BANKS Summer-Fall ISSUE
Martha Banks King
2007
Make your plans now!
Sunday, October 14 The 72nd Reunion of the
Thomas Marion Banks Family
Remembering John Allen Banks John Allen was the fifth child of Thomas Marion Banks and Georgia DeLura Acree. He was born in Stephens County, Georgia, November 13, 1891, in the log house built by his grandfather, in the shadow of Currahee Mountain. And little did anyone imagine that Currahee Mountain would earn a footnote in history. In the early days of World War II, its rugged terrain was used for training the famed 101 st Airborne Division before they departed for Europe. They adopted ―Currahee‖ as their motto. After completing the last year of public education—eighth grade— John Allen spent one year at a boarding school, located in the mountain town of Hiawassee, near the Tennessee line. At about the age of twenty he traveled to Atlanta and got a job as streetcar conductor, a job he kept for several years. But he achieved one of his childhood ambitions when he got a job as fireman for the Southern Railway. And being a fireman wasn‘t a cushy job, for a fireman‘s responsibility was to keep the firebox filled with coal to generate steam. The steam drove the pistons and the pistons turned the giant steel wheels. The job with Southern Railway was interrupted the following year, however, when the United States entered World War I. At the age of 26, John Allen volunteered for service in the U.S. Army and reported to Camp Gordon, Georgia, for basic training. The 82nd Infantry Division was formed August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon. Since members of the Division came from all 48 states, the unit was given the nickname ―All-Americans,‖ hence it‘s famed ―AA‖ shoulder patch. In the spring of 1918, the Division deployed to France. In nearly five months of combat the 82nd fought in three major campaigns and helped to break the fighting spirit of the German Imperial Army. Among the infantrymen of the 82nd was Sergeant Alvin York, the pacifist from Tennessee, who distinguished himself in the battle of the Argonne Forest. The 82 nd was demobilized after World War I, and for more than 20 years the ―All-American Division,‖ known as ―America‘s Guard of Honor,‖ would live only in the memories of men who served in its ranks during the Great War. And among those who served was Russell Marion Banks, John Allen‘s brother. In World War II, the 82nd was reactivated and became known as the 82 nd Airborne. Assigned to the Quartermaster Corps John Allen attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. While in France he was able to visit Paris. In fact, he was so enthralled over visiting Paris, he gave a fellow Georgian, a member of his company, a handful of francs and insisted he also visit Paris. On the occasion of his twenty-seventh birthday—November 13, 1918, a Wednesday—he
Inside this issue: John Allen Banks—continued
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When Uncle Bill Became My Hero
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Sharon (Davis) Cook Col. Tim Dixon Gets Tanked
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Rebecca Dixon Family News/Announcements
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Larry Barton—Rests in Peace
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Banks Family Photos
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Submitted by Jeri Stapleton Bob King & the Florida Cracker Ride Very special thanks to Jeri Stapleton for the beautiful photos!
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