I crossed the Rhine in the first Medium Tank in Gen. Simpson's Ninth Army. We were "Taskforce Artman" under command of Major George Artman (age 30). Co. A 80th Tank, Capt. Harold Peterson (age 24) commanding and elements of the 58th Armored Infantry and 88th Recon. composed the spearhead elements. The following is a letter from "Debbie" the Colonel's wife and some comments of my own. Leora's son Willie Glenn (age 20) died that day. (Poem "Leora")

Dear Dick,
    You haven't heard from us in a while (and our unread messages are stacking up on us), but George has not been doing very well and passed away this morning. He was in the hospital for a week and actually was doing pretty well yesterday. The nurse called me about nine o'clock this morning and said he wasn't responding very well and that we had better hurry over. Our daughter from Austin was with me and the other daughter met us at the hospital. He died shortly before we got there. Anyway, his "CRAZY" Tank Driver was one of the people he wanted notified. This is all for now but I will keep in touch.
    Love,
    Debbie Artman

Received the above from MY COLONEL'S wife. I find tears in my eyes. We emailed often and every now and then we would phone. He called me not 3 before he died and we spent some time together. I kinda loved that old man. He was Battalion Commander of the 58th Armored Infantry. He was also Commander of "Task Force Artman."

My unit, Co. A 80th Tank Battalion was attached and under his command. He was in command on March 28th, when I drove the lead tank across the Rhine. We were hit and Lt. Donald Martin was severly wounded. My Gunner and Loader and two of his Infantrymen were killed. Although we were left alone behind the German lines, he was able to pull back and reform and recapture the town of Kirchellan late that evening. (Bruce - Your dad and McStay also served under him.) In my estimation he was one of, if not the best "Task Force" Commander in the 8th Armored!.

He was a graduate of the "POINT" and should have retired a General. He told me he was a Military Attache in Iraq when the Hostages were taken in Iran. He had his own ideas as to how it should be handled. "Carter" differed and the proverbial black mark went into his record. Where he is now, there is no chance he will see "Carter or his Killer Rabbit."

On retirement the Colonel taught Physics, Science and Math at Judson and Seguin High School in Seguin, TX. for 13 years. Thank God for men like him!

He is one of 4 people who has a book of my poems and he claimed he liked them. I received an email from "Debbie" yesterday. It was long and all is not well, but she said the above poem was one of his favorites. That is why it is there today. (Why are my cheeks so wet?) We refer to him as our "Kernel" and miss him we do!

FAREWELL MY COLONEL, SLEEP THEE WELL UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN IN THE MORN'!
"Crazy Dick"