Stories

The infantry battalions of the Golden Brigade, the 3rd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division, were reactivated as the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment on 3 October 1986, taking us all back to our World War II roots. I immediately "affiliated" with the 505th PIR and proudly wear the unit crest.

For the activation, the brigade contracted military artist James Dietz to paint a scene of the Regiment's first battle, in Gela, Sicily. His painting, The Beginning, hangs in the 3rd Brigade headquarters building.

He made 505 prints. I have Number 159.

As soon as our brigade hung the original in the old Ardennes Street building, my troopers decided that I was the guy in the middle. I played along, telling them that the Brigade CSM had chosen me because I was the best-looking man in the unit and because Deitz thought I was the epitome of how a Paratrooper should look. My soldiers countered that I was in the painting because I was THERE at the 1943 jump into Sicily.

To some, no matter what I said, I was the man in the middle.

Not long after the delivery of our prints, we had a chance to meet Jim Dietz for a signing ceremony. I stood in line like the rest and waited formy turn. Mr. Dietz was friendly and engaged every trooper in line.

When I was at the head of the line, I told Mr. Dietz how people said I looked like the guy in his painting. He looked up and said, "It's you!" Then he asked for my name and signed my print. As I stepped away, he said, "You owe me half of what you win in bets."

"To John Neel - The Man in the Middle. You were there at The Beginning."

It took a while to get it framed, probably four years. Kady took it to a shop for a nice frame and mat. She included some of my medals, wings, cap badge, and patches. It still hangs in my office. It is part of my history.

It has been a long while since someone has asked me about it. The older I get, the more I worry that the truth may die with me. One day, my family may believe what Dietz wrote that day. 

To Be Clear – I was not in WWII, I did not pose for the painting, and I was not there at any beginning.  I am not The Man in the Middle.