Entry: 11503
Subject: ORIENTAL LANTERN ATOP THE MONUMENT
Harry Bonnici wrote on September 4, 2000
Email Update Needed
City and State: MISSION VIEJO CA
Unit: FRIEND OF VETERAN-INTERESTED PERSON
Service or Relationship: Friend of Veteran
Comments: 40th Infantry Division Year 2000 Divisional Memorial at VAB
The Memorial was completed and dedicated on September 1, 2000 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, as planned.
Over 2000 people attended and the event was an astounding success. The number of people present exceeded expectations. The chairman in charge of the Memorial is Brigadier General Thomas J. DeGraw.
I feel honored to have met BG DeGraw through his efforts to locate an Oriental Lantern which would become a permanent part of the Memorial. He was looking for a Lantern that would meet certain specifications in that when one looks through the 40th Division Infantry Patch, through the light housing of the Oriental Lantern-and across the Pacific Ocean, with some imagination one may be able to see Korea! He also said the Monument will be oriented to 265 degrees, 5792 miles from Korea.
During my conversation with Tom at my home in Mission Viejo, California, I felt there was a kinship between us that helped make this tall order somewhat academic. During WW2 I served as Artillery Officer with 8th AGRA under the command of the then General Montgomery.
Tom and I soon became friendly and exchanged war experiences. He told me he was 17 at the start of the Korean War, obtained a college degree and returned to the Army where he was commissioned. Thirty years later he retired as a Brigadier General and a full career behind him.
Retired Maj.General James D.Delk wrote a book about the 40th Division History. In part he said and I quote: “The Korean Veterans always did feel like they didn’t receive recognition due to them.”
In as much as I would like to refrain from making the following observation I must not hesitate to state that I too, feel that I have not been given due recognition for my efforts in creating that vital part of the Monument- the Oriental Lantern. I feel honored to have contributed my artistic talent in creating and donating the Lantern that will top the monument with no end in sight.
Harry Bonnici
Keywords: I will gladly E-mail interested parties a digital picture of the monument upon request.
Entry: 11448
Subject: DID YOU SERVE WIH MY UNCLE?
Steven Ray wrote on September 2, 2000
Email Update Needed
City and State: YUBA CITY CA
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My name is Steven Ray. I took my father down to
Vandenberg AFB to witness the 40th's Korean War Memorial dedication and to revisit the place where he left his late brother, Walter Ray, at the gates of Camp Cooke some 50 years ago. My father had hoped to meet some former 40th soldiers that might have served with his brother
in Korea or at Camp Cooke. All that my dad remembers is that My uncle was a mess Sergeant. My dad has a photograph taken in Japan of my uncle wearing the "sunburst". Any help would be appreciated.
SSG Steven Ray USAR (ret)
ps.
I'm a former member of the 184th inf and the 132 engrs
Keywords: Staff Sergeant Walter Cecil Ray, Mess Sergeant
Entry: 6991
Subject: 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION (MECH) KOREAN CONTRIBUTIONS
Joe Villarreal wrote on February 15, 2000
Email Update Needed
City and State: LOS ALAMITOS CA
Unit: HHC 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION (MECH)
Service or Relationship: Interested Person
Comments: Anyone having any type of memorabilia pertaining to the 40th Division's past history in Korea or elsewhere, including clippings, photos, letters and valid stories and information, please send it to the 40th Division Webmaster(myself) or call MAJ Bernd Willand at the Command Group. We would like to gather as much of the past as possible so that we can let the current Divisional troops learn the history of what the Patch stands for, as we make history ourselves.
Keywords: Joe Villarreal, WebMaster, 40th Infantry Division (Mech)
Entry: 5355
Subject: DO YOU KNOW BERNARD COHEN
Kevin Outten wrote on November 29, 1999
Email Update Needed
City and State: DOVER DE
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: BERNARD COHEN(KANE) WENT TO CAMP COOKE IN 1950.AS PART OF THE 40TH INFANTRY DIVISION. I AM INTERSETD TO KNOW IF YOU KNEW HIM. HE WAS MY FATHER IN LAW AND I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIS SERVICE TIME.
SINCERELY,
KEVIN OUTTEN
SSG AGR DE ARNG
QUARTERMASTER
Keywords: SON - IN - LAW OF BERNARD COHEN
Entry: 4985
Subject: HISTORICAL ART
Tod Haskin Fredericks wrote on November 16, 1999
Email Update Needed
City and State: MADISON WI
Unit: NA
Service or Relationship: Interested Person
Comments: Would appreciate any info on the engagements, battles and incidents involving the 40th in Korea. Photos and other artifacts would or could also be helpful. The art will be presented to the National Guard Associstion and published by the Defense Dept. for free distribution. Thanks for your input. Tod H. Fredericks
Keywords:
Entry: 2835
Subject:
Steven Zabrocki wrote on April 2, 1999
Email Update Needed
City and State: PHOENIX AZ
Unit: 40TH CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD
Service or Relationship:
Comments: 40TH CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD
Keywords:
Entry: 1961
Subject: JOHN TOSCANO
John Toscano wrote on November 20, 1998
Email Update Needed
City and State: VENICE FL
Unit:
Service or Relationship:
Comments: IT IS MY HOPE THAT MEN I SERVED WITH WILL CONTACT ME.
Keywords:
Entry: 1960
Subject: FINDING UNIT MEMBERS
John Toscano wrote on November 20, 1998
Email Update Needed
City and State: ROCHESTER NY
Unit:
Service or Relationship:
Comments: AFTER ALL THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEMBEERS OF MY OLD UNIT
Keywords:
Entry: 480
Subject: RET. GEN 40TH ID, AND AUTHOR
James D. Delk wrote on November 20, 1998
City and State: FAIR OAKS CA
Unit:
Service or Relationship:
Comments: APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. WILL SEND CHECK TO SUPPORT.
Keywords: by Editor: General Delk has written a fine book about the Division - Ted Barker
Entry: 13
Subject:
Need-name Need-name wrote on November 20, 1998
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship:
Comments: INTERESTING THAT THE 40TH DIVISION WAS A CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD DIVISION, THE ONLY GROUPS ARE IN THE EAST
Keywords: