Old Hickory Recon, Memories of the 30th Infantry Division 1943-1945 - Marion M. Sanford

Old Hickory says he understood the name to be a play on a Dutch word (he doesn't know which) for "little one" or "gentle one." He was the only one that called her that and does not remember when he began to use the term.

He was in SE Netherlands a good bit off and on from mid September to February, due to the nature and location of the fighting and the fact that the 30th ID had a rest camp in the area. He saw her and her family a great deal and spent a good many nights in their home. Probably more than we would think possible. They were very good to him. He had his "own" bedroom there that he usually stayed in. Most of the time when he went to the rest camps, he ended going to their house instead.

My book (when I ever get it published) talks a great deal about his time with the Duster family. He also got close to a Belgain family during the Battle of the Bulge and he has a pic of the daughter. He cannot remember their names or evern where they were. They stayed on their farm off and on for about 12-14 days and the young daughter came to visit with them just about every day. He says that she was 15-16 and from the picture, she looks about that or younger to me.

 

I'm not sure of the question, Skipper. Are you asking about the Dusters or the other family? The Duster family spoke Dutch. He knew the difference between the two and as far as I know never learned any Walloon, but says he did learn a good bit of Dutch that he has since mostly forgotten.

When he last visited with the Duster family in 1994, he went with a woman who was born in SE Netherlands but now lives in Amsterdam. He had to rely on her to translate, but could catch a few words here and there.

 

Philamena. It was verified by the same woman that went on the visit in 1994.

Old Hickory has some Christmas cards from her, if he can find them.

 

Old Hickory mentioned talking to a film maker a few years ago, but I had forgotten about it. Thanks and I have contacted them.

Thanks, I he has and wants to go back again.. I recognized several of the men in the video, having talked to them at the reunion.

 

I spoke to them last year at the reunion and wanted to go back to the one last weekend, but with things going on at the house, I couldn't.

One of the men in the video would make you think that he was something like a clerk, the way his demeanor is. He was actually a machine gunner.

 

No. He was there a few years before me. I've tried to contact him in the last few days, but he has not replied.

Old Hickory was interviewed by him at the time, but I don't think any of his stories are in it as he is not listed on the website.