This is a picture from one of the many 101st Airborne reunions that my father, David Tharp attended.

He was with the 502nd PIR, Regimental Headquarters and is standing second from the left. His unit which survived D-Day, Carentan, Holland and the Battle of the Bulge.

Mark Alan Bando, author and historian advised that S/Sgt in the middle, bending forward, is Fred Patheiger-from Chicago, and that he was in the 502nd as assistant to Captain Joe Pangerl, the Prisoner Interrogation Officer. Dad did speak about the German interrogator for their 502nd unit and told of trick questions they would use to trip up those pretending to be US soldiers. I also fondly remembering Dad laughing out loud when watching the 1960’s television show ‘Hogan’s Heroes’, especially when the German officer would profess, “I know nothing!” I’m so proud to capture Dad’s wartime letters in the book, Comes A Soldier’s Whisper.

Directly below him, is Leo Herz, also from the Chicago area and a member of the 101st Abn Div Signal Company. Standing 2nd from right is Bob Salley of the 326th Airborne Engineer Bn.

I attended several reunions as a child and was in awe of the gatherings even then… Does anyone recognize the others in the picture? I would love to have their names.

Jenny Tharp La Sala
Proud 101st Airborne Veteran’s daughter

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