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Hope Cain, Director of the Sulphur Springs Public Library stands among a portrait of Buddy Sinclair and the WWII memorabilia Sinclair and his wife donated to the library. Cain has big plans to make the existing display into a larger exhibit, focusing on Sinclair and his wife, Katie’s story during his deployment to Italy during“Operation Avalanche.”
|Sulphur Springs Library
Buddy Sinclair, once a Sulphur Springs resident and member of the 141st regiment of the 36th Infantry Division, the T-Patchers, were shipped to Salerno, Italy during World War II. The National Guard division was the first to reach the coastline during “Operation Avalanche” on Sept. 9, 1943. For the T-Patchers, the first part of their battle took place among the ancient Greek ruins of Paestum, 30 miles south of Salerno.
Sinclair survived the nine day battle, despite the numerous casualties after the division was met with the heavy artillery of German forces. Their invasion of the 35 mile coastline had been reconsidered by Dwight Eisenhower until Winston Churchill decided to push the mission forward, making it a risky operation towards the reclamation of Naples. The T-Patchers, along with the 46th and 56th U.S. Divisions, joined British allies, engaging a plan of action that was anticipated to be successful despite all doubts. Only a few days before setting foot on land, the T-Patchers got word of Italy’s surrender. Expecting little to no fight out of Italian forces, the division were met with an unfortunate circumstance when they arrived. Germany had received word of Italy’s surrender one day before the American forces made it to Paestum. The 16th Panzer Division was sent to the hills lining the beach, attacking the T-Patchers with heavy artillery and bombers overhead. The battle was violent and many soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice.
To honor the bravery of Sinclair and the men who fought this harrowing battle, the Sulphur Springs Public Library is planning an exhibit — providing visitors with an in-depth experience from Sinclair’s point-of-view of “Operation Avalanche.”
Peter Golden, an award-winning historian, journalist and novelist from New York, has been working closely with Hope Cain, Director of the Sulphur Springs Public Library, to build a vision for the exhibit. Golden, having already written four separate narratives for the exhibit, gives a detailed account of the battle of Paestum. Golden also provides a narrative of the life of Sinclair’s wife Katie, who worked tirelessly during his absence as a department clerk for North American Aviation. He also provides the details of the politics surrounding the operation, and a description of “Operation Avalanche” itself.
Currently, Cain is working with interested residents in the community — hoping to achieve an interactive kiosk with historical WWII regalia and a mural at the library. Focusing on the story of Sinclair, Cain would like to bring his story to life during one of the most pivotal moments of WWII. For now, she is asking veterans, history buffs, WWII item collectors and interested participants to get involved in the project.
“We have big plans and have discovered it takes a lot of people, input and dedication to complete a project of this importance,” Cain said, “I hope you can find time to participate and input your thoughts — I welcome them all.”
To reach out for more information or to get involved, call the Sulphur Springs Public Library at 903-885-4926.