Quirk - Yurdock

DAVID J. QUIRK, CAPTAIN, SUPPLY CORPS, USN (RET)

I was born in Antigo, WI. I entered the US Navy in June 1962 as a plebe, a freshman, at the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD and graduated from the Academy in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Then I was commissioned an Ensign, a line officer in the nuclear power program. I was determined to become a submarine sailor and headed off to my first submarine, the USS BUGARA. My formal training was in Basic Submarine and Nuclear Power Schools in Bainbridge, MD and West Milton, NY. Here, I managed to find time to date a United Airlines Stewardess, Florence Floyd; who, lucky for me, became my wife on 27 April 1968. From 1968 to 1970, I served aboard submarines, USS REDFISH & USS SALMON AGSS- 573 (see photo below). Further training included the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA, earning a Master's Degree in Operations Research. I transferred from the Sub Service to the Supply Corps in 1972 by attending the Navy Supply Corps School, Athens, GA.

I next served as Supply Officer on USS PONCE, earning the Blue "E" & Battle "E" for being part of the "Best" Supply Dept. & Ship in the squadron. From 1975 to 1977, I served as an Operations Research Analyst in Mechanicsburg, PA. We set up the Requisition Response Time Management Information System, a project to improve the supply pipeline of Repair parts to US Navy Ships in the Mediterranean.

My next tour was at the Naval Supply Depot, Subic Bay, in the Philippines. As Management Planning & Inventory Control Officer, I was in charge of getting all repair parts to our Pacific warehouses on time. We enjoyed the Philippine people very much. After duty in the Philippines, we reported to the Naval Supply Systems Command in Washington, D. C., where I worked on the RIMSTOP (Repair Inventory Management Stockage Policy), Project. This team revised how the Navy stocked and paid for all repair parts throughout the Navy.

In March 1982, I reported to USS EMORY S. LAND as Supply Officer. We earned the Battle "E." from 1984 to 1986 for being the "best" ship in the squadron. Next, I was stationed at the Navy Ships Parts Control Center (SPCC) in Mechanicsburg, PA, where I was promoted to the rank of Captain in June 1987. As Director of the Planning & Data Systems Group, I led the first computer upgrade in 20 years for Inventory Control Points.

From 1988 to 1992, I commanded the DLA Systems Automation Center - the Computer Software Organization responsible for writing & maintaining all computer program systems for DLA including preparing the paycheck for the President of the United States. Lastly I was the Executive Officer of the Navy Ships Parts Control Center, the Supply, Command, & Control organization for the entire Navy.

I retired in 1993 after serving 31 years. My awards included Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Gold Star; Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with gold star, and ten additional Joint & Navy Meritorious Unit Awards, Service Ribbons, and Medals.

WES REIMER, NW2, USN

Upon graduation from Boerne High School, Kendall County, Texas, I enlisted in the U. S. Navy on June 17, 1958. I was 17 years old. I traveled by plane (DC-6B) from San Antonio, Texas to boot camp in San Diego, California.

My service schools included Electronics from October 20 to December 12; Special Weapons from January 23 to April 9, 1959; and Nuclear Weapons training from June 15, to September 30, 1959. Some of the topics included warhead assembly and disassembly. I learned how to maintain, adjust, repair, inspect, test, and package nuclear weapons components, and associated equipment.

While in the service for 3 years, my duty stations included Chicago, IL; Albuquerque, NM; Virginia Beach, VA; and Cecil Field, FL. Many people found it unusual to see the Navy stationed in New Mexico.

For rest and recreation, I rode my Triumph Motorcycle 650 CC. One special trip was from Jacksonville, FL to San Antonio, TX.

I was discharged from active duty on March 27, 1961 at U.S. Naval Magazine, Yellow Water, FL. My rate was Nuclear Weaponsman Second Class Petty Officer, USN. I was also given a special Unit Citation for 4.0 performance. My parents came to pick me up in their car when I was discharged.

I was obligated to remain in the Naval Reserves and received my Honorable Discharge Certificate on June 16, 1964.

I used the GI Bill for college and received a B.S. degree in 1968 from Southern Oregon College in Ashland. In 1976, I also completed a one year certificate at the Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon.

RONALD S. SEATON, 1ST LT, USA

I was born in 1926 on Hainan Island, China, where my parents were missionaries. I entered The College of Wooster, Ohio, in August 1943. I enlisted in the Navy V-12 Program in December 1943 and was sent for pre-med training to Trinity College, Hartford, CT, on March 1, 1944. In the summer of 1945, I served as a Corpsman in St. Albans Naval Hospital and in September 1945 entered John Hopkins University Medical School in Baltimore under the Navy Medical Training Program.

The Navy meant spit and polish, from shoes and belt buckle to crew cuts. I was serving as a corpsman in the brig ward at St. Albans Naval Hospital. One day the nurse in charge handed me a wool sweater and told me to get rid of it quick and pointed to a nearby hamper. I buried the sweater under the dirty clothes. The inspecting Captain went straight to the hamper, pulled out the sweater, and asked how it got there. Consequently, the nurse and I both got a "dressing down." We were issued Midshipmen's uniforms at the Bainbridge Naval Station, but since my name was near the end of the alphabet, they had run out of ties when I was called. Next morning at inspection, I was reprimanded for not having a proper tie. My excuse was met with, "Overnight you should have bought one." I've avoided ties ever since. I was Honorably Discharged from the Navy on January 11, 1946. My awards included an American Theatre Ribbon, Victory Medal, and Navy V-12 Bulletin No. 327.

In July 1949, after receiving my M.D. from Hopkins, I entered Church Home and Hospital in Baltimore as an intern. I was a resident in surgery there in 1951 when I enlisted in the U.S Army Medical Corps. In boot camp in Texas and as a 1st LT in charge of the surgical service in the 64th Field Hospital in Korea, I enjoyed wearing fatigues-no spit and polish here. After riots among the approximately 100,000 prisoners had caused the Army to evacuate its medical officers, I led a volunteer surgical team back to care for patients in our 2,000 bed hospital. For this I received a Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service.

Most edifying was breaking up a hunger strike of prisoners. A starving prisoner was not given food by the North Korean ward boys. I managed to get half a dozen Hershey bars at the PX. I put them on the dying man's bed and told everyone, if this man dies you will be responsible for his death. The man ate, survived, and broke the whole hunger strike. I was Honorably Discharged from the Army on April 26, 1953. My awards included Korean Service Medal w/3 Bronze Campaign Stars and United Nations Service Medal 3 O/S Bars. I have kept up the premiums on my military life insurance policy and consider this a good benefit of serving our country. I used the GI Bill to help buy a house and to finish my surgical residency at Church Home and Hospital.

JOHN F. SEIBERT, SSGT, USA

I was born on June 24, 1925 in St. Louis, MO. I grew up and completed high school in Carbondale, IL. I was called to active duty in the U.S. Army on November 17, 1943, reporting to Fort Sheridan, IL. After 13 weeks of basic training under the Army Specialized Training Program in Ft. Benning, GA, I was assigned to Company A 341st Infantry 86th Division. I remained with this unit until returning from the Philippines to be discharged on April 22, 1946 at Jefferson Barracks, MO.

I attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and served in Headquarters Platoon as messenger, wireman and voice radio operator, later handling roster duty. In Germany, I served briefly in Battalion Headquarters as a wireman on the Rhine River but returned to Company A as a radio operator. While in southern Germany, I received the Bronze Star for providing communications to an artillery forward observer directing fire on German positions.

I received only one injury in combat. A wire was stretched across the highway so that it hit me across the nose and nicked the corner of my eye but with no eye damage. Another German had shot and killed 3 of our men and he then shot at me 3 times but his rifle sights were bad. All 3 shots went under the bark of a tree beside my head. God is gracious. During our training and combat, we had an average about 100 miles per day in travel from 1944 in Louisiana to 1945 in the Philippines. That was one full year of daily travel by truck and sometimes on foot. Our unit overseas duty includes LaHavre, Yvetot and Ourville in France; in Germany we were in Widdig, Thomasburg, Wertezil, Hagen, Dietersheim, Gungoldding, Gebdrenzingas, Osterwald, Vohburg, Berglin, Meisberg, Burghausen, Mannheim, and Luxembourg; Belgium, and Austria.

There were many memorable experiences, but when four enlisted men from Company A along with officers and men from other units were awarded a 3 day pass to Paris from Mannheim, Germany, it proved very enjoyable.

My awards include the American Theatre Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal; 1 Overseas Bar, and the Bronze Star Medal.

I remained in the Army Reserve for 9 years and was recalled for 7 months duty during the Korean War as a light aircraft mechanic at Marshall Army Air Base, Fort Riley, KS. I used the GI Bill and received a Limited Pilot's Degree in 1948 from St. Louis University; and a Bachelor in Science in Education from Southern Illinois University in 1951; and a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1975.

I married Joan Peters in September 1950 and we have three children. We are retired after serving 37 years as a Presbyterian pastor and missionary. We have lived in Alaska, India, Illinois, Ethiopia, Missouri and finally at PRC, Penney Farms, FL.

WILLIAM I. SMITH, JR., LTC, USA (RET)

I was drafted into the service, reporting to Ft. Jackson, SC, on July 24, 1945 for examination and swearing into the U.S. Army. Eventually, I was assigned to the Army Infantry at Camp Croft, SC. While there, the Big A Bomb was dropped on Japan ending WWII. I returned to Ft. Jackson and was assigned to the Station Complement with duties with the Transportation Office and promoted to T-4.

Since I was already an employee with the SAL RR prior to being drafted into the service, I took early discharge to return to work with the railroad. When the Korean conflict began, I enlisted in the Army Reserves with the rank of Staff SGT and was assigned to a Transportation Truck Co. When I completed both the Basic and Advanced Transportation Courses in Ft. Eustis, VA, I was commissioned as a Transportation Officer and promoted as a Second Lieutenant on June 25, 1952. When attached to the 384th Trans BN (Term), I was advanced to 1st LT on July 1, 1955; to Captain on May 22, 1958; to Major on May 21, 1965 and to LT Colonel on May 20, 1972. When the transportation unit was deactivated, I served a couple years in a Medical BN. Then I was transferred to a USAR School and enrolled in the Command and General Staff Course. I completed the course in July 1976 and took my final exam at Ft. Leavenworth, KS and graduated there.

I served 28 years service with the active and reserve components of the U.S. Army. I was transferred from Active Reserve to the Retired Reserve on October 13, 1978. I was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, several Army Reserve Service Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

I did not use my GI Bill but on my own I attended Armstrong Atlantic University, Savannah, GA while working my assignment with the railroad and serving in the Army Reserves. I graduated with an AS Degree in 1948.

My civilian job was with CSX Transportation. I advanced from a morse telegrapher to train dispatcher and to an appointed position as Chief Train Dispatcher with CSX. I had 48 years service with CSX and its predecessors.

I have met and have been associated with a lot of great people while serving in my different assignments in the Army. I did take the Honor Flight from Jacksonville, FL to Washington, DC to visit the military memorials.

GERALD STAUB, SSGT, USAF

The year was 1952 and Uncle Sam asked me to join the US Marine Corps and go over to Korea to straighten out the problem over there. I decided to join the US Air Force. I was 22 and married with no children. I was sent by train from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to Samson Air Force Base in New York on February 9 to take my basic training. I was then sent to Tyndale Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida.

I had been assigned a code number in basic that said I was a machinist, but there was more of us than there were machines. We were farmed out to other shops like welding, wood shop, parachutes and other duties.

I received orders in November to report in 9 days to Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington state. My wife was working as an RN at the Panama City Hospital in Florida. She had joined me in Panama City soon after I arrived so we had to pack up our things and drive to Pennsylvania, where our parents lived. My wife chose to stay there, while I could make arrangements to move to Spokane.

I traveled to Spokane from Panama City via car. When I arrived on the base, the weather and not being familiar with the area caused problems as I tried to find the barracks-I missed a stop sign. I was pulled over by an Air Force Policeman. I had always been one to try to stay in the shadows and try not to be noticed but as soon as I checked in the machine shop, I was to report to the Squadron Commander to answer why I had gotten a traffic ticket.

Fairchild is home for bombers, and they were phasing out the B-29's for the new B-36's (see photo below). The Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" was a strategic bomber operated solely by the USAF from 1949 to 1959. The B-36 was the largest mass-produced piston engine aircraft ever made. I was assigned to the Field Maintenance Squadron of the 99 Air Force. Along with the machine shop duties, our job was to aid the repair squadrons taking out broken bolts, studs, and aid in anything that they had trouble with. I worked on the flight line a lot and had the privilege of exploring every nick and cranny of that monster.

My wife joined me soon after I arrived there. She worked as an RN in a local Spokane Hospital. We had our first child while serving at Fairchild. We made many lifelong friends both military and local in the state. I was Honorably Discharged on February 9, 1956 as a Staff Sergeant.

We went back to Pennsylvania where I had worked in a steel mill before my service time. My transition to civilian life was a joy.

JOHN L. STEPHENS, JR., PFC, USA

While in high school I was drafted and inducted on March 13, 1946. I completed basic training at Camp Lee Virginia. Since I played clarinet my assigned job description was medic/musician. After Germany surrendered there was more need for musicians. I became a member of the U.S. Army Headquarters Band in Frankfurt, Germany assigned to the 423rd Band U.S. Forces European Theater attached to the Adjutant General Division. My title was Bandsman Specialty 432. Almost 2 million military personnel were stationed in Europe when the war ended and music was a high priority moral builder. Our band played many military reviews, met arriving dignitaries, and welcomed relocated military families coming by plane or train. The daily routine was to play anytime between 7:00 a.m. and midnight.

Mail call was important. The more letters I wrote, the more I received. Mom sent an angel food cake for a birthday present --- the center filled with homemade fudge. When the box was opened my buddies saw the cake and pounced upon it creating a great birthday celebration.

Cruising on the General Howsey troop ship from Germany was an adventure. My assigned bunk was in a hold as far down and forward as possible. Bunks were stacked 4 high with no clearance to turn over while sleeping. I volunteered to assist the cooks in the galley to prepare, cook, and serve the vegetable of the day. An incentive was eating in the officer's mess hall. I ate well.

The third day our ship hit rough seas. There was panic in the sleeping quarters-the men were terrified, crying helplessly, and afraid. The ship's bow rose out of the water and crashed down into the waves. The stern then came out of the water with a loud clanking of metal. The propeller was spinning in mid air and the whole ship vibrated. The galley crew assured me the ship would survive and found a better place for me to sleep. The ship sailed into New York harbor listing to port side.

My greatest accomplishment in the service wasn't realized until after moving to Penney Farms. A film was shown titled, "Army Brats". The theme was movement of service personnel families. The children are relocated, attend different schools and must make new friends. In the film were two scenes with a service band welcoming families. A discussion after the movie brought out the importance of welcoming ceremonies such as our band played for in Germany.

The Rotary Club of Orange Park sponsored "First Coast Honor Air," a one day trip to Washington, D. C. for veterans. Focal point of our trip was a visit to the World War II Memorial. The West Point Chorus was singing for our arrival at Washington's Reagan Air Terminal. This was a role reversal for me and brought tears of joy. They were singing for me.

Developing friendships was important because of leaving home at a young age and living close together 24 hours a day. Marching took a toll on the feet. Two pair of socks were issued per person. When living in the field we wore one pair and kept the other tucked inside our shirt to be warm and dry. Serving in the Army was an honor and a privilege. I was Honorably Discharged on March 30, 1947.

WILLIAM A. STEPHENS, SPEC 4, USA

In April 1962, I was drafted into the U.S. Army in Tampa, Florida. I traveled by bus to basic training at Ft. Gordon, Georgia. I went to school at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and received training as a Chaplain's Assistant. Upon completion of my training, I was assigned to Headquarters Battery, 1st Ms1 Battalion 60th U.S. Army Air Defense Command, located in Orland Park, Illinois. I traveled by plane. I also served in Gary, Indiana at Nike Site. My duties as Chaplain's Assistant was to prepare the worship service bulletins and assist the Chaplain as directed. I was his designated driver as well.

Nike Ajax consisted of a two-stage guided missile powered by a solid-fueled booster engine and a liquid-fueled engine. Several antiaircraft artillery bases in the Chicago area had been converted to Nike missile bases by 1957. A total of 24 bases were constructed in the ring surrounding Chicago and Gary, Indiana.

My active duty service totaled almost 2 years. I was Honorably Discharged on January 27, 1964 at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois as a Specialist 4 (E-4) and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group for annual training. I was obligated to be in the Reserves until April 17, 1968.

My awards included two Sharpshooter Badges: 1 for Rifle and 1 for Carbine, and also the Basic Ms1 Man Badge. Other service training courses successfully completed included Combat Readiness Training, Code of Conduct, Military Justice, Geneva Convention, and Battle Indoctrination.

While serving in the U.S. Army, I got married to Carol Poortinga on January 17, 1964 at Highland, Indiana.

I used the GI Bill to attend the University of Tampa, where I received a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History.

ROBERT L. SUTTLE, 2nd LT, USAF

After graduation from high school in 1952, I joined the Marine Reserve Motor Pool Unit in Charlotte, NC. Learning to field strip blindfolded my M-1 rifle and grease trucks and tanks during our monthly drills and two-week stints at Parris Island, SC, each summer I rose to the rank of Corporal. During this time, I attended Belmont Abbey College in a suburb of Charlotte.

Like other young men of my age, I had an eight-year military commitment. In 1955, I qualified for pilot training through the Air National Guard quota and spent two years on active duty. Riding a Greyhound bus to San Antonio, TX, I received three months of officer training at Lackland Air Force Base. As an Aviation Cadet, my primary flight training took place at Mouldin Air Force Base in Mouldin, MO. Jet training was at Greenville Air Force Base in Greenville, MS, where upon completion, I was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. While learning to eject on an ejection seat mounted on forty-feet rails, I injured my back. Someone had switched the firm cushion to a soft cushion which allowed the seat to build up momentum. The backs of four or five cadets were injured.

At Perrin Air Force Base north of Dallas, TX, I received my advanced jet training in an F-86D. The F-86D was an all-weather interceptor which could break the sound barrier in a slight dive. Each plane that broke the sound barrier had unusual peculiarities. Usually the F-86D would do an aileron roll (a full 360 degree revolution about its longitudinal axis) to the right as it exceeded the speed of sound and an aileron roll to the left as the plane slowed down through the speed of sound. Often shock waves could be seen on the wings. What a thrilling experience!

After completing my two-year enlistment, I was honorably discharged from the Air Force and returned to the North Carolina Air National Guard as a pilot. In its infinite wisdom, the Air Force planned to change the mission from Air Defense Command to a Medivac Unit. Since I had three years left in my commitment, the Guard did not feel it was worth the time to retrain me. After about a year of flying as a peacetime officer, I was given an early discharge and finished my military obligation in the Inactive Reserve. I earned a Good Conduct Medal. I enjoyed my time in the Air Force and found it to be a great place to grow up. I used my GI Bill to finish my B.S. in Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

CHARLES L. SWISHER, ADRC, USN (RET)

I enlisted in the U. S. Navy on July 11, 1941. I completed boot Camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. I attended A & B Aviation Mechanics schools through September 1942.

I was then transferred to Noumea New Caledonian then on to Guadalcanal as part of an emergency aircraft repair unit for aircraft in the Pacific campaign. I return to the United States in November 1944.

My duty stations included the following: Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL; 10th Naval District, San Juan, PR; HU-2 Lakehurst, NJ-specializing in helicopter repair; Naval Air Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba-Helo for air rescue duty; VW-4 Hurricane Hunters at NAS Jacksonville, FL as Flight Engineer in Lockheed Super Constellation aircraft; and AEWRON-15 Argentina New Foundland as flight engineer flying the extension of the Dew Pine Tree Line.

On February 1, 1961, I received an Honorable Discharge from active duty and was transferred to the Fleet Reserve. My rate at retirement was Chief Aviation Machinist (ADRC).

My medals include the following: American Defense Service, Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific, WWII Victory, and National Defense Service.

ANN TILLOU, PFC, USMC

I enlisted in the U.S. Marines in May 1944 and served until April 1946. I attained the rate of Private First Class.

I was assigned to Oklahoma Naval Base, OK, and El Toro Aviation Base, CA.

The times that stand out for me are being up at 6 AM to report for drill on the 'apron'. Ugh! and the kindness of the USO ladies when we were in Los Angeles at times off, free snacks, free theater tickets and free advice!

HERB TURNER, T-3, USA

My military experience in World War II was quite different from that of most. As a March 1943 graduate of the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now known as "Tech"), I went to Officer Candidate School to be trained as an officer for the Army. Unfortunately, I didn't have the forceful personality needed to issue commands. So I was transferred to the Special Engineer Detachment and shipped to Ohio State University in Columbus, to await further orders. A Navy detachment was also stationed there. We lived in the men's dormitory under the football stadium, where we took our meals. There I met Phyllis, as a student who served dinner in our mess hall.

At the end of January 1944, our group was assigned to New York City. We were given a list of addresses and told to find living quarters, because our work would be at Columbia University, using mass spectrometers. The science of high vacuum equipment and techniques was brand new, and we were to learn it. Other than wearing the Army uniform, we lived more or less as civilians, while operating and learning more about the spectrometers. Our evenings were free, so we often attended movies, Broadway plays, operas and concerts, with free tickets issued to service persons, or went to the USO.

Phyllis and I were married in December, 1944 and lived in a one-room apartment in Larchmont, NY until mid-February 1945, when I was re-assigned. I was sent to a new, unheard of town called Oak Ridge, in rural Tennessee, later to become known as the Atomic Capital of the world. After a month, Phyllis joined me, working in the lab. We found a room to share, although I officially lived in the barracks, where I had a bunk and a footlocker. Our group's responsibility was to maintain the mass spectrometers that were being operated under high vacuum and were used to analyze the radioactivity of the material that kept arriving by the trainload. As all work at Oak Ridge was top secret, no one knew what was actually being done there. When the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the news was out! Everyone in Oak Ridge cheered wildly, finally knowing that each of us had had some part, no matter how small, in bringing an end to World War II. We GIs were issued a new shoulder patch, depicting an exploding atom.

Discharged from the Army with the rank of T-3 on March 10, 1946, I continued work at the spectrometer lab in Oak Ridge until the end of August. Then I enrolled at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and did graduate study under the GI Bill for a year. Our first son was born in Ann Arbor. In September 1947 I accepted a job in Rochester, NY with Distillation Products, Inc., to continue working in the field of high vacuum.

LEE R. VANSICKLE, CHAPLAIN CORPS, CAPT, USAF

I remained in Seminary under draft category "4-D" until I was ordained as a Methodist Minister in 1943. I then entered the Chaplaincy program in the US Army. My training was in Newport News, VA, assigned to Army Transport, Ft. Lewis, WA. We were transported to Japan on the USS GENERAL STURGIS. After encountering two sets of mines in North Japan, we were to billet 2,000 troops behind bull dozers. The atom bomb had dropped just 60 days earlier. When debarking was delayed, a fellow officer and I obtained a permit and two sailors to use a life boat. A Marine landing craft with landing grid on bow was headed for us. The engine of our boat quit. Both sailors dove into the cold Nagasaki Bay. We waved oars and the oncoming craft hit us, but we were safe. I had examined with field glasses, gun emplacements in the stone escarpment and knew many US lives were saved if we had landed prior to the bombs.

There must have been realization in high headquarters of the effects of radiation, so we were ordered to Nagoya. Almost a week behind mine sweepers we were moved on to Yokohama. B-29 bomb sites preserved the landing area. There was utter devastation caused by the B-29s all the way to Tokyo.

In the South Pacific Islands, we loaded war-weary soldiers, then replacement soldiers for Europe. During a crossing aboard the SS COLBY VICTORY, a medical crisis developed on ship. Dispensary beds and decks were full. An SOS was sent over the North Atlantic. The SS BRAZIL met us with medicine. The COLBY ship doctor ordered me to perform artificial respiration on a young soldier. When he died in my hands, the doctor had me take dictation for his autopsy. A request was made to the Captain to place the body in refrigeration until we reached Germany. The skipper's order, "You have a Chaplain aboard-Burial at sunrise." When the canvas covered body slides from under the flag, the ship's crew is silent.

Our next assignment began on the East River of Brooklyn, NY. There we loaded Germany POW's. We were soon at sea when a young German came each day to my small state room. He said, "Chaplain, I respect you higher than the Captain of this ship because you are wearing the cross of my Lord." He was conscripted at age 18 and captured on the north coast of Africa. My curiosity caused me to ask about his life, especially on Sunday during Hitler Parades on Main Street. He said he crept down the alley and entered the Lutheran Church for worship. When we saw land, these men gathered on the forward deck with a map of Germany, but we landed in Liverpool, England. As they debarked, English military removed all gifts they were taking to loved ones. During the Korean conflict, I served as a U.S. Air Force Division Chaplain. My duties included visiting families of deceased service men killed in Korea.

After the war service, I located at Silver Bay on Lake George, NY. I resigned my commission, cashed in my Veteran's Insurance and hand built what has become a cherished third generation home.

DEAN K. VELTMAN, CAPT, USN (RET)

I grew up in a small Iowa town without my father because he was serving in WWI and II as a doctor. He served almost 3 years in the Pacific. I enlisted in the US Army on my 17th birthday and served 3 years stateside and was Honorably Discharged.

While attending Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, I enlisted as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Chaplain Corps, US Navy. I completed 8 years of sea duty and other tours in West PAC on the USS YORKTOWN and a year with the 9th US Marines on Okinawa. I also served as the Senior Chaplain of the First Marine Aircraft Wing. We were the last unit to be in Vietnam in combat status on special orders from Washington.

Most of my 21 years as a Chaplain were spent with Naval and Marine Aviation units beginning in Edenton, NC and ending with Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, VA. My duty assignments also included a troop transport, a repair ship (YELLOWSTONE), Naval Air Station, Norfolk, two carriers and a great year at Harvard Divinity School in the Navy Post Graduate program.

My greatest accomplishment in the Navy was a one-week retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains with my men. They asked me what denomination I was. I had never told anyone anything other than being a Protestant Chaplain. I finally admitted my relationship with the United Presbyterian Church USA. They all thought I was a Baptist.

I loved the Chaplaincy and all my experiences including the endless hours tracking Russian submarines, being part of our attempt to close off the Ho Chi Min Trail, the North Atlantic in winters on a rust-bottomed troop transport, and an aircraft carrier. One of my saddest duties was to inform families who had lost members in combat or at sea. My joy was to be able with complete freedom to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the wonderful commands that supported me in every way.

I am a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. What did I miss the most in a retirement after spending 25 years in the military? The wearing of the uniform, of which I was proud to wear. My awards include the Meritorious Unit Commendation; American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal, and National Defense Service Medal with star.

My beloved wife Mary was my most wonderful supporter. She not only took care of the house but raised our four children, leading to their strong religious faith. I was completely free to be involved with my career.

BILLY VESTAL, CORPORAL, USA

My military service was during a period of peace, from October 1946 through September 1949. I was born in Virginia and grew up in Tennessee, in a rather poor area. In high school I was drawn to the idea of being a minister of the gospel, but there was no way my family could afford to send me to college. After graduation, I took a job in an office, but realized there was little opportunity to realize my dreams. One day an advertisement caught my eye: "Last Chance! Join the Army for three years, and be eligible for four years of college under the GI Bill." I was more than willing to invest myself in that.

I signed up and was inducted into the U.S. Army in October 1946 at Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. Basic training was in San Antonio, Texas. It was a long train trip: 3 days and 2 nights. A number of us Southern boys and an equal number of Northerners were assigned to the same barracks. We "rebels" bunked on the first floor; the "yankees" on the second floor, but we got along, more or less.

On induction, I was shown a list of possible training opportunities and was asked which one I would like to follow. I chose "Radar," principally because my uncle was very interested in it. The Radar training school I was assigned to was in Boca Raton, Florida. Now that was an experience. I remember that I had a small radio without a case, and on Saturday evening, after I'd showered, I would crawl under the mosquito netting over my bunk and lie there listening to several hours of "The Grand Old Opry." I was in Boca for only a couple of months though, when a hurricane blew through and chewed up the Army base! So I was off to Biloxi, Mississippi to continue my training for 7 or 8 more months. I found that it was necessary to appear to be busy in the Army. If you were seen as idle, the order was to "pick up those butts!" I hated that, because as a non-smoker I found the smell of stale tobacco smoke repulsive. The best place I was stationed was in Greenville, South Carolina, because I had an aunt and uncle living near the base and I could stay with them some of the time. My aunt planned a party for my birthday on July 21, but wouldn't you know, looking at the duty roster, I found I was scheduled for KP duty that day! Well, I did the KP, and the party was delayed until I finally got there.

One time, when we were on maneuvers in Alabama, I had a 3-day pass. I was able to catch military transport to go see my family, had to sit on my parachute, as there were no seats. But I had to take a bus back to camp-holding my parachute on my lap all the way! Another time, I wanted to get to Tennessee to see my grandmother. I flew there on a B-25. This time I was in the company of a Colonel and several other officers. I was a Corporal, and wasn't used to traveling with military elite! But again, we all had to sit on our parachutes.

In September 1949, I was given an Honorable Discharge at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Using the GI Bill, I enrolled at Emory and Henry College in Virginia, where I married Phyllis. After graduating, I completed my education at Drew Seminary in New Jersey and became an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church.

GEORGE D. WEST, 1st LT, USA

In June 1943, I graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville. On August 28, 1944, I was drafted into the U.S. Army and attended 17 weeks of basic training at Camp Blanding Florida, which was the largest Infantry Replacement Training Center in America. Then I was sent to Fort Meade, Maryland, where we received intensive training in German weapon tactics.

We sailed from New York on the SS Amsterdam with 12,000 men on board. The ship was operated by British Maritime personnel. We landed at Glasgow, Scotland and traveled by train through English countryside. When we passed through London we saw the devastation caused by the bombings. From South Hampton, we boarded a US Navy transport to go across the English channel. At Le Havre, we were assigned to the Lucky Strike area. Several of us men, all 5' 11" or taller, were going to the 104th Timberwolf Division Traffic Unit. We were to run traffic on the Red Ball Express, supplying Patton's Third Army. We travelled through France, Belgium, Luxembourg and into Germany. In my field jacket, I carried a New Testament and read it daily, which gave me comfort, especially John 14:13.

Four of us became good friends and lived in an apartment together, which was close to the base. Due to our schedules, we were seldom there together. Soon we started finding clean uniforms hanging in our closet. Each thought the others had done them. We found out there was a German mother and family living upstairs. We gave her cartons of cigarettes that she used to barter for food. She expressed her thanks by cleaning our uniforms.

We were expected to march the German prisoners to the stockade. They were coming in droves and the saddest ones were the young boys, ages 12-14, wearing ill fitting uniforms and looked lost and totally out of place. The stockades were wire enclosures with little provision for shelter or facilities. Each prisoner was given one U.S. Army blanket.

By December 12, 1944, the Germans had assembled a huge force for one last attempt to break through the Allied lines which was called the Battle of the Bulge. The heaviest fighting lasted about 3 weeks. The US Army had about 80,000 casualties. The Germans held 8,000 GI prisoners but most were liberated. The 104th Division was sent home as a unit. We sailed from Le Havre, France on the S.S. Erickson, a large army transport with about 12,000 men on board. We reached New York in 6 days. When we saw the Statute of Liberty, we thanked God for standing by us and bringing us home. We were met by fire boats spraying water, all kinds of vessels blowing their horns and the US Army Band playing on the dock.

I earned the European Theatre Operations Medal with one Battle Star, a Presidential Citation, Good Conduct Medal, and a WWII Victory Medal. I used the GI Bill to graduate from the University of Florida. My greatest wish is for America to come together as we did in WWII.

RICHARD J. YEAGER, SR. First Lieutenant, USAF

I was preenrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Notre Dame. When I graduated from Notre Dame in June 1956, I was given a commission. My first duty station was Communications Officers training at Scott Field in Belleview, Illinois for three months.

Then it was on to the 866AC&W Squadron at Tonopah Air Force Station in Tonopah, Nevada. We arrived there around January 3rd, 1957. It was a small place with about 75 men and six officers. It was a new site and not yet operational.

I was the Communications and Electronics officer. We had a Major for a commander. His orders to me were; "Yeager I don't care where you are or what you do as long as everything works". That included the million dollar long range radar, the UHF and VHF transmitters and receivers, teletype and telephone. It was a great job for a kid just out of college. To add to the intrigue, they were shooting off atomic bombs, above ground, about 80 miles to our south.

After 18 months of being stationed in Tonopah, I was transferred to Headquarters 28th Air Division, at Hamilton Field, a little north of San Francisco on the bay. The 28th was the headquarters for my old Tonopah site. At the 28th I was in the communications shop making sure the other six radar sites performed.

After 18 months at Hamilton Field, I completed my 3 years obligation. I received an Honorable Discharge in June 1959 as a First Lieutenant. I was able to use some of the military benefits by getting a VA/FHA mortgage at my local bank. I returned to my civilian job at IBM.

Later on, I applied for a Certificate of Recognition signed by the Secretary of Defense, which reads in part: "In recognition of your service during the period of the Cold War in promoting peace and stability for this Nation, the people of the Nation are forever grateful." I had it framed along with my Certificate of Service, my draft card, and a shoulder patch for the Air Defense Command (ADC).

We made a lot of good friends, especially in Tonopah. As a matter of fact one just stopped by PRC a month or so ago. I have a lot of respect for the military.

DEE YURDOCK, LNCS, USNR (RET)

Upon completion of boot camp at Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, MD in 1956, I graduated from Personnelman "A" School and was assigned to Naval Station, Norfolk, VA for two years. My supervisor, a Chief Petty Officer, helped me get orders to the Naval Station, Pearl Harbor for two years. My primary duties were to make appropriate entries in all official enlisted service records, including DD-214s, Armed Forces of the U.S. Report of Transfer or Discharge. While there, Hawaii became our 50th state on August 21, 1959. Everyone on the island celebrated for a week with parades and wearing traditional Hawaiian clothing. In November 1960, I returned to the base in Bainbridge, which was close to Pennsylvania, where my parents lived. I completed 5 years on active duty.

After working for the American Baptist Headquarters in Valley Forge, PA for 9 years, I moved to Orlando Florida in 1970. Using the GI Bill, I graduated from Valencia Community College with an Associate in Arts Degree and transferred to the University of Central Florida, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree specializing in Business Education.

With my military background, I was thankful for a civil service position as a paralegal with the Naval Legal Service Office Detachment, Orlando. Working in the legal assistance department, my supervisors were military attorneys. We prepared a variety of legal documents for active and retired personnel and their spouses. When the Naval Training Center closed in Orlando, I was fortunate to get a part time job with Wycliffe Bible Translators as a bequest coordinator.

I enlisted in the Naval Reserves in 1977. As a Legalman First Class, I was assigned to the Naval Judge Advocate Unit in Miami. This unit traveled to Washington, DC, Mayport, Jacksonville, Key West, and Orlando to perform legal duties. One of my favorite three-week active duty orders was to the U.S. Naval Retirement Home, Biloxi, MS, where I lived and worked processing legal documents for the residents. This was an enjoyable tour as I met many of the WW II veterans who lived there. When I was promoted to Chief, I received orders to serve at the Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region 8, Jacksonville, FL. I completed 17 years in the Naval Reserves.

I received the Naval League "Naval Justice" award upon graduation from Legal Officer School, NJS, Newport, RI. I received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Secretary of the Navy for significant contributions to the support of military mobilization, deployment, operations and sustainment during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 1990-91.

During my 22 years of service, I received the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Medal (3 awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal when I retired in 1994 as a Legalman Senior Chief (E-8).