CHAPTER 1: DECEMBER 1937, A COLD STEEL TOWN
CHAPTER 2: SPRING 1940, LIFE DECISIONS
CHAPTER 3: JUNE 1940, ENLISTMENT
CHAPTER 4: JUNE 1940, FORT SHERIDAN
CHAPTER 5: JULY 1940, 5TH INFANTRY DIVISION
CHAPTER 6: SEPTEMBER 1940, FORT CUSTER
Chapter 1: December 1937, A Cold Steel Town
Cold resiliency, intractable odds, a destiny, and a legacy. These are the winter wars of a teen in the icy cold of a steel town battle for supremacy of White Street in the December winter, 1937. An unforeseeable prologue. David calls out to Billy, “We got them on the run” as he chugs another icy-snowball at the boys from Fourth St… racing to the snow bank two houses to the East.
Billy calls out, “let’s push them back”!
Jack, huffing from the exertion of cutting quickly across the street to a stored ammo of ice-balls, yells, “Davey… you have the speed, get up to the corner, we’ll get them boxed in.
In doing so, the boys from Fourth realize they are being boxed in and beat a hasty retreat from their White Street incursion… and now White Street is safe again, thanks to speed, strategy and ammo.
Mom calls out “Dávid, gyere be ide, nem játszhatsz egész nap! … “Az Isten szerelmére, a 15 éves korodra!”
“Jack, I need to go, mom’s calling me, I have some work to do she says I can’t play all day! … and for Christ’s sake, I’m 15 years old”
“I never have an idea what your mom is saying, what a language! The only words I understand and care to hear is chicken paprikash… if she has any to share, let me know!
“Jack, nice try, but if you want something you’ll need to help with the deliveries”…
“Naw, I’m heading home.”
“Me too” says Billy, I need to study for school.
Billy and Jack, trudge off to their homes, and whatever chores await them.
This cold steel town is doing better than some in the middle of a depression, but still not great. People moving up from the South, looking for work is squeezing jobs. Everyone needs to hustle.
Dave gets his sled and gathers the laundry mom cleaned and folded and begins trekking across the snowy streets to the crunch of his boots with a cold wind stinging his face, he looks to the gray skies and says to no-one “it didn’t seem that cold when we were playing”.
Per mom’s instructions he drops the laundry at the Baklarz home and collects a quarter from Mrs. Baklarz as a tip… it feels good to have some change in his pocket. Moving on, he heads to the Baklarz market to deliver the clean and folded aprons. Crossing cautiously into the 4th Street boy’s territory… but fortunately the streets seem deserted.
Around back, Johnny Baklarz opens the door and lets him in from the bitter cold.
“Davey, you look like you could use a hot chocolate, let me get one for you. Have a seat, we’re not too busy now… I think the cold is keeping people at home.”
Johnny wipes his hands on a bloodied apron and pours a cup for Dave and himself from the kettle on the burner in the back.
Dave takes his mittens off… the scent of chocolate is wonderful, the warmth in his hands a welcome relief from the cold as he takes a sip of warm goodness.
“Johnny, you had a great football career through high school, I thought you might play in college, or at least go to college, but here you are working at your folks market?”
“I’d like to, I had plans to be at Michigan State studying Forestry… and Arizona State shown an interest in me for football, but times are hard. My family needs me to work here at our market. Half our customers buy food on credit, so we cannot afford to pay wages for someone to do my job. I gotta be here until people have jobs and money to pay their tabs.”
“I believe these tough times are going to end, the history of the world is full of difficult times as our history teacher Mr. Jackson taught. Our generation will have to innovate, build, create and likely fight for a future that will be better.”
“I’ll tell you though, if things turn around, I’d really love to go to Arizona and get out of Michigan and these cold winters and gray skies… what about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sports might be a way out of here, they do give some scholarships, if you can afford to live on campus… I know college will be difficult for your family with three brothers and a sister”…
“Well actually four brothers, but my oldest brother, Julius, you know him as George, as this is what he prefers, is out of the house and working at the mill, thankfully, as he has a family of his own.”
“Oh yeah, George Varga – I forgot he’s your brother… your mom was married before your pop.”
“Yeah, that’s right. We have a big household and times are hard on the Kulchar family, just as it is for your family. I expect I’ll be looking at enlisting after high school, there’s no family business and getting in with the mill or an auto factory seems nearly impossible. If things keep getting worse in Europe, maybe I’d be drafted anyway… did you hear what happened in last year’s Olympics, with all the marching and chest beating about aryan superiority – and Owen’s showed them in track, and our boys embarrassed them in rowing… the Fascists are going to make trouble.”
“You might be a little small for football, but you are fast, you are smart, what about track? You know I won state championship in shotput, but Ecorse High could use some more speed on the team this coming spring… Here…” as he tosses a book to Dave… “read this book about the “Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World”, it includes in the first chapter the battle of Marathon, it is interesting! The Marathon race in the Olympics gets its name from this battle. I think you’ll find it interesting. It tells us a lot about how the world has been changed through great battles. Mr. Jackson gave me the book last spring, I don’t think he expects it back.”
“Johnny, that’s swell, I’ll read it and maybe think about track this spring. I hope someday you get a chance to play at Arizona, or anywhere. I’m sure you would like to see more of this world. Maybe, you’ll be famous, and not just for cutting meat here in this market.”
“Thanks a lot kid… now drink up, I gotta get back to my famous meat cutting… and take this chicken your mom asked for, on credit like half the rest of the city”
Dave, put the mug on the counter, tucked the book in his coat, and put on his mittens before leaving. He dragged his sled behind him carrying a paper-wrapped chicken.
Dragging the now empty sled, he brazenly headed right up through 4th St. as the sun was starting to descend behind the trees and homes along the street, the gray getting darker, like the charcoal colors that seem to fit so well a steel town in tough times.
Turning down White street he retraced his way through the battle ground of the play fight from earlier, wondering what the future might hold… he was fast, and track seemed a good way to get noticed too… the girls might make greater notice of a jock with a letter on his jacket.
The wind picked up and blew cold, stinging his face. “Dang it’s cold, I hope moms got some soup on the stove.”
Chapter 2: Spring 1940, Life Decisions
Exhausted from the track meet yesterday and the restlessness of a nightmare. A nightmare in which he found himself freezing, hungry and uncomfortable, wishing for home for warm food, a girl to talk to, wishing but feeling hopelessly lost, in a hell he could not believe was real, but something that he could not quite shake. He rose and dressed in the clothes he left at the foot of the bed, well really just a cot, for there’s not a lot of room for much more.
Stiffly walking off the sore from the race yesterday, and following the scent of some fried eggs and bacon grease, he ambles into the kitchen. His brother’s Mike and Ernie are sipping coffee, having had some breakfast already. The warmth of the kitchen, the smell of food was a sharp contrast to the nightmare so recently visited upon his soul.
Ernie speaking first. “Davey, congrats heard you won the mile and cross-country race yesterday against Wyandotte”…
Mike joining in. “Yes, great win… Ma and Katie left already to get some laundry from Mrs. Kovac, and I think another family, so you want me to make you some breakfast?”
“Sure, I’m hungry”… “and hey I’d like to talk to you both about my future.”
Ernie says, “Whattya got on your mind?”
As you know, I’ve been working at Wild Bill’s auto after school, and although I’m learning a lot, and enjoy it, I just don’t see how I can make anything more than the occasional few bucks I get paid for tearing down a transmission and rebuilding it. There are too few real jobs, and although I think I could do automotive engineering, you know we cannot afford it. Steve is working at the market part time, you two are getting part-time pay in the Air National Guard. What do you guys think I should do after graduation?”
Mike asks, “scrambled or fried?”
“Scrambled is good by me, and a cup of joe too.”
Ernie says, “you know we are both in the Michigan ANG… it is clear to us that the Army is really ramping up. They are recruiting for a war that everyone feels is inevitable with Germany. The Brits and Frenchies are preparing for war, Poland has fallen, it’s only a matter of time before the Germans move on France. They say the Huns might be unstoppable based on what they did in Poland. If it’s not a short war, there’s no way we don’t get dragged into as we did in 1917.”
“The news says that congress is debating a draft. The AFC are saying “America First” … they have a strong lobby I hear, but we are already getting involved, retooling our industry for a mechanized war, this is not likely to stay a European war… and then the Japs are making trouble in China too. War is coming one way or another, and I say don’t wait to be drafted, enlist, make some dough and learn something. You are smart, you might be able to get some education. Mike and I expect our unit to be federalized. We will be part of the US Army Air Force before the end of the year from what we hear.”
David answering, “Mr. Jackson is our athletic director and a history teacher he talked about his service in the Great War, he says our generation is going to be put in a similar situation as his, that the history of the world is shaped by epic battles and campaigns… he says we need to be prepared and trained, they were too green when they went to France in 1917, and it is only through the weight of numbers and fighting spirit that we beat back the Huns. Our generation should learn from the past and do this better.”
“Frankly, I have been reading about the great battles which shaped the world in a book Johnny Backlarz gave me, and some additional war books, and I think we could find ourselves involved in something of the same, because we are not very different from the ancient warriors I’ve read about… but I think we have better music!”
“Hey, by the way, these eggs are good, a little skimpy on the bacon there… but thank you Mike.”
Mike says, “you’re welcome, bacon is expensive,” and goes on with… “I agree with Ernie, and your Mr. Jackson, this storm is coming and we all are going to be involved, better to do it somewhat on our terms than someone else’s… If we gotta go, it will be enlistment through the ANG. I think I might get a pilot role, as I already know how to fly, you should enlist too after graduation. You won’t avoid the draft anyway, Stevie might with those peepers he has to wear…. But enough of that, who are you seeing now? Any girls in your target sites soldier?”
Smacking his lips as he wipes the grease off his plate with bread and finishes the last bite of eggs, Dave says… as a matter of fact there’s a girl out of Wyandotte that is a knockout. I saw her after the race yesterday… I took her bike for a joy ride, if she wasn’t already looking at me, it certainly got her attention.”
“I’m hoping to see her this evening at the Friday Evening Hop… the Ernest Cooper Band is playing and they are great, I’m hope some of the Wyandotte girls will be there, well at least one.”
Ernie said, “that’s cool, what’s her name?”
“Millie.” “I hope they play “In the Mood” cause, I’m in the mood!”
Mike said, “I bet you’re in the mood… well have a great time “Romeo”, just don’t get hooked up right now, you have graduation and enlistment ahead of you. Ernie and I need to get to work at the ANG for this weekend, and you need to get to school… but first clean up the kitchen for Ma, she ain’t gonna be happy if you leave it a mess!”
“Hey, this isn’t just my mess”
“It is now.” As Ernie and Mike made a quick exit.
After cleaning the kitchen, he washed up… put his hair in a nice wave, held in place and shiny with Brylcreem, and donned his letter sweater before stepping out the door to school.
Chapter 3: June 1940, Enlistment
What a graduation party! A long table, with family enjoying a sunny lunch on a clear second day of June. The family just back from church services at St. John’s, the church built and attended by Delray’s Hungarian immigrant community. This immigrant community, like so many others, have provided the needed workers over the past 30 some years to the booming industrial base of Detroit. These work-hard, play-hard people, know how to live with great appreciation for their adopted homeland. They have chased prosperity across an ocean, finding their way deep into the industrial heartland of America.
The flowers bordering the garden blooming, the tomatoes, green but looking plump, the cucumbers and watermelon on their way to ripeness. A barrel of Stroh’s for the occasion and burgers and dogs on the grill, and of course stuffed cabbage, perogies and other mouth-watering dishes on display.
The flag waving with pride on the front porch, just visible from the table set up in the front-side yard. Well not really a table, rather some boards kept in the garage placed on saw horses and covered with table cloths.
The gypsies just arriving with their musical instruments, that oldest brother George invited for the occasion.
Dave looks along the table realizing in this moment more than others that he is blessed with family. He, being the youngest, has enjoyed the affection and attention of mom, if less so, dad too… and beyond the teasing, the support and advice of four older brothers and a sister.
There’s my stalwart mother Anna, sitting next to pa, Frank. Next to them, Katie and Shoundee, her recently acquired husband. But not the father of Richard, her son, age 9 sitting next to her. What a scandal that was… but with the strength of family, everyone came through it okay. Next to Richard is MaryAnn, age 8, the daughter of Irene and George, who occupy the other end of the table.
George is his oldest brother who first found a job with Great Lakes Steel and then helped ma and pa to move up from Cleveland along with his brothers and Katie. He helped Katie with her surprise pregnancy, and helped pa get a job. So much is owed to my brother and his dedication to ma and the rest of the family.
My brother’s Steve, Mike and Ernie are together on the North side of the table. Mike and Ernie looking sharp in their Michigan Air National Guard uniforms. And, Mikey, George’s son, age 5 sitting on my lap.
We are not wealthy, but we have survived the leanest years of what people have been calling The Great Depression. Now, at least for dad, and brother George, the work in the mill is picking up, as steel is needed for a coming war, for tanks, ships, and all sorts of weapons and vehicles. It feels like there is a great opportunity for prosperity, but the cloud of war overhangs every discussion.
At St. John’s, the older folks were all in a chitter. They being acutely aware, their home country, a former part of the Austria-Hungarian empire, would soon be a target of NAZI Germany’s desire. From the talk, it seems they believe a feckless Hungarian government will likely ally with Germany to appease them… and it will probably fail, just as the Brit’s appeasement, nearly two years prior, has failed. The conversation from church was spilling over into this afternoon’s festivities, with nearly everyone believing war’s cannons will boom over Hungary, and our Army and Navy will be called to defend democracy and ensure freedom from tyranny.
Dave, glancing again at the flag waving in the light breeze, is thinking: “these are heady and exciting times, big things are happening, and I’m going to be right in the middle of all this. I’m thankful Mr. Jackson’s push to understand the famous battles that shaped the world, to condition my body through athletics, to shape my mind for team sports and be ready for whatever may come! Yes, I’m strong and capable. The Army will need men like me, they will need people who can strip an engine and rebuild it, they will need men who can rise to the challenges coming. And above all I will look dashing in a uniform… the girls will notice.”
His day dream, is interrupted when Katie’s Richard pulls MaryAnn’s hair and in quick response, she slugs him and they start racing around the table, MaryAnn trying to get in another lick… Mickey, George’s middle son sitting on Dave’s lap, trying to get a sip of his beer, decides to clamber down and join the melee… and now they are all running around the table, even Blackie, the dog who has been sleeping quietly is now up and joining in the chase.
Sister Katie, grabs Richard by the collar and disrupts the whole shenanigans! Sitting him in his seat, and giving MaryAnn a chance to get one more punch to his arm as she settles into hers, and Mickey decides someone should be playing with the dog as he runs off to the yard chasing the dog.
The table erupts with laughter, creating a pause in the serious conversations about war and the future, just as the gypsies are warming up their instruments.
George, looking sharp in his white shirt, suspenders holding up his pleated, baggy pants, raises his mug in toast to Davey… “Congratulations to Davey, he may be the youngest of us, but he could well be the best of us!”
“Now let us drink up, eat up, and start the music”… “Come on Irene, let’s dance”…
And so, the party begins!
The kids, join in immediately and Katie grabs her husband Shoundee to join Irene and George already bouncing off the improvised plywood dance floor placed over the grass lawn. Cars going by honk at the partiers for the pure fun of it, as neighbors are wandering over to join in too.
Mike, Steve and Ernie with their beers seem to be having a serious conversation over by the grill, despite the music and merriment.
Davey, grabs his ma’s hand, and pa’s, dragging them onto the makeshift dance floor to the music of the chardash which is beginning to move from its slow initial and dramatic phase, into a faster pace. Soon the musicians will bring it to it’s inevitable lively twirling experience.
Davey’s speed and agility are matched by no one as the music picks up tempo. Yes… this is a moment he will not soon forget.
Grabbing a dog off the grill that Mike has been tending, as well as, a beer, Davey wipes the perspiration off his forehead and joins the conversation which now moves to one end of the table.
Steve was saying “I’ve found there are good opportunities at Fisher Body. It’s hot and difficult work, but the car business seems to be picking up. You know the wealthy will always be with us and they will want their Caddies.”
Mike, just stepping away from the grill with a burger, and sitting with Dave, Steve and Ernie saying “Yes, but it took a couple of years for you to find that opening, and now the production is likely to be changed from Caddies to Tanks and other war production needs. This is what I’m hearing from the ANG officers. Furthermore, the draft is coming, those getting the production jobs are going to be those who won’t qualify to join the fight.”
Ernie says, “I think he’s right, and Steve you are in a good position, as you are already in a solid job and your coke-bottle glasses will exclude you from enlistment and the draft.”
Steve says, “I think Davey should wait on enlistment and try for a production job with Fisher, or Ford, as his experience Wild Bill’s Auto could help him land a job and maybe a career.”
Mike says, “it wouldn’t matter, we’ve had this conversation a couple of months ago. He’d just get drafted anyway, and getting drafted might reduce his chance of getting the kind of Army job he would want. I think his chances are better if he enlists. Also, when he takes the AGCT, he might score well enough to land in a technical training program”
Dave replies, “guys, I’ve already made up my mind, I think we are going to find ourselves in quite a mix one way or another from what my study of history tells me. I’ve been prepared for this and I think enlistment is the way to go. I’m keen on the Army. In fact, I’m going to ask Irene to drive me to the enlistment station on Fort Street this week and get this done.”
Steve says, “well you better have a talk with ma, before you go, I’m sure she expects you might be going, but that’s different than knowing it. She will always support her baby ya know.” As he pats Davey on the head.”
“Yeah”, says Ernie, “and for pa, he just will be happy that there’s one less mouth to feed… and geez, you can eat boy!”
Hey you too would have an appetite like mine if you could chardash like I do!
—
On Monday, after the pounding in his head from a bit too much of Detroit’s finest Stroh’s beer, and a weak breakfast of some left over perogies and bread. Dave, asked his mother to come away from her ironing so he could speak to her.
In careful, but clear Hungarian, he laid out the case for enlistment, knowing she would not want to hear it. But also, knowing, as Steve had said yesterday; that she would support him no matter what he wanted to do.
For this was always the way, as tough as she wanted to be, there was a soft spot in her heart for her youngest. The one who was smart, and quick with a word and ready with a smile. He was too handsome, too persuasive and she would do whatever she could to support his dreams.
But when she cried, he cried too. She knew there would likely be three sons in this coming war. She heard all the chatter at St. John’s. And although could not follow the news on the radio, she was otherwise well-informed on the brewing darkness coming out of Germany. The darkness out of Germany, she had seen before; as it always seems to be … And for her, it always seemed that the Hungarians would pay a big price in these wars of conquest… It did not matter if it was from the home country or from the adopted country of America, the working boys, her beautiful boys would be asked to sacrifice.
Consoled somewhat with the convenient story, that he would likely be a mechanic working well behind the front lines, she accepted, as all mother’s must accept, that it was his choice. Like so many other mothers she would pray and light candles each Sunday for his safe return. With this she said “Krisztus veled”… “Christ be with you” as she kissed him.
Drying the tears from his eyes, he walked down the street to George and Irene’s home on White Street, the site of previous childhood battles and yesterday’s graduation celebrations, to ask Irene for a ride to the enlistment station on Fort Street.
—
Irene, happy to be out and away from the kids as Katie watched Richard, MaryAnn and Mickey… as they are always a handful.
The weather was nice, so she rolled down the window and relaxed. Thankful there were a few other young men in line before Dave. Another half-hour away, wouldn’t be such a bad thing. They all looked like recent graduates from what she could see from the curb.
A thought came to her slow, but sure like a tide rising, that these young men were likely to find themselves in great danger. Sure, there was the excitement of the uniform, the marching, the training. But in this tide of thought she remembered the parades she watched while on her father’s shoulders of young men in wheel chairs, missing legs, those marching with an arm sleeve folded up where an arm should have been. Yes, as the thought proceeded, those may have been the lucky ones. The ones who came back, even if disfigured. The thought came like a cold sweat on a warm day, it chilled her as she thought of her brother-in-law and maybe Mike and Ernie too. What might, this do to her mother-in-law, Anna, so brave and tough, but still a mother. What if it was her Mickey that was old enough to march into an enlistment center, what would this be like?
She felt her belly, knowing from experience that another baby is coming. What type of world will this baby be born into? If a boy, would he be as brave as these young men? Would he be like Dave, so handsome and young and smart?
A premonition came to her, that this is a baby boy and should be named for his uncle, David.
On the drive home, they were quiet. Dave lost in thoughts about what the Army would be like. Would he be something like the warriors he had read about? Would he do well enough on the aptitude test to land a job that would provide lasting value, or would he find himself on the front-lines? It now seemed very real and close, as he had committed himself to get on a bus in two weeks to camp. Fear for how his life was about to change, and yet excited for the adventures to come…
And Irene drove quietly, lost in her own thoughts. Not being able to shake the feeling of fear which came over her, with the memory of the Great War veterans, and yet the exciting premonition of, her baby boy to come. Like Dave next to her. Like Anna’s Dave, the family’s youngest one.
Chapter 4: June 1940, Fort Sheridan
A family send-off on Sunday, just two weeks from graduation… again with the barrel of beer, and gypsy music on another brilliant June 16th. An excuse to celebrate. But, this time Dave is resolved to enjoy less of the Stroh’s, and more of the stuffed cabbage and Hungarian sausage… It certainly will be a few months before he will enjoy these ancestral flavors again.
Since the graduation party on June 2nd, so much has happened, the Brits had pulled off an impressive escape at Dunkirk and salvaged much of their expeditionary force, but in the process losing war materials that will be expensive to replace. The rumors in Detroit were that the industrial capacity of the area would be in great demand to rebuild British forces, and to build up the US Army forces and Navy ships. Furthermore, just two days ago the Germans reached Paris and took over the city. The war that started just a month before on May 10 in Belgium and France was now nearly complete. The French has one of the largest modern armies in the world, and they were beaten soundly in just weeks. The Nazis are threatening world domination. They seem unstoppable.
Everyone around the table was discussing the implications. In just one month, the world we knew was upended. The Belgium, French and the British armies were defeated, the Germans, Russians and Italian tyrannical regimes ruled most of Europe. The Fascist Japanese were attacking the Chinese with ferocity. The expectation that the US could remain free and isolated now seemed farcical. Also, war meant a boon for the steel mill, and the production of war products would demand more of Detroit industry in the coming months and maybe longer.
Steve was saying, “Davey, maybe you should have waited, we are going to see an explosion in job opportunities with the latest news reports, and the sentiment of congress and President Roosevelt.”
Dave, replied, “maybe, but I also see opportunity to be in the Army before the draft, as we discussed two weeks ago. There’s no way we are going to stay out of this, I just hope we can get ready in time. I heard that there are plans for rapid improvement in our Army and Navy. They say that Army is 10 percent of that of Germany. Dang, Portugal has a larger Army than we have.
Mike, interjected, “yes this is moving fast, we are hearing that in the next couple of months the Michigan Air National Guard will be federalized and become of the 107th Observation Squadron of the Army Air Corp. Ernie and I have already received a briefing of our anticipated role in anti-submarine patrols, and air-based photography in the war theaters.”
Ernie says, “they are talking about us moving to Louisiana for further training, it looks like we all will be going somewhere.”
Dave remarks, “Well, I will start my training near Chicago. I’ll take the bus to Fort Sheridan tomorrow. … It’s incredible, so much is happening at the same time, the world seems to be changing right in front of us, I suppose we will have to change too.”
“Amen brother,” says Steve. “But somethings won’t change, George will always find an excuse to have a party and invite the gypsies.”
—
The merriment of the day before, and the talk of the enormity of change had faded for Dave, and on June 17th, 1940 he boarded a bus with about 25 others in the next town over, at the Lincoln Park Greyhound station, each carrying small bags of personal items. All dressed differently and yet the same, slacks and button-down short-sleeve shirts, and the shoes they, like Dave, had worn to church the day before. He recognized several from football and track from other high schools, along with a few guys who were a couple years older. He found already seated a row from the back of the bus, Bill from school. They had talked about enlisting and did so a few days apart. Bill Murphy, is a bit beefier and more of a football star, whereas, Dave a track star, but they had both been encouraged to play by Mr. Jackson and had studied history under his tutelage. They found a kinship over history, even more so than football and track.
Storing his bag in the overhead rack, Dave slid into the seat next to Bill… “howdy, Bill, long-time no see”.
Bill, replied, “yeah, maybe all of a couple of weeks, but boy has it been an interesting couple of weeks, have you been following the war”?
Dave replying, “heck yeah, amazing what the Germans have done to the French and British forces, the Belgium Army wasn’t much, but to thoroughly defeat all three armies in a month is unbelievable. In the Great War, it turned into a stalemate of trench warfare almost immediately and that lasted years, until we entered and broke the stalemate. This time there’s no stalemate, just a bull rush, reminds of me the time you ran right over the River Rouge defenders to score the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of the homecoming game… there was no stopping you! I’m sure the Rouge guys felt a bit like the French getting bowled over during the Germans advanced to Paris.”
The bus, now nearly full, with a dozen conversations underway, coughed as it started, and a Sergeant dressed in a crisp green uniform boarded, and yelled, “now men, shut up!” “Quit chittering like a bunch of Sunday School kids, you are in the US ARMY, time for you to act like it!”
With that, the bus went eerily quiet as no one wanted unnecessary attention from Sergeant Stick-up-his-ass.
In a much lower voice, Bill says to Dave… “somehow I can see you wearing stripes and getting a bus load of kids to pipe down, and keep their heads down.”
Dave answers “Naw, I’m going to become a mechanic for the Army, the only orders I’ll be giving is bring the next jeep in, or change the oil… I don’t see me being anything more than a mechanic, I want to have a marketable skill at the end of my enlistment. The work I was doing at Wild Bill’s Auto will convince the Army that this is where I can best contribute. Also, on the drive I plan to study some more for the Army General Classification Test. I have a study book I picked up from school before graduation.”
Bill says, “you might think so, but you were a natural leader in school, and I think the Army is going to push you in another direction. For me, I just want to get ahead of the guys that are going to be drafted, and I can’t wait to fire a rifle, and maybe a Browning Automatic. I think it’s going to be so cool.”
Dave says, “maybe you’ll be the one wearing stripes and leading a platoon.”
Bill asks, “Hey, can I have a look at that study book?”
“Sure. Here, take a look.”
Flipping through the book, Bill says, “the vocabulary stuff looks easy, but I don’t know about all the math and what about these boxes and shapes, what is that all about?”
“The boxes and shapes are testing special awareness, essentially they are measuring how our minds work when trying to solve problems.”
“Well, I can tell you this stuff and the math is not my strong suit, but I bet you’ll do well with it.”
“I hope so, I told ma, that I’ll be a mechanic or something like that and be away from any frontlines. And besides if there’s going to be a modern Army to go up against the tank divisions and air force of the Germans, I think we will need people that can figure out the kind of problems in this test.”
“Big plans Davey, big plans! For me, give me a simpler life.”
“Yeah, well I have older brothers that have pushed me to be something more than an infantry grunt. Give me the study guide, I’m going to spend the next couple hours studying, but for chrissakes, open that window a bit and get some air in this bus, it’s already starting to smell like a locker room in here.”
Bill, replies… “go ahead with your studying, I’m going to close my eyes, we have a quite a few hours to Chicago.”
—
As the bus pulled up to Ft. Sheridan gate and was cleared through by the MPs, Dave was waking from a short nap, that was a welcome respite from his studying.
He saw what will be home for the foreseeable future. Large parade ground, what appeared to be an obstacle course off to the right bordered in the distance by forest. To the left, rows up rows of white buildings and gravel, neatly framed with rocks around each building and tent’s in neat rows. Two more buses ahead, unloading recruits and hundreds of others in uniform marching in formation on the parade grounds, each with a sergeant barking orders in front of squads. It looks a bit like a parade… how hard can this be?
Hustled out of the bus, Dave. along with the other recruits are told to line up in single file and carrying their limited possessions they begin the procession into the building with Induction and Reception Center stenciled across the entrance.
Inside they are shuffled through check stations. First, confirming name, age, home town and address. Second, specific skills and interests… Dave indicates first choice, mechanic, second artillery, third infantry… later he discovers, no one gets their first choice, and most don’t get their second choice.
In short order, he is told to strip, examined by a doctor, or medic, who knows? Told to turn his head and cough while he’s tested for hernia… and otherwise assaulted. A barrage of immunizations, shots in both arms for typhoid, smallpox, and whatever… Weight 145, height 5 foot 8 inches… then a haircut. Well not a haircut, a complete shave so all he feels is stubble across his scalp where his once beautiful wave of Brylcreem-coiffed hair shined black. Then, he is handed two sets of scratchy wool uniforms, hat and boots, and shuffled back out into the June sunshine to be marched to a barracks just two blocks away.
“Go find a bunk, store your civvies and personal articles and put your work uniform on, you have exactly three minutes” … “Now Go”.
Dave, grabs a top bunk about midway, Bill grabs the lower bunk.
In what seems like no more than 2 minutes they are lined up in front of their bunks and the drill sergeant is berating their appearance.
He takes a recruit nearest to the door, and proceeds to explain, in no uncertain terms, how to wear the uniform, how to stand at attention, what stand-at-ease is and what the storage locker and bunk should look like. “Got it?”
“Yes sir” came the enthusiastic response from the boys assembled…
“Don’t say ‘sir’ to me! I work for a living, you reserve ‘sir’ for officers”… “Your affirmative answer to me, is: Yes, Drill Sergeant”
“Yes, drill sergeant” came the response from the room.
“Louder!!”
“Yes, drill sergeant!!”
In a moment they were doing calisthenics and short-distance runs, learning to move in 12-men units called squads, and in the evening learning who and how to salute, the insignia of officers and importantly the Articles of War.
On the second day they are ushered into a class room with recruits from other barracks to take the AGCT… 140 questions in 40 minutes. Impossible to finish… which I think must be the intent, Dave feels overwhelmed by the test, even though he had prepared. Now worried, he’s not sure how he did and what this might mean for his future.
Within a week, the recruits were starting to shape up and look like soldiers, even if they really don’t yet have a clue what that means. Everyone, was a bit gung-ho, looking the part, and excited to be doing something important for their country and themselves in very uncertain times. And now they are finally handling a rifle, non-stop it seemed. Learning how to walk guard duty, how to maintain personal hygiene, the Army way! First-aid training, and now 5-mile conditioning marches carrying rifle and pack.
These boys, enlisted from farm and city, grew up in tough times, they are lean and prepared, so this was all good fun, and hard work. They had always worked hard and played hard. This is what they volunteered for, and now they were eating better than most had in their life, if not better flavor, definitely more calories.
Drill sergeant Clark, stiff and imposing, holding a clipboard, called out “Kulchar, front and center, you will be the lead for Platoon 1, which includes Bailey, Kulwacki, Stewart, Truckowski, Roberts, and Murphy.”
“ You will make sure they are on-time where they need to be, and that they all make it through each of the training sessions. No excuses!”
“Yes, drill sergeant!”
Similarly, the rest of the barrack recruits were grouped into platoon two, three and four.
That night, Bill says “See I told you, you’ll be given orders in no time, the sergeant recognized your leadership potential right away.”
Dave replies, “I think it’s that I’m the fastest through the obstacle course… this is easy compared to football practice and long-distance running… but there is so much to learn… for now, I’m exhausted. Good night Bill”
“Good night Dave”
With that, Dave trying to shutout the cacophony of men snoring, grunting and farting rolled over and despite the noise, thought of Millie and her young lithe body and imagined how it might look under that knit blouse and poodle skirt. The noise seems to have grown louder since they arrived, but sleep, none the less comes faster than ever despite the noise and the desire to think of Millie.
The next day, the results of the Army test are available. Each are called into the office to hear the results. Not everyone is enthusiastic when they come out.
“Kulchar, get in here!”
Walking in, Dave salutes the officer behind the desk and gives a side glance to the drill sergeant, acknowledging him.
“Recruit, you scored 116, this puts you solidly in Grade II. You might be officer material, however based on your special aptitude and math scores and experience as an auto mechanic, you are a candidate for a technical track. You are being recommended for a technical track in radio and radar. You will continue your combat training, but will be moved into another training unit thereafter.”
“Sir, Yes Sir!”
“Recruit dismissed!”
Returning to the mess hall, Dave grabs a cup of coffee and finds Bill. “Well, Bill, how did you score?”
“I had a 92, looks like I’ll be sticking with the infantry. How about you?”
“I had a 116, looks like, I’ll be assigned to work on radar. I know nothing about this, I really expected to be working in the motor pool. But I’ll take what I get and make the best of it.”
“Well, good on you! You, said you wanted to learn something, seems you certainly will get that opportunity.”
—
It’s the end of the third week, and between the hours of exercise, obstacle course and distance marches, time is spent learning both the M1903 Springfield Rifle, and all the positions from which firing should take place and how to strip it, clean it and carry it. Furthermore, they had their first exposure to the gas mask, include braving the walk through a room full of tear gas to build necessary experience and confidence. But damn… everyone wants a chance to prove themselves with live rounds on the range.
On Monday of the fourth week, as they file out of the mess hall they are issued tents, one for each bunk pair. Taught to pack it, deploy it, and how to allocate space for body and field gear… as they are ushered out to the training grounds for a week in the field.
Monday night, was a cool night for a summer in Illinois, as the sun set and taps was sounded it was a pleasure to crawl into the tent and settle in for the night. It was the first quiet night in three weeks. Instead of an orchestra of 22 others, so close and personal in the barracks, Dave was hearing only Bill’s light snoring interrupting sweet dreams of Millie, as he began to dose off….
Revelry played loud, breaking through a very pleasant dream… “what damn timing… geez.”
Rising, dressing quick, and hustling out to roll call and then the chow line. This morning it’s slop… porridge or oatmeal, not quite sure what to call it, but not what Dave would call breakfast, served from a tent kitchen just a 100-yards away. It didn’t matter, hungry soldiers need calories, and this seems an efficient solution. Eating quick and making a necessary stop at the latrine, Dave was ready for what would be coming next.
Today would be exciting, they would get to do live-fire on the range, enough of the stripping and cleaning and practicing shooting positions… finally an opportunity to find out if they can hit a target.
Dave, called Platoon 1 together, at the start of the obstacle course as ordered by the drill sergeant, and passed on the good news. “We are going through the obstacle course with our rifles this time and then we are to run to the range. First platoon there takes the lead on the range. Let’s be the first through the obstacle course and first to the range. We will show those guys who are the best!”
“Hooah!” was the response in unison.
Dave, lined his team up and took the lead and told Bill to bring up the rear through the obstacle course… he knew he could count on Bill to help anyone struggling over the wall at the end of the obstacle course, the thing he most worried would slow his team.
The drill sergeant, said to the four platoons lined up and waiting, “Okay girls, get set, and GO!”
Dave, knowing he was the fastest in the barracks, moved gracefully and fast through the obstacle course, intentionally putting pressure on the other teams and pulling his team along by setting an example of speed and grace.
At the end, he watched anxiously the rest of his platoon showing a bit of gap at the end.
“Come on platoon one” … Come on Bill”, but Bill was already helping Roberts over the wall.
They dropped over nearly simultaneously… the platoon winded, but all present, Dave says “Let’s go, double-time platoon.”
As soon as he was a hundred yards out, he realized he made a mistake, leaving Bill and Roberts to bring up the rear resulted in them being more winded than Dave and the rest.
Willing his team along, Dave picked up the pace, setting the pace, and expecting his team to move. No way was he going to lose to platoon 3, probably the second best of the barracks platoons.
Pushing ahead, Dave was now at least 10 yards ahead of even Kulwacki. Kulwacki was a high school cross-country runner from Chicago… Dave was disappointed he was falling behind him… dang, he was determined his platoon would be number one to the range.
Arriving at the range, the range chief, another drill sergeant, says to Dave, “okay recruit you are first, but where is your platoon?”
Huffing and puffing a bit, Dave pushes out… “drill sergeant, they are following me.”
“Recruit, why wouldn’t you keep your platoon together?”
“Drill sergeant, I was trying to set a positive example, and bring my platoon in first place!”
“Recruit, you need to learn! You never leave your platoon behind, you have just lost your position as platoon leader.”
“Yes, drill sergeant”… Dave says dejectedly.
—
“Murphy”
“Yes, drill sergeant”
“You are now leader of Platoon 1.”
—
That evening, Dave smarting, and realizing he really did want to be a leader. Told Bill, “I messed up today.
Bill replied, “yeah Dave, I know, there is no way I can keep up with you and I was winded after the obstacle course… You are a natural leader, but you need to be aware of the capabilities of the team. Well, it may not matter as you have your radio and radar training ahead of you.”
Chapter 5: July 1940, 5th Infantry Division
Now, officially through initial training, the newly inducted privates are allocated to 5th Infantry Division regiment. Given their red diamond insignia, they receive their duty assignments. Bill going to the 2nd Infantry Regiment, and Dave going to the 5th Signal Company.
“Good luck Bill… maybe I’ll see you, as from what I hear we are going on maneuvers in Wisconsin.”
“Yeah, Fort McCoy… I heard they have a lot more space than what we’ve been operating in here… I’m sure you Signal Company guys will get plush accommodations.”
“I’m not counting on that.”
Dave was tasked with a couple hundred other to box up, and load up three rail cars worth of radios, radar, generators, spools of wire and various antenna for the ride North.
Stuffed into passenger cars, the 5th Signal Company of roughly 200 men were among the first to leave by rail to Fort McCoy.
Dropping into a seat next to next to PFC Malone, Dave asks, “so what’s this outfit like, what should I expect to be doing?”
Malone says, “Captain Clark, is good people. He is a veteran of the Great War, enlisted and survived the frontlines, when he was discharged, he went to school at Purdue and then accepted a commission to come back into the Army to help make us a modern fighting force.”
“Captain, says that we need to be mechanized and mobile for the next war, it won’t be like the trench warfare of the last war. Radio communications to keep units in contact with fast moving tank companies, artillery, air units, and also make use of radar in coordination with anti-aircraft batteries. We are fortunate to have someone with a vision for how we can be effective, and he was a G.I. in the last war. He understands us working guys.”
“Follow directions, learn how to read technical instructions and all the equipment and spare parts we are lugging into the field and you will do fine.”
Dave sucks air in through his teeth, saying “well it all looks so complicated, I’d appreciate if you can point me in the right direction.”
Malone replies “I’m Stewart, my friends call me Stu, I’ll give you a primer I have on electronics and radio when we get to camp, study it and ask questions, and do the menial labor well in the meantime, and you’ll get an opportunity to grow, there’s not many of us in this man’s Army … I feel sorry for the grunts that will have to do the heavy fighting… but don’t be confused, command and control and communications will always be a target for the enemy… we’ll have a target on our backs.”
“Stu, great to meet you, please call me Dave.”
“Oh, and Dave, watch out for Lt. Addison. He’s just a couple years older than us, but he went to school for engineering and he thinks he’s hot shit, and we are just hear to shovel his shit. He will be conducting seminars on radio and radar, but he’s not really teaching, he’s testing… testily testing”
Feeling the effects of hard labor from loading the rail cars, and the sway of the train and the rhythm of the track led both Dave and Stu to doze as the Wisconsin countryside on the left and Lake Michigan on the right were streaming by.
About an hour and half into the ride, the troops see Milwaukee and get a box lunch served by the logistics troops accompanying the command staff. The baloney sandwiches were hearty and tasty to the young troops…
Dave says, “not so bad, I was starving.”
Stu replies, “yeah, man, I was too… hey take a look, at Milwaukee, I live here, I wish I could make a visit home while here, but there’s no way they’ll let me take a leave with the 2nd Army Maneuvers kicking off this week.”
“Sorry you are so close to home and yet will be so far away… but for me, I’m excited to be part of this training. I’ve no idea what is coming.”
“Dave, I’ll tell you know one does. But we are to have around 65 thousand troops participating, there’s not been maneuvers like this since the Great War… this is big time.”
“Whew, I had no idea.”
—
After about six hours the train pulls into a side rail that leads to the entrance of Ft. McCoy, in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin.
Stu and Dave file off the train, thankful to get out of the stuffy car, and find themselves in the stifling summer heat of a Midwest August day.
They unpack and load equipment into trucks for deployment into the field. It’s hot, heavy work. Nothing much technical about it. They work into the evening and as the sun starts setting low in the West, the mosquitos, big enough to be called small birds assail the men. Nice hot, juicy targets for the buggers.
Addison supervising the equipment transfer came by…. “Sergeant, your men are out of uniform, have them roll those sleeves down and button up their uniforms!”
“Sir, Yes, Sir!”
Sergeant Owens, barked to the men: “Get your uniforms right. We are the United States Army, and we work in uniform. I don’t give no goddamn that it’s hot enough to scald a lizard!”
“And pick up the pace, you don’t want to be doing this all night, we need to bivouacked at our campsite in two hours.”
—
Finally, there’s virtually no light other than stars, half-moon, and a few deployed lights in the field where they are told to pitch tents. Tired, but knowing the alternative of sleeping on the ground would leave them even further exposed to the relentless mosquitos and deerflies of a rural Wisconsin, Stu and Dave, pitch their tent in the 10 by 10-foot space… enough room for their 5 by 7-foot pup-tent.
Smudge pots in the camp put up smoke to dissuade the indigenous insect population, and within the pup tent, Dave and Stu did their best after crawling onto their sleeping rolls to pull mesh protection over themselves and tuck the mess under their bedrolls.
“Geez Stu, I got one of those blood suckers in caught in my netting.”
“Good news, he can only eat so much, man I’m tired, damn Addison, who doesn’t know the meaning of work was relentless today.”
“You got that right. Maybe tomorrow we’ll learn something instead of just doing manual labor. Goodnight Stu.”
“You’ll see what it takes to set up comms and radar tomorrow… you’ll learn something, but it will be a lot of manual labor. Good night Dave. Don’t let the all-kinds-of-bugs bite.”
—
Waking to revelry, they wake to a bit cooler but humid morning and line up for roll-call and breakfast at the kitchen tent, where the cooks had been working since wee hours of the morning to give the troops something hot to start their day. A very busy day.
They are tasked with setting up the command center, getting radios and field wires deployed to arriving 5th Infantry units. The task of deploying communications and testing them throughout the wide spread division meant groups were spread far and wide. The division needed to also ensure the communications were function with 2nd Army Command. It was the equivalent of setting up telephone and radio communication system for a city the size of Milwaukee with all of the connect points and coverage area.
Mobile units, such as tanks simulated at times by trucks masquerading as rare tanks required comms set up with ground troops that supported them.
Ground-to-air and air-to-ground comms required coordination with the US Army Air Force.
Radar, primitive as it was, provided identification of potential enemy targets and linked to anti-aircraft batteries.
This was a full-blown deployment that would result in incredible learning by the troops regarding coordinated unit movement and communications, as well as, command learning. It would result in a change from a square type of command to a triangle type of command. Where one regiment would be deployed to frontal attack, another to flanking and the third side of the triangle held as reserve. Mechanized units and large artillery would be held by command to be deployed where needed across a front. The air command would for the first time operate in cooperation with the ground command troops. The US Army needed to operate much like the German Army was doing as they bowled through the Poles, Belgium, French and Brits. But uniquely American, the front-line troops were given greater freedom of movement with and without direct command. NCO’s the sergeants and corporals would direct squad level engagements under the direction of battalion and company command. The 2nd Army maneuvers of August 1940 would be pivotal to how the Army would fight in the coming years, in the coming conflict.
—
Deploying a wire spool along a deer path in the Wisconsin woods Dave and Stu along with four others carried their M1 Rifles, pack and other gear as they worked in the August heat.
They were setting up a phone communication link between Division command and 2nd Infantry Regiment.
“Stu, shit this is heavy work. I cannot believe we have to wear this wool uniform. I’m sweating like a stuffed pig.”
“Yeah, well it helps keep the bugs off… this citronella oil stuff they gave us seems to only work for an hour or so and then the deerflies and mosquitos are back at us.”
“I don’t remember Michigan summers being this bad, maybe it was the sauerkraut we would eat that kept the bugs away.”
“Naw, I doubt it, you just lived in the city, there were a lot of targets for those critters, here not so much, they can catch us easier than the deer and bear in these woods.”
“Bear, what do you mean.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve seen them all the time in Wisconsin. They’ll stay out of our way as long as we don’t leave food where they can find it.”
Laughing, Dave says “is this why we are carrying these guns while we are working.”
“Maybe, it would be if they had given us any bullets… we’ll get some range time I’m sure, but we are signals company, not sure they expect us to fight.”
“Well, I’d like some bullets… at least to protect us from bears.”
“Hahaha… not like you’d get a shot off before a bear got to you anyway. And if you did, you’d only piss it off!”
“My pa and I have hunted in these woods for deer, but we are always careful not to surprise a bear. They can be ornery, especially if they have cubs… so if you see some tracks or some shit that’s bigger than that of the biggest dog you’ve seen, let me know.”
“Jeepers… I’ll keep my eyes open… but switch with me and carry the spooler, it is getting lighter as we go, but the strap is cutting into my shoulder. I’ll use the wire pike for a while.”
“Yeah that’s fair.”
—
Following map and compass coordinates the small team arrived at the 2nd regiment command post, spool of wire deployed and connected to the telephone at regimental command. Back-up radio communications are confirmed and the mission signed-off as a successful.
Prior to return to division command, the team takes a break and gets some chow from the regimental field kitchen.
“Hey Kulchar, long-time no-see.”
“Bill, hey man, how’s it going?”
“Just great… our platoon is just back from a patrol. We were tasked with recon of a forward sector, and were in the field for two days. It was fun and challenging for a couple of days, but I’d hate to do that for weeks on end.”
“What is all over your face?”
“Oh yeah, I haven’t a chance to clean up yet but we make a paste of water and ashes to act as a barrier to the damn mosquitos that are so dang feisty.”
“That works?”
“Better than the repellant they issue us, which lasts less than an hour and needs to be reapplied.”
“Cool, I’ll have to give it a try… What are you doing for the platoon?”
“They made me a BAR man. I’ve got to tell you, it is so cool to shoot the BAR on the range, it’s a very effective and scary weapon. But it is heavy, its 20 lbs. and that’s not including all the ammo I carry.”
“Well as a fullback, I’ve seen you carry linemen your size on your back, so I’m sure you can handle it.”
“Hooah.”
Chapter 6: September 1940, Fort Custer
The 5th Infantry Division moved into newly renovated Fort Custer, in Battle Creek Michigan. Room for a growing Army as recruitments are up. And President Roosevelt signed into law the draft on the 16thof September for men 21 to 35.
The 2nd Army Maneuvers were devastating, but a great learning experience. It was intended to stress-test the Army against the type of fast-moving success the Germans were having in Europe. The results were abysmal. Equipment was in short supply and often did not work. Trucks were painted with the word “TANK” on the side. Some riflemen carried sticks labeled “rifle”. The National Guard troops proved to be out of shape and operated poorly against the US Army as an opposing force. Trucks broke down and there were no repair teams even contemplated. Radios failed. Written messages took too long to get from command to front lines, and there were too few phone lines installed fast enough. Officers performed poorly, failing to respond to fast changing situations and many senior commanders did not lead from the front.
The conclusion was that dramatic changes needed to be made. The Army command structure would be changed to reflect the need to move fast, the leadership would be purged in favor of younger more aggressive commanders, the logistics chain needed dramatic upgrades in equipment and planning, and the entire corps needed education. There was need for better engineering, better command, better mechanization and logistics. Everything needed overhaul to prepare for the war that was coming.
London was under attack from the air. Germany, Italy and Japan signed The Axis Pact. War was indeed on the horizon and the US Army was not ready. The 200,000 or so US ARMY would have to increase by ten x in size, and at least that in equipment and capability.
Lt. Addison called the class to attention. “We failed the division!” “Our radio comms are unreliable, our phone lines took too long to deploy and needed to be moved frequently to keep pace with the changing battlefield. It took too long to set up our radar system and link it with anti-aircraft batteries, we could not make repairs when equipment broke in that sauna of Wisconsin. What do you think it will be like in North Africa, Italy, France, and Indonesia if we must fight there? The Captain is hearing it from the Division, and the Division is hearing it from 2nd Army… and you are going to hear it from me!”
“You all are going to learn every piece of equipment and every spare part, and how to build what we need when we need it.”
“You are going to learn the theory of operation, and you are going to learn how to assess problems and fix them quickly, or you will be replaced by someone smart enough and quick enough to do so!”
And with this announcement began days and weeks of class, bench tests and lab work, and field trials and retrials and just for good measure physical training.
—
October 1940
—
Sitting down at the lunch table, Dave saying, “Stu, man we’ve been put through the ringer, I’m starting to get this electronics stuff, but this has been a lot of work. It was easier in the Wisconsin swamp, where I just had to follow orders and knew very little about the why and how of what we are doing… I’m tired, but I think it is good that we are learning so much.”
“Yeah, I’m getting tired of this, I didn’t join the Army to be spending all my time in class and doing all the field simulations. I thought I was going to be in the infantry, I liked being out in the field, it was like hunting with my old man. I thought the Army would be an alternative to school, not be school.”
“You’ve got to be kidding, this is great, I couldn’t ask my Pa to pay for school. We couldn’t afford it. Here we are getting an education, and we are part of a new Army. I hear that there is talk of needing engineers, that they might send us to engineering school as well, instead of having these guest lectures. They are teaching us about what they have now, I want to learn about what we’ll need to have in the future.”
“Well, Davey, you can have it, I don’t care to stretch my brain so dang much.”
“Are you going to transfer?”
“Naw, this Fort Custer is pretty nice and not far from Milwaukee when I get leave.”
“Yeah, it is and not far from Detroit either, if I ever get leave.”
“We better get back to class, I have a feeling we’re going to get another one of those quizzes that Addison is fond of.”
Rolling into the classroom, Lt. Addison hands out a test paper to each of the students. The test, commences with an order “Okay gentlemen, open the test cover and start, you have 45 minutes.”
Stu lets out an audible groan as they get rolling on the test.
Dave, scratching his head, feels like he’s seeing some of this stuff for the first time. It is calculating resistance with parallel elements and in series elements, and inductance values and oh my, I’ve only seen about half this stuff.
“Pencils down! Turn your test in on your way out. Class dismissed!”
—
“Kulchar!”
“Yes, sergeant!”
“Get in the office!”
“Yes, sergeant.”
Saluting, Dave stands at attention in front of the desk where the Lieutenant is reviewing a folder and several papers… “Kulchar, what is your problem?”
“Sir, I’m not sure what you mean?”
“Your AGCT score indicates you have the capability to excel at engineering, and here you are not scoring well enough on my tests to be much more than laborer in this unit. What is your problem, I repeat!”
“Sir, I… I really want to do well, but it is difficult to study and prepare and complete all the training.”
“Private, you better get it together in the next 3 weeks or you I will move you to an infantry regiment… and do not expect any let up in work and training, the Army needs men who are fit physically and mentally and prepared for modern warfare. Dismissed.”
—
“Stu, did you meet with Addison? I just got ripped a new one by him.”
“No, I haven’t heard anything from him about the test scores… and for me no news is good news.”
“Well, it seems I need to burn the midnight oil, if I’m going to stay in this unit… but dang it is hard to keep up with the work load, training and study.”
“I’m not sure why he’s beating on you this way? But glad it’s you and not me!”
“Thanks, much kimosabe.”
—
By the end of October, the math and circuit drawings started to make sense to Dave, the workload did not let up and the stress was greater than he thought he could handle, but he felt he was making progress, but you never know until tested, you just don’t know if it is enough.
Worried, the “Halloween” test was coming up. Dave was thinking, this is really going to be either a trick or treat event.
“Pencils Down!” Lt. Addison commanded, and the test was over, and Dave felt that it was really over one way or another for him.
“Stu, how do you think you did?”
“I don’t know, but I’m not going to worry about it. They are going to give us orders and we are going to do what we told to do, regardless of this test.”
“I guess you are right, it will be what it will be, but I really hope to continue learning electronics and comms… I know I would be okay in a rifle company, but I promised Ma, that I’d be in the rear and not in a frontline company.”
“Well good luck, my friend… but for me, what will be will be.”
—
Standing at Attention in front of Lt. Addison’s desk. Dave is sweating despite a comfortable Michigan November breeze coming in through the window tilted to let the freshening air into the office. If he had the chance he’d loosen his tie and collar to get some relief from the tension pulsing through his frame.
“Kulchar, your test results have improved, I think you can still do better but the improvement aligns with your competency test results. I’m going to recommend you for promotion to Private First Class and the Army is considering working with local universities to offer engineering course work for select individuals. I’m going to recommend you for this program. I don’t know when it this will happen, but if and when, it will give you an opportunity that few soldiers get. For now, you’ve earned the promotion and week’s leave for Thanksgiving. Dismissed Private!”