You can’t go home again . . . to Husterhöh Kaserne
The old headquarters building for my unit, 2/56 HHB. Note the twin Nike missiles.. Attrib: Richard Tracy, Saved from usarmygermany.com.
Recently I became curious about my old neighborhood in Pirmasens, Germany, where I was stationed as a soldier in the U.S. Army during the mid-70’s. Through the magic of Google Earth and the Internet, I explored the place I once lived, now thirty five years hence.
Thomas Wolfe’s famous suggestion, “You can’t go home again” covers a large amount of territory; your home is not the only thing to which you cannot return to with any but perfect verisimilitude. Much is lost on the return journey to visit places of your early past: Those monuments to a youthful sense of permanence, buildings, are decrepit or re-purposed, or just plain gone; the places are sometimes smaller or more ordinary than expected; rarely is something completely unchanged from your old memories of it. Even so, the journey often reveals unexpected perspectives, if not just about the places, but about yourself.
Pirmasens. The city still looked, from the satellite photos, much the same. As would be expected, the typical city institutions like the Rathaus on the the main town square, hadn’t moved, the brewery, the Parkbrauerei, was still pumping out Bier, and the Hauptbahnhof, the main train station, that magical place from whence I traveled to and from many places, looked no different from above. On the other hand, the U.S. Army base, the Husterhöh Kaserne, situated on the northern edge of this small town where I had lived and worked for two years, looked abandoned.
Map of Husterhöh Kaserne ~1980. Click for large detailed map.. Attrib: US Military Installation Atlas, 37th Trans Gp, 1980, Saved from usarmygermany.com.
Husterhöh Kaserne. What had happened to the Husterhöh Kaserne in the intervening years? The Kaserne (German for army barracks) had been appropriated by the U.S. Army from the German army at the end of World War II, the Nazi war eagles carved on the top reaches of some of the buildings being immediately destroyed, and then used for varying purposes, much of it storage, as underlying the Kaserne is a network of underground storage facilities and tunnels that made up part of the German Siegfried line. In 1994, some 40 years later, the U.S. Army de-activated the Kaserne and turned it over to the German Army. A few of the buildings are still in use by the German Army, and the U.S. Army still stores medical equipment there. The large administration buildings and troop barracks are mostly abandoned, but many of the working and storage buildings have been accommodated by local businesses, including the old headquarters building of my unit. Many of the barracks buildings, where we lived and slept, appear to be currently abandoned (see notes at bottom).
Development plan for Husterhöhe May 2000. Click for larger image.. Attrib: Stadt Pirmasens, Saved from usarmygermany.com.
The old soccer stadium: FK Pirmasens v. Bayern München. Ted Withycombe and I attended a DFB-Pokal match early in 1976 at the old Horeb; it was a small stadium with no seating, and had only one area to shelter fans from the weather. The game was a big event, as FK Pirmasens competes in the lower professional divisions, and in this Pokal match, the DFB-Pokal being a knockout tournament which includes both the top Bundesliga teams and many lower division teams for an all-German contest, they were pitted against the mighty Bayern-München! And not just any old Bayern team; this team had the nucleus of the 1974 World Cup championship team: Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier, Gerd Mueller, who were the center half, goalie, and striker, respectively for that team, and Beckenbauer alone is still regarded as one of the finest center halfs to ever play the game. There were three others from the 1974 World Cup team playing for Bayern: Uli Hoeness, Jupp Kappelmann, and Georg Scharzenbeck, and the future great Karl-Heinz Rummenigge played, also. Ted and I arrived about 90 minutes early, as there were no reserved places, and all was standing room; we managed to get places on the midline!, standing under the only available shelter. With about 15 minutes until the match start, and the stadium now pretty well filled, about one hundred Bayern fans came in with flags and flagons, many of them quite drunk, and proceeded to push everyone out of the midline spots we had patiently occupied. I said a few choice words in German to some of the Bayern fans, and one of them responded, quite amicably, that I would do well to just settle on being 5 meters off of the midline, where we had been pushed, and shut up, or I could easily get hurt. I smiled back and accepted his advice. The game was played with an inch of snow on the field! but there were almost no slips; despite the conditions, the quality of the game was high. I remembered the score being 2-1 in favor of Bayern at match end, but it turns out it was 2-0 in their favor; my memory was more favorable towards the home team than history records.
New soccer stadium. Pirmasens built their new soccer stadium in 2003, the Städtisches Stadion Husterhöhe, or the Huster Heights City Stadium, situating it atop the old theater and bowling alley, across Virginia Avenue from the athletic field behind the troop barracks where I had spent many an afternoon playing softball, football and soccer. As for the soccer team, FK Pirmasens, it now costs between 3 and 11 Euros to see a game, which is pretty affordable. The old Horeb stadium appears to have been demolished – there are businesses operating on the site today.
2/56 ADA, my old unit. And what had happened to my old unit, the 2nd battalion of the 56th Air Defense Artillery regiment? At the time I served, this battalion fielded four active missile batteries deployed on lonely hilltops in the Rheinland Pfalz surrounding Pirmasens; it was part of the 32nd AADCOM, which was the umbrella organization for air defense in Europe. It was moved to Fort Bliss, TX, in in the 1980’s, and formed a training regiment for Air Defense Artillery, as the air defense missile system we supported, the Nike Hercules ground to air missile system, was being gradually phased out and replaced with more modern equipment. The Nike Hercules system was designed for high altitude air defense following World War II, and by the mid-70’s, was showing its age. The entire deployment of Nike missile sites around the world were phased out over perhaps twenty years, starting in 1973; that is, unbeknownst to me at the time, the retirement of the Nike systems started around the time I was trained to support them!
New life. Perhaps even more interesting, the old headquarters building for my unit, building 4619 on Delaware Avenue, was converted into a city office for economic development. Established in 2001, among other things it provides subsidized office space and business services for start up companies, much like you might find in the Silicon Valley, or even in Portland, Oregon, where the Portland Development Commission operates such a facility. The exterior of the building no longer sports missiles, rather a new 21st century glass-encased extension on one end of the building.
All in all, it was sad to see some of what was once familiar decayed or gone, but on balance, it was much more heartening to see the new uses that these buildings and spaces have taken on, particularly sports parks and stadiums and young businesses replacing the artifacts of war.
Returning home doesn’t seem entirely possible, but renewing and even rearranging memories is a bracing mental exercise.
US Army Germany website. This website has a nice collection of historical pictures of the Husterhöh Kaserne and surrounding US military installations.
Other Notes. Building 4176, Massachusetts Avenue, 20, where I worked as part of the the Direct Support Platoon of the Headquarters Battery, 2/56 ADA, was right across the road from the old heliport, itself which was . . . demolished! The two barracks buildings where I slept were buildings 4408, on North Carolina Ave, and 4609 at the intersection of Delaware and New Hampshire Avenues. Both barracks buildings are still standing as of this writing, and appear to be abandoned.
Google Earth provides multiple historical satellite maps of Pirmasens. Using the (free download) Google Earth Pro app, one can switch between the historical maps and see before and after depictions of the area. The most recent map of Pirmasens as of this writing is October of 2010.
Fresh views. Here is a You Tube video shot in Pirmasens in 2010, a tour of the Husterhöhe.
235 Comments
Jon Langenfeld
Hello to all! My name is Jon Langenfeld. I was stationed there in ’74-’76. I worked in the mess hall, first the small one then the big one, then in supply. I remember the Rau Fung (spelling) bar down town but also an Italian place that was my favorite that served a lasagna that was layered with ham and had an egg baked on top! It was called the Cheecho/Chicho Special. It was on or near the base. Anyone remember the name of this place and if it is still there. That dish still haunts me!!!!
David Dyer
The restaurant I remember was Luigis. We went for pizza.
fred schnitzius
I remember Luigi’s. Had a pizza there once and was not impressed. On the other hand, the club/gasthaus called “The Fata Gormana” was great. I guess that the reason I didn’t care for the pizza was that I ordered a regular and all it was was crust and tomato sauce. (I was there 5-71 / 5/74 HHc 59th Ordnace Group)
Jennie
Looking for friends from Pirmansens and Muenchweiler both from Oct 1974 to Aug 1976….
Aleea Brewer
I was stationed with 59th Ord, Signal Platoon 1973-1975 as one of the Temper Switchboard operators. Met my husband there too. I have often thought of the Rod & Gun Club’s pizzas, the Metwurst wagon at the main gate and the PX – Commissary area of the Post. I first lived in the WAC shack, the end of the long row of barracks. After I married, we lived in Rodalben and commuted up the hill to work every day. There are many things I do and don’t miss about my time in Primasens.
Rick shelton
Stationed at DSP 73. To. 77
Jon Langenfeld
Looked it up and it says permanently closed as of a few years ago! Was hoping tp contact them for a recipe, wish I knew the names of the people that owned it!!!☹
Debra Zimmermann Gauthier
I lived in Pirm for 8 years, went to junior high in Pirm, and High school in Zweibrucken, graduated in ’77. Best years of my life. And no…you can’t go home…
Kevin Brackney
I worked on the TOC, MOS 16H. I was there from June 82 until mid-August of 84. The TOC closed the previous year, but HHB stayed through the summer of 84 turning in equipment and closing out the unit. After working at the TOC, I worked in the orderly room.
Norman Taylor
I was stationed with Jerry. Staff chaplains officer
Also Fort Benjamin Harrison 1973-1977 total
I would like to reconnect.
Dennis Heath
I was stationed at USArmy STRATCOM Facility, Pirmasens (major signal relay station -RUFD call sign) from 6/64 to 6/67. I was OPNS Off, Co commander (about 300 enlisted men and we also had a WAC detachment with about 100 women) and admin officer during those three years. Maj Lutsch and Maj Pierce were the commanding officers; CWO Duane Terry, SMJ Cain was my top NCO. Also MSGT Dillard, SFC Stone, SFC Hardwick and many others. Our DAC was Jim Petrmichel. Our first two kids were born in Muenchweiler in ’65 and ’66. Great duty and great people I served with. I’m still in touch with Rich Beller, Thad Jackson.
Kevin Buell
I arrived on Christmas Eve of 1965 and was in the ADA as a Fire Controller. I re-upped in 66 and went to Vietnam in 67 to CRB and Hon Tre. Spent a few months on Tan San Nhut on the water tower in 1968 and then some time at Chu Lai. Ended up in ENR in Syracuse NY. Does anyone remember the Goldenen Hirsch Bar that the ADA had practically built? I think the Merz? family ran it in the days I was around.
David Dyer
I was there all of61 and 62. I was in the 541st Signal Co supporting AWSCOM. Our building
Was on the main post close to the chow hall. I bought a yellow and black 56 Chevrolet from
The postal officer when he went home. Our favorite gasthaus was Ruth’s in meunchwiler.
Favorite restaurant was Luigis downtown. I was a teletype repair man. In the com center.
Were you on the main post or one of the sites?
Dale hall
I was in 2/56 from 3-59 to 3-61 assigned to como section. mos 294.1 carrier equip.
repair. was in communications with A,B,C, & D batt. Good memorys of gasthouses
in pirmensens. made a lot of friends, but lost touch over the years.. it would be nice
to get back in touch.
Laszlo Taborosi
I got to Pirmasens the evening of my 23rd Birthday. 2lt assigned to the 76th Trans Company. Fresh out of OBC at Fort Eustis and not sure what I was heading into. CPT Droke and 1lt Greg Garcia picked me up at Rhine Main AFB. It was a Friday evening. Hung with 1LT Al Jones that first Weekend. He had a BMW 2002, fast for its time. Spent 3 years with the “Spirit of 76” and met a whole bunch of great Americans. Faced many forks in the road and often wonder where I would be today if I had taken the “road less traveled”. Thanks For The Journey, Aloha, Laszlo Taborosi
David Dyer
Looking for Johnny Ogletree was in the 541 signal co (spt) in Pirmasens 1961 -63 .
Thanks David Dyer
Ralph W Morris
I was Stratcom from 71-73. MOS 32E20 (Fixed Plant Carrier Repair). Remember spending a lot of time on guard duty when the Baader-Meinhof gang was at large.
Bernardo Herrera
I was stationed at Charlie Battery 2/56 during that time
Martin Faehner (sgt e5)
Served at PMS DCO (telephone exchange) from 6/70 to 6/73.Sig.Svc Co. Zweibrucken under 2nd group.Stratcom. Ssg Nottingham then Ssg Berry as NCOIC. SFC Richard Choy was there when I left in ’73 and went to Ft. Huachuca Az. Back in PMS in’75 w/Sfc Alzadio.He was there for about 4-6 months. Went up to Batalion, S3 I think. I ran the exchange till about Oct. of ’77 and they sent a Ssg Barnes down.We had sp4 Metcalf,sp4 William trooper Foley (he got thrown out for dirty urine after he reuped and took a lump sum reup bonus.). I was riding out to DahN RASP W/sp4 Metcalf and we drove off the highway, took out 18 ft of guardrail and totaled our Dodge pickup. Bn SGM wanted me to buy it. New it was $1475,replacement was $3400. SGM was my 1Sg at Zweibrucken SSU. Told him no. Charlie Ford, Kim Newman, Wilford Barnett, Phil Konaric, Ty Dobbins and Michael St Julian were @ PMS 1st tour. Lived in Rodalbin at first, second tour Muenchweiler then a highraise down by the stadtbath in Pirmasens. 1st kid started there, 2nd born on the side of the road going from Muenchweiler to Landsthul. Got there 4 Mark’s to a dollar, there was a guesthouse on Summerwald str. In back of the banana shaped building spent a lot of quality time there. Gunther the German gentleman who ran thr service club library was a cool guy, wife Martia and son Mathias. Good times,good memories. Klaus,rudalph,otto,frau reider,kurt Shaffer were German personnel who helped run the exchange. Went back to the world in Feb. 78,just in time to hit N.Y. with a snow storm. Picked up my alter ego there,I’m known as ” Die Alte Fahrt”.
P
Hey, Marty, my best memory of our tour in Pirmasens was when I was interduced to your sis-in-law, Debbie, in the summer of ’72 there in the “banna bldg.”. We married in ’74 and are celebrating 47 years together, 3 kids, 3 grand kids. Thanks again! Phil Konarik, Rockdale, TX
ROGER GIROUARD
ROGER GIROUARD.. GOT TO PIRMASENS ARMY DEPOT A FEW DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS 69 YA 2ND PLATOON HUMP RATIONS, WORK WAREHOUSES REALLY DIDN’T CARE TO MUCH FOR THE PLACE. BUT HEY I WAS 17 WHAT DID I KNOW LEFT FEB 72. CAPT STODDARD FIRST CO, 1ST SGT NORMAN HALL. WE DID HAVE ARE OWN CLUB WITH A BAR IN COMPANY AREA
Gerald Schuldt
I was assigned to the 97th Quartermaster too from March ’71-spring of ’73. and assigned to Co A,, first residing at the Münchweiler Army hospital & supporting the near by tank farm in Hinterweidenthal. In ’72 our platoon moved to Husterhoeh Kaserne in Pirmasens under Lt. Walker to the Banana building. While with the 97th I also worked at the high and low pressure pump stations on the pipe line servicing the Tank Farm; the high pressure near Zweibruken and the low pressure station a few k’s from Hinterweidenthal. My free time while not traveling was spent at the Service club in the photo work shop with Ron. And we billeted across the street in the“Banana” building while with the 97th. and our CO. was Cpt. Frank M.Pezzillo Jr. – Cheers,
Ed Langdon
Ed Langdon 5th Maintenance Ballion C detachment radio repairman 1965-1967… good time s drinking beers at the German club and Polish club. A shout out to anyone sill above ground.
John Dupuis
I served 71-72 in Pimansens as a 32D20T. I worked with Dan Graff. My Trick Chief was SSG Ernie Achile on Delta Shift (DE)
Loved the area and enjoyed going to the movie theater. (Saw M.A.S.H. there)
I lived Off Base in Pirmasens
Dennis Dyer
Hi John, I was in Pirmasens in 1972 through 1973 at HHB 2/56. I went to that movie theatre a whole lot.
Jerome Lehtola
I was a 35H20 with USA Calibration Agency. We had barracks at Muenchweiler Army Hospital from May 67 until I separated July 68. We did move in to Husterhoeh in early 68. Our work site was at Dahn Lab and I drove the duty truck every day. Youth is wasted on the youth. I did have a great time there.
Ffffrfrfrfffra
I was in USACA 1966 -1968 on a couple of the teams, stationed at Mueichweiler if not traveling. I find little to nothing looking @ army history about the calibration agency. You are one of the few references I have found.
Frank Putman
Lawrence Goldberg
Larry G. I was with 102nd Signal BN in Pirmasens 1955-1956 We only had around 10 people and handled the maint. repair of the Micro Wave Radio from a locked room attached to the upper floor of a field radio unit (I think it was 442nd)
Russell Ford
The AK was a department that handled lab testing equipment to test fuels
Ron Russell
I was a dependent while there in 1957-59. The apartment we lived in was just finished: 4575 Mississippi, 1st floor. My dad was Col R J Russell, over motor pool ops., working under Col Rey (sp? – I believe he was the post Comdr. ) Schooled in Munchwiler, as there was no school yet at the Kaserne. Got to tour all over Europe while there, so the stint was quite attractive. Germans, though, didn’t like us particularly – can’t imagine why…! Went back in 1980. Looked the same. Like stepping back in a time machine. Good times.
Chris Seigler
Hi all, my dad was SFC Seigler who was with 2/56ADA. We were there from 1974-1978. I attended 5th to 8th grade in Pirmasens on base. Fond memories still remember our housing building number 4513.
David B Dyer
No sorry, I’m from Tennessee.
David Moss
David Moss here, I was stationed in Pirmasens in 71 and 72. My dd215 says 5th Maintenance BN but to date I see no one mentions the 5th Maintenance. We were just down the street from the WAC detachment. Our guys worked on tracked vehicles and we were supporting Reforger II. I had come to Germany from Ft Riley with the Big Red One during Reforger I and loved it Once back in Kansas I received orders for Germany. Great!! Shipped over in the winter of 1970-71.
I was the part time Courrier going to Manheim on an irregular basis. I became the Maintneance Battalion welder and was virtually on my own in my own little shop in the Motor Pool. At the time I did not realize it but they were great times. The beer, the food, the smoke, the runs to the Ramstein Audio Club and the walks to downtown Pirmasens were all great.
And who could forget midnight chow on the weekends?? Have not been able to contact old buddies but enjoyed reading all of your posts. Thanks!!
David Moss back again, my email is djonmoss@gmail.com just in case you were there with me…..
Jerry Lucas
Thanks Dennis., I’ll look for the Facebook page and take a drive down there, I live near Ramstein.
I was riding down that hill on the handle bars of one of the soldier’s bikes. My foot slipped into the spokes so I went ass over tea kettle and got a fat broken lip. My father would contact ham operators when he was stationed in Korat Thailand 67-68 and have them call LL.
Jerry Lucas
I am trying to find the location of the STRATCOM transmitter site, I’ve had no luck when looking at the maps. My father was stationed ther Jan63-Jul64. I remember going there as a kid, only remember a long hill in front of the building. I currently live near Ramstein and would like to find it before we rotate back. Everythin.g has changed so much that its hard to use the old maps to find anything
Dennis Dyer
Hi Jerry, I was in HHB 2/56 in 72/73 and I went down to the STRATCOM building/tower often, got to know the guys there, I would tune the radios to HAM bands and call home on an antenna i made. the hill you remember was to the side of the tower which was behind the parking lot of APCs behind 2/56. some time back I started a facebook page for HHB 2/56 and i have put up alot of pics i took around Husterhoeh including many of the tower/building, look in the Husterhoeh kaserne folder under photos.
Dennis Dyer
Hello Jerry, just looked at google earth and so much has changed. STRATCOM would have been on Texas ave halfway between Maryland and New Hampshire ave where the open lot between the 2 car lots is. The hill you remember is Maryland ave. 2/56 was at 4619 Delaware. You should contact my old buddy Danny Carter, he is a walking encyclopedia on the area and history and he lives there in Germersheim. if you get on my HHB 2/56 group page you can find him there. He has videos of driving around Husterhoeh kaserne.
Dennis Heath
Jerry – I was stationed at STRATCOM 6/64 to 6/67. As I recall the xmitter site was a mile or so to the east of the teletype building, beyond and north of bowling alley bldg. It’s probably a car dealer or soccer facility now??
larry brooks
1978 to 1981. Dsp repair. I taught jujitsu in the post gym in my spare time. Ssg. Brooks
Raymond Fodge
I was at the transmitter site for many years. It was all the way on the back side of the place. If you find the place where the helicopters were, follow that road back..
Johnny Hicks
I was stationed in Pirmasens from 1968-1970. HHC 59th Ord. I was assigned to personnel and initially managed personnel files of the Pal Det, 22nd Aviation, 529 Ord, 564 MP Co.. I later managed the morning report for all companies within AWSCOM. We were a traveling bunch seeing all of Europe, many concerts, camping by the bridge in Heidelberg and in the nearby woods of Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg, etc. We attended many Formula One Grand Prix races including Monte Carlo GP. Our favorite gausthauses were the 50 Phening and Ruthie’s. We eventually rented an apartment in Rodalben. Our older apartment mate was a lifer who had a new 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix that we took many weekend trips to Munich etc. I was younger and most of my fellow sokdiers were older having used all of their college deferments, finally being drafted. I owe so much of my personal maturity and European experiences to them. I’m proud to have served our country and to have supported such elite, strategic units as the ones I was assigned. God bless each and every one of you and your families. We were the lucky ones. USAREUR.
Ceci Futrell
Was anybody here in April 1975 as part of the USAEUR field exercise? The event I am talking about was a signal support for the USAEUR staff on the exercise. We lived on a train and were transported to the caves to work our shifts. Approximately 20 of the soldiers on shift were transported to Landstuhl Hospital after getting sick and tested for 1-2 days. There were men and women transported, some in helicopters, some by ambulance and some by bus.
I have been asking for my medical records regarding this incident for over 40 years. Finally I received the report in May 2018. The original diagnosis was changed about 18 months after the incident. We were drugged with LSD.
If you were part of this “experiment” or know of someone that was, please contact me @ PrimasensArmy1975@gmail.com
EDDIE HARMON
Hello,
I worked at 2/56 HDQTRS DSP and lived across for the helicopter pads from October 4, 1969 until about June 1970. In about 2010 I designed for South Korea a servo valve that would make the Nike more maneuverable.
Matt Delmas
I lived in Pirmasens as a child from 1953 to 1956 before my Dad was transferred to Ft.Hood TX.My Dad was the special services officer.His office was in the theater(cinema)building.I used to sit with the projectionist and watch cartoons on Saturdays.At that time there was still much damage in the area from the war.I am still hooked on gummy bears 60+ years later.Our second tour of Germany was Baumholder 1959-1962.
Gerald Schuldt
I was assigned to the 97th Quartermaster from March ’71- April of ’73. and assigned to Co A,, first residing at the Münchweiler Army hospital & supporting the near by tank farm in Hinterweidenthal. In ’72 our platoon moved to Husterhoeh Kaserne in Pirmasens under Lt. Walker. While with the 97th I also worked at the high and low pressure pump stations on the pipe line servicing the Tank Farm; the high pressure near Zweibruken and the low pressure station a few k’s from Hinterweidenthal. My free time while not traveling was spent at the Service club in the photo work shop with Ron. And we billeted in the“Banana” building while with the 97th. and our CO. was Cpt. Frank M.Pezzillo Jr.
Rick Sevigny
I was a kid in Pirmasens 3-5th grade. My dad Art Sevigny was the MMT GS12 at 2nd 56nd under Col Walsh 70-71 time frame. My brothers and sisters went to K town HS. I still remember bombing down suicide hill on a sled in the winter.
Rick Gardiner
Rick:
I was the Battalion Communications Officer at HHB 2/56 from 70-72 and lived in the attic apartment on the top floor of your building in 1970 before moving onto the economy. Your sister Mary used to come up and visit my wife and I when we lived there. We even went camping together up around Charlie Battery. Please give her my regards.
Angelique Hudman
Hello,
My Dad retired from the Army in 1970 and was the manager of the Frontier Club in Pirmasens. He met my Mom at the Frontier Club when he was active duty. My mom worked as a cocktail waitress there. I was born on base. Wondering if anyone frequented the Frontier Club in the late 60s, early 70s, that may have known my parents. My Dad was Sgt 1st Class William Harworth. My Mom Josette.
David. Dyer
Remember a guy named Robiani, went around yelling Douche! He was in the 79th.
Jack Snook
I was in 79th Engineer Bn. Headquarters co. S3 from 1960 until 1963.
Gary Magee
My name is GaryMagee. I was a supply clerk for Bruce Ascom from 1960 to January 1963 spent most of my time driving a deuce and a half to Kaiserslauter
I would like to hear from anyone that was in my company at that time do you name is I remember our Hartman, Solomon, Richard Dawson and Sylvia Robiani
Remember the church bar? The short walk outside the main gate for the Texas far right across the street.
And I live in North Georgia. My phone number is 770-616-8402. Looking forward to hearing from old friends.
Gary Magee
I was a supply Clerk for Headquarters company Awscom from 1960 to Jan 1963
Fred Gilcrease
Hi my name is Fred Gilcrease I was stationed at the boc and lived at headquarters 2/56 from 69 /71I remember the gray ghost used to try to sneak up on us at the BOC but Charlie battery would always warn us had a good time
james francisco
2/56th, DSP platoon, was on a basketball team that I was supposed to go to a Army Tournament in feb 70. My dad passed and had to go back to the states. Remember all my basketball buddies, Ness, Brown, Landwehr, Gallagher. Was a Admin clerk with Sgt, MacIver
Craig Ness
I played a lot of ball at the gym at the army base. 2/56th never finished lower than 2nd. I never realized how much the Philipinos loved BB until I moved to Kuwait in 1996. They were always at the courts playing. James, figured your your love for bb from that. There are 60,000 philipinos living in Kuwait. My family and I visited the DSP(vacant) in 1999. Pirmasens has more charm now, not so many bars. I was an Int’l schools teacher for 31 years. THX GI Bill.
Orlando Trujillo
Hello to my mates who were stationed there with the 267th signal company 1979-1983
Donald Geiger
I remember you guys in supply. One of the best assignments I had.
Thomas f. Brasol
I am ISG Thomas Brasol i Was the isg doing that time. How are you?The name looks familiar. hope you are geting through this hard times. I retired in 1989 and worked at Ft. Gordon for 12 yrs. i went back to germany back in 2005 and everything there was gone.
Patrick B McCurry
267th from 1978 to 1982. 26R. I worked across from the microwave antenna tower.
Raymond Fodge
267th from 79 to 86
Orlando Trujillo
I was stationed there 1979-1983 with the 267th signal company. I work in tech supply. Pirmasens is such a beautiful place to be part of. I really miss that place and will always have many memories. I want to say hello to everyone who was the the 267th signal company back then. Especially to Deanna North, Dianne Smith, Elaine Malamysura, Leticia Davis and her husband and everyone I missed, Love you all!!
Cal M
Thanks your article hit the spot, those old pics of Husterhoeh sure shook loose a few smoke covered memories! I lived in the big banana building July 1971-March 1972. I was assigned to Co 97th Quartermaster as a supply clerk. The experience of serving in Germany and Europe at that time was a blast.
I am curious about what ever happened to many of my fellow buddies, I was told one night I had been given a three month early out and left the next day for home in California. I left so quickly I didn’t get to say good bye to friends. What ever happened to Jim Gallegos, Denver, James ” Bo Weivel” Weaver, D.C., Robbie Robinson, Cincinnati Oh, Greg Smithey LA, Bruce Kopas, Cleveland, John Stone, Malibu. It would be great to connect and share a few laughs.
To all that posted in response to the article about your lives in Pirmasens, it was great to read your comments, wow that was so long ago, wish we could do it again!
thomas poisson
Hi cal, have to say i just missed you, i arrived in september of 1972. was assigned to Co A 97th qm bn. the CO at that time was capt. frank perzillio, and first sgt. ( top ) was john cushion,, john past away at the early age of 56 in colorado springs in 1989, the battalion commander was lt. col charles stover, who also recently passed in virgina, i believe at the time the supply sargent was staff sgt, watson. had some good times there,, spent alot of time across the street at the service club.
Cal M
Thanks for the reply.
We did just miss each other by a few months. The CO Capt. Perzillio was one of the last guys I spoke with before catching a ride out of Pirm. He gave me a two minute re-up pep talk. The first sergeant was a guy named Barngrover and the supply Sgt. was Jack Svensen. I guess those guys were gone by the time you transferred in. I’ll check back with you in the future when I have a little more time. Great talking with you! Cal Mahaney
Larry Padrta
Worked at the STRATCOM motor pool from 64-66.. Bobby Fowler was Motor Sarge when I first got there. FOWLER was replaced by Roy Frasure, a real POS.. Mike Simmons was the CO While there drank many gallons of Parkbrau-still the best. I ran with Pete Betsy. Found his name in the SS death index. Ruined my day. Fortunately ,though, I had many friends. Sure would like to hook up with.all of them. Nothing but good memories except for Frasure. .
Mike Samuels
What an excellent article! Sure brought back memories from long ago. I spent 18 months in that area. The first 6 months at C btry 2/56 as a fire control maintenance tech and then moved to HQ/ 2/56 and ran the T1 trainer. We moved the trainer around to all 4 batteries for SNAP preparation. It was notable that 2/56 set a record for the best SNAP scores for all 4 batteries. I left Germany in June of 1967. Still have my Parkbrau mug!
Fred Ashplant
I was stationed there from early 1958 to Sept. ’59 with the 58th Signal Company Support. I remember drawing our weapons and gear and sitting on our bunks for a couple of days waiting to ship out to Lebanon. After two or three days we were told we weren’t going and stood down. We had a group that hung out together that called ourselves ” The Kinder Club”. We would spend most evenings at the Wasserturm Gastehaus just down the hill from the post. Another life time.
Heidi Kimball
My dad, CW2 James Perry Otis was stationed there with his family from 1970-1974. I have very fond memories of the base and the surrounding forest that I explored in as a child. I was there from 4th-7th grade. My name is Heidi Otis.
Jim Connolly
My day’s in Pirmasen,go back to 9/62 to 4/65, I was withEng.Co, 5th Maint.Bn. Our billet was the purple palace. From the pictures on my tablet things really changed, but thats progress. I had a lot of good time’s and some that should be forgotten.
thomas poisson
i was stationed in pirmasens from 9/1972 to 6/ 1974 with the 97th Qm Bn assigned to company A . our billits or barracks were in the banana building and we were directly across from the service club, which i see nobody has mentioned, that was a popular gathering area for lower enlisted personal, had a nice elder person, by the name of mrs. jetter, who was in charge of the club, and she fantastic at organizing activities and events. that would keep us soldiers in great spirits, with pool tournaments , ping pong tournaments, bingo nights, it was a great place to hang out and pass the time. lol waiting for payday to roll around, rather then hanging in the barracks , once payday came, ( end of the month ) it was off to the frontier club, or down to the bierstube downtown,,
David. Dyer
You were ten yrs after me but I was 541st Signal co (Spt) under awscom. Good times!
Joyce Carpenter
My father was a Chaplin’s Ast. , we lived there from 1973-1976 , I remember sneaking in to the School gates to play with the kids who would use the hole in the fence to get onto base and play soccer in the big field behind the School. My German was broken , but we found a way to play together any way. I was able to meet Corrie ten Boom wile we lived there. My time in Pirmasens was a happy one. 3rd grade to 5th grade.
John T Collins
A great article, I was stationed there from late 1967 thru late 1969 with the 22nd Aviation Detachment have many fond memories made many friends. Miss the great times.