On September 14, 2009, I posted memories of my brother’s three drug stores–Standard Pharmacy 7th and S Street,N.W., Economy Pharmacy, 9th and U Street,N.W., and Boyd’s Pharmacy, Georgia and Kenyon Street,N.W., and Dox Liquor on 7th and S Street,N.W., across the street from the previous drug-liquor store.

  As previously mentioned, the original Standard Pharmacy, 7th and S Street,N.W., also had a liquor department. However, when my brother decided to build across the street, a D.C. governing department, informed him, he could not combine the pharmacy items with the liquor.

   Because my brother as a pharmacist was always addressed as “DOC”, he called the liquor store, “DOX LIQUOR.”

 On one sales promotion, my brother invited the former heavy weight boxing champion of the world, Joe Louis. His photos appear.

Links to the photos of my brother’s drug stores and “DOX” liquor follow:

Picture of Phil, Joe Louis and wife Lil

Picture of Phil in front of Dox Liquor

Picture of Phil’s wife Lil working the cash register

Picture of Joe Louis at Dox Liquor

Picture of Joe Louis and Phil at Dox Liquor

Pictures of Dox Liquor Advertisements

Picture of Doc’s employees at Boyd’s Pharmacy

Picture of Boyd’s Pharmacy (outside)

Picture of Boyd’s Pharmacy (inside)

Picture of Standard Pharmacy 7th and S Street

 Like many senior citizens, I complain when food products and other type products go up in price.Today is October 26, 2011. What will the following   items and services cost 50 years from today?

Recalled prices when I owned and operated Smith Pharmacy 2518 14th Street,N.W  -

Smith Pharmacy 1959-1968

Active Soda Fountain-Luncheonette retail prices

Coffee, Soda, Ice Cream Cones ,Candy Bars ———–10 cents

“”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”2011–average retail

Coffee $2.39 Sodas $1.50, Ice Cream Cones-Baskin Robbins-One Scoop $3.00 including tax, Candy Bars –CVS formerly Peoples today $1.19

Smith’ s Pharmacy fountain milk shakes 25 cents–Hamburgers 15 cents (check

sign price on www.Larryrosen.org blog

Hamburgers 2011 $1.00 up to $5.00

Silver Diner, Rockville Maryland milk shakes $6.00 2011

Smith’s Tuna Sandwich, egg salad sandwiches—25 cents

Tuna Sandwich 2011 $7.00

PRICES ON ABOVE ITEMS IN YEAR 2060 ?????????????????

NO DOUBT YOU WILL HAVE TO USE YOUR CREDIT CARD TO PURCHASE

A CUP OF COFFEE–

APPROXIMATE MINIMUM WAGE 2011 CHAIN DRUG STORE CASHIER $8.00 AN HOUR–

APPROXIMATE MINIMUM WAGE 2060  CHAIN DRUG STORE CASHIER $10.00 AN HOUR

Tuna Melt-with cole slaw-Silver Diner–$8.95 2011

Smith Pharmacy, Chicken ,Veal Cutlet, Hamburger Steak 69 cents with two

vegetables,,lunch or dinner

2011–Chicken,Veal Cutlet, Hamburger Steak wth two vegetables-$7.00 to

$10.00 or more or more

1930′s Sam’s Barber Shop, I paid 25 or 35 cents for a hair cut –boys or men’s

2011 Average Barber Shop Hair Cut for Boys or Men $15.00 plus tip

Women’s hair cut and styling 1960′s $10.00

Women’s hair cut and styling 2011 $20.00 to $40.00

From 1959  to the LATE 80′s I owned and operate some small businesses. Some businesses produced healthy profits, while some did not do so well.

SMITH PHARMACY 2518 14TH STREET,N.W. WASHINGTON,D.C.

 I LEFT DISTRICT WHOLESALE DRUG 52 O STREET,N.W. WHERE I HAD WORKED FROM 1950 TO 1959, TO PURCHASE SMITH PHARMACY

A  “lending institution that assisted buyers of small businesses, that are not

operating today were the Ice Cream Companies. I was able to assume a loan

that the previous seller owned the Borden Ice Cream Company in the amount of approximately $5600 if I agreed to purchase all my ice cream

from their company. My brother Phil loaned me some money, and with a

small savings amount, I was able to purchase Smith Pharmacy.

 I worked long hours and made a good living from the date of purchase until

April 4, 1968, at which time Doctor King’s assassination triggered the D.C.

68 riot, at which time my drug store was burned down.

NEWS SPOT 1

 After working for another drug wholesaler, Drug Exchange, I purchased a

news stand, a 1828 L Street,N.W., around 1970, that sold magazines,newspapers, cold drinks, snacks, ice cream, health and beauty aids, ladies hose, pocketnovels,sandwiches, and pastry..

   Around 1973, I acquired, another news stand, Marbi’s 1730 Rhode Island Avenue from an estate,after the previous owner had passed away.As previously mentioned the landlord did not permit me to sell soda because he was worried that my sales would reduce the soda sales of a building

cafeteria. However, we were permitted to sell beer and wine.

After changing the name of Marbi’s to Stevensherry, I sold this news stand,

and opened Newspot 2 on 20th Street, N.W. between K and L Street,N.W.

Some time later, space in a Alexandria, Virginia building for another news

stand was available, which I rented around Washington and Duke.

The last news stand I opened was at 1910 K Street, N.W. I was able to

sell this business, but unfortunately the buyer neglected the proper operation and had to vacate the premises.

 I sold my existing news stands when an opportunity to purchase a larger business, arose—an approximate 1800 square foot gift shop in an Holiday

Day Inn hotel, that sold gifts, and many drug store health and beauty aids.

This gift shop was purchased in 1978. After a short period of time, I also

became an agent for Western Union, sending and receiving money transfers.

When the Atlantic City began to open gambling casinos, I had the 

opportunity to sell Bus tickets to some of the Atlantic City casinos.

This business did well, and after 7 years .I decided to take a break, and sold

the shop in 1985.

 I  will continue this history on my next post.

 When I operated my drug store, most customers called the owners and pharmacists “DOC”, probably because many customers needing advice about

which medications to purchase for colds, coughs, stomach problems etc.

www.lafrryrosen.org     May 24, 2011

   I previously posted some memories of growing up in S.W.

Washington, D.C. I recorded some of the following memories a

long tme ago.

   I arrived in SW D.C. at the age of four (4) from Cheyenne,

Wyoming where I was born,(a Jewish cowboy)where my Dad

had a “Stehleh” (job) as a schochet (ritual poultry slaughterer),

and mohel l(circumsized baby boys) per Jewish religion

practice.My Dad and Mother, brothers Phil and sam and my

sister Sarah all born in Palestine (now Israel) moved into the

premises vacated by theRetiring cantor Yoelson, father of the

famous well known entertainer Al Jolson, at 713 4 1/2 Street,

SW. My father placed a sign in the front window of our residence.

“A. Rosen Shocheet and Mohel from Jerusalem. I still recall

our brick rose with its black iron steps and small porch,which

was very outstanding, since most of our neighbors operated

retail stores.

On our left was Sam Hyatt, the barber,(hair cuts 35 cents), and

on our right Miller the sheet metal expert and later Friedman

the shoemaker.

On the same corner of our block 4th and G Street,SW was a

Sanitary grocery, and a gas station of the corner of H Street,SW.

I still remember Voronoff’s hardware with large rolls of oilcloth

flooring always displayed on the street in front of the store.

On the middle of the block there was Rosenberg’s pawn clothing

shop, and Pivenstein’s grocery. Across the street from our

home was Schneider’s hardware with its Xmas window always

displaying moving trains,Rubinstein’s candy store -snowballs

5 cents, and Sherman’s liquor store on the opposite corner of

the Sanitary grocery.Mr. Sherman always provided a radio with

loud speaker on the outside of his business that broadcast the

championship fights of the well known boxer, Joe Louis.

On most of the surroundings streets, a corner grocery was

located with the proprietors, living behind or on top of the

store.The grocery proprietors worked long hours, taking a

half a day break on Sundays. Many of the grocery owners

worked hard so that they possibly could save enough money

to send their children to college..

My father worked hard preparing kosher chickens, for 15 cents

which included the plucking of the feathers, and performing

circumcisions for $10.00,and $25.00 for more affluent Jewish

folks. My Dad was very active in our neighborhood  synagogue,

located at 467 E Street, SW,as the recording secretary,and

blowing the shofer, (ram’s horn) on the high holidays.

We enjoyed our home, even though gas jets in the walls

provided the lighting instead of electricity when when we first

moved in–later we were able to acquire electricity illumination.

A radio and large victrola,upright record player provided our

music not television. A close feeling existed between all the SW

residents. Afro Americans, then known as negroes and the SW

residents got along.

 Today the entire SW neighborhood is a beautiful area, having

had its area redeveloped,replacing all the older residences with

town houses, large office buildings, and a large super market

and drug store. The old neighboring waterfront  is also

scheduled to be completely replaced with modern structures.

Growing up in SW D.C. is one memory I will never forget.

WWW.LARRYROSEN.ORG MAY 13, 2001

     April 4, 1968 was a BAD day.

Doctor King’s sudden assasination triggered the DC 68 riot, at which time, my drug store, Smith’s Phamacy was burned down. Also at the same time my brother Phil’s recently constructed building at 7th and S Street, N.W.that was leased to a liquor store proprietor, was burned down. My Sam’s 5 & 10 at Georgia Avenue and Lamont Street, N.W.that he had owned and operated for 20 years  was completely looted.

  According to Wikipedia, 1200 buildings were burned down,including more than 90 stores. Damages reached 27 million dollars (big bucks in 1968)

The most informative book on the DC 68 riot,  “Ten Blocks from the Whitehouse by Ben Gilbert and the Washington Post staff records that most of the riot victims were the merchants, most of whom were Jewish. Most of the riot victims did not reopen their businesses.

   Looking back, I feel and believe that the DC federal and local authorities could have done a better job of protecting the DC merchants. Although history records that many riots had occurred in many major cities, they made no plans  fora possible  similar major disturbance in the nation’s capital.

  Instead of summoning the National Guard on Thursday, evening, April 4th

when the riot began, the DC and federal government phoned the National Guard on Friday afternoon, from gas station pay phones. The Guard arrived Friday night, to a city already in flames.

   In response to many questions, how I made out on insurance, the answer is not good, because there was no insurance for loss of good will, the livelihood value of business. A suggestion to Mayor Washington, that merchants be reimbursed for losses not covered by insurance such as good will was completely IGNORED.This motion was suggested by the then DC Council head, President John Hechinger.

Innocent victims of floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires, also oil spills, farmers who had a bad year have received final assistance from the government.

The DC 68 riot victims are still waiting for a BONE from the federal and local goveernment. WE received 0000.

   I have never forgot Warrant Officer Brown’s good deed, when he lent me money to help in purchasing a ticket for my airfare to D.C. for my father’s funeral. When I returned to Ft. Sill, I had obtained some cash from my brother,and repaid my debt to Mr.Brown. Some time after being discharged from the service, I attempted to locate Mr. Brown,through many sources, but probably because his name was so popular,it became difficult to find him.

 After returning to Camp Gruber,from our special duty at Ft. Sill, the word was out, that are division would be going overseas.Many of the Rainbow units were instructed to start packing their specialized equipment. The Rainbow infantry units sailed to Europe in the fall of 1944, and all the other units left the New York harbor on January 6,1945 arriving in Marseilles,France,January 18, 1945.I have previously described, our temporary quarters–CP 2-rows and rows of pup tents on cold,cold ground,and also the cities we were stationed, in France, Germany, and Austria. Our infantry units, went into combat without artillery support,which resulted in many casualties,both killed and wounded,and also many of our GI”s being captured by the Nazis when they engaged in combat around Strasbourg, France.

 Our artilllery personnel unit would set up a temporary “office” in different enemy homes, not too far from the 542d howitzers.

 As mentioned, units of our division entered and liberated the Dachau concentration camp on April 29, 1945.

  Our personnel unit was stationed in Austria most of the time after the completion of World War II. When my unit was stationed in St. Gilgen,Austria, I would often catch a ride with our mail truck on the week end to Salzburg,Austria. I had the opportunity to visit many Holocaust survivors in a DP (Displaced Persons) camp. Because I was able to speak Yiddish, I conversed with many of the survivors, and heard the unbelievable,horrible ,treatment, they received as captives of the Germans.

  Our personnel unit, computed the amount of points,based on longevity in the army service of  members of our battalion,which would determine, when they could begin their trip home. While we waited, the army made available,to the troops, furloughs to visit different European cities.

I received a V-mail letter from my brother letting me know, that we had an, Uncle, Aunt, and cousins in Aulnay Sous Bois, a small neighborhood near Paris. Some time near the end of 1945, another GI, received a furlough to Paris, and we were able to catch a train to my relatives’ home. Fortunately, I had studied french in high school and college, and was able to converse with my relatives.My Uncle and Aunt were in another area, but I did locate three cousins,(My uncle was my Dad’s brother who settled  in France many years ago)–My cousin David had been in the French army,and then captured by the Nazis–a cousin Bernard was about 15 years old,and my cousin Simone,was in the 20′s. I spent about 3 days visiting, and enjoying all their memories. We communicated after I returned to Austria and even in the U.S,but unfortunately we lost contact. When my son Stan, visited Paris, about three years ago, he  attempted to locate the relatives but was not able to find them.

   I also had the opportunity to visit Salzburg,which was a very interesting and beautiful city.

   Finally as indicated on another post, ,my 48 points made me elgible to begin my trip back to the US.

On April 4, 1946, at Ft. Meade, I received my discharge, and given a free fare for a bus back to Washington,D.C.. My mother had moved from my previous address.

   My brother Sam served in an Air Corp s recruitment location, and wasdischarged before me. I missed his wedding by 4 days

  APRIL 4, 1946  was a good day. On this day, I received my army discharge at Ft. Meade, Maryland after having served in the military since March1943. After being inducted at Ft. Myer, Virginia, I was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia,for a short period of time, and then boarded a train with other recruits and transported to Camp Wolters, Texas, an infantry replacement training center.

I received 4 weeks of infantry training, learned how to fire an M1 rifle, and underwent a test called “Hells Bottom”, which consisted of crawling on back under barbed wire while a soldier trainer fired live bullets from a machine gun. We were instructed not to get up,in order not to get shot. I was glad to pass this test.

 After the four weeks training I was transferred to a barracks with other veterans who would receive training to be clerks(that’s me), auto mechanics, truck drivers, and cooks. I completed the training, and was able to pass satisfactorily because I was a good typist.(Thanks to my brother, Phil, who recommended that I take typing in high school.

After completion of the training, I was transferred to a personnel section, of the 542d Field Artillery Battalion, 42d Infantry Rainbow Division. As previously mentioned on another post, I maintained service records, typed orders, and other correspondence, prepared payroll records,etc.  My division was located in Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, near a small city, Muskogee, and a larger city, Tulsa.My division etc. Around August of 1944, our artillery battalion, and other artillery battalion were sent to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, a permanent artillery base, that exists today.We were scheduled to be in Ft. Sill for a short time.While stationed there, I recall receiving a telegram, on August 19, 1944, that stated, my father was seriously ill–come home at once. I applied and got a furlough, and proceeded to a nearby railroad station. The travel time to Washington,D.C. was about three days. While waiting for the train, I phoned my home in D.C.,and was told that my Dad had already passed away, with the funeral scheduled for August  20th, 1944. I rushed back to camp to attempt getting a flight to D.C. After checking the price, I discovered I did not have enough funds to purchase a plane ticket. I again rushed, out, to the Red Cross, to request a loan, but informed,that the Red Cross, does not, lend money for plane trips. Again,I went back to my unit, and spoke to my personnel officer in charge, Charles L.Brown, who offered to give me a loan. I reserved space on several planes, and fortunately arrived in Washington in time to attend my father’s funeral. The funeral service, pursuant to my Jewish religion, had to take place on the day following the death of the deceased.

 I will continue my memories on my army experiences on the next post.I invite you to keep reading

my back,with my rifle

www.Larryrosen.org      February 12, 2011

 On February 1, 2011 the Washington Post published an article stating that stores such as Kmart and Wal-Mart are beginning Check cashing services and Best Buy would accepting pament for utility, cable and phone bills.acting like banks.. In my opinion, those services, mentioned are not new.

   Approximately 50 years ago, I sold money orders in my DC drug store, and many liquor and variety shops provided check cashing and other financial services to their customers.

 What is new is that Big Box stores sukch as Walmart,K Mart and Best Buy are duplacting  business transactions that have long been offered by many Pop and Mom stores.

Retail history records state that  many large retailers have often added

merchandise for sale that other retailers normally sold,for many  years..

Example–As supermarkets expanded during  the 50′s, they began to open prescription. and health and beauty aids departments featuring such items as aspirin, toothpaste, laxatives and deodorants.

When the CVS drugstore chain purchased the People’s drug chain, and the Rite Aide chain bought out the Drug Fairs drugstored, many smaller drugstores began to close their doors.At a later date the Big Box drug chains

offered photo finishing ON THE PREMISES. This new service competed with those of  many photo and  camera retailers. The new service offered by drug chains competed with several large photo processing firms, like District Photo that formerly picked up and developed film from small drug and variety shops. Eventually District Photo closed their services.

When the well-known Greeting card distributor Hallmark, commenced selling its greeting cards to the CVS chain, many nearby independent Hallmrk cards shops were forced to close.

Similarly sale of everyday and holiday inflated balloons diminished at card and gifts tores, when supermarets, party and dollar stores, began blowing up and selling Valentine’s Day and other holiday balloons.

Amazon.Com book sales through the internet  has diminished  the book sales in Border’s chain, and no doubt  Amazon.Com’s expansion into the sale of of many other items such as clothing, appliances and all sorts of every day items used by the public, has reduced the sales of these items in stores who had been handling these items for many years.

When President Obama and other government officials continue to state, that “Small businesses” need help to expand, their term “Small Businesses” should clarify that Small businesses exclude POP AND  MOM RETAILERS.

WWW.LARRYROSEN.ORG        JANUARY 18, 2011

 PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED ARRIVING IN MARSEILLE JANUARY 18 1945

WOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE 66 YEARS AGO-LOOKS LIKE I’VE BEEN AROUND

 When we departed from New York we knew we were heading for overseas but weren’t told where-We found out when we were told we have arrived at

Marseille, France. Children were outside asking for bon bon –candy-we

responded throwing down some of px rationed snacks.

Previously mentioned but worth repeating–we got off the ship and got in trucks that let  us off at a place called CP2–a wide stretch of just plain cold ground.Then we got orders to set up pup tents that accomodated two soldiers–my companion was a chinese cook.

The “rest room” was a trip way back behind all the tents-no urinals or bowls -just a large hole with two by fours when it was necessary to sit and relax.

The artillery men unloaded the howitzers and started to clean them, and get

ready to fire.

One evening we got a pass to visit Marseilles–a busy place,with many bars available–experienced drinkers told us to try Cognac–I tried two and recall

feeling pretty good.

One morning we lined up for chow–breakfast, lunch, or dinner with food

placed in our mess kits-we ate outside one morning-it started to rain,but our

pancakes still tasted good, although they were a bit wet.

One morning a plane flew overhead and we were told not to worry-it was an enemy plane called Bedcheck Charlie checking the new American arrival of

rainbowers.

   Finally on Feb 5, 1945 we left CP 2 and arrived in Harricourt France Feb 8, 1945

Left Harricourt France, arrived in Cirey France   Feb 9,were directed into a house in France, and our group of “Combat Clerks” were told to spread out

our sleeping bags in one roon–with one soldier resting half his body in a closet and the rest of body feet etc resting outside the closet.

We set up our portable typewriters somewhere, and we can our jobs–I was the Battery clerk of Battery B 542d FA Bn.

Left Cirey, France    March 28, 1945

Arrived in Annweiler, Germany March 28, 1945

Left Annweiler April 8, 1945

Arrived in Wertheim Germany April 8, 1945

Left Wertheim May 11, 1945

Arrived in Traunstein, Germany May 12, 1945

Left Traunstein May 16, 1945

Arrived in Kufstein, Austria (Tyrol section) May 16, 1945

Left Kufstein July   8, 1945

Arrived in Hellein, Austria July 31, 1945

Left Hellein July 31,1945

Arrived in Bischeffshoven Sept 15, 1945

Arrived in Obertrukm, Austria Sept 15, 1945

Left Obertrukm Nov 2, 1945

Arrived in St. Gilgen, Austria Nov 2, 1945

We stayed in a beautiful hotel near mountains and a large river or other water way. St. Gilgen was located near a large Austrian city, Salzburg, Austria

On the week ends when we received passes, I would many times catch a ride on the battalion mail truck and visit Austria–saw dancers, and ate in some nice restaurants, also occasinally visited a large DP camp (Displaced persons, mostly Holocaust survivors ,Jewish and holocaust survivors from many different countries. I spoke Yiddish to many and heard many horrible stories of their confinement in concentration camps, ghetto areas etc.

I recall once bringing some canned goods my mother sent me,bringing sardines which I distributed to a family–they brought out bread and mashed down the sardines,spreading the fish over the bread,which made a delicious sandwich. I didn’t recall ever eating sardines that way.

Left St. Gilgen Austria for departure back to US Feb 26, 1946

 LARRY ROSEN ENRUTE BACK TO USA

Arrived Ranshofen Austria Feb 26, 1946

Left Ranshofen Feb 16, 1946

Arrived Ried, Austria Feb 28, 1946

Left Ried, March 2, 1946

Arrived Eferding March 12, 1946

Left Eferding March 13, 1946

Arrived Bremarhaven, Germany Exit Port

Left Bremarhavn, Germany

Arrived USA March 31, 1946

Arrived Camp Kilmer, N.J. March 31, 1946

LeftCamp Kilmer April 2, 1946

Arrived Ft. Meade, Md April 2, 1946

Discharged from the Army April 4, 1946

Called brother Sam March 31, 1946, and found out he got married around that date

BEFORE THE REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTERS ARRIVED, “F” STREET N.W.

WASHINGTON,D.C. WAS THE PLACE TO GO FOR SNACKS AND MOVIES DURING THE 40′S

After being drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1943, I was first sent to Camlp Lee, Virginia, and then to Camp Wolters, Texas,Infantry Replacement Training Center.I received four weeks of Infantry training, and then transferred to a special company of Clerk, Cook, Auto Mechanic, and Truck Driver specialized training.

     Having worked as a clerk typist for the U.S. Engineers, prior to becoming

a U.S.l soldier, I became a student in an Army Clerk training class.

From Camp Wolters, Texas, I was transferred to the 542d Field Artillery

Battalion, 42d Infantry Rainbow Division, that was activated July 14, 1943.

 I became a Battery Clerk of Battery B in the 542d FA Battalion. Our prime

job assignment was maintaining entries on the soldiers’ service records,which contained date of entry, and discharge from the Army, furloughs, promotions, record of immuknization, dates paid, and general pertinenent information on the soldiers’ activities. Also we typed special orders,maintained personnel records on Form 20′s, which assigned a number to each veteran’s activities, such as rifleman was 745, 405 for clerk etc.

Computers, copy and fax machines had not yet hit the scene. When multiple

copies were needed , we typed info on a stencil and copies were cranked out of a stencil machine.

At Camp Gruber, Oklahoma we worked in the 542d Battalion headquarters,where are battalion commander was Lieutenant Colonel George A. Carver, a tough West Pointer, who later became a Major General.

Walter Peirce well known to most rainbowers, joined our unit from the

South Pacific and became sergeant major working directly under Colonel Carver.

Warrant Officer Charles L. Brown was in charge of the peronnel section, and James C. Newhouse who arrived from Fort Sill, Oklahoma became our

Personnel Sergeant.

  Our three Infantry Regiments were rushed overseas ahead of the remainder of the Division, segregated with no artillelry or back up support.fighting in

an area of Alsace, Lorraine, France. The Infantry regiments sustained many casualties, and also had many GI’s taken prisoner by the Nazi troops.

The rest of the Division, including the Artillery,Engineers, Medical Battalion,

Signal Company, Ordnance Company Quartermaster Company, Military Police Platoon, Division Headquarters department the New York Port of Embarkation on January 6, 1945 and arrived in Marseilles, France on January 18th 1945.

  I recall throwing candy, to many children who gathered on the Marseilles,Port, waving to the American Soldiers.

  Armed with carbines, and portable typewriters, we followed our battalion

from different French, German, and Austrian cities. Our personnel section was comprised of about 10  to 15 soldiers, who arrived from many different

U.S. cities.

Most of the former “Combat Clerks” have passed OVER THE RAINBOW.

I recall the following comrads with whom I worked,and getting along.

To the best of my knowledge, the following men are deceased:

Tech Sergeant James C. Newhouse, Durant, Oklahoma, Corporal Bill Sak , Detroit, Michigan,Corporal Charles Swackhammer, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Corporal Joe Miller, Shaker Heights, Ohio, Corporal Joe Herbers, St. Louis, Missouri, (became Attorney), Corporal Phil Giambalvo, Mineola, New York, Corporal Charles Gipson, Texas, Corporal Claukde Clodfelter, North or South Carolina.

Master Sergeant Walter Peirce, went over the Rainbow,January 2010,shortly after his 100th birthday.

Former Corporal Harold Vervinck, lives today in Oklahoma City, and I former Personnel Sergeant, Larry Rosen, reside,  in Rockville, Maryland.

After many attempts, I have been unable to locate Warrant Officer Charles L. Brown, a great leader. Someone had to do our job and we did.

JOURNEY OF THE 542D FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION PERSONNEL SECTION, 42D INFANTRY RAINBOW DIVISION.

 ARRIVED AT CAMP  KILMER, N.J.                                           DEC 25, 1944

LEFT CAMP KILMER, N.J.                                                                JAN 5, 1945

LEFT PORT OF EMBARKATION                                                       JAN 6, 1945

ARRIVED MARSEILLES, FRANCE                                                  JAN 18, 1945

WENT TO CP 2 LARGE FLAT GROUND AREA

MARSEILLE, SLEEPING IN PUP TENTS                                        JAN 18 1945

LEFT CP 2

 18, 1945