This is the story of a Tioga County, Pennsylvania, soldier during World War II. It was December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and thrust the United States into World War II. I was a senior in high school; and on January 13, when I was 18 years old, I signed up for the draft with the Tioga County Selective Service Board in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania.
Upon graduation on June 4, 1942, I continued to work on the family farm until my 19th birthday in ’43, when I received notice that I had been drafted. I was to report to the Wellsboro armory on the morning of January 27 to be transported to a Wilkes Barre hospital for the examination. Meanwhile, I learned that three other fellows from my graduating class, Dick Streeter, Robert Miles, and Arnold English, had been asked to join at the same time.
Upon graduation on June 4, 1942, I continued to work on the family farm until my 19th birthday in ’43, when I received notice that I had been drafted. I was to report to the Wellsboro armory on the morning of January 27 to be transported to a Wilkes Barre hospital for the examination. Meanwhile, I learned that three other fellows from my graduating class, Dick Streeter, Robert Miles, and Arnold English, had been asked to join at the same time.
Inducted in the Army
When the day came, we all boarded a bus and went to Wilkes Barre. There were about 56 fellows from Tioga County that day. There was a lot of prodding, examinations, and some written exams; but before the end of the day we were all sworn into the United States Army. We were immediately transferred to inactive service for one week to give us time to return home and get our affairs in order. During that time I decided to get engaged to the girl that I’d been going with for a couple of years in high school. I bought her a ring, and that was accomplished.
On the third of February, all of us guys assembled at the armory in Wellsboro. We were then transported by bus to Williamsport, and then by train to New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, where the induction center was located. After arriving, we had to go through the quartermaster store buildings and be issued all the uniform materials that we were going to need. These included our shoes, socks, underwear, OD uniforms, and the fatigue uniforms that we worked in. Next we went to the infirmary. Wearing nothing but our shoes, we were backed into a doorway where we received three shots. Then it seemed that at every window or desk we passed, we got “stabbed” again. I don’t know how many we endured that day; but at chow call in the evening, many guys didn’t make it to the mess hall. They were sick from reaction to the shots.
On the third of February, all of us guys assembled at the armory in Wellsboro. We were then transported by bus to Williamsport, and then by train to New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, where the induction center was located. After arriving, we had to go through the quartermaster store buildings and be issued all the uniform materials that we were going to need. These included our shoes, socks, underwear, OD uniforms, and the fatigue uniforms that we worked in. Next we went to the infirmary. Wearing nothing but our shoes, we were backed into a doorway where we received three shots. Then it seemed that at every window or desk we passed, we got “stabbed” again. I don’t know how many we endured that day; but at chow call in the evening, many guys didn’t make it to the mess hall. They were sick from reaction to the shots.
I think Dick was the first one assigned to a training camp and left before the rest of us for Texas. I had to send his civilian clothes home for him by mail. It was only a day or two, and Arnold and I were told that we were going to Camp Croft in South Carolina near Spartanburg.
We arrived in Camp Croft and were assigned barracks. For the first few days we didn’t do a whole lot, only clean up around the barracks and that kind of thing; but our training actually started on the 15th of February. It consisted of six weeks of regular basic training. That was mostly close-ordered drill, I guess to get us used to following orders “right now.” We also learned to assemble, disassemble, and maintain various weapons that we would be using. Then we were taken out to the firing range, where we fired various weapons—mostly the M-1 rifle. I qualified as marksman there. After the first six weeks of basic training, we were then sent to a different part of the camp for advanced training in intelligence and reconnaissance. This was mostly working with maps, compasses, and night reconnaissance. We were taught how to identify enemy weapons, uniforms, vehicles, etc. We would need this information if we were sent out on a patrol.
After completing our training about the 18th of May, we were put on a train and sent to a replacement depot north of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. The rumors were that we were probably headed overseas, and we were doubtful if any of us would get a furlough. So I got hold of a telephone, called my folks, and told them where I was and what the situation was; and they arranged to come to Camp Shenango to visit me. So they got in Dad’s ’37 Chevy sedan—my sisters Margie and Eileen, my Mom and Dad, and my fiancee—and they came to Camp Shenango. I was able to get a pass for the rest of the afternoon and evening to be with them. We were able to eat out and do some visiting, and at about 11:00 I went back to my barracks. They left the next morning, and that was the last time that I saw my folks for about two-and-a-half years.
We arrived in Camp Croft and were assigned barracks. For the first few days we didn’t do a whole lot, only clean up around the barracks and that kind of thing; but our training actually started on the 15th of February. It consisted of six weeks of regular basic training. That was mostly close-ordered drill, I guess to get us used to following orders “right now.” We also learned to assemble, disassemble, and maintain various weapons that we would be using. Then we were taken out to the firing range, where we fired various weapons—mostly the M-1 rifle. I qualified as marksman there. After the first six weeks of basic training, we were then sent to a different part of the camp for advanced training in intelligence and reconnaissance. This was mostly working with maps, compasses, and night reconnaissance. We were taught how to identify enemy weapons, uniforms, vehicles, etc. We would need this information if we were sent out on a patrol.
After completing our training about the 18th of May, we were put on a train and sent to a replacement depot north of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. The rumors were that we were probably headed overseas, and we were doubtful if any of us would get a furlough. So I got hold of a telephone, called my folks, and told them where I was and what the situation was; and they arranged to come to Camp Shenango to visit me. So they got in Dad’s ’37 Chevy sedan—my sisters Margie and Eileen, my Mom and Dad, and my fiancee—and they came to Camp Shenango. I was able to get a pass for the rest of the afternoon and evening to be with them. We were able to eat out and do some visiting, and at about 11:00 I went back to my barracks. They left the next morning, and that was the last time that I saw my folks for about two-and-a-half years.
