(Editor’s note: This story was submitted by Bob Johnson of Tyrone.)
On January 15, 2005, at Harrisburg, Trooper William Thomas Potaris, NG# 2032 3574, riding high in a McClellan saddle, took Blue Boy into the sunset.
Little Bill, the Greek, joined Troop B (Horse) 104th Cavalry, Tyrone, before his 17th birthday. He is now resting a few meters from where he first took his recruit training at Camp Indiantown Gap, Annville, now a National cemetery.
Boots and saddle trooper!
Bill had been in a care facility since 1999. Trooper Potaris had no burial ceremony, no clergy present, no death announcement published and no bugler for final call.
Fathers, sons and brothers served in the Sherdan Troop – Troop B. In fact, over 1,100 enlisted over a period of 71 years, first organized in 1871. Most Tyrone men dreamed of being a horse trooper. The horses of Troop B had names starting with the letter “B”, Babe through Buster, a total of 32 (peacetime) mounts. The National Guard facility located at S. Logan Ave., as I understand, is scheduled for closure, a community anchor, since erected in 1912.
Bill and I were “baptized” in the armory manure bin before we were 12. It was the custom, especially for kids who were pests, getting in the way of the stable sergeant. Our mothers knew where we were when late getting home from school, the fragrance gave us away. Bill and I first met pre-school, 1926. We played soldier, cowboy and Indian in the vacant lot to the rear of East Tenth Street, Ralph Holt and his welding shop there. Our friendship lasted more than 75 years and it never faltered. We kept in touch and visited often over these many years.
Bill’s final tour of service with the 104th Cavalry was the Carolina Maneuvers in 1941. The squadron was headquartered near Wadesboro, NC. I had the opportunity to visit my friends there. I was with the 13th Inf., same maneuvers. Bill had earned himself quite a reputation as a troop bugler. He had been warned not to overdo the horn bit. After reveille (first call), Bill would play his rendition of “Bugle Boy of Company B”. The Troopers, as I’ve been told, enjoyed the flavor of it. The higher-ups failed to see the humor. Taboo. Bill’s tenure with Troop B would soon end. (Many years later, Bill told me that the Brass had no sense of humor and that he had been Shanghi’d). Bill was selected as a cadreman for the newly formed 34th Cavalry Recon Troop, scheduled to be assigned to the 34th Infantry Division (Red Bull), headed for the European Theater.
The first division size combat unit to be sent to the African-European Theater during WWII. Bill was a gunner on a light armored scout vehicle. The 34th Division made the invasion of North Africa at Algiers on November 8, 1942. After several months of bitter fighting, 34th then participated in the invasion of Italy at Salerno September 1943, crossing three major rivers: Calore, Volturno and Recina, taking Rome with the 36th Infantry Division (Texas Lonestar), ending the war at Bologna. The Red Bull Division fought in five campaigns, 500 days in battle and suffered 16,400 battle dead and injured. After convalescing at two different facilities, Bill came home to the girl he had left more than three years earlier and got married.
Bill was the son of Thomas J. Potaris (immigrant Greek) who passed away 1934, his mother May (Gunsaullus) Potaris, died 1960. Bill’s wife, Betty (Fraunhofer-Onkst) died September 20, 2002. Two daughters, Suzanne and Barbara reside out of state. His cousin Betty Harmon, resides at 961 Washington Avenue, Tyrone.
Trooper Potaris may be visited at Indiantown Gap (Annville), PA Marker #32 site 233.
Trooper Bill is resting forever among “A Band of Brothers”.
PS: Citizens, you need to know this story of the Horse Soldier. When living, he suffered greatly and was nearly forgotten when the end came. Taps has been sounded this Memorial Day.
“Over, Under or Through”, motto of the 104th Cavalry.
