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Honor Page - 14 Guest Authors Excellent history stories from proud veterans |
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FREEDOM AFFIRMED!
A Berlin Veteran Remembers 26 June 1963
by John Parmenter
At the time, it didn't seem like a big deal. However, in light of Cold War history, it was a day of
remarkable significance. In later years, I've taken a measure of pride in having played a small part,
but realize it was just my good fortune to have been there.
As his speech progressed toward its dramatic climax, Kennedy asked his audience to "...lift your eyes
beyond the dangers of today, to the hopes of tomorrow, beyond the freedom merely of this city of Berlin,
or your country of Germany, to the advance of freedom everywhere, beyond the wall to the day of peace
and justice, beyond yourselves and ourselves to all mankind." In conclusion, the President proclaimed,
"All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And, therefore, as a free man, I take
pride in the words, --Ich bin ein Berliner--."
A half hour after our arrival, a hush came over the gathered crowd and the street cleared. The
Presidential motorcade was coming! An officer-in-charge issued verbal commands, "ATTENNNNN-HUNNN!" Followed by, "PREEEEESENNNT HAAARRMS!" Simultaneously, heels of several hundred spit-shined black leather boots locked, then M-14 rifles were raised to "present arms;" positioned vertically before each Soldier's body. Because the street was narrow, guidon bearers did not dip their banners horizontally, but saluted with left hands across guidon staffs. From our left, several traffic control -Polizisten- wearing white uniform jackets and crash helmets rolled quietly past on motorcycles, followed by sedans filled with plain clothes security personnel and finally, an open-top Lincoln limousine with the President accompanied by a general officer. Gazing past my M-14's flash suppressor, I saw that President Kennedy's hair had a reddish tint I hadn't noticed in photographs. Immediately following the President's limo was an open Cadillac with members of his entourage, then a huge sedan bristling with antennae, loaded with communications gear. Another verbal command, "HORRR-DERRR HAAARRMS!" As if one, steel butt plates of hundreds of rifles clacked on Clayallee pavement. Then, "STAND-HATTT HEEEEEES!" Several hundred highly polished left combat boots stomped the ground, as white-gloved left hands snapped to the rear and helmeted heads turned right - toward where President Kennedy stood behind a podium. Major General James K. Polk, commander of U.S. Forces in Berlin, introduced the President of the United States to his nation's Berlin Community.
My 1st Infantry Division Battle Group (1/28th Inf.), augmenting Berlin Brigade, was confined to
quarters on alert for civil disturbances. Steel helmets, M-14 rifles, bayonets, bullet-proof vests,
and other gear were laid out, prepared for quick utilization. "Deuce-and-a-halfs" of our Task Force's
light truck company (444th Trans.) lined up outside the billets of Andrews Barracks, ready to
rush riot control-trained Infantrymen to any location in West Berlin. We learned that President Kennedy
would visit Berlin that day and we might be called upon to suppress communist demonstrators. It was
Wednesday, June 26, 1963.
Tempelhof U.S. Air Base wasn't capable of handling a Boeing 707, so that morning "Air Force One" landed
at Tegel in the French Sector. Greeting the President was a very "spiffy" 6th Infantry Honor
Guard and a 1st Division Artillery Battery (A, 2/33rd) firing a 21-gun salute with
105mm howitzers. The 298th U.S.Army Band performed traditional honors: four "Ruffles and
Flourishes" and "Hail to the Chief." President Kennedy was shown through Tegel by French military officers and spent the next four
hours touring West Berlin with his German hosts, Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and West Berlin's
-Regierenden Buergermeister- Willy Brandt. Along with Presidential envoy, General Lucius Clay and other
American escorts, he inspected formations of -Polizei- and stood, in rapt contemplation, on an
observation platform peering into communist territory over the infamous Wall.
With little else to do, we gathered around, listening to an Armed Forces Radio (AFN) commentator
describe a huge throng of "predominantly blond" Berliners crowded into Rudolf-Wilde Platz to see and
hear the American President. It was there that President Kennedy delivered what may have his most
memorable and eloquent speech.
Like his predecessors Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower, President John F. Kennedy was cognizant of
Berlin's Cold War significance. Symbolically, West Berlin was an "in your face" island of freedom in the
cesspool of Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Moreover, West Berlin amounted to a gaping capitalist wound
in the rotting carcass of an evil collectivist system. Early in his administration, Kennedy voiced
support for West Berlin's defense. Shortly after construction began of the Berlin Wall, in August,
1961, he strengthened Berlin's U.S. garrison as a symbol of America's determination to remain in the
Divided City. Now, the President visited Berlin as confirmation of his and his nation's resolve.
John Kennedy was known as an outstanding orator; perhaps the finest English language political speaker
since the great Winston Churchill. His Berlin speech was not disappointing. The historic address at
Rudolf-Wilde Platz was inspiring, even to cynical G.I.s listening at Andrews Barracks. Standing before
a million Germans at -Rathaus Schoeneberg-, West Berlin's City Hall, President Kennedy delivered what
has been described as "a ringing tribute to West Berlin and the spirit of freedom." It was also a stern
indictment of communism:
"There are many people in the world who don't understand, or say they don't what is the great issue
between the free world and the communist world.
Let them come to Berlin!"
"There are some who say that communism is the wave of the future.
Let them come to Berlin!"
"And there are those who say, in Europe and elsewhere, we can work with the communists.
Let them come to Berlin!"
"And there are even a few who say that it is true that communism is an evil system, but it permits us
to make economic progress.
Lass' sie nach Berlin kommen!
Let them come to Berlin!"
"I know of no town, no city, that has been besieged for eighteen years that
still lives with the vitality and the force, and the hope, and the determination
of the City of West Berlin."
Kennedy described the Wall as "...an offense not only against history but an offense against humanity,
separating families, dividing husbands and wives and brothers and sisters, and dividing a people who
wish to be joined together." "In eighteen years of peace and good faith," he declared, "this generation
of Germans has earned the right to be free, including the right to unite their families and their nation
in lasting peace, with good will to all people."
Hearing the crowd's roar of approval on AFN, troops at Andrews were relieved that we'd not be dealing
with anti-American demonstrations that day. As we stowed riot control weapons and equipment, platoon
sergeants ordered us into our parade gear because we were going to go meet the President. Within thirty
minutes we stood armed with M-14 rifles; uniformed in starched khakis, gleaming black boots, pistol
belts, Infantry blue scarves, white gloves, and glistening "Spandau Green" helmet liners (we were quite
proud of those Berlin parade helmets: high-gloss deep green with a famous "Big Red One" insignia on the
left side and the white and black "Lion of Cantigny" shield on the right). Following a truck ride to
Clayallee near U.S. Military Headquarters, we assembled in three ranks on the street's edge to await our
Commander-in-Chief. Security was tight. Uniformed West Berlin Polizei, walking patrols and on stationary
posts, were much in evidence. Also present were high ranking law enforcement officials in uniforms and
plain clothes. Men wearing civilian suits scrutinized everyone, including us. On roof tops were men with
binoculars and sniper rifles. Company Commanders issued last-minute instructions regarding Presidential
Honor Guard drill and ceremonies.
As President Kennedy began speaking to assembled American military personnel, diplomats and civil
servants, the unexpected occurred. Throngs of German civilians, primarily young adults and teenagers
following on foot, caught up to the motorcade. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people surged down
Clayallee and its sidewalks; some actually running between ranks of the Presidential Honor Guard,
infiltrating our precise military formation! Using night sticks as intimidating pointers, West Berlin
Polizei swung into action, directing this swarm of civilians off the street and onto the sidewalk behind
what was left of our formation. Our own "Black Lion" Infantry officers ordered us to break ranks and
stand tightly, shoulder-to-shoulder on the curb, preventing the good natured crowd from spilling back
onto Clayallee. The President's remarks were brief. He lauded efforts of Americans who labored tirelessly
behind the Iron Curtain on behalf of freedom and thanked them for their dedicated service in that unique,
critical outpost. Following the Presidential party's departure and the crowd's dispersal, we trucked
back to Andrews Barracks.
That day, chronicled in Cold War history, began grimly with our determined preparations for violent
confrontation. We confronted only a joyous mob of beleaguered, adoring -Volk- whose continued liberty
and very existence had just been assured by the Free World's leader and who, in turn, were treating him
like a "rock star." That evening, walking down a busy West Berlin avenue, I noticed a colorful sidewalk
chalk drawing of the President exclaiming, "Ich bin ein Berliner." A young German woman with me
interpreted that many Berlin residents had learned to love President Kennedy, and truly appreciated his
comment "that he is one of us!"
When "Air Force One" lifted off from Tegel that evening, enroute to Ireland, President Kennedy was so
inspired by Berlin's enthusiastic crowds that he remarked, "We will never see another day as this one so
long as we live." Five months later, he lay dead. Three days after the assassination in Dallas,
Rudolf-Wilde Platz was renamed John F. Kennedy Platz in his honor. Twenty-six years later,
the Berlin Wall fell and today Berlin is the capitol city of a free, dynamic, prosperous, reunited
German nation. The hateful ideology confronting civilization today is different from that of Kennedy's
time. However, as another President recently observed, all people want to live in freedom. Whether in
Berlin or Baghdad or Boston or Bombay, people long for those values and ideals articulated by John
Kennedy in Berlin. In recognition of that reality and perhaps in contradiction of his assessment that a
"day as this one" wouldn't reoccur; annually on June 26, citizens of Berlin gather at John F. Kennedy
Platz to hear an audio recording made at that very location in 1963 of an American President
proclaiming -Ich bin ein Berliner-.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Urban legend has it that President Kennedy's statement, "Ich bin ein Berliner" translates to,
"I am a jelly doughnut." That may apply in parts of Germany outside of Berlin, as there is a German
pastry referred to as, "ein Berliner." In Berlin that same round piece of cake is called "Pfannkuchen".
Long time Berlin residents inform me, however, that in the formerly Divided City, a proper English
translation of Kennedy's comment is, "I am a (free) Citizen of Berlin."
SOURCES:
Remark:
Bering, Henrik, OUTPOST BERLIN, The History of the American Military Forces in Berlin, 1945-1994.
Chicago: Edition q, Inc., 1995, pages 181-184.
Schmemann, Serge, WHEN THE WALL CAME DOWN, The Berlin Wall and the Fall of Communism.
Boston: Kingfisher, 2006, pages 37-39.
The History Channel: JFK: A PRESIDENCY REVEALED, Episode 3.
Photos: Landes- / Bundesbildstelle Berlin, current photos by Reinhard v. Bronewski
Emailed comments of Berlin residents Rainer Hoffmann & Reinhard von Bronewski.
www.Berlin-Brigade.de
Thank you , John, for writing that excellent report !
May the world and the Berliners never forget our history!
-Reinhard-
With the 3rd Bn 16th IR, 1st Div. in Berlin
1st SGT Carl Th. Fox
3rd Bn, 16th IR, 1st Div. 3rd Squad, Co M,
1946/50
written by his son Michael Jahnke-Fox
By redesignations the 3rd Battalion of the 16th infantry regiment moved on May 1st, 1946 from
the Nuernberg area to Berlin while theirs 1st and 2nd Bn was left stationed down the zone. That meant the
Nuernberg - Fuerth area.
During those days the 3rd Battalion owned six different companies. They were the B, C, D, L, M, and N companies.
While my Dads 3rd Platoon of the Co M was a heavy mortar platoon the others was an Heavy Machine Gun and ordinary
M1 rifle platoons. The whole Co M have had 4 Platoons and owned about 130 soldiers. The same happened to the other company's
except the Co B. This unit was their HQ Company.
Between 1946/50 the battalion was stationed at the former "Roosevelt Barracks" in Berlin Lichterfelde ( Gardeschuetzenweg).
The 16th IR where called the "Big Red Ones" and also some later as "Rangers" however.
My Dad, Carl Th. Fox, was member of the 3rd Squad, Co M, 3rd Bn, 16th
IR, 1st Div. between 1949/50 he graduated for SFC at the end of February 1950. His Squad Leader
was MSGT Samuel Schamberger while theirs CPT was an James R. Young. The 3rd Squad Leader
was SGT Leo Seitzinger. My Dads Platoon Leader SGT Harry C. Viers sometimes also called "Birddog" by the GIs.
While my Dads duty in the 3rd Bn 16th IR in Berlin I was born in the Schoeneberg
hospital called AVK. On April 1st 1950 my Dad and some fellows of him was shipped back for
advanced training to Ft. Dix, NJ, USA. That things happened almost every second month by the Berlin Command
so that the hole unit decreased more and more. On 1st August 1950 the 3rd Bn
16th IR 1st Div where redesigned once more for the 3rd Bn 6th
IR as part of the Berlin Brigade.
Roosevelt Barracks were closed then for the sub military unit of the German operated Labour Service. I don't know
exactly anymore when that service moved there in.
The 3rd Bn 16th IR 1st Div was the first very important army unit for that
city anyway. Even during the time of the "West-Berlin blockade". Many of my Dads company fellows and even my
Dad himself helped the Berliners people to may overcome while that time.
When my dad got discharged at Camp Killmer, NJ, in 1951, he was E9 in a secret unit. Thus because of the Corea
war.
After a long time of cancer my Dad, 1st SGT Carl Fox , passed away in June 2005. His age was
74.
By this little story my father has got the opportunity to send his warm regards to all his friends and fellows.
My Berlin tours
by
SP5 David N. Scott
HHC, 3rd Battle Group, 6th Inf. Div
"THIRD HERD, ALL THE WAY!"
- Medical Company -
1958-1960, 1962-1964
Reinhard, you asked me to write something for your web site about my tours in Berlin. Alas, there is nothing
that I can honestly write, I 'led a very sheltered life'. It was like being back in San Francisco, of sorts.
Basically, I'm like the inscription on the tombstone: "I was there, loved it, returned and now I'm gone."
As I recall, it had been a very quiet uneventful tour, but there were a few 'high' spots. I fell in love,
numerous times right up to the end - was not to be.
We used to follow the troops to the field and to the various ranges. Not bad, I could ride in the jeep,
the troops had to walk with all the equipment several of miles. No fun job to carry the heavy BARs & Browning
MGs plus ammo cans around.
Daily I "talk" to my buddies on the BUSMVA Bulletin Board. Sometimes I must wake them up ( had probably too
much Kartoffel Schnaps), but then we let the "cow fly". Our "Alter George" and many others make sure that we
always get some fun.
Being of 'Sound Character and Sane, I was asked, at the tender age of 16, which I would prefer - the Marines
(my older brother was in the Mud Marine Platoon Leaders Program) or the Army?
Well, being of high Moral Character and interest in saving Humanity, I opted for the Army (Medics - 'R.A .'
ALL THE WAY!) I had no serious thoughts at that time, so did not worry about it - a big adventure!
My aunt did, but she had cancer and was not expected to live too much longer, did the 'nasty deed' and changed
the birth date on my certificate (it was later corrected - the Army needed to fulfill the quotas).
The recruiter asked no questions, I passed everything and was on the next C47 to Fort Ord.
Ft. Ord, seven weeks, of basic (Christmas was coming up), followed by a 'wonderous' seven weeks at Fort
Sam Houston (OY, has that place changed in the intervening years!), no KP and then day of departure.
Someone really must have 'liked' me - fellow Medics were being sent to Korea, one to Fort 'Whahooooocha',
AZ (he really wanted to go to Germany), CONUS and one lowly Pvt, to Berlin. That kind of seemed strange, met
others going to Germany, but not knowing where. Boarded the USS RANDALL, seven days at sea (caught - so I was
told - the tail end of a big Winter storm- loved it), landed in South Hampton and had eight hours in London.
I must have had an innocent face because I was not 'taken' by anyone, even when I was paying for something - just
held out my hand with the money in it. Did hear some 'interesting' stories on the way back to the ship!
Arrived at Bremerhafen, placed into a sleeping compartment on the Berlin Duty Train. Next thing I remember,
I was arrived at RTO at Lichterfelde West. From there I was trucked to McNair Barracks, it was a very short way
to get there.
I was assigned to Medical Company, met some great people there, but all temporary, that's the good and bad part
of the military life. Do not recall why Med Co was so undermanned, but it was, I wound up being CQ runner,
every other night for a couple of months. Was OK by me, 'learned' where the 'Landhaus' was. My 'life' started
there.
I made PFC on May 1st 1958, but because it was a 'HOLIDAY', I could not lose my stripe until 08:20,
May 3rd '58!
I learned that you do not miss an Alert with a "Cinderella Pass".
Did discover the ruins of the city, especially the 'Anhalter Bahnhof' early in the morning and seeing a taxi
drive by with the 'checkerboard square' pattern around it. In uniform, stack of ruins AND the taxi!
Spent a fair amount of time with the 'Line Animals' at Keerans,- Rose- and Parks Range. We ran around the
Grunewald and Dauerwald (Wannsee woods) a lot, up and down the hills, not too much time to have fun.
Did 'discover' Bikini Corner, wondered why the machinegun crews were so 'happy' there - I found out!
Rotated CONUS June '60 and discharged shortly after that.
Returned to 'civilian life', could not settle down and re-entered the Army. After a short stint in Karlsruhe,
(West-Germany) re-upped for Berlin, was rather shaken, when I arrived back in Berlin, 1962.
I went out on an alert, driving a litter jeep, no gear to go with it - no weapon - and some pilgrim, in the
Deuce and a half in front of me is waving a belt of life ammunition. Later I became a Senior Aidman but my
desire for the Combat Medical Badge was long gone!
Did remember driving an APC chasing the rabbits at Park's Range. That really was fun, the East Border Guards
sitting on their wooden watch towers must have thought that we were nuts.
The highlight of my second tour, was when John F. Kennedy came to Berlin, - 3rd Battle Group was in
the Zone at the time.
Incidentally an air craft, at Tempelhof (believe that it is a C-118), it has my name in the LOG BOOK.
It had a minor repair done at Torrejon Air Base and I was the one who did it.
I was in a couple of plays, put on by the Ladies of the ALL AMERICAN SERVICE CLUB, 'THREE MEN ON A HORSE',
'STALAG 17', and several others, I was usually the waiter (if the play was set in Germany - I poured
ASBACH URALT cognac - if play was in Russia - Schmirnoff vodka). The ladies NEVER caught on and there were
some 'happy' people there.
1964, I had met my future ex wife, the wedding was at the "Alt Tempelhof" church. Rotated to Fort Lewis,
WA - stayed out for a couple of months - employment was not the best at that time - so I 'learned to read' and
went Air Force (short tour Turkey - loved it), long tour Spain ( so/so) and then 'landed' in Texas.
Have basically remained here, not by choice, but because 'All of my exes LIVE OUTSIDE of Texas!
That sums it all up, my two tours in Berlin. Just like my photographs of the tours, ninety percent of which
are gone,-- just some memories are lasting.
Did meet quite a few great people, civilian and military - Two West Pointers, Lts. Fox and Junio (B/3/6)
(Can not speak badly about the 'Point', my father.(now deceased) and little brother were of the Gray Line),
Col. George Washington (3/6), bunch of Medics 2/6 and 3/6, taxi drivers, young LADIES (in the strictest sense
of the word).
I still love Berlin, but really amazed at all of the changes. No trees on the Ku'damm 1958, few in 1962
and almost a jungle in 2002!
Now I'm a proud Grandpa, love my wonderful family, my little "Gerbil" gives me lots of joy.
Greetings to Berlin & to all my buddies!
Scott