Sexo

Male

Birth date

1921-4-28

Local de nascimento

Pasadena CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

1944-7-31, Ft. Leavenworth KS

Tipo de alistamento

Volunteer

Ramo das Forças Armadas

Army

Tipo de serviço

War

Tipo de Unidade

Combat

Unidades onde serviu

'I' Co. 442nd Infantry Regiment

Military specialty

Guard, Security Sgt., Squad Leader

Stationed

Italy ; Camp Blanding, Florida; Ft. Meade, Maryland

Separated

Camp Beale CA

Unit responsibility

Combat and Post-War guard duty

Personal responsibility

Guard and Squad Leader

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

None

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

European African Middle Easter Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal

Living conditions

Slept in tents, barracks, abandoned buildings, railroad box cars. Shower when available, sponge baths, heated water over stove in winter. Aside from regular food ration, kitchen food was generally greasy. Played cards and dice with fellow soldiers - took tours and made visits to town, and attended Co. dances.

Most vivid memory of military experience

The hot beds (2 GI's to bed) on the trip across the Atlantic - Had an appendix attack in Naples and was hospitalized for a week. Joined the 442nd Regiment in Lecco and processed POW's. Was sent for 6 weeks schooling at the University of Florence. Stood guard on train from No. Italy to Naples - Security Sgt. for supply depot in Marina de Pisa, Also had my own jeep. The Company had dances with native girls. On the trip home, the boat had engine trouble and had to stop in the Azores for week.

Missed most whilst in the military

The family, worried about my folks who were employed as household help.

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

As Americans we are much better off than the average European. Some of the friends made in the Army are for life. Being the oldest son, I worried constantly about folks and sisters. Sent money home whenever I could.

Additional information

Had an engineering degree from the University of Nebraska before I entered the Army. Most of my class had jobs waiting for them on graduation. After my discharge (from the Army), I found a job with Consolidated (later Gen. Dynamics) through a high school friend in Jan 1947. Moved to San Diego when the Downey Plant was closed. Left Gen. Dynamics in 1949 for North American Aviation (later Rockwell International). Stayed with Rockwell for 35 years. Retired in 1984. Listed in 'Who's Who in the West,' 'American Men of Science,' and 'Who's Who in Technology Today.