Some early memories of WWII

Someone last night asked me about my memories of WWII, after he found out how old I was. I still have vivid memories of the time.

December 7, 1941, I was nine, spending a wonderful weekend in Greencastle, Indiana, where my brother was attending DePauw University. I think it was Homecoming weekend. We attended a football game on Saturday, and then on Sunday, went to Chapel, and had lunch at the Delta Tau Delta house. The dining room there served the greatest Parker House rolls, I ate some, which I was not supposed to do, allergic to eggs, so I had the itchy eyes, and had stretched out on one of the large leather couches in the main room there.

I was laying there when the news came over the radio about the bombing at Pearl Harbor. There was an instant somberness in the room, it is difficult to explain. It was if much of the air had changed, all somber faces. I was too young to realize it all, but I knew from the atmosphere change all the changes in expressions, smiles all went to somber looks. I think all those young men knew that their lives had changed, in that instant. Many looked at each other with almost ashen faces, smiles became frowns, something drastic had happened in the world, life changing. Something I will never forget.

As the war progressed, we saved cans, grease, I became a Junior Commando at a local department store, collected some wild pods that grew, supposedly they could be woven into much needed fabric. War bond drives, bought stamps each week and put them into a book. Occasionally a neighbor would come home on leave, admired those uniforms. I think that is one reason I chose The Citadel to go to college, the military atmosphere.

We had a Stromberg-Carlson radio/phonograph which could record small records. I still have a pile of them. Many friends and neighbors would come to our house and made a record which they could send to their person in the service, and the Red Cross and the USO had phonographs which could play them. They also could record, and many brought them to our house to listen. Recording then, was nothing like it is today. A voice from "home" or to heard from a son or husband overseas was something special.

I remember food and gas rationing, shoe shortages, news on the radio, Walter Winchell and H. V. Kaltenbourne, Edward R. Murrow, voices bring the war news to us. The Newsreel at the movie brought us visual news of the war. We cheered invasions, were coerced into hating the enemy, the Japs and the Krauts, we applauded seeing the enemy get killed, that was alright to do.

We somehow learned that killing the enemy was a good thing, something to applaud and cheer when we saw scenes on the screen. We saw "atrocities" being committed by the enemy which made us hate them even more. I have looked back at that time, and wondered how and when they were able to accomplish all of the "brain washing" they were able to accomplish. Killing the enemy is a good thing.

VE dah and VJ Day I remember pretty clearly, at least the elation  of the day, and then all the images we saw in Life and Look and the newspapers.

One vivid memory, my Dad, on that December day in 1941, shed tears and I think actually cried, which he never did, he had served in WWI, and knew what was ahead for all these young men. He knew that soon, he may have to see his son off, on a train, heading to war, as his father Caleb had done, when he went off to war.

68th Anniversary of Hiroshima bombing

Japan marked the 68th anniversary Tuesday of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima with a somber ceremony to honor the dead and pledges to seek to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Some 50,000 people stood for a minute of silence in Hiroshima's peace park near the epicenter of the early morning blast on Aug. 6, 1945, that killed up to 140,000 people.

The bombing of Nagasaki three days later killed tens of thousands more, prompting Japan's surrender to the World War II Allies.

I remember this day. It signified a pending end to the war and I think we all knew that. It was a Monday. I don't think anyone gave any thought to how many people died, there was just elation at the thought of an end of the war. I was 13. Roosevelt had passed and Truman was our President and it was his decision to use the bomb. The exact date of the war's end is not universally agreed upon. It has been suggested that the war ended at the armistice of 14 August 1945, V-J Day, rather than the formal surrender of Japan (2 September 1945); in some European histories, it ended on V-E Day (8 May 1945).

The Flag in the Window

Saw so many of these during WWII, most had the Blue Star, but occasionally one hanging with the Gold Star, indicated a loss. I was young then, but I remember seeing a Gold Star, and reverently taking a brief moment to bow my head, quietly showing a moment of  respect. I knew the family had suffered a loss in the war. The little flag in the window was quite significant, with either a BLUE or a GOLD star. I always wondered how a Mother could take her  Blue Star flag down, and replace it with a Gold one/

The banner was designed in 1917 by United States Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the Fifth Ohio Infantry, in honor of his two sons who were serving in World War I. It was quickly adopted by the public and by government officials. On September 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read into the Congressional Record:


The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the Governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother — their children.

The Army Nurse Corps in World War II

More than 59,000 American nurses served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II. Nurses worked closer to the front lines than they ever had before. Within the "chain of evacuation" established by the Army Medical Department during the war, nurses served under fire in field hospitals and evacuation hospitals, on hospital trains and hospital ships, and as flight nurses on medical transport planes. 

The skill and dedication of these nurses contributed to the extremely low post-injury mortality rate among American military forces in every theater of the war. Overall, fewer than 4 percent of the American soldiers who received medical care in the field or underwent evacuation died from wounds or disease.

The tremendous manpower needs faced by the United States during World War II created numerous new social and economic opportunities for American women. Both society as a whole and the United States military found an increasing number of roles for women. As large numbers of women entered industry and many of the professions for the first time, the need for nurses clarified the status of the nursing profession. The Army reflected this changing attitude in June 1944 when it granted its nurses officers' commissions and full retirement privileges, dependents' allowances, and equal pay. Moreover, the government provided free education to nursing students between 1943 and 1948.

Military service took men and women from small towns and large cities across America and transported them around the world. Their wartime experiences broadened their lives as well as their expectations. After the war, many veterans, including nurses, took advantage of the increased educational opportunities provided for them by the government. World War II changed American society irrevocably and redefined the status and opportunities of the professional nurse.

HEY, let's not forget these Women who served!

Parade to honor women who flew planes in WWII

Carla Howard Horowitz joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots in 1944 because, as she says, "I wanted to be a hero." She was among hundreds of WASP's  who flew millions of miles during World War II in every type of military aircraft, forever changing the role of women in aviation.

On Monday, North Salem will dedicate its Memorial Day parade to Horowitz; another North Salem WASP, Louise Brand Hyde, who died in 1999; and all women who served or are serving in the military. 

Horowitz, who is in her late 80s and lives in Manhattan, won't be able to make it to the parade but said she is humbled that her former hometown is recognizing her and all women in the military. "I'm very honored," Horowitz said Thursday in a phone conversation in which she spoke about her time flying. "It was very gratifying to be part of a worthy cause. The issues in the war were clear, unlike the present conflicts. I had no question about the importance of what I was doing and the worth of what I was doing."

The women flew 78 types of aircraft, not in combat, but shuttling new or repaired planes, towing targets for anti-aircraft and gunnery training, searches and passenger transport, all for $250 a month, according to the Texas Woman's University library, which maintains an extensive WASP collection.

The WASPs were the first women in the nation's history to fly U.S. military aircraft. The unit was organized because there were not enough male pilots to test and deliver the aircraft needed in combat theaters. More than 25,000 women applied to join the WASPs in 1943, but only 1,830 were accepted. Of them, 1,074 passed the training; 38 were killed in accidents.

"The training was very challenging. Half of my class washed out," said Horowitz, an engineering test pilot at Blackland Army Airfield outside Waco, Texas. "The challenge of learning to fly was the issue of learning to deal with bigger and more powerful aircraft. We moved quickly through the training process. It was exciting. Flying itself was not as thrilling as learning to fly because flying is a routine job."

Her training began in March 1944. She had to have 35 hours of flying time and a private pilot's license before she could apply. There was no such requirement for men, she said. 

Some remember ........

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — About 120 survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941, bombing of Pearl Harbor observed a moment of silence to commemorate the Japanese attack and the thousands who lost their lives that day 70 years ago Wednesday.


The moment of silence came just before 8 a.m., when the first Japanese planes launched their attack. The survivors were joined by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, military leaders and civilians at a ceremony in Pearl Harbor.

Altogether 3,000 people attended the event at a site overlooking the sunken USS Arizona and the white memorial that straddles the battleship.

President Barack Obama hailed veterans of the bombing in a statement proclaiming Wednesday as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

"Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valor fortified all who served during World War II. As a nation, we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our freedoms," he said.

Also this week, five ash scattering and interment ceremonies are being held for five survivors whose cremated remains are returning to Pearl Harbor after their deaths.

On Tuesday, an urn containing the ashes of Lee Soucy was placed on his battleship, the USS Utah, which is lying on its side near the place where it sank. The ashes of Vernon Olsen, who was on the Arizona during the attack, will be placed on his ship late Wednesday.

The U.S. lost 12 vessels that day, but the Arizona and the Utah are the only ones still sitting in the harbor. The attack brought the United States into World War II.

The ashes of three other survivors will be scattered in the water in separate ceremonies this week.

USS Utah survivor Gilbert Meyer said he comes back each year to see his shipmates entombed in the battleship which rests not far from where it sank off Ford Island.

Meyer, 88, recalled his ship rolling over after being hit by a torpedo and seeing Japanese planes dropping bombs. When the planes began showing machine gun fire, he knew it was time to move.

"That really got my attention so I got in the water and swam ashore," he said.

Bald Eagle Lands on Grave at US Military Cemetery

Frank Glick, an amateur photographer, captured this amazing image at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota. He thought that the family of the veteran buried at that gravestone might like to have a copy, and did some research on Sgt. Maurice Ruch.

Ruch, a veteran of World War II, was a US Army marksman who served in the Aleutian Islands and earned a Bronze Star.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2011

We have a lot of Holidays during the year, but I think that there is no day, during the year, that should be given more thought and consideration, than this. They "Served The Country." I really don't think that we give enough respect for those who Served, and even more, those who died, while serving.

Think what it means, to leave your home and family,  learn a whole new way of life, a new routine, new friends, training, whose end result is self preservation, or killing an unknown enemy. A person who was brought up learning "not to kill," is now being trained on "how to kill."

Eventually, perhaps, to be put in a situation where those around you are being killed, you see comrades falling to the ground, you are placed in a "kill or be killed" situation. For your country, perhaps a country that has not been that beneficial to you, that has not produced the bounties that others had received. And, here you are, possibly dying  for that ideology. They say, dying so that those back home can live. Millions have died, millions more have served.

They fought and died for this "ship of state," but now, the "ship" is floundering, greatly in need of repair, slowly sinking, and it appears that the leaks cannot be fixed.

Just think, millions have died, millions left home, millions went to foreign lands, and nothing has been determine or decided yet. WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, wars are still raging, people are still dying, men, boys and women are still leaving their homes, still dying.

So, this one day, take a five minute break from your routine, try to visualize, leaving home, leaving your family, undergoing a training that is completely opposite to the training you have had so far, visualize facing an enemy, being in a kill or be killed situation, all alone, in a  foreign land.

No one gives up more, than a Veteran.

Why was there a WWI, Why did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Why did Germany want to "rule the world," what was the problem in Korea, Where was Desert Storm, What was gained in Viet Nam.

YOU will need more than a day to answer all these questions. Just say "Thanks," and take a moment on this day, to Remember.

I will, my Grandfather served in the Civil War, my Father was in WWI, my Brother was in WWII, I served in the Navy during the Korean War, my Son Dean, served during Viet Nam, and my Son Brad served during Desert Storm.

Thank a Veteran this Memorial Day, it is MORE than just a Holiday or a day off.

Veterans Day Reflections

My Grandfather, Caleb Dooley, served in the Civil War. Not too many people around who can say that.

My Father served in WWI. He was too young to enlist, but somehow was taken in to the Army. 42nd Rainbow Division from Indianapolis, Indiana.

My Brother was in WWII, Submarine Service, served on the S-11. He was a Lt.J.G in the US Navy. He went through a V-12 Program. I remember going to Great Lakes in Chicago to visit him during his training. Going to a Sunday Morning Church Service at that large Chapel they had, stands out in my mind. I have never forgotten the sermon the Chaplain gave that morning, it revolved around a poem about the Bridge Builder. It is worth repeating here.

THE BRIDGE BUILDER

An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim-
That sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned, when he reached the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength in building here.
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way.
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

I have never forgotten that Chapel Service, had a lasting impression on me.

I was in the Korean War, 1952 to 1956. Stationed at the Receiving Station in San Diego, California and also did a two year tour on the U.S.S. William T. Mitchell, TAP 114. She was a transport ship, home port, Seattle Washington, and we primarily took troops and passengers to Japan and Korea, and also brought them home on the return trip.

I had one son who served in the Navy during the Viet Nam conflict and another who served during Desert Storm.

It's rather sad that WAR and CONFLICT HAVE become such a big part of our lives. Peacetime has become short lived. I suppose there are some who don't know the meaning of that word, it has never been used during their lifetime.

Veterans Day, 2009.

I wonder why?

WWI, in all the flicks, those bowl shaped helmets, the troops always wore their chin straps.

WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, they didn't use their chin straps.

Now, they not only use the chin strap, there is a special chin strap to make sure it is held on tight.

Old Combat series, no chin straps.

Not sure about Desert Storm.

I wonder why the difference.

I was in the Navy.