Phillips Barracks, Karlsruhe

 
 Posted by at 11:01 pm

  75 Responses to “Phillips Barracks, Karlsruhe”

  1. TO DARYL BLANCHARD

    YES, I REMEMBER SGT. GARVIN; I WAS ON THE EM CLUB COMMITTEE WITH HIM. DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS ON TRIAL THOUGH. I WORKED WITH HIM FOR ABOUT A YEAR, GIVE OR TAKE.

  2. Hello Gisela
    I think my Gisela would like to hear from you after all of these years . Please send us an e mail or call us at 915-755-6075 our e mail is weinheimer0311@att,net.
    Only the best to you
    Everett

  3. To Whom It May Concern:
    Please contact me if anyone has had any contact with my Father ,Ronald Kenneth Matte.I am his daughter, Aimee M.Matte
    (734)730-1381
    amatte@wccnet.edu

  4. Hi Don

    Yes, I’m the drummer that was with Ritchie and the Satellites from Germany.

    Thanks for the commebnt – glad that you liked what we had to offer. Nice to know, for sure.

    I just finishe playing drums in 2011 mid-summer. At my age was going out of percussion as i first went in it. Was playing in a good drum corps here in Canada.
    Great musicians.

    I piled up no less than 125,000 total hours and tore a major ligament and had to call it quits.; but, that’s ok cause I still can play harmonica, diatonic and chromatic, know music theory well, and actually started when I was 9 years old. So, actually, I’m still doing music, but only in a different. I just finished a 200 page book on improving reading music for intermediate, and advanced harmonica players.

    Never say never is what I say.

    Thanks for your response Don, It’s much appreciated.

    PS: I can still play concert music but uptempo stuff, I have to be very careful not to tear the wrist any further…so I wrap it up well,.

    Take care, Don. It was good to hear from you.

  5. To all concerned past and presen

    If anyone wants further communicating, pls use above email for it. Thx

    I did play music with “Ritchie Adams, and the Satellites” for almost 2 years in Germany in 1962 and 1963.

    Ritchie wrote “Tossin’ and Turning”, “You were mine”, and also “After the Lovin”.

    He also was lead guitar player for The Fireflies”. Ritchie, over the years has composed many good pieces of music and lyrics. He was also lead guitar for “The Archies”.

    Jim Bish was a very good jazz guitarist from 502 Engineers, and he kept to himself most of the time – he was a bit shy in the 60′s. I used to kid him and say, “Jim, You just gotta learn how to play a simple 3-note triad once in a while”!

  6. JOHN FISH, hi!

    If your who I think you are John, you played lead guitar – and damned good way back then, too.. You still playin?. I went pro for a few years, then semi pro and started doing some teaching. Had a good student for 5.5 years. He also got an Elec. Engring degree in Michigan. I also play diatonic and chromatic harps, just some variety style…jazz, classics, pop, and c/w…not commercial thought, I still study theory, took a couple of classes at WSU, Detroit, and just finished writing a 200 page method book for harmonica players. Never say never! Drop me a line if you will…..those days in Germany were kool!

    I also contacted all past members from the “Satellites” band from Karlsruhe some 35 years later…wanno gig, hahaha? Drop a line at abv email. take care.

    • Dad:
      Please Call Me I live at 106 Packard #401 Ann Arbor,Michigan 48104, or call me at (734)730-1381.Aimee Your daughter.

    • Ron if this is you Please call me or write to me 519-966-0224 or write to me at billunow@hotmail.com Your Bro.

    • Hi Ron,

      It’s good to hear from you. I was surprised to see your reference to Dan Eng because I married his former girl friend. I met her on a gig you and I had at the Smiley EM club. I dropped out of the Karlsruhe music scene after I met her and it upset Donnie Neuhaus. But he found another guitarist, Ritchie (Ziegler) Adams and, of course, Ritchie filled the bill exceptionally. I went on to the pro ranks and played with some name artists who worked with Wes Montgomery in the Indianapolis area. Say, I can’t link to your email here, So drop me a line at fishtrak@yahoo.com when it’s convenient.

      Sincerely,
      John Fish

    • Dear Ron,

      It’s good to hear from you. And, you’re right. I played lead guitar for Donnie Neuhaus and several groups in the Karlsruhe area. I believe you played drums with me in most of the groups. I can’t remember exactly who the leader was when we played. Was it you? We had a trio setting with a bassist named Jim, and I think he booked some gigs. It’s odd, but I don’t recall booking any gigs; yet, I was always busy until I met my future wife. After discharge, I shared the bill with Bo Diddley, Roy Hamilton, the Drifters and wound up in a gig with Cheech and Chong. I worked mostly in Indianapolis with fellows that had played with Wes Montgomery. In fact, I was headliner at a Wes Montgomery Festival in celebration of his work.

      Say, I’m sorry it took me so long to respond here. I had assumed that the website would let me know about any replies. At any rate, I’ll add my email address below in case you want to drop me a line.

      Sincerely, John
      fishtrak@yahoo.com

  7. My uncle, Henry Thomas Wood, Jr. was in the 499th Engineering Battalion and was saddly killed in the collision on Aug 11, 1955. Before this event he married a woman from Germany, Leopoldine (Dena) and had a son Michael around 1954. Uncle Henry was buried in his home town in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA. His wife turned to Germany with their son Michael. Our family has been trying to locate both of them for the past serveral years with no luck. If anyone has any information regarding them, please contact me. Thank you!

  8. My telephone is 734-730-1381.If anyone hears from Ron k.Matte.Have him contact his daughter.Thanks,Aimee M.Matte

    • AIMEE, hi! It’s been some time now since I’ve communicated with you. It’s a amazing that you would even care enough to even wonder about me

      Email me and tell me what’s on your mind. Hope all is OK for you. You’ve had a pretty rough life, and I certainly didn’t help it much. Still love you. Hope there’s some forgiveness for all my failures as a human, father and friend.

      My address and phone numbers are NOT for anyone, and I prefer at this moment to only have email correspondence with anyone.

      Sorry to hear your Mom passed away; it must have been rough for everyone.
      Let me think – 24 Sep 2011 (a Saturday) I believe is what I read some time ago. I was checking obituaries in Southgate, and found your Mom’s by accident.

    • Dad:
      Please Call Me I live at 106 Packard #401 Ann Arbor,Michigan 48104, or call me at (734)730-1381.Aimee Your daughter.
      Dad:
      I don’t have an email for you.You can email me at amatte1@emich.edu, amatt788@email.lakemichigancollege.edu, or matte@andrews.edu.
      I Love you Lots Come to Ann Arbor to my apartment.
      Aimee M.Matte.

  9. Hi! I’m looking for anyone who knew of a Kenneth Smoot or Gerald Wayne Tubbs from around 1957 to 1964. Would appreciate any contacts. Thank you.

    • Jerry Wayne Tubbs, Age 65
      Townley, AL
      Address History
      Townley, AL
      Empire, AL
      Bessemer, AL
      Vincent, AL
      Aliases
      Tubbs Jerry

      Relatives
      Becky Tubbs
      Brenda Tubbs
      Wanda Tubbs

    • Jerry Wayne Tubbs, Age 65
      Townley, AL
      Address History
      Townley, AL
      Empire, AL
      Bessemer, AL
      Vincent, AL
      Aliases
      Tubbs Jerry

      Relatives
      Becky Tubbs
      Brenda Tubbs
      Wanda Tubbs

      There is a Kenneth Smoot II (afro-american) listed on FB. One of his wedding pics shows him with his parents

  10. hi, i was with the 555th from 1962 to 1964. aviation section (trans supply clerk), we live at the airfield, we only came to the barracks was to eat, get paid or class on saturdays. what a great time. been trying to locate the airfield on any maps. no luck.

  11. Hi…Were any of you gents in Karlsruhe 1945 > 1950? I know…it’s going back a bit. I was a 5 > 10 year old did then and remember the American forces arriving at a Kaserne on the Moltke Strasse. It is now, and i gather has been for many years a hospital’ I lived there as a young German kid, but haven’t been there in many, many moons. Would appreciate any help anyone out there would be able to provide. Many thanks in advance

  12. I was with the 509 engineer group from 1955 to 1957 at phillips We were on the second floor above the 62 transportation co. I was there when the 409th lost 2 airplanes and half of there people and had there big fire in the mess hall it burnt down . I ( still Have a picture of one of your cranes that got stuck by the Rine River and your people thought they could pull it out by wrapping a cable around the cab and pull it out . Well they got it out but pulled the cab off too. Remeber the Hoffman bar in Karlsuhe ? there was a tunnel that went from our motor pool to the bar but it was closed off and they found a amo dump under our motor pool .

  13. Hi to everyone interested. Good years in the 502nd Engineers. I’ll drop a few past last names only (like our uniforms had only) and if anythings jogs youir interest or memory, and you feel like chating with me, please feel free to e-mail at the above email address. Sp4 Thompson, Sp4 Eng, Capt. Madden, Lt. Kuhl, Lt. Bryant, Spr Weinhandel, all from the 502 Engineers…..Sp5 Drossel, Sp4 Neuhaus, and US Army Interpreter Mueller – all from 555 Engineers ……..and Sp4 Lewis (CID) from Stuttgsrt………………I had routine duties with the following and am interest in whom are still living from that period.

    Ron Matte
    Company Clerk
    502 Engineer Co.
    Phillips 1961 – 63

    • Hi Ron,

      I knew Drossel and Neuhaus. In fact, I played guitar with Neuhaus in 1962. I was a supply clerk in the 555th in 1961-62 and started playing fiddle with a variety group known as the Sundowners which was formed by a MSGT of S-4 in the 555th. Donnie Neuhaus was a driver for the group commander and he also played guitar. It’s odd, but we had a drummer named Ron. Perhaps it was you. I was transferred to the 55th Bridge at Smiley in ’63 where I met my future wife. (We’re still married.) You had a great guitarist in the 502nd, named Bish, but he didn’t get out much. You mention Ritchie… was he the same fellow who wrote the hit song. “Tossin’ and Turnin?”

    • Hello Ron,

      I was stationed in Germany and remember seeing a great band with a guitar player named Richie also. Would you happen to be the drummer–I remember the drummer being exceptional. Are you still playing music?

      Regards,

      Don

    • I would like to know if this is my Father Ronald Kenneth Matte,from London,Ontario,and Lincoln Park,Michigan.Have him contact his family .We miss and love him.(734)730-1381.Aimee M.Matte

    • ron matte, I played guitar with you on and off for many years when I wore a younger man’s clothes. Currently I’ve been remarried for four years and live in a beautiful home in one of Murfreesboro’s best neighborhoods. My wife and I are entrenched in th music scene here as a part time working duo. We are frequently at the string shop on main street where we go to jams run by Dub Hollowell, who owns and runs it. I am aware of the decision you made in 2003 and you don’t realize that I have an understanding of it in ways that would be suprising to you. There are however just a couple of aspects I have since been curious about, and I hope that that decision, one that I’m sure wasn’t easy, has resulted in some peace and happiness for you…I’m less judgmental about it than you would think. I hope you receive this email, although I have no way of knowing if you do. sincerely, bobgodsey@hotamail.com

    • This for Ron Matte: General comments. I was a Lt in 557LE in’63, then 55PB at Smiley. Went to S3 section 555Engr Gp.in ’64. Walter Kehm is the 502 Lt, now living in Toronto. I did a Report of Survey when 502 lost a bridge erection boat in the Rhine, great story about Sgt Garvin found Not Guilty who was sent to manage EM/NCO Club at Phillips, later Rheinland. Around in Dec ’64? when move to Rheinland? Big screw-up when 78th left dynnamite, thermite grenades and German kids found. None serious injured but real problem. Remember?

  14. Hi. I was stationed with the 502 from 1959 to 1961. Have many good memories . Met a lot of interesting people. Spent many days at Maxau at boat school and building bridge sections.When I got there we had a pontoon bridge but soon switched over to a float bridge.

  15. i WAS THERE WITH THE 502ND FROM 1961 – 1963. i WAS THE COMPANY CLERK AND WAS ALSO THE DRUMMER FOR “RITCHIE & THE SATELLITES”. i GOT DISCHARGED AND RETURNED AS PRO DRUMMER FOR THE AMBASSADORS.

    HOPE SOMEBODY REMEMBERS SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE DAYS.

    GOOD LUCK EVERY AND ANY ONE.

    “MATTE”

    • Ron… I believe you were playing drums with me at the Smiley EM Club on Valentine’s Day in 1963 which was the same night I met my future wife. You and I had a bass player named Jim to round out the guitar trio. I made note above of Drossel and Neuhaus and tried to send you an email, but couldn’t link. Maybe you can send a note to me at fishtrak@yahoo.com.

    • Ron… I believe you and I had a bass player named Jim to round out a guitar trio on Valentine’s Day in 1963. I tried to send you an email, but couldn’t link. Maybe you can send a note to me at fishtrak@yahoo.com.

    • Dad:
      Contact me Aimee M.Matte(734)730-1381

  16. Hi ! A friend of mine looking for his father,who was stationed in Karlsruhe in the period
    1967-1972 .His last name : Mathis , comes from New York
    His Son Brian was born on March 30,1967.
    Who Remembers him ?

  17. Hi ! A friend of mine looking for his father,who was stationed in Karlsruhe in the period
    1967-1972 .His name : Mathis.
    His Son Brian was born on March 30,1967.
    Who Remembers him ?

  18. Melvin Arnett , I was station at Phillips Barretts in 1961-1963 company 502 engineer bridge company,and i would like to hear from of the friends that i was station with. I would like to hear from John Johnson Jacob Boyler,Andrew Dowson(pop),Lewis from triple nickle,and Jones from triple nickle, and others that was station over there in 1961-63.

    • Hey, Melvin, hi! was also there during same time period. I probably typed out some of your passes(along with L. Thompson)…signed SP4 Matte!! Remember the 1St Shirt E-8 Russell D. Henry, the Captain, known as “Madman Madden”….!?
      Dig deep into your memory box young man?????? haha I was also the drummer for “Ritchie Adams and the Satellites…!!!” See my messages above, too.

      Matte

  19. i was with the 62ed trans co.don kramer,don armstrong and a lot of other guys i can’t remember ( old ) but boy oh boy did we have fun ,went to the english zone hauled amo for the brits etc made a lot of trips all over germany with the 62ed.a very good company if you ask me.no regrets what so ever 62ed closed down and we transfered to the 40th trans co pol in mannheim in 57.

    • Hallo Everett, is Your wifes name Gisela born Korb????????????
      Thann is Gisela a relativ to me. Rudolf Korb and my father Karl Meier
      has been cousins.
      Greetings from Germany – to Gisela too -
      Gisela Kerling geborene Meier

    • Hallo Everett, I am always in contact Wolfgang Korb

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