Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 2015 reunion of the Americal Division Veterans Association (ADVA), held in Norfolk, VA. There was a great crowd for the event, somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 people. This was primarily comprised of Vietnam veterans of the Americal and their spouses. But we were lucky to have 6 veterans of World War II on hand. One of the men, Ken Vander Molen (second from right in the above photo), is 182nd veteran from Company G – and a good friend. Ken made the trip down from Michigan with his two daughters. I also had the chance to meet another 182nd veteran, whose full name I believe was Devel McGriff (far left in the photo above). He served in Company G, and took part in the action on Cebu. He told me that he had not known about our trip earlier this year to Cebu, or he would have come along. What a shame, it would have been amazing to have him along with us. At dinner, I shared a table with Ken Vander Molen and a veteran of the 164th Infantry, Fritz Klein (far right in the photo), who attended with his wife and daughter. 70 years after the end of World War II, this was his very first reunion.
The ADVA treated the World War II veterans like royalty. Their rooms at the hotel were provided free of charge. And they were singled out and recognized at the Saturday evening banquet. Each was presented with a gift bag including an ADVA pocket knife and DVD. And most impressively, their great sacrifice and service was thanked with a booming, rousing, standing ovation from their veteran brothers from Vietnam. It was a real thrill to see these men treated like the heroes they are – particularly from a room full of fellow veterans.
(Incidentally, if Mr. McGriff or his family should read this story – please contact me if you feel like it, I would love to hear more about his war experiences.)
Hello Veterans,
I was admiring the photo of the Americal division heros on the 2015 Americal Division reunion and was just wondering if anyone knew my father, Mack Dewbre, who served WWII at the bougainville campaign as well as the Cebu island campaign. Feel free to contact me using the email below. Thanks for your service gentlemen.
Hello Veterans,
I was admiring the photo of the Americal division heros on the 2015 Americal Division reunion and was just wondering if anyone knew my father, Mack Dewbre, who served WWII at the bougainville campaign as well as the Cebu island campaign. Feel free to contact me using the email below. Thanks for your service gentlemen.
My brother, Thomas Langved was killed on April 16, 1944 at Bougainville. He was in the Americal Division. There were many North Dakotans there, mostly in the 164th infantry,
I am grateful for the picture of the Bougainville cemetery on this site. I wish our parents could have seen it before they passed away.
Hard to contact the administrators! have 1 of your photos ID’D by my uncle in it! Find me on Facebook/Mike Maxwell’FL
My Name is William J Crowley II, my Dad was William J Crowley (Buster) I was born late in Busters life and did not have much time to talk with him about his time with all of you, anything you could share with me would be much appreciated.
Very proud of you all!
My best Bill Crowley