOOMER JOE" & BERLIN'S DRUM & BUGLE CORPS

as told to John Parmenter
by JOSEPH  D'ONOFRIO

Like millions of Cold War era Americans, Joseph D'Onofrio opened his mail one morning in 1961 to find a notice from the local Draft Board. "Greetings," began the letter. Little did Joe know that in just over a year, he'd be occupying a position on the Cold War's front line: BERLIN, Germany.

Joe was a New Jersey native, living not far from the "Big Apple" -- New York City. He was a tough city kid; fiercely proud of his Italian-American heritage, and a die-hard NY Yankees fan. Joe's only soft spot was his love of music. Joe had joined his high school band's percussion section. Quickly, he became highly proficient on bass, kettle, and snare drums. Others in the band took notice of his natural talent, nick-naming their new drummer "Boomer Joe D'Onofrio." After receiving his draft notice, while riding the train from the East Coast to Ft. Riley, Kansas, Joe assumed it would be a long time before he'd again pick up drum sticks.

Upon arriving at Ft. Riley, along with several hundred other U.S. Army inductees, Joe was examined, indoctrinated, clothed in khaki & olive green, and inoculated for every known exotic disease. Several days later, he climbed aboard a bus which carried him to Camp Forsyth, where he was assigned to 1^st Infantry Division's 1^st Battle Group, 28^th Infantry "Black Lions of Cantigny" for Basic Combat Training (BCT). His bus load of recruits was met by a reception committee of stern, sun burned, muscular soldiers wearing glistening dark blue helmet liners, faded fatigue uniforms so sharply creased Joe could have shaved with them, and mirror-finished, dust defying black boots. "OKAY, MAGGOTS, OFF THE BUS!" screamed a large, red-faced non-commissioned officer with bright golden stripes on both arms and a nasty disposition. Basic Training had begun for Boomer Joe D'Onofrio.

BCT was no big deal for a tough city kid. Recruit D'Onofrio soon acclimated to Ft. Riley's steamy hot summer, long, dry, dusty trails, and sudden violent storms. He learned to make a tight bunk with hospital corners, to "double time" everywhere he went, to kill with his bare hands, and to spit-shine his boots until they gleamed. Recruit D'Onofrio learned to march in formation, to low crawl under sustained machine gun fire, and the difference between "cover" and "concealment." Joe wasn't pleased with his Cadres' "in your face" teaching methods, the chlorine gas chamber which left him (and everyone else) gasping for air, or "SOS" for breakfast. But he learned to shoot and salute while earning an Expert Badge on the rifle range, with an M-1 Garand. "Maybe the Army's not going to be so bad," thought Boomer while trying to figure an assignment with the 1^st Infantry Division Band. Mid-August sun bore down on Ft. Riley when events around the world significantly altered Joe's military experience.

Berlin, Germany was the only Military Occupation zone left from World War II. Just sixteen years before, the huge City had been bombed to rubble, captured by storm, and occupied by victorious armies of France, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, and United States. By 1961, to escape brutal conditions in communist controlled areas, throngs of East German citizens were fleeing to freedom through Berlin which sat in the middle of communist controlled East Germany. Finding the loss of skilled workers intolerable, Eastern authorities sealed off the Soviet Sector of (East) Berlin; erecting a masonry Wall -- making all of Eastern Europe a virtual prison. Soviets pressured Western Allies to leave the City. The United States responded by reinforcing it's West Berlin garrison. Troops at Ft. Riley solemnly listened to their radios as President Kennedy addressed the Nation. We would not leave Berlin to communist tyranny. Berlin was worth fighting for!

The Berlin Wall's construction caused a major stir within the United States Army! Leaves were cancelled and enlistments extended. Training schedules were stepped up. Reservists and National Guardsmen were called to active duty. Overseas combat units were alerted. Ft. Riley filled with Reservists. 1^stInfantry Division, which had been conducting recruit training cycles, was ordered to full strength, combat-deployable status. The Cold War suddenly became much warmer! Boomer Joe, along with thousands of other young trainees, learned he would remain at Ft. Riley to become a Big Red One Infantryman. He underwent Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in the same Battle Group, 1/28^th "Black Lions."

Joe found Light Weapons Infantry (MOS 111) training more challenging and interesting. He learned small unit tactics, gaining experience with M-1919A3 light machine guns, Browning Automatic Rifles (BARs), radio-telephone communication equipment & procedures, and 3.5 inch rocket launcher "bazookas." At Ft. Riley, he was joined by seasoned soldiers who had recently completed tours with units in South Korea and West Germany. Some wore coveted Combat Infantry Badges and "combat patches" from the Korean War. Training intensified after approximately two months when AIT phased into Company and Battle Group-level exercises involving hundreds of troops, tanks and artillery. One day, while participating in an assault course, an M-7 portable flamethrower malfunctioned causing serious burns to Boomer's arm. That autumn, Joe and thousands of other 1st Division Infantrymen traveled to Tarryall, in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, for cold weather Army Training Tests (ATT).

After weeks maneuvering at Ft. Irwin, California in spring, 1962 Joe heard a rumor almost too good to be true! Another 1^st Division unit, 2^nd Battle Group, 12^th Infantry, was looking for musicians to join its newly organized Drum and Bugle Corps. After an audition it was decided to add Boomer to the Corps' drum line.

By this time, Private D'Onofrio was a skilled Light Weapons Infantryman. 28^th Infantry was reluctant to release a man they'd invested so much time and energy training. However, Joe's transfer was approved. He turned in his M-1 rifle, and TA-21 (organizational gear), packed his duffle bag and caught a ride from Camp Forsyth's old temporary barracks to Ft. Riley's newest, most modern billets located on Custer Hill, home of the 2^nd Battle Group, 12^th Infantry "Warriors." Joe felt good about soldiering and performing music in a unit which was originally organized at Ft. Hamilton, New York, not too far from his East Coast home, to fight in the Civil War. Of course, he remained a Soldier of the 1^st Infantry Division and proudly wore its famous "Big Red One" patch on his left shoulder.

            

After settling into new surroundings, Joe became lead snare drummer in 2/12^th Drum & Bugle Corps. Nearly every day he and other musicians practiced marching while playing instruments. He also maintained weapons proficiency and tactical abilities as a combat ready infantryman. Often, Joe trained all day and practiced music at night. He had very little time off, including weekends. The Division's march, "Spirit of the Fighting First," was practiced until performed perfectly. On Custer Hill, troops often awoke to the martial beat of 2^nd Battle Group, 12^th Infantry's Drum & Bugle Corps marching down the street in precise military formation at sunrise. Whenever a Custer Hill unit conducted formal Retreat or other ceremonies, Joe and the others were there playing "Spirit of the Fighting First."

Following months of training, 1^st Infantry Division was declared combat ready; an element of Strategic Army Corps (STRAC). Its units, deemed fit for combat deployment, initiated a series of "Red Arrow Alerts." Each soldier maintained an "alert bag" filled with enough gear for extended field duty. During one alert, Joe's platoon sergeant ordered, "Pack everything -- we're pulling out!" Later that day, Joe found himself aboard a U.S. Air Force C-141 aircraft on a non-stop flight from Forbes Air Base near Topeka to Rhine-Main Air Base in West Germany.

"Operation Long Thrust" augmented Berlin Brigade with combat ready, reinforced Infantry Battle Groups from Ft. Lewis, Washington and Ft. Riley. Joe's 2^nd Battle Group, 12^th Infantry was the first Long Thrust deployment from Ft. Riley. Once in Germany, these CONUS (Continental U.S.) based units trained up to 7^th Army standards at Wildflecken Training Area. Following three months tough field training in Wildflecken's mountains and forests, 2/12^th Infantry conducted a week-long Battle Group Army Training Test which convinced USAREUR (United States Army, Europe) inspectors that this unit was prepared to advance to Berlin.

Ft. Riley's 9^th Transportation Battalion had attached a Light (2.5 ton) Truck Company to Joe's Battle Group for European deployment. PFC D'Onofrio and other 2/12^th troopers were excited to climb aboard "deuce-and-a-halfs" for the Berlin move. Several hours later, Joe's convoy halted at "Checkpoint Alfa" near Helmstedt on the Iron Curtain. Dismounting, Joe and the others stood in formation as his Company Commander, a Soviet Army officer and a U.S. officer of the famous Berlin Brigade, counted heads. Back in their trucks, Joe's outfit rolled 110 miles down the Helmstedt-Berlin autobahn through communist East German territory. To impress American troops, Soviet forces maintained a high profile. Along the autobahn, T-54 tanks, and huge troop carriers with red stars & white bumpers were in evidence. Eyeing Russian soldiers in baggy brown uniforms, sloppy caps, and slouched, pull-on boots, Joe thought, "They don't look so tough to me. I think we can kick their butts." It occurred to him that in Berlin he might get that chance!

    

For the next three months, PFC D'Onofrio lived at Berlin's Andrews Barracks. The old brick Kaserne, on Finckensteinallee, holds a place in German history; home of several Kaisers and of Hitler's SS guard regiment. The Drum & Bugle Corps was allotted four hours every day for practice and each company was required to perform at least one hour dismounted drill. Up and down Andrews' drill fields marched proud "Warriors" of 2^nd Battle Group, 12^th Infantry. For over a year they'd trained; perfecting infantry field skills in a variety of conditions, often living like wild animals. Now they wore glossy "Spandau Green" helmet liners and white gloves, marching to the beat of their own Drum & Bugle Corps. A week after arriving, Joe and the others marched down Berlin's cobblestone Strasse to McNair Barracks, 4-Ring parade ground to perform a weekly Retreat Parade. Led by PFC Joseph "Boomer Joe" D'Onofrio, playing "Spirit of the Fighting First," the Drum & Bugle Corps performed flawlessly. Now, they were genuine, "Berlin Soldiers."

  

Settling into Berlin routine, hearty 1^st Division field troopers were beginning to enjoy garrison life when disturbing news arrived. Half a world away, Soviet forces were installing offensive ballistic missiles in communist Cuba. America objected! For nine long days and nights civilization stood on the brink of thermo-nuclear war. Joe's Battle Group, encircled and vastly outnumbered in West Berlin, was on alert. One cold, dark October night during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Boomer found himself in a convoy speeding toward Tempelhof Air Base. Polizei on motorcycles with flashing blue lights and high-pitched martin-horns blaring, "beep-BEEEEP, beep-BEEEEP, beep-BEEEEP," sealed off their route. This was no game and troops were grimly determined to fight like hell. Joe's platoon sergeant, a Korean War Veteran, commented, "We might all die tonight." Dismounting and dispersing, Joe and the well-drilled "Warriors" quickly established defensive positions around Tempelhof to await an inevitable air strike, artillery barrage, and all out attack by Eastern Bloc infantry.

After four adrenaline-pumping hours, a stand down was ordered and Joe breathed easier but he never forgot that hair-raising night. Life settled down and Boomer, the "tough city kid" learned to appreciate Berlin's finer things, such as Wiener Schnitzel and Berliner Kindl Bier. 2/12^th Drum & Bugle Corps continued to perform whenever called upon. In January, 1963, 2^nd Battle Group, 12^th Infantry withdrew from Berlin to Rhine-Main Air Base and caught flights back to Ft. Riley. Six months later, his military commitment satisfied, Joe left the Army and returned to civilian life in New Jersey.

Four decades later, on April 29, 2006, Joe died of cancer.

Joseph D'Onofrio was neither rich nor famous but he was what makes America great. When his Country called, Joe served two years of tough Infantry life, including a front line tour, defending Berlin. After military discharge, Joe raised a family, voted and paid his taxes. He worked into his sixties. His life is an American success story.

Surely somewhere there's a place, perhaps on Finckensteinallee, where old Soldiers relax beneath oak trees, sip Berliner Kindl, and tell stories of the Cold War. From a distance they hear the martial beat of "Spirit of the Fighting First" performed by Berlin's Drum & Bugle Corps featuring lead drummer, "Boomer Joe" D'Onofrio.

Remark:
Thank you , John, for your excellent work!
We all are keeping Boomer, Joe in our minds!
Thank you, Joe, for your great service in our divided city.
Rest in peace, -OLD BERLINER- !

Reinhard

 

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"The Forty Hired Guns"

385^th Military Police Battalion
Attached to 287^th Military Police Company
written by
Don Keller
CW3, U.S. Army, Retired

         

In 1961 the 385^th Military Police Battalion, Kornwestheim, West Germany (near Stuttgart) were tasked to provide a Platoon of Military Police to re-enforce and support Berlin Brigade. The Platoon was attached to the 287^th Military Police Company with a mission to operate Check Point Charlie. Upon arriving in Berlin, these MP's were dubbed the "The Forty Hired Guns" by the "VOPOs" (East German Volkspolizei) and Soviet military. A nickname that caused those of us who wore a 7^th Army / Berlin patch to stand a little taller and prouder. You will note in the attached photo, some enterprising person made a point of etching the nickname on the wall of the Check Point Charlie observation post (OP).

A side note about that OP before I go on. It was in the attic of the same building used as the office / break area. Only part of the attic had flooring and could be an obstacle course to get in and out of. It seemed to be one of the coldest places on earth in winter. The photo depicts my friend SP4 Ernest (Ernie) Hamblin sitting atop the only heat source, 1LT William Lay our Platoon Leader standing. Getting on and off that perch could make life interesting. With access to the roof, rumor had it, unidentified person(s) made life interesting for those on the "other side" when objects mysterious fell across the wall.

As a matter of course men rotated out of the unit and were replaced. Ernie and I were fortunate enough to be replacements in June 1962. I consider the assignment one of the highlights of my military career. The men of the 385^th and 287^th were some of the finest men I had the good fortune to serve with. Even though we were tasked for Charlie Check Point, we preformed duties in all areas of the police operation. We had men on the Wannsee MP Boat Patrol, PMO desk sergeants etc. Because I had completed the Traffic Accident Investigation Course (Oberammergau, Germany), I was assigned to the Traffic Section. Our traffic team included an NCOIC, at least four to six MPs, a U.S. Air Force Policeman, two German Police Officers and a clerk. A good thing about being in the Traffic Section we weren't restricted to a "patrol area." Our patrol area was the whole American Sector. An interesting thing about MP duty in Berlin, you were involved with all Berliners, military and civilian, on or off post without restriction. I can still visualize the Berlin map covering one wall of the NCOIC's office. We used red pins to record accident locations and red flags for accidents resulting in loss of life. Unfortunately one of those flags was for our own NCOIC. He was a great loss to our section. To investigate a friend's death is a night one never forgets.

During alerts one or more of the traffic section members sign out an unmarked CID vehicle and reported to Brigade HQ prepared to drive "Officers" into selected areas to observe "unusual activity." During these times we usually ended up setting in the parking lot waiting. Apparently no one needed to observe unusual activity because I do not recall any of us ever leaving the HQ area. We knew to always take along a book to prevent complete boredom setting in.

Speaking of being bored reminds me of an incident at Check Point Charlie that may or may not have resulted from boredom. Sort of funny now, but wasn't all that funny at the time. A member of our Platoon was on duty in the OP when he said he "heard shooting down the wall". For reasons I have never really understood, he pulled his .45 moved forward to look out the window and shot himself in the leg. Fortunately for him it was a very clean thigh wound no major damage. He spent a few days in the hospital and back to duty. To my knowledge he wasn't punished, apparently those in charge figured he had punished himself enough. That was another difference between being an MP in Berlin and West Germany. In West Germany you had live rounds, but if you were caught on duty with your .45 loaded you could be in deep trouble. Never really understood that logic. I guess, because of young fellows like mention above.

Let me address the "white line" for a moment. The solid white painted line on the road between the East and West no one was to cross unless authorized. On those days of ice and snow, some were known to run at that line, slide across and then beat feet back into the West. Not to mention the snow fights between East and West. Of course, when games were "played", both from the roof and on the road we always seemed to get a reminder to curtail those activities. Big Brother was watching. But, boys will be boys.

One last story I was personally involved with. This is not all that pleasant, but did result in being heard around the world. Even though I was a young man, I had picked up some useful knowledge to operate a 4"X 5" Speed Graphic camera. At the time it was more commonly known as a "press camera" like those once used by news media. In August 1962, I was called by the Provost Marshal's Office, told to grab a camera and go to Charlie Check Point to record an incident. On the way I was told it was shooting incident. The shooting of the young East German, Peter Fechter, when he attempted to escape to the West. I see no need to go into those sad details which can be found on the internet. The days that followed were somewhat chaotic in the city. Massive demonstration protests and near riots throughout the city. We all were a little "up tight" during that period.

To end, a few brief comments on my military career. After Berlin, I left the Army for a brief period, a dumb move on my part, but live and learn. Upon my return I was accepted into the Army Criminal Investigation Program, where I received my Warrant Officer appointment and retired in 1983 as the Operations Officer of the Fort Sam Houston, Texas Field Office. After retirement I continued in the field of investigations for another 20 plus years for a private corporation, retiring for the last time (I hope) in 2004. I spent a total of nine years in Germany, three in the Far East, with times in between back and forth to the USA because they thought I needed a refresher in my native born skills of living in the U.S. I enjoyed all tours overseas and learned a great deal from many law enforcement officers of many different countries. My retired life is now made up of family, taking care of our nine month old Terrier pup and projects around the homestead. Not to mention my numerous hobbies and family history research which leads me again back to Germany and Switzerland.

To Reinhard: Thank you! For your untiring efforts to maintain this site. I first visited the site months ago and you have taken giant steps since then. Thanks for providing "old veterans" a place to record and momentarily relive their memoirs.

To all Veterans and visitors to this site: CID Command has a unit wall plague and uniform crest with the motto "Do what has to be done." By adding and changing a word or two I find it a very appropriate tribute to all Veterans and people who love and defended Freedom. All those years, long ago "We did what had to be done." Sometimes I think only those who really understand Freedom, are those people and veterans, who lived and served in places like the conditions people survived in Berlin and other countries. My deepest respects to each of you and all Veterans, past, present and future. Best wishes to all!

Those interested can find more information about Military Police in Europe or Peter Fechter at:

http://www.usarmygermany.com/Units/MilitaryPolice/USAREUR_385thMPBn.htm

http://www.videofact.com/cold_war/berlin/berlin10e_1.html

 

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My BERLIN MEMORIES

by Capt. Phil Metzler,

Adjutant General Corps Staff
Headquarters Berlin Brigade
-March 1960 - March 1963-

    

My wife and I were excited to receive orders to Berlin in early 1960 while on assignment with the 40^th Artillery Brigade Army Air Defense Command in San Francisco, California.

Leaving the west coast on a brand new commercial jet at that time, a Boeing 707, we arrived back east for some leave time in PA before travelling to New York for our overseas flight to Frankfurt, Germany on a Douglass DC-7 Constellation 4 engined prop plane. This was a night flight full of all Army and Air Force ranks and dependents of all ages-wives, kids, babies (including our 3 month old daughter), stopping in Newfoundland and Shannon for refueling. Arrived in Frankfurt safe and sound and were taken to the Air Force Motel at Rhein Main Air Base to await orders for the duty train to Berlin. Well, those orders never came and after 2 nights at the motel, we were told to get ready to take the courier flight to Tempelhof Air Base in Berlin. That was, of course, the famous "Gooney Bird", known as a DC-3 or in military terms, C-47, metal bucket seats and coffee from a thermos, my wife clutching our baby. Fortunately the flight was uneventful.

After landing at Tempelhof, we were picked up by my first boss, Capt. Don Green, and taken to the Dahlem Guest House (our temporary quarters for a couple of months). Capt. Green was the housing officer and I was assigned as his assistant. Mostly, he assigned the quarters to senior enlisted and officers, and I inspected all quarters as people were rotating home and again prior to occupancy.

Unfortunately, a short time after our arrival in Berlin, my wife got very ill with rheumatic fever. It took some time for the doctors at 279^th Station Hospital to diagnose the problem. Following 3 or so weeks in the hospital, it was a couple of months at home on bed rest. Fortunately, baby sitters were readily available and my boss was good about me taking time to visit my wife in the hospital. It worked out well that by the time she got out of the hospital, we were in our apartment on Am Hegewinkel.

Duty for a junior staff officer (1st. Lt.) was pretty good prior to the tensions building in 1961, leading to the wall.

My "big boss", the Berlin Command (later Brigade) Adjutant General was Col. Don Boardman. He was a pretty good guy and loved our Friday lunches with the whole AG group at a local pub (I can't remember the name) but we always started with a Steinhaeger (white lightning!!) followed by one or two 1/2 ltrs of bock beer--so much for any major duty Friday afternoons!

My next and longest assignment with Berlin Brigade was as the Postal Officer for APO 742, a job I grew to like. I was the Postal Officer when the Wall went up, but more on that in a bit. We had APO branches at Andrews, 2 at McNair, one at Clayallee Hqs. and one at Tempelhof. I had about 15 enlisted men and 7 German civilians working for me. We even opened up the main APO on Christmas day for last minute gift package pick-ups. Our main APO was across the side street from the Clayallee headquarters.

During 1960 when things were still pretty peaceful, we had the Russian Officers attend our May Armed Forces Day parade and party afterward at the Harnack House Officers Club. Obviously things changed in a hurry concerning our relationship with the "Ruskies" as tensions built in the summer of 1961 leading to the Wall going up.

After hearing all the news about various threats from East Germany during late summer, on Sunday morning, August 13, 1961, I took my wife and 2 kids for a ride in our VW bug to see what was going on. There were very long lines of East Germans and East Berliners at the Processing Center waiting to be able to get to West Germany.

That morning we saw the East Berlin Vopos laying concertina wire in open areas and fields between East Germany and West Berlin. I said to my wife, we better get home to our Am Hegewinkel apartment because big things were happening. It wasn't long after we got back that the first alert was called. For several weeks all I remember is one alert after another. I was ordered to sand bag my APO. I'm not sure why but orders were orders!!

I also remember meetings explaining how our wives and dependents were to be evacuated if armed conflict started. Well, we all realized the chances of evacuating our loved ones were slim to none. 99% of the wives realized this and were very brave about it.

All the Berlin Brigade Officers attended a meeting at the Outpost Theater, where some undersecretary from the State Dept. explained why we couldn't knock the wall down. The acceptance of this was lukewarm at best.

Another very vivid memory was for headquarters staff duty officers to take night trips through Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin to prove our right to be there under the 4 power agreement. These patrols were at night with an enlisted driver and I, armed only with .45mm pistols, in our Army Chevy sedan, passing under our US tanks and the Russian tanks facing each other muzzle to muzzle. Were we scared on these patrols? You're damn right we were!!

One Sunday after things cooled down a bit, my wife and I left the kids with our baby sitter and drove in East Berlin-not a good idea as we were chased by 4 Vopos back to the Brandenburger Gate. Needless to say we got back into West Berlin in a hurry.

I should also mention our experiences leaving Berlin by car with our travel orders in English, French and Russian, allowing us to travel the Autobahn through East Germany to Helmstedt, West Germany. We quickly learned that a pack of cigarettes and/or an US Govt. issue ball point pen would get us a prompt return of our orders from the Russians at their wooden shack check-in booths. They also liked any of our US military badges and insignias.

Following my duty as Postal Officer, I spent 6 months or so as administrative Services Officer. Duties included publishing the Berlin Brigade Daily Bulletin, cutting all travel orders for everyone leaving Berlin by road or duty train, and I was also custodian of all classified documents for the Clay Alllee Hqs.

I finished my tour in March 1963 as the Acting Assistant Adjutant General. Although I left active duty as a Captain and elected civilian life upon returning to the USA, I stayed with the Maryland National Guard for 5 additional years as Company Commander of the 29th Admin Company, a unit of the famed 29^th Infantry Division.

We were there when VP Lyndon Johnson came to town with the relief troops. We watched the whole procession and parade of the new troops as they marched in front of the Clayallee Headquarters. We did miss JFK's famous "ICH BIN EIN BERLINER" speech as we back in the USA by then.

So much for the highlights of three wonderful years as a
"Guardian of Freedom in the Outpost of Democracy".





Am Hegewinkel in 2006