The 'It Makes Us Feel Good' Page

This is a page where we can report some good things that have happened because of this website. Over the past several years there have been several instances of where long lost buddies have been reunited, important information has been located, etc. Up to this point, we have not been recording these success stories.  As of today, 6/6/2004, we are.

 More will follow as we reunite people with people and people with history. IT DOES HAPPEN !


Dennis, this is a response I received of my posting on the website.  You are a conduit to helping people like me resolve the loose ends of issues I had with my Father.  I thank God for the website.  Your WORK IS WORTHWHILE.
 
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 3:17 AM
To: kpauk@BryanCave.com
Subject: 90 th Division , Company L

 

Dear Mrs Kristen Martens Pauk,

First, excuse my English, it isn't perfect.
My name is Romaine MORBé, I live with my husband Norbert and our two children (Steve 29, Christine 23) in Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. I've read your message in "I'm looking for" on the website of the 90 th Division association.
I take the liberty to write to you, because I want to to let you know that we live in the area where you father has been wounded on January 9. 1945.
We live near Nothum, and I'm sure that Nothum is the place, where your father has been wounded during the battle of the bulge.

The way, the 90 th Division went on in Luxembourg after crossing the Moselle River is the following:
They entered Luxembourg in Frisange (near the French border) , they advanced to Arsdorf, Insenborn, crossed the Sure River , Liefrange, Mecher.
The 357 th Infantry went from Mecher to Bavigne to liberate Berlé. The battle for Berlé began in the morning of January 9, at about 10.00 A.M. and at 3.00 P.M. of the same day Berlé was liberated.
The 359 th Infantry advanced from Mecher to Nothum and went on to Pommerloch (at that time called "Trentelhof").

You also wrote that your father was in the 359 th Infantry, Company L.  What a coincidence, since over a year we know an American soldier (Mike Colman)  from Spandahlem Air Base (Germany).  Mike became a very good friend of us all and we enjoy his friendship very much. His great grand-uncle has been wounded on January 9 in Nothum and died of his wounds on January 10. (20 years old)
His name was Ted B.Long and Ted was also in company L as your father. Perhaps your father will remember Ted B.Long.

On June 14, 1994 a monument has been inaugurated  in Berlé to honour all these brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice to bring us back peace and liberty. On that day we became acquainted with many veterans and we still keep in touch until today.

On November 16, 2004 many Toughombres and their families will come back to Berlé. A plaque will be inaugurated at the old dairy, and to every veteran of the 90 th Division we will hand over a nice medal.

You can be sure, that the Luxembourg people never will forget their liberators.  We owe so much to them all.

I will close now, I'm looking forward to hear from you and perhaps we will meet in November in Berlé.

Kind regards
Romaine Morbé & family


Dennis,

 
        Because of you and your website, this guy found me and I was able to tell them things they never knew about their great uncle. His great uncle's SS was on the General Order with Arthur Kueker's. They had the SS but nobody knew what it was for. After watching the dedication of the WWII Memorial yesterday he wondered about his great uncle's sacrifice and typed in "Silver Star" and "Herman Ludwig" on the MSN Search engine. It took him straight to the 90th website listing of all the guys on General Order 31. I sent him the text from his great uncle's citation and am mailing him a copy of the original. He was so enthusiastic about finding out all of this I ordered him a copy of War From the Ground Up so he can really read about all the places his great uncle fought. Thanks for all you do! You are the portal through which an entire generation is finding out about their families history.

webmaster's note: The following is a string of back and forth emails, as I received them. You must start at the bottom and read up for the time to progress properly. (thank you Brian)

 

 
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 9:13 PM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation

 
Brian,
 
Your efforts over the last two days to help me trace my Uncle's footsteps and story is truly honorable.  I am somewhat speechless......you have no reason to give as much time and efforts as you have to someone you have never met or even spoken to....I can tell you that on behalf of my Parents, three sisters and all of the kids this information will be remembered and cherished.....
 
I can assure you that Arthur F Kueker would be proud......
 
Best Regards,
 
Jim Ludwig

Brian Kueker  wrote:
Jim, In 4-14 business days from June 2nd (Wed) you will receive a package from Amazon.com through Pulpjungle. In it will be a copy of "War From The Ground Up, The 90th Division in World War II" by John Colby. This is the definitive text on the 90th Division. Through it you will walk every step of the way that your great uncle walked from D+2 when he landed on Utah Beach up to his death on October 14th. You'll learn about places like Gourbesville, Perriers, Beau Coudray, Seves River, Monte Castre (Hill 122), the Falaise Gap, Lorraine, the Mozelle Crossing, and more. Your great uncle knew all these places. Consider it my gift to you as you begin your journey to know more about the sacrifices of their generation. This is very addictive research. It is history jumping off the pages and reaching down your throat. For those of us with family members who experienced it, it is hard to imagine what it must have been like. This will give you a good start.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 3:48 PM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation

 
Thank you so much!  I spoke to my father he was in the 357th Infantry Regiment we are not sure what company...we are looking for more info.... He died October 14th 1944 in,  his remains were not returned for another 5 years....

Brian Kueker  wrote:
The copy of the General Order is in the mail. It will go out Tuesday because of the holiday so you should get it in Kentucky maybe Thursday...
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 1:42 PM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation

 
I used MSN Search when I found the Site With Hermans Name....

Brian Kueker  wrote:
What search engine do you use?
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig
Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 11:12 AM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation

 
Brian,   Watching the Wold War II Memorial yesterday I was reflecting on how little the Family knows about Uncle Herman and his life giving sacrifice for us and our country.  I knew that he won 2 purple hearts and a Silver Star but thats about it.  My Grandparents never kept any other records and they passed before we could learn more.    I went to the Internet and did a Search under his name and Silver star and it brought me to the web page your referring to. 
 
Words cannot describe the impact that reading his Citation had on me both in excitement about something that my family has lost and guilt for letting this slip away. 
 
I would be grateful if you could send a copy of Herman Ludwigs Citation.  I will gladly compensate you for your efforts.
 
Jim Ludwig
 
Best Regards,
 
Jim Ludwig
 


Brian Kueker  wrote:
Jim, I just checked the list of guys on the GO with my relatives award and your great uncle is on it. Did you contact me because you saw the list I submitted to the 90th web page or is this just a coincidence?
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig Sent: Sunday, May 30, 2004 8:40 AM
To: Brian Kueker
Subject: RE: World War II Silver Star Citation

 
Thank you for Responding.  We do not have the Citation.  How do we go about getting it?
 
Regards,
 
Jim Ludwig

Brian Kueker  wrote:
Do you have the citation (explains why he won it) for the Silver Star?
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Ludwig Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2004 5:09 PM
To: Subject: World War II Silver Star Citation

 
Brian,
 
Herman Ludwig was my Great Uncle.  My family has his Purple Hearts and Silver Star but no other records about his awards.  Anything you may have to share would be truly appreciated.
 
Regards,
 
Jim Ludwig