'Dauntless Division' host final reunion

By Sgt. 1st Class Alyn-Michael MacleodJuly 20, 2011

99th Infantry Division Association
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - (20 July 11) Approximately 350 veterans, family members and association members will descend upon Overland Park, Kan., to reminisce and tell stories of old at the 99th Infantry Division Association Annual Convention from July 20-23.

The convention marks the Association's 62nd historic gathering and, sadly, will be its last.

The 99th Infantry Division, nicknamed "Battle Babies" and comprised of the 393rd, 394th, and 395th Infantry Regiments, spent approximately 151 days in combat during World War II.

Unbeknownst to its commanding general at the time, Maj. Gen. Walter E. Lauer, the "Battle Babies" would play a strategic role in the war and would gain the honor of having the most decorated platoon in World War II.

According to Donna Bernhardt, executive director, convention planner and editor of the Checkerboard, due to the dwindling attendance over the years, the decision was made to hold the final convention in 2011.

“The board of directors recognizes the fact that it is harder for members to get around,” she said. “So this will be the last one, and we hope to go out with a bang.”

The 99th Infantry Division Association was formed in 1950 and held its first historic convention in Pittsburgh, Pa.

"The veterans wanted to keep their group together," Bernhardt explained. “They feel that they have formed a special bond during the war…. They wanted to continue to meet and keep up with each other through the years."

Bernhardt has been associated with the 99th Infantry Division Association for approximately 30 years.

"I feel like these guys are part of my family… and it is important that the conventions are memorable to them," Bernhardt said.

During this year’s convention, members will be able to go on a number of different tours to include the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library Museum, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Amelia Earhart and Evah Cray Home and Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

Members will also see presentations by the well-known Belgium MIA Project known as "The Diggers." Jean-Philippe Spedem, Marc Habique, Jean-Louis Seel and Jean-Luc Menestrey are volunteers from Belgium who have dedicated much of their free time since the mid 1980s to search the various battlefields in an effort to recover the remains of the known 33 missing-in-action 99th ID Soldiers.

“The Diggers” have had some success in finding some missing Soldiers, having recovered the remains of more than 12 Soldiers so far.

Members of the Association attending the conference this year will also have the opportunity to meet U.S. Army sniper Ted Gundy, who was recently featured on the show Impossible Shots.

Stephen Harlan, command historian for the 99th Regional Support Command, has designed a special room known as the "War Room" for members to view numerous historical artifacts such as for the last time.

The event will end with a special reception and banquet on Saturday, July 23.

According to Bernhardt, even through the conventions are coming to an end, the association will continue, along with the Checkerboard, as long they are members.

Although the 99th Infantry Division was deactivated in 1945, the 99th Regional Support Command, located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, carries on its proud heritage.

The 99th Regional Support Command acts as a “virtual installation” that provides world-class base operations support to over 50,000 Army Reserve Soldiers, 400 units and 300 facilities for the entire Northeast Region from Maine to Virginia for the Army Reserve in order to give our Warrior-Citizens and their Families the finest care, support, services and training.

To find out more about the 99th Infantry Division Association please check out its website - http://www.99div.com/. To see photos from this event please check out the 99th RSC Flickr site - http://www.flickr.com/photos/99thrsc/.

Related Links:

99th Infantry Division Association

99th RSC Facebook Fan Page

99th RSC Flickr Page