17th Airborne Division Scions (Descendants)

06/21/2026

SCIONS DID YOU KNOW? #109

On this Fathers Day, some young men, never had the chance to be a Father...

During WWII, The 17th Airborne Division lost thousands of men in combat, due to enemy action, illness or accidents. Stateside training could also be perilous, one tragic mis-step could result in the loss of a young life...

WALTER JOHN HOLMES "JACK" was a nineteen year old member of C Company, 193rd Glider Infantry Regiment, from Castille, NY. JACK entered service and arrived at Camp Mackall, NC, in April 1943, just as the Division began forming.

By all accounts, JACK was smart, articulate, patriotic and proud to be assigned to an Army Airborne formation. He was engaged to EVELYN L. POOLE, and had even asked his Mother back home to help get an engagenent ring for his fiancee.

On 17 November, 1943, all of JACK's dreams and aspirations were shattered. While JACK was lying on his bunk in the Company "tar shack" barracks, another Soldier had dropped a 37mm AT Gun shell, onto the floor. The round exploded, with a large piece of shrapnel striking JACK. Within 15 minutes of the incident, the young Soldier had died of blood loss at the Camp Mackall Army Hospital...

JACK was interred at Graceland Cemetery in Albany, NY.

***The last three page letter picture below, was written to JACK's Mother, by his future Father in Law, and illustates what family, friends and other Soldiers thought of JACK. A number of JACKS personal letters are now on display in the 17th Airborne Division War Room.

David Shortt, CWO, US Army Retired

Historian, SCIONS of the 17th Airborne Division Association

06/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1477203080819780

06/14/2026

SCIONS DID YOU KNOW? #108

"It's a Boy!"

Recently, the Veterans Memorial Museum Foundation/17th Airborne Division War Room, received two special SCIONS guests.

Brothers GREGG and JOHN OGDEN from the little town of Woodsfield, Monroe County Ohio, dropped in. Their Father, was JACK (JOHN) OGDEN, who was an original member of the Wire Section, Communications Platoon, Regimental Headquarters Company, 194th Glider Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division 1943-45.

JACK was married before entering the service in April 1943, while his wife waited at home in Ohio. JACK was training at Camp Mackall, North Carolina.

In December 1943, JACK's wife gave birth in their Ohio home, to their first child (many more to come) a boy and future SCION-JOHN.

Back at Camp Mackall, NC, the birth of JACK's son was a big deal to the Troopers of the 194th Glider Infantry Regiment. The Troopers raised about $40.00 for JOHN, who was the first little Trooper, born to the HQs Company, 194th Glider Infantry Regiment.

JOHN recalled his Mother spent the first $20.00 on a stroller to push him around in, and about twenty years later, he used the remaining money (invested in a War Bond) to buy a car, as he prepared to enter School and pursue his adult life...

Father JACK went on to qualify as a Paratrooper at Camp Forrest, and participated in all the Campaigns of the 17th Airborne Division. After the War ended, he served in the Berlin Occupation, before returning home to his loving wife and son.
ack in Ohio. JACK then worked as an Electrician, raised 8 children and died too early, at the age of 66.

His son JOHN, went on to attend University, serve in the US Army and pursue a career as a Civilian Executive, for the US Department of Defense, while GREGG, served in the US Navy and later worked as an Electrician.

Just one amazing story, from the thousands that fill our collective memories, of the Troopers of the 17th Airborne Division, and their families...

David Shortt, CWO, US Army Retired

Historian, SCIONS of the 17th Airborne Division Association

06/12/2026

Scions Linda Tom and Jackie Jew honored trooper Stuart Stryker (513 E) at the Golden Gate National Cemetery.

Honoring the four recipients of the Medal of Honor as well as all of the fallen troopers of the 17th Airborne Division is one of the missions of the Scions. Thank you Linda and Jackie!

CITATION
He was a platoon runner, when the unit assembled near Wesel, Germany, after a descent east of the Rhine. Attacking along a railroad, Company E reached a point about 250 yards from a large building used as an enemy headquarters and manned by a powerful force of Germans with rifles, machine guns, and four field pieces. One platoon made a frontal assault but was pinned down by intense fire from the house after advancing only 50 yards. So badly stricken that it could not return the raking fire, the platoon was at the mercy of the German machine gunners when Pfc. Stryker voluntarily left a place of comparative safety, and, armed with a carbine, ran to the head of the unit. In full view of the enemy and under constant fire, he exhorted the men to get to their feet and follow him. Inspired by his fearlessness, they rushed after him in a desperate charge through an increased hail of bullets. Twenty-five yards from the objective the heroic soldier was killed by the enemy fusillades. His gallant and wholly voluntary action in the face of overwhelming firepower, however, so encouraged his comrades and diverted the enemy's attention that other elements of the company were able to surround the house, capturing more than 200 hostile soldiers and much equipment, besides freeing three members of an American bomber crew held prisoner there. The intrepidity and unhesitating self-sacrifice of Pfc. Stryker were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

06/06/2026

SCIONS DID YOU KNOW? #107

D-DAY, the Invasion of Normandy, France began 82 years ago today, in the early hours of the Normandy darkness. AMERICAN, BRITISH and CANADIAN Paratroopers, and Glider Troopers dropped from the sky throughout the countryside. Many of the Paratroopers were dropped miles from their intended Drop Zones, confusing the Troopers on the locations of their briefed objectives. Many of the Airborne forces were scattered over, woods, villages and into the Merderet River Basin, where they drowned alone, unable to extricate themselves from their water logged parachutes and equipment. The German Army was able to kill, wound, or capture many of the Troopers who had became separated from their comrades, injured on the drop or entangled in obstacles...

In spite of all the challenges, the young Paratroopers began to assemble into small groups, and move toward their objectives, mostly bridges or key towns with road networks. If an objective couldn't be found, they cut enemy lines of communications, attacked German columns, supply points or Headquarters. The Germans believed they saw an Allied Paratrooper behind every bush; every shadow was the enemy coming for them. The Paratroopers created chaos behind the German defenses, sacrificing themselves to allow for the seaborne forces to land hours later...50% of the Airborne Troopers became casualties...

Meanwhile, the 17th Airborne Division was in Camp Forrest, Tennessee at the time of the invasion...training for overseas deployment.

One of the Regiments which sustained the highest casualties during the operation, was the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was supposed to drop near Amfreville...badly scattered, one stick was even dropped 21 miles from the Drop Zone...the Regiment suffered heavily but fought with valor.

In August 1944, the survivors and new replacements of the 507th PIR were attached to the 17th Airborne Division.

The Troopers of the 507th fought in the Ardennes and in Germany, next to their comrades of the 194th and 513th. Many of the 507th Troopers who dropped intk France on D-Day, jumped onto DZ W at Fluren Germany, during Operation "Varsity."

Today we salute the D-Day Veterans of the 507th Parachute Infantry, who covered themselves in glory, in the fields and villages of Normandy...

Many 507th PIR Veterans of the Normandy Campaign who later fought with the17th Airborne Division, are represented in the Veterans Memorial Museum Foundation/17th Airborne Division War Room...

PHOTOS: PALMER LEE and his good buddy BOB WEBSTER (HQ/2/507), both served in the Heavy Mortar Platoon, and jumped from the same aircraft sticks in France and Germany...

MANLEY SUNDSBOE was a Norwegion-American from Nebraska, he served in I/3/507 and made both combat jumps.

CLYDIS PATTON from Missouri, served in the Communications Platoon of RHQ/507. CLYDIS made both jumps also, and received a Battlefield promotion to 2nd Lieutenant.

PAUL HOLT of Oklahoma, was a Machine Gunner in HQ/2/507, who survived Normandy and served in the Ardennes under the 17th Airborne Division.

Just a few of the 17th Airborne Division's 507th D-Day Troopers...

David Shortt, Historian, SCIONS of the 17th Airborne Division

05/31/2026

SCIONS DID YOU KNOW? #106

"What they Carried"

While overseas in 1944-1945, a special little baby's boot was Carried by CHESTER HLUDZENSKI of D Battery, 155th Anti Aircraft-Anti Tank Battalion, 17th Airborne Division.

CHESTER was born in Watertown, New York, to Polish immigrant parents. He graduated High School in 1936, served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked at some jobs, before entering the US Army in 1943.

Arriving at Camp Mackall, North Carolina in April, 1943, CHESTER was assigned to the newly formed 17th Airborne Division, CHESTER completed training as a "Gunner," most likely a .50 Caliber Browning Heavy Machine Gunner, configured in the Anti Aircraft role (D Battery was Anti Aircraft).

While stationed in North Carolina, CHESTER's beautiful wife gave birth on 9 November 1943, to their baby son, EDWARD.

A year later, while assigned to England, CHESTER received one of EDWARD's baby boots in the mail, sent by his wife to remind him of his son and family, waiting back home...

CHESTER carried EDWARD's cherished little boot with him into combat, after the Division was alerted and sent to France, then into Belgium during the terrible winter fighting of the "Battle of the Bulge."

On 5 January, 1945 near Flamierge, Belgium, CHESTER was hit in the spine by German fire. Sustaining a serious wound, he was evacuated from the battlefield into the US Army Hospital system, all the way back to the USA. He was finally discharged in August 1945, from the US Army Hospital at Staten Island, New York.

After the War, lucky to be able to walk after his serious injury, he worked at various jobs including a stint as a Mail Man for the US Postal Service. Retreating from the cold New York winters, CHESTER moved to Florida, and passed away in 1997.

(Note CHESTER's notations written on baby boot).

***Thanks to SCION EDWARD HLUDZENSKI for his assistance in putting this story together, and donating some items to the 17th War Room, he attended at the 2026 Valley Forge 17th SCIONS reunion.

David Shortt, CWO, US Army Retired

Historian, SCIONS of the 17th Airborne Division Association

05/29/2026

✈️ THE COUNTDOWN IS ON: WWII WEEKEND IN READING! ✈️

The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's 35th Annual World War II Weekend is officially one week away! From June 5th through June 7th, Reading Regional Airport will transform into a living history time capsule featuring over 1,200 reenactors, vintage aircraft, and historic military vehicles.

But amidst the roaring warbirds and big band music, the true heart of this weekend is the legacy left behind by the men and women who served.

Find the Scions! 🦅
The Scions of the 17th Airborne Division will be on-site all weekend with our informational and research table. If you are a descendant of a 17th Airborne paratrooper or glider trooper, or if you are an enthusiast dedicated to keeping the history of the "Thunder from Heaven" alive, please stop by and see us! We love meeting family members, sharing archival stories, and helping you trace your trooper’s history.

📍 Where: Mid-Atlantic Air Museum (Reading, PA)
📅 When: Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7 | Gates open at 8:30 AM
🎟️ Details: Look for the Scions banner among the historical displays!

Let’s ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. See you in Reading!
Airborne, All the Way! ⚡️🪂

2026 World War II Weekend

05/29/2026

Scion Andrea Kormann Lowe visited the Cambridge American Cemetery in the UK and decorated the graves of 17th Airborne troopers who lie at rest there.

These troopers died in accidents while training in England.

Many thanks Andrea, for honoring these troopers.

05/25/2026

WE REMEMBER, TODAY AND ALWAYS

Copyright: © 2026 Scions of the 17th Airborne Division, Inc.

Archival Footage: Sourced via the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Additional Cinematography & Photography:
• DAVIDSAGGIO Photography | .photo
• Michael Siergiej |
• MyStockVideo / Stock.adobe.com

05/25/2026

Memorial to the 17th Airborne Division at Fort Benning, GA. This monument was constructed by the veterans of the 17th to honor their fallen.
The statue is titled "My Buddy", and the panels to the rear list the names of the divisions fallen troopers. The four recipients of the Medal of Honor are featured on the pedestal.
Our Scions organization is currently funding the cleaning and repairs to this impressive monument built by our fathers. They never forgot their buddys, and we are honored to continue that mission.
Rest in Peace

Photo by Rose Friday