1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,110 >> If that's okay with you. 2 00:00:01,110 --> 00:00:02,115 >> It's okay. 3 00:00:02,115 --> 00:00:03,645 >> Thank you for your patience. 4 00:00:03,645 --> 00:00:04,725 >> You're good. 5 00:00:04,725 --> 00:00:07,600 >> Thanks. This is James Newberry. 6 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:11,065 I'm here with Harry Anton on Thursday March 24th, 7 00:00:11,065 --> 00:00:13,630 2016, at the Sturgis Library 8 00:00:13,630 --> 00:00:15,360 at Kennesaw State University. 9 00:00:15,360 --> 00:00:17,615 And Mr. Anton, do you agree to this interview? 10 00:00:17,615 --> 00:00:18,095 >> Yes. 11 00:00:18,095 --> 00:00:21,200 >> Thank you again. We'll start at the beginning. 12 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:23,645 If you could state your full name. 13 00:00:23,645 --> 00:00:26,960 >> Harry, initial J. Anton. 14 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:29,230 >> And what does that J stand for? 15 00:00:29,230 --> 00:00:31,600 >> Well, I don't like to say it, 16 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:35,235 but it was my name for a while in grade school,. 17 00:00:35,235 --> 00:00:43,310 Junior because I really wasn't named at my birth. 18 00:00:43,310 --> 00:00:46,850 And then when I found that out when I applied for 19 00:00:46,850 --> 00:00:52,070 a passport because a birth certificate 20 00:00:52,070 --> 00:00:53,570 is one thing you had to have. 21 00:00:53,570 --> 00:00:55,610 So I had no name. 22 00:00:55,610 --> 00:00:59,200 I had to get affidavits from different people, 23 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:01,470 an army discharged and all 24 00:01:01,470 --> 00:01:05,375 to prove what my name really was. 25 00:01:05,375 --> 00:01:08,380 So I don't use it. I use the name Harry. 26 00:01:08,380 --> 00:01:11,330 I've used the name Harry since the fifth grade. 27 00:01:11,330 --> 00:01:14,240 >> I see. So Mr. Anton, 28 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,755 tell me when and where were you born? 29 00:01:17,755 --> 00:01:20,035 >> Paynesville, Minnesota, 30 00:01:20,035 --> 00:01:23,700 little town, central Minnesota. 31 00:01:23,700 --> 00:01:25,635 >> And what's your birthday? 32 00:01:25,635 --> 00:01:31,440 >> November 17th, 1923. 33 00:01:31,440 --> 00:01:34,560 >> Now, you didn't stay in Minnesota? 34 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:38,760 >> No, when I was five years old, we were on the farm. 35 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:41,100 We moved to Waterloo, 36 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:44,700 Iowa, which was closer to all the relatives, 37 00:01:44,700 --> 00:01:47,180 which were from Port City Iowa, 38 00:01:47,180 --> 00:01:51,375 which is a little town about 15 miles out of Waterloo, 39 00:01:51,375 --> 00:01:54,270 but we moved to Waterloo. 40 00:01:54,270 --> 00:01:57,135 >> Can you describe the farm for me? 41 00:01:57,135 --> 00:02:01,680 >> It was 160 acres on the east side of Waterloo, 42 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:03,955 just an average farm. 43 00:02:03,955 --> 00:02:06,900 >> What sort of crops did you grow, 44 00:02:06,900 --> 00:02:08,535 or did you raise animals? 45 00:02:08,535 --> 00:02:11,830 >> No. It was mostly crops; 46 00:02:12,770 --> 00:02:16,550 corn, soybeans and oats. 47 00:02:16,550 --> 00:02:21,485 Some of them were for feed for our own animals, 48 00:02:21,485 --> 00:02:25,330 but we found out after we moved there 49 00:02:25,330 --> 00:02:27,130 that all of our horses 50 00:02:27,130 --> 00:02:30,930 died and there was a disease in the barn. 51 00:02:30,930 --> 00:02:34,035 So we had to farm a tractor. 52 00:02:34,035 --> 00:02:37,455 All farming with tractor. 53 00:02:37,455 --> 00:02:40,215 >> What were your parents' names? 54 00:02:40,215 --> 00:02:41,930 >> My dad's name was Harry. 55 00:02:41,930 --> 00:02:44,240 That's where the junior came from. 56 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:46,340 Had two middle names, 57 00:02:46,340 --> 00:02:49,220 Harry Byron Jacob Anton. 58 00:02:49,220 --> 00:02:56,100 Mother's name was Adaline [phonetic]. 59 00:02:56,150 --> 00:02:59,670 >> And they farmed for a living? 60 00:02:59,670 --> 00:03:00,840 >> Farm, yes. 61 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,295 >> They didn't do other jobs? 62 00:03:02,295 --> 00:03:03,180 >> No. 63 00:03:03,180 --> 00:03:05,580 >> So did you have siblings? 64 00:03:05,580 --> 00:03:08,810 >> I had two brothers, both older. 65 00:03:08,810 --> 00:03:13,055 One was 10years older than I and the other 14. 66 00:03:13,055 --> 00:03:15,305 Both are dead now. 67 00:03:15,305 --> 00:03:18,030 >> You were going to say something? 68 00:03:18,970 --> 00:03:21,400 >> I don't know what it was. 69 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:23,895 >> So where did you go to school? 70 00:03:23,895 --> 00:03:25,545 >> Farm school. 71 00:03:25,545 --> 00:03:27,780 Probably went to all eight grades in 72 00:03:27,780 --> 00:03:31,270 the one room country school. 73 00:03:31,730 --> 00:03:37,770 >> Did you learn alongside students that were other ages? 74 00:03:37,770 --> 00:03:41,320 >> All one room we had eight grades in one room. 75 00:03:41,320 --> 00:03:44,120 And you would be called for recitation up to 76 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:48,040 the front and other students had to do their 77 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,480 studying while recitations were 78 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:53,400 going on because it was eight grades. 79 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,845 >> Do you remember any of your teachers there? 80 00:03:56,845 --> 00:04:00,140 >> I remember one. 81 00:04:00,140 --> 00:04:02,520 Probably, I think was 82 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:06,970 my last teacher I had in country school, 83 00:04:06,970 --> 00:04:09,460 but I don't know her name. 84 00:04:09,460 --> 00:04:14,060 >> So when did you graduate from school? 85 00:04:14,330 --> 00:04:18,740 >> Well, let's see. I started when I was 86 00:04:18,740 --> 00:04:23,120 five years old and for five years, 87 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:24,820 went to that school and then we 88 00:04:24,820 --> 00:04:27,860 transferred and went to a different farm, 89 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:35,115 different location five years later. 90 00:04:35,115 --> 00:04:40,245 So let's see, 1929, 91 00:04:40,245 --> 00:04:43,550 I started grade school in 1929. 92 00:04:43,550 --> 00:04:45,090 So it'd be eight years after 93 00:04:45,090 --> 00:04:48,290 that I graduated from country school 94 00:04:48,290 --> 00:04:54,305 and went to junior high down in town of Waterloo. 95 00:04:54,305 --> 00:04:57,070 >> So you started high school in Waterloo? 96 00:04:57,070 --> 00:05:01,020 >> Went through high school in Waterloo. 97 00:05:01,020 --> 00:05:03,420 >> What type of school was that? 98 00:05:03,420 --> 00:05:07,450 >> The high school? Waterloo was 99 00:05:07,450 --> 00:05:10,490 a town of about 70,000 small town. 100 00:05:10,490 --> 00:05:12,590 And we had two high schools; 101 00:05:12,590 --> 00:05:14,630 East Waterloo and West Waterloo, 102 00:05:14,630 --> 00:05:17,195 and river split the city. 103 00:05:17,195 --> 00:05:21,140 So East Waterloo, 104 00:05:21,140 --> 00:05:24,420 and it's still there. 105 00:05:24,500 --> 00:05:26,870 >> So what year did you graduate 106 00:05:26,870 --> 00:05:29,170 from East Waterloo High School? 107 00:05:29,170 --> 00:05:31,970 >> That would have been 108 00:05:33,060 --> 00:05:41,155 12 years after 1929. 109 00:05:41,155 --> 00:05:52,750 '40 or 110 00:05:52,750 --> 00:05:55,110 '41. 111 00:05:55,110 --> 00:05:56,500 >> Now, what did you know 112 00:05:56,500 --> 00:06:00,550 about the war going on in Europe at that time? 113 00:06:00,550 --> 00:06:05,165 >> Well, the war started in December of '41. 114 00:06:05,165 --> 00:06:09,020 I joined the army and enlisted in 115 00:06:09,020 --> 00:06:14,170 the army in March of '42. 116 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,060 >> So what are your memories of 117 00:06:17,060 --> 00:06:20,070 the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December of '41? 118 00:06:20,070 --> 00:06:21,675 >> I remember the day well. 119 00:06:21,675 --> 00:06:24,200 It was a Sunday and I was 120 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,130 outside fooling around with a baseball, 121 00:06:27,130 --> 00:06:29,240 throwing it up and down and catching it. 122 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:33,140 And I remember hearing the news over the radio. 123 00:06:33,330 --> 00:06:38,330 I thought, well, we'll get those guys in a hurry. 124 00:06:42,950 --> 00:06:46,410 I remember Roosevelt's speech about 125 00:06:46,410 --> 00:06:49,930 declaring war on Germany, 126 00:06:49,930 --> 00:06:51,590 but I don't remember 127 00:06:51,590 --> 00:06:55,290 anything other than listening to that. 128 00:06:55,580 --> 00:06:58,830 >> So when did you enlist? 129 00:06:58,830 --> 00:07:02,430 >> In March of 1942. 130 00:07:02,430 --> 00:07:06,135 >> And what motivated you to enlist at that time? 131 00:07:06,135 --> 00:07:09,200 >> There was the general motors was 132 00:07:09,200 --> 00:07:11,840 coming through the Midwest and 133 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:15,300 getting volunteers to form 134 00:07:15,300 --> 00:07:19,540 a base ordinance and supply depot. 135 00:07:19,540 --> 00:07:24,030 I enlisted in that because here's a chance to 136 00:07:24,030 --> 00:07:28,110 get into the army without going to the infantry. 137 00:07:28,110 --> 00:07:30,230 I didn't want to go to the infantry, 138 00:07:30,230 --> 00:07:32,510 so that is a part of 139 00:07:32,510 --> 00:07:35,310 the story and in the end of my story. 140 00:07:35,310 --> 00:07:38,290 >> What is an ordinance and supply depot? 141 00:07:38,290 --> 00:07:42,630 >> It repairs damaged vehicles and 142 00:07:42,630 --> 00:07:47,930 there's a supply of all kinds of equipment that's needed. 143 00:07:47,930 --> 00:07:50,430 >> And how did you think working for 144 00:07:50,430 --> 00:07:52,900 the depot would help you avoid the infantry? 145 00:07:52,900 --> 00:07:57,310 >> Well, just because I was already in an outfit, 146 00:07:57,310 --> 00:07:59,845 I wouldn't have to go to the infantry. 147 00:07:59,845 --> 00:08:04,630 >> I see. So where did you go to enlist? 148 00:08:05,150 --> 00:08:09,590 >> I don't recall. I was in Waterloo. 149 00:08:09,590 --> 00:08:12,990 I don't recall the enlistment at all. 150 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:21,160 >> Now, how soon did you go to boot camp? 151 00:08:21,860 --> 00:08:24,605 >> Very soon. 152 00:08:24,605 --> 00:08:27,040 I actually may have enlisted in 153 00:08:27,040 --> 00:08:31,440 the end of February because we left for Camp Sutton, 154 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:33,220 North Carolina, where we took 155 00:08:33,220 --> 00:08:37,480 our basic training and left in March. I know that. 156 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:39,750 >> So very soon after you enlisted? 157 00:08:39,750 --> 00:08:40,530 >> Yes. 158 00:08:40,530 --> 00:08:43,690 >> Tell me about Camp Sutton. Where is it? 159 00:08:43,690 --> 00:08:48,155 >> Camp Sutton was, it's no longer there, 160 00:08:48,155 --> 00:08:49,760 Monroe, North Carolina, 161 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:52,400 which is about 40, 162 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:58,420 50 miles out southeast of Charlotte. 163 00:08:58,420 --> 00:09:03,450 >> And tell me about arriving there. What did you find? 164 00:09:03,770 --> 00:09:07,310 >> I've got a total blank on arriving. 165 00:09:07,310 --> 00:09:09,870 I don't know anything because we 166 00:09:09,870 --> 00:09:14,030 were doing nothing as far as our supply is concerned. 167 00:09:14,030 --> 00:09:16,610 We were taking basic training, 168 00:09:16,610 --> 00:09:18,250 which is a lot of marching 169 00:09:18,250 --> 00:09:22,380 and I don't recall about other else, 170 00:09:22,380 --> 00:09:30,525 but we stayed there until December of '42. 171 00:09:30,525 --> 00:09:33,250 We went overseas. 172 00:09:33,370 --> 00:09:36,470 Headed to Oran, Africa. 173 00:09:36,470 --> 00:09:40,355 >> But you did transfer to Camp McCoy? 174 00:09:40,355 --> 00:09:42,395 >> I did, yes. That's right. 175 00:09:42,395 --> 00:09:45,675 We left in September of '42 176 00:09:45,675 --> 00:09:48,900 from Camp Sutton and went to Camp McCoy, 177 00:09:48,900 --> 00:09:50,220 and it was a camp then. 178 00:09:50,220 --> 00:09:51,360 And that's still there, 179 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:55,845 but it's called Fort McCoy now. 180 00:09:55,845 --> 00:09:59,050 >> And what type of training were you doing there? 181 00:09:59,420 --> 00:10:03,010 >> We trained somewhat on what we were going to 182 00:10:03,010 --> 00:10:08,590 do as a supply depot and repair. 183 00:10:08,590 --> 00:10:12,125 >> And what branch of the military were you in? 184 00:10:12,125 --> 00:10:14,030 >> Army. 185 00:10:14,030 --> 00:10:17,630 >> So in training to be 186 00:10:17,630 --> 00:10:21,805 part of a supply depot, what are you learning? 187 00:10:21,805 --> 00:10:25,740 >> Just how to handle equipment, 188 00:10:25,740 --> 00:10:29,000 repair equipment and supply. 189 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,290 I was in the carpenter shop, 190 00:10:31,290 --> 00:10:33,580 I did a lot of carpenter work. 191 00:10:33,580 --> 00:10:37,445 >> So what kind of equipment are you handling? 192 00:10:37,445 --> 00:10:43,005 >> All kinds. The army had trucks, 193 00:10:43,005 --> 00:10:49,320 jeeps, and combat equipment. 194 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,095 >> Tell me about the carpenter shop. 195 00:10:52,095 --> 00:10:55,320 >> There was three of us in the carpenter shop, 196 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:57,660 and there wasn't much we did in 197 00:10:57,660 --> 00:11:00,480 any carpenter work that was called for. 198 00:11:01,010 --> 00:11:04,180 >> Was that something you already had experience in? 199 00:11:04,180 --> 00:11:05,720 >> Yes. Because I was 200 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:08,810 working as a carpenter for my father, 201 00:11:08,810 --> 00:11:13,890 who was a homebuilder in Waterloo. 202 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:18,885 >> So when did you ship out? 203 00:11:18,885 --> 00:11:21,540 >> I'm not sure the day we shipped out. 204 00:11:21,540 --> 00:11:23,640 I remember the landing very well. 205 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:28,145 It was on Christmas morning in Oran, Africa. 206 00:11:28,145 --> 00:11:31,340 And we docked at a regular dock and were 207 00:11:31,340 --> 00:11:34,765 able to get off the ship without any problem, 208 00:11:34,765 --> 00:11:38,740 but we marched to our depot, 209 00:11:38,740 --> 00:11:41,350 which was a huge building, 210 00:11:41,350 --> 00:11:49,480 and was able to supply and repair equipment. 211 00:11:49,480 --> 00:11:54,130 We had Christmas dinner early on board ship 212 00:11:54,130 --> 00:11:57,370 before we landed because 213 00:11:57,370 --> 00:11:59,950 we had brought our Christmas dinner. 214 00:11:59,950 --> 00:12:02,845 When we got to the base, 215 00:12:02,845 --> 00:12:05,560 they were having it late in the day 216 00:12:05,560 --> 00:12:08,500 and we had Christmas dinner there 217 00:12:08,500 --> 00:12:10,840 because they had scrounged the area 218 00:12:10,840 --> 00:12:14,170 for I think it was the turkey and not chicken. 219 00:12:14,170 --> 00:12:17,335 But we had a full Christmas dinner there. 220 00:12:17,335 --> 00:12:20,230 We on our trip were bringing 221 00:12:20,230 --> 00:12:22,810 the Christmas dinner to those people. 222 00:12:22,810 --> 00:12:25,960 And the next day on the 26th, 223 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:28,270 we had Christmas dinner again. 224 00:12:28,270 --> 00:12:31,300 Three times. [LAUGHTER] 225 00:12:31,300 --> 00:12:33,355 >> What did you have for those meals? 226 00:12:33,355 --> 00:12:35,080 >> It was a regular Christmas dinner. 227 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:36,790 All you would have anywhere, 228 00:12:36,790 --> 00:12:40,480 the turkey and what depends on which well, 229 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,445 they were all the turkey everybody 230 00:12:42,445 --> 00:12:44,560 on board ship and when we got 231 00:12:44,560 --> 00:12:49,345 to the depo and entered their Christmas dinner. 232 00:12:49,345 --> 00:12:51,100 They knew we were coming. 233 00:12:51,100 --> 00:12:53,125 So they waited for us. 234 00:12:53,125 --> 00:12:56,290 And then we were bringing their Christmas dinner, 235 00:12:56,290 --> 00:13:00,640 which was turkey and all the trimmings. 236 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,350 You have pumpkin pie. 237 00:13:03,420 --> 00:13:06,430 >> Was it canned food? 238 00:13:06,430 --> 00:13:09,250 >> I don't recall. 239 00:13:09,250 --> 00:13:10,960 >> Let's back up a little bit to 240 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:13,855 the trip on the boat coming across. 241 00:13:13,855 --> 00:13:16,870 >> Hit a storm. Probably it was a hurricane. 242 00:13:16,870 --> 00:13:18,565 I don't recall that, 243 00:13:18,565 --> 00:13:22,570 but everybody on board got sick except a few of us. 244 00:13:22,570 --> 00:13:25,900 Now those few after 245 00:13:25,900 --> 00:13:30,010 a couple of days were called to clean up the galley. 246 00:13:30,010 --> 00:13:37,015 [LAUGHTER] What a mess it was. 247 00:13:37,015 --> 00:13:42,380 I got sick and were able to get up and heaved overboard. 248 00:13:42,420 --> 00:13:44,710 >> How did you have to clean it? 249 00:13:44,710 --> 00:13:46,900 >> I don't remember what equipment we 250 00:13:46,900 --> 00:13:50,480 had because I wasn't there long. 251 00:13:51,030 --> 00:13:54,325 >> So you said you landed in Oran? 252 00:13:54,325 --> 00:13:56,455 >> Oran, North Africa. 253 00:13:56,455 --> 00:13:57,790 >> Could you spell that? 254 00:13:57,790 --> 00:13:59,530 >> O-R-A-N. 255 00:13:59,530 --> 00:14:00,955 >> What country is that? 256 00:14:00,955 --> 00:14:02,960 >> In Algeria. 257 00:14:07,620 --> 00:14:11,110 >> Now, you had brought 258 00:14:11,110 --> 00:14:14,410 Christmas dinner to the soldiers that were already there. 259 00:14:14,410 --> 00:14:17,380 Can you describe the encampment there? 260 00:14:17,380 --> 00:14:19,075 What did it look like? 261 00:14:19,075 --> 00:14:21,340 >> Well, there was an area, 262 00:14:21,340 --> 00:14:23,380 probably it was parking area originally, 263 00:14:23,380 --> 00:14:26,800 but an area we had all our equipment. 264 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:30,625 And it was just like 265 00:14:30,625 --> 00:14:37,130 any other supply maintenance and supply. 266 00:14:38,250 --> 00:14:41,395 >> Was Oran a large city? 267 00:14:41,395 --> 00:14:43,915 >> Fairly large, yes. 268 00:14:43,915 --> 00:14:46,720 But the size, I couldn't tell you. 269 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:48,595 >> And it's on the coast? 270 00:14:48,595 --> 00:14:52,330 >> Right, at Mediterranean sea. 271 00:14:52,330 --> 00:14:55,060 >> How many soldiers were milling 272 00:14:55,060 --> 00:14:58,670 around there? Was it a good number? 273 00:14:58,890 --> 00:15:01,390 >> There were a few there, 274 00:15:01,390 --> 00:15:03,190 but I don't know what they were there 275 00:15:03,190 --> 00:15:06,010 for what their duties were at all. 276 00:15:06,010 --> 00:15:08,560 And we had a battalion and 277 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:10,870 I don't know how many people are in a battalion, 278 00:15:10,870 --> 00:15:14,260 but it was four companies in the battalion, A, B, 279 00:15:14,260 --> 00:15:19,645 C and D. And they had their own specific duties. 280 00:15:19,645 --> 00:15:25,015 I remember D company of repair of small arms. 281 00:15:25,015 --> 00:15:27,640 And we were in A company, 282 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:29,635 but I don't recall 283 00:15:29,635 --> 00:15:33,655 what the specific duties for each one was. 284 00:15:33,655 --> 00:15:35,350 >> Do you remember the number of 285 00:15:35,350 --> 00:15:39,010 your battalion or the name of the battalion? 286 00:15:39,010 --> 00:15:43,630 >> I knew you were going to ask me that and I can't 287 00:15:43,630 --> 00:15:45,850 recall the name or 288 00:15:45,850 --> 00:15:48,625 number of the battalion because later on, 289 00:15:48,625 --> 00:15:53,155 it was changed into just companies and we were in 3251. 290 00:15:53,155 --> 00:15:54,235 >> Okay. 291 00:15:54,235 --> 00:15:56,780 >> That was in Africa. 292 00:15:58,470 --> 00:15:59,890 >> Go ahead. 293 00:15:59,890 --> 00:16:05,935 >> Well, this made the split in America before we left. 294 00:16:05,935 --> 00:16:08,575 So we left as companies. 295 00:16:08,575 --> 00:16:10,765 >> How long were you in Oran? 296 00:16:10,765 --> 00:16:13,330 >> Almost two years. 297 00:16:13,330 --> 00:16:16,915 All through the African campaign, 298 00:16:16,915 --> 00:16:20,500 which is a story in the end by itself 299 00:16:20,500 --> 00:16:25,225 and then through year of D day, 300 00:16:25,225 --> 00:16:31,265 and then we landed in Marse we left in December, 301 00:16:31,265 --> 00:16:33,705 it would have been two years later. 302 00:16:33,705 --> 00:16:35,280 >> Let's wait for that. 303 00:16:35,280 --> 00:16:36,470 >> Okay. 304 00:16:36,470 --> 00:16:39,890 >> Since you were there for two years, 305 00:16:39,890 --> 00:16:43,690 what were your daily duties? 306 00:16:45,710 --> 00:16:49,485 >> Pretty much the same as they'd always been. 307 00:16:49,485 --> 00:16:53,155 And I don't know why we were there that long. 308 00:16:53,155 --> 00:16:57,700 But we shipped out in September of '44. 309 00:16:57,700 --> 00:17:00,895 >> Did you see any combat at that time? 310 00:17:00,895 --> 00:17:03,145 >> Not in Africa, no. 311 00:17:03,145 --> 00:17:07,315 But later on, it'll come into play. 312 00:17:07,315 --> 00:17:09,925 >> Was there entertainment in Oran? 313 00:17:09,925 --> 00:17:14,815 >> We had one of the major and I can't recall who it was. 314 00:17:14,815 --> 00:17:19,130 I don't think it was Bob Hope. 315 00:17:19,740 --> 00:17:23,305 But it was one of the major entertainers 316 00:17:23,305 --> 00:17:27,040 for all Oran area. 317 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:32,800 >> And where were you going to see this entertainment? 318 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:37,100 >> I think it was staged at our depot, 319 00:17:37,560 --> 00:17:41,840 not in the parking area. 320 00:17:43,740 --> 00:17:46,960 >> How did you keep up with 321 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:50,035 news of the war of the Africa campaign? 322 00:17:50,035 --> 00:17:54,700 >> Radio. And we had the Stars and Stripes. 323 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:55,420 >> What's that? 324 00:17:55,420 --> 00:17:56,305 >> Newspaper. 325 00:17:56,305 --> 00:17:57,505 >> Tell me about that newspaper. 326 00:17:57,505 --> 00:17:59,755 >> Was it an army newspaper or it was published, 327 00:17:59,755 --> 00:18:01,300 I have no idea. 328 00:18:01,300 --> 00:18:08,390 Probably right there because we were a spa major post. 329 00:18:11,400 --> 00:18:15,235 A radio on that Stars and Stripes. 330 00:18:15,235 --> 00:18:19,240 >> Did you ever see or meet come 331 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:23,125 into contact with any of the well known generals? 332 00:18:23,125 --> 00:18:24,505 >> Eisenhower. 333 00:18:24,505 --> 00:18:25,390 >> Tell me about that. 334 00:18:25,390 --> 00:18:27,740 >> Came to visit our Depo. 335 00:18:28,620 --> 00:18:31,300 I never talked to him personally, 336 00:18:31,300 --> 00:18:33,790 but I was around with him, 337 00:18:33,790 --> 00:18:38,630 and he was there to view our operation. 338 00:18:39,630 --> 00:18:44,630 He was a major general. 339 00:18:45,090 --> 00:18:47,740 >> So that's before he was [inaudible] 340 00:18:47,740 --> 00:18:49,010 >> Yeah. 341 00:18:50,070 --> 00:18:52,450 >> Did you have any communication 342 00:18:52,450 --> 00:18:54,370 with your family or friends back home? 343 00:18:54,370 --> 00:19:01,480 >> Only by email, called email electronics. 344 00:19:01,480 --> 00:19:05,930 When you got it, there was a page about that B. 345 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:11,215 That's how I remained in contact. 346 00:19:11,215 --> 00:19:14,350 >> What sort of news 347 00:19:14,350 --> 00:19:17,095 were you getting from home from your family? 348 00:19:17,095 --> 00:19:20,020 >> Not much just general news 349 00:19:20,020 --> 00:19:23,330 of what was happening there. 350 00:19:24,610 --> 00:19:29,600 >> What did you eat on a day to day basis? 351 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:33,195 >> God. [LAUGHTER] We had everything. 352 00:19:33,195 --> 00:19:39,220 At a base we were served just like any army place. 353 00:19:39,220 --> 00:19:44,100 Any food. It was good food. 354 00:19:44,100 --> 00:19:47,060 >> And what was the dining area like? 355 00:19:47,060 --> 00:19:51,870 >> Just a big dining room with tables and benches. 356 00:19:53,020 --> 00:19:55,460 >> How did you get the news that you were 357 00:19:55,460 --> 00:19:57,900 going to be transferred? 358 00:19:58,540 --> 00:20:01,010 >> To Europe. 359 00:20:01,010 --> 00:20:09,240 They came to our officers and they let us know. 360 00:20:09,250 --> 00:20:13,200 >> So how did you feel about this transfer? 361 00:20:13,930 --> 00:20:18,360 >> This was part of duty. That's all. 362 00:20:19,660 --> 00:20:29,285 We crossed in and not regular ships were LST and LSD? 363 00:20:29,285 --> 00:20:38,215 And there's a small flat bottom boat. 364 00:20:38,215 --> 00:20:42,100 And of course, we hit an understorm in the Mediterranean. 365 00:20:42,100 --> 00:20:45,410 And we go in all directions 366 00:20:45,410 --> 00:20:49,010 and finally got together before we landed. 367 00:20:49,010 --> 00:20:54,260 And we had to land in the water because we walked ashore. 368 00:20:54,260 --> 00:20:55,910 >> Did you have your gear on? 369 00:20:55,910 --> 00:20:57,150 >> No. 370 00:20:58,210 --> 00:21:02,960 >> So what was the reason for this change of posting? 371 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:06,425 >> I supposed to get us closer to the action 372 00:21:06,425 --> 00:21:10,880 because after we landed. 373 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:16,640 We walked road to Beaune, 374 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:22,790 France, which is just Northwest of Switzerland. 375 00:21:22,790 --> 00:21:28,145 And part of our convoy on the way up there, 376 00:21:28,145 --> 00:21:30,590 two of us driving a Jeep and some 377 00:21:30,590 --> 00:21:33,830 other Jeeps ahead of us and trucks. 378 00:21:33,830 --> 00:21:35,870 We got separated from 379 00:21:35,870 --> 00:21:41,100 the main convoy and ended up at the Swiss border. 380 00:21:41,530 --> 00:21:43,790 We got into Switzerland, 381 00:21:43,790 --> 00:21:46,415 that would have been the end of the war for us, 382 00:21:46,415 --> 00:21:48,320 but they turned us around. 383 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:50,840 We got back to our convoy 384 00:21:50,840 --> 00:21:54,625 then and settled in Beaune, France. 385 00:21:54,625 --> 00:21:56,710 >> Can you please spell that city? 386 00:21:56,710 --> 00:21:59,720 >> B-E-A-U-N-E. 387 00:22:00,100 --> 00:22:03,035 >> What sort of city was Beaune France? 388 00:22:03,035 --> 00:22:06,335 >> It was a small town I can't remember. 389 00:22:06,335 --> 00:22:09,920 We visited after the war. 390 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:11,120 We went to Europe, 391 00:22:11,120 --> 00:22:13,220 and then we stopped in Beaune, 392 00:22:13,220 --> 00:22:15,455 but don't remember any much. 393 00:22:15,455 --> 00:22:17,090 I remember the downtown a 394 00:22:17,090 --> 00:22:19,175 little bit and where we used to eat. 395 00:22:19,175 --> 00:22:21,500 But that's about all I remember. 396 00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:22,700 >> Where did you eat? 397 00:22:22,700 --> 00:22:24,365 >> It was in a restaurant. 398 00:22:24,365 --> 00:22:28,220 And we going on pass, 399 00:22:28,220 --> 00:22:29,495 we go into town. 400 00:22:29,495 --> 00:22:36,875 We were actually at the edge of the city. 401 00:22:36,875 --> 00:22:39,905 So it wasn't far to walk into town. 402 00:22:39,905 --> 00:22:46,020 >> Why did your unit wander up to the Swiss border? 403 00:22:46,660 --> 00:22:52,355 >> Someone ahead of us got lost and made a wrong turn. 404 00:22:52,355 --> 00:22:55,100 >> And were there who was 405 00:22:55,100 --> 00:22:56,360 standing at the Swiss border to 406 00:22:56,360 --> 00:22:57,680 keep you from crossing over? 407 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:05,210 >> It was just a little what do you call little shack. 408 00:23:05,210 --> 00:23:12,510 There was two soldiers or two were Swiss Army soldiers. 409 00:23:13,180 --> 00:23:15,260 >> So in Beaune, 410 00:23:15,260 --> 00:23:17,000 how long did you stay there? 411 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:20,820 >> Let's see. We landed there, 412 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:26,315 I really don't know. 413 00:23:26,315 --> 00:23:34,185 Let's see. 414 00:23:34,185 --> 00:23:37,980 We get the landing mixed up. 415 00:23:41,490 --> 00:23:44,775 I got to think a little bit. 416 00:23:44,775 --> 00:23:47,060 We left in September, 417 00:23:47,060 --> 00:23:53,610 I know that left Africa in September 1944. 418 00:23:56,290 --> 00:24:00,920 The war past Beaune, 419 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:04,745 France, where we were stationed. 420 00:24:04,745 --> 00:24:08,040 They were already on beyond it. 421 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:12,930 >> How many soldiers in your unit bivaed there? 422 00:24:13,360 --> 00:24:15,335 >> Don't know. 423 00:24:15,335 --> 00:24:17,505 >> Large or small group. 424 00:24:17,505 --> 00:24:20,395 >> A company size, 425 00:24:20,395 --> 00:24:22,480 which was less than 200. 426 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:27,695 >> And you said at some point here, 427 00:24:27,695 --> 00:24:29,735 you saw your name. 428 00:24:29,735 --> 00:24:37,475 >> On buildings. Our ancestry was Alaine area, 429 00:24:37,475 --> 00:24:40,355 which is an area between Germany and France. 430 00:24:40,355 --> 00:24:42,290 So naturally you've got some German, 431 00:24:42,290 --> 00:24:46,220 some French people and the name Anton 432 00:24:46,220 --> 00:24:51,450 was on some buildings we saw we went to Beaune. 433 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:58,830 >> So tell me what happened after Beaune, France. 434 00:25:08,740 --> 00:25:13,440 >> What was the name of the Belgium? 435 00:25:14,620 --> 00:25:18,365 The Germans broke through there. 436 00:25:18,365 --> 00:25:20,240 >> Besto? 437 00:25:20,240 --> 00:25:24,245 >> Yeah. 438 00:25:24,245 --> 00:25:31,800 >> That came in I think November, December. 439 00:25:32,620 --> 00:25:34,670 Battle of the Balls. 440 00:25:34,670 --> 00:25:37,430 There I get it. Battle of the Balls what 441 00:25:37,430 --> 00:25:42,020 happened and Germans broke through for ways, 442 00:25:42,020 --> 00:25:45,395 but we were able to stop them and turn it around. 443 00:25:45,395 --> 00:25:46,760 That was a baston, 444 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:48,320 is that was 445 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:57,800 well known Battle 446 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:00,480 of Bastards or baston 447 00:26:06,970 --> 00:26:11,420 >> I'm blank in a couple of things. 448 00:26:11,420 --> 00:26:14,360 But anyway, because of 449 00:26:14,360 --> 00:26:18,200 the Battle of Balls we lost a lot of 450 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:22,505 men and needed people in the army. 451 00:26:22,505 --> 00:26:24,680 So what happened that came through 452 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:27,560 all the base ordinance and base supply of 453 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:34,640 all kinds and took men who had no family, 454 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:37,890 single and no family, 455 00:26:38,020 --> 00:26:41,420 gave us six weeks of infantry training. 456 00:26:41,420 --> 00:26:45,120 So I ended up in the infantry after all. 457 00:26:45,130 --> 00:26:49,115 Six weeks of infantry training. 458 00:26:49,115 --> 00:26:52,140 And then we put us in 459 00:26:53,740 --> 00:27:03,750 just before the bridge. 460 00:27:04,690 --> 00:27:09,240 What's the name of the bridge that we captured intact. 461 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:17,540 >> That was a bridge over the Rhine River? 462 00:27:17,540 --> 00:27:19,100 >> Bridge over the Rhine River that 463 00:27:19,100 --> 00:27:21,710 the Germans tried to blow up 464 00:27:21,710 --> 00:27:24,515 and something didn't work and 465 00:27:24,515 --> 00:27:28,010 they left the area and the bridge was intact. 466 00:27:28,010 --> 00:27:32,945 So all of our army 467 00:27:32,945 --> 00:27:35,585 or our equipment there crossed the bridge. 468 00:27:35,585 --> 00:27:40,290 So we were able to get across fairly rapidly. 469 00:27:41,170 --> 00:27:45,240 I wish I could think of the name of that bridge. 470 00:27:46,660 --> 00:27:49,460 >> Well, so you say you were drafted 471 00:27:49,460 --> 00:27:51,365 at that point into the infantry? 472 00:27:51,365 --> 00:27:51,905 >> Right. 473 00:27:51,905 --> 00:27:53,930 >> And that was not something you wanted? 474 00:27:53,930 --> 00:27:55,985 >> That's something I didn't want. 475 00:27:55,985 --> 00:27:58,160 >> So how did you feel being drafted into it? 476 00:27:58,160 --> 00:27:59,450 >> I didn't feel very good about it. 477 00:27:59,450 --> 00:28:02,900 [LAUGHTER] But you just said well, 478 00:28:02,900 --> 00:28:08,585 they need me, so I guess I better go. 479 00:28:08,585 --> 00:28:10,640 No problem that way. 480 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:13,385 >> Did you have any sense of what you'd be facing? 481 00:28:13,385 --> 00:28:16,865 >> Yeah, because we had 482 00:28:16,865 --> 00:28:21,635 people in Africa that were assigned to our army, 483 00:28:21,635 --> 00:28:25,250 our base, individuals who had been 484 00:28:25,250 --> 00:28:29,465 in battle, and were reassigned. 485 00:28:29,465 --> 00:28:31,490 So I had a pretty good idea 486 00:28:31,490 --> 00:28:33,545 what it was about. Never right. 487 00:28:33,545 --> 00:28:34,955 >> What did they say? 488 00:28:34,955 --> 00:28:39,770 >> Well, I remember one guy said two months in 489 00:28:39,770 --> 00:28:42,290 the infantry was like two years out of 490 00:28:42,290 --> 00:28:45,230 the infantry doing other things like we were doing. 491 00:28:45,230 --> 00:28:48,170 And he was right. 492 00:28:48,170 --> 00:28:51,500 I really was not in the infantry very long. 493 00:28:51,500 --> 00:28:54,140 >> Where did you carry out 494 00:28:54,140 --> 00:28:57,090 those six weeks of infantry training? 495 00:28:57,790 --> 00:29:01,560 >> In Northern France. 496 00:29:02,740 --> 00:29:06,140 There's a city North of France, 497 00:29:06,140 --> 00:29:09,950 and I can't tell you the name of it. 498 00:29:09,950 --> 00:29:11,570 [NOISE] It's not a big city, 499 00:29:11,570 --> 00:29:18,330 but it's an average sized city that we took our training. 500 00:29:19,330 --> 00:29:23,420 I can't remember the name of that town. 501 00:29:23,420 --> 00:29:26,270 >> Tell me about the training. 502 00:29:26,270 --> 00:29:35,910 >> Well, we just had planned [inaudible] training. 503 00:29:36,460 --> 00:29:39,560 I remember shooting a bazooka. 504 00:29:39,560 --> 00:29:41,300 >> What was that like? 505 00:29:41,300 --> 00:29:43,925 >> There was a tube, 506 00:29:43,925 --> 00:29:46,670 about six inches around, 507 00:29:46,670 --> 00:29:49,160 and it was four foot long. 508 00:29:49,160 --> 00:29:50,450 You put it on your shoulder 509 00:29:50,450 --> 00:29:53,405 and controls were right here and 510 00:29:53,405 --> 00:29:59,610 it shot a shell out of it. 511 00:30:00,100 --> 00:30:05,460 It had a tail. 512 00:30:06,370 --> 00:30:10,920 It was a real small bomb, that's what it was. 513 00:30:11,410 --> 00:30:16,265 >> What was the thrust like when it shot? 514 00:30:16,265 --> 00:30:17,810 >> Really not much of 515 00:30:17,810 --> 00:30:23,040 anything because it was open on both ends. 516 00:30:23,380 --> 00:30:27,170 The missile put in about the middle. 517 00:30:27,170 --> 00:30:29,480 >> How heavy was the [OVERLAPPING] 518 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:31,460 >> Not heavy at all? 519 00:30:31,460 --> 00:30:36,170 >> Because I was small like I am now, 520 00:30:36,170 --> 00:30:39,980 and I weighed 165 pounds. 521 00:30:39,980 --> 00:30:43,310 I remember that. You just 522 00:30:43,310 --> 00:30:46,460 set on your shoulder and controls were right here. 523 00:30:46,460 --> 00:30:49,130 >> Now, when you went into training for the infantry, 524 00:30:49,130 --> 00:30:53,250 were you issued new gear? 525 00:30:53,830 --> 00:30:57,740 >> Well, I don't 526 00:30:57,740 --> 00:31:01,940 recall anything of the nature of what we were issued. 527 00:31:01,940 --> 00:31:05,285 Probably similar to what we had before. 528 00:31:05,285 --> 00:31:09,350 >> What did you carry on you at all times? 529 00:31:09,350 --> 00:31:12,090 >> Just a uniform. 530 00:31:14,050 --> 00:31:16,835 >> Did you have a rifle? 531 00:31:16,835 --> 00:31:18,800 >> [NOISE] Different rifles. 532 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:22,970 [NOISE] In our base ordinance, 533 00:31:22,970 --> 00:31:24,605 we're assigned a rifle. 534 00:31:24,605 --> 00:31:32,450 It was something 06, I don't recall. 535 00:31:32,450 --> 00:31:35,390 [NOISE] But it was a standard rifle for 536 00:31:35,390 --> 00:31:39,335 our infantrymen, we had that. 537 00:31:39,335 --> 00:31:42,890 The only time [NOISE] it was different, 538 00:31:42,890 --> 00:31:47,630 I had a [inaudible] It was lighter in weight, 539 00:31:47,630 --> 00:31:50,790 smaller, but shot faster. 540 00:31:52,570 --> 00:31:57,390 >> So let's return to the crossing of the Rhine River. 541 00:32:00,700 --> 00:32:03,260 Do you remember the [OVERLAPPING] 542 00:32:03,260 --> 00:32:06,665 >> We crossed beside the bridge on a pontoon bridge, 543 00:32:06,665 --> 00:32:09,755 was put up because when we were there, 544 00:32:09,755 --> 00:32:12,620 we got to the Remagen Bridge. 545 00:32:12,620 --> 00:32:14,960 We got to Remagen Bridge in 546 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:18,110 that area and the Remagen was a town. 547 00:32:18,110 --> 00:32:22,610 It was not suitable for 548 00:32:22,610 --> 00:32:24,530 anyone to cross it because 549 00:32:24,530 --> 00:32:27,230 it had been bombed by the Germans, 550 00:32:27,230 --> 00:32:30,815 they were trying to bomb it and sink it, 551 00:32:30,815 --> 00:32:34,985 which they finally did after we crossed the Rhine. 552 00:32:34,985 --> 00:32:36,890 But we crossed the Rhine on 553 00:32:36,890 --> 00:32:39,770 pontoon bridges right beside the bridge. 554 00:32:39,770 --> 00:32:43,185 And then went into battle beyond that. 555 00:32:43,185 --> 00:32:45,565 That's when I was hit. 556 00:32:45,565 --> 00:32:48,210 >> What was the weather like? 557 00:32:48,210 --> 00:32:53,810 >> Just like it would be around here, I guess. 558 00:32:53,810 --> 00:32:55,550 I don't remember that. 559 00:32:55,550 --> 00:32:58,460 It was a nice day when I was hit. 560 00:32:58,460 --> 00:33:01,770 >> So it wasn't wintertime? 561 00:33:01,900 --> 00:33:09,890 >> Let's see. No. I was 562 00:33:09,890 --> 00:33:15,140 hit on March 23rd. 563 00:33:15,140 --> 00:33:18,080 >> Describe that day for me. 564 00:33:18,080 --> 00:33:24,335 >> [NOISE] We were on a side hill shooting 565 00:33:24,335 --> 00:33:29,480 at some Germans in a forest area. 566 00:33:29,480 --> 00:33:33,065 We were in kind of a forested area 567 00:33:33,065 --> 00:33:37,610 and there was just open field in between us. 568 00:33:37,610 --> 00:33:40,850 But we did not know that there was also some of them 569 00:33:40,850 --> 00:33:44,150 beside us and they were shooting in us, 570 00:33:44,150 --> 00:33:47,310 and that's when I was hit in the side. 571 00:33:48,310 --> 00:33:55,920 >> Do you know what it hit you? 572 00:33:57,070 --> 00:34:00,200 >> [NOISE] I was all tore up. 573 00:34:00,200 --> 00:34:03,800 It was not just a gun shingle bullet wound. 574 00:34:03,800 --> 00:34:07,835 We were hit by a burp gun 575 00:34:07,835 --> 00:34:11,675 and it shot a small shell about the size of a 22, 576 00:34:11,675 --> 00:34:14,790 and it shot 600 shots a minute. 577 00:34:17,620 --> 00:34:20,210 >> So it may have been multiple. 578 00:34:20,210 --> 00:34:23,750 >> Yeah. Multiple because it hit me in the side. 579 00:34:23,750 --> 00:34:26,795 I was laying down and it hit me in the side, 580 00:34:26,795 --> 00:34:30,170 and tore up along my side, 581 00:34:30,170 --> 00:34:33,965 came out my belt buckle and mutilated my belt buckle. 582 00:34:33,965 --> 00:34:36,110 And I had my belt buckle for a long time, 583 00:34:36,110 --> 00:34:38,690 but somehow it got lost when we moved. 584 00:34:38,690 --> 00:34:45,230 [NOISE] I went through what we call now 585 00:34:45,230 --> 00:34:47,810 a mass unit and then went from 586 00:34:47,810 --> 00:34:53,225 there to an Army hospital in Paris, France. 587 00:34:53,225 --> 00:34:57,065 >> What was your level of consciousness after being hit? 588 00:34:57,065 --> 00:35:00,935 >> Normal. I had no problem at all. 589 00:35:00,935 --> 00:35:05,360 I think I yelled out, I'm hit and I slid down the hill 590 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:09,650 into [inaudible] on a little road. 591 00:35:09,650 --> 00:35:17,570 They gave me temporary and sent me to the hospital. 592 00:35:17,570 --> 00:35:20,250 >> What level of pain was it? 593 00:35:21,220 --> 00:35:24,020 >> Evidently was not all that 594 00:35:24,020 --> 00:35:27,170 great because I don't remember that much about it. 595 00:35:27,170 --> 00:35:32,450 Did not tore me up flesh wound, 596 00:35:32,450 --> 00:35:35,900 did not penetrate the abdominal wall. 597 00:35:35,900 --> 00:35:38,600 That's one of the things that happened and 598 00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:42,410 then I couldn't, let me start it over. 599 00:35:42,410 --> 00:35:45,080 When you go back to the hospital in Paris, 600 00:35:45,080 --> 00:35:48,575 if you weren't ready to be discharged to duty, 601 00:35:48,575 --> 00:35:52,130 a certain length of time and I don't know how long. 602 00:35:52,130 --> 00:35:54,680 But anyway, I know it was less than a month, 603 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:56,375 it was about two weeks, I think. 604 00:35:56,375 --> 00:35:59,630 I transferred back to 605 00:35:59,630 --> 00:36:02,135 England and in the hospital in England. 606 00:36:02,135 --> 00:36:04,970 And they couldn't repair 607 00:36:04,970 --> 00:36:07,985 my wound because it was all tore up. 608 00:36:07,985 --> 00:36:09,770 They couldn't suture or anything, 609 00:36:09,770 --> 00:36:12,255 so it just had to heal on its own. 610 00:36:12,255 --> 00:36:16,000 And so I was in the hospital even probably six weeks, 611 00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:18,160 two months, so I don't know. 612 00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:20,360 I can go back and think how 613 00:36:20,360 --> 00:36:24,740 long once I left the hospital and I don't remember. 614 00:36:24,740 --> 00:36:28,025 But anyway, I had been in contact through 615 00:36:28,025 --> 00:36:31,040 an email with my buddy 616 00:36:31,040 --> 00:36:34,520 back in the old outfit, my base outfit. 617 00:36:34,520 --> 00:36:38,330 [NOISE] And the war was over at 618 00:36:38,330 --> 00:36:40,520 that time when I got out of 619 00:36:40,520 --> 00:36:42,950 the hospital in Europe, it was over. 620 00:36:42,950 --> 00:36:49,130 [NOISE] And he and I corresponded back and 621 00:36:49,130 --> 00:36:53,060 forth and the Army was 622 00:36:53,060 --> 00:36:57,515 sending people to England on pass if they wanted it. 623 00:36:57,515 --> 00:37:02,630 So we arranged and on the discharge from the hospital, 624 00:37:02,630 --> 00:37:04,880 you had a week to leave. 625 00:37:04,880 --> 00:37:06,830 I went to London, 626 00:37:06,830 --> 00:37:12,125 [inaudible] got four days together in London. 627 00:37:12,125 --> 00:37:15,260 And I noticed on the fruit salad that he had 628 00:37:15,260 --> 00:37:23,795 a ribbon that was not there. 629 00:37:23,795 --> 00:37:25,760 It was something in Africa, 630 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:29,480 [inaudible] Africa and I called him about it. 631 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:31,310 I says, "How come you've got that?" 632 00:37:31,310 --> 00:37:34,370 He says, "You're eligible for it." 633 00:37:34,370 --> 00:37:38,315 It was while we were in France or in Africa, 634 00:37:38,315 --> 00:37:42,650 we were in direct contact with the front lines. 635 00:37:42,650 --> 00:37:44,150 There was no in between, 636 00:37:44,150 --> 00:37:46,880 so we were considered in the battle zone, 637 00:37:46,880 --> 00:37:49,370 and we got a battle star from that. 638 00:37:49,370 --> 00:37:52,415 That was five points for discharge. 639 00:37:52,415 --> 00:37:58,415 If you have to go back on the army when the war was over, 640 00:37:58,415 --> 00:38:01,700 we're giving discharges on a point system. 641 00:38:01,700 --> 00:38:04,670 You have to have 75 points for discharge, 642 00:38:04,670 --> 00:38:07,910 and points were allowed for being married, 643 00:38:07,910 --> 00:38:10,400 having children, how long you were in service, 644 00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:11,960 how long you were overseas. 645 00:38:11,960 --> 00:38:14,405 Each thing was first five points. 646 00:38:14,405 --> 00:38:16,775 When they first came out with that, 647 00:38:16,775 --> 00:38:28,100 I think I had 65 points. Then they declared 648 00:38:28,100 --> 00:38:34,070 23rd of March as the central European combat zone. 649 00:38:34,070 --> 00:38:39,530 I earned five points there and five points from my wound. 650 00:38:39,530 --> 00:38:41,030 I had 60 points. 651 00:38:41,030 --> 00:38:46,115 So that gave me 70 points to discharge. 652 00:38:46,115 --> 00:38:48,620 I knew I didn't have 75, 653 00:38:48,620 --> 00:38:54,665 but when I saw that ribbon for that battle in Africa. 654 00:38:54,665 --> 00:38:57,800 I knew that I was eligible and he 655 00:38:57,800 --> 00:39:01,220 told me because I was with the Alpha at that time. 656 00:39:01,220 --> 00:39:05,880 That would give me 75 points for discharge. 657 00:39:06,130 --> 00:39:10,055 What they were doing. When you leave the hospital, 658 00:39:10,055 --> 00:39:12,830 you go to what's called a replacement depot, 659 00:39:12,830 --> 00:39:17,540 which is people that are going to be assigned to a unit. 660 00:39:17,540 --> 00:39:20,255 Then there were different replacement depots. 661 00:39:20,255 --> 00:39:23,690 There was one in La Jarre one in Northern France, 662 00:39:23,690 --> 00:39:27,800 I don't know where and one in Frankfort Germany. 663 00:39:27,800 --> 00:39:30,125 Once I got to Frankfort Germany, 664 00:39:30,125 --> 00:39:32,120 I was to be reassigned. 665 00:39:32,120 --> 00:39:33,500 But I went to 666 00:39:33,500 --> 00:39:35,525 the first replacement depot 667 00:39:35,525 --> 00:39:38,000 and I went to the office and asked to 668 00:39:38,000 --> 00:39:44,525 be applied for my star for Africa. 669 00:39:44,525 --> 00:39:46,265 And I said there's no need of 670 00:39:46,265 --> 00:39:47,840 applying for it because it takes 671 00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:51,245 about two weeks for that thing to get here. 672 00:39:51,245 --> 00:39:54,785 You'll be go to the next replacement depot before that, 673 00:39:54,785 --> 00:39:57,020 which I was about three days, 674 00:39:57,020 --> 00:40:00,260 I went onto the replacement depot in Northern France. 675 00:40:00,260 --> 00:40:02,150 I did the same thing. 676 00:40:02,150 --> 00:40:05,510 I went to the office and asked to 677 00:40:05,510 --> 00:40:12,680 get credit for that battle star. 678 00:40:12,680 --> 00:40:15,710 He said the same saying you won't be here long enough. 679 00:40:15,710 --> 00:40:19,145 So I went to Fankfort knew that was the end. 680 00:40:19,145 --> 00:40:20,855 Frankfort I'd be assigned. 681 00:40:20,855 --> 00:40:23,465 If I get assigned to one of these outfits, 682 00:40:23,465 --> 00:40:26,270 many of the soldiers had over 100 points, 683 00:40:26,270 --> 00:40:28,220 and I knew it would be a long time 684 00:40:28,220 --> 00:40:30,995 before I ever got assigned. I got home. 685 00:40:30,995 --> 00:40:33,455 So I went into the office and 686 00:40:33,455 --> 00:40:36,620 talked to the guy there and he says, Well, 687 00:40:36,620 --> 00:40:38,690 same story, you'll be assigned 688 00:40:38,690 --> 00:40:43,205 before they get approval of it. 689 00:40:43,205 --> 00:40:48,260 And we talked around a while afterwards he said, hell. 690 00:40:48,260 --> 00:40:51,815 I'll go ahead and send your papers in. 691 00:40:51,815 --> 00:40:53,570 We don't know what will happen. 692 00:40:53,570 --> 00:40:59,540 So we did and the next day, 693 00:40:59,540 --> 00:41:02,900 but the day after I was called by the headquarters, 694 00:41:02,900 --> 00:41:04,520 and they says you 695 00:41:04,520 --> 00:41:07,310 had a switchboard experience, haven't you? 696 00:41:07,310 --> 00:41:11,510 And I had in Africa and the carpenter shop. 697 00:41:11,510 --> 00:41:13,550 I had been assigned to switchboard for 698 00:41:13,550 --> 00:41:16,340 a while. I says yes. 699 00:41:16,340 --> 00:41:19,850 Says, we need a switchboard operator. 700 00:41:19,850 --> 00:41:21,230 Would you mind coming up here 701 00:41:21,230 --> 00:41:23,240 and being assigned to us for 702 00:41:23,240 --> 00:41:26,510 switchboard duty until your approval 703 00:41:26,510 --> 00:41:28,880 comes through on your battles day? 704 00:41:28,880 --> 00:41:31,770 I didn't say no. 705 00:41:31,780 --> 00:41:35,135 I did and I don't know. 706 00:41:35,135 --> 00:41:37,100 It was two or three weeks when I got 707 00:41:37,100 --> 00:41:39,125 my orders so I could go. 708 00:41:39,125 --> 00:41:42,335 So I left then went back to Lahar 709 00:41:42,335 --> 00:41:46,550 and onboardship for home. 710 00:41:46,550 --> 00:41:48,755 >> I want to briefly go back to 711 00:41:48,755 --> 00:41:52,040 the hospital where you were in recovery. 712 00:41:52,040 --> 00:41:57,930 Were you there when victory in Europe was declared? 713 00:41:58,510 --> 00:42:02,550 >> I had to be. I don't know which one. 714 00:42:03,340 --> 00:42:14,345 May and I was in the hospital in Paris. England then. 715 00:42:14,345 --> 00:42:17,435 >> Do you remember the announcement of victory? 716 00:42:17,435 --> 00:42:20,390 >> Not really. No. 717 00:42:20,390 --> 00:42:22,730 >> In the hospital, 718 00:42:22,730 --> 00:42:25,565 you were there several weeks? 719 00:42:25,565 --> 00:42:27,200 >> I was because the wound had to 720 00:42:27,200 --> 00:42:29,885 heal on its own. I couldn't suit you. 721 00:42:29,885 --> 00:42:31,940 >> So what were 722 00:42:31,940 --> 00:42:33,590 the day to day activities in the hospital? 723 00:42:33,590 --> 00:42:39,480 >> I have no idea. I remember what I did it all. 724 00:42:39,640 --> 00:42:45,750 >> So you departed from La Jarre, France? 725 00:42:45,970 --> 00:42:50,000 And what sort of ship did you board to return home? 726 00:42:50,000 --> 00:42:53,360 >> Liberty ship they called it. 727 00:42:53,360 --> 00:42:57,155 Average size Troopship. 728 00:42:57,155 --> 00:43:02,225 >> And where did you dock in the United States? 729 00:43:02,225 --> 00:43:07,800 >> New Jersey Fort I went to Fort Dix. 730 00:43:12,070 --> 00:43:18,185 The War Pacific was over while we were on board ship. 731 00:43:18,185 --> 00:43:21,545 I remember they made the announcement war 732 00:43:21,545 --> 00:43:23,855 in the Pacific was over. 733 00:43:23,855 --> 00:43:28,535 >> So that would have been September of 1945? 734 00:43:28,535 --> 00:43:32,390 >> No. It was August of 1945. 735 00:43:32,390 --> 00:43:34,850 >> Do you remember any celebrations on board? 736 00:43:34,850 --> 00:43:37,265 >> Just some cheers. That was about all. 737 00:43:37,265 --> 00:43:41,180 I don't remember. I remember the announcement was made. 738 00:43:41,180 --> 00:43:45,860 And all of these, the war in Europe was expected. 739 00:43:45,860 --> 00:43:49,175 So when they said it was over, 740 00:43:49,175 --> 00:43:51,840 it really was not a big deal. 741 00:43:52,060 --> 00:43:55,310 >> How did you feel about returning home? 742 00:43:55,310 --> 00:43:57,390 >> Go ahead. 743 00:43:58,960 --> 00:44:02,570 >> And you separated at Fort Dix? 744 00:44:02,570 --> 00:44:06,740 >> No. I was shipped to Fort Dix 745 00:44:06,740 --> 00:44:13,730 to based in near Chicago in Northern Illinois. 746 00:44:13,730 --> 00:44:16,025 I can't recall the name of it. 747 00:44:16,025 --> 00:44:18,425 But that's where I got my discharge. 748 00:44:18,425 --> 00:44:22,535 And we had a sergeant 749 00:44:22,535 --> 00:44:26,840 to give us a discharge talk if you want to call it that. 750 00:44:26,840 --> 00:44:30,200 And it was brought up about joining 751 00:44:30,200 --> 00:44:33,530 the reserve says you can, 752 00:44:33,530 --> 00:44:35,420 but I advise against it. 753 00:44:35,420 --> 00:44:39,980 I was glad because not long after that, 754 00:44:39,980 --> 00:44:42,470 the Korean War broke out and they took 755 00:44:42,470 --> 00:44:45,740 all the reserves. So I missed it. 756 00:44:45,740 --> 00:44:47,525 >> Why are you glad? 757 00:44:47,525 --> 00:44:50,630 >> I didn't have to go into the army again. 758 00:44:50,630 --> 00:44:52,790 >> How do you evaluate 759 00:44:52,790 --> 00:44:57,390 your general experience in the army? 760 00:44:57,880 --> 00:45:04,320 >> I don't know. I'm just a normal soldier that's all. 761 00:45:04,360 --> 00:45:08,900 Did you enjoy it? 762 00:45:08,900 --> 00:45:11,480 >> Well, I didn't hate it. 763 00:45:11,480 --> 00:45:13,520 >> But you didn't want to go back? 764 00:45:13,520 --> 00:45:15,180 >> No. 765 00:45:15,880 --> 00:45:19,520 >> So tell me about meeting your wife describe that. 766 00:45:19,520 --> 00:45:24,980 >> The day after I was discharged, 767 00:45:24,980 --> 00:45:26,930 day after I got home. 768 00:45:26,930 --> 00:45:29,390 This the city is a small town. 769 00:45:29,390 --> 00:45:31,475 It had a good bus system, 770 00:45:31,475 --> 00:45:34,010 and the bus stopped 771 00:45:34,010 --> 00:45:37,160 three houses away from me at the corner. 772 00:45:37,160 --> 00:45:42,665 And I draft course my army outfit and all. 773 00:45:42,665 --> 00:45:44,330 But I got on the bus. 774 00:45:44,330 --> 00:45:46,970 I wanted to go downtown for something I wanted for. 775 00:45:46,970 --> 00:45:49,385 I have no remember what I went down for. 776 00:45:49,385 --> 00:45:54,080 But anyway, I got on the bus and that the next stop, 777 00:45:54,080 --> 00:45:57,035 my former wife got on the bus. 778 00:45:57,035 --> 00:46:02,540 At that time, she was 17, 779 00:46:02,540 --> 00:46:04,085 I think when I first met her. 780 00:46:04,085 --> 00:46:06,530 I didn't meet her then, but I flirted with her. 781 00:46:06,530 --> 00:46:09,230 She wouldn't have anything to do with me. 782 00:46:09,230 --> 00:46:14,795 But couple of days after that, 783 00:46:14,795 --> 00:46:18,035 there's a small drug store 784 00:46:18,035 --> 00:46:20,690 not far of two blocks from our home. 785 00:46:20,690 --> 00:46:23,420 It was kind of a hangout place for kids 786 00:46:23,420 --> 00:46:25,670 and that's where I 787 00:46:25,670 --> 00:46:28,920 met her then because she was working there. 788 00:46:29,560 --> 00:46:32,150 I don't know anything much 789 00:46:32,150 --> 00:46:35,220 about after meeting her or anything. 790 00:46:35,350 --> 00:46:37,370 >> What was her name? 791 00:46:37,370 --> 00:46:41,975 >> Manida Lessin, L-E-S-S-I-N. 792 00:46:41,975 --> 00:46:45,390 >> How long was your courtship? 793 00:46:46,480 --> 00:46:56,150 >> Let's see. I would have met her then in August. 794 00:46:56,150 --> 00:47:02,345 We were married the Labor Day month. 795 00:47:02,345 --> 00:47:03,980 Not the November, 796 00:47:03,980 --> 00:47:05,690 it was a year later. 797 00:47:05,690 --> 00:47:08,420 So we had over a year, of course. 798 00:47:08,420 --> 00:47:11,730 >> Is that 1946? 799 00:47:12,250 --> 00:47:15,890 >> Yeah. That's when we were married, in '46. 800 00:47:15,890 --> 00:47:17,150 >> And you're still married? 801 00:47:17,150 --> 00:47:19,145 >> Still married to the same lady. 802 00:47:19,145 --> 00:47:21,560 >> So what anniversary is that this year? 803 00:47:21,560 --> 00:47:22,940 >> Seventy this year. 804 00:47:22,940 --> 00:47:30,245 >> Wow. So describe your readjustment to civilian life? 805 00:47:30,245 --> 00:47:33,530 >> Well, I didn't really have a problem. 806 00:47:33,530 --> 00:47:35,585 Before I was discharged, 807 00:47:35,585 --> 00:47:36,740 I was thinking, well, I'll take 808 00:47:36,740 --> 00:47:38,300 a week before I go to work. 809 00:47:38,300 --> 00:47:40,070 I had a job already. 810 00:47:40,070 --> 00:47:41,435 I worked for my father, 811 00:47:41,435 --> 00:47:42,785 who was building homes. 812 00:47:42,785 --> 00:47:50,900 And I think about four days after I was discharged, 813 00:47:50,900 --> 00:47:52,415 there was nobody there. 814 00:47:52,415 --> 00:47:54,410 I was discharged so early because I was 815 00:47:54,410 --> 00:47:57,215 unattached and I was discharged early. 816 00:47:57,215 --> 00:48:00,080 All the guys from my outfit were 817 00:48:00,080 --> 00:48:03,410 still in Germany, the original outfit. 818 00:48:03,410 --> 00:48:04,820 I was in battle, 819 00:48:04,820 --> 00:48:06,560 that was the second infantry division. 820 00:48:06,560 --> 00:48:10,340 And they were gone. 821 00:48:10,340 --> 00:48:12,335 They were transferred to 822 00:48:12,335 --> 00:48:15,965 the Pacific War while I was in the hospital. 823 00:48:15,965 --> 00:48:20,570 So when I got home, 824 00:48:20,570 --> 00:48:24,210 I went back to work. 825 00:48:24,370 --> 00:48:27,695 >> And you went to work for your father? 826 00:48:27,695 --> 00:48:30,545 Tell me about working with your father? 827 00:48:30,545 --> 00:48:35,220 >> I don't know what there is to say about it. 828 00:48:37,180 --> 00:48:40,280 One of my brothers and me, 829 00:48:40,280 --> 00:48:42,140 both were working for him. 830 00:48:42,140 --> 00:48:43,355 >> What were you doing? 831 00:48:43,355 --> 00:48:44,885 >> Carpenter work. 832 00:48:44,885 --> 00:48:46,235 >> What kind of? 833 00:48:46,235 --> 00:48:47,660 >> Home building. 834 00:48:47,660 --> 00:48:49,955 >> And that was in around? 835 00:48:49,955 --> 00:48:51,560 >> Waterloo. 836 00:48:51,560 --> 00:48:56,520 >> Was it a thriving business? 837 00:48:56,800 --> 00:48:59,420 >> Just average. I wouldn't say it 838 00:48:59,420 --> 00:49:02,675 was bustling, but just average. 839 00:49:02,675 --> 00:49:07,320 >> What sort of income did your father bring in? 840 00:49:07,510 --> 00:49:11,350 >> I don't remember. I remember 841 00:49:11,350 --> 00:49:15,380 I started working for 60 cents an hour. 842 00:49:15,690 --> 00:49:18,520 Then I went to a dollar. 843 00:49:18,520 --> 00:49:21,100 I remember, the dollar 844 00:49:21,100 --> 00:49:24,225 that back then was pretty good wages. 845 00:49:24,225 --> 00:49:26,855 >> Did you move in with your parents? 846 00:49:26,855 --> 00:49:32,315 >> Yes. I was married and I lived with my parents, 847 00:49:32,315 --> 00:49:36,645 and then we rented a two-room apartment 848 00:49:36,645 --> 00:49:39,830 on the west side of Waterloo. 849 00:49:40,390 --> 00:49:44,300 >> So when did you decide to go back to school? 850 00:49:44,300 --> 00:49:48,320 >> Well, I had that in mind all 851 00:49:48,320 --> 00:49:52,475 along because I didn't want to always be a carpenter. 852 00:49:52,475 --> 00:49:55,160 And so I had 853 00:49:55,160 --> 00:49:59,225 close contact with the supply people, lumberyard people. 854 00:49:59,225 --> 00:50:00,890 And to me, that seemed 855 00:50:00,890 --> 00:50:03,875 inviting to be a lumberyard manager. 856 00:50:03,875 --> 00:50:06,230 So that's what I went to school for. 857 00:50:06,230 --> 00:50:10,250 I searched for different schools that had that degree 858 00:50:10,250 --> 00:50:15,035 , building material supply. 859 00:50:15,035 --> 00:50:24,620 So I went to that route. Let's see. 860 00:50:24,620 --> 00:50:28,025 I went to what is called now Northern Iowa. 861 00:50:28,025 --> 00:50:36,185 Back at that time, it was Iowa State Teachers College. 862 00:50:36,185 --> 00:50:39,710 I took some of my basic courses there while I was 863 00:50:39,710 --> 00:50:42,890 searching for a place to go, 864 00:50:42,890 --> 00:50:45,470 to end up, and I ended up in 865 00:50:45,470 --> 00:50:49,100 Denver because I thought they had the best course. 866 00:50:49,100 --> 00:50:51,180 >> What was the college? 867 00:50:51,490 --> 00:50:54,260 >> University of Denver. 868 00:50:54,260 --> 00:50:56,330 >> And you completed college there? 869 00:50:56,330 --> 00:50:58,985 >> Completed college and got my degree there, yes. 870 00:50:58,985 --> 00:51:00,395 >> What sort of degree was it? 871 00:51:00,395 --> 00:51:02,585 >> In building materials. 872 00:51:02,585 --> 00:51:06,095 >> And your goal was to become a manager. 873 00:51:06,095 --> 00:51:06,830 >> A manager. 874 00:51:06,830 --> 00:51:07,640 >> Of a lumber yard. 875 00:51:07,640 --> 00:51:10,850 >> And I started out as an assistant manager. 876 00:51:10,850 --> 00:51:12,470 >> So tell me about 877 00:51:12,470 --> 00:51:15,960 the lumberyard you first started working at. 878 00:51:16,870 --> 00:51:23,070 >> Well, it was just a small town lumberyard. 879 00:51:24,040 --> 00:51:26,150 >> Where was it? 880 00:51:26,150 --> 00:51:33,875 >> Well, I think it was in the same town I ended up in, 881 00:51:33,875 --> 00:51:36,690 but it was a different company. 882 00:51:38,160 --> 00:51:41,025 I'm not sure. 883 00:51:41,025 --> 00:51:44,705 >> What about the lumberyard in Dyersville, Iowa? 884 00:51:44,705 --> 00:51:47,255 >> It was a small town lumber yard, 885 00:51:47,255 --> 00:51:54,920 carried all lumber building construction materials. 886 00:51:54,920 --> 00:52:00,395 >> But you were prevented from becoming manager. Why? 887 00:52:00,395 --> 00:52:02,405 >> Because he already had one. 888 00:52:02,405 --> 00:52:06,605 Now, I don't know what the situation was, 889 00:52:06,605 --> 00:52:09,785 whether he really wasn't an assistant manager, 890 00:52:09,785 --> 00:52:12,650 but they were in cahoots together, 891 00:52:12,650 --> 00:52:14,510 and he called and 892 00:52:14,510 --> 00:52:17,615 told me that he was the assistant manager. 893 00:52:17,615 --> 00:52:19,790 And that's when two days later, 894 00:52:19,790 --> 00:52:22,520 I went to Davenport, Iowa, 895 00:52:22,520 --> 00:52:25,430 and interviewed my second choice, 896 00:52:25,430 --> 00:52:29,015 and then was placed in that yard. 897 00:52:29,015 --> 00:52:31,655 >> Well, how were they in cahoots? 898 00:52:31,655 --> 00:52:35,600 >> They were scheming and I don't know how or what, 899 00:52:35,600 --> 00:52:39,215 but I know they both were fired. 900 00:52:39,215 --> 00:52:41,165 They were not sentenced, 901 00:52:41,165 --> 00:52:45,020 no criminal activity or anything of that nature, 902 00:52:45,020 --> 00:52:47,315 but they were both fired. 903 00:52:47,315 --> 00:52:51,100 >> So instead, you took a job in Davenport. 904 00:52:51,100 --> 00:52:51,800 >> Yes. 905 00:52:51,800 --> 00:52:53,450 >> And did you 906 00:52:53,450 --> 00:52:56,315 remain in this sort of work throughout your career? 907 00:52:56,315 --> 00:52:58,670 >> Yeah. I was there, 908 00:52:58,670 --> 00:53:01,580 I think, 4, 5 years. 909 00:53:01,580 --> 00:53:05,780 And then the dad wanted to quit the carpenter business, 910 00:53:05,780 --> 00:53:10,595 so I went back and I worked with him. 911 00:53:10,595 --> 00:53:13,595 I actually took over the business. 912 00:53:13,595 --> 00:53:17,280 >> How long did you own your father's business? 913 00:53:20,740 --> 00:53:23,435 >> Three or four years. 914 00:53:23,435 --> 00:53:25,415 >> What was the name of the business? 915 00:53:25,415 --> 00:53:32,220 >> Just Antone Construction Company, yeah. 916 00:53:42,220 --> 00:53:44,630 I'm trying to think the year, 917 00:53:44,630 --> 00:53:47,090 but it was a depression year. 918 00:53:47,090 --> 00:53:52,025 And there was very little home building at all. 919 00:53:52,025 --> 00:53:55,655 In fact, the year that I declared bankruptcy, 920 00:53:55,655 --> 00:54:01,130 one house building permit was issued for the entire year. 921 00:54:01,130 --> 00:54:04,020 So I declared bankruptcy. 922 00:54:04,180 --> 00:54:07,119 >> On that business. 923 00:54:07,119 --> 00:54:07,460 >> Yes. 924 00:54:07,460 --> 00:54:09,570 >> And what did you do after that? 925 00:54:15,580 --> 00:54:18,000 >> Let's see. 926 00:54:44,140 --> 00:54:48,690 >> Did you continue working in the lumber business? 927 00:54:56,050 --> 00:54:59,120 >> I'm drawing a blank on something. 928 00:54:59,120 --> 00:55:01,770 I should know right easily. 929 00:55:16,570 --> 00:55:22,170 >> So when did you come to the state of Georgia? 930 00:55:23,200 --> 00:55:28,235 >> Now I got it. When I declared bankruptcy, 931 00:55:28,235 --> 00:55:36,120 I was looking for anything to do anywhere, 932 00:55:36,670 --> 00:55:40,230 but when did I come to Georgia? 933 00:55:48,670 --> 00:55:51,540 That's terrible. 934 00:55:55,630 --> 00:55:59,840 >> Well, prior to this interview, we were talking, 935 00:55:59,840 --> 00:56:01,460 and you mentioned that you came to 936 00:56:01,460 --> 00:56:04,145 Georgia in the early '60s? 937 00:56:04,145 --> 00:56:06,440 >> '63. 938 00:56:06,440 --> 00:56:09,240 >> And why did you come to Georgia? 939 00:56:11,350 --> 00:56:14,550 >> It was for a job. 940 00:56:15,520 --> 00:56:19,160 What I am doing about it is getting confused 941 00:56:19,160 --> 00:56:23,520 with that one and the one before. 942 00:56:26,680 --> 00:56:55,410 Why did I go to work in Georgia? That was terrible. 943 00:56:55,410 --> 00:56:57,510 >> Was it a job in the lumber business? 944 00:56:57,510 --> 00:56:59,800 >> Well, I can't remember. 945 00:57:01,270 --> 00:57:04,780 >> I understand. That's all right. 946 00:57:04,780 --> 00:57:07,875 Do you remember the city you came to in Georgia? 947 00:57:07,875 --> 00:57:11,040 >> Atlanta. I had the choice of Atlanta 948 00:57:11,040 --> 00:57:14,950 or Birmingham. Now I got it. 949 00:57:16,880 --> 00:57:27,490 Well, in January of 40s, I'm not sure 46. 950 00:57:27,560 --> 00:57:31,710 Anyway, I always went 951 00:57:31,710 --> 00:57:34,020 to the Home Builders National Convention, 952 00:57:34,020 --> 00:57:36,000 which is in Chicago. 953 00:57:36,000 --> 00:57:39,060 And I went there and was part of 954 00:57:39,060 --> 00:57:42,850 the reason to see what I could find for a job. 955 00:57:43,850 --> 00:57:54,730 And they changed their name after Julian. 956 00:57:57,830 --> 00:58:35,070 We're going to get back to [inaudible] 957 00:58:35,070 --> 00:58:37,275 >> So it was a business 958 00:58:37,275 --> 00:58:41,500 that was exhibiting at the home builders? 959 00:58:43,550 --> 00:58:47,745 >> One of the exhibitors, they represented 960 00:58:47,745 --> 00:58:53,400 the Western lumber and Trade Association work. 961 00:58:53,400 --> 00:58:56,370 And I applied there along with a couple of others, 962 00:58:56,370 --> 00:59:00,450 but I ended up with them and there was opening 963 00:59:00,450 --> 00:59:05,085 up a new position which they didn't have in Atlanta. 964 00:59:05,085 --> 00:59:07,470 I said I could 965 00:59:07,470 --> 00:59:10,110 choose Atlanta or Birmingham and at the time, 966 00:59:10,110 --> 00:59:14,790 I looked over the [inaudible] and chose Atlanta. 967 00:59:14,790 --> 00:59:18,945 And what I was doing was contacting 968 00:59:18,945 --> 00:59:20,760 any and everybody that used 969 00:59:20,760 --> 00:59:23,220 or had anything to do with lumber. 970 00:59:23,220 --> 00:59:26,805 I architect, build the home builders, 971 00:59:26,805 --> 00:59:29,745 retail lumber, retail wholesale number 972 00:59:29,745 --> 00:59:32,025 of people, any one. 973 00:59:32,025 --> 00:59:35,730 And just helping and giving 974 00:59:35,730 --> 00:59:38,160 information to them and 975 00:59:38,160 --> 00:59:40,260 what the industry was about to do, 976 00:59:40,260 --> 00:59:42,120 why they wanted the field staff, 977 00:59:42,120 --> 00:59:44,880 we had five field staff member 978 00:59:44,880 --> 00:59:48,160 placed throughout the United States. 979 00:59:48,950 --> 00:59:54,675 The industry was changing the size of dress lumber. 980 00:59:54,675 --> 00:59:56,475 They were planning on it, 981 00:59:56,475 --> 00:59:59,625 changing from an inch and five eighth thickness 982 00:59:59,625 --> 01:00:01,200 to an inch and a half. 983 01:00:01,200 --> 01:00:04,380 They needed field men to explain 984 01:00:04,380 --> 01:00:06,405 this new product what it 985 01:00:06,405 --> 01:00:09,825 was to keep them from rebelling against it. 986 01:00:09,825 --> 01:00:11,760 So we were in the field 987 01:00:11,760 --> 01:00:14,970 talking about it before it ever happened. 988 01:00:14,970 --> 01:00:18,780 But actually, the people had a 989 01:00:18,780 --> 01:00:21,225 date set for it at the time. 990 01:00:21,225 --> 01:00:25,650 So we did that and then after they made the change, 991 01:00:25,650 --> 01:00:28,170 we still are out explaining it 992 01:00:28,170 --> 01:00:31,230 and talking to them and ever help 993 01:00:31,230 --> 01:00:33,270 our job was to help any and 994 01:00:33,270 --> 01:00:37,440 everyone who had anything to do with Lumber. 995 01:00:37,440 --> 01:00:41,860 Western Wood Products Association. 996 01:00:42,860 --> 01:00:50,170 And I did that until they begin to disband it. 997 01:00:50,480 --> 01:01:02,290 Let's see. I reading time is mixed up. 998 01:01:07,400 --> 01:01:09,615 >> You were doing that work for them 999 01:01:09,615 --> 01:01:11,800 while living in Atlanta? 1000 01:01:13,400 --> 01:01:16,785 And when did you retire? 1001 01:01:16,785 --> 01:01:30,930 >> Well, It was in the early 90s. 1002 01:01:30,930 --> 01:01:35,120 But I went on and when 1003 01:01:35,120 --> 01:01:37,430 they wanted me a problem somewhere, 1004 01:01:37,430 --> 01:01:40,490 they would send me for a while in my area. 1005 01:01:40,490 --> 01:01:45,450 I remember I was in South Florida 1006 01:01:45,450 --> 01:01:51,045 when Hurricane begins with a letter A. 1007 01:01:51,045 --> 01:01:51,600 >> Andrew? 1008 01:01:51,600 --> 01:01:53,835 >> Andrew came. 1009 01:01:53,835 --> 01:01:56,595 It was on its way. 1010 01:01:56,595 --> 01:01:59,190 Knew where I was going to hit and 1011 01:01:59,190 --> 01:02:01,845 I had been there to observe 1012 01:02:01,845 --> 01:02:05,400 some lumber that someone 1013 01:02:05,400 --> 01:02:09,555 building in the park was complaining about. 1014 01:02:09,555 --> 01:02:11,595 So I was there to settle 1015 01:02:11,595 --> 01:02:15,435 and I got out one day before Andrew hit. 1016 01:02:15,435 --> 01:02:16,980 >> Return to Atlanta? 1017 01:02:16,980 --> 01:02:18,405 >> And return to Atlanta. 1018 01:02:18,405 --> 01:02:22,245 >> So you stayed in this representative 1019 01:02:22,245 --> 01:02:25,275 of the lumber business throughout your career? 1020 01:02:25,275 --> 01:02:31,890 >> Until the 90s. I was 65, 1021 01:02:31,890 --> 01:02:33,525 I think in 88, 1022 01:02:33,525 --> 01:02:36,120 but I stayed on partially. 1023 01:02:36,120 --> 01:02:40,125 And then I also did some other jobs. 1024 01:02:40,125 --> 01:02:46,050 My wife was working for a interior design firm that 1025 01:02:46,050 --> 01:02:51,960 sold wall paper and carpets and things of that nature. 1026 01:02:51,960 --> 01:03:05,670 And she was working there yet. 1027 01:03:05,670 --> 01:03:10,530 I I retired in 91 1028 01:03:10,530 --> 01:03:13,425 from Western Wood Products Association 1029 01:03:13,425 --> 01:03:16,630 and did these odd jobs along. 1030 01:03:17,450 --> 01:03:19,935 I think all graduate. 1031 01:03:19,935 --> 01:03:24,150 Well, one of the jobs I had was with her firm, 1032 01:03:24,150 --> 01:03:30,030 I needed a quick job for carpet in Dalton, Georgia. 1033 01:03:30,030 --> 01:03:34,260 So they had the truck for it and I would drive the truck, 1034 01:03:34,260 --> 01:03:36,630 pick up the carpet and come back for it. 1035 01:03:36,630 --> 01:03:41,670 I did that for quite a while just off and on, 1036 01:03:41,670 --> 01:03:44,130 maybe a couple of times a 1037 01:03:44,130 --> 01:03:47,620 week or maybe a couple of times a month. 1038 01:03:48,680 --> 01:03:52,080 Until 98 and she left, 1039 01:03:52,080 --> 01:03:54,400 I think in 1998. 1040 01:03:55,160 --> 01:03:59,430 >> So you have one son? 1041 01:03:59,430 --> 01:04:01,575 >> One son, one grandson. 1042 01:04:01,575 --> 01:04:02,865 >> What's your son's name? 1043 01:04:02,865 --> 01:04:04,425 >> Victor, Vic. 1044 01:04:04,425 --> 01:04:06,075 >> And what's your grandson's name? 1045 01:04:06,075 --> 01:04:07,080 >> Michael. 1046 01:04:07,080 --> 01:04:08,700 >> And where did your grandson, 1047 01:04:08,700 --> 01:04:09,885 Michael go to school? 1048 01:04:09,885 --> 01:04:11,970 >> Right here at 10 Associate. 1049 01:04:11,970 --> 01:04:16,080 He's majoring in the GIS. 1050 01:04:16,080 --> 01:04:19,830 Geographic Information Systems. 1051 01:04:19,830 --> 01:04:23,235 >> Excellent. So Mr. Anton, 1052 01:04:23,235 --> 01:04:24,915 why do you think it's important to 1053 01:04:24,915 --> 01:04:27,675 share your story of World War II? 1054 01:04:27,675 --> 01:04:31,240 >> I just think it might be interesting to people. 1055 01:04:32,420 --> 01:04:35,040 >> Well, thank you so much for sharing it 1056 01:04:35,040 --> 01:04:37,995 today and we'll go ahead and end there. 1057 01:04:37,995 --> 01:04:40,720 >> Okay. Thank you.