Spring 2003
143rd Field Artillery Korean War
Newsletter
Facta non Verba
http://143korea.tripod.com/index.html
Issue 7
Greetings from Central Florida. This issue is in loving memory of William "Bill" Arnold. Two nieces who live in the Wisconsin Rapids area survive Bill.
Bill has been a big contributor to this web site. Many of his stories can be found on the site under the title "War Stories." I am thankful I had the opportunity to chat with Bill several times when I first started this project. He shared a lot of valuable information and even some of his personal belongings to this project. He will not be forgotten.
More veterans and families have contacted me since I last wrote. I hope to include a bit about all of them with you.
The first were two fellows from the Mosquito's. Jerry Allen and Charles Hennessy were with the Air Force and assigned to a Tactical Air Control Party located with the Headquarters Battery. They were responsible for the control and coordination of artillery fire with close air support. Charles shared some photos taken while with the 143rd. Those photo's can be found in the "Your Pictures" section of the website. The Mosquito's website can be found on the internet at http://www.mosquitokorea.org/
Lawrence Nies - Lawrence was with the Battery 143rd, and met my dad at Camp Cooke. He entered military service in September of 1950 and was discharged honorably in October of 1952. He was a Sergeant, serving as a Forward Observer and then in charge of a 105 Howitzer with 7-9 men under him. For some reason I missed Lawrence before. He was in many photos and friends with the fellows that helped me get the site off the ground. His lovely wife Madonna was kind enough to inform my folks about the passing a Bill Arnold.
Dan Griffin - Dan's father Jim Griffin served with C Battery from July 1952 to July 1953. I am looking forward to hearing from his father. He lives in Florida.
Morris Casey - Morris was with the 143rd during the period of 1953 to 1954 at which time the 40th Division was dissolved. He was fortunate to have gone from a Gunner in a Gun Section to the Chief of Firing Battery of "Baker the Best." This was due largely in part of Lt. Webb the Executive Officer. Webb was from Texas and a cousin of Audie Murphy. During the war he was in an area called "Smoke Valley" near Kumwha and the Iron Triangle. The 143rd supported the 12th ROK Division. After the cease-fire they moved several times before ending up in the Chorwon Valley. I am in the process of adding about 100 photo's to the web site that Morris has shared with me.
Don Morris - Don contacted me awhile back looking for any one that might remember him from Korea. He served in Service Battery. If any of you remember Don or any of the other men mention please let me know. I will forward there
contact information to you.
Charles Cooper - Charles served with 4th Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment. He was kind enough to share some of his stories he remembered about the 143rd with us. His stories can be found on the site under "War Stories."
I recently received a copy of the 40th yearbook from the War in Korea. Bob Reiland took the time to photocopy the entire book and mailed it to me. My dad who is visiting for the winter enjoyed seeing it and even recognized some of the men in it from the 143rd. Thank you Bob.
