[aaatripp]

Regarding post #52, items 8 & 9:

Bill Williams, like Ray Emmer, was part of the ASTP (Army Specialized Training Program) where approx. 200,000 army men, who had scored higher on their AGCT scores, were placed in special technical training at more than 200 colleges for education in medicine, dentistry, languages, engineering & personnel psychology.

When battle casualties began taking their toll on mlty. personnel readiness levels it was decided to shift many men from the ASTP to infantry & airborne divisions. Many of these men could easily have succeeded in OCS yet they were transferred into infantry divisions as privates (even though some may have had higher ranks). When Bill Williams, Ray Emmer and others reached the 99th Division at Camp Maxey, Texas, they were viewed as a threat ("smart college boys") by non-comms & other enlisted in the division. Hazing and harassment occurred and Ray was beaten up by his squad Sgt. in F Co. 394th Infantry Regiment. Ray was transferred to H Co. This was not a proud day for the U.S. Army!

This note is added so that you can understand our gratitude for Sgt. Fred Zimmerman for protecting his men (including Ray Emmer).
Tripp