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