158th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) "Bushmasters"

Hello All!
I have created a Facebook Page -A place to honor our beloved veterans and keep their experiences alive for our families

158th Bushmasters WW2 Veterans and Families

https://www.facebook.com/groups/508447102525309/?fref=ts

 

My father was Paul H. "Pete" Smith, from Nacogdoches, TX. He served with the Bushmasters on Luzon, in Company F. He passed away in 2001, but I have learned more about his service since then than I ever did when he was alive. He told my brother and I that he was never in combat, and would then talk about the softball and baseball games he would play with the guys. I have since learned of his combat experiences from three sources: his war diary which I uncovered; a letter from a friend of his; oral communication from one of his friends who he told about the war when he came home in 1946.

He was very proud that he served with the Bushmasters, and I have a large box full of letters that he wrote to my mohter during the war, all on official Bushmaster stationary. When I visited the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX, a few years ago, I came across a commemorative plaque dedicated to the Bushmasters, just outside the museum where other units were also memorialized. I highly recommend that you visit the museum if you ever make down to central Texas.

cliometrician@hotmail.com

 

The world lost a great man today and our Country a Patriot ! In loving memory of Staff Sargent Kenneth A. Stokesberry A Bushmaster and my hero ...............Dad I love you and know you are with mom .

In honor of you...........

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/239706991.html


Your son
Kent

"Cuidado"

 

Kent,

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Please accept my personal condolences.

It is very humbling that you took the time to let us know on the very day of your loss. Truly humbling.

Be at peace, SSG Stokesberry. :S!

 

Dear TD...Let me first Thank you for your service to this Great Nation.............

This is a small act of kindness in honor of my dad that the local news station did for him ....I made it happen.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/239706991.html

I'm working on the Silver Star for my fathers bravery over and above the line of duty in the Battle of Arawe when he saved his Captain Caffey's life that day ! He earned and he deserves it !

Kent Stokesberry
A Very Proud Son of a Bushmaster !

 

Well Graybeard, They want proof or someone to back my father up with his account. I reminded these dolts that my father was Operations Officer for the 2nd Battalion and documented the exploits of the Bushmasters like no other . He was one of the last of his kind. How many heroes from WWII do they think are still able to speak about the war ? It's amazing because even a person unacustomed to all this can figure out that Captain Caffey was injured in the battle of Arawe......That must be in records . How did he survive ? Well a person would have to be very close to see that Caffey was shot in the head or jaw...wouldn't they? Because my dad is no liar and I've heard this time and time again . My father went to visit Caffey and he told my dad that he knew what he did for him that day. Dad never asked for anything . But he was offered Lieutenant if he would stay in ....I have the Bar too .....But Dad had had enough killing and gun play so came home.

Ask me if I'm upset that these people would give Patreus's secretary a medal for throwing parties(fact), and yet want the Operation Officer who beyond the call of duty in the battle of Arawe saved his friend and Captain's life that day to prove he did just that. My father wrote for the Bushmasters Organization and this specifice battle as well as many others. Funny how his writings are kept in the archives as a true account yet he needs to prove himself again to his Country.

Let me say how appreciative I am of your service to this Great Nation and I will share his writings as soon as I get right. Stokesberry's & Bushmaster's don't lie ! We need prove anything to anyone...........

 

Hi Kent sorry to just hear about your dad. Robin Mendez mentioned it in the facebook group 158th Bushmasters WW2 Veterans and Families . Hope we see you there to share memories! https://www.facebook.com/groups/508447102525309/
Christian

 

Thanks Christian. Robin is the son of my fathers friend "Pepe" Joe Mendez one hell of a Bushmaster as my father told me many times. He came all the way out to California from Arizona just for my dads funeral . I am sorry however I don't facebook . But I do plan to post more here as soon as I'm feeling better about the loss of my dad . Today being fathers day there is a huge hole in me still losing my dad. He and I never really got along but I would give anything for him to be here to insult me right now . I miss both he and my mom .

I have pounds of documents, pictures, and papers from my dads Bushmaster collection . He was the Operatuions Officer of the 2nd Batallion and I have enough for many books so will have to share when I get better . Right now I suffer from cronic depression that keeps me down much of the time . I came here because this is the place I honor my dad .....

Say hi to Rob for me and enjoy your life as life is too short !

 

MacArthur spoke to the "Bushmasters" after their many contributions and had an adjutant review their actions and spoke of these many things before his declaration of them as the greatest infantry unit ever deployed. I think it is important to review the specifics he mentions in this speech to understand his strong feelings concerning his accolade. I hope many read his speech......http://bushmasters158.org/macarthurspeech.htm

 

I'm glad to see you back on the Forum, Kent. I understand how difficult Fathers' Day was for you. It's been 16 years and I still think of and miss my dad every day, and especially so on Fathers' Day. I can't think of a better way to honor your dad and his service. Share what you can when you are able.

 

My father respected MacArthur and as an adult he was my fathers hero . As a boy my fathers hero was Custer.

The Bushmasters not only were heroes, they destroyed the Japanese Tiger Gorillas that Tojo thought could never be defeated.

Enjoy this poem about my father and his Co-Patriots The Bushmasters:

http://bushmasters158.org/fighting158.htm

Thank you Mr. Gomez as very few today realize just how important these men were !

 

TD-Tommy776
Thank you for the kind words. Yes I'm a total mess and dealing with a greedy sister who tricked my dad in changing his will, i've grown distrustful of just about everything and everyone.

I guarantee as the son of a Bushmaster I will survive and get over all my troubles and share what my father .....A Great Man and his Brothers in Arms did for all of us ! I've got volumes upon volumes of documents that many will enjoy here.

I come here in honor of all the men who fought with my dad and showed the World that we as Americans will always be a force to be reckoned with. This 4th of July would have been my mothers 90th birthday and well even though dad seemed to like to insult me in his final years , I would be very happy to hear the Old War Dog Bark at me. I miss them both very much.

To all of you that serve or have served this great Nation I salute you and all you have done or do for our Country.

The price of freedom is ALWAYS payed in blood and gutts !

 

Kent I thank you for sharing that great poem.....it is amazing how poetry can express so much of what is special!

 

Kent, your father seems to have been a very noble and deserving man. I pray to God that you get all of this medal business sorted out. My Uncle Jack O'Hara was a Bushmaster during the war and fought in all of their campaigns as a mortarman in I Company. During the war, he was wounded and earned a Purple Heart, as well as a Bronze Star for Valor. He passed away a while ago, and it was a very hard time for my family, especially my mother and grandfather, for they were very close to him. I'd like to think there's a place in Heaven where your father, Uncle Jack, and all the Bushmasters who have passed are together again.
Cuidado

 

Hello All:

As the son of a 158th Combat Vet, I have restored and dedicated a 1945 WW2 Jeep in the memory of the 158th. Sadly, my interest developed after the death of my dad, LeRoy C. "Brownie" Brown. He was with the unit from it inception and was with them through a battle bullet wound and on until the conclusion of the war when he was transfered to Benning for further training/teaching. He remained as an officer after the war and retired at the conclusing of his military career.

I have steadily added to the Jeep with input from the Tuthill Museum in Az. I hope it has become a "Mobile Museum" for the 158th.

My dad had some pictures which apparently disappeared somewhere over the years. He gave his bring-home Japanese sword to his barber (long dead with the sword utl). I have acquired a Japanese flag with 19 signatures from 158th members along with an assortment of other WW2 memorbilia which I have purchased or has been donated to the project.

I am putting together a photo album of the unit for display. I am using pictures that family member have posted or that they have sent to me. To complete the album, I would REALLY APPRECIATE ANY PICTURES YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SHARE (good copies or high quality uploaded jpegs are great). Of course, please don't throw out any old, dusty WW2 stuff you don't want!!! Let me add it to the Jeep - Please.

Also, if you have a family member who was in the unit and is still alive Please share that with all of us. I sure have a bunch of questions!!

In case you have anything to share my mailing address is: Terry Brown, 16965 New York House Rd., Brownsville, CA. 95919. 530-675-2733.

I can't upload pictures of the Jeep as I don't have any pictures small enough. You can go to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/508447102525309/

to see pictures. Thanks

 

To my dear friend Rob,

I am very saddened to hear of the passing of your father Bushmaster Joe "Pepe" Mendez. Pepe was my fathers best friend and through the war they embarked on many adventures together. Some good and some bad. However they both went all the way starting in Arizona through the Pacific and back home again when so many did not. Through the years they celebrated at their Bushmaster Organization annual events and some of your family functions I believe. I think he went to one of your sisters weddings too. Never the less these two Heroes of World War II kept most of their exploits to themselves but shared only a few of their stories with us. I am sure they are up there having a reunion and discussing all the different things they went through .

It is with my deepest heartfelt condolences that I offer to you and your family at this time of grief. I salute your father and pray to the almighty that he welcome this Hero with open arms into the gates of eternity.

Rest In Peace Bushmaster Joe Mendez ! There will never be another like you . " CUIDADO "

Respectfully,

Kent Anthony Stokesberry
The Son of A Warrior

 

I appreciate the kind words and can always use prayers .

Thank you IA and Thank you D.J. Jack O'Hara !

 

This is an old post but thought I'd try. So my Grandfather was in the 158th.. His name was Antonio "Tony" Alamillo from California. I have some pictures. I also would like to know if anyone's parents or veterans knew him or have pictures of him in their photos. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Feel free to reply to stromberg1929@yahoo.com

 

I am pleased to have discovered this thread. I have Anthony Arthur's book about the 158th, and it is a fine read about a truly unique unit. I am a native of Los Angeles with a great liking for Mexico and Mexican-Americans, and my hat is off to all members of the 158th whatever their race or ethnicity.