April 6, 1944 Page Three Doughboy’s Everyday Experience In Army Pyvl, John Kirkpatrick, son of Rev. and Mrs. J. M. Kirkpatrick, of Coal- port, farmerly of Centre Hall, con- tinues with his interesting narrative of his experiences in military ser- vice, which he entitles: “We Travel the Country Army Style.” Murjory began to get accustomed to the old city of Savannah and the forty-three mile bus trip she had to take each day to see me at Camp Stewart. Of course it was only for a few hours cach evening but she felt it was worth it and I sure was glad to have her. I was starting out as range setter. | Of course I can't begin to explain | my job due to military secrecy awd the fact that I didn't know what I was doing half the time, The men would be walting anxiously {o blast away at the target floating majes- tically through the alr in one direc- tion while 1 was frantically trying to reverse the range of the gun which I of course had traversing in the opposite direction. 1 was be- ginning to doubt the value of a col- lege education or the depth of my! gray matter when the Battery Com- mander, afler two weeks of turmoil, relieved the nerves of the gun crew by relieving me from my duty on the range setter and sending me to my first G. 1. Scheol, wire communica- tions School days In the army are swell You go from 8:00 in the morning till five in the evening then have a required study period of two hours each night. This rather long sched- ule was made up for in some small way by the fact that we got every weekend off and there were no K. P. or guard duty. There was, however, plenty of study. I plowed through the fundamentals of clectricity and pondered over the phones used for! communications since 1900 by our armed forces. I spliced wire and cut wire. [I fixed phones and tamp- ered with phones in age. I tapped wires sples tapping mines. We took turns operating the switch board and, of course, every soldier st his outpost had to call the switchboard at least otice ang ask for New York or some other impossible place. Of course we were to practice correct proce- dure but the usual procedure was to call outpost 2 from outpost 4 (about fifty feet apart), lie Jeisurély "neath Georgia pine and croon or groan the latest popular song to him while the Captain in charge of the school fumed over his phone, and told us in no uncertain G. I. swearing to get on the ball. Of course no one ever kitew who making the trouble but we n and learned as little I ma splicing and hunted Was of fu possible had lots a well ntastic a theor cid ecm vt pred Lim ihm Wire phones, and switch-board operation, but not as well when it came to risking my with noth- ing more than a foot of sharp point- ed steel strapped to each leg and trying to climb those lovely tall pines that seem to sway so gently as you work under them. You find as you ascend the twitching trunk height of 20 or 30 feet, that they ap- pear to be lashed by 0-mile-an- hour gale. And why do vou thu risk your Hfe? We make this peril- ous trip just lo fasten a thin piece of wire high in the trée and thus keep communications open. - After several creepy climbs on Georgia pines I decided that laying wires along the ground in tall grass to hide it from enemy spies was a more sensible method. The instructor however took a liking to me so each day he saw to it personally (for my own good of course) that I don the gafls (climbers used by linemen) and hit the old tree Well three weeks passed swiftly and luxuriously and the day of the finals came. 1 received marks of excellent or superior in everything tll it came to pole climbing 1 tried to hide in the background watching my buddies climbing like monkeys the waying tees and throwing tools and wire carelessly to one another as though they were tanding firmly on the ground Another feat they enjoyed immen- sely was winging cut from the trunk on their safety belts, throw- ing caution to the winds and emit- ting gay peals of laughter because they were proud of thelr accomp- lishments abd Tit Hie to the Oh horrible moment the instructor! spotted me! “Take does galls, Kirk- patrick,” he yelled “And git on de ball.” 1 slowly started to strap the gafls Wo my quivering limbs and buckling my belt round my stomach, strode silently toward tree. I drove cach gafl home with all the force 1 possessed and clung to the trunk with both arms as tightly as possible. Up, up, up, ten feet, my fifteen feet: long pause; “higher up, | dere Kirkpatrick HIGHER!" ¢ the Instructor and it sounded as though he were miles below. My legs and arms trembling, 1 inched upward another five feet "OK! OK! Now fasten your belt and sit dere till I tell you to come down. And keep your hands off dat tree! You aint gonna’ fall able” 1 felt like giving him a tongue lashing for that crack but didn't dare waste the breath. After what seemed lke hours, my legs numb and my brain too, I heard faintly as from another world, “OK! OK! Kirkpatrick don't stay up dere Put 3.purpese Va-tro-nol up ea nostril, It (1) shrinks or { nications group mock esplon- | sickly | all day: let's see you come down fast.” Oh how I despised that CG. 1. tyrant, but rather than be ridi- culed I started to descend the trunk as rapidly as possible. About five feet from the bottom my numb legs refused to drive the gaffs home any more and I found myself tearing earthward and the wood flew from the tree ag if a rip saw were cut- ting it, as my galls grazed along its side. My fatigue shirt and work gloves picked up numerous splinters as I clung desperately to the trunk It was no use I made a three-point landing as my gaffs drove them- elves into the ground and my G. 1 back side tried to entrench itself in the Georgia sand--thank God it was sand! Needless to say it was a most colorful graduation and I went back to my old outfit a full-fledged CG. I. linesman The next week found and me back in my old group, now a communication man but still a private. 1 had taken an examina- tion to go to radio =chool but did not know whether or not 1 would get it. I spent most of the week splicing wire with the other com- munications men and getting the equipment ready in general for the coming night problem. The day rather the night arrived for the big problem. The men were loaded on the trucks and guns made ready for the "Match Order!" The commu- was made up of four other fellows besides myself and we were sprawled over the colled wire that was piled almost to the top of the truck. It was a lovely night and we took in all of the cool breeze caused by the motion of the truck as we bounced toward our des- ination. We had to be the first in and have the outposts all located so guns could be placed and phone and communications maintained between all guns and the B. C. a rough journey over forty miles of washboard roads we arived at what twas to be our comunand post (an old broken down house that appear- ed 0 be well haunted) The communication Sgt. tied in the first phone then, picking myself and another fellow, he assigned us to the job of following ulong behind the truck on foot and laying wire as they drove ahead letting the wire play out behind them In a moment they were gone and I stood In the dark with my buddy. We had a shovel, a flashlight and splicing equipment For some strange reason I found that I car- ried the shovel and equipment while toted the Hfashlight. I know why I always pull a Brick” for but seems to fall. I had a ven esting trip Wrudging along load tn the dark while my went merrily ahead (wbout a red yards) with the only light whole trip seven miles and it was necessary fo bury Uw wire whenever it crossed the road and to pull if back from the road far enough to be hidden from possible abotage. We crossed buried the wir he OL and went ° I did helg est ever did see. | schoo] over or After eo don't “Coid never inter my helper 8 helper with nund- The As 0 it thie work thie the flashlight will say he did hokd for me when: 1 wa working but when it came to seeing Ww walk w-e-l-l. As 1 be yards ahead and 1 would be care- fully walking on solid ground laying the wire trying to manage the shovel and slup-you guessed it, waste deen in the swamp. OR! night problems are such fun. Next he would be just holder Ciuse CHOUEN aid 1 11 aid he would Har enough ahead to leave the brush , wing back and cut my {ace, but at least that kept the gnats and mos quitoes off for a brief second and | that was some relief. Two o'clock in {the morning finally, saw us finished with our seven miles of wire laid and {all phones in working order. 1 was soaked with sweat and swamp water | but—communications had been tablished and our job was done The Captain was pleased and 1 was slushy to say the least, but fear not the army does not let such sacrifices go unrewarded. We were all given a cup of coffee and a doughnut. 1 don't drink coffee 50 ! got a dough- nut The communications department then spread shelter halves and went {to sleep while the gun crews dug furiously all night to place the guns I did not put my pup tent up but took it a few yards from the com- mand post and laying it in tall Iweeds oimouflaged myself 50 suce cessfully that they did not find me funti] ten the next morning. 1 got up In time to gulp down some sauer- {kraut and weenies and start out {over those seven miles again (now {In the hot Georgia sun) to take up {all the wire I had carefully and laid the night befere CS. | painfully ried FThink not that this foolish lay-it- {down, tear-it-up, tear-it-up, lay-it- {down process Is totally without rea- ison on the part of t B.C. as it often appears, for it Is not. If you | are told once In the army you will ibe Wid a thousand times that the army has & reason for everything it Anyway your expend-|does, but sometimes [ wonder what itis. Since everyone survived the night {problem we werd allowed to lle around and do only obstacle courses, infantry drill, splice wires, and clean guns trucks and equipment, just a couple of days with nothing to do. THE CENTRE DEMOCRAT, BELLEFONTE, PA. | i i i , Eg | In North Africa ; L wr Tech, Sgt. Earl Lykens Sergeant Lykens is the son of Mr: Isaac W. Lykens, of Owego, N. Y formerly of Port Matilda He en- listed in 1641 in the Medical Unit and is now in North Africa. He | brother of W. Lyken Valley View George of " Now In Louisana Cpl. Marvey Dobson Harvey “Qua: Dobson Jame ! | Dt inducted on Ju went 10 Camp MeCain imine: training ocuve day a Hulen Dobson Dobweot been Harvey De Lie Can Pp Cpl Clarence year ha Pacifi former 1 ville. while married t Workmar absence th Ming i MONUMENT Bowmaster is hot 5 Pic. Robert furlough from is spending a his sister. Mr fam Confer home Delmas McCloskey was called Williamsport on Friday to see his father who is very lll Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Peter Blanchard, were Sunday guest the homes of James Confer and her father, John Mann Mrs. Nancy Hanley has returned home from the Lock Haven hose pital Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Heaton and family of Orviston, and Katherine Heaton of Mill Hall, Mr. and Mr: Raymond Shope and family and Miss Ellene Merryman of Monument were visitors at the William Hea- ton home Mrs. Doyle Runes and son spent Sunday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Shady Cpl. James Young is home on a furlough. He returns to camp on the 11th On the sick list is Bonny, small | granddaughter of Mrs. Charles Sto. ver Mrs Harry {Is In the hospital in a serious con- | dition. Mrs. Bchenck was down to see him on Friday, and also took Geraldine McCloskey home She had been - visiting her sister here for the past several weeks. Jesse McCloskey and wife and Mertis Schenck were down to Wil. Hamsport hospital on Sunday to see Jesse's father North Caroling ouple { James ( spent the GRY oni weekend ot Mertis Schenck’s father, I Chosen Honor Man | - » James Linn Blackford, Jr. of 48 Reynolds avenue, Bellefonte, has . been selected as honor man of his recruiting training company at the U. 8, Naval Training Station, Bain- bridge, M: | ord will graduate soon at time he will be advanced from " seaman to seaman first His wife resides avenue address for Viglory; Buy Bonds, McCloskey of Williamsport, | Three Yanks in Solomons Bellefonte Brothers in Armed Forces — Donald G. Neff Hazel Wit furiough witl M and Mr Ira Plu Mrs. Pred Pluebell and Marie, spent with Mrs. William of Moshannon Mrs. R. L Sunday Pluebell Schmoke spent days this week in Altoona, visiting with her brother, Wesley Ramses who will leave for the Navy on Wed- nesday, and also attended the fu. neral of her aunt, Mrs. Walter Con- rad Miss Laura Hoover, who is employ - ed at Mill Hall, spent the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs, Bd Hoover Pvt. and son Ronald Mr. Polmar's parents, Mr Irvin Polmar overall Mrs. Carl Polmar and spent several days “with and Mrs - - » -— Coeds Outnumber Men, Women outnumber men by nearly 2 to 1 in the civilian student body Lat the Pennsylvania State College. : Robert I. Brown Hi 1 : Busy Getting Used to Tropical Sun and Rain ecutive Your paper and 1 new back Seems rather land here in the Sincerely CAM IA . u u from this | South Pacific f f far away WM. ¢ - Receives Promotion oid Lieut. H. Kurtz Welser, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. D. Weiser, of Spring Millis. R. D. and husband of the for. mer Evelyn Blerls of Rebersbury has recently beep promoted to 1st Heutenant. IX. Welser is a pursuit pliot in the 3rd Perry Command sta- tioned at Romulus, Mich i rr MP ————— What ever became of Lhe moves ; ment to take the profits out of war? CRUMLISH Henry J. Taylor, New York World. Telegram war correspondent, warm ing that “Germany does not pro- pose to bleed to death,” predicted last week that the war in Europe Clermany is prostrate.” Speaking at a Town Hall dinner for foreign in New y will aot fight it out.” All estimates on probable Declares War Will End Long Before Germany is Prostrate Cermany's militesy machine, tretiched on the continent and Cer many does not propose to bleed to (death | “Therefore, 1 predict that al some jUme, and long before Germany is fend suddenly and in some Kind of a surprise : Dorothy Thompson, columnist, whatever It may be at me will not be prepared, and of which, unless we change our pfesent shilly-shallying we shall certainly on. Pvt. Lewis E. Kelley Ks 1 "Air Corps Mechanic url Be Cia ungart Is Enjoying England, But, Oh, You U.S. A. ¥ HOM SNOW SHOE M1 ited Wingate vise RA Mabe] with Lucy oer daug hts family Mi ond anda Mae France prem with her sister, Mr and family of Winburmne, Miss Phyllis McNamara, who been employed at Niagara Falls turned home Mr. and Bellefonte with Mn land family Mrs. Harold MceClosky, daughter Sudene, spent the weekend with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Thomp- ison of Bellefonte | Mrs. Ella Houseman {and James Park of Bellefonte, spent Saturday evening with the former's {mother, Mrs. Anna Locas, who has [eens seriously fll at the Mrs. Mabel | Lucas home James Swarts, the week Paul Kuz has re. Mrs. Jame spent Friday Pinge's brother Pinge afternoon Roe Cole ol Jr, visited his would end suddenly “long before prostrate, the war in Europe will grandparents, Mr. and Mr. Quick [at Moshannon Mrs. George Hall, Mrs. Rex Lucas York, Taylor sald that when tradi. predicted an “all-Europesn revolu- Burns and daughter Vickey, spent tonal German foresee an early de- tion, for which the United States Tuesday at Philipsburg. and daughter Lydia Mae, Mrs, Dick | Advertising has assisted the nae Uon's war effort, thanks 10 the co- operative spirit of American news papers and business men, Die By Jap Fake Surrender | of Altoona entertained McElhattar REPUBLICANS! NOMINATE Honest Worthy Capable Fearless J. H. WALLIN MOR con A SECOND TERM AS MEMBER OF THE House of Representatives By his devotion to duty he has won the friendship and esteem of the Administration and of his colleagues in the House. His nomination and election would carry out the tradition of returning a worthy member to the House of Represen- tatives, and by so doing assure Centre County the benefits of a capable and experienced Legislator during these trying times and in the period to follow. .
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