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French MacLean

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So far French MacLean has created 272 blog entries.

Alfonso Girvalo

Alfonso Girvalo — Sergeant and Military Police guard at the Loire Disciplinary Training Center. Nicknamed “Big Al” at the disciplinary training center, he was born in 1918 in Ossining, New York; he attended high school for four years prior to his induction into the Army on April 16, 1942 at Fort Jay at Governors Island, New York. Girvalo stood about 6’1″ tall and weighed 200 pounds. After the war, he returned to the Ossining. Alfonso Girvalo died there in 1986.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform.  I can also provide additional information on him to you.

Alfonso Girvalo2013-02-23T18:28:11-06:00

T. W. Gillard

T. W. Gillard — Lieutenant Colonel and Commandant of DTC Number 1 at Shepton Mallet Prison, World War II.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform.  I can also provide additional information on him to you.

T. W. Gillard2013-02-23T18:36:34-06:00

Philip J. Flynn

Philip J. Flynn — Major and Commanding Officer of the United Kingdom Base Guardhouse, World War II.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform.  I can also provide additional information on him to you.

Philip J. Flynn2013-02-23T18:36:49-06:00

James C. Cullens, Jr.

James C. Cullens, Jr. — Lieutenant Colonel and Commandant of DTC Number 1/2912th DTC at Shepton Mallet Prison; Cullens assumed command of the facility on June 14, 1943 as a major. He commanded the unit until October 1, 1944, when he transferred to the 751st MP Battalion. James C. Cullens was born in Louisiana on November 9, 1895. He graduated from West Point in 1918 and was commissioned in the Infantry, but resigned his commission the following year. He was recalled to service in 1942 and served until 1947. James C. Cullens died at Ille-et-Vilaine, Dinard, France on December 11, 1961.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform.  I can also provide additional information on him to you.

James C. Cullens, Jr.2013-02-23T18:37:07-06:00

Mortimer A. Christian

Mortimer A. Christian — Major and Commandant, Seine DTC. Born on September 28, 1896, Christian graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and served in the 17th Cavalry in World War I, later entering the Military Police. Mortimer Christian died on November 1, 1955. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 1, Site 931-B.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform.  I can also provide additional information on him to you.

Mortimer A. Christian2013-02-23T18:37:23-06:00

Kenneth L. Breitenstein

Kenneth L. Breitenstein — Sergeant and Military Police guard in the 2913th DTC. Born in Reading, Pennsylvania on August 19, 1922, he finished three years of high school before becoming a metalworker. Breitenstein was inducted at Allentown, Pennsylvania on January 2, 1943. He stood 6’1″ tall and weighed 175 pounds. In 1945, he applied for officer candidate school. After the war, Breitenstein served in the Reserves until 1953. Kenneth L. Breitenstein died on May 10, 2009 at Coudersport, Pennsylvania.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform. I can also provide additional information on him to you.

Kenneth L. Breitenstein2013-02-23T19:03:06-06:00

Russell E. Boyle

Russell E. Boyle — Sergeant and Military Police guard at the Loire DTC. He enlisted in Chicago; the Army discharged Boyle at Camp Grant, Illinois on November 21, 1945.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform.  I can also provide additional information on him to you.

Russell E. Boyle2013-02-23T18:37:58-06:00

Jack D. Briscoe

Jack D. Briscoe — Sergeant in the 2913th DTC.  Born in Sheridan, Texas on July 4, 1919, he stood 6′ tall and weighed 163 pounds.  He was single and had worked as a roustabout on an oil field before enlisted at Camp Bowie, Texas on November 4, 1941.  His military occupational specialty was listed as a 677 – Disciplinarian.  He separated from the Army on September 22, 1945 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.  Briscoe was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the American Defense Service Medal.  He later worked for the Mobil Oil Company, married and had two daughters.  Jack Dempsey Briscoe died on July 18, 1985 at Weimar, Texas and is buried at the Chesterville County Cemetery.

If you are a related family member of this soldier, PLEASE Email me; I need additional information on him and hopefully a picture in uniform. I can also provide additional information on him to you.

Jack D. Briscoe2013-02-23T18:38:16-06:00

1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Officers

The Battle of Bourbon Street

We went on four Officer Professional Development trips while I was in the battalion.  Here, we visited the Battle of New Orleans from 1814.  That night we all went down to Bourbon Street for some fine cuisine and from what it shows, a few local drinks.  I headed back to the hotel at a decent hour, but the lieutenants reportedly took Bourbon Street block by block until they came in about 4:00 a.m.

Wherever you guys are now, I wish you well!

1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Officers2015-08-31T14:04:04-05:00

Sergeant Major Pierre A. Banker (Army Discharge from 7th Cavalry, 1871)

Army Discharge for Sergeant Major Pierre A. Banker

If you collect items associated with the Seventh Cavalry, I can help you there also.  Shown is the Army Discharge for Pierre A. Banker, who served in 1871 as the senior enlisted man in the regiment.

  • Born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, New York on December 5, 1845, the son of John Banker and Priscilla Alden.
  • Educated at the Mount Pleasant Military Academy in Ossining, New York at the same time as James “Jimmy” Calhoun.
  • Served as a private in Company A of the 20th Regiment, New York State Militia, from the beginning of the Civil War; the regiment was reorganized into the 80th New York Volunteers; it fought at Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and the Siege of Petersburg; Banker was originally discharged on February 3, 1865.
  • Enlisted in the 7th Cavalry Regiment on November 19, 1866.
  • Stood 5′ 4½” tall, with a fair complexion, gray eyes and dark hair.
  • Served in Company F.
  • Fought at the Battle of the Washita and succeeded Sergeant Major Walter Kennedy, who was killed during the battle, as the regimental sergeant major.
  • Functioned as a clerk at 7th Cavalry Headquarters at Fort Hays and Fort Leavenworth, where he transcribed many of the original reports submitted by Custer, including the official final report on the Battle of the Washita.
  • Wrote a letter to his father, John Banker of New York, which read in part: “I wish Congress would decide upon this Mormon business. I should very much like to go to Salt Lake and give old Brigham a good sound whipping.”
  • Discharged from the 7th Cavalry on June 9, 1871 at Taylor Barracks, Louisville, Kentucky.  Discharge was signed by Major W. P. Carlin, Commanding Officer of the 16th Infantry Regiment and Post Commander; and by First Lieutenant William W. Cooke, Adjutant of the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
  • Married Miss Julia Carroll, daughter of William Carroll a prominent merchant and businessman, in Rhinebeck, New York, on November 23, 1873.
  • Graduated from the New York Homeopathic College in 1879 and began practicing medicine.
  • Died at Elizabeth, New Jersey on December 2, 1909 of a heart attack.
  • Survived by his wife and children, George T. Banker (organist), Pierre Augustine Banker, Jr., Harriett Preston and Julia Carroll Banker.
Sergeant Major Pierre A. Banker (Army Discharge from 7th Cavalry, 1871)2013-02-12T13:56:11-06:00
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