Filed under: 36th, 3rd, Colmar Pocket, Veterans | Tags: 12th Armored Division, 28th Infantry Division, 36th Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, 75th Infantry Division, Colmar Pocket, First French Army, Veterans, WWII
Once again, Outpost Europe of the Society of the Third Infantry Division and the Embassy of France are hosting a Battle of the Colmar Pocket Commemoration and Seminar, on 6-9 December 2012 at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington Virginia. This event honors the veterans of the 6th Army Group, 1st French Army, XXIst US Corps, 3rd, 28th, 36th and 75th Infantry Divisions and the 12th Armored Division, including 9 Medal of Honor recipients (Charles P. Murray, Ellis Weicht, Bernard Bell, Keith L. Ware, Gus Kefort, Eli Whiteley, Russell Dunham, Forrest Peden, and Jose Valdez).
The Battle of the Colmar Pocket, Alsace, France – The “Other” Battle of the Bulge
December 1944 – February 1945
Outpost Europe, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division
The Embassy of France to the United States
When: 6-9 December 2012 (Thursday-Sunday)
6 December: 2 to 4 PM – Registration ($30); 5 to 8 PM – Reception and Seminar Session I
7 December: 8 AM to 9 AM – Seminar Session II; 9 AM to 3 PM Visit to Library of Congress and Veteran’s Oral History Project (break for lunch & dinner on your own); 6 PM to 8 PM Seminar Session III & Documentary Film Presentation
8 December: 10:15 AM to 12 AM – ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery: wreath laying at Tomb of the Unknowns, 3ID Monument, Audie Murphy gravesite; 12 AM to 4 PM Open time; 4 PM to 5 PM Cocktail Hour (no host); 6 PM Banquet ($35)
9 December: 9 AM to 11:30 AM – Seminar Session IV
Where: Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, 900 South Orme Street, Arlington, VA 22204
Who: Veterans of the 3rd, 28th, 36th, and 75th Infantry Divisions; 12th Armored Division; XXIst US Corps; French Army Veterans; and their friends and families.
List of participating veterans will be included later this fall.
Why: To honor the veterans of the Colmar Pocket, to preserve history, to educate the public, and to pass on the torch of their proud legacy.
Room Reservations: Price – $89 per night, one day prior to event and one day after. Reservations: 1-888-627-8210
Reservation Group Name: Colmar Pocket
Shuttle to/from airport provided by hotel, so no rental car required.
Point of Contact: Monika Stoy, President, Outpost Europe, Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, timmoni15@yahoo.com, RSVP by 30 November 2012. If you wish to attend, please notify us, but do not wait for confirmation – simply register when you arrive.
REGISTRATION: Event registration – $30. Banquet – $35. (Free for Colmar Pocket Vets)
Scholars: If you are interested in submitting a paper or giving a presentation, contact Monika Stoy, by 30 September 2012.
Sponsors: If you are interested in sponsoring an event at the conference (the banquet, opening reception on Thursday or the cocktail hour on Saturday, for example) or advertising in the event brochure, contact Monika Stoy, timmoni15@yahoo.com, by 30 October 2012. We are still open to sponsorship, but appearance in printed materials may no longer be an option due to time constraints.
REVISIONS: Updated email for Monika.Updated to indicate on-site registration still open (no need to confirm attendance). Friday schedule changed to allow visit to Library of Congress, seminar session III moved from Friday afternoon to Friday evening, Arlington cemetery ceremonies on Saturday instead of Sunday, seminar session IV on Sunday instead of Saturday.
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We're not lost, Sergeant, We're in ... France 
If anyone remembers or has any information about Ralph E Moore of the 3rd Infantry, our family would love hearing from you. I am mooredlighthouse at ancestry.com. Thank you.
Comment by K L Moore 8 September 2012 @ 01:21A good place to start for any information on a 3rd Infantry Division veteran is through the Society of the 3rd Infantry Division, http://www.3rdiv.org
I’m copying you on an email to the top researchers there. They were just at the Division’s 93rd Reunion over the weekend, so might not respond immediately.
Comment by David Navarre 10 September 2012 @ 10:48He was probably known by the name of Bill. He earned a purple star and a silver heart. He was from Michigan.
Comment by K L Moore 10 September 2012 @ 17:09In case you hadn’t seen the email reply, the historian of the Society of the 3rd ID replied “Ralph W. Moore, PFC, 7th Infantry, KIA (date not given), received a Silver Star for actions on 3 Feb 45 in the Colmar Pocket.” It sounds like if he went by “Bill” that he was Ralph W. Moore rather than Ralph E. Moore – though maybe only in Army records and not to the family.
Comment by David Navarre 2 October 2012 @ 17:02Subject: John H. Gavin Jr. DOW 1/24/1945
I am researching the story of US Army PVT John H. Gavin Jr., Svc No. 31231271, from Manchester, Massachusetts, my late mother’s brother. I am planning on attending this year’s seminar, and doing this with the idea of eventually telling his story. I have posted this info on the 3ID website.
He was assigned to Company B, 290th Engineer Combat Bn, which was attached for a few weeks to serve as infantry with the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. He was a BAR man, and went MIA on 1/23/1945 near Colmar, and DOW on 1/24/1945. I do not know how the 28th’s area of responsibility related to the 3d Infantry AO although I believe you were in the same area. I am hoping that someone may be able to refer me to information about what was happening in that area during the time my uncle lost his life.
I would appreciate any assistance or recommendations.
Thank you,
Comment by Robert G Kilpatrick 31 October 2012 @ 09:19Robert G Kilpatrick
22 West Point Rd
East Hampton CT 06424
860-256-7527 cell
hosco6@aol.com