About Me

HAROLD'S TRIBUTE TO 448thBGp CREW 48 | home

About Me

Harold prior to departure to England

I enlisted on 16 NOV 1942 at Terre Haute,IN and boarded a bus to Paducah, KY for my physical and then went back by bus to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis,IN all in the same day! After a few days, I was assigned as acting Corporal on a troop train that led to Fresno, CA. Soon I was aboard another troop train to Laredo, TX. I graduated Aerial Gunners School at Laredo Army Air Field (AAF) on 13 FEB 1943. I again boarded a troop train to Biloxi MS, graduating from the B-24 Airplane Mechanics School Keesler, Army Air Field, 29 JUL 43. Again traveling by train I arrived in Boise, ID and I didn't even get off the troop train which picked up other members of the 448th Bomb Gp 714th BSq, to which I was assigned, and continued to Wendover, UT for B-24 Crew Training .On or about Sep/Oct 1943, I departed for processing To an AAF installation in Kansas ,where Crew 48 was issued jungle backpacks, pith helmets, and other specialized gear, and again boarded a train for Sioux City, IA, where the items issued were taken back and we were issued additional winter clothing, and the we proceeded to Grand Island, NE where we had a 30-day furlough and some additional training. Next we traveled to Camp Shanks, NY and after a few days to visit NYC, we departed for the Port of NY. Although Crew 48 along with several other air crews traveled by ship (Queen Elizabeth) to England with the ground crews and other administrative members of the 448th Bomb Group, these crews were in excess of the number of aircraft allocated to the Group at the time. We boarded the Queen Elizabeth on 23 NOV 1943 and docked in Scotland ,Perth of Clyde,and traveled to Seething by train and truck. We were greeted by( F/O) later MAJ Glassell S. Stringfellow, Sq CO of the714th BSq

The first mission of the 448th was on 22 DEC 1943. [See Missions.] After 30 missions, I returned to USA on the Queen Mary arriving in the USA 20 OCT 1944. Then I traveled to Camp Atterbury , IN and was placed on a 30-day delay en route, arriving home in time to celebrate my 20th birthday on 29 OCT 1944.

After my furlough , I reported to Miami, FL, where I had R&R at the Traymore Hotel . While stationed at the Traymore Hotel, Miami, FL, I passed tests and awaited a call to cadet training. After a period of time waiting, I decided not to continue flight duties and informed personnel. My papers were pulled and I was sent to Keesler, AAF, and I trained as Crew Chief- B17Airborne Lifeboat.

In 1946 was en route to the Caribbean, but while at POE, Greensboro NC. awaiting transportation, I was returned to Chanute AFB, IL and assigned to a P -80 Mobile Training Detachment. At Chanute, I trained as , Airplane and Engine Mechanic, Specialized P-80. I remained at Chanute as Supervisor, A-shift, and Instructor Aircraft Instruments.

I was assigned to MATS Kelly AFB aprox. 1949-50 as Supervisor/Inst.Aircraft Instruments C-97 Transitional Training. After we had the C-97 Training Program in progress, I was assigned to a Cadre of 2 officers, MAJ James F. Brewer,Command Pilot and CAPT Forman, Maintenance Officer, and 6 airmen to establish a C-124 Training Program; which was established on the Ft. Lewis-side of McChord AFB, Tacoma ,WA. I was assigned as NCOIC Ground Training and MSg Philip Rice was NCOIC Flight Training. Capt.Cyril F. Coverley (crew 34 of the 448th)joined the cadre as OIC Loadmaster Training.

One day I was called to OR and told to sit down by F/SGT Hatton and learn how to do a morning report; the CO would talk to me shortly. While COL Stoval the Sq CO, was telling me that F/SGT Hatton was leaving and I was to become F/SGT of the SQ , a wire came in from Kelly AFB, TX, HQ MATS, informing them to cut orders assigning me to West Palm Beach ,FL to assist in opening the Installation and preparing for transfer of all MATS Transitional Training Programs to that base.

On arrival of the programs, I was assigned as NCOIC of Training Analysis and

Development (Ground Training Programs). I traveled to Installations ,state side and overseas ,where graduates had been assigned and changes were made to the curriculum where personnel in the field saw need of improvement. Courses were lengthened or shortened in areas in need of change. I also was assigned to an Officer's slot as Sq. Training Officer and Project Officer of several Technical Training films (including Hamilton Standard Propeller; script and technical advisor was Sgt. Rene Vermeeresh of Chicago.) being produced at Tyndall AFB, FL. This was the only film I saw to completion. A WAF (1st.Lt.) traveled the southern part of the US and Travis AFB also Hawaii, with me on the next evaluation trip. I was to see that she had hands on experience as she was to replace me in the job. I would soon be transfered to Headquarters 3rd Air Force.

In September 1955, I was transferred to HQ Third Air Force Personnel as OJT Supervisor. In November 19 57, I was on a MAAG assignment in Germany to advise the new German Air Force in setting up Technical Training Programs. Returning in October 1958, I was assigned at Mather AFB, CA, where I was Group OJT Coordinator and Disaster Control Instructor. On 10 OCT 1962, I became First Sergeant of the HQ Sq. 3535 Nav.Tng. Gp., until reorganization structure eliminated the Group. At that time, I was assigned to Wing as Command Disaster Control Technician. I was working the Command Post The Day President Kennedy was killed, and remained in that job assignment until Col. Stephen W. Henry ; Wing Commander , handed me my Retirement on April 15, 1964.

AFTER RETIREMENT

I accepted employment with the American Red Cross having worked for the Sacramento Chapter during off duty hours as a volunteer for several years. In November 1963 I was called to Wing Commander Col. S. Henry's Office..........

Present besides him were Mr Rounds Director Pacific Area American Red Cross, Mather AFB Field Director ARC Mr. Boucher , Asst. FD ARC Mr. Massey and NCOIC of Military Personnel MSG Lane; where for service to the Pacific Area ARC and Sacramento Chapter, I was awarded the ARC Humanitarian Services award for Volunteer Services in First Aid and Lifesaving. Col. Henry ordered MSG Lane to prepare the paperwork to nominate me for a medal. I believe it was an Air Force Commendation Medal . Retiring shortly after I never heard of it again. I did contact the Military Records at Randolph who said they had no record of the award.

I was scheduled for a position at the VA Hospital in San Diego. Due my hospitalization for a lengthy period during the retirement physical it was necessary that the position be filled so I lost that position. Upon completion of the retirement physical and a date was set for my Retirement I was immediately hired as an Assistant Field Director , A position equal to the rank of Major in the Armed Forces and sent to Fort Ord, California for Training and continued there for a period of time .

While on duty one day a serviceman came in. He and his brother were from Alaska and a person newly arriving had told him their Mother had passed away. I started trying to obtain information for him. The lines east were down. Policy was informing National and they took action through military channels to relay information outside the USA proper. Several hours later and the telephone operator continued to state" lines down to the east coast "I I had a book of Red Cross Chapters with Telephone numbers so I called the chapter in Alaska. The person I talked to was an Uncle of the boys but the Mother lived on an Island and it would be a while before he could reply. Contact with the island would be by radio. He had heard nothing about the Mother passing. It was a very short while fortunately when he returned the call. The boys were extremely upset and the CO had prepared leave for them but needed verification so the boys could get a loan from the ARC to purchase tickets to fly home. MOM was well another person with the same name in Nome had passed on. The informer had read of the death in the paper and did not realize it was another.

Later I transferred to Ft Knox, KY., I was told to take my time in getting settled they were not in a hurry for me to start to work. I took this statement wrong. My thought was they did not require my presence. I did not know that they had a personnel transfer coming up soon. I came to Sullivan one day and found that the Chapter at Terre Haute was looking for someone so I filed an application. I was to meet with several Personnel to be interviewed which I did on a weekend. I continued working at Ft. Knox until I received notification that I had been accepted by the Wabash Valley Chapter ARC and made arrangements to terminate my employment at Ft Knox and accept the position at a lower salary than I had received in years in Terre Haute. This was a flat rate salary

no overtime regardless of the hours you worked.

I was assigned as Director Red Cross Youth Program, Director Disaster programs, Coordinator Nursing Services. and Director Safety Services (Water Safety & First Aid). I was very happy to have the assistance out of the community that I had. We sent two girls on a National Red Cross program to Mexico to train residents in First Aid and Nursing Services Childbirth ,Etc. the girls were selected by a committee from applicants at ISU, I trained them in First Aid and the Head Nurse of Union Hospital OB department. with assistance of others trained them in Home Nursing and Child birth care. They in turn in Mexico trained nurses and doctors & others in these areas.

The Chapter Director , two full time women that handled Service to Military Families a Clerk Secretary, and myself made up the Staff of the Wabash Valley ARC Chapter serving Vigo and Vermilion Counties.

This is a picture of a presentation of certificates to a First Aid

class I taught at Newport Army Ammunition Depot

The High School Youth and Volunteers did most of my typing assisted in packing items to send the troops and were learning all phases of the various jobs. If it had not been for the students and Teachers in the Schools in Terre Haute and the Students and Staff at Indiana State University and the Volunteer Nurses from the Hospitals Marie Pfister,Carol Pitts, Margaret Hassler to name a few(RN)'s, and my wife and daughter , I would not have been able to keep up the work load. Many others also assisted. I'm afraid of giving names because I know someone will be left out. I was happy that we were making great successes in getting programs underway. We ,The Red Cross Youth and the original Director and board members had agreed to support the VA Hospital at Danville IL. The High School Boys and Girls were driven in three cars loaned by a local dealer to dances and passing out of small items contributed by the schools. Fathers drove the Youth and acted as chaperons.

At one point the board decided to terminate the Chapter Director and replace him with one of the board members. He immediately terminated the Danville VA Program. I continued working for a long time and found myself working from 9 am to aprox.10 PM which with travel to and from work was about 8-11. Even when I had little to do with the activity taking place that night I was the one that closed up shop . This was usually Due Home Nursing Classes' First Aid Classes, and other activities that were assigned to my Job Description; or often it was for a community group that needed a place to conduct a meeting. I did succeed in training several First Aid Instructors to conduct FA training through-out the counties. After a few years of this I burned out.

I submitted a resignation and started working as an Electronics Technician. I had taken a course in Radio & TV repair to assist me in teaching Aircraft Instruments. I took and passed the Indiana State Test and was licensed as an Electronic Technician (Radio & TV)Later I purchased the TV business and added a Satellite business. I continued this until age and other health problems, and miniaturization of electronic components became such that I could no longer perform the job. Again I was burning out on the job so I retired again.

21 Jan 04

| home