That night we broke out the alcohol and got drunk. Drunk, I decided to complete the second one of two resolutions I had made for myself before I got home. I already did the first by riding a carabao. The second was to climb a palm tree. I used to watch the natives of New Guinea scamper right up the trunk. They made it look easy. I decided to do the same. I found a tree, and started climbing. I must have tried five times and never got more than three feet off the ground! I damned near killed myself each time I tried! As soldiers, we accumulated points for our time in the army. The importance of them became evident when consideration was given to go home. I had been overseas for nearly two years. I had a lot of points. I already knew I would probably not be part of an occupying force. The interminable waiting began. Months went by where we felt seemingly forgotten. My ship came in, early December of ‘45. During that time my concentration on the sea, watch- ing and waiting, was so intense that I complete- ly missed my 21st birthday. HOME Jan. 2, ‘46, I arrived at Indiantown Gap, Unit A, Pennsylvania, the same place I started my army career nearly three years before. Every- thing was the same but completely differ- ent. The war was over. The Allies claimed a worldwide victory. The Nazis were defeated in Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Japs were defeated in the Pacific theater. America rose in status as the Arsenal of Democracy. Our free- dom was secure. The Nuclear Age was upon us. It would unfold into a cold war as the world figured out how to get along with these massive weapons of destruction. I didn’t think about any of this. I was tired, elated, and ready to be home and enjoy the simple things like flipping hamburgers and driving around town. I could not wait to see my parents and brothers, and all the changes. I listened carefully to news about my friends. I received an Honorable Discharge and Separation Document, and was on a troop
train heading home. The train pulled into the Chester Station, and I was greeted by my wonderful family: father, mother, brothers, and Harry’s wife, Ida, pregnant with what turned out three weeks later to be twins, Michelle, and Helene. I was the star for a while until the twins stole the show. I earned some campaign ribbons and three combat stars. Nothing sensational. But I am proud of the recognition. None of this compared to the happiness I experienced just being back. America was jubilant beyond description, and I was a free man again! For me, the Army was a prison. In my 2 years and seven months, I had one six-day furlough after basic training. The loss of free- dom takes a toll on you. By the time of my separation, I was a highly trained soldier, disappointed that I could not advance further than I did. I also knew I was a good soldier and a valued surgical technician. Most of the non-commissioned officers in my outfit were old Army guys. There were very few opportu- nities for advancement. My final designation was T-5 Surgical Tech, a Corporal in today’s modern Army. Driving around Chester, I saw flags in windows. Most with a large blue star. The flags signified someone who lived there was serv- ing in the armed forces. Sometimes those blue stars turned to gold, to signify they paid the ultimate price. I was home, alive and well. As I drove around pondering the flags with those blue and gold stars, I felt proud to have done my part. Something was nagging at my mind. It would take about a year before it would surface. I went into the Army when I was 18 and was 21 by the time it was over. I had lived with men in uniform for about three years, all of us young.
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