Yorkoff Kaserne Hanau

by Robert Button
(Stanton Mi. USA)

Colourful fruits at the market in Hanau

I was an ambulance driver for the 557 th amb co from 68-70 at yorkoff kaserne and moved my bride into a small apartment on Windecker Strasse three weeks after she graduated from nursing school in Hinsdale Ill. and two weeks after our wedding.

She had nothing to do but keep our little two room apt and bake pies for me. She would walk to the open air market and buy fresh fruit for them.
We didn't have any money in those days but heck we were newly weds and did't need any.

Response to Yorkoff Kaserne Hanau

by Rita

Hi Robert,

Thank you for sharing your memories. Have you visited Hanau again?
I reckon the city has changed a bit since then, however, the farmer's market is still held twice a week.

Rita

Comments for
Yorkoff Kaserne Hanau

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Dec 20, 2010

557
by: Anthony Lawrence

Spent 1969 at Yorkoff Kaserne as a ambulance driver, loved the french fries on the lefthand side of Lamboy St. Looking for Victor Adragna(Buffalo), cook we called Spanky

Jan 02, 2011

yorkoff kaserne 1969 69
by: robert button

thanks for commenting no I have not been back but would like to sometime it is good to look and refresh old memories

Jan 20, 2011

Yorkoff Med.Units
by: DocHamm

In 1954-66 I was assigned to the Medical Company (Amb) on Yorkoff Kaserne. I can't remember the numbers to the units and the Bn HQ at the entry to the Kaserne. Does anyone remember them? Thank you

Jan 21, 2011

YORKHOF KASSERN
by: Anonymous

Not sure about before 1968 but assume it was the same 557 and 695 amb co were there and we were part of 31st med group headquartered at Cambri Fritch kasern in Darmstadt

Mar 16, 2011

Unit Designations
by: DocHamm

Mr. Anthony Lawrence

Hi, I am wondering whether or not you remember the unit designation of the unit you were in? For some reason the numbers 127th Ambulance Company comes to mind, but I am not sure. I hope you can remember them and correct my memories.

Thank you Mr. Lawrence.
DocHamm

May 26, 2011

Yorkhoff Kaserne
by: Don Zarzana

I was assigned to Yorkhoff Kaserne Nov 61 to 1962 when I transferd to the 3rd Armored Division Band in Frankfurt.
I believe it was the 27th Medical Bn at the time I was at Yorkhof. Listening to Fats and his Cats at the clubs on Lamboy St, and the shows at the American Legion right after pay day, on Lamboy St.
Great times.

Oct 29, 2011

695th med amb co.
by: Gentle Ben

I could have been at Yorkoff Kaserne 1969 to 70.
I finally was permanent commitment to 9th
med disp. in Aschafenburg I remember Mitch.
Mike McCauley and others. 695 mjoved to A-burg in

Oct 30, 2011

I was there last fall and have photos.
by: Vincenzo Marini

Hi Everyone,
My tour of duty at the 695 Medical Company was from 1964 to 1966. Lamboy Strasse was full of GI bars and hookers on the streets late at night. We often went to the E.M. Club or Park Tavern at the corner next to Yorkhoff.

I spent two months in Eastern Europe last fall but had to stop at Hanau for a couple of days on the way. When I was there in 1964 Hanau had a population of 19,000 civilians and there were 22,000 American soldiers.

Now there are zero American soldiers in Hanau and all the kasernes have been converted to condos and shops. It was actually a pleasure to walk from Yorkhoff on Lamboy Strasse to downtown Hanau. There is now a 1 Euro store similar to our dollar stores and a Macdonald's on Lamboy Strasse.

Yorkhoff is gated and abandoned. I took some photos that I would be glad to share if there is some way to put them on this site.

Ciao, Vincenzo

Nov 11, 2011

Yorkoff Hanau Photos
by: Rita

Hi Vincenzo,

I would be happy to add your photos.

Yorkhof is now under renovation, the blocks will be converted into condos. In a year the renovations will be finished and I am going to add some photos then.

Rita

Nov 12, 2011

Yorkoff Kaserne Hanau 2010 - Photos by Vincenzo
by: Rita

Vincenzo sent me these photos which should bring back memories to everyone who were there.

Thanks for the pics.

Rita

Nov 15, 2011

71-72
by: Greg Schulte

I served at Yorkhoff Kaserne as a medic with the 557th Medical Company (Ambulance) from September 1971 until our unit moved to Darmstadt in the summer of 1972.

Most of the kaserne was occupied by Polish gate guards and Turkish guest workers who did KP at the mess halls in other kasernes. Our building, just to the right as you entered the kaserne, was like a three story old victorian house with a maze of rooms, rather than a traditional barracks. The armory and supply rooms were in the basement.

I also remember the good times of late night schnitzel sandwiches and kapi orange drink that we would get at the shop on the corner at Lamboy Strasse.

We supplied medics and field ambulances for various Army activities, so I spent time on the East German border near Fulda and in the mountains at Graffenwehr and Wildflicken.

Dec 08, 2011

guitar player-nashville
by: David Fisher

I was an ambulance driver with the 557, i was there from Aug of 69-dec of 71, it changed my life, i became a guitar player thanks to a concert i went to when i was there. I remember alot of the guys in my company and the 695 as well. It was an amazing time in my life.
Anyone who remembers me and wants to get in touch should visit http://guitarsound.us/
great to see the pictures too, WOW

Jan 14, 2012

695TH
by: William Curtis

I was the Company Clerk in the 695th Medical Co. (Amb) 1969-August 1970. My wife and I initially lived in an apartment on Park Strasse. Later, we moved to a small apartment in Langendiebch. I went back for a visit in 2004. Lamboy Strasse had been completely renovated. It had a McDonalds on it.

Jan 14, 2012

APO Address for HQ 36th Med Bn
by: James E. Brown

Does anyone out there remember the exact APO address for HQ 36th Medical Battalion, Yorkhof Kaserne, Hanau, Germany, between 1960 and 1963. Would appreciate it if you could email it to me at bropasch@peoplepc.com.

Please title/subject your message as APO Address so that the email Deamon will not treat it as spam. Thenks!

James E. Brown

Jan 14, 2012

APO Address
by: Don Zarzana

I was there in 1961-62, I will search for the APO Address. I was assigned to Hq lived above the mess hall/snack bar top floor.

Jan 14, 2012

I also have some photos of Lamboy Strasse.
by: Vincenzo (Vince) Marini

If anyone is iterested in some photos of the new Lamboy Strasse I can forward some of them to Rita to post if it is OK with her.

Jan 16, 2012

APO for Hanau (Yorkhoff Kaserne)
by: Don Zarzana

My orders from 1961 show APO 165.

Jan 24, 2012

Ambulance Driver
by: Glen Bazor

I was in 695 Med Company, SPC 4, from October 1969 until May 7, 1971. Just wondering if anyone else was there at this time. I will continue to check this site for response. I find it quite interesting and appreciate the site.

Jan 26, 2012

695 557
by: Bob Button

When I was there the CO was Cpt Burwell David Singltary Wes Haynes and Dan Fry were in 695
I was the acting platoon sgt of the 3rd platoon in 557 Lt James Fobre then Edward Lynch were COs
Sgt Traylor and young and Dekel were also plt. sgts.

Feb 01, 2012

695TH
by: William Curtis

CPT Harvy H. Burwell Jr. was the CO of the 695th Med Amb Co when I arrived in February 1969. SP5 Carlos G. Bahler was the Company Clerk when I was first assigned to the unit. I took over for SP5 Bahler as Company Clerk in August 1969 when he was discharged. CPT Burwell was removed from the unit in February 1970 after a major drug bust in the company. Six of our medics were arrested and court marshaled. I typed the court marshall papers myself. CPT Burwell was replaced by 1LT Alan Fuller. I left on August 2, 1970.

Feb 01, 2012

yorkhoff
by: Bob Button

Things were poping just after I left evedently. I was aware of a little mary jane being smoked occassionlly but thought our units were rather tame.You just never know.

Feb 02, 2012

695 Med
by: Glen Bazor

When I got to 695 in 69 cpt Berwell was there. In time he left ,then 1st lt Fuller became co.My platoon sgt.was Sgt Bolden. The others wereSgt Gordon, Sgt Dinehart. I can"t remember the 1st sgt. Being from the south I had only seen snow a few times. We would take garbage can lids and tie arope to a jeep and pull eachother aorund the kasarne. It was great to be there,but glad to get home. Would love to go back one day.

Feb 15, 2012

895
by: Henry Davis

I was there from Nov68 to May 70. some of the best tomes ever.

Mar 19, 2012

557th Amb Co, Aug '68--Mar '70
by: Bill Girsch

I was also a driver in this fine unit during the same time that Bob Button was there. I grew up in Kansas, and came from Olathe. My late wife, Leona, and I were married one week before I went to Germany. She joined me in July '69 after nursing school. We had an apt in Grosskrotzenburg. We also bought a '57 Opel for our transportation.
If I remember correctly, there were five of us that went through AIT together,in the 557th, and two more that were with the 695th. Ninty percent of our AIT class went to Germany, even though it was the Vietnam Era.
Thanks for the memories, and keep it up...Bill

Mar 22, 2012

old friends
by: Anonymous

Bill it is good to hear from you again. Remember when I drove your car to the airport to pick up your bride in your car.Sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. Call me sometime if you can at 616 433 7143 Iwould love to communicate.

Mar 27, 2012

YORKHOFF OCT 69
by: CRAIG "CAZZIE" WARREN

THIS IS WHEN THE I-NET IS GOOD!! ALL OF YOU CALLED ME CAZZIE OR WARREN. WAS FROM DETROIT AND SSG LUTHER GRAY "THE FOX" WAS MY PLATOON SGT. I DID 5 YEARS, GOING TO A-BERG IN 71, THEN DARMSTADT IN 72 AS PART OF 31ST MED GRP ACROSS FROM 7TH EVAC. CPT BURWELL (SQUIRREL), THE 1LT FULLER WITH THAT COOL CAR (CITROEN) THEN CPT LOCKE (EARL). 1SG HO (WENT ON TO MAKE CSM), THEN OTTO ZIMMERMAN. I REMEMBER SSG BOLDEN, SSG DINEHART. SO MANY NAMES:GILMORE (MAILMAN), WAZNOK, CURTIS, BAZOR, MEGGS MCKINNEY (L'IL CHI), BEN WELLS (BIG CHI), GERALD JOHNSON (CA), FLAGAN, MICHAEL SPROUSE (ARMY GUINEA PIGGED HIM W/LSD), MORALES, FRANK, ISAAC, ROY (COOK), TIM STOOPS, JESS. YEP, WAS A "HEAD" IN THOSE DAYS OF JOPLIN, HENDRIX, BLIND FAITH, ZEPPELIN, ZAPPA. WAS ON DUTY WHEN ISRAELI'S WERE KILLED IN 72....

Mar 28, 2012

memories...
by: CRAIG "CAZZIE" WARREN

REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD TO REPORT FOR PAY? REMEMBER WHEN WESTMORELAND WENT TO 40HR WORK WEEK? DRIVING AN AMBULANCE YOU ALWAYS WANTED A "COMMITMENT" LIKE THE AIR STRIP AT FLIEGERHORST OR THE AID STATION AT FLIEGERHORST. BEING THERE FROM 69-74, I WAS IN THE FIRST 5 REFORGERS! THE DRAFT WAS STILL GOING ON SO WE HAD A GREAT MIX OF FOLKS FROM COLLEGE TO FARMS AND MADE IT HAPPEN. I REMEMBER THE 1SG FROM ARKANSAS BEING CARRIED OUT THE ORDERLY ROOM TO AN AMBULANCE AS SOMEONE SPIKED HIS FOOD WITH ACID. I REMEBER SSG WARE, AND THE SSG COOK WHO HAD HEARING AIDS IN BOTH EARS. I REMEMBER BIKING IT EVERYWHERE TILL I GOT MY FIRST CAR THERE (A FIAT) THEN A 66 VW CONVERTIBLE!!! IWE HAD WOLFMAN JACK ON THE RADIO AND KASEY KASEM COUNTING THEM DOWN. I REMEMBER LISTENING TO RADIO LUXENBURG AND THE FIRST STEAM HIT "NA-NA-NA-NA"...

Mar 29, 2012

Thanks, Rita
by: Bill Girsch

I would like to thank Rita and Germany Insider for this great web-site. Because of you, I have been able to reconnect with an old friend. Bob Button and I have talked on the phone, and we have e-mailed. We did serve together at Yorkhof Kaserne, with the 557th Med Co (Amb). He got to spend alot of time at the unit, and he did a great job. I was on assignment alot, so I did get to see several areas of the country.
I will enjoy future issues of ...Facts

Apr 02, 2012

695th
by: William Curtis

When I arrived at the train station for my assignment in the 695th on Feb 22, 1969, SP4 Price and SP4 Mooney picked me up in an ambulance. It was a holiday or a weekend or something. They gave me the quick tour of downtown Hanau. It was very quiet on Yorkhof Kaserne. I did not get to meet the CO until Monday morning. When I reported to CPT Harvey H. Burwell, Jr., he was studying my personnel file. He said, "PVT Curtis, I see you have a college degree. Is that right?" I said, "Yes Sir." He said, "Can you type?" I said, "Yes Sir." He said, "Good. You are going to be my next company clerk." At the time, SP5 Carlos Bahler was the company clerk, SP4 Jeffrey Hunsucker was the asst. clerk, and, SP4 David Minton was the training clerk. They would all discharge in a couple of months. SFC Hardy was the acting ISG. He was not the sharpest tool in the shed. He really did not have a good grip on army paperwork, regulations or procedures. CPT Burwell had sufficient brain power, but he had no interest in all the paperwork generated in the orderly room. Being the company clerk was a lot like being Radar O'Reilly in the MASH fictional movie and TV program. I swear, I just typed the stuff up and the Squirrel just signed it. He rarely read anything. He really did not seem to care.
After the three clerks left that summer, William (Willie) Lamb became the assistant orderly room clerk and SP4 Wasnock became the training clerk. As I stated in a previous comment, CPT Burwell was removed after the drug bust in Feb 1970.
I remember SFC Hardy left (not related to the drug bust) and ISG Lawrence replaced him. One day, he was found slumped over his desk on desk. He was taken away in one of our ambulances. I never knew what happened to him. Never heard about any LSD. Other guys I remember were SP4 George Welch who worked in motor pool.
One of the unofficial leaders in the unit was SP4 Mike Bruan. He finally got promoted to SGT, but had to go to the 31st Med Gp in Darmstadt to get it. He was a real loss to the unit.
I remember we went on a 3-4 day FTX in Oct 1969. We packed up all of our gear, weapons, etc and headed to a site in the woods somewhere. In the middle of the night we received orders (grid coordinates) to pack up and move everything to a new site. At 1400 we were taking our convoy, trucks, jeeps, ambulances, etc., through a small German village and CPT Burwell was lost. He could not read a military map. He had no clue as to where we were or where we were supposed to go. He gave SP4 Mike Braun the grid coordinates and he got us to the correct site. He saved Burwell's ass. (Funny thing was, Burwell did not like or appreciate SP4 Braun. He thought Braun was a smart ass.)

Apr 04, 2012

Stars and Stripes
by: Henry Davis

I have a copy of the Stars and Stripes article about the drug bust including a photo of Vanderford.

Apr 04, 2012

OCT 69 -MAY 71
by: GLEN BAZOR 695

I ALSO OWNED THAT 57 OPEL.I ALSO A BLUE 59 VW.I DONT REMEMBER THE COLOR OF THE OPLE WHEN I GOT IT,BUT I GOT A GALION OF FLAT RED PAINT AND I PAINTED IT. I BOUGH THE CAR FROM JOHNSON.IT HAD A BAD TRANSMISSION,GOT A USED ONE, PUT IT IN IT WAS ALSO BAD. SO WE DROVE ALL OVER GERMANY IN SECOND GEAR.
I ALSO REMEMBER RITCHARD RITCHEY, TONY HILL, DAINEL THOMPSON, JERRY CHASE,SO MANY MORE

Apr 05, 2012

Arriving at Yorkhof 1971
by: Greg Schulte

I arrived at the 557th Med Co in September 1971. I flew in a chartered airliner from an Air Force base next to Fort Dix overnight to Rhein Main. I turned 20 years old in mid Atlantic.

We were bussed to the 7th Medical Brigade at Ludwigsburg for one night and I got my first introduction to German beer. Bigger bottle, more alcohol that a budweiser. One of those and I was ready for lights out.

Then a group of us took the train to Darmstadt to the 31st Medical Group. Overnight there and SP4 Gary Jones picked me up in a field ambulance and took me to Yorkhof Kaserne.

I had been in the army for just about 12 months by that time (6 months at Fort Campbell before being levied to Germany). What a change Yorkhof was from a typical boxy army barracks in the US. I was in the building with the company offices, with a shared room on the third floor.

It seemed like the Addams Family haunted house with nooks and crannies. After almost a year I even got my own room for a while, pretty rare for an E-4 in the army.

The CO was Captain Lamont Isom, a black guy from Alabama. He was pretty unpopular. The 1SG was Jimmy D. Marines. He made Sergeant Major a few months later. 1LT Plewes was XO and a good guy.

Some NCOs I remember were Roosevelt Columbus Jones, Jose Santos, and Virgil McFarland. They seemed like old men. I think they were all about 30 years old.

Now I am twice that old and they still seem like old men in my memory.

Apr 09, 2012

All Caps
by: Rita

Hi everyone,

I am happy to read about your memories in Hanau, and even more happy when you find old friends here on my website.

Keep the comments coming. However, I ask you NOT to use All CAPS. It makes it so hard to read your comments, and I just don't have the time to edit them.

Thank you,

Rita

Apr 09, 2012

Thanks, Rita
by: Bill Girsch

Thank you, again, Rita for the great service you have provided to us. All of us that were stationed in Hanau felt at home in your town. Because of wonderful people, like you, we were welcomed with friendship.
When I visited with my German friends, I enjoyed
learning alot about your fine homeland. I heard of the hardships that the citizens went through during World War II. I grew to respect the people of Germany for their strength and courage, in very difficult times. Not every citizen supported the acts of the powerful leaders, and risked their own lives to do what was right.

Apr 29, 2012

Stationed there from 6/62 till 1/65
by: Dan Carter

The Hg there was the 31st Med, the other three companies there were the 427th amb. The 629th amb. and the 695th amb. Company which I served with. I visted the Yorkoff Kasern the last time I was in Germany in the year of 2001.

Apr 30, 2012

Yorkhoff Kaserne
by: Don Zarzana

Dan - you were there when I was there, I arrived Dec 1961 assigned to HQ Det (Co. Clerk), under MSGT Tapscott (always had a cigar in his mouth), Lt.Col Bishoff. My bunk was on the third floor from the Mess Hall. I transferred to the 3rd Armd Div sometime in 1962.
dzarzana@cox.net

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