U. S. ARMY 1945-1948

I was drafted to serve in the Army for the duration of the war

plus 6 months.  This was June 4, 1945 - I had finished High School one week earlier.

After the initial induction procedures (physical and mental exams) I was sent to Basic Infantry Training at Camp Fannin, Texas - near Tyler.  This lasted from July through November.  The 5 mile hikes were the most demanding and close-order drill was a daily routine.  My earlier experience with my marching band at El Dorado High School was very helpful during this training period.

We had an old grizzled drill instructor who always screamed at us.  He tried to make us hate him.  In order to prepare us for our physical exams he would tell the following story:  "You will all line up buck-naked where each of you will get the "double-whammy shot".  This will cure any disease known to mankind.  The medic will use his forked needle!  Each point is bent like a fish hook.  They go in easy, but he will have to stand on your neck to pull it out with both hands".  (not really).

Occasionally we would get a weekend pass.  Camp Fannin was not too far from my hometown, so I would hitch-hike or go by bus to see Mama sometime.  Once on my return, I happened to be asleep when the bus arrived back at Camp.  The bus driver failed to wake me up and when I did wake up we were about 50 miles past the camp, and I was late returning to my outfit.

For punishment the old First Sergeant confined me to quarters and also required me to water the grass during a driving rainstorm with only a 5 gallon bucket.  I was never A. W. O. L.  after that.

After finishing basic training I reported to Camp Pickett, Virginia for overseas assignment.  After arrival there, my company commander just happened to need someone with typing 

 ability for his company clerk.  I had learned this typing skill in high school so I was selected to stay at this camp for 6 months and never had to go overseas.

One day in April, 1946  the most amazing incident occurred out of the clear blue sky when I received orders to report to Louisiana State University to teach R. O. T. C.  I immediately called my mother to tell her the good news.  I was so excited at this opportunity that I could only cry into the long-distance telephone for several minutes before telling her the good news.  At this time, my brother Wren was playing football at L. S. U., so I could hardly wait to report to Baton Rouge.