Harold J Van Winkle, JrSpecialist FourA TRP, 4TH SQDN, 12TH CAV RGT, 5 INF DIV Army of the United States 19 May 1948 - 16 February 1969 Paterson, New Jersey Panel 32W Line 047 |
 
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The database page for Harold J Van Winkle, Jr
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Greetings, I was a boyhood friend of Harold "Hatchie" Van Winkle. We used to play stickball, baseball, football, basketball and any other game with a ball you could name. I played on our Little League team with his brother Davey. Hatchie didn't say much, but he was always a great team player and competitor. I'm sure he was one until the day he died.
Sincerely, |
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My name is Salvatore Cataldo. I was in Vietnam with Harold [Rip] Van Winkle. He was my friend. Rip was his nickname. I was with him the first time he was wounded on the DMZ. He went to Japan to the hospital. When he came back he never griped - he did his job like a true soldier. Everyone who knew him liked him. He loved his wife and family very much. He spoke of them often, and he was happy he was going to be a father. I was with him the night he died - a part of all of us died that night. I would love to meet his son or little girl to tell them their father was a real man and how proud I am to have known him. He was my friend whom I will never forget. Anyone with info about his family please e-mail me and put me in touch ... it's something I've wanted to do for 35 years. Please help me find them.
Yours truly, |
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My Name is Jack Weiss. Hatchie was my friend when we were growing up. Our families were very close. I lived in Hawthorne and they lived in West Paterson. I remember playing all sorts of games with him and his brother Dave. His nickname came from when his older brother was young and could not say Harold. He kept saying "Hatchie" and the name stuck. I was devastated the day I was told of his death. I clearly remember his funeral in New Jersey. It was very hard to see him. He was a good man and I still can see him. He is missed by all of us.
Rest in peace, Hatchie, |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 8 Oct 2002
Last updated 08/10/2009