Black - The Ranger Force, The: Darbys Rangers in World War II

Acknowledgments

A history touches on the experiences of many, and many contribute to the writing of a history. I am deeply grateful for the kindness shown to me in the preparation of this work.

Ranger daughter Julie Rankin Fulmermy dear friend and the keeper of the Ranger databasedid yeoman work on the rosters of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Battalion for this book as she did for my earlier book, The Battalion , on the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Julie is a member of the Sons and Daughters (S&D) of the World War II Rangers, an organization dedicated to assisting these brave men in maintaining their association and preserving their memory.

Steve Ketzer, another S&D member, provided a large three-ring binder of information from the National Archives that was most helpful. Always willing to assist was my buddy Lynn Towne, former S&D president. Lynn is a spearheader of Ranger causes, a true Ranger daughter. Debbie Fineberg Pollack kindly shared the photo collection of her father, Capt. Joe Red Fineberg. My thanks for the assistance I received from Lisa and Reggie McCollum, Pat and Kate Johnson, Karla Merritt, Sherry Klein, Jane Schappell, Dallas Pruitt, and Brent Goodwin.

Retired lieutenant colonel Emory Dockery, curator of The Darby Museum at Fort Smith, Arkansas, provided boxes of information, including the memoir of Col. Joe Larkin and the papers of Mary Landreth, a graduate student who was working on a dissertation on the Rangers of World War II when she met an untimely death.

In Scotland, retired Commando regimental sergeant major Peter Scally was of great assistance on Commando matters, and his companionship while I visited Achnacarry is a treasured memory. My thanks to book-seller Ian Abernathy at Fort William and historian Mary Collier at Spean Bridge.

William Frake, noted illustrator and Ranger historian, came through, as usual, with important information. Joe Chetwynd did masterful research on Charles Shunstrom.

German-born historian Jeorg Muth came to my rescue in the translation of German documents. Retired French sailor Franck Maurouard helped with information on Dieppe.

Peggy L. Dillard, assistant in the library and archives at the George C. Marshall Foundation in Lexington, Virginia, assisted with the papers of Gen. Lucian Truscott. Robert Vaughn, Kevan Elsby, and Jimmy Green in England provided information and photos regarding Dieppe, as well as British ships and landing craft.

My admiration and thanks to the staff of the U.S. Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. The many hours spent at this facility are pure pleasure, and the staff is magnificent. Deep thanks to Richard Baker, Arthur Bergeron, Stephen Bye, Thomas Buffenbarger, Gary Johnson, Clif Hyatt, Isabel Manske, Rodney Foytik, Robert Mages, and Mac McElrath.

Others always willing to help are the staff of the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Important assistance was provided by Holly Reed and Kenneth Schlessinger.

I appreciate those who assisted with key information: Martha Harris for the memoir and photo of Distinguished Service Cross winner Randall Harris; Donald S. Henry for photos and information on his brother, T/4 Howard M. Henry, who was killed at Dieppe on August 19, 1942; Tom Lanagan for the diary of his uncle, Sgt. Tom Sullivan, who was killed in action at Venafro, Italy; Tom Ferrante for information on his brother, Pvt. Leo Ferrante, who was killed at Cisterna; Ranger Capt. Alex Worth for permission to use information from his manuscript; Terry Lowery for information on the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion; and Roy Murray for permission to use the files and photos of his father, Col. Roy Murray. Also of significant assistanceincluding the Meltesen manuscript and information on Keppelwas Brig. Gen. Edward B. Kitchens Jr., USA (Ret.), who was commander of Charlie 3 throughout the Sicilian and Salerno campaigns and the operations officer for the 1st Ranger Battalion at Cisterna. Before his death, Col. Clarence Meltesen of the 3rd Battalion interviewed many Rangers who had evaded, or escaped from, captivity. He wrote a very helpful manuscript entitled After the Battle. Clarence was a gallant gentleman, and it was a pleasure to know him.

Thanks to those who helped with on-site inspection in Sicily and Italy. Thanks to my wife, Carolyn, for her patience and understanding and, as always, to the team at Stackpole Booksmy wizard editor (and author in his own right) Chris Evans and his executive officer, Dave Reisch.

I have been privileged to enjoy more than thirty years of Ranger brotherhood with the men of the Ranger battalions of World War II. Those of the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Battalions who, over the years, were interviewed for this work include Jim Altieri, Ed Black, Bill Brady, Herman Dammer, Clarence Meltesen, Ben Defoe, Ed Dean, Noel Dye, Warren Bing Evans, Joe Fineberg, Ted Fleaser, Don Frederick, Clarence Goad, Randall Harris, Les Kness, Carl Lehman, Judson Lucky Luckhurst, Frank Mattavi, Gino Mercuriali, Roy Murray, Garritt Rensink, Jack Street, Marcell Swank, Alex Szima, Bob Widdows, Alex Worth, Ron Yenzer, and many others. A salute to each of themand to their comrades, as well. It has been a pleasure to tell their story. Any errors are mine and mine alone.