THE WAY IT WAS I spent two years and eight months in what was generally referred to as "this man's Army". This all came about when Congress passed the Selective Service act (better known as the Draft) in 1938. This meant that anyone between the ages of 18 and 38 was required, by law, to register with his local draft board. The United States at that time was still at peace with the world. Germany was beginning to make their forceful move on the countries adjacent to them. This was causing some spec- ulation as to where it would all lead. The government kept in- sisting that we would not get involved in any conflicts in Europe. However, certain steps were being taken, with the Selective Service Act and activating several units of the National Guard, sunday, December 7, 1941, Japan attacked the U. S. possession of Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. Heavy casualties were reported plus damage and loss to several of our large battleships anchored in the harbor and the aircraft parked at Hickman Field Air Force Base. The attack came as a complete surprise, because, all the attention was being focused on the events taking place in Europe. Within twenty-four hours the United States declared war on Japan. A short time later, after German U-boats in the Atlantic began attacking U. S. shipping, the U.S. declared war on Germany. I was 17 years old at the time and just out of high school. I had one more year before I was required to register for the @raft. That year went fast. On April 23, 1942, I registered with the local selective service board in Maquoketa. That is when the suspense began. Our troops were fighting the Japanese in the Pacific and the Germans in Africa. There was no fighting on the continent of Europe as yet. Most of Europe was occupied by German forces, with the exception of Russia, who had declared war on Germany. Great Britain had been in the conflict since 1939 and was suffering heavy damage and loss from German bombers. April of 1943, I was informed by a member of the selective service board (a relative on my fathers side) that my number was about due to be drawn. I was told, that if T would volunteer before my number was drawn, I would have a choice of the Army, Navy or Marines. Ali draftees were automatically inducted into the Army. I was working at that time at one of the newspapers in Maquoketd, The Jackson Sentinel. The newspaper industry was one of many industries chosen by the War department as essential to the war effort. This meant that I could qualify for a 6 month deferment. I declined the offer. It was April of 1943 when I volunteered my services. In a week we had éur first physical examination. The following week, those of us who passed, were headed of Camp Dodge, the induction center in Des Moines. We arrived sometime late in the evening, and were immediately assigned our sleeping quarters. We were then hustled off to the dining room for our first taste of Army food. (We soon learned it was referred to as the mess hall. Later, the next day, after(2) more physicals and tests,I had to make my choice of what branch of service I wanted. I chose the Army. The next day induction ceremonies were conducted, which meant we were no longer civilians. Our troop train headed west. To where, no one had any idea. We had been allowed one phone call home before leaving Des Moines. Two days later our train entered the grounds of Fort Riley, Kansas, the home of the U.S. Calvary. Our new home was Troop N, U.S. Cavalry, Fo'lt Riley, Kansas. It was here that 13 weeks of grueling training would take place. (The word troop was used instead of company, because we were considered a part of the cavalry for these 13 weeks.) We were greeted by the first sergeant of our troop, Sgt. Devalaro, a very strict army career man. He was tough, but proved to be very fair and honest. His final remark during our briefing was "We were going to be the best damm troop to ever leave Fort Riley. There was some competition among all the troops, but, the two events that counted the most was the dress parade held every Priday afternoon and the Saturday morning inspection. The inspection included the mess hall, latrines, barracks and grounds, your own bed, foot locker and personal care. Our troop took first Place in both catagories for the 13 weeks we were there. One particular Friday, which was parade day, all of the troops went on a 16 mile forced march. (A forced march you walk one mile and jog one mile). It was an extremely hot day. The temperature rose to 116 degrees that day. We arrived back in camp about two o}clock and to our surprise, sitting beside each of our barracks was a 10 gallon container of iced tea. Our troop was the only one to get this reception. A little of appreciation from our top sergeant. We quenched our thirst and then changed into our full dress uniform for the parade and came back another winner. That bight I had the privilege of working in the mess hall (KP duty). Extra spit and polish was expected because of the next day inspection. I was to report a 5300 o'clock to whatever time it took to finish our work. There were ten tables on each side, seating 16 to a table. The last job was to set the tables before we left. Each plate was to lay face down, as well as the cup and saucer, plus the added silverware. Ourdéties completed (so we thought) we were about to head back to the barracks when Sgt. Devalaro came in, picked up one cup off the table and found a little soap scum on the rim. Every plate, cup and saucer plus all utensil on every table had to be washed again, dried and tables reset. Our opinion of him, at that point, yas:not~too -- good. We got back to our barracks about two A.M. and we still had to spruce up around our own foot locker and personal appearance for the Saturday morning inspection. We managed to make it up at the crack on dawn and passed the inspection with flying colors. Amazing. Our 13 weeks of training was calisthenics, obstacle course, guard duty, hikes, lectures, the firing of the Ml rifle and the very unpopular infiltration course, of which I will explain a littie in detail. The course was about the width of a fooball(3) field, but only half as long. It was covered with barbed wire just high enough to be able to crawl under while flat on your Stomach. Large craters with explosives were aig in vatious locations. The explosives would be discharged at any time during the maneuver of the course to simulate enemy artillery fire. The end of the field we were facing had two 50 caliber machine guns firing live ammunition over our heads. They were set so that there was 12 inches between y@ur head and the live ammunition being fired. The 12 inches was measured lying flat on your stomach. We had ween briefed very thoroughly on what to expect and what to do of we encountered any problems. Above all, keep your head down. We climbed out of our trench and began crawling with our rifles cradled in our arms and pushing with our feet and elbows. The words, "Keep Your Head Down" kept echoing in our ears with every move. The explosives in the craters would discharge and bury our nose a little further into the ground. We all survived the course with no major problems and felt like seasoned veterans when it was all over. Not so, according to army standards, this was just the beginning. This ended our training at Fort Riley, Kansas. We moved on to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for more training. There, we learned the use of other weapons, more field exercises and over night bivouacs. We were required to do the infiltration course again. Those of us from Fort Riley protested that we had already experienced the course. There were many that came from other basic training camps that had not completed the course. That meant everyone would be required to go through, regardless. So, we survived another one. It was here at Fort Jackson, that I was granted my first furlough. It was good to get back home. I knew that our de- parture for overseas was fast approaching. We were na& to mention any of this to anyone, not even our parents. After 30 days I reported back to Fort Jackson. Our next move was to Fort Meade, Maryland, for more training and practice with heavier weapons. We again were required to go through the infiltration course. The time here at Fort Meade went rather quickly. It was only about five weeks when we were shipped to Camp Miles Standish in Massachusetts, our last stop before departing overseas. Most of the time here was spent attending lectures, getting more physicals and immuniaation shots. The night we were to leave, we were given about four hours. of free time. Most of us spent that time at the PX (Post Exchange) enjoying a few beers and the juke box. It was suggested that we supply ourselves with extra shaving cream, razor blades, cigarettes and any other treats we might want to pack. These would be rather hard to get items later on. I bought extra cigarettes, milky way candy bars and cookies. I had plenty of shaving cream, because, back then I didn't have much to shave. Approximately 11;00 p. m. that night,Halloween night(Oct. 31,1943) we were transported to the train station. An army band was there to greet us and send us off by playing the ever popular World War One song, "Over There". We really didn}t think that was