Summary of The 2022 818th Reunion

Hello 818^th Family,

Below is my summary letter for the 2022 818^th reunion.  Thanks for helping to keep this reunion alive.  It was fun seeing some of you.  I look forward to seeing even more at the 2023 reunion.  

-Marilyn Jensen

Dear Descendants and Friends of the 818^th Tank Destroyer Battalion,

The 64^th Annual Reunion of our group took place as scheduled from July 14th-17^th at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Rapid City SD. As always, it is fun to renew our “family friendships” and honor our veterans.

Family members of the following seven members of the 818^th were present: T. Sgt. Wayne Bowles, Technician 5^th Grade Oscar Harley Gingrich, Spec E6 Joe Goeden, Captain John A. Hauth, PFC John A. Micik, TEC 5 Raymond Schildt, and T4 Cecille Wax. The group celebrated each family’s veteran as well as all the heroes of the 818^th.

On Friday morning, reunion attendees toured the outdoor exhibits at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Individuals and families spent the rest of their time visiting the many tourism possibilities South Dakota offers, reminiscing about the 818^th soldiers, and renewing the friendships that bond us as “the 818^th family.”

At the meeting on Saturday morning, Robert Bowles led the group in the pledge of allegiance to our flag. Jim Mahoney read the list of 818^th members who died in combat. The group is not aware of any member of the battalion who is still living. Best wishes were sent to two 818^th wives- Mrs. Joe Goeden (Ethel) and Mrs. Raymond Schildt (Lola).

Theresa and Jim Mahoney graciously volunteered to host the 2023 reunion to be held in the “Quad Cities.” (Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline, Illinois, and Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa.) Theresa is the daughter of Oscar and Geneva Gingrich. The Proud Descendants of the 818^th sincerely thank Theresa and Jim for agreeing to host us. We’re excited to reunite with our “818^th family” in IA/IL.

Thank you for allowing us to be the hosts of the 64^th 818^th Reunion. We look forward to seeing you in 2023 for the 65^th Reunion.

May God Bless Each of You and Especially May God Bless America!

-Marilyn & David Jensen

2022 Reunion in Rapid City, SD.

Jesse L. Brown, C. Company, passed Dec. 12, 2020

Jesse L. Brown, 96, of Gardner, KS, formerly of Baldwin City, KS died Saturday, December 12, 2020 at his home.

He was born July 18, 1924 in Ola, AR the son of Dee Lester Brown and Lydia Mae (Crawley) Brown. Jesse attended schools in Muskogee, OK and was drafted into the military just prior to his graduation. In the early 2000's Jesse was a proud recipient of A High School Diploma from Gardner-Edgerton High School.

On March 12, 1943 Jesse entered into service for his country during World War II in the United States Army. He served almost his entire four years in the European Theater of the war. He was a member of a tank destroyer battalion under General Patton. His first active Battle was Normandy on June 14, 1944. He was also in the Battle of Rhineland, Northern France, and Central Europe attaining the rank of Corporal. He was decorated with two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theatre Ribbon, and European Theatre Ribbon with five bronze service stars, and the World War II victory Medal.

Jesse worked construction throughout his life with a good portion of that time working for JE Dunn Construction. That included supervising a major Hospital addition. That move to Branson lasted twenty years and proved to be a wonderful home experience.

Jesse was a member of Grace Baptist Church, Gardner, KS; Palmyra Masonic Lodge, Baldwin City, KS and the American Legion. Jesse spent many hours helping other in need during his life. Jesse and Linda volunteered and served others through the of Jesse' life

He was married to Barb Workman in May of 1947. Barb passed away in 1961. In November of 1975 Jesse married Donna Hunt. She preceded him in death in 2011. On August 21, 2018 he married Linda Shelley. She survives of their home.

Jesse is preceded in death by his parents; son and daughter-in-law Jesse Robert Brown and his wife, Becky; his first two wives, Barb and Donna; an infant daughter, Janet Marie Brown; step daughter , Linda Crotchett and his six siblings; Wyatt Cowan Brown, Morris Brown, Jake Cowing Brown, Claud Brown, Flory Mae Johnson, Dora Mae Johnson.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Shelley Brown, Gardner, KS; three children, Janey Wiseman and her husband, Pat, Baldwin City, KS, Bruce Brown and his wife, Sue, Baldwin City, KS, Jeanne Ann Romero and her husband, Chris, Lawrence, KS; two step children, Don Hunt and his wife, Kristy, Olathe, KS, Barbara Farris and her husband, Mark, Pomona, KS; sixteen grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren.

Following Covid-19 guidelines graveside funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 18, 2020, at Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City, KS. The service will be live streamed on the funeral home Facebook page for friends wanting to pay their respects. The family suggests memorials to Harvesters or Douglas County Humane Society. Memorials may be sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, Kansas, 66006. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.