Danville Residents Remember World War II

                                    
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Transcript for file: danvillewwiiprogram2007-10-16.mp3

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Mymen’s bills are whatI’m president of the board of trustees of the library and half of the board in the 

study. I want to welcome you to a very special. 

presentation tonight. Last spring in anticipation of the 

showing of the the war mini series on the way although I know 

they asked libraries to interview veterans in our case we 

also filmed those interviews with the auspices of our. Very talented director 

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like inviting behind me or. 

Any film producer of his own right 

the. 

We had three teens who helped us with the. recommendations working so hard 

and working all over the use of the war museum. 

Johndroe withhand-held camera. Brian Brown 

and Brad Cody helped with the. 

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Questions. 

And the role that all the people who were interviewed are here to guide you or make 

you thinkyou’re going. 

To have a look at our polling is what they are in. 

A federal suit but 

I. Felt it was a 

dance that. 

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was unable to be with us that he was attending aP.O.W. reunion 

in Springfield. I believe and then. Last but not least 

walking in the door is our very own sparks over. 

So. Michael was able to condense that to an hour each interview in three to 

five minute clips which are of course extremely difficult. 

process andhe’s going to be you can view them on the reality allows website. 

And also special thanks again to Sparky for letting us use the word wisdom and to 

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recommend veterans. 

And giving us the tips on the young gentleman that helped us 

also will have that recall ofwho’s going to moderate our discussion tonight. 

Thank you very much for. 

What we want to thank you. Kimberly product andthey’ll be on it. Well or 

be inviting us to participate in this project. 

That will be very brief delays missing between some of the clips because of that. I think 

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the switch.C.D.‘s around. So. Without further adieu with a really 

active and. 

Thank You knowit’s so great to see all of you here tonight. This is wonderful. This is our 

sixth event. Working with others to tell the stories of veterans 

from Central Illinois. And I appreciate everyone who came here and the veterans 

and the library.It’s been a great partner to work with. And we know that during World 

War two Between the years of one nine hundred thirty nine and one nine hundred forty five fifty to eighty 

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million people perished in that war. The vast majority of them were 

civilians. More than four hundred five thousandU.S. 

airmen seamen and Marines who were killed during the war. 

And so for all those who were killed and were injured.I’d like to just invite you for a 

bit to share with me. A moment of silence. 

Ken Burns. And when Novak started out working on the program the war thatit’s airing on 

telly while. Well back in two thousand to more than six years to make this program. 

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Andwhat’s unique about this program is it tells about the war both on the battlefield and the home front from 

the people who were there.It’s not told from the perspective of the generals.It’s 

not told from the perspective of scholarly expertsit’s individuals like you and me who were 

there during this time. And we thinkthat’s what makes it so powerful. And W I L 

L is just like Ken Burns is aware that over a thousand veterans a day from World War 

two are passing on board. And so we wanted to work with libraries to gather their 

stories becausethere’s a tremendous need in the schools. For the kids to have these 

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stories firsthand accounts maybe children today believe we were allies with Germany during World 

War two. So. Sowe’re producing a lot of local materials to give to teachers. And if you 

are a teacher or know a teacher. Please see me afterwards we would love to get that material 

in your hands. Also I want to let you know that we are very 

we very much. Appreciate your feedback. We want to know how we did it. And outside.There’s a green 

survey if you will my pleas filling that out after the event. We really appreciate that. And 

also you may already know that Marion Blumenthal is on who was a 

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child and survived the Holocaust during World War two.She’ll be here next Wednesday at seven 

P.M. Andshe’ll also be in Charleston. The next day at sevenP.M.There’s a flyer on that as 

well. So we appreciate your being here. And now without further delay. Let 

us look at the eight minute segment from the warthat’s been airing on W. Well ifyou’ve 

missed it every Wednesday night for the next five nights five Wednesdays.We’ll be 

repeating that series. So eight until tenP.M. every Wednesday night for the next five weeks. You can watch the 

war. All of our local stories be it radio or television or all or 

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histories.We’re collecting more than seventy oral histories. Will be 

on our website. Andwe’re sending those to the Library of Congress so that. Future 

scholars and students can access this material because we believe that peopledon’t really know what it was 

like. And these stories help tell tell the story. So here we are now with the opening 

segment from the war by KenBurns’ and Lynn milk. 

So I am. 

One evening in the summer of nineteen forty one. Several months before the 

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United States would be drawn into the second world war. In a little farming 

town in Alabama. A sixteen year old high school boy named Glen 

Dowling Frazier. discovered that the girl he loved. was 

interested in someone else. 

Frazier was so angry and upset. But when the owner of a juke joint fused in 

service. He stopped outside. climbed onto his motorcycle. 

And roared through the door. Shattering bottles and smashing furniture. 

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As he raced away. The bar owner chased him down the street with a shotgun. 

The next morning. Humiliated scared and unable to face his parents. 

When Frazier went to the nearest recruiting office lied about his age. 

And joined the Peace time army. 

He volunteered to serve. In the Philippines. 

When I volunteered for the Filipino I had no idea that we would actually 

be at war. I was thinking that probably 

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Germany was the most likely place that there would be a war. So in my mind I thought 

I’d be safe over there. I never thought man would be attracted much. 

Over the next four years. Frazier would find himself in the midst of war. 

Desperate hand to hand combat in a forced march so brutal. 

The world would never forget. them nightmarish prison camps. 

were simply surviving required luck. And bravery and 

unshakable.We’re. 

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Back in Alabama. Those who loved him would be told he was. 

Good ol Glen Frazier would be able to do 

was cling to the hope that one day he could come back home. 

I am a 

.M.M.M.‘s. 

Idon’t think there is such a thing as a good war. There are sometimes necessary. 

And I think one might say just two hours. 

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And it never I never questioned the 

necessity of that one. I still do not question it was something that 

had to be done in. 

The greatest catechism in history grew out of ancient and ordinary human 

emotions like. 

Anger and arrogance and bigotry. And the 

lust for power and it ended. 

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Because other human qualities. courage and perseverance and selflessness 

faith. Leadership and the hunger for freedom. 

Combined with unimaginable brutality. To change the course of 

human events. 

The Second World War brought out the best. 

And the worst in a generation. And Blurred the two. 

So that they became attempts almost indistinguishable it. 

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In the killing that engulfed the world of nineteen thirty nine to one nine hundred forty five. 

Between fifty and sixty million people died. 

So many. And in so many different places. But the real 

number will never be 

you 

know. 

More than eighty five million men and women served in uniform. But the 

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overwhelming majority of those who perished were civilians. 

Men women and children or the arithmetic 

of war. 

I had. The United States of America. 

was relatively fortunate. 

More than four hundred five thousand soldiers and sailors airmen and 

Marines died. But that figure 

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represented proportionately fewer military casualties than were suffered by 

any of the other major combatants. 

American cities would not destroy. 

American civilians were never really at risk. 

But without American power. Without the sacrifice of American 

lives. The struggles outcome would have been very different. 

And. 

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The American economy only grew stronger as the fighting went on. And by the 

time it ended the United States would be the most powerful nation on 

earth. 

And a once isolated and insular people would find themselves at the center 

of world affairs 

. 

The war touched every family on every street in every town in America 

00:13:13

towns like Missouri Minnesota. Sacramento California. 

Waterbury Connecticut. Immobile Alabama. 

And nothing would ever be the same again. 

I’m not sure I can speak about why. Human beings 

in general. Go to War. I thinkthat’s a. Pretty large 

category that I can only speak about 

byeighteen-Year olds from Minneapolis called. me to go to 

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war becauseit’s impossible not to. Because 

our current is established in the society so swift 

flowing toward that every young. 

Man who steps into it is carried downstream. 

And. Emma. 

Forty three. HaroldG. song president and curator of the Vermilion. 

County War Museum in Danville was drafted into theU.S. Army Herald 

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better known as Sparky works. Here is a volunteer.He’s a war veteran and a lifelong military 

man committed to providing a place for both the young and old can learn or reflect on war 

history. Seldom has a day go by when. Sparkydoesn’t recall the bloodiest days of World 

War two. Surrounded by war memorabilia and dressed in a jacket similar to. 

The one she wore when the battle of the Bulge broke on December sixteenth one nine hundred forty four. 

He recalls the final days of that surprise attack by the Germans in Belgium. Deep 

in the dense forest. 

00:15:08

LOL LOL drop and go. They knocked. 

out our division in threedays’ time. And we fought until we 

ran out of everything. And Colonel calendar. came up in 

the morning of the nineteenth. And I remember very well. And they asked 

us if we want to fight to the finish for sure. And. We saidwe’ll fight as 

a family because we had no communication from our headquarters. They 

didn’t want to do. 

00:15:39

That. 

He said destroy remember where your weapon. 

The rifle. You could pull back and they began throwing away 

they were gash loading zone or 

any other clip. When up inside. They were nine. And Shirley 

MacLaine. If you take a good. 

script theshow’s answer a limo loyal to the lovely guys forgot 

00:16:10

about that one and the chambers over there. Andthey’re 

doing frustrate shown everything like a million 

barrels slamming up against a tree and then when it is 

one hell of a commotion screaming. 

And. They shoot themselves. 

Too and not intentionally. 

And restroom. And groan or go about their 

00:16:47

own drop and we were you know and. 

We just had about six weeks. Ifyou’re training to go. 

to clock in the afternoon. Starting us got killed 

right there side of me and I hit the ground and I raised my head 

and the sniper. Hit the spill. And I had in my pocket. 

Which I have now. But this is not the jacket. This really wanted to end the 

museum here. But the spoon was in my. 

00:17:24

pocket while I had no never. No I. 

Had nothing to eat. One of them is giving a ration you could. 

What do you mean you I mean you knowyou’re right you. 

know whenyou’reyou’reyou’reyou’re not. 

Sure. The world 

will. 

Come on. 

00:18:09

You. 

That’s funny. I was my thirty second mission that we were. Flying 

we were heading for Czechoslovakia to go to black camera 

which had oil refineries got shut down. And that was in 

July. Friday July seventh of. 

forty four we were walking down the road tracks and it was a work 

crew there and the one. 

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Fellow says in perfect English. This is Friday.You’re going to have a very 

poor lunch and I thought where are you about an hour ago and I 

could use somebody who spoke English and they talk about 

Friday the thirteenth Friday the seventh is a little. More shaky to me than 

Friday the thirteenth. But anyhow. AfterWe’re in prison camp 

about two weeks later who comes marching into prison camp. But. I know 

Bob champ and his crew who was my roommate in flying school. He was my 

00:19:56

roommate for the rest of the war. 

They head guard towers at each corner of the compound 

and then they had double barbed wire below last. And then there was a space of about. 

OhI’d say fifteen feet. They had a little. Barbed wire 

stretching there and. Youdidn’t go beyond that if you did you 

maybe have got shot in the barracks. I was in we had 

said there were ten rooms and they were. 

00:20:32

Where we ended up with about twenty guys to a room. Which was about 

sixteen feet by fourteen feet and slept and. 

Three high monks we had an argument though I never saw a fellow 

another foot one. Fall or take a punch and another guy. And that I was 

thought was rather unique. And if you got in an argument with somebody you 

OK. 

Go out and do a walk around the compound and get over it and then go 

00:21:04

back to what we were doing before we did our own cooking. 

The food was mostly very sparse. Where you got Red 

Cross parcels every once in a while but they were. few and far 

between. I have to say of whatI’ve heard of the other camps. 

WhatI’ve heard of the guys in. The South Pacific. In Japan we 

we were pretty well off. Maybe not the best of years. But. 

At least wedidn’t have. You know one thing was in our 

00:21:41

favor. being officers. Youdidn’t you want required by the Geneva Convention 

to work. 

I’ve been back over there. A few years ago and went back to. 

visit. And I. think I found the place where I had landed 

when I bailed out. And while we were there. 

Working it over a woman from across the road. came over. I want to know what 

we were going and. 

00:22:12

We explained to her and she says all three shows. I 

remember seeing somebody land in that field. She said and then after 

everybody cleared out. We went over and got the parachute. And took it home 

so that the kids make clothes for the kids. And I 

actually saw actually as I was ten years old. Guys. 

In bars. They made they made quite a bit of it because they had 

a. scale model of the camp. Which we could see this was 

00:22:45

when I went back on the tour. And they had a gallery and she was the 

story in and she knew quite a bit about it. And we ask them 

about the fact that. Today how do they 

still have a prisoner of war camp right next to their town. And 

they said actually they felt very good about it because they figured if they had a prisoner of war 

camp there. The allies wanted to be bomb in there so. 

That saved them or. 

00:23:32

Our change charge of an engine room. There were nine. In the 

interim. We shall not strike that. Each section of that dry dock had 

two major diesel is that turn into large 

generators that supply power for all of the 

ballast valves. And that two hundred horsepower 

pumps. Eighteen these souls turning eighteen 

generators. You are getting four hundred forty volts. 

00:24:05

Steady and two hundred twenty amps approximate. And 

while electricity and diesel people and the 

electric electrician just work together. There was a great big a 

switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree. And I was a 

talker on the phone for a while.That’s what I learned was able Baker 

Charlie and the docking officer used to say able Baker 

Charlie start your star board pops. And 

00:24:40

running for three minutes and then electricians would hit the button 

and those breakers handlers switch boxes. You could hear him. And 

those big pumps. You see their share 

turn into a home and then they speed up and the breakers and the 

switch boxes would kick in. So they and then our off 

time. Actually electricians would open up those boxes and file which 

breakers. So they would work for spiking forty five. 

00:25:14

Electrical service where we swore and dangerous. These 

these men knew what they were doing. 

It but the dry dock was. Broken down and then it 

ended up. In the harbor of Portland 

Maine and its use. Right now they broke down all the 

sections that we saw as long as we put all the. 

You know thatU.S.S. Pennsylvania was built in. one thousand nine hundred 

00:25:53

fifteen. It was an old battleship and I 

served in war a war one and World War two 

And there were twenty four sailors killed. And I had a 

national torpedo attack. Anyone Jima. And when 

the Pennsylvania came into our dried up. The 

burial crew was there. There was an eighteen foot hole. 

In the back of the pants of pain. And the 

00:26:27

recovery team. Had 

to. Well the ship. Feathers one that was hit by the 

torpedo. And be the lead dog down all of the 

hatch or just the. After part of the 

battleship. And there were people in there are still alive and 

theycouldn’t tell out. But in order for their ship not the same. 

These men sacrifice their life. So when the burial crew 

00:27:00

came and that long. They brought all of the coffins rolled around the back of 

our driver and took these men out one at a time. 

And had assured us for that. At worlds 

are under pressure. You know. 

Thatwe’re just out of high school and then 

maybe some of us a year or two you know. And it 

is hard to do. Learning 

00:27:49

all the different things that youshouldn’t do and you had to learn about 

all the gas.S.. Now once they were. You had to know about the first day and 

and know how to help somebody if they broke a bone or sat like that. And. 

There’s all those little basic things and then somebody said the 

gas as well as mustard gas smell. I guess and mustard and then run 

like everything into it. And so we had to peel in 

places where the men were already gone. So we had to do that. 

00:28:24

And just like when I was called in that were in that hospital and never sure and 

nurses and surgery which I had to go whether I did have an experience or 

not. 

One day this. One soldier 

what everybody else got on the you know to go and once to go to that 

hospital. But there was one short mistress. This young fellows nineteen years 

old that was badly wounded but he was creamy and for 

00:28:59

his mommy. I never forgot that. And so I just 

cradling him in my arms like this and said mommy is right here. Eat eat eat. 

You just stop hollering.I’ll take care of you. You just be a good boy. 

And a priest and he. You know went right to sleep but I never 

forgot that because I had blood on my new warmth and it was so. 

But when we got to the hospital. He was in a different section of the hospital 

where I was working. So we we were like practical nurses 

00:29:33

and doing everything they had to. Do their you know regular would 

do because there is a shortage of everybody. Youcan’t be in two 

places at one time. And yet this is something you never 

forgot. And. It is part of your memory that I never 

forgot that young you know. You were not supposed to show any emotion at all. 

If you did. You cried inside. And we did a lot of that. And. 

When everything I told you do need to eat you can cram all that. I want people to know 

00:30:09

that womendidn’t dare to share it. And there is not a known. 

untold story thatI’m trying to get a hold of the 

rest that I know what my group did that London the evidence. Put parts of the 

country. 

And the biggest problem was going into the breach. And it had a 

three day storm. And a 

little. Shifting tanks. Some of 

00:30:50

the landing craft were for. It safe 

were high. And were bailing water out of the coma people. 

You’re about to see shake. 

We did we go there. We get in there. We will have to look. 

At our own. Somebody serve the deep water men. 

Comb all the floor several clouds. 

And that makes. Somebody they give to 

00:31:24

increase shock morphine to right on the spot and 

they die quietly. Now you see a man a peer that 

their arm rode off with a little. 

Quality control. And. 

So did men. 

Morning. MASH like theycouldn’t. 

He seems so much. Well people are trying 

00:32:10

to carry out any way they can. 

You get one hundred the first time. Now me I was in or what. 

Someone would have.I’m going to take a lot of that. 

Why am I got it. 

For you. And there are no second I made it you know damn well you got me here. 

And from there on your watch whatyou’re going to be. 

Discarded on August fifteenth. AndB.J. day 

00:32:50

ahead in the show for a little. 

Shock or wild.P.J. day in all 

three days later I got out of a bar I had Murray Road 

to get more money and a bottle of whiskey in a report. 

I got to bamboo shared up Main Street. 

Mother motion to ride across the street that evening with you. 

I got home I. 

00:33:29

Had to pull a passion. out to show my dad. I had my legs Icouldn’t 

get a job. I was gone by the evergreen hero by 

various shy correlated what youcouldn’t trust me. 

So I went back into the army. And 

on October thirteenth. Back onboard a ship. 

Got out checks usage. 

And I was in a great care reserve and related to 

00:34:05

that were made in one nine hundred eighty 

and I. 

won’t tell you that no one. 

Thenyou’re a nice station house that was divided up into two 

doctors and nine innocent men and then you were to be sent up. 

Along New Guinea to help. 

With the troops as they invaded New Guinea. And 

00:34:47

then what happened today other doctor that was like you. 

You know to suit the Hutus who are 

true to who moved in. This is this is news of the tropics 

and the natives are. 

They are immune to it. And is your view. 

of the American people who have you been in 

use in that area to deal with her. 

00:35:18

And then when you found the the.rat’s nest under his 

under his tent under his cot. He might have gotten it that way. So you decided 

that you should have some cement under your tents. 

There was a. group of 

Australian troops. 

You will soon be using this event 

through. The movement and we are 

00:35:54

in a room in Sweden where we really are 

in 

rural term but in. 

The end that the hand of the law firm and hit him in the nose and broke his nose. 

He was the only doctor around to fix it. So he had to fix his own nose. So 

the other one ate many innocent man. 

Maybe and a Purple Heart. They carved out and they 

00:36:28

use a wire and put valor on it and they found something right there at that. 

I was up on this or certainly with lawyers and so I think 

the United States should be made to turn in their power and 

strength. As well as rural 

phone to illustrate her role as well hidden. And so as I 

would have done in the machine to show up since we are 

trying to fly. Back to the United States with her unit gave life for 

00:37:10

them. 

And so I did a deal. 

With them in return. Or we went right straight back to. 

Australia. And I straightened her cruiser and 

not notice they pick up her roles 

were reversed so harshly. 

We were to attack our very strategically Al course everyone was 

00:37:52

cagey but this is still three o three and I pass out in air trawler Germany just 

an ordinary village. We lost later found out.It’s years later we lost 

seventy eight men. 

In that attack and counterattack was only forty two men out of my company 

where. 

It took me ten days of marching from the day I was captured to get back to 

Bloomberg which was a holding camp and then we were taken out of big camps by 

00:38:21

box car and put into this labor camp. And then it got. 

To the point when the Russians were coming through 

coercion by the German soldiers from the front lines would come down andthey’d see that it was a prison 

camp on the road. They did open up their suppliers or is unnerving. Also for the last four 

or five days we had to stay on the floor. We just laid on the floor although Icouldn’t go to work or any of. 

Andthat’s when the guards finally said We gotta get out of here. But the Russians were common. So the. 

Guards saidwe’ll take you to the American lines if you give us your word that you will not have 

00:38:54

us. 

punished for being your guard. Well these were older men in World War one. Most of 

them saw it when they did dream. But by the time. 

We could get everything together and leave and we were in. 

Such physical condition. Wecouldn’t go very far. So I finally got picked. 

Up in Berlin and then I was sold in a Russian prison camp by 

Russian law saying wait this is Russian. 

00:39:27

Finally after about seven days I could see that they were set on 

out. Our camp Siberia lot ofD.P.S. displaced persons than 

anybody. So another kid and I still. 

prayer while cars and we cut our way out of the fence line along 

with the guard tower cut the two bottom strands and crawled 

through and then took off across a minefield and headed for the woods. 

And then he and I got separated that night and I headed west. 

00:40:00

And I traveled only at night andI’d hit it high during the day in a woods. And I 

finally got through. Whitten. 

Berg on the Elbe River on the morning of the fourth day out traveling. 

Andthat’s it for lack of go are. 

More or less passed out and a medic was working me 

over and me away and me and all that kind of stuff. And that last sentence. I 

remember he asked me you know what does your way whenyou’re in. 

00:40:26

Combat I said I weighed a hundred eighty pounds. And he said you knowit’s your way. 

Now I sort of know. I weighed. A hundred and ninety pounds. 

Andthat’s all I remember. 

And near the end. My wife said yeah kind of a nice 

way that I thinkit’s about time you wrote this book about your experience of what she did. Knowing 

that. 

We’ve. All seen it with Alana nightmares every night. And that was it. 

00:40:58

So after Christmas. They said after Christmas is over.We’re going to sit 

down andwe’re going to write a book and I write a column all 

morning and then maybe I could spend it til about noon. And I had 

to quit my nerves were shot. 

So she said downstairs and started the cipher in as best you could 

my note. We kept out of the trolley. Are you ready by November. Butthey’re not 

funny at all. Gracie had said and I said Ican’t stand it anymore. This is it. 

00:41:31

So we got it together. And I turned into a publisher up in Chelsea Michigan. We set it out 

the last week of. 

November and I have not had a nightmare. Since that day that 

book went out of how we should get out there out of nightmare sites. 

That contain nothing but highest praise for them because this was their country and who is being 

devastated by the by the Axis powers. So we felt 

in a sense we felt sorry for them that we did everything possible because I 

00:42:16

repeat they are. They were our friends. And we were their friend 

and we ran across quite a few families. And they were delightful. 

Because they were they wanted to take good care of us here. And we love through 

their cooking with their children. 

And the French families to save the eggs but 

theyhadn’t been shaken so horrible and given to us they 

would be if. We would bring Candy until poor and. 

00:42:49

Then we may on this Sunday morning. We would line up at the mass that is. 

Wherethey’re holding our eggs. And. The man in front of me with a 

good friend of mine. And just as he got short of the necessary can 

take the egg. The cocoa out for him. The Stonewall trip 

and broke the egg on the ground. crew there and then crashed. 

into various seats and then he ended up. 

Making a second callcouldn’t get his second repaired. Little 

00:43:23

thing was so important. 

So I ended up going to the Mediterranean. 

that were in Monte Carlo but. 

They were seated with a. The sad day in 

American tactics. And he was a master sergeant. So 

we got talking while we were on the bus going from one location to another. 

And I said name here.You’re in charge and sit down on the plane and that was their 

00:44:00

mission. He said yes. He said we did. He said of the wrong one. And. 

We had an American plane by mistake. And Ali said we did everything right. 

And he said. That it was the end of it did not identify itself. So 

really the plane. In the wrong thing. In the bad part 

was. Not only that. But it was in person on that 

plane. 

Flew very well known and it was. 

00:44:32

Even when I was overseas and played for the troops. He said he happened to 

be. On the record show that he was on that plane. 

And he saidwe’ve had. 

I have heard the grandmother died. You know mysterious case. I have 

to go with the master sergeant. 

Dear Mr Mubarak as his nominee they share. 

Is a pleasure for me to. inform you that you are eligible to 

00:45:08

receive your French diploma from the government in France where your 

contribution in the fight to liberate France from the Axis 

powers in World War two. People of France. And my government. 

are delighted to be able to present to you. The special Du Palma in 

recognition of your. unselfish action and your efforts on behalf of 

strength and the free people wherever. 

Mercy. Boko. And during a recent migration were 

00:45:42

all over where everything you did for French. Farmers for you guys. 

Great. And nowwe’re going to move the tables together and ask our panelists and our moderator. 

Please come forward for some live discussion and then we will take your 

questions. So we hope that you know.You’ll have some as well. 

And I thinkwe’re ready to start. So we want to thank the mayor Compean for green to moderate our 

panel Mary. 

All right. But I think look I think some of us are not very used to show business.I’m 

00:46:48

not in fact. I had a chance to view the 

videotape that you just saw twice and both timesthey’ve been so 

tremendously moved by it is what almost speaks for itself. But I did think of 

several questions that I was going to start out asking some of our 

panelists. And then we really want the audience to take part in this. I 

recognize some people in the audience. I know there are some people here who lived through World 

War two who perhaps are at some of their own memories to share. And who also would like 

00:47:21

to ask questions of our analysts. One of the questions I was 

thinking about is for Helen Montgomery. Mrs Montgomery 

mentioned that there are manywomen’s stories. During the war that have not 

yet been told and I had not really heard. Prior to 

watching the videotape of the particularwomen’s association that she 

spoke of the Americanwomen’s voluntary service. So Mrs 

Montgomery. Could you tell us how you heard of the service and 

00:47:55

how he volunteered for it. Where did they send you first. 

When we were eleven in California. At that time near 

Brisbane California. And my brother had 

invested in theU.S. Navy. 

And a year before you die. In one month of being a king. And so you went 

in and he went to Hawaii. And. At Pearl and he 

was in the radio department at theU.S. West Virginia. And so 

00:48:30

we were more interested. 

In knowingwhat’s gone on that time. And so when Pearl when the 

Japanese attacked at Pearl. Well the West 

Virginia was the only one that had information 

that the Japanese for an attack. Some time 

theydidn’t know what intercepted atMassey’s So my brother Les came back to 

San Pedro on radio naval bases. And 

00:49:01

so when he was gone. Low when they attacked it. That Sunday 

while he was at the torpedo went right through a 

spot where he would have been there. Soit’s just one miracle and he went 

back and. 

And he said at that time hedidn’t know. 

He had a sore knee. So I at that time when Leahy went down to take. 

went back to take his buddies out of the ship you know open the 

00:49:32

hedges and put them in body bags so that I was really interested in 

getting into something after that. But the womenweren’t allowed anything but 

then later on the War Department. This after the attack. 

wanted women to be anything. So the War Department issued where the 

women. Would be enough voluntary service to America with 

officers that was on the secrets or a war to the present rows where 

air. had hatched up and report and so see the 

00:50:07

whites were. 

In the Congress had been an actor that day and at nineteen 

forty two. 

And that women would be in there. But there was already a group there. We were in military 

that if you want to see pictures afterwards. I got them. To show the 

country. Butthat’s how I got interested in it and getting in there. And I 

said that I found some muscles. Ididn’t know I had been at 

00:50:38

that. 

So women were involved in the service even before the wax which most of us have 

heard of. And yes well I I have a 

question for male Crippen next. And that is you 

talked about coming home from war. And I I imagine all 

of us are going to remember your story about limiting all your pockets with bottles of whiskey. 

I mean we thought about asking you how many pockets.You’re. 

00:51:08

going out all right in here you. 

Well I mean I was talking about your return from war. When 

you came back and the first time from active duty and 

landed in Chicago onV.J. Day. And came to 

Danville with your bottles of whiskey in your pockets. 

My question is this. 

Which is in Europe or in a field today. 

00:51:34

I feel Jack. You knowI’m OK good. And. 

Bad ifyou’re from. For sure. And I. feel 

like a particular part. 

But I had. 

an ark and. 

Then my serious question for you is when you realistic it. 

How did you feel about reenlisted after years active duty. 

00:52:06

going. When I came back to them when Icouldn’t get a 

job when there were riots or I was like local road comedy victory and they 

were afraid of me. Ididn’t probably look born or something like 

that and think about Conan. You know and so Icouldn’t get a job and I 

really I mean and I really wanted to go every year from now until 

I retired. And it became his rival. 

And. 

00:52:36

It was a career and. 

Dr Sealy. I I had the opportunity to chat with you Mr McCormick for 

just a moment before we began. And I was I was trying to 

think of something that I wanted to ask a couple of different people. And so 

I’m going to ask you Mr McCormick same question I think. 

Al how did how did the. 

Word change you. At the end of the war. Are 

00:53:08

we the same person that you were at the beginning. Howie difference. 

In blood. On mymother’s side. In 

fact up at camp and felt a little bit 

better. 

By the military courtesy. 

incorporate discipline and. I was 

much more than so much. 

00:53:37

Pain in my room there doing errands 

for the last fall. And. 

Many other. 

People close to me you know in order to 

take. Care. 

stream right military discipline. 

And you. 

00:54:05

And Mr McCormick How about you. How did the world change 

you. In what way were you different. When you Richard is. 

There. 

Oh. Oh we were all 

in which group. 

And you know. 

I agree with what has been said I would summarize 

00:54:40

it by saying that I thinkI’ve matured. 

Not completely. Of course because it takes years and years. But when 

I was older I had seen a lot of things that had gone on 

and I met some fine men. There were a few who could 

stand improvement that we all need. 

And.It’s a very happy and 

I’m very attracted my feeling toward my 

00:55:16

parents that he had gone through a lot of things. And many parents or 

parents who had me. And later women 

in the church.There’s. No maturity as against what I would 

say you know greatly in this neighborhood and thank 

the world for them. 

Q. Thank you. Mr DIX. 

When you escaped from the Russian side. I mean 

00:55:51

you said you had a friend. Still pair of wire cutters and fight your way through and 

went across the minefields. Did you ever see your friends again after 

so you. 

know when we got lost in the woods and he was a Texan 

and. I were. And him and I really kind of I got a little stupid. 

When I went into a barn and then filled my pockets full of grain out 

of story. And I stumbled across a child. And as you know 

00:56:23

that out of Big Blue. Farmer heard that because of the bones right next to houses 

over there in those farms. So I go barreling out the door across the field. And and I 

and neither of us Russians are. So Ididn’t expect it but they. 

were ousted me out. But they have a truck and I went back to camp again by Navarro Army 

and I stayed there. The next day and at night. I get out more 

or less. And then that night. I found the same place on the wire and 

the Russians and he said that war was like not provide better than the Taliban 

00:57:00

camps that everything was shut down. So I went to the same hall the next night and. 

at malls found the path thatI’d gone through all my belly pins here 

believe the mines because of the mines for about two hundred years. And I got back to that 

same wood and you know my boy scout. While the north 

east or north star. And I hated West. And that 

the morning of the fourth day I come across the river. And I went down to a place called looking for 

it. And I had a big iron bridge there. But it had been 

00:57:35

blown. But here are the bay leverage and I was there. I got an early 

night and I passed out more or less. And the next morning. A big truck. 

Six by. One is the river. But some Russians and a loud out 

there were still exchanging one direction for one ally that went on for. 

Maybe a month after the war was over. So they let one Russian go. And then 

I. 

was allowed to go across the bridge. And I had to crawl. On my hands and knees 

00:58:06

and my stomach because it was just a daily bridge andthere’s no really anything bizarre 

pontoon. 

bounced around. Most got seasick but I got across and got on the truck and got on the 

highway. Andthat’s all I remember.I’m way way hundred nine 

pounds when I passed out and starvation and woke up in hospital 

and returned. They took my clothes. 

I tell all my uniform. Sot in uniform all in here on my head. Andthat’s 

00:58:37

where I had with my shoes in my head and wonder where everything else was gone. 

Dr Kenneth Powell and Mrs Kennedy. Thank you very much. I mean. 

We had a chance to talk a little bit before the program too. And so 

I I posed a question that I hope Dr Kenneth Pell will 

answer for us or try to answer for us.It’s a little bit complicated. 

And I wanted to know if the doctor looks at war. A little bit 

different than other people in the military. Does war seem 

00:59:13

different to you as a doctor. 

You. But. 

You can. 

Hear the receivers question and. 

The question is as a medical doctor. 

How did the war seem to you. 

When we were recruiting station 

00:59:44

for our United Nations observers were 

standing in the center across to. 

The 

new balloons and down the road. 

And their currency proved. 

That they could reach. 

Now. 

01:00:22

Mrs Campbell I thinkyou’re part of that but not in its 

entirety. Could you give us a couple of highlights from that as. 

Well. He was with a group that 

the. 

United States announced that it was divided up. So there are two doctors. And I think 

seven in the segment. And they followed the 

troops in. 

01:00:49

As they invaded blowing up New Guinea. And 

so the troops would go in and then make the nine men would 

go in and bring out the ones that were. All. 

injured and there is no one they would take them back to their little 

unit which. consisted of this nine group and nine. We 

had tents on the shore down further on the island 

where I was a little bit safer. And they would then take care of the 

01:01:25

ones that were. Could be cared for or they are and others are 

sent back to Australia. I thinkthat’s what you like. All right. I 

appreciate that. And. 

I think at the beginning we were hearing about the arms that the 

daughters were in. She also said the sentence. 

Yes Idon’t think thatyou’ve got to keep arms and they were there 

they had to originate some things on 

01:01:54

their show and on their uniforms that indicated that they were 

medical and but. Then 

they found out later that there was only a chart. So there was they were required to 

take those off. 

All right. And he was over there or. 

He went into service. And it was over there about three years 

in in the service. 

01:02:24

Thank you. Now I think I think John Sampson is here is that. 

Correct. No. Oh well 

I am. 

John Stanton. I think was the first interviewee. And he 

was the one who kept a journal. I was going to ask how his father managed to get the 

journal out. But one more question. I think Sparky song. Yes. 

Oh yes. Could you make me so. 

01:02:56

Where are you right now. 

Do you know how your father managed to keep his journal 

because we we saw a picture of it photographed and we could see his 

what he had for lunch and dinner and the slices of bread and so on. 

How do you manage to keep that journal with him. 

I’m not a senior. 

It came in the Red Cross package. The blanket was like we all move books we did in college 

01:03:29

and he just kept the German prison camp.I’ve seen our credit is poetry. And there 

they were written by guys in his barracks he has a list of absolutely everybody 

that was in his barracks. What they ate what they read they had a whole 

list. They were able to get books to the Red Cross that sent them so they were nothing else to read 

and they read. So all this is just catalogued in his journal of his. And I think when. 

The war was over and they were releasing the appeal. It appears from the prison camp there which is part of his 

personal offense to be brought home with them. OK. 

01:04:03

Butit’s such a wonderful piece of history such a wonderful 

artifact you get all the artwork. 

He ended up being becoming an engineer so he certainly had a knack for that kind of drawing. 

Now. 

The wonderful architect leads me to our other panelist and that is Mr 

Saunders. Sparky someone or. 

I think. 

01:04:26

You’ve devoted your life to a certain extent to veterans 

affairs.That’s whatyou’ve always been involved with this is right or in my life. 

Well that red line. Is the moment that you decided that was what you were going 

to do. What made you decide that social I. 

was this juror number four fired from Europe. 

And I my brother just got out of the survey shows and really opened up to me. 

Crushed Velvet Revolver crushed up in the years. Burdened by any or no. We were viewers 

01:05:00

were. Give me a point on my own and. 

It was a busy highway all forty one was a busy highway. 

And we had a chance to open up the truck stop and or buy a. 

Couple and that you guys were just getting out of service and they were buying 

the oldG.I. truck she was sure. Push up and they would buy a 

trailer from somebody. That was about half broke down on me 

that we you know entire regime. They got through military vehicle 

01:05:34

working. They would go to the floor to pick up pointers. 

Then they take them down to St Louis and drop them off when they come up hauling 

something was going to Michigan or Chicago misrule a 

mostly or track line started. 

broken-down equipment new. 

Tires of new ball tonight using the urban around an old 

car shop and I bought the managing inner tubes andthere’s a great smile. Idon’t want. It was a 

01:06:08

barren patch and put it on and you can get a high showing this. 

Is a new landscape. Anyway and 

then I walked into town and opened up. 

A kid hanging out at will. I kid. Hang out 

literally in. Our cold. Cardinal character in was a blue 

moon are all Asian. And Ihaven’t yet had the bloody 

bucket. 

01:06:38

There were boys who were added there because we thought they had the prettiest girl. 

Outfit guys come of the year. Burton they thought we had British girls in Williamsport. We 

divided them up. Oh man. 

Anyway kid hang out.It’s going great guns. 

And then. A friend came in from Brooklyn.There’s his 

sister. 

And he fell in love of these birds. He had never driven a car 

01:07:08

broke. Youdon’t drive a car if you get your kind of transportation that are novel 

by you and you start going and bar were. Frank 

Cain who owned a bar I had to get there. You know two doors up 

and he came in one day of his party he would go with me by Frank King bar. 

He wants to show. 

How I Spent a lot of time thinking why not. 

Kill two birds one stone. So we bought the land butthey’d never. 

01:07:43

been back there. Notably And so everybody came to the war 

was over. There was. 

No fighting. No. 

screaming or fistfights or anything anytime in the tavern. And to have a 

good time. I did. Things are going 

great guns. 

But I found out he was cheating on me and I confront him about it. 

01:08:12

And he took off and I never seem to this day. So 

I. bought him a note about a mile. The first time first 

Airborne. He jumpedD.-Day at the Silver Star you 

decorated hecouldn’t play mostly as a civilian. 

And Ididn’t like it either. And he. joined the Air 

Force which I thought was impossible. No oysters. I joined. 

Air Force andI’m a recruiter. But at the end of their car. They gave me a 

01:08:46

new staff. 

Car I live in a proper Israel in hotel rooms. At red stop a month 

there were never there is a boy there for a great outfit you better join it. 

And I should tell them I believe that my brother but they were working that. Should Idon’t 

go to do anI.P.O. and we signed up to get a long way from here in 

Berkeley a year in the year of bird Chihuahua rumors or. 

Prior. So what happened. 

01:09:14

We went down. That was joint signer name. That same evening 

we came back on this samefour- hour coach bus at the map was 

stopped in my hometown. We got off with lunch and then you knowwe’re just thirty 

five miles inland. And. 

Spent thirty two years there. Beyond that more and more. 

I want them rail of taxes. AndI’ve had two more years there andI’d already. Get out. 

Andthere’s a spark in you first on the list due to your plans to be one 

01:09:48

huge fan. Bonkers. As Idon’t know the next month or 

soyou’re going to get out or reenlist. Idon’t want to go butI’ve been dating a 

young lady a beautiful young lady back here in Bangor Maine was whatwe’ve heard 

so much. We might have known.Nobody’s issued ID forty seven graduate. 

And I was in Amarillo. And I said sorry guysI’m 

a cult leader. I mean Bambi. I want to question a young lady. I know back 

there. OKI’ll let you know so I called her 

01:10:25

on a date on whichyou’re working to solve a huge. Now 

this is a Halloween party that will only 

date casually. We were madly in love with it for a ring. And 

I thought wellhere’s one and worked out so she can. 

They lose your job you want on your own for an hour. 

And I was twenty which point should 

not. 

01:10:56

Practice twenty nine when I got married.I’ve heard of. It 

so I. 

Guess I know it is you want to get married go to Pamela three years 

old. She said what I said you want to get married and go to plan for 

three years of your drinking. And I said noI’m not going to sayit’s the middle of the day. And. 

I know youdidn’t make it in there. 

So I said wellI’ll call you back tonight and give you knowwe’re three or four hours to make up your mind. 

01:11:28

So I did. And she said yes. And so I went down and read a list of the other 

big bones about three hundred dollars that I. 

went downtown bought me a suit. 

Which I never bought or saved my life was always for children. And little boys so 

minutes with a jacket.That’s fine.That’s a big but they care that would be ready for Friday. I 

said OK have them pay for what they rejected they were blurred on my 

car go straight back. And I will. Tell her that. Now your life and 

01:11:58

let this go. And I told her I said nowwe’re going to Kokomo Indiana tell your sister and 

brother will get us a minister. After services. He could marry us. No time. 

But we wanted to do thisyou’re growing up today and it would be fine. 

OK. So we got ready for the wedding put the pants on. Icouldn’t find a 

pocket. Neither pocket right pocket. He had taken a sort of together. 

While I was terribly embarrassed that I never took my jacket. All can be available from 

Dr Laura. Anyway with the manager who married 

01:12:34

just after the search. 

Wedon’t compare notes about the Battle of Bulge. He was captured exactly the same time 

I was. 

He was a chaplain at the time. And we had a long conversation 

and a great conversation by court officers were treated for it. And 

they have seasoned Corporal Charlie can vouch for that. But 

the same token we have a lot in common. The new. 

01:13:02

Thing about him. When I arrived there he knew about my hip pockets because I was 

rather mad at the proper use of language. I could never afford. 

And so anyway Matt had dinner. 

And so ever. But we came home and were married 

on. 

Myfather-in law will never have to pay for her wedding. We have four daughters. 

Two on one hedidn’t have to pay. So him and I go and get 

01:13:32

mad. 

With your pants. Three years came back and went to North Carolina. And there are those that 

place you. 

know the fine place but so we had a good twenty 

years in the Air Force. 

She learned that her kids were using Air Force. We travel 

our life. Silence Thailand. If you ever been to Bangkok. You can see 

01:13:56

all those beautiful buildings look likethey’re gold and all that good. Up 

close are not beautiful at all. Just. cups and plates with a rope 

broken over the years and I glue them on the outside and make them from a 

distance and just step through just like. This Sodon’t go there expecting to 

climb up to one of those or no. I am a real home. 

I got about twenty steps up and down stairs all get up and sit down and come back 

back then. The monks can do it again when they are young andthey’ve 

01:14:30

been saying in a way that was twenty years ago. Great. 

At the moment military. Total twenty three. And 

I was with a group in Thailand. Air Force. We had 

an plane shot down. In my squadron.There’s three squadron 

who would you know wing a large quantity 

of shoot him. Pilot like an order of which. 

That was the hardest part in my life to see those you know 

01:15:07

highly educated men take an F one o five. 

Up over North Korea. Nam and never come back.It’s 

just a shutdown wound up and I am only away for five years. 

I was forty one at the time I was old enough to be seventy two of their 

solar power. If I look at some of them. But I knew all 

of them who I worked directly with. There was a better life. supported by the Air 

Force knows what it is you work with there. She says serving almost. Her 

01:15:42

parachute and all this kind of suit you get well acquainted with the back to. Well 

when. I cried in tears. 

I hated every damn somebody would lose two or three 

airplanes.You’d have to go through the personal 

belongings and check to make sure when you sent 

this back to their family. There was something there should not be there any. 

So you would have to package and I did. And we had an officer in charge 

01:16:19

took out responsibility. I just purchased. It was a very 

warm one and was a metal wire. A ship you knowhe’s been on 

television. And he also has worked with the History 

Channel. Putting Barrett back to his documentary about 

the call suicide missions 

over North Vietnam. From Thailand. Part of the time. 

And then. 

01:16:52

He spent five minutes here is you know a large and I know a lot 

of talk to him about on. The pitch and the quiet work world. Sure. 

Captain Johnson. He stayed on radar to brigadier general in the Air 

Force. I never told anyone. Rashid. But joy to know these 

people like you. 

And I apologize family wrote to Mr Sanger that I think you got any idea 

why Mr Summers become so involved in this business is a life that sounds as if. 

01:17:25

You were one of the people who from the very start realize the importance of sharing 

stories with joy to serve your. 

country now or so ago people were already very good at to try 

harder to go through so much and. 

Now this. I think is probably a good time high time to get questions 

from the audience. So please you can address specific questions to members of the 

panel. Yeswe’ve got one right there. 

01:17:58

This is for the candles. I remember you telling me about 

Tokyo Rose. When I was interviewing you and I thought these guys might 

want to know about it too. Oh well all. 

Right. You wrote this. 

Book Tokyo Rose. was I was there. And I 

just there is this bill.I’m sixty one years ago after he got back from 

service. 

01:18:27

But. 

I’ll tell that because I thinkit’s easier for me than it is for him. 

To talk heroes was a person who talked. 

To her dad talked over a radio and the veterans like to hear the 

music that was played with her program. 

But so one night she said. 

They had told him that their their camp and 

01:18:57

the. 

Air Force and another camp sayingit’s right here. 

And they said. 

They were new but your airport an airport that right. 

Now is going to be bombed out. The next day and 

so are. 

They. 

01:19:24

I guess that theydon’t go trenches or something and then the next day. 

The Air Force area nearby 

and it was also going to be bummed out. They got up and were ready 

for the winds coming the Jets coming down. And down or were there 

are men in their camps and everything got down in their 

trenches but they could. Just start 

watching sticking their heads up above. And finally they get set up and watch it 

01:20:00

because every one of them. Our planes took 

off over. 

I. 

finished off the jet plane and out. And in the 

sea before I got down there. So then there is nothing that happened 

back at that time and all or all of the men could sit up on their own they enter their 

trenches and watch this to take place. I would also say that 

01:20:33

they’ll start taking care of veterans after he got back from the service. 

Or he. was 

with me. With theV.A. taking care of it and said 

after that for forty years. So when 

I I. 

Have Another question from the audience. Yes. Beck there and. 

This is for Charlie. Charlie at one point before you get captured you and another buddy. I think you 

01:21:07

got some loot from someplace a bank or something and you buried it and you 

could pull it back to try to find a job or go back again and try to find you 

know the. 

Funny thing about this is that you. 

And now the Netherlands. And they wrote up an article about 

me. And a picture of my book. And a map of the area 

that my combat division fourA.M. And instead of 

01:21:37

bragging about how much September will do to help the people in the Netherlands. 

He welled on a story about me. And two of 

my buddies or rob and bank it. And it 

was one of those days.We’ve been in combat. Night and day and really messed up a 

good cook. And we landed this town and mills and 

around the state. Are they in that town with are they 

saying that well anyway.That’s all is well. WellI’ve been a banker. 

01:22:12

My father was a banker and I worked in a bank for one when I was in high school. So I said this is a 

bank vault. So we worked around it broke into the three of us with this 

black family found a box full of Dutch 

builders. So there were three of us so we went out at night 

and I found a little monument. I met I was six. That North Park 

north of the monument and we took aheart-wrenching two or three full combat 

gear dug a hole and buried in. The loot. And I made a 

01:22:45

map and I tore into three pieces. And the idea was when the war is 

over. Come back and they pull that steel is up and. Well 

unfortunately I had two of my buddies were both killed in combat. But I want to George Will 

died in my arms and back. So that everything Ididn’t know or they never 

came back. So when I was in London. And I had aSeven-Day delay on route 

to get home. And Idon’t know. And I thought it was another story. So 

one night. I got talking and some of my Canadian buddies and I was telling the 

01:23:19

story knows once you go back and try to find money. So I 

borrow his civilian clothes off of a girl that I was. 

More or less to be dancing with at night and she held me. Herbrother’s 

civilian clothes. I changed clothes and went across the channel that 

night and got into Holland. And found the village 

and I worked all day long trying to find out I had no I thinkthat’s the wrong place probably had no 

idea where it was. And the math course was gone. And 

01:23:55

I worked all day. Not a lot. Sat down on the ground that night. And then 

I tried a little bit. The next morning and I figured it would have wasted my time. So I went back down 

to London. But you know of all the stories he had to tell that. 

I see that. 

OK. And it was all a judge. So I. decided when I got a 

couple of friends that Paul and I met. 

Her And they met me through the Internet and their two sons over at the 

01:24:32

museum. And I have my own private views in our home so we can trade back and forth. 

So she sent me this article on that front page of the newspaper 

or the article and she and Target for me in English. 

So I guessI’ve been forced to stir over the. 

Veteran. 

Like I said 

I did go out. 

01:25:04

And bought it and. 

Really. We were somewhere in the West right now 

there are. 

There were spots where our eyes. The problem was I was on the other side of the Elbe River 

near Czechoslovakia.That’s forced labor camp. And when we heard 

the Russians come on. We made an agreement with one 

hundred thirty six Guard platters thirty six of us in a camp thirty two were left 

01:25:53

over. Three got second and disappeared. One of them made an 

escape. So we made a deal with the 

commander of the clan or here. We call him. And five of the guards with the agreement that. 

They would take us to American lines. If we we gave them our word that we 

would not have them you know be treated by the Americans 

mistreated the Americans. So we had no choice. So we agreed and we took 

off. The next morning and at this time. Two of the guys who are unable to walk for 

01:26:28

malnutrition. So we read up a two wheel cart with rope. And we had to go 

across country. We could go down the road because they were filled with civilians. I mean it is. Coming 

out of Russia and Poland. So we had to go cross country 

and cross roads in ditches. One of the houseboat. We got very few miles. The first 

day I sat down in a bar. Next day at noon we were done. 

And. 

He woke up the next morning and Russians had command call sex. And 

01:27:01

I’m sure no one could understand a word he said at one point they came in and 

took over the town found our guards gave us. Rival said you know you 

guys shoot them. Well you know it could be thatthey’re both over guys. So they shot. 

Well or we were well then that the Germans made a kind of a counterattack in the Russian gun on 

the ponies and took off and we were. Surrounded by Germans more or less. 

So I had met town called Rosenthal I hit that town for six days. And we hiked during 

the day and come up at night looking for approval of those that theydidn’t like us either. So we had our problems. 

01:27:36

And I decided that we had to get out of here. So we headed back. For his 

first trip of two days. And I took off on my own and 

I ended up in Poland and the Air Force camp hoping the flight 

out of the center line amount. And I found outit’s wrong. So I know 

the key. And I took off we headed west. 

I got. 

picked up off of a Polish tank. And thank God it 

01:28:07

had split open and unconscious and rescued by two British boys. 

So we wanted to ask you as we headed east to get on 

the end come out Tuesday guardrails. 

Found out the war was over turned around and came back. fired up in Berlin 

and then I woke up with the end of my 

godson. And. 

They said wellwe’ll take you to the American lines. Will they took me to Berlin 

01:28:40

down to Luke involved which was a Russian. I was followed three a bit with a Russian 

control tower behind barbed wire or. 

Well the Russians have come over to the Elbe River. And you know the Americans or have 

we made so many stupid mistakes. Andthat’s when we gave the Russians control of 

everything east of the Elbe River. Andthat’s why Berlin was 

where it was under Russian control butit’s on the other side of the old river and 

I was in a camp for seven days. And every night again and I was with cake 

01:29:17

or walking towards the American alliance at all. They knew the next morning. 

Trucks will come back or what the Russians are bringing back full of expat prisoners and throw him back 

in camp again. That went on for six or seven days. Sothat’s when we 

decided that they were getting well either so. I thought the choice I 

had and they took about twenty two thousand of our boys. 

in to Siberia and some of them were my buddies 

that I was in a prison camp with the thirty six men that I was with it. 

01:29:52

And of course the government. And finally a few years ago when ten or fifteen admitted. 

The fact that they were there in Russia. And I have an endorsement on the back of my book 

of a woman from Texas. It has been 

the Russian. has got photographs of American grave 

sites in Russia. 

For a friend of mine. So I know that happened but. 

They kept my room behind the lines for a month and I 

01:30:25

saw more devastation there than I saw the comments. When describing 

but they had control over our city and then Americans live in. 

the building. 

And sure we do have Mr Dukes look at the library and yes 

I think. Is there a question in right in there and then we have someone here in front here. 

I guess before I ask my question. There are lots of other veterans in the audience too. Along 

with the panelists. AndI’d just like to say thank you and thank you to you for the 

01:30:55

sacrifices that all of you have made for people like me. 

And we thank you. 

Thank you. Raise your hand ifyou’re a veteran of World War twoLet’s see who else we have. Yes. 

Thank you. 

Thank you. And then my question I guess is for for anybody to answer becauseI’ve 

heard you know the stories of coming home and how difficult it was to 

to readjust. Andthat’s my question. What made it so difficult to to 

01:31:33

readjust to home life. 

And. I do. Yes I can answer in 

my part of that era. Where it. 

was said was that Mr Wong. Yesthat’s one 

of the here and. 

We’ll try again this is one of the things that was difficult. 

was that gave things had changed in the space obviously 

01:32:05

and many people were living under different economic 

situations and we were naive. 

We were very thankful we were home we were thankful that 

their parents were still there or I was hersister’s. 

Many things were different. And that was part of the adjustment 

coming back. And I think that we should be very 

appreciative frankly of you people being here tonight. 

01:32:41

And I. feel that your presence in the very words were. 

AlsoI’d like to add one thing that it did say well you 

know in general in general will end up you 

know I you know and many other people who 

participated in this. Give us a chance to talk. And we 

have. And thank you again. Thank you. 

And. 

01:33:17

I thinkthere’s a question. I hear a lot. Well are we going to lose more and Idon’t 

woes. 

Or mostly to suicide. Andwe’re going through the normal people. 

That goes for Russians change sides. The original road 

axis. switched 

over and help our allies and said 

you know. One and certainly. 

01:33:46

For those. 

Who may. 

Say maybe they made an agreement. I guess and Americans and the Russians and. 

The problem was an exchange of prisoners. There was a lot of us on the other side of the river. 

Theydidn’t go against these men. 

When they our government found out that the Russians that we were 

change and for our lives were taken on a couple a mile behind the lines and being 

01:34:20

shot. So they are poorly equipped exchanging man for man. 

They are there. The Russians are killing our own soldiers. They bail out themselves as they said to be captured. 

So that shut us down.That’s whyI’ve asked them more time behind the lines overnight. 

So other people here because they run out of a righteous exchange and that 

I. Had I was lucky I got cross some line twenty days after the war was 

over. And that for the final on the last document a deal that used to come 

out of Russian control. 

01:34:56

Do we have another question. Yes sir. 

I served in the Navy and I was aboard theU.S.S. 

Denver and the Pacific. And after 

watching Ken Burns found became aware of the fact that how 

good the Navy had it and. 

As far as the foot soldiers that served not only in Europe. 

And although. All the invasions took place out in the Pacific. 

01:35:26

And. 

I just wonder ifthere’s anybody that could give me an 

idea of. 

What the ratio of foot soldiers to those like 

us in the Navy and Air Force. 

It might be and how how good we had it except maybe when our ship 

got torpedoed or when there was a kamikaze were coming 

01:35:51

with them. If you treat your plane and. Hopefully getting us to the