327th Airborne Infantry Regiment
Bulletin Board
David J. Markham
David J. passed away 10/12/24
Obituary information:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/david-markham-obituary?id=56540114
I knew many years ago in 1966 when I enlisted in the army and volunteered for the Airborne that I would be part of a special group of men and my only hope was that I would do well and not let them or my family down. I did well with all my training, and while neither being at the top of any particular class I completed everything asked of me.
As most of you know I ended up with 3rd Plt. Cobra/1/327th sometime towards the end of ’66. I was with them for the entire time while Vietnam until medically evacuated to Valley Forge with my third bout of Malaria at the end of my tour.
My biggest scars from my tour didn’t come from bullets or shrapnel, but from the many friends, good friends that I lost, friends I would never see again, my friends, and dreams of our future. It has taken me many years to figure the difference of dreams shared by the men you fought and lived with under hardship conditions and the dreams you dream about with your childhood friends. The latter dreams were just a passing of time while growing up and still invincible and dream the impossible dreams, the dreams in Vietnam with men I loved was more about dreams of struggle to prove to ourselves we would make it and would make it together. More often than I care to remember I discovered it was not to be.
It didn’t take me long after coming back home to see we as soldiers would be the only ones that would care or understand us and what we felt, even old childhood friends that didn’t served look at us a little different. I buried my head in the sand for about 30 years.
I want to fast forward now from my first reunion in Catlett, VA because if you don’t know it, you can always read it on the web site beginnings page.
Now why am I writing all this down? Recently, again as most of you know I had a life threatening situation. A heart attack, and as a result, open heart surgery and 5 by-passes. I was very lucky because it could have gone badly and I could have had a massive final heart attack. I am also very blessed because I have a strong family that loves me and are taking great care of me. But I found out that even after all these years there is still that bond between and those I served with, if not directly the bond was always there. All your prayers, cards, love, and emails have helped to heal me as if you were there with me holding my hand with my family. This is a little mixed up in the telling even for me, but I’m still on some drugs that while help me also keep me a little confused. I am sure that all of you can and will understand my meaning because the as confused as it is the reason I am writing it.
Hawk, got your message about your operation just before sending this, my prayers are with you and you family. From recent past experience you email and mail box will be filled with prayers and good wishes because that’s who we are.
Respectfully,
David J
Cobra/1/327th
Our Brother, David J. has made his last Rendezvous with Destiny on Oct. 12th, two days after his birthday on the 10th.
David J. was one of the original Point Team members of the 327th Infantry Regiment’s web site when we launched in August of 2000. He worked tirelessly to gather the eyewitness’ to history of all of our brothers who served in the first battalion “Above the Rest” which he most certainly was. Along with Hannibal he laid the foundation for the Web Site you see today at www.327infantry.org .
David J., Hannibal and myself were together at FT. Campbell on 9/11 waiting to be inducted as Distinguished Members of the Regiment. Like you, we were in shock at the events of the day. I want to quote WWII 327th Glider Rider, Willis Rohr who sat with us that day: “Your Lives will never be the same.”
In the last few years David hung up his web duties as he and the love of his life Cathy transitioned from being Snow Birds to permanent residents of Florida. This past April 7, Cathy passed away heading to the rendezvous point where she and D.J. were reunited last Saturday.
Visit David J’s web site page: https://327infantry.org/troopers/markham-david-j/
Brother David J. you will be missed by everyone who has had the honor to know you.
ATR/NS!
Yankee Jim & Patti
Bruce Frederick
Bruce passed away 9/18/24
Obituary information
https://obituaries.startribune.com/obituary/bruce-frederick-1091183641
Larry Evans
Larry passed away 8/21/24
Obituary information:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/lawrence-evans-obituary?id=56177286
Ted “Weasel” Penton
Weasel passed away 6/6/24
Doug “Doc” Teeters
Doug passed away 3/11/24 at one of the VA facilities in Vancouver, WA.
Eli Haggins
Our Brother Eli has made his last Rendezvous. He was an original Boat Person. In Nam he served 3rd Plt A – 2nd 2 None.
Timothy Hart Zumwalt
May 12, 1944 – December 29, 2023
Obituary information:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/hemet-ca/timothy-zumwalt-11607542
Raymond T. Ryan
August 12, 1944 – September 30, 2023
Obituary information:
Simon Johnson
06-05-1957 to 20-05-2023
It is with great sadness and heavy heart that I have to tell you that Simon Johnson, passed away on Saturday 20th May in Bolton Hospital with his wife Nina and son Bradley by his side
He was a great man and will be missed by many.
No Slack
Living History Group
Dutch
Faye Lockert McDonald
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/faye-mcdonald-obituary?id=36181742
Funeral service will be Sunday August 14 at 3PM in the Chapel of the Cheatham County Funeral Home.
Visitation will be Sunday from 12PM to 3PM prior to the service.
Faye will be buried Monday August 15 at 11AM at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
Cheatham County Funeral Home
117 Elizabeth St.
Ashland City, TN
Col. William E. Weber
On April 9, 2022, Col. William E. Weber, 96, joined his fellow Rakkasans of the 187th Infantry Regiment — an airborne regimental combat team. He passed away peacefully at home in New Windsor after a brief illness while in the care and company of his family and friends.
Born in Chicago on Nov. 10, 1925, to Joe and Rosina (nee Schaden) Weber, Bill was a soldier’s soldier. He enlisted in the Army at 17 and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1945. Bill had a long and distinguished career as a paratrooper and a member of the 11th Airborne Division and 82nd Airborne Division. During his service, he served as the executive officer of L Company, the 187th Infantry Regiment (airborne regimental combat team), and later commanding officer of K Company, 3rd Battalion, ARCT. He took part in the Allied Occupation of Japan after World War II and saw significant combat during the Korean War. In February 1951, he was severely wounded and lost both his right arm and right leg. Despite these injuries, Bill remained on active duty, being one of the first such disabled officers on active duty since the Civil War. He served both with NATO in Europe and at the Pentagon. In 1980, after 37 years of service, Bill retired with the rank of colonel.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star with V, Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He also attended the Armed Forces Staff College and Army War College.
Bill was appointed by President Reagan as a member of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Advisory Board. He and his fellow board members passionately advocated for the construction of a memorial to remind all those who visited it that freedom is not free. The memorial itself was dedicated in 1995 by President Clinton and, in 2016, President Obama approved legislation for the additional construction of a Wall of Remembrance to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Bill wanted to ensure that visitors to the national memorial would learn of the sacrifice of over 36,000 Americans and over 7,200 Koreans, who served as Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army (KATUSAs) and died to save the Republic of South Korea from the terror of communism. The wall’s final stone was laid in place on Saturday, the day of Bill’s passing. His greatest regret was that North and South Korea remain divided.
Even missing his arm and leg, nothing stopped Bill from skiing, sailing, swimming and horseback riding long into his life. He loved spending time on his farm with his rescue Great Danes and playing bridge with his family. His intellectual curiosity knew no bounds, as he pursued two master’s degrees from Hood College and University of Maryland.
Bill is survived by his wife of 48 years, Annelie; his daughter-in-law, Beth Chambers Weber; and his granddaughter, Dayne Weber (Cameron McKee). His two children, Mark Weber and Karen Stanley; and grandson, David Martin, precede him in death. The family wants to thank everyone who has helped Bill throughout his incredible life. Special thanks go out to Janell Halsey of Thrive USA for her help in recent years. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation: koreanwarvetsmemorial.org.
Visitation will take place from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 21 as well as from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, April 22 in the Community Room of Resthaven Memorial Gardens (9501 Catoctin Mountain Highway, Frederick, MD 21701). Service will be held at Resthaven and will be livestreamed at 2 p.m. on April 22.
Arrangements have been provided by Hartzler Funeral Home, New Windsor.
Leave a message or memory on his “tribute wall” and find the livestream link at hartzlerfuneralhome.com.
