"LETTERS HOME: A Soldiers Story"___L.Curtis

[dlp797]

"Letters Home: A Soldiers Story" by Lory Vaughn Curtis 2010, basis for the new movie, "Saints and Soldiers: Airborne Creed", released on the aniversary of Operation Dragoon/Anvil, Airborne Assault of Southern France 15 August 1944/2012.

 

This recent book is about 130 letters written home in 1943-1945 by his (future) father to his mother (grandmother) during basic training, jump school and combat with 17th Airborne Div, 517th PIR that trained at Camp Toccoa GA, Camp Mackall, Ft. Benning GA and the Tenessee Manuvers and was removed from the 17 Airborne Div to become 517th PRCT with 460 Airborne Artilery and 596 Airborne Engineers before being sent to Italy in prep for the invasion of Southern France. They were later absorbed by the 13th Airborne Div 15 Feb1945 just prior to the 17th Airborne Airborne Assault of Germany in Operation Varsity. After Germany surrendered they were with the 13 Airborne Div that was tapped to be part of the Airborne assault of Japan with the 101st Airborne Div until the Japanese surrendered.

 

The prequel to this movie was "Saints and Soldiers" a film festival winner depiction of a group of disassociated mix of soldiers that were thrown together during the Battle of the Bulge. Ironically or rather incidentally the 517th PRCT was in Belgium when the Battle of the Bulge began after fighting all the was through France from south to north. For more information about the 517th PIR/PRCT, 460 Airborne Artilery, 596 Airborne Engineers, go to www.517PRCT.org

 

Dan, Son of a Buzzard

 

 

 

 

[dogface44]

Hello Dan,

I saw you message in the mailcall. I had the chance to get my copy signed directly by the late Bud Curtis.

Great read and lots of info about the invasion of Southern France, the 1st ABTF and of course the 517th.

Lory is a great guy.

Best wishes,

gilles