News
From The
508
SEPTEMBER 2005
Staff Sgt. Damion G. Campbell, 1st Battalion, 508 Infantry Regiment,
“Well, I finally took the time to read “The 508
Connection” from cover to cover, and I thank you for such fine work. I had read
many of the stories individually (stories of men I had come to know through our
reunions, in addition to Rigger buddies like John Kersh), but reading them in
proper sequence from Blanding to Frankfurt added a meaningful perspective.
“I had a remarkable paratrooper experience recently that you may find
interesting. In one of the upcoming issues of Static Line, you will see
Lyle Jim Borden’s name in the Taps column. Jim and I went through Basic Training
together at Camp Roberts, California, and became close friends. He and I (and
one other infantryman) volunteered for the Paratroops and traveled to Fort
Benning together. En route, Jim and I had a patriotic symbol tattooed on our
right forearms as evidence of our commitment to becoming, and serving as,
paratroopers.
“After qualifying, we were separated and never saw nor heard from each other
until Jim saw my name in the Static Line a few months ago and called me on the
phone! I learned that he had gone directly to the 505, while I went to
[Camp] Blanding with what appeared to be the last bunch (only?) of pre-qualified
jumpers. Jim wound up in just about every combat operation from Italy on,
and although he survived the war and led a very productive life, he had inhaled
phosphorus fumes [during the war] and suffered respiratory problems. He was on
oxygen when we talked (twice after we got in touch), and he passed away August
2, 2005.
“It breaks my heart that our reunion was so short, but wasn’t I lucky that Jim
found me and we were able to re-establish our friendship.”
Diablo!
Bill Nation
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