Gender

Male

Birth date

1911-4-18

Place of birth

Los Angeles CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

1943-1-1, Lone Pine CA

Enlistment type

Volunteer

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Support

Units served

Ship's company

Military specialty

Medical Corp; Special Services and Post Office Corp

Stationed

USA - San Francisco, CA; MO; Sacramento, CA

Separated

Sacramento CA

Unit responsibility

On sea, medical support and on land postal services.

Personal responsibility

On the ship, I ran the infirmary. On land, I had postal duties in San Francisco, CA.

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Good Conduct Medal; Sharp Shooter's Award - rifle; Overseas Medal

Living conditions

On the ship, I slept in the ship quarters, and on land the Army barracks. I went to the clubs off base which usually was not permissible.

Most vivid memory of military experience

I went to San Francisco APO and went cruising around with young WACS in jeeps. I had much fun! There was considerable prejudices in the Southern military camps. My experience at Fort Mason in Missouri was memorable. I couldn't ride at the back of the bus because only 'colored people' were allowed in the back. I couldn't drink at the fountain marked for 'colored'. Prejudice was very evident during this time.

Missed most whilst in the military

I missed not beating the base fiddle.

Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?

During my experience in the military, I met some black military men who were musicians and that gave me the motivation to continue my education in music. I did continue taking some classes at college in music education. I finally achieved status as a professional musician. The goal that I was working for after military duty.

Additional information

The military unit I belonged to was called 'Special Services'. I had some extra privileges that most soldiers did not have. I also did much manual labor type work. For this division, there was much prejudice among the soldiers. Even though, we were supporting the United States government, we looked like the enemy.

I also served at the following military bases;

Fort Leonard, Missouri,

Camp Crowder, Joplin, Missouri, and

Fort Douglas, Utah