In a recent article about the Owasco Fire Department, I told the of the untimely death of a new volunteer fireman recruit of the Owasco Company on April 14, 1951. Wilber “Bud” Hockeborn was killed in a freak accident at the Kuppinger home fire. Four people, including two children, lost their lives in the house fire, and Bud's untimely death brought the death total to five.
This was the worst fire in the history of the Owasco Fire Department.
Bud, a member of the department for only two weeks, had come to the scene of the fire on North Road in Owasco to assist, and his car overturned on him in the ditch where he had it parked. In the excitement of the fire up the road, he was pinned under the car and died immediately. He was not found until later when observers noticed the tail lights of his car blinking at a unusual angle.
Win Boehler made a visit to the Owasco Town Hall after he read about the tragedy. He wanted us to know more about his friend “Bud” Hockeborn. He brought a copy of a newspaper clipping from July 1945.
Before the war, Bud was the night manager of Weld's Drug Store on the corner of State and Genesee streets. In his spare time, he would work on motorcycles in the family's three-bay garage on Holly Street.
During World War II in the summer of 1945, Bud was a sergeant in the Army serving in France. He was a whiz of a mechanic. His duties involved working in the Army Base Motor Pool repairing the Harley Davidson motorcycles issued to the troops. His affinity to keep them running and road worthy was unparalleled. Bud was a natural with the intricate three-speed engines. Besides he was doing what he loved and serving his country at the same time.
If you have ever heard the song by Johnny Cash building a car “one part at a time” taken incognito from a Detroit car factory, you can understand why I laughed and thoroughly enjoyed Win Boehler's memories of his friend.
Win told me of Bud's mastery and determination. How he rebuilt a Harley Davidson “Hog” out of used and salvaged parts he reconditioned, rebuilt and fine-tuned to become one super racing machine, all from scrap parts from a ready source - the ordinance motor pool. He even gave his “Hog” the reverent name of “Junior.”
Win said, “He reground the cam shaft and changed the timing and gears to give it more power. It was an old 45-cubic-inch Harley, of military issue, olive drab in color.
The story does not end there.
Bud Hockeborn and Junior won a splendid race in France on July 4, 1945 in the name of the United States Army and all America.
To ease the stress of wartime and as a incentive for the French and American troops to have a rousing fourth, special services determined to conduct a day of races including a motorcycle race on a local saucer cement track with champions from both countries participating.
Imagine the excitement this created, how interest in the race escalated and soon even the inevitable bets were placed. This planned event sure served its purpose; it took all of their minds off the war.
Enter Bud Hockeborn and Junior.
From the newspaper clipping Win Boehler gave me, the following story appeared in the news services throughout Europe: “Associated Press Reims, France”
“Following five hour field and track meet between athletes stationed in the Marne and Lorraine districts of France on July 4, a motorcycle race between French Champions was sponsored by U.S. Special Services. Added interest to the assembled O. D. (Olive Drab) throng was effected by five volunteer army riders. On a rebuilt, salvaged Harley Davidson known in that section of France as ”Junior,“ Sergt. Bud Hockeborn finished first, running the concrete saucer track at speeds considerably in excess of that for which the track was constructed.
Second place across the line was Corp. “Don ” Hoth of Milwaukee, Wis. and Hockeborn's assistant at the 328 Ord. H.A.M. Co.s motorcycle shop. The two men have maintained the cycles of the armed forces in that section since December 1944. On July 5, a day late for the activities, Sergt. Winfield Boehler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield H. Boehler of 144 Dunning Ave., arrived in Reims to visit his pal, Hockeborn and to talk over old motorcycle riding around Auburn and central New York.
Hockeborn is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hockeborn of 27 Holly St., was connected with the Weld Drug Company before he entered the service three years ago.“
Another short article from the Associated Press dated July 5, 1945: ,000 watch Reims Meet.”
“More than 10,000 EMs and officers from Oise Intermediate Section and surrounding redeployment camps filled Municipal Stadium here yesterday to witness a special holiday sports program.
“... A combination motorcycle and bicycle race for Frenchmen was won by George Speichler , former world champion bicycle racer.
A GI motorcycle race was won by Sgt. Bud Hockeborn of the 328th Ord. HAM, of Syracuse.”
In summation, Win Boehler said that he and Bud got some free time together. When he arrived, Bud had to show him Junior.
He also showed him a “liberated” German 2 cycle BMW motor he had idling on the floor of the ordinance shop. “How quiet it was and no vibration. Bud proudly showed me he had everything needed to put the cycle back together.”
Win Boehler finally got a chance to ride “Junior” with Bud around the French countryside. On the paved roads in second gear, they reached 65-70 miles per hour.
- Sources: Associated Press news articles and interview with Winfield Boehler
Laurel Auchampaugh is the Owasco Historian and can be reached at the Owasco Town Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoons or at
nowthenwasco@aol.com
Bud, a member of the department for only two weeks, had come to the scene of the fire on North Road in Owasco to assist, and his car overturned on him in the ditch where he had it parked. In the excitement of the fire up the road, he was pinned under the car and died immediately. He was not found until later when observers noticed the tail lights of his car blinking at a unusual angle.
Win Boehler made a visit to the Owasco Town Hall after he read about the tragedy. He wanted us to know more about his friend “Bud” Hockeborn. He brought a copy of a newspaper clipping from July 1945.
Before the war, Bud was the night manager of Weld's Drug Store on the corner of State and Genesee streets. In his spare time, he would work on motorcycles in the family's three-bay garage on Holly Street.
During World War II in the summer of 1945, Bud was a sergeant in the Army serving in France. He was a whiz of a mechanic. His duties involved working in the Army Base Motor Pool repairing the Harley Davidson motorcycles issued to the troops. His affinity to keep them running and road worthy was unparalleled. Bud was a natural with the intricate three-speed engines. Besides he was doing what he loved and serving his country at the same time.
If you have ever heard the song by Johnny Cash building a car “one part at a time” taken incognito from a Detroit car factory, you can understand why I laughed and thoroughly enjoyed Win Boehler's memories of his friend.
Win told me of Bud's mastery and determination. How he rebuilt a Harley Davidson “Hog” out of used and salvaged parts he reconditioned, rebuilt and fine-tuned to become one super racing machine, all from scrap parts from a ready source - the ordinance motor pool. He even gave his “Hog” the reverent name of “Junior.”
Win said, “He reground the cam shaft and changed the timing and gears to give it more power. It was an old 45-cubic-inch Harley, of military issue, olive drab in color.
The story does not end there.
Bud Hockeborn and Junior won a splendid race in France on July 4, 1945 in the name of the United States Army and all America.
To ease the stress of wartime and as a incentive for the French and American troops to have a rousing fourth, special services determined to conduct a day of races including a motorcycle race on a local saucer cement track with champions from both countries participating.
Imagine the excitement this created, how interest in the race escalated and soon even the inevitable bets were placed. This planned event sure served its purpose; it took all of their minds off the war.
Enter Bud Hockeborn and Junior.
From the newspaper clipping Win Boehler gave me, the following story appeared in the news services throughout Europe: “Associated Press Reims, France”
“Following five hour field and track meet between athletes stationed in the Marne and Lorraine districts of France on July 4, a motorcycle race between French Champions was sponsored by U.S. Special Services. Added interest to the assembled O. D. (Olive Drab) throng was effected by five volunteer army riders. On a rebuilt, salvaged Harley Davidson known in that section of France as ”Junior,“ Sergt. Bud Hockeborn finished first, running the concrete saucer track at speeds considerably in excess of that for which the track was constructed.
Second place across the line was Corp. “Don ” Hoth of Milwaukee, Wis. and Hockeborn's assistant at the 328 Ord. H.A.M. Co.s motorcycle shop. The two men have maintained the cycles of the armed forces in that section since December 1944. On July 5, a day late for the activities, Sergt. Winfield Boehler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Winfield H. Boehler of 144 Dunning Ave., arrived in Reims to visit his pal, Hockeborn and to talk over old motorcycle riding around Auburn and central New York.
Hockeborn is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hockeborn of 27 Holly St., was connected with the Weld Drug Company before he entered the service three years ago.“
Another short article from the Associated Press dated July 5, 1945: ,000 watch Reims Meet.”
“More than 10,000 EMs and officers from Oise Intermediate Section and surrounding redeployment camps filled Municipal Stadium here yesterday to witness a special holiday sports program.
“... A combination motorcycle and bicycle race for Frenchmen was won by George Speichler , former world champion bicycle racer.
A GI motorcycle race was won by Sgt. Bud Hockeborn of the 328th Ord. HAM, of Syracuse.”
In summation, Win Boehler said that he and Bud got some free time together. When he arrived, Bud had to show him Junior.
He also showed him a “liberated” German 2 cycle BMW motor he had idling on the floor of the ordinance shop. “How quiet it was and no vibration. Bud proudly showed me he had everything needed to put the cycle back together.”
Win Boehler finally got a chance to ride “Junior” with Bud around the French countryside. On the paved roads in second gear, they reached 65-70 miles per hour.
- Sources: Associated Press news articles and interview with Winfield Boehler
Laurel Auchampaugh is the Owasco Historian and can be reached at the Owasco Town Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoons or at
nowthenwasco@aol.com
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