[Associated Press] Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 4, 1960 - Three thousand United States soldiers paid homage today at a simple memorial ceremony to sixteen comrades, victims of a training accident Friday. Soldiers of the Third Armored Division assembled in a hollow — with 16 gaps in the ranks — before an altar between two fir trees. Sixteen steel helmets on tables near the altar bore testimony to the accident that killed fifteen men outright and wounded twenty-seven when an overcharged 8-inch howitzer shell overshot an artillery range and landed in a tent camp. One of the injured soldiers died yesterday. All were from the 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron, 12th Calvary, 3rd Armored Division.
I wish to thank you very much for posting the pictures of Frankfurt High School, and the other pictures of Germany from that era. My Dad was stationed there from 1960 to 1963. We lived in the Edwards Housing Area. Dad was stationed at Drake Edwards Kaserne, and I attended Atterbury elementary School. Did another tour from 1966 to 1969 when I went to Frankfurt High School. They were the best years of my life. Also found the bitterswet epitaph singularly appropos. The very landscape of our lives IS gone forever, no do-overs. I know, I went back to Aschaffenburg (where we did our second tour) in 2001. Although Germany has a certain timeless quality to it. Indeed all things must pass.Going over your web site I saw your picture of you in the Army in 1960 in Germany. You had mentioned the horrific artillery accident at Grafenwoehr in September of that year. I got to looking through some old photos that my Dad had taken over there and lo and behold there are pictures there of the memorial service held in the field for the sixteen fallen solders who were victims of that accident.
The pictures were taken by my father, SSG Lowell Fox, in case anyone might remember him. He was in the 3rd Armored Division stationed at Drake Edwards Kaserne in Frankfurt. Although I don't remember the exact unit. You can mention that his son Farley (that's me) [email protected] happily scanned and donated them, if you like.
March 2021, Farley confirms his father was in Grafenwöhr at the time of the accident ("I remember my Mom nearly going insane with worry when it happened").
- Frank
Created by Photogallery 3.07 March 15, 2021 |