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We've recently obtained an old audio
recording of a 1956 radio broadcast
of the (U.S.) Armed Forces Radio
based in Bremerhafen, Germany.
It features a report of the
dedication of a monument in honor of
Medal of Honor recipient PFC Joe E.
Mann of the 502nd Parachute Infantry
Regiment, U.S. Army, in Best, The
Netherlands.
Radio reporter Frank McLaughlin is
heard reading the Medal of Honor
citation of PFC Joe Mann and
subsequently announces the speeches
of Mayor Guido Frederik Joseph Notermans of Best and
Colonel Broadus MacAfee, the American
Military Attaché in The Hague, The
Netherlands.
Mayor Notermans explains how Mr.
Cees Wittebrood, a reporter for the
local "Bata Koerier" weekly
magazine, drew the townspeople's
attention to the heroic deeds of one
of its liberators.
Funds were raised spontaneously,
resulting in the design and creation
of the pelican monument; symbol of
self-sacrifice.
While a band is playing the national
anthems of Holland and the USA, the
parents of Joe Mann unveil the
monument in honor of their son.
Wreaths are laid by dignitaries and
local school children. Boy Scouts
raise the red-white-and-blue flags
of both countries.
After the ceremony, starting at the
27 minute time indication of our
recording, McLaughlin interviews Joe
Mann's parents.
He then speaks with Sergeant Johnny
C. Claw of the 101st Airborne
Division who, in 1944, parachuted
into "the field with the lake in it"
near the monument.
We have digitized the tape for our
visitors, here: |
