Press Release: Currahee Military Museum –
Members and volunteers of Stephens County Historical Society, Inc. and Currahee Military Museum are honored and proud to be a part of one of the most unique museums in the world. While the history in Currahee Hall is a tribute to thousands of young men that passed through Toccoa for only a few months, they will never be forgotten. Not forgotten by families of Toccoa or people around the globe.
In the 1940’s These men volunteered to become some of the most physically fit men in the military, yes they thought it was to be a paratrooper. It turned out to be so much more than they could have ever imagined. After months of training, they were then designed so that after jumping out of airplanes into battle, they were to “hit the ground running”.
The men were taught leadership and team work, qualities they needed to fight and survive the battles of WWII. Their journey began at the base of Currahee Mountain in Toccoa, a small unknown town in the mountains of Northeast Georgia.
Training on and around Currahee Mountain, which names means “Stands Alone”, is a small hill to many, the last of the Blue Ridge Mountains and part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The camp then named Camp Toombs, soon became Camp Toccoa in July 1942, an army training facility. In comparison Currahee Mountain and Camp Toccoa was small in stature when you think of other larger and well known mountains that are commonly recognized by hikers and campers, but Currahee had a purpose.
Over 18,000 young men went through the training, many did not could not take the first week of training, some arrived in the morning and were gone before the day was over. The training was intense and at times almost unbearable, but 6000 troops made the cut and went on to fight in the European and Pacific Campaigns.
The first troops to arrive in Toccoa were members of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel Robert (Bob) Sink. Then followed by the 501st, 511th, and 517thover the next 18 months. The camp was being built and enlarged until the day is was closed. Its purpose was successful. The war then over and the men came home. Some continued to serve in the military and many of them chose to go home, try to forget the terror of war and start their lives with families, jobs, and careers. But none of them ever really forgot Currahee or the men and friendships they made there and during the war, many of them stayed in touch with each other, many did not.
Over the years, books were written and movies were made, mostly read and watched by military and veterans, and of course young boys that someday wanted to be in the military. But things changed after the book written by Stephen Ambrose was released in the 1990’s, it was in quick demand. Soon the story was picked up by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg, together with HBO it soon became a phenomenal hit. A 10-hour mini-series released in September 2001, it continues to be shown repeatedly and watched repeatedly, but this time by students of all ages, and men and women around the world. Band of Brothers would change the way America thought about freedom and the suffering the men endured and they lives of men that would not return home.
The success of Band of Brothers, the story of 101st Airborne 506th PIR Easy Company is a testament to the training and leadership by Captain Hubert Sobel and then Major Richard (Dick) Winters while at Camp Toccoa. Their stories were told. This opened the doors and memories of so many of the men that fought, that soon friends and families were asking their fathers and grandfathers “what did you do in the war”. The chains were broken and relationships were formed, military comrades were reunited, they were becoming known as the men they were, men of “the greatest generation”.
Camp Toccoa was also home to other well-known soldiers, many more books and movies were made over the years, but in 2001 new interest was awaken, stories of other men that trained at Toccoa. The Dirty Dozen is actually the “Filthy 13”, members of 506th, “Saving Private Ryan”, a fictitious story of 501st Paratrooper Fritz Niland, “Los Bando Raid” and “Rescue at Dawn”, considered the most successful mission on record is the 511th. A small number of men in alliances with the 11th Airborne, 131 troops surrounded Los Banos Civilian Internment Camp, it held 2146 US, British, Canadian, French and other Allied civilian prisoners of the Imperial Japanese Forces. The prisoners were scheduled to be executed that morning, February 23, 1945. This is the same day the Marines raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima.
The last unit that trained in Toccoa was the 517 Parachute Regimental Combat Team, one of the U.S. Army’s first elite combat units, began its existence in March of 1943, They joined the 17th Airborne Division and was eventually incorporated into the 13th Airborne Division, the 517th saw most of its combat in Italy, southern France, and the Battle of the Bulge as an independent unit.
All of these men are known as “Currahees” and “Toccoa Men”.
Currahee Military Museum is open seven days a week with the aid of several dedicated volunteers. The historical society in a 501.c.3. It is not government funded and depends on revenue from admission fees, donations and gift shop sales for operation cost. Funds are also needed for upgrade and additional exhibits, both permanent and temporary. The experience is an educational tool to thousands of students each year. Students and visitors of all ages from around the world are overwhelmed with the emotions and the experience of visiting the museum. The most common description that our visitors tell us about their visit is that “you can see it, touch it, and feel it”.
The stories of WWII Camp Toccoa paratroopers will not be forgotten.
Most of the men are now gone, but over the years they, as well as individuals, and businesses have continued to help promote the museum. We hope you are interested in providing a nice home for these items, a place of honor.
One of the museum’s supporters and contributor is Bob Willis and Victory Art Gallery. Mr. Willis has provided prints and collector books throughout the years for the gift shop. He is graciously offering to help us with the action of the following items.
Take me to the auction!
Check out the Museum’s Facebook Page!
More Details Below!
There are five items including in this auction;
1. custom handmade Walnut wooden box, purchased price was $500.
2. Custom printed for Band of Brothers wooden Louisville Slugger bat,
3. *Collector’s Edition Book “War Paint” signed by authors Richard E. Killblane and Brian J. Miller. Note: the different shades of color on the signature page are shadows caused by the flash and lights.
4. Screaming Eagle hat signed by Filthy 13 Jack Agnew. It was agreed that these hats were never to be sold, the owner donated it and it is not included in the price of the opening bid. 5. Official Major League Baseball with 21 signatures. #51/250.
5. Official Major League Baseball with 21 signatures. #51/250.
Thank you for your interest & support in this these auction items, please see the list if signatures below.
*War Paint narrates a historical account of the band of miscreants during WWII that inspired the fictional Dirty Dozen. This book introduces the reader to the men of the legendary Filthy Thirteen who boarded the C47 for the jump into Normandy on D-Day, follows them out the door and through their harrowing combat experience on the ground. No other books studies what happened to a single jump stick in Normandy. Nearly half were killed, wounded or captured. The remainder fought through Holland and half of the survivors ended up as pathfinders that jumped into Bastogne to save their encircled 101st Airborne Division. Unlike the previously published personal accounts of Jake McNiece and Jack Wormer, this book integrates the accounts of all the members of this demolition section in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment – the same regiment of the Band of Brothers. 150 photos and 10 maps.
Names on the B.O.B. & Filthy 13 Bat #14/22 Bats
- Rod Bain
- Buck Compton
- Frank DeAngelis
- Bradford Freeman
- Wild Bill Guarnere
- Forrest Guth
- Edward Babe Heffron
- Ed Joint
- Joe Lesniewski
- Clancy Lyle
- Don Malarky
- Bill Maynard
- Earl McLung
- Ed Pepping
- Frank Perconte
- Phillip Perigini
- Shifty Powers
- Paul Rogers
- Ed Shames
- Rod Strohl
- Herb Suerth
- Buck Taylor
- Ed Tipper
- William Wingett
- Jack Agnew F13
- Jake McNiece F13
- Jack Womer F13
Take me to the auction!
Names on B.O.B. & Filthy 13 Baseball #51/250 Bats
- Rod Bain
- Buck Taylor
- Wild Bill Guarnere
- Forrest Guth
- Clancy Lyle
- Bill Maynard
- Earl McLung
- Frank Perconte
- Phil Perigini
- Shifty Powers
- Paul Rogers
- Ed Shames
- Rod Strohl
- Herb Suerth
- Buck Taylor
- Ed Tipper
- William T Wingett
- Jack Agnew F13
- Bob Cone F13
- Jake McNice F13
- Jack Womer F13