Sicily Sketch Book 4
The majority of soldiers who signed this book were members of the 189th Field Artillery Band. Information about the band can be found at this website. Each band member is noted after their name and information. These men came from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some played instruments in high school, while Pfc. Jack Undercoffer graduated from Julliard and played piano in a Dixieland jazz band after the war. Two of the soldiers stayed in service much longer than the others. LaVon Wise later joined the Air Force during the Korean War, and T/Sgt. John Lindsey served in both the Korean War and Vietnam.
Two of the soldiers never returned home. Sgt. Bennie E. Erickson died of non-battle injuries at a rest camp. There is a touching newspaper story from December 1948, describing how Pfc. George Cmolik and his wife flew to Oklahoma for the reburial services of his fallen comrade and friend. T/Sgt. Paul C. Waddle was Killed in Action on November 6, 1943, along with three soldiers who signed book 1. Please view the blog post for more information about that incident.
There is one mystery woman who signed the back cover of the book. Joan Grooms, Drooms, Srooms, etc. is not listed on any rosters. It’s possible she was a singer with the band, or possibly a nurse. If anyone has information about our mystery woman, I would love to learn about her.
The book is dated September 6, 1943, in Palermo, Italy.
Below the images of the book, you’ll find some photos of the band in action.

Back Cover
- Pfc. John B. Balog, 318 Virginia Ave, Pecksville, PA. (33459641). Band member.
- Joan Grooms (?), 2307 E.North Ave, Baltimore, MD. Singer? Nurse?
- Sgt. Artie (Arthur J.) Hamilton, Box 36, Chesterfield, IN. (20830438). Band member. Saxophone and clarinet.
- Garland L. (Luther) Koontz, Route 2, Box 183, Vernon, TX “Bass horn”. TEC5. (38089331). Band member.
- T/Sgt. John R. Lindsey, Army Tech Village, Amaryllis, TX. (20830432). Band member. Also served in Korea and Vietnam.
- Cpl. Russell M. (Maynard) Possley, 1497 Cedar St, Green Bay, WI. (36243631).
- Pfc. Chester A. Roode, 344, NW 24th St, Miami, FL. (34054547). Band member.
- Sgt. Joe L. Skorepa, 803 Glenn, Weatherford, TX. (20830453). Band member.
- Pfc. Jack S. (St.Clair) Undercoffer, 85 Merriman Rd, Akron, OH. (35385047). Band member. Pianist.
- LaVon E. Wise, 7085 Cottonwood, Iola, KS. (37013989). TEC5. Band member. Also served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
Front Cover
- Sgt. Bennie E. Erickson, Healdton, Okla. Died of non-battle injuries in rest camp. (20830443). Band member.
- Pvt. Lawrence G. Fordyce, Stillwater, Okla. (20830858). Band member.
- Sgt. Archie F. Grubb, 105 W. 16th St, Rolla, MO. (37181758). Band member.
- Pfc. Russell P. Helling, Hanska, Minn. Band member.
- Pvt. Emil H. Merrifield, 12 Maple St, Sanford, Maine. Phone 180-W. (31217098). Band member.
- Pfc. Glen A. Palmer, 10508 Elmarge Rd, Cleveland, Ohio. (35025204). Band member.
- (John) Wayne Paris, Box 292, Canadian, Texas. TEC5. (20830625). Band member.
- James W. Potter, Altoona, PA. TEC5. (33251975). Band member.
- Wayne E. Shank, Akron, Ohio. TEC5. (35385917). Band member.
- Pfc. Anthony Waytekunas, 146 Winslow Ave, Norwood, Mass. (31063094). Band member.

Inside Front Cover
- Cpl. Howard “Doc” Davis, 1620 Miriam St, Swissvale Pittsburgh, PA (“Doc Davis Elixer of Vino”). TEC5. (33036711). Band member.
Title Page
- S/Sgt. H.L. (Harold Lee) Robnett, Ryan, OK. (20830451). Band member.
- T/Sgt. Paul C. (Christy) Waddle, 607 Euclid, Lawton, OK. (20830429). Killed in Action on November 6, 1943. View the blog for the field report.

Page 12 and 13
- Cpl. Stanley C. Motush, 5027 Tod Ave, East Chicago, IN. (35169272). Band member (trumpet).
- Pvt. Irving A. Greene, 1953 80th St, Brooklyn, NY. (32204960). Band member.

Page 15
- Pfc. George J. Cmolik, 4606 Gamma Ave, Cleveland, OH “Vote the Republican ticket”. (35024754). Band member.



