755 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e91939e6ee136589e2be657f39f60319.pdf d09b60f29bc97a0a7379a476780b7b94 PDF Text Text ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a0ad0d5f46710bb9397eeb97a290a226.pdf 9d1b993d46e64a48eea7e77296dd501b PDF Text Text Theodore Peticolas Diary, RHC-51 Transcription by Robert Beasecker [Front Cover] [Inside cover page blank] [Front Matter] Pocket Diary 1863 Title Page Counting House Almanac 1863 Distances and Time by railroad from New York Population of the United States (including totla slave pop 1850 + 1860) San Francisco Tides Eclipses in 1863 Rates of Postage Almanac of 1863 [Page 1] [note written above the date] Battle of Stones River. Wind South. Thursday, January 1, 1863 [Peticolas indicated the temperature three times for each entry] [Temp. 18,33,33] Lilla walked over this afternoon. Var. Fine day for the first but very cold this morning. Thawed very little. I did housework & read. Attend to the stock. Sent an article to the Country Gentleman on Borers and a letter to Julia. Hazy. Friday 2 [Temp. 37, 50, 30] I went to see Young about fixing fence. Var. Little sun today. Wind south. Preparing for a rain. Kake & Lou cut the dry woods in the garden then loused the rest of the day. I drove Conklins cows out twice after the[y] tore down the Fodder stacks. Cloudy. Saturday 3 [Temp. 46, 54, 50] Var. Very moderate today but Rained most of the forenoon. Jake hard to manage today. Shirked his work. Went down to fix the fence to keep out Conklins cows. I was very unwell and feverish today. [Page 2] �Sunday 4 [Temp. 50, 54, 52] Var. Rained all the forenoon. Cleared off after dawn and was splendid. I had a dreadful bad night. Fever & restlessness. I did nothing but read and took one little tramp but was afraid of the damp to stagout. Monday 5 [see symbol] [Temp. 34, 52, 48] Julia did not come. Var. Very fine day but too damp for us to be out much. Geo. Young fixed the fence to keep Conklins Cows out. John came and got a barrel of Cider out of the cellar. Mr. Ducket made us a long visit this afternoon. Hazy. Tuesday 6 [Temp. 36, 46, 24] Jul did not come. Note from Del. Rained this morning. Quit soon after breakfast turning cold very rapidly. Jake sawed wood, took up two Junipers & planted themselves at the graveyard. Lou took shafts down to Wilimngtons. Cloudy & windy.[Page 3] Wednesday, January 7, 1863 [Temp. 18, 28, 20] Var. very cold all day. Jake began digging a new grape border front of the cowhouse. Mrs. Dickinson of Kale did a big wash. I did nothing but read [?] I got home, sick as usual. Closed[?] Thursday 8 [Temp. 23, 39. 20] Sherman attacks Vicksburg. Snowed in the night & part of today about an inch & a half. Jake sawed some & sled[?] some stac'd in the house & began Les Miserables. The day was very dull & I had the [?] Friday 9 [Temp. 24, 34, 34] Codfish dinner. Var., still cold but moderating a little. Jake sawed a little wood & fooled corn dealt.[?] Time away I read to the girls & did housework. Cloudy. [Page 4] Saturday, January 10, 1863 [Temp. 44, 48, 36] �Var. This has been a very moderately cool day after a homendow [?] hard wind & rain this morning, all the snow has all disappeared. Jake sawed some wood. Clear. [seperation symbol] Read Les Miserables. Sunday 11 [Temp. 34, 40, 36] Was a very fine day, but was too stick to go out. I had a wet compress on my throat which gave me a worse cold than I ever had in my life. Jake went store. Lick on Prince. [?] Clear. Monday 12 [Temp. 28, 54, 44] Kate & Lou went to town. Splendid spring day but i could not go out being too sick running rose and splitting headache. Jake spaded. Raspberries [?] went to Sallie's afternoon. Her photograph came to night. Hazy. [Page 5] [Top of page containing date missing] [Temp. 60,59] Cloudy all day. [words missing] like looks like rain. I had a terrible night, fever & bursting headache. Jake & Frank hauled Foddes [?]. I feel better tonight I have felt for three days. [?] is better too. Cloudy. [Page 6][top of page containing date missing. First words of text in the entry are also missing]. [Temp. 18, 22, 13 this morning. This is the deepest snow we have ever had --- more than ten feet. [?] quite sick, and I not much better. I coughed this morning dreadfully. Jake made baths & sawed some. Cloudy. Saturday 17 B.[Temp. 6, 18, 2] Var. Cloudy nearly all day and very cold. No thaw. Jake sawed wood & went to the store after Ink. I have been quite unwell all day. Clear. Sunday 18 [Temp. 6, 34, 22] Sunshine all day, moderate. Some wind South but still very cold. I coughed very badly this morning but am a little better. Lou made to the post office. Clear. [Page 7] [Temp. 22, 40, 37] �Mr. Adams arrived unexpected. Cloudy all day, began misting about 4 PM & still continues. Should it turn to a rain it will produce a flood. Jake sawed. I finished reading the 2nd vol of Les Miserables. Drizzling. Tuesday 20 Wednesday 21 [Temp. 32, 31, 34] Kate and Mr. Adams left in the bus [?]. Snowed in the night a little but thawed all day. Jake was off all day rabbit hunting again. I coughed all night the worst yet and I dread tonight. Emor[?] called to see me today. Cloudy. [Page 8] Thursday, January 22, 1863 [Temp. 34, 36, 33] Cloudy all day not cold. Cloudy all day not cold. Thawing slowly. Jake shelled corn and went to mill but did not get it ground got chopped but no Brase. Julia washed. Cloudy --- headache all day. Friday 23 [Temp. 33, 40, 40) Kate, Del & children came out. Var cloudy all day. Rained since dark, Jake lasoed (?) some. Carried hay over to the barn. I hit a [?] of Rockers to my arm chair & nearly sawed off my thumb. Drizzling.Kate got books for camp. Saturday 24 [Temp. 44, 54, 48] Var. cloudy nearly all day. Very moderate for the season. Snow rappidly disappearing. Jake off again all forenoon. Jule [?] scrubbed kitchen. Cloudy [seperation symbol] my cold better. [Page 9] Sunday, January 25, 1863 [Temp. 36, 50, 46] Cloudy all day and very warm looking very much like rain. Snow entirely gone. Making the road area [?] I had the horrors terribly. John called. Judy & I had a [?] with him. [Monday 26] [Temp. 50, 50, 42] �Cloudy and rainy all day. Jake went to mill after our meal. Got chopped & Bran. I assorted 16 as [?] to him it out. No name found. Two Nos missing concluded to read it so. Everybody got town's[?] diarreah. Raining. Tuesday 27 [Temp. 33, 33, 28] Rain turned to snow. Snowed nearly all day very fine but melted as it fell. Jake sawed & shel'd wood all day. We began reading Gollum's late of no name. Had codfish for dinner. Lou very sick. Cholera. [?] [Page 10] Wednesday, January 28, 1863. [Temp. 22, 26, 20] Ms. Dickinson washed. Snowed in the night about 2 inches. Turning cold. Jake sawed wood, went to [?] our Prince[?] Got a wrench. I wrote to {blank}[?] & to Kaspers. Wrote advertisements but forgot to send them. Clear. Thursday 29 [Temp. 20, 39, 36] Mr. Dicket called. Var. moderated some, wind south, Jake sawed wood until noon when he left for the rest of the day. I got croton oil in my eyes causing excruciating pain for several hours. Del & Jul called on [?] Friday 30 Snow again last night. A little colder today. Jake sawed a little wood. Hard to keep at his work. Del spent the day at Jenkins. I put a new valve in th[e] [?] Broke the shovel off soldere & it on again. [Page 11] Saturday, January 31, 1863. [Temp. 21, 40, 33] Garrison came out tonight. Cloudy all day. Moderated some. Jake hauled over some hay from the woodhouse loft and sawed some wood. I read No Name to the girls. Pd. Butcher's Bill $500. Cloudy. Sunday, February 1 Had oysters for dinner. Var. Rained nearly all the forenoon very [?] all day. Jake went to East Liberty with a note from me to John. Took both horses & Frank D. without leave. Clear. Eggnog. Monday 2 �[Temp. 15, 30, 20] Garrison left in the [?] Var. very cold in the morning & all day. I read no name part of the day. [?] Jake up for not feeding Girls. Went to Gonklins [?] to tea. I went to see young & Dickets about getting a boy. Got no satisfaction. Hazy. [Page 12] Jul still suffering from Porerigo[?] Tuesday, February 3, 1863 [Temp. 7, 13, 8] Kate went to town today. Var. One of the coldest nights and days this winter. Jake began hauling wood from Keltman [?] I read Life of Grimalde aloud of No Name to go on. Clear. B. Wednesday 4. [Temp. 12, 23, 21] Var. Moderated a little in the night. Jake hauled wood from Keltman & went to the store. I did nothing but housework and read. Del went to young, and I paid for butter. Cloudy. Thursday 5 [see symbol] [Temp. 24, 26, 24] Del & Children left in the [?] Snowed in the night and all day. Jul & I spent the day & took dinner [?] John had hard pulling through the snow. Jake I suppose did nothing. Snowing a little. [Page 13] Friday, February 6, 1863 [Temp. 15, 21, 14] Var. very cold all. Snowed a little this morning. Snow about 9 inches to a foot. Jake sawed wood & went to P.O. on Prince. I finished No Name, Kaspers came last night. Two letters for Kate. Saturday 7. [see symbol] [Temp. 10, 38, 34] Jake and Lou hauled hay fr. Woodh. Var. Sun shone considerably. Moderated, Clouded over towards evening. Bennet called to see about trees. I read Grimaldy to Jul. Jake lost all morning. Sunday 8 [Temp. 38, 42, 38] B. Cloudy all day. Moderated. Very much thawing. Musting since dark. Wrote out my article on Fieldmice for the {Country Gent} & a letter to Mr Emmons. Jake went home on Tom & got home to [?] [Page 14] �Monday, February 9, 1863. [Temp. 42, 50, 49] Var. cloudy & misty. Jake sawed some wood & assorted & wiped apples in the cellar. Lou & I went to Willowville for Butter. Paid up a couple of bills for nursery sale. Cloudy. Tuesday 10 B. Lou sick and suffering very much. Var. cleared off towards night. Not very cold. Jake oiled the harness. Left after dinner for home. I sent a letter to Kate & one to Money advertisement. Sent for coal oil. Clear. Wednesday 11 Rained from noon until night. Cloudy & murky looking day. Jake hauled wood from Keltmans & sawed some. Jill being sick I did all the housework. I did not feel right by any means. Kate did not come. Lilla[?] walled over. Raining. [Page 15] Thursday, February 12, 1863 [Temp. 34, 30, 34] Kate got home at last. Rained shortly after breakfast & continued hard until noon. Remained cloudy. Jill very unwell bad sorethroat and hoarse. I read considerably aloud. Sugar & Coffee did not come. Dark & Cloudy. Friday 13 [see symbol] [Temp. 34, 35, 34] Cloudy all day. Wind south. Looks like snow. Jake as usual fooled away his time. Sawed a little wood. John called & took dinner with us talked us crazy. Sugar & Coffee came but Papers forgotten. Cloudy. Saturday 14 [Temp. 32, 56, 53] B. Cloudy all day. Began raining about 2 P.M. & continued until 8 P.M. Some stars but too warm Lou & Jake went to mill. Jake rode to store. Sick the only [?] got home at 3 PM. I walked doing in the nursery. Looked at the wheat. Cloudy. [Page 16] Sunday, February 15, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 44, 46, 32] �Var. very fine day. Lou & I made up our minds to go to town, in the Buggy. After a pleasant cool ride we got to Del's about 5 P.M. or half past 4. We left home at 1/2 past 12. Del washed at home. Clear. Monday 16 [Temp. 26,48,40] Var. cloudy most of the day. Quite cold. Jake fooled his time away chopping. I called on Ms. Gibson who [?] me very kindly [?] on my lunching [?] Del's [underlined]{Swing Machine} on the buggy, left Lou in town. Cloudy. Tuesday 17 [Temp. 34,42,39] Sent coffee back to George. Raining when we got up. Continued nearly all forenoon. Jake & Rob D. sawed and split wood. Kate ran the [underlined] {Machine} all day. Old woman came to see if we could give her work. Gave her supplies & put her to work[?] Cloudy. [Page 17] Wednesday, February 18, 1863 [Temp. 40,44,44] Raining again this morning. Drizzled most of the day. Dutch man got twenty appletrees. I had to be out in the mist. Jake made labels nearly all day. Very dark & cloudy. Thursday 19 Lou & Jake gone to Young Pasty. Rain every morning. Sun shone a few minutes this afternoon. I had a slight chill tonight and for the two previous days. I hung up the Hams & made smoke. Jake finished the Labels 500. [underlined]{Raining, wind.} Friday 20 We got four [underlined]{Hens} from Mr. Teal. Var. Cleared off at last. Sun shone toward evening. Jack went home & back by supertime. I was quick unwell had a [underlined] {hot fever}. Excruciating pain in the head. Mr. Conklin and sister called after tea to invite us to dinner on Sunday. [Page 18] Saturday, February 21, 1863 [Temp. 28, 31, 26] Cloudy all day turning cold. Jake & Bob D. hauled hay from the woodhouse loft to the barn. I missed my fever & feel a little better. Got a letter from Ed to Lou[?] with some prospect for a loan. Snowing. �Sunday 22 [Temp. 25, 31, 19] Snowing snowed all night and great [?] of the day very fine. Snow about 8 inches deep. Being the [underlined]{third deep snow this} winter. Kate & I went to Conklins to a late dinner of turkey oysters. Quite[?] considerate of a Conkin [?] Cloudy. Monday 23 [Temp. 8, 26, 17 1/2] Lou got home. Very cold. Var. clear nearly all day. Jack went to [?] and posted some of our bills. Sawed a little. His father called and settled with one for Jake, Conklins came over after tea & took eggnog & cake. Cloudy. [Page 19] [note above the date] Tuesday, 24, 1863 [Temp. 22,42,37] I wrote to Del. Jul wrote to Ed. Var. clear most of the day. Moderated very much. Jake hauled some wood. Kline got 38 trees. Kept one nearly three hours in the slushy snow it will give a fine cold. I am sick. Cloudy. Wednesday 25 [Temp. 32,55,51] Var. Moderated considering[?] Jake hauled wood all day. Made four loads. Read Les Miserables to the girls. Jake & Lou gone to Sugar Camp. Another letter [?] Ed about the loan. Thursday 26 [see symbol] [Temp. 33, 39, 34] Var. Looked like rain all day. [?] my going to Pataria[?] Jake shelled corn & measured [?]. I cut Grafts. [?] Jake hauled wood for Dickinson. Cloudy & warm. [Page 20] Friday, February 27, 1863 Archy Woodruff died today.[Temp. 53, 60, 34] Two months younger than me. Var. Splendid spring day. Jake stacked and sawed wood. I went to Bataria Recorders office to get mortgages to [?] wheat and corn. Denied with Lindey Moore, got corn} ground. Saturday 28 [Temp. 32, 52, 44] �Drizzled a little this evening. Var. rather cold, first very fine but muddy. Lent Jake to Bataria to the Recorder. Bid Broadwell receipt would not answer to cancel the mortgage. Two men called to look at the nursery. I made catalogue for the nursery. Cloudy. Sunday, March 1 [Temp. 40, 41, 32] Cloudy all day. Turned colder. I read Les Miserables nearly all day. Finished the fourth vol. Jake been gone all day not home yet. Hope for a fine day tommorow. Clear and cool, quite windy today. [Page 21] Monday, March 2, 1863 [Temp. 34, 40, 32] Var. Cold. Spit snow a few. A small number of men assembled in the woodhouse & bid so meanly that I was perfectly discouraged. The whole sale only amounted to about $70. Voyela Gallaire. Clear. Tuesday 3 [see symbol] [Temp. 32, 33, 26] We finished Les Miserables. Snowed in the night and some this morning. I made out all the bills of the sale of Trees. Kate & Jake started for town in the wagon, taking the sawing machine home. Prince got away from Lou at Willowville. Clear & cold. Wednesday 4 [see symbol] [Temp. 23, 31, 23] Var. very cold for the season. Peaches will certainly suffer tonight. Jake got home about 4 P.M. Brought out Beatshead & Mattress. I coppied mortgage. Got dissapointed in a horse to go to Broadwells. Ms. Conklin called. Clear & cold. [Page 22] Some prospect of getting money of [?] Thursday, March 5, 1863 [Temp. 18, 32, 35] Var. very cold. This morning I borrowed Mrs. Teal's Horse & rode to bull & Sam Edwards to see about the old mortgage but could not find it. Jul & I went to Bea after dinner, seymed[?] Dels mortgage. I went to Mill. Called on Ms. Bond. Got home after dark in the snow --- nearly frozen. Drizzling. Friday 6 �[Temp. 40, 44, 41] Rained a little in the night. Musted all day. Snow entirely gone. Jake sawed some wood. Feel very sore from yesterday's exploits. Read Night and Morning to Jul Most of the day. Sent to Conklins and bought a cock. Misty. Saturday 7 [Temp. 34, 37, 32] Read Night and Morning. Rained pretty hard in the night. Everythig underwater. Kitchen all afloat. Sudden leak in the roof. Nasty all day. Cold in my head, in great pain all day, effects of my ride and exposure. Cold & Cloudy. [Page 23] Wrote to Kate. Sunday, March 8, 1863 [Temp. 31, 40, 36] Read Night and Morning. Var. Snowed & rained in the night. Froze a little. Very disagreeable day. Snow and rain mixed this afternoon feel. Geo. Young got Jake to drive him & family up to Del's old place. Jul then rode Tom over to Sallie's & has not got back. Drizzling. Monday 9 [Temp. 31, 38, 30] Del wood saw. Jul got home to dinner. Var. Clear great part of the day but cold & raw. I sel[?] Jake to trimming vines. I begin writing labels. Finished Night & Morning, it is splendid. No news from Bil Edwards. Cloudy --- about the old mortgage. Tuesday 10 Tuesday 10 Began Paul Clifford. Var. Some sun today but very raw. Jake cut some vines. I walked down to John Lanes & waited an hour or two then got no real satisfaction about the money. Jake took Tom and hauled wood for Conklins. Hazy. [Page 24] Wednesday, March 11, 1863 [Temp. 31, 40, 39] I filed and sel woodsaw. Var. cold wind Howling all night and all day. Set Jake to cutting up the pond hedge at Jul's portion. [?] request, she went to Conklins a few minutes & I to Youngs. The Milles called for the trees but it was too cold. Clear. �Thursday 12 [see symbol] [Temp. 24, 32, 16] George Young began choppnig wood. Var. very cold. Real winter day. Jake hauled up the last of the Fodder, then hauled wood. Lou had a long race after the buss which passed before us knew it. Mrs. [?] & man stopped & dined with us. Clear & cold. Friday 13 [Temp. 16, 34 ,29] Sent Kales things down & Del's butter. Var. Bitter cold this morning not so bad a yesterday. Jake hauled wood & one of old Rails from the Pasture hill. I walked down to the nursery then over to Hellmans woods to look at our wood then home to read Paul Clifford. Cloudy. [Page 25] Saturday, March 14, 1863[Temp. 30, 48, 40] Var. Moderated very much. Very pleasant. Jake hauled one load of wood & sawed some. Cut off some of the Hedge in front. I went to Arluss [?] crawfish but did not find him [?] at home. Got a letter from Del about the loan. Clear. Sunday 15 [Temp. 36, 41, 49] Var. Splendid spring day. Very warm. Sent Jake home. Jul & I took a horseback ride. I rode Prince, she went very well indeed. We walked up to Ducket's to see about the fence. I found That Young could not come. Clear. Monday 16 [Temp. 30, 30, 38] Var. White frost. Splendid day. I went to town. I got $600 of Harrison on mortgage & brot[?] out a contraband name Charley from Arkansas. Julia spent the day at Camp Dennison with Conklins. Clear. [Page 26] Tuesday, March 17, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 39,69,60] Jul drove over to Sallie's. Var. Splendid spring day. Slight white forst. Kelly & Cole came and I got their trees we dug all day. Gomez got $1.00 worth. I was on foot all day. Very tired. Smokey and cloudy. �Wednesday 18 [Temp. 50, 52, 40] Jul went to Gasmel[?] Var. rather cloudy. Col breeze. Trees all day I dug a few. Made a list or map of the new nursery. Fuller got his 35 trees. Ducket called this evening to see about the fence. Hazy. Thursday 19 [Temp. 31, 32, 33] Charley and Jul washed. Sleet this morning shuck us on arising this morinng & has continued all day being one of the heaviest we have had for a year. Sending the Cedars down awfully. Mrs. Young called & settled her milk & butter bill & the Negro question. Drizzling and freezing. [Page 27] [note written above the date] Polly called at noon[;] wrote to Kate. Friday, March 20, 1863 [Temp. 33, 33, 37] Sleet entirely disappeared this morning. Rained very hard in the night, growing saturated and water. Charley cut straw & sawed wood. Did more warming than anything else. Drizzling. Saturday 21 [Temp. 44, 69, 47] Rained hard again in the night. Charley went to Moore's Mill & brought home $4.00 worth of ship stuff 9 bushels. I was out a great deal today. Cut some Pear grafts. Jul & I went to Conklins after supper. Clear. Sunday 22 Sallie & D walked over, Jul of the way home took the party. Var. Splendid, day quite warm but very damp ground saturated again with water; I got such a cold yesterday by being out on damp ground that I was forced to stay in much more than I intended. Peaches and cherries all safe yet. Cloudy. [Page 28] [note written above the date] [Temp. 55, 69, 62] I sold and dug 4 May Cherries. Monday, March 23, 1863 Mrs. Kennedy walked over. Var. Sun came out hot. Hard rain in the night with some thunder. The frost of the season. Charley dug new trees all day. I was out humming & making Currant Cutting & planting where they were missing. Cloudy. Began saving milk. �Tuesday 24 [see symbol] [Temp. 57, 45, 42] Ms. K left in the Buss.[?] Rained hard again in the night & several times to day. Charley dug a few trees but found it to be muddy. He sawed wood. I did nothing but sneeze. I catch cold. Jim Hazel called to inform us that we are to mobbed. Raining. Wednesday 25 Var. Rained in the night & today, sleet & snow. Thermometer fell since morning. Charley sawed wood. I rode over to Johnsons to brrow his gun to sefret[?] invasion, but he laughed at me being certain they would not dare do it. Snowing. [Page 29] [note written above the date] McShields[?] No 22 McFarland sheet Thursday, March 26, 1863 [Temp. 28, 36, 29] [see symbol] Cloudy, & spit snow all day. Very raw & cold. Charley sawed wood & warmed his feet, I took the wasgon to be mended, talked to the neighbors about overwhelmed [?] invasion but they think it all tosh. Jul went to Mrs Leal's. Anche[?] badly. [?] & cold. Friday 27 [Temp. 28,48,45] Jul rode to Sallie's, fell off some & shamed[?] her. Var. Very heavy white frost. Geo. Hellman came with G. Young with G. Young & dug his trees, about 200 paid for them at 7 cents. Charley dug par of the day, went to Lane's & got 1/4 ton of Timothy Hay. Cloudy. I am very tired. [underlined]{First Butter}. Saturday 28 [Temp. 42, 58, 35]Var. Cloudy most of the day. Some sunshine. Charley and I transplanted the large Princes fig near the Pit to the Pigpen we went hence to the Teals for chickens got four instead of six. Jul is very much better today. Clear & cloudy. [Page 30] Sunday, March 29, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 24, 36, 31] Var. cold as midicruter[?]. Cold wind all day. I took a tramp all over the orchard. Found the Peach buds safe yet but there will not be a heavy crop if they are not kitted. Conklins called this evening. Clear. �Monday 30 [Temp. 23, 45, 32] Jul went to Garmel, I wrote to Ms. Shields. Moderated a little. Drunken Dutch man & got 50 trees in the mud. Charley dug up & planted the German Prime in the Pig Pen. I read all until monthly to Jul. Got tow more chickens of Mrs. Leal. Hazy. Tuesday 31 [Temp. 30, 26, 28] Var. Very cold. Wind all day disagreeable & saw snowed several times. I went to Duckets & had a talk about slanders &c. Charley could only saw wood. I had chilly and bad feeling all afternoon. Clouds & high wind. [Page 31] [note written above the date] My watch went with the money. [Temp. 22, 42, 22] Wednesday, April 1, 1863 We know that Charley stole the money. Var. Very cold. Tornado all night, lulled about 5 o'clock A.M. Discovered that we had been robbed of about $15 out of the pocket of my diary, the window propped with a book & chair on the outside all sham. Clear moderating. Thursday 2 [Temp. 48, 60, 44] We just discovered the loss of my watch. Var. very light wind all night & today. Moderated very much. Mr. Aymes[?] & dug 350 trees. We had a day serenade of Copperhead whole[?] us a Lincolns sign or banner[?] over front gate abrised Mrs. Conklin. Friday 3 [see symbol] [Temp. 33, 42, 36] Jul got Egg from Blanch & set a Hen. Var. great variety of weather today. Wind drizzling snow. We took a walk down to the nursery & back. I went three or four times to keep Charley at work. He dug trees. I made a map or catalogue of the old nursery. Clear. [Page 32] [note written above the date] I met Mrs. Williamson at Del's and [?] Sunday, April 5, 1863 [Temp. 32, 58, 55] �Found the [?] very bad work Whoop [?] Var. very fine day. Charley spaded some beds in the garden. I went to town after dinner and called on Mrs. Shields to see about her son. She agreed to send him out on Wednesday. Clear. Sunday 5 Froggs. White frost. Clear but smokey in town. I left Del & called on Mrs. Shields & persuaded her to let William come out with me in the buggy. I found Sallie & the doctor at dinner which pleased very much. He fortunately came over last night. Raining. Monday 6 [Temp. 32, 46, 31] Sent for the other 1/4 ton of Hay. White frost. Var. very rain and cold. Wind all day. Teal & McGuire cmae for their trees. I had to go out and attend to digging and was so chilled thorugh that I had a 4 hours chill. Tongue swelled so that I could not talk for pain than fever. Jul sent for Dennis. Moan Emetic & Calomel & sweated. [Page 33] Tuesday, April 7, 1863 [Temp. 32, 42, 36] Dr. Dennis called again. Var. Still rain with white forst. Boys worked at the garden bed & with Julia planted onions. I laid a bed all day being much better. Look salts. Tongue still very painful & throat very sore but evidently mending. Wednesday 8 [Temp. 30, 45, 33] White frost. Byos dug trees & planted the first Pears. Var. Sun shone nearly all day. Very cold for the time of year. The longest continuation I ever knew in April. Bennel[?] came for his trees. Julia attended to the delivery. She planted 19 hills of Potatoes in the garden. Clear and cold. Thursday 9 [Temp. 26, 36, 44] Mary Games[?] came in the Buss. Clear all day moderated very much. Boys dig trees all the afternoon. They quarreled this morning. I makred trees for them to dig. I put the Cmiela[?] (which is splendid) out in front [?] Mrs. Conklin child Lucy died at about 3 P.M. Clear. [Page 34] [note written above the date] [?] seed came. Friday, April 10, 1863 �Ursham[?] called to see about his trees. Very smokey & hazy all day. Turned suddenly warm. Real Indian summer. Great lassitude[?] Jul went to town with Conklin to get things for the dead baby. Mary cooked. I sel Wil[?] to him [?] vineyard and horses & [?] orchard all day. Smokey. I rode to Lanes on Prince. Saturday 11 [Temp. 60, 48, 59] Jul was at Conklins all afternoon helping. Smokey all day. Thunder & a shower since supper, Wil trimmed in the vineyard. Old Ben Jones got 12 trees. I planted three May cherries with the most excruciating pain in any side immaginiable [imaginable]. Cloudy. Sunday 12 [see symbol] [Temp. 44, 46, 44] Cloudy all day. Jul has been to Conklins ever since dinner waiting to fix the baby. I put a mustard plaster on my side last night & again today, the pain abates very slowly. Fever blisters all around my mouth. Cloudy. [Page 35] [note written above the date] [?] to old nursery at 2 cent to town. Monday, April 13, 1863 [Temp. 41, 55, 46] Jul went with Buggy to the Funeral. Var. Splendid day. I was too unwell to be out. The Withanes came & took just what trees they liked. Enor[?] Johnson got his 40. I had to apply another mustard plaster to my side & it is not well yet. Boys dug trees all day. Clear. Tuesday 14 [Temp. 42, 55, 54] Jul not home yet. Var. Drizzled a little towards night. Boys worked at the [?] all day. Jones got six apple trees. I have been suffering with excruciating pain in my side. Mustard does no good. I am applying Croton oil. Cloudy. Wednesday 15 [Temp. 46, 35, 37] Swallows. Jul & Del with Baby came with Buggie. Rained in the night and a little this morning. Boys dug a little for Blackberrybed. Two men came for trees, being too unwell to attend, [?] I had to bus Willy[?] Charley washed his clothes. I have suffered horribly with my side all day. [Page 36] [note written above the date] Got 1/4 ton of hay from Hellman's Thursday, April 16, 1863 �[Temp. 47, 55, 50] Mary left Buss[?] for Bataria. Raining this morning. Soon stopped. Boys shaded & dug some trees. McGuire got a few and Witham got a few & swindled me out of the number to[?] I suffered awfully all day with my side & back. Cloudy. Friday 17 [Temp. 46, 64, 52] Var. The smost spring like day we have had for some time. Many [underlibed]{Peaches in bloom}. Boys got in Ton of Hay from Martins. Will trimmed Black [?] and spaded. I put the pram[?] & sash on the hot bed. Clear. Peas up.[?] Saturday 18 [Temp. 44, 78, 67] Kate got home but left Lou behind. Clear all day. Summer all at once. 34 [degree] change in G house [greenhouse]. I was out all day. Perfectly warm out. Hot fever about suppertime. Got out [?] news of Blackbeanes[?]. Took up 20 young Bartletts out of old. Charley began planting nursery. [Page 37] [note written above the date] Set a hem. Sunday, April 19, 1863 [Temp. 54, 60, 45] Threatened with Whittetoe. Var. Showered several times today. Very fine before noon. I walked round considerably interided to hamsplant[?] Cherries but the rain prevented me. Charley showing strange symptoms. Clear. Monday 20 [Temp. 38, 70, 61] Set a hem. Too full. Mary came. Del could not get off buss. Var. Splendid warm day. Charley pushed ploughing for Potatoes & began Currant. [?] planted seed in Kolbed[?] 8 day. Earlier than last year, will cut potatoes. I made grafting cloth & put in a few Pears. Planted Peas. Tuesday 21 [Temp. 30, 75, 54] Del. got off & Lou came tonight. Var. a little windy. Charley [?] & furrowed[?] two spaces & planted the first potatoes. I took up all the cherries in the old nursery. I planted them in the garden in a trench. Grafted the first pears. Mrs. Teal got apple trees. Raining. [Page 38] [note written above the date] Sold Polleys [?] �Wednesday, April 22, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 54, 64, 51] Mary got off in Buss. Rained very hard in the night. Fine all day. Began again since dark. I set the boys to spading the vineyard. I dared not venture out much. Jul & I went over to Sallie's. Raining hard. Put horses in the pasture. Thursday 23 [see symbol above the date] [Temp. 46, 54, 50] Chalrey fixed fence across creek. Rained hard in the night again. Showery. Boys spaded in the vineyard. Very bad day for me. Took cold sore throat & hoarse pulled[?] a manificent[?] Camielia[?]. Plums & peaches all in bloom. Also some pears. Cloudy. Friday 24 [Temp. 50, 70, 50] Pears opening. Var. Splendid day, very heavy dew. Boys worked in the vineyard. I grafted Giffard, Clion[?], & Madeline Pears & Krowser apples. [?] broke and I got a fall. Charley takes sick again. Clear. [Page 39] [note written above the date] Push safe[?] the hen with clever young. Saturday, April 25, 1863 [Temp. 46, 61, 49] Jul left for town. Var. Splendid day but windy & rather cool too. Cool to graft although I put in a few [?] Boys worked in the vineyard. I made a hen coop for the hen which has hatched. Clear. Got two pigs. Sunday 26 [Temp. 40, 65, 55] John called & showed some graft he had put in. Hazy but very pleasant. Not warm enough to graft. I trimmed off suckers & laterals in front of young apples, staked & had blackberries & tanned leaks on kitchen roof besides [?] considerably all over the orchard. Cloudy. Monday 27 Mary did not come. Var. cool at sunrise but turned warm. Cloudy. Boys planted Peas, onions, & okrah. I rode Prince to Willowville[?] & got well jolted[?] Wrote to Jul. Coffee & Curtain[?] stuff came tonight. Charley lie a vines. [Page 40] [note written above the date] Gave Tom salls, he is very costure[?] Tuesday, April 28, 1863 �[Temp. 58, 68, 54] Mary fooled us again. Var. showery & drizzly all day. Charley tied a few [?]. Will & Lou went off after Pigs & did not get back until suppertime. Lou quite sick. I made grafting cloth over & went after the bogs got damp. Took cold. Raining. Wednesday 29 [Temp. 50, 64 ,53] Var. Very heavy dew. Must have rained some in the night. Will took it unto his head to go home. I let him go. Charley [?] vines all day. Poor Tom sick yet does not [?]. I grafted apples and pears. Clear. Thursday 30 [see symbol] [Temp. 50, 70, 50] Jul got home tonight. Var. Clear nearly all day. Magnificent day. I grafted [?]. Charley tied vines. I rode on Prince to Johnsons to find out what to do for Tom. I gave him an injection[?]. His washingtons are in bloom. Clear. [Page 41] [note written above the date] Sent 4 lbs butter to Lanes Friday, May 1, 1863 [Temp. 43, 77, 57] Asparagus. Var. Splendid day. Every thing in bloom. We put Prince in the wagon with Tom for the first time. He worked an old horse. Charley & Lou spaded a bed in the garden. Shucked up brush. I grafted pears and apples. Clear. Saturday 2 [Temp. 50, 80, 68] Wrote to the Commercial[?] Var. Very splendid day. Very warm. The boys wed Moore's seedling Strawberry and Wilsons albany[?] I trimmed house vines and grafted a little. Took Howers[?] out of Pot & put out two Roses. Kate raked trash. Cloudy. Sunday 3 [see symbol] [Temp. 57, 63, 59] Wrote to Robinson for [?] grape cutting. Var. Misted nearly all day. I was confined to the house nearly all day. Did nothig but read, took small[?] out of the cellar. Rained about dark. Girls went to Conklins. Teals & Blanchard[?] Misting. Hen came out with 9 young ones. [Page 42] �[note written above the date] Heard Cookoo today. Monday, May 4, 1863 [Temp. 58, 76, 61] I grafted pears on Silver [?] Var. Splendid day very damp having rained in the night. Charley worked at the Pasture fence & tied strawberries. Will went off after breakfast & fooled two hours so I sent him home after dinner. Raining. Tuesday 5 [Temp. 58, 66, 50] I planted snap & Lima Beans. Girls began cleaning house. Rained in the night. Several showers today with a sprinkle of hail. Charley & Tommy Sturgis the new boy & Lou shelled corn. I grafted Hubbs ditons[?] & cut off accidentally a new seedling apple bloom. Mr. Sturgis s washed. Clean & cool. Wednesday 6 [Temp. 48,, 56, 48] Very cloudy. Girls & two wmen cleaned house. Cloudy all day with a cool N.W. wind all day. Too cold for grafting although I did some Pears. Boys trenched al arge bed for Beets & Planted[?] it. I spaded a strip for Mooses[?] seedling & I planted it. Bummed[?] vines. Willy Came in Buss & brot a letter to his mother. [Page 43] [Temp. 44, 47, 43] Sent Willy home this morning in the Buss. Cloudy & rain all day. Drizzled after supper, very bad for the fruit. Boys spade a bed in the garden [?] stacks & burnt trash in old nursery. Jul & I rode over to Sallies with Tom. I saw Jones about fixing buggy. Raining. Friday 8 [Temp. 44, 68, 52] Brot. Plants out of the cellar. Var. cleared off smokey. Turned warm but I fear mildew has been induced by the raw weather. Boys wed Strawberries & trimmed vines. I grafted Pears & I went to the mill & got 3 bushels corn ground weighed 130 lbs. Saturday 9 [Temp. 45, 76, 60] Ed came in Buss. Spit out melons. Var. the weather has returned to its higher state having been on a cool [?] for two days. We had Prince in the plow and he worked first rate. Ploughed tow spaces. Got in the first Sugar Corn & some [?] Sugar Cane. I tarred the shed roof. Got out the Stove. Clear. [Page 44] �Sunday, May 10, 1863 [Temp. 60, 80, 70] [?] Shadoans had their had their Smokehouse. Var. very warm. I was very sick all night with Cholera morbus vomiting and purging & fever & headache all day. Lou went after hadoan & Sallie & took them home. Conklins took dinner. John called & went all over the place. Cloud. Monday 11 [Temp. 63, 84, 71] Jane much better but evry weak. Clear all day. Will Johnson began ploughing the woods cornfield. Boys burtn trash, planted sugar cane & hoed Strawberries. I hooped water barrel, & Jul & I went huntin.Turkey, Eggs, got 8 & set a hen. Clear. Tuesday 12 [see symbol] Spell[?] of vertigo before I got up. Var. warm all day but pleasant. Charley furrowed some of the wood, lot. I tarred the corn & they willed it in. I did some Bartlett Pear grafting nearly the last. Cleaned out Rochelle [?]. Clear. [note written above the date] Pink Boursaull[?] open. <br [Page 45] Wednesday, May 13, 1863 [Temp. 61, 64, 57] Var. Showery & misty nearly all day. Mr.Johnston came and finished ploughing the wood. Charley furrowed & boys drilled the corn, slowwork. I staid in couse desably[?]. Clear. My seedling Currant [?] for [?] [see symbol] Thursday 14 [Temp. 55, 65, 50] Jul spent the day at Sallie's. Var. Turned cool. Strong breeze. Mm. Johnson ploughed O.P.O. & some in Blanchard. Boys planted corn in the woods lot. I taned seed, made chicken coop under plumtree, hoed grafted trimmed & cooked. Clear. Friday 15 [Temp. 42, 70, 36] Boys finished planting woods & covered the [written above]{early potatoes}. Var. very cool this morning. Fair day. Mm. Johnson ploughs old nursery with his Sod[?] plough & some of the [?] orchard. I worked hard at different things. The [?] almost camein two. I patched it up with grafting cloth. [?] more, corn. �[Page 46] Saturday, May 16, 1863 [Temp. 52, 78, 56] [see symbol] We cut off Calalpa[?] limbs.Var. got a little warmer. I went to get plugh sharpened & to Vails for Potatoes. Got one and a half bushels, had to pay $1. Charley borrowed Archy lot Prince did not act well. They cut up the Potatoes. I began flower garden. Clear. Sunday 17 [Temp. 46, 71, 53] br>Yellow Rose open.Var. splendid day a little cool. I hoed [?] Raspberry. Put out two [?] & cut off Suckers bobbed in a Peachtree & examined fruit buds. Found Smiths Cides badly fizzled out & some others not much better. Clear. Monday 18 [see symbol] [Temp. 43, 65, 50] Var. very cool all day. Fine very pleasant. Mr. Sturgis washed. Charley [?] ground in P.O. & they planted 4 spaces with corn. [?] peas & made flowerbed. [?] [Page 47] [note written above the date] Grimsons[?] [?] First. Tuesday, May 19, 1863 [Temp. 41, 76, 56] I did up the border aside of the house. Var. very Col nearly a frost. It makes me uneasy about the fruit which is left being blighted. Charley hassowed[?] & ploughed all day. Boys cut grass solidago[?] & young brass. I cooked and did housework whilst Julia ironed. Clear. Planted marrowtah? Wednesday 20 Jul went to a quilting at Conklins. Cloudy all day. Looked very much like rain which we need. They planted the rest of the potatoes. I made a bed with the garden and planted my young seedling potatoes & planted my yellow ones in the O.P.O. with the others. Clear. Thursday 21 Jul went over to Sallie's. Smokey indian summer. Determined drouth but very hot. Boys dig melon holes all afternoon. Lou & G. planted yellow corn in the O.P.O. Jonny dug a bed for beans. I was busy all day. Put in about 40 [?] grafts & some peas. Smokey. [Page 48] �Friday, May 22, 1863 [Temp. 55, 88, 66] Sent buuter to Del churned before breakfast. Same copper sun real indian summer. Vegetation begins to suffer. No chance to plant saoked Sorghusse[?]. Jonny got tooth ache & went home. I worked hard all day making a new boddy[?] to the [?]. Saturday 23 [see symbol] [55, 89, 68] I sent Seedling Rhubard[?] to [?]. Smokey all day & the hottest tet, but a breeze sprang up afternoon which made it more pleasant. Charley finished the melon holes & put manure in them. I grafted some, found a few [?]. I took a bath in the creek. Clear. Sunday 24 [Temp. 54, 82, 62] Kate & Jul went to Sallie's after dining. Var. all signs of rain passed off. Not so warm as yesterday. I hamped[?] about all day. Went over to Johnsons but he was not at home. I saw a few Washingtons opening[?]. Some of my conical seedling are opening[?]. Clear. [Page 49] Monday, May 25, 1863 [Temp. 58, 86, 68] Lightning tonight. Var. another hot day, cool breeze. Charley [?] bluegrass all day in the apple orchard. Boys pinched visies[?] and raked Hay and cooked it up. I made flowerbeds & put out vesbenas[?]. Clouds. Tuesday 26 [Temp. 58, 89, 68] Jul went to town to go to the Opera. Var. some signs of Rain if Thunder is any sign. Boys pinched vines. Charley was all the forenoon hunting the Horses which got out last night. I did a big job, took out the Pump and made a new [?] and fixed it first rate. Clear. Wednesday 27 [Temp. 62, 87, 79]I put out melons from hotted [?] Var. Whe had a small shower in the night. It was about half an inch. I made the boys plant Sorghum soaked seed. Charley harrowed the old nursery and & furrowed it out for Corn. I worked hard all day, very unwell feverish & pain. Cloudy. [Page 50] [note written above the date] I finished spadin Rose be hauled in Hay[?] Thursday, May 28, 1863 �[Temp. 62, 84, 72] Jul got home with Conklin. Smokey & hazy all day. Sun pretty hot, Charley harrowed, furrowed & ploughed. The boys planted the last corn. Put in two rows Sugar Corn [written above]{King Phillippe}. I worked all day, felt quite sick again feverish. Hazy. Friday 29 [Temp. 63, 78, 68] <s. Teal & Mr. Conklin took tea. Var. Splendid rain this morning. We got in soaked Sorghum. We had another fine rain on our seed. I made a dead fall trap to catch a weasel which killed sever[al] of our young chickens. Send for sweet potatoes. May 30 [Temp. 64, 80, 64] I replanted Lima Beans. Mr. Kennedy [?] Var. a very slight shower after dinner. I finished ploughing front hill. Harrowed it and nearly killed the horses.Potato plants came last night were only found this evening. Lou & John made hills. I planted 200. I sowed Sorghum load. Cast dry seed. I worked like Field. [note written above the date] First Strawberries Page 51 Sunday, May 31, 1863 [Temp. 62, 76, 64] Lou took Ms Kennedy & Baby home. Var. Rained smartly about breakfast time. Cleared off finely until 5 P.M. when these came up a severe Thunder & Rain & Hailstorm. Our cistern '[?] got stopped up with Hickory blossom & ducked [?] finely [?]. Cloudy. Monday June 1 [Temp. 62, 74 ,62] Ms. D. washed. Boys made P. hills. Var. very high wind all day. Very cool and pleasant for work, Charley ploughed hill back of the Barn. Carter mowed the lawn and part of P.O. Mr. Blackburn of from [?] used Grass knife alld ay in wagon road[?] &c. Splendid Snaps & Polebeans & Sweet potatoes. Tuesday 2 [Temp. 48, 76, 62] Kate went with Conklins. I came home alone. Var. very cool all day. Mr. Blackburn cut grass & line the borders. I went to mill with wheat but could not get it ground. Got a little flower & �meal. Boys are all spaded borders. I taned some & raked old Bark. They raked & took in hay which Carter cut yesterday (drizzling). [Page 52] [note written above the text] Del & family came in Buss Wednesday, June 3, 1863 [Temp. 51, 69, 52] Var. very cool all day. Mr. B. lined baths & raked all & left for home. Kate worked like a horse. I made a chicken Penn and put in 6. I went to Plainsville for the Conklins in their buggy. Boys hunt for [?] but got none. Thursday 4 [Temp. 42, 76, 60] Dwarder & Heaver[?] called. Var. Very cold this morning. Fine very comfortable. Horses got out last night. Charley hunted them, raked hay in Pear O. I put out 70 Cabbage plants & worked hard all day. I raked borders & lined some bed up. [?]. Cloudy. Friday 5 Del went to Amelia & brought [double underlined]{Jonny}. Var. cool again this morning. Boys raked & hauled litter & hay al day out of P.O. I spaded a little bed opposite porch. Hoed Tomatoes. Planted thee[?] tomatoes & [underlined{30 Cabbages}. Kate raked in [?]. Clear & dry. Chickens ate my fine seedling. [Page 53] [note written above the text] Sent Jonny home. Saturday, June 6, 1863 [Temp. 54, 68, 54] Mrs. Hapgood[?] came in the buss. Var. very cool again. Fire would feel very good tonight. Boys raked & hauled trash & hay out of P.O. & cleaned up generally. I worked around the Pit & made one flowerbed. Put out a daily rose in oval bed. Clear & cold. Sunday 7 [Temp. 46, 68, 52] Conklins & M. McGelland[?] called. Var. very cool all day. We could not do without fire. They, the females all took a walk through the woods. I tramped all over the place, Went almost to every tree exam using the state of the fruit. Clear. ,br>Monday 8 [Temp. 42, 70, 57] Var. Cool all day but warmer than yesterday. Charley replants corn all day. Did not quite get one hill done. I went to Balavia. Got Kates Licence to get married. Paid taxes &c. I planted potatoes in the missing [?] potato hills. Clear. �[Page 54]Tuesday, June 9, 1863 [Temp. 48, 76] Var. still cool too day for anything to grow G. replanted corn all day. We got 6 qrts of Strawberries of Johnsons for tea[?]. I went mill & got Flour & Bran. Mr. Adams, Harrison, & Ed came in the Buss tonight. Ms. Clark chd not come. Cloudy.[see symbol]. Wednesday 10 [Temp. 50, 76, 54] Kate was married to Adams at 3 P.M. Var. Splendid. Rain tonight began at 6 P.M. Ms. Clark Maria & Preacher Graham came. Miss Steuss same. Ed Woodruff, Harriet & sons. Four Girls sons Filch Adams, Jewel & wife. Kate Mr. Hapgood[?] & all left. Charley took Mrs. K home. D[?] & Sallie staid. I saw Mrs. Conklin home. Raining. Thursday 11 [Temp. 66, 69, 61] Rained at intervals all night. Va.r Splendid day. I planted Tomatoes, Meons & Beets. Hoed Beans & Peas. Charley covered Potatoes, furrowed & replanted King Philip corn.Pomological Report came tonight. Strawberries are sour. Too cool to [?] well. Clouds. [Page 55] Frdiay, June 12, 1863 [Temp. 54, 80, 66]Var. Magnificent day. Just warm enough. I set Charley to mowing Blue grass in the L[?].O. Lou & I replanted K.P. & Sugar Corn all that had missed, ta[?] dog. New furrows. I had a weak [?]Cloudy. Some lightning. Saturday 13 [Temp. 58, 80, 67] Hanson rode Prince to B. Girls went to Picknic. Var. another splendid day. Charley hoed Sorghum. I made a Turkey Pen. Put the hen in with [?] ones two died. I cleaned Austin Strawberry Bed & [?] it in busy all day. Cut last asparugus. Clear. Sunday 14 [Temp. 61, 83, 66] Turkey hens last one died. Var. Splendid day. Warmer than yesterday. I puttered the day away looking and things. Lou took Sophy home after being here a whole week we were forced to pick the cherries on the last tree to save them from the birds. Clear. [Page 56] Monday, June 15, 1863 [see symbol] �[Temp. 58, 87, 72] Harrison left in Buss. Var. Splendid day. Charley cut grass along the road and some in B.O. I mended gate, made Sythe handle, planted the last of my potatoes, hoed beans &c. Lou wed Strawberries. They raked hay. Clear. Tuesday 16 [see symbol] [Temp. 64, 89, 73] I worked hard all day weading &c. Hazy all day but very hot & close. Bill Dening began to cut the orchard grass} but was taken sick & had to quit. Charley mowed some. He & Lou got the hay up which was on the floor & hauled in one load. Clear. Wednesday 27 Gnats & mosquitoes bad. Var. very hot again today but there was a fine breeze. Charley hauled in Hay & then we cooked up what Dening cut in O.O. orchard grass. I was not well all day. We got up the Black gate & [?] set it for the home pasture. Clear. [Page 57] [note written above the date] Interesting Letter from Kate on board boat. Thursday, June 18, 1863 [Temp. 70, 80, 70] Del rode to Jenkins. Cloudy & hazy all day. Turned cool twoards night. Charley raked & hauled in three loads of Orchard grass. I worked all day mending over at the Barn. Made the Grape Pen up again. Friday 19 [Temp. 61, 78, 65] Del & Jul. went to Picknick. Harrison came out in Buss. Var. looked a little like rain this evening but its all gone. Charley cut the rest of the orchard grass & stuck Peas. He stole $45 out of my closet. I [?] & made him give up all he took, but my watch is all to pieces. Clear. Saturday 20 [Temp. 60, 76, 61] Ed came out in Buss, not at all well. Rained a little about daylight. Remained cloudy the rest of the day. Jul Del Hanson & I went to a Picinc near Milford in[?] Gatches woods & enjoyeed it very much. Charley hoed Corn all day I suppose. Cloudy. [Page 58] [note written above the date] Wrote To Hammond advice. �Sunday, June 21, 1863 [Temp. 56, 76, 59] Conklins called & took wine [?]. Var. very cool all sitting by the fire this morning. I had a pretty good [?]. Hanson & Del took a walk through the O & were delighted with appearances. Emor called & we had a walk & talk. New Potatoes. Clear. Jul rode Prince. Monday 22 [Temp. 54, 72, 62] We all took tea at Conklin's. He left. Var. very cool and fine breeze all day. Charley began ploughing Corn near the woods then raked up the Hay that was [?]. I worked all day at one thing or other grafted apples & budded Roses. Clouds. Tuesday 23 [Temp. 58, 78, 66] Ed left. We had Princes forefeet shot[?]. Var. Looked vry much like rain but none yet. C ploughed Corn and hauled in Hay. I hoed & wed all about reframed the Kitchen roof --- Stuck Peas. Prince got out & played smash. Got a new Girl Letitia Davis. Cloudy. [Page 59] Wednesday, June 24, 1863 [Temp. 60, 72, 60] Var. Cloudy most of the day. Looked like rain but it turned cool & got cooler. Charley ploughed Corn all day. I turned the Shed roof & repaired the Barn. Spliced the back piece. Hoed. Planted beans. Thursday 25 [Temp. 55, 72, 66] Jul & I went to Rice's and got Lard. Var. Cool all day. Some signs of rain which we need very much. Charley ploughed & hoed corn. I cleaned the weeds out of the Blackberries & did some day jobs. Very cloudy. Frdiay 26 [Temp. 65, 70, 68] Girls rode the horses to [?]. Very close. Rained in the night & pretty hard today giving the Ground a good soaking. G ploughed & harrowed a [?] of the pond hill. Got seed potatoes of Ms. Teal & ploughed some. I did nothing. Horsesborke the fence & got out twice. I got a post in but the rain shoo[?] me in. Cloudy. [Page 60] �[note written above the date] Ed & Harrison came out. Saturday, June 27, 1863 [Temp. 65, 76, 71] First Raspberries. Var. rained a little but none to hurt. Charley pluoghed & harrowed & planted some Potatoes on the Barn hill & ploughed the Currant [?]. Mend barn fence, budded roses &c. Horrors all day. Cloudy. Sunday 28 [see symbol] [Temp. 70, 78, 70] Conklins called after tea. Girl left. Var. Showery oppressively. Not sun calcuated to bring on the rot in grapes. rust in oak & wheat [?]. I was around some. Tanned & plached Kitchen & woodhouse roof & put out Tomatoes in the Potatoe hills. Raining. Monday 28 [Temp. 70, 83, 75] Peas. Del & Harrison left. Ed went with [written above] "Conklin." Rained very hard in the night. Var. all day. Charley planted Potatoes back of the Barn. I planted a few in the S.P. hills. Tarred roof and patched. Made sick by it. Put out Tomatoes. Sent for 10 bush Corn to Martins. 65 [?] Buss. [Page 61] Tuesday, June 30, 1863 [Temp. 69, 82, 74] Del got home from town. Var. very hot not [?] breeze. G. ploughed Sty[?] [?] [underlined}{Corn} & Sorghum & old nursery corn. Hoed out Blackberries &c. I was not at all well no sleep with Lou who has had fever two days from eating green fruit. Clear. Wednesday, July 1 [see symbol] [Temp. 70, 85, 73] Conklins borrowed our Buggy. Var. a few drops of Rain fell about dark. Very hot. Lou's fever continues & is very distressing. Sent for Denis who left Calomel I gave him oil but has not [?] yet. I hoed & wed, trimmed gate arch. Warmer. Thursday 2 [Temp. 70, 86, 74] Got a splendid letter from Kate at. Var., a little shower in the night. Ver hot in the sun. Unbearable. C mowed grass in the orch & cut some Brians in the hollow behind the barn. Ms. �D did a large wash. I loafed considerably. Took a splendid bath in the creek. Clear. Lou is better. [Page 62] [note written above the date] Lou out of danger. Fever gone. Friday, July 3, 1863. [Temp. 70, 88, 70] Ed. came up with Conklin. Var. Shower at sun down. Girlswent to Markleys after cherries but they had not picked them. C. hoed between Dwarf Pears. Shocked up hay & sawed wood. I mended the well curb & busy all day. [note written above the date] Lou sick again. Saturday 4 [Temp. 71, 83, 72] Harrison came in Buss. Brot Fireworks. Var. Showered in the night. Very wet nearly all day, rather a poor 4th. Charley left in the Buss & sent me word back that he had enlisted; a very unfortunate circumstance. We had a grand display of Fireworks. Clear. Sunday 5 [Temp. 70, 84, 74] Ms. Kennedy walked over. Var. Splendid day. Very hazy dew. I had Charley work to do which was very hard on the old Fogie but I suppose it must be did. I tramped about considerably. Found the Jannet much fuller than I expected. Too many by [?]. Clear. [Page 63]br> Monday 6, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 70, 85, 73] Harrison left in the Buss. Var. very warm all day. Ed & I went to Plainville in the Buggy & from there we took the cars to town. I tried to hunt up Charley but found he had left. I tried to sell my brandy but could not succeed. Cloudy. Tuesday 7 [Temp. 70, 82, 75] Good news about the war.var. rained after noon & [?] the Haycock I had opened to dry from a previous wetting. I barely had time to put up two, got sprinkled in the operation. I hoed & wed all the forenoon. Began trimming a Cedar near the front door. Cloudy. Wednesday 8 [Temp. 70, 82, 74] �I wrote to Ball. Del wrote to Kate. Var. The sun was scorching hot but there was a nice breeze. I hoed melons &c. afternoon. Lou & I hauled in two load of Hay which used me up entirely. Sampson came to get John to go to town with berries. Clear. Well bucket broke. [Page 64] [note written above the date] Dean Johnson took the fruit to town Thursday, July 9, 1863 Ms. Sturgis raised a sour. We all picked a bushel & peck of Currant. Var. Smokey or hazy very hot about noon & during the afternoon. I picked Madeline Pears the same day as last year. Bob Dickinson began today. Lou & he picked Little Muscl. Cloudy. Friday 10 [Temp. 68, 80, 72] Contraband Jim came on Buss last night. Cloudy & Smokey all day. Heat oppression at noon. Jim I sent him to wkr hauling wood & ploughing Corn & Potatoes. Bob hoed Cabbages & Sweet Pota. I trimmed Cedar & cut one down in front. Dean got back . Lou too [took?] wheat to mill. Smokey. Saturday 11 [Temp. 68, 80, 70] Harrison came out. Letter from Kate. Heavy Fogg, cloudy all day much and has been for some days. Jim ploughed near the woods then fooled away the rest of the day with Bob. I worked at the Barnyard Gates nearly all day. Cut grass and cleaned up generally. Cloudy. [Page 65] [note written above the date] Very cool all day Latitia came back. Sunday, July 12, 1863 [Temp. 70, 70, 66] Sallie & D took dinner with us. Cloudy. Foggy & Smokey all day. I tinkered best part of the day. Cut a forest of young Aulanithus down in the Raspberry patch. Walked around topped Peach trees. Lou took the Buggy with Sallie & D to with amsville & left it there soon[?]. Smoky. Monday 13 [Temp. 62, 68, 66]Very cool all day. Had fire in the. Same cloudy smokey sky. Misted most of the day. Jim ploughed corn near the wood. I wrote a long letter to Hammond. Their men did �latch up little gate which Tom broke & got out let the cow out. Spoill my seedling strawberry. Cloudy. Tuesday 14 [Temp. 66, 76, 66] Ed walked up from Columbia. Var still smokey & cloudy but the sun shone a little the first time in six days. Jim ploughed Corn but the Morgan Scare stopped all work & there was very little done. I was under the weath[er]. Trimmed cedars & hoed melons. Lou & Bob hooked up Buggy apples. Cloudy. [Page 66] [note written above the text] Toe tied tom & Prince in the woods. No mail, Morgan stole Cleveland's horse. Var. cool & pleasant all day. Calvary from Tennessee & Kentucky passing nearly all day. We gave them bread & butter & apples. Could not keep the boys at work for too long. Horses compressed all along the road. Cloudy wind. Thursday 16 [Temp. 62, 71, 68] Prince is out. Buss stopped running. Var. Still shown today nearly clear very cool. They picked up apples, got up six barrels of strawberries. Harvest, Red, Sheaks, Benonis & Astracan Bough &c. I did a snended[?] The Porch Hoor & fixed the apples. Clear. Quarrel[?] Friday 17 [Temp. 52, 71, 62] Violent pain in my side. Ed left. Var. just such a day as yesterday. Dean Johnson kept here & loaded up & started at 3 AM. He got back at about 3 P.M. Sold the apples at $1[.]50 for barrels. Boys picked Currants the last & reaped some wheat. I fixed big Barn Gale post. Prince out all night. [Page 67] Saturday, July 18, 1863 [Temp. Harrison came. Bus went down. Var. very cool this morning. Very hot in the middle of the day. Jim shocked the wheat which they all cut, he cutsome Brians & wed Strawberries. I was sick with pain in the side &c. Made 10 qrts Currant wine. Sunday 19 Frist Blackberries. Duchess of Oldenburg [?]. Var. Clear most of the day & very hot sun. I loafed about mosto f the day. Read & slept. I am very weak & good for nothing. Horrors for several days first in great pain one way or other. Monday 20 �[70, 88, 74] My proposition to make peace repulsed. Var. very hot in the middle of the day, after a deal of distant thunder we had a hard shower after which we had several small ones. Jim mowed Timothy in in [repeated word] spots. Boys picked up apples. The rain stopped them. Cloudy. [Page 68] [note written above the date] Del and Jul left for town with Conklin. Tuesday, July 21, 1863 Dean came over and loaded up. Var. misted al night but ltitle rain fell. Boys got up with my assistance 6 Barrels of Apples. One basket. Ms. Dickinson picked a [?] Goosberries. I hoed the Melons & did sun dry other things. Cloudy. Wednesday 22 Dean went to town with apples & gooseberries. Var. Cloudy most of the day. Jim worked. Cut Strawberries & raked up some hay. Boys hoed sweet Potatoes &c. wed Berries. I fixed Gate Post to the Pasture. I fixed Pasture fence. Lou took Curtains to with amsvilel on Prince. No cow. Thursday 23 [Temp. 60, 84, 68] Jul & Del got home with Coknlin. Va.r very hot in the afternoon. I made them hoe the late Potatoes. Jim cut at Brians & Bob wed at Strawberries. I was tormented to death watching them. I cut suckers out of the front orchard & busy all day clouds. Cows got in. [Page 69] [note written above the date] I never fasted so long before Friday 24 [Temp. 64, 89, 77] Var. & hot to the killing point. Jim gathered apples & boys all together picked up about one & half Barrels. I drove Prince in the wagon down to Carmel & had wagon & plough fixed. Ms. Conklin & she took a ride of about 70 miles[?]. Cloudy. Saturday 25 [Temp. 76, 80, 68] �Jim hauled in the wheat [?] shock. Var. One shower at 8 AM after hard one at 3 PM. Ms. Dickinson & Lola hoed corn near the woods. Jim and Bob pretended I did nothing but follow them up. Mended a basket handle. Trimmed some. Clear. Sunday 26 [Temp. 71, 86, 72] Var. Splendid day. Hot in the morning. Jul Del Pearl & I went over & spent the day at Williamsons. We took wheat to mill & had it ground 20 Bushels. We had a pleasant time & delightful ride home. Cloudy. [Page 70] Monday, July 27, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 64, 78, 66] Var. A little cooler since the rain. Viola & Kathie hoed corn all day. Ms. D washed. Bob cut his finger & could not work. Lou Jim & I got up the load. 2 Benonis 2 Strawberry 1 Red Sheak & mixed Basket of Pears. Clear. Tuesday 28 {Temp. 58, 78, 66] 3rd load pears. Dean went to town with apples. Var. Cool pleasant same as yesterday. Ole Ms. Dickinson & Lolitia went to hunt Blackberries but got very few. Jim hoed some. I picked 3 qrts of Berries on the hill. I took up a US Mare & Mule & somebody colt & done know what to do with them. Clear. Wednesday 29 [Temp. 59, 84, 78]We started for Withamswille. Var. Fine but very warm at noon. Cool night. Jim & Dickinson girls hoed corn. I mended in wod bed. Jim hauled a load out of Ms. Bowoods & one load for Ms Dickinson. Jul, Ms Conklin, Prince & I on the new colt. She reared & fell on her back & nearly broke my back, broke the Bridle. [Page 71] [note written above the date] Bloodyoods & B of Bruscelli[?] this afternoon. Thursday 30 [Temp. 58, 79, 71] I sent Pears down by Buss & Picked the rest. Rained splendidly most of the night. Fine day, after the rain. Jim & I mended the front fence where the mule & all the horses got out. We got Prince & the Colt which moved to be McGuires. We got the mail[?] this evening the mule following. I make Jim him him[?] out. �Friday 31 [Temp. 76, 85, 72] I sent 5 buckets of Pears by Buss to Peterson. Var. splendid day rained finely after dinner. Dickinsons hoed in the forenoon. Jim hoed. C plough with the mare but she would not work. He tried her in the wagon. She worked but too fast. Boys picked up apples. I picked Peasrs Juliennes. Saturday, August 1 [see smybol] [Temp. 66, 85, 72] Ed came with Conklin. Harrison in Buss. Var. Splendid day very hot at noon. Dean went with the 4th Load, 5 Barrels. Sent 18 reviums[?] & 6 Hydraneas to Heaver. Jim mowed weeds in P.O. & picked B. Berries. I soldered load Strawberries &c. Jul rode the Morgan Marc[?] to Depot, much pleased with her. Clear. [Page 72] Looked like rain alone times. Sunday, August 2, 1863 [Temp. 68, 88, 73] Ms. Kennedy walked over. Var. very hot & oppressive in the afternoon. I went around this forenoon and lookd at things & then again with John who called after dinner just as I was going to write to Kate. Felt rather dull today. Clear. Monday 3 [Temp. 68, 86, 75] Var. very hot again today. Dickinsons hoed corn all day. Lou & Bob picked up apples. Jim threshed out the wheat with a flail. Lou took Ms. K home and brought bakc Sallie & D. I did nothing but write to Kate. Cloudy. Tuesday 4 [Temp. 72, 86, 70] Tom Kane & another fellow came after the mare. Var. we had a nice little rain. Jim & I picked the Julienne Pears. Lou & Bob picked Apples 5 Barrels, they then began picking Dearborns which are over ripe. D went to Bowers & got a Keg of Beer we left it & had some. John Lane claims the mare. [Page 73] Wednesday, August 5, 1863 �[Temp. 72, 80, 74] Jim took D & Sallie home with the Mare. Var. Another fine shower today. Several during the day. Jim & B sawed wood, gathered about 1/2 bush Dearborns. Bob hoed Cabbage & Dwarf Pears. I could not be out much. Mended big gate latch & did undry other thing. Cloudy. Thursday 6 [Temp. 70, 84, 70] Jul went to town in Buss. Sent $50 to George. Var. Splendid day after the rain. Jim & Bob hoed King Philip Corn. Lou picked berries. I fixed big gate again. Sent 2 Baskets Dearborns to town Buss he got $1.25 pr basket. I keep me busy overseeing. Clouds. Friday 7 [Temp. 70, 84, 76] Var. We had high wind & severe Thunder afternoon but no Rain although it looked very much like it. Lou took wagon & had Spring mended & Tom shod[?]. Byos picked up apples. I followed up. Made them cut Chapral down by the old nursery. Cloudy. [Page 74] [note written above the date] Harrison came in Buss. Peaches. Saturday, August 8, 1863 [Temp. 74, 86, 76] Julia came home with Conklin. Var. hot at noon as usual. Jim & Bob finished cutting Chaparal then hoed in the sweet Potatoes. Piece around the Pears. I was busy. Two men authorized came & took the Mare. I had a hot walk up to John Lanes. Coughed nearly all the evening. Clouds. Sunday 9 [Temp. 74, 89, 79] Ms. K. walked over the evening. Var. very hot the hottest day in the season; I did some weeding in my Flower garden & walked over the orchard twice, once with Harrison & Del they were [?] the quantity of apples, someone stole all the [?] berries. Monday 10 [Temp. 70, 89, 74] I drank beer all day in place of water. Var. Thunder & signs of Rain but only a drizzle. Jim & Lou & I picked up the load of apples. Bob got sick. Hogs got in & bore and eat up nearly all our lake Potatoes including my fine new seedling. I hard time fixing the fence. Clear. [Page 75] �Tuesday, August 11, 1863 Cranberry. Hogs played smash. Var. Very hot, but fine breeze. Splendid Thundershower afternoon. Boys pciked up apples & [?] weeds. Dean took 1[?] Barrels 6 load 6 market. I discovered that the Hogs have destroyed all our Potatoes. I did nothing but loaf. Cloudy. Wednesday 12 [see symbol] [Temp. 64, 80, 68]Jul & Ms C took a ride. Var. Splendid day after the rain nearly the whole day. Consumed in his [?] the infernal hogs they were finishing the Potatoes & beginning on the corn. There are two in yet. They got up some apples & cut a few weeds. Clear. I picked a bushel Bannalis for Kane. Thursday 13 [Temp. 64, 84, 72] Ms. Williamson & Ms Bond spent the day with us. Frist Corn. Var. fine day. We had two more Hog hunts. They broke in twice & there is me in now. They picked up apples. I washed some which made me sick. I had a hot fever at noon lasted all the afternoon. I had hard work to get up [?] Barrels. Clear. [Page 76] [note written above the date] 7[?] load. Friday, August 14, 1863 [Temp. 64, 84, 72] Del & Ms. K canned Peaches. Var. Splendid weather for growing. Jim & Bob cut Briar & weeds. Dean took six bushels of apples to market. Sold two. Lou gone to Williamsville on Prince. I fixed the cast & front gate handle. Clear. First Citron Melons. Satuday 15 [see symbol] [Temp. 70, 87, 72] Del & Jul went & met Ed in Roseville. Var. very warm no breeze. Jim mowed Briars & Bob cut the Raspberries front of the [?] door. Bob hoed potatoes on the Barn hill. I worked all day. They canned Peaches & Tomatoes. Lou went to Mill on Tom got one Blush ground. Cloudy. Sunday 16 [Temp. 70, 74, 74] First Water Melons. Cloudy. Splendid Shower with distant Thunder after dinner. I walked down & looked at the Corn. Found that the Coons were destroying it badly. Tied Carlo down there tonight. Too wel to go out after the rain. Cloudy. �[Page 77] [note written above the date] Del canned Peaches. Monday, August 17, 1863 [Temp. 64, 83, 79] Ms. K went to Sallies on Tom & back. Var. Sun at noon. Very hot. Signs of rain. Boys picked up some apples and some pears. I hoed a little in side & [?] path. Julia & Ms. K. canned 12 cans of Peaches. I was busy all day. We had Lima Beans today. Cloudy. Tuesday 18 [Temp. 62, 84, 72] Jul & Ms. C. gone on Prince & Tom to C. Var. just such a day as yesterday. Boys Jim & Lou finished getting Six Barrels of Apples, two baskets of Lowels & two of Peaches & one of Pears. I was awake all night with Lou, felt bad all day. Del went to town in Ms Leals Buggy. Two best melons stole last night. Clear. Wednesday 19 [Temp. 62, 87, 72] Del & Jul took [?] Mrs. Teal. Var. very hot today at noon. Jim pretended to hoe potatoes under ash tree. I was on the hots all day. Dean took in apples 6 Barrels 2 basket of[?] peaches one of pears. Lou took oil cloth over to Willamsville. Coons & Hawks taking the chickens. Clear. [Page 78] Thursday, August 20, 1863 [Temp. 64, 88, 73] Sent Ms. Bond some Peaches by Buss. Var. warm in the middle of the day. Jim had two shells at at [repeated word] the Pasture fencebut Prince would not get out. He picked up Apples & Peaches. Ms. K. picked for Ms. Dickinson one bushel. I was busy all day. Tired out completely. Clouds. Fridy 21 [Temp. 66, 87, 74] Very tired tonight. [?] played hell last night. Var. hot again in the middle of the day. They all gathered apples. Picked two barrels maidens blush 6 barrels & half 2 baskets Peaches one of Bartletts the first of the season. I sorted apples all day. Made a new Block but [?] all day. Clouds. [Page 79] �[note written above the date] Harrison brot up two fine melons Sunday, August 23, 1863 [Temp. 70, 86, 76] Conklin called this evening. Va.r very hot about 2 P.M. Harrison & Del went to Camp Meeting. Twice I walked over the place & found a great many apples down. Del concluded not to go home for a couple fo weeks yet. Monday 23 [Temp. 74, 72, 68] Harrison left in Buss. Ed footed it from Rockhill. Var. We had a fine thunder shower about 3 P.M. Rained hard. Lou took the wagon down to have the spring mended. Jim picked up apples. Sorted some. Del Jul & I rode to the gate with Prince in the wagon. He went well. Cloudy. Tuesday 25 [see symbol] [Temp. 56, 64, 58] Rained a little this morning. Out to Bull. Cow laid.Cloudy all day and so coold that we had to make fire in the Parlour all day. Boys picked up apples all day. I picked up pears & made them Baskets out of Peaches. A dead Buck fell on the Rome Beauty on the road. I worked hard to get up the load. Jul canned Peaches. [Page 80] Wednesday, August 26, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 48, 70, 52] We took two on Conklins. Ms. C sick. Va.r Coolest day or morning I ever know in August. We had fire again all day. Dean took Apples Pears & Peaches. I mended fence which Prince broke down & both gates. Dean got home before 2 P.M. Clear. Thursday 27 [see symbol] [Temp. 46, 70, 57] Var. very cold again today. Jim Lou & Letitia got up the laod of apples. I went to Carmel got Tom Shed & got 12 Bushels of Corn of Sammy Lanethen sorted apples & Peaches to Banch Apples & 5 Bash Peaches. Frdiay 28 [Temp. 59, 70, 58] �Cloudy all day. Looked stormy. Rained just as Dean got home for 15 minutes. Jim cut brass in the hollow. Lou went to Sallie's on Prince for the Buggy but did not get it. I went to town in Buss to see about a Nigger, but did not suit myself. Cloudy. Missed the Buss but caught it. [Page 81] Harrison came. I sent Pears by Buss. Saturday, August 29, 1863 [Temp. 56, 66, 49] Jim picked up apples. Var. Rain in the night & a little just at daylight. Very cool all day. Dean came over & helped me to fit the new Bows to the wagon. I picked two baskets of splendid Bartletts. Lou took apples to Dairs & had a barrel of Cider. Clear & Cold. Sunday 30 [Temp. 36, 63, 47] Two Splendid. Var, very Codl, White Frost. Unprecedented weather for the season. Had to have fire all day. Sweet Potatoes vines Cut Squashes &c. D[?] & Lilla spent the day with us. Mrs. Teal called. I picked splendid Bartletts, was over the place. Clear & Cold. Monday 31 [see symbol] [Temp. 40, 64, 54] I rode Prince down to Store for Eggs &c. Va.r Cool but splendid day. Boys haled one load of wood from Keltmans woods. They pciked up apples, Made 6 barrels, loaded up the cider & 5 Br apples 3 baskets. Splenddi Bartletts, 2 Bs. Peaches the last. I mased finger loading. Clear up. [Page 82] [note written above the date] He drove Prince. Del & Jude packed up. Tuesday, September 1, 1863 [Temp. 48, 80, 62] Del brought the buggy home repaired. Var. very fine day turning warm again. Frost. Cut the corn blades some. Mrs D & Letetia picked up apples before dinner. I went to Benniets & to Mrs. Teals. Settled with her. Dean got home early. Johnson took al oad to Temples Cider Mill. Clear. Wednesday 2 [Temp. 48, 83, 70] Jul left for Warren & Del left in wagon fr [for] home. Var. Warmer today getting back to the old notch. They picked up apples. Ms. K picked some Peaches. I went to the Liberty Mill but �found all dry. Had to go to Perrintown but they could not grind. I got 46th flower. Temple could not make our cider. Bad cold & sore throat. Cloudy. S. Thursday 3 [67, 76, 66] Conklins mare Fanny died last night. Cloudy all day. Misted a little. Mrs. Lee, Tom & Lou picked up apples. Lou took the apple from Temples to Davis. Mrs. K drove Prince to Batavia & back in the Buggy & was pleased with him very much. I picked pears all day. Sent on Basket to Gatte by the Buss. [Page 83] Friday, September 4, 1863 [Temp. 50, 75, 60] I coughed terribly last night. Throat. Var. cool all day. Ms Ward, Ms Dickinson, Letitia picked up apples all day. Jim & Lou, Ms. K picked up some. I picked Bartletts. Splnedid fellows. Dean takes seven baskets to Gattie's & five barrels of apples. Dair failed to make the cider. Clear. Saturday 5 [Temp. 58, 83, 76] Var. hotter day than it has been for some time. I made the boys hoe Sweet Potatoes & trim hedge. I was sick but picked Bartletts all day off of the English Tree. Dean took 5 Bls. Apples to town and 7 barrels apples to Gattie. Cloudy. Sunday 6 [Temp. 64, 78, 68] Ms. K drove Prince to Sallie's & bot Don back. Rained some in the night and pretty hard about breakfast time. The boys pulled the wagon down & picked up another filled 5 barrels with apples already picked up by the women. I was very unwell all the forenoon & afternoon. I assorted 6 & 1/2 bushel Bartletts & Amalis. I made a frame to fit the box. [Page 84] Monday, September 7, 1863 [Temp. 64, 80, 70] Lou went after cider & brot it & Barrel. Var. Comfortable today. I had not so much fever as yesterday but a terrible coughing spell in the afternoon. Dean took 6 bsk Barletts to Gablr & 3 1/2 bushels Amalis to Peterson. Only got $1.50 bushel. Boys pulled up apples. I went to store on Prince. Tuesday 8 �[Temp. 64, 86, 76] Arranged with Dair to make Brandy. Var. very little sun but oppressively hot. Threatening rain. Distant thunder. I was very unwell but assorted five baskets of Bartletts. Butter & Stone. They bid up apples. Get 5 in the wagon & 1 Bl Cider. I rode to Williamsville took measure fr [for] Botors. Wednesday 9 [Temp. 64, 68, 64] Va.r Rained nearly all night. Dean could not get off until 5 A.M. then started in the rain. Cider nearly all leaked out. Sold it for 6 cents for Gall. Boys & Lil picked up apples & Pears. I mended baskets & picked up Pears. Cloudy & Cool. [Page 85] Thursday, September 10, 1863 [Temp. 58, 78, 68] Var. Splendid day. Byos & Lit picked up apples & filled 7 Barrels. I picked up Pears & Assorted three baskets 1 Butter & Butter 2 Louise Bonnes. Mended wagon made a seal for Dean. Lou had Tom shod & hauled apples to Dair. Friday 11 [Temp. 66, 86, 76] Sent 3[?] Bsk Pear[?] to Gatti. Va.r pretty hot today. Ms. Dickinson pciked up paples all day. Jim & Lou hauled & put in Barrels. I worked like a horse all day, used out.Completely managed to sort out 2 Baskets of Pears. Dean had the best load of the season. I got the poorest prices. Saturday 12 [see symbol [Temp. 66, 66, 64] I assorted all the Pears on the Porch. Var. Drizzled nearly all forenoon. Rained pretty hard after dinner. Ms. Dickinson picked up apples all the forenoon. Jim took the wagon down & picked out 5 Bls & ten bushels. Specked ones. Dean took 6 barrels apples & 2 Baskts Pears one to Gath sold the other 17 load very poor sale. Cloudy. [Page 86] Sunday, September 13, 1863 [Temp. 62, 70, 61] Conklin & McClellan called to see about [rest of sentence written above the date] McClellans going with Dean.[?] Cloudy all day very heavy dew. I went out over the place & had damp feet all day. Jim got up two barrels of apples making 8. I fixed one basket of Pears. I put a cork in the Brandy and measured 10 Galls for Metz. Clear. �Monday 14 [Temp. 58, 70, 64] Dean took 8 barrels & 1 basket Pears home with him. L[?] came. Var. Pretty cool all day. Ms Ward Him & Ms Kennedy picked up apples. Letitia pretended. I went to town. Buss broke down on Rose Hill. Conklin & I walked to Plainville & took the cars. Went to Del's and dined, bot a pair of wheels for $2 to make a cart. Clear. Tuesday 15 Dean got home early & went after Sheaf oats. Var. Very warm today. Ms. D, Ms W. Ashurn Bennet Jm & Lou picked up apples. I went on Prince to Engage Ms Teals mare for town tonight. They got up the load [?]. I went to see Kilgour about making the Cart. Took salts and felt weak all day. Clear. [Page 87] [Temp. 68, 78, 72] We had Teals mare today. Var. Looked very much like rain fortunately it held off. Ms. K went with Prince & Buggy to Tests. We then hauled with Fodder G Youn tied up a little & left. Jim & Lou assorted 2 Barrels & filled 4 other. Foold time. I was mending baskets & assortnig Pears all day. Thursday 17 [Temp. 69, 77, 65] Ms. K cut grass & wed rose bed. Var. looked rainy all day. Rained a little all the afternoon & is pouring down pretty well now. Jim & lou got up 8 Barrels, Dean & Jim loaded. D got back at 5 PM today. We cannot Teals mare we cannot go. I mended Barrels & looked after them. Raining hard. Friday 18 [Temp. 54, 58, 48] Metz sent for 15 bushels Cider Apple & Brandy his 10 Gale[?]. Rained nearly all night turned cool & cold in the course of the day. Jim cut Briars & slept part of the time. Dean got off at 2 P.M. with 8 barrels & 2 Bushels of Peaches. I went to Mill Perrintown with Prince after the Flour. He wokred splendidly in the Buggy, forded the river without hesitation. [Page 88 Saturday, September 19, 1863 [Temp. 45, 50, 48] Jake was grinding. Dean got back to supper. Var. Cloudy all day but about 5 minutes very cold very much like frost. I did a cold job patching the rooves. Bennet, Jim & Lou picked up apples. �I took old wheels &c. up to Kilgores to make the cart. Went to see Myers about Brandy. Saw Jake. Cloudy. Sunday 20 [Temp. 32, 60, 47] John called & we went round some. Clear all day. Froze last night. Cut everything tender, even Sorghum leaves. I fear it will stop the growth of late apples. Jannets not half grown. I hoed Ships of old carpet[?] on the new Shed roof with Tar. I think it will do but I was too weak to go on. Dean loaded up 8 barrels. Clear. Monday 21 [Temp. 48, 71, 60] Dean got home & loaded up New Ink[?] Var. Moderated considerably. Very pleasant today. M.D. & Ward picked up apples only the good ones. Jim helped load 45 bush Brandy apples. Lou made 3 loads. I worked all day. Made a light Ladder, mended Barrels &c. Engaged Malot to work. Clear & Windy. [Page 89] [note written above the date]<Jim & Lou took apples to Davis & brot back Brandy Tuesday, September 22, 1863[Temp. 48, 68, 52] Dean got back early. Var. Turned cooler to day. Jim & Lou got up the load. Malott began Totaling[?] Cor. I as usual busy. Finished a small basket begun by Millow. Drs Kline & Chapman from Camp Dennison called to see about Shubbery for their place. Clear. wednesday 23 [Temp. 41, 75, 60] Drove Teal's mare. Dean took 8 Barrels, got home at 5 P.M. Var. pretty cool this morning. Ward Dickenson & Bennet picked up apples all day. Made poor headway. I went to Kilgores & had the cart finished. Got home by 1 P.M. Made iron corners & pruned nearly the whole of it. Malot topped corn. Regt 4 Galls in my Klegg [?]. Clear. Thursday 24 [Temp. 56, 78, 66] I draw out 8 Galls Brandy & put it in first barrel. Var. A little thunder & 10 drops of rain this evening. Jim & Lou got up the load 8 barrels. I mended Basket & finished pruning cast all but the weels. Jim worked some on the roof. Dean got home at 5 P.M. Geo. Young began cutting Briars along Conklins fence. 1 Letter from Jude. Cloudy. [Page 90] Friday, September 25, 1863 [Temp. 52, 60, 51] �Var. Turned very cool in the night. Windy. N Jim Lou & Sturgis Boy & Girl picked up. A Bennet & Bob began but quiet at one Barrel. I painted Cart box & wheels. Malot finishe [?] 4 & a half days. Young Cut Briars. Sent one load to Davis. Dean got home at dusk. Saturday 26 [Temp. 38, 63, 44] Dr. Mets called & pd me for Adir[?] apples. Var. White frost this morning. Warm during the day but alarming. Cold tonight. Hattie D. Sturgiss & sister picked up apples all day. Jim & Lou picked up bad ones. I painted [text strikethrough]{bad ones} &c. Bob Ely called and got some splendid specimens of apples to show at the Indiana State Fair. Sunday 27 [Temp. 34, 71, 54] Dean & Jim loaded up. Var. moderated towards noon. I painted new headblock & rims of wagon wheels & front spring. Mended two baskets, Potted a rose, Mended Cart, walked over orchard, Cut some Sorghum grass. Jim & Lou got the apples assorted. Clear. [Page 91] [note written above the date] Overdid myself today. Monday, September 28, 1863 [Temp. 44, 80, 60] Dean took 8 barrels. Man called to see sugar. Var. Warmer than yesterday. Carter girl & Stur girls, 1 Dickinson picked up apples, Jim oversaw & loaded bushels for Metz. I picked up some & assorted, Jim got up 4 barrels. Ms K cut & trimmed Isabella grapes. I cleaned up barn, took down Press & patched straw. Clear. Tuesday 29 [Temp. 50, 80, 62] Dean brought out 200 feet of Lumber. Splendid clear day just right for work. Girls & John picvked belleflowers all forenoon. Just after dinner John got up the load. Shadoan Sallie & Leila came over & shook down Broadwells & Talmans for Cider. I mended mended[repeated word] & picked Capieumont[?] Clear. He left after dinner[?] Wednesday 30 [Temp. 54, 80, 63] D drove Prince to Perrintown & back before dinner. Var. Cloudy nearly all day. Jim Salie Rose Leita & I got up the load. Dean did not get off until after breakfast. Ducket called in the night but could not wake. Dean, I cleaned up Barn & mended what the Mare broke. She eat half our shirts up. Cloudy. �[Page 92] [note written above the date] Could not get up the load today. Thursday, October 1, 1863 Spring broke for the 4 time. Var. Musted at daylight & continued with steady rain all evening during the intervals. Boys picked up apples, John Sturigs picked one band. Dean had a bad day of it. I mended basket, painted plough, filed saw & cleaned up tool shelf. Raining steady. Friday 2 [Temp. 50, 66, 50] Ed & Jul got home from Warren. Var. Turned cool towards night. Jim Sturgis Frank & Lou picked up apples. Dean went after corn. I rode Lone to Blacksmiths & had his shoes pulled off he being used up for work for some time. Tarred the roof. Assorted 2 bskt Pears. Clear. Saturday 3 [see symbol] [Temp. 44, 73, 50] Dean got home to supper. Var. trimmed a little cool after the rain. Windy towards evening. Blew down the fruit terribly. Strugis boys picked all day. Jerin[?] got up [?] for Davis then assorted the load & got it up. I & Jim hauled load of wood with Prince. Un[?] apples & sorted Pears. [Page 93] [note written above the date] Polly went Bull again. Sunday, October 4, 1863 [Temp. 46, 48, 42] Jude & I went to Conklins after supper. Cloudy all day turned very cold & raw. Ed & I walked around the orchard. I repaired & cleaned out my Pit & potted & put nearly all the Flowers down. Sent everywhere to get a horse but without success. Finally got Teal's mare. Cloudy. Monday 5 [Temp. 40, 47, 42] Dean started at 1 P.M. Prince hauled Cart into the Barn full. Cloudy all day very raw for the season. I am dreading snow tonight. Jim got up 15 bush apples for Metz took Ms. Ks apples to Davis & obe load for us. Fourhand picked besdies Ed who picked 10 bush Belleflowers off the trees. Hard work, we put 12 Bushels in the cart. Dean got back at 2 P.M. �Tuesday 6 Shadean was here twice on horseback. Var. very little sunshine the first for four days. Moderated some. Four pickers with Ed picked Belleflowers all day I was busy as a bee. Ms K took Prince to Davis & got 2 Bls Cider to Williamsville & sold one barrel & some gallons & 3 & 1/2 bushels apples. Jim hauled up a cartload of Belleflowers. Cloudy. [Page 94] WEdnesday, October 7, 1863 [Temp. 45, 52, 44] Rained nearly all night and all the forenoon. Jim sawed some wood & got up 8 barrels apples for Kyle whilst I was gone to West Walkers on Prince to buy a horse. I brought them & led them home, had a hard ride. Rained hard whilst I was at Walkers. Cloud & Cold. Thursday 8 [Temp. 38, 57, 50] Dean got off at 2 with a splendid load. Var. cloudy nearly all day. Moderated, Jim undertook to haul wood with new house but disaster slopping & the wagon broke down. Tom got into the stable & made Charley kick everything to pieces. It took me all afternoon to mend it. [?] mended wagon. They began picking Payons Red. Friday 9 Var. Splendid day for work. Jim, Ed, Jul & Ms. K picked Payons red apples all day. Put them in the barn. I fixed the Bin, made legs to a ladder I made yesterday. Dean got back at 4 P.M. Did a poor business for standing in market. Goes again, tonight. Clear. [Page 95] [note written above the date] Thunder tonight. Saturday, October 10, 1863 [Temp. 36, 46, 38] Buss left me, came with Conklin. Took [written above] tea at his brothers. Very foggy this morning, raw. I went to town in the Buss, took fruit to the society, went to Del's, found Harry very sick witth Scarlett Fever, settled work. Cattie who checked me out of about & Dean got home seven. Pickers today. Julia & Ms. K went to town in Buggy to see Harry who is very sick last night. Clear & cold. Sunday 11 [Temp. 42, 58, 42] Ms. K & Jude came home fr town, where he went. Clear all day. Froze hard. Ice in tub. Ed got up and assorted 8 Brls Belleflowers for Peterson. Worked more or less as much a[s] my Boil would allow. Harrison & family brought on their little Kamp in their Coffis[?]. Jenny Randolph. �Monday 12 My Boil disables me the sle[e]pless nights interms. Var. very white frost no ice. Many neighbors came to see little Harry buried. Young Ducket dug the grave. Six pickers today. Ed sorted most of the load. Jim & Lou got 10 doz oats. Pele Jones & wife came Shadoan & Sallie. D walked home. Raining Harrison took Colman to Rose Mill. [Page 96] A Basket of Napoleons Tuesday, October 13, 1863 [Temp. 52, 60, 54] I make a new Picker of Ash & fixed Rained a little in the night & drizzled this morning. Ed & I went down & voled. Ed & Jim picked Splendid Belleflowers & Ed got up the load he worked wist on stopping until dark. I was notable. Got about much b Boil busted. Is better. Clear. Wednesday 14 [Temp. 50, 72, 46]Kyle came to seee about apples. Man got 15 bushels. Var. Splendid day. Dean went to town with Charley again. Ed picked & assorted & hauled up apples all day. Julia tured out & pushed up The Kers of which their were four. I was all moving mending Wagon Box. Clear. Thursday 15 [Temp. 57, 72, 66] Var. Very splendid warm. Six pickers today. Jude worked hard & superintended. I was busy & suffering all day. Put white Peppers & Pennocks in the Barn. Bob Kyle styler. Bob got 6 Barrels at 150. Ed got up the whole load. Metz got 15 bushels & 2 [?] [Page 97] [Note written above the date] Friday, October 16, 1863 [Temp. 57, 72, 60] John came to engage Cider Apples. Va.r Slight rain jsut at breakfast time. Stopped work for a short time. Ed got up the load. 2 Drawers Magnificient Shys onto two pickers. I suffered awfully. They picked Smiths. Cider in the Barn. Dean got back at dusk. Clear. Saturday 17 [Temp. 53, 73, 70] Kate came home tonight. Splendid day. Seven Pickers today. Ed & Jul worked hard all day & made the others work. Lou & Jim took the loads Cider Apples to Dairs for John. I was laid up but had to go out & attend Drs. Chapman & Kline to dig shubbery for Camp Dennis. Clear. �Sunday 18 [Temp. 59, 73, 40] Two men enagaed 36 brush Cider Apples. Var. Rained in the night. Splendid day. Ed & Jim loaded up & Ed & Lou started to market about 1/2 past 12. I walked down to cornfield to get corn for the Pigs. Jim took Ms. K home in the cart. Mr. & Mrs. Conklin called. Clouds. Turned quite cold. [Page 98] [note written above the date] Lou went with Ed. Monday, October 19, 1863 [Temp. 36, 60, 45] Ed & Jim loaded up 6 Barrels. Var. very fine day nearly [?] 4 Pickers Kyle & Sturgis. I was busy all day. My Boil much better. I mended hand Cart & bushed the cart wheel. Jul worked with the Pickers. Ed went to market yesterday & got back about 4 today. Clear. Tuesday 20 [Temp. 44, 70, 61] Put Rome beauties in the Barn. Var. Indian summer weather. I was on foot all day. Fixed a fastening to the Barn doors. 5 Pickers today. Ed got up the load alone [?] up Sorhum. Jim bladed Sugar Cane, Jul bossed the girls & worked. Drizzling. Wednesday 21 [Temp. 40, 58, 47] Dean just got home 8 P.M. Dull sale. Var. Splendid day for work. One Picker. Ed got up 7 Barrels alone, Jul picked, Prince hauled up six loads in the Cart. Men got 30 bushels cider apples at 20 cents. I mended Basket, picked a barrel. Jul phockens cleaned out the apple house. Clear. [Page 99] [note written above the date] Lou took apples to Davis (Indian Summer) for cider. Thursday, October 22, 1863 Dean got back at 7:15. Var. very cool almost frost. Ed assorted the load seven. We got up the Smiths Cider & I picked nearly a barrel of Splendid Pecks Pleasants. Geo Young worked 3 hours cutting Sorghum & Foddes he got Cider apples & some for Apple Butter. �Friday 23 [Temp. 43, 40, 34] Jim hauled three loads of wood. Var. rained all night, it prevented Deans going to market. Drizzled nearly all day. Grew colder. Very raw. I got up a band Tellighockens[?]. Two men got 12 bushels cider apples at 25 pr bushel. Cider tonight than it has been yet at look squally. Cloudy. Saturday 24 [Temp. 28, 44, 32] Baldwin got 10 bushels apples. Var. cold & cloudy all day. Froze hard last night. Appls suffered some but a adieu to them tonight. Ed Jon Lou & Elmore got up Jannets into apple house. I picked all the Pears. Took up flower & put in the Pit. Put on sash, mended step,ladder & did a hundred other things. Dean made out poor. Cloudy. Freezing. [Page 100] Sunday, October 25, 1863 [Temp. 28, 50, 40] Var. very cool. Hard forst. We loafed today. I picked Pecks. Pleasant in OPO. Gibbons all came out and spent the day which broke into our arrangment. I took up five Roses for Kate. Ms. C & Ms Sampson this evening. Clear. Monday 26 [Temp. 33, 30, 43] Kate left for town on her wayhorse. Var. Cloudy most of the day. Mackerel by two pickers today. They got in three loads of Jannets. I cleared out the wheat bin & pulled at fruit, Ed & I got up the load. I huusked Bushel of Corn. Mr Baker got got 15 B. cider apples & 13 B. good ones. Clouds. Tuesday 27 [see symbol] [Temp. 34, 52, 39] Lou went with Dean at 12, dear little fellow. Clear, Splendid day. White frost. Two pickers today. They finished the Jannets & got them in the barn all but the small ones. I picked Shys Romebeanbys & Smiths Cider Red Russets very fine. Husked corn fixed Bin. Clear. (Perhaps I shall [?] Lou again) [Page 101] Wednesday, October 28, 1863 [Temp. 27, 54, 37] �I walked to Lane's and got him to agree to make on molasses. Var. Hazy most of the day, very hard freeze. Hurt the apples considerably. Two pickers began getting in Romantis. Ed loaded & hauled 50 bushels Jannets to Davis for Johns Cider. I mended BM fence and worked hard all day, husked corn &c. Clear. Thursday 29 [Temp. 38, 68, 58] Sent Sugar Cane to Lanes. A man got 21 bushels apples $14.50. Rained a little tihs morning but soon cleared up & became a splendid day. Ms Blanchard borrowed the Buggy for the day. Ed got up six barrels & started for twon at 2 P.M. D Durham called to see about his bees. Clear & warm. Friday 30 [Temp. 52, 58, 54] Burried Cabbage yesterday. Fixed Bell. Began raining at 4 A.M. & continued nearly all day & still raining. Ed had an awful time with his load. Got soaking wet. Kate has been dangerously sick. I wrote to Hammond today. Was not told much. Jim cleared out mad & I am afraid he is gone for good. Raining. [Page 102] [note written above the date] Jim went to Lanes for Sorghum. 59 all[?]. Saturday, October 31, 1863 [Temp. 52, 48, 34] Jul left for town with Conklin. Cloudy & misty all day turning cold very rappidly. I have laid up all day with Boil No 2 suffering excruciating pain. Ed got up apples towards the load. I managed to get dinner under difficulms. Cloudy. Sunday, November 1, 1863 Moderated. Old Clark came to see about apples. Var. Very fine day. I get the meals today suffering intensely while so engaged. I made splendid Soup Bread Pudding & Tulpyhocker apple sauce, that is about all that was done except feeding. I brought up corn & dried it in the oven. Clear. Monday 2 [Temp. 44, 71, 69] Var. Moderated considerably except a hard rain before morning. Ed & Elmore picked up the cart loads. Newtowns besides small ones. I got the meals, put 2 iron hoofs on contraband & put in time, husked corn, raked 4 cartloads of leaves for the pigpen & leathered Rub blocks. Clear. [Page 103] �Tuesday, November 3, 1863 [Temp. 48, 56, 42] Dean took 7 bls to town. Var. Rained a little most of the night. Cleared off & turned out fine. Ed picked up Newtowns all day. Made up six barrels for the load. I some left in the cart. I did house work, churned, mended well & milk bucket with all very lame. Clear & cool. Wednesday 4 [Temp. 38, 65, 60] Rumaway not got back yet. Var. Moderated again. Splendid day. Four pickers today & the last I suppose, all the Romanites & considerable gleaning done. Ed made up seven Bls for Dean. I did house work again suffering as usual. Cleaned up the barn chaos. Clear & mild. Thursday 5 [see symbol] [Temp. 38, 65, 48] Jul fooled us again. Var. Looked very much like rain but cleared up fine. Jim started off & got as far as Carmel. Came back at dark. Ed & I started to husking corn but more stopped by Dunham calling for his Trees after which Ed finished the piece & got nearly 10 bushels. Dean got home late & made [?]. Clear & Cool. [Page 104] Friday, November 6, 1863 [Temp. 42, 55, 40] Fine clear day. Turned cool towards night. Ed & Jim went up & husked the corn at Carters. 6 Bushels hauled down the Fodder & stacked near the Barn gate. I was very sick all night with violent chill & dreadful suffering headache all day. Clear. Saturday 7 [Temp. 41, 71, 51] Jul got home with Conklin. Splendid clear day. Ed fixed a barrel for Smith & some for Market than sorted all the apples under the Hickory Tree. A good job. I did house work. Dug seedling Potoatoes, Lined Cider & raked & ha[u]led leaves to Pig Pen. Clear. Sunday 8 [Temp. 38, 48, 34] I covered covered [repeated word] my Potatoes. Var. Cloudy nearly all day gradually becoming Cold. The prospect for a haed frost is very fair which is bad as there are many apples out yet. John & a Dutchman caled & walked over the orchard. I did a little Tarring as it looked like rain but it cleared off. �[Page 105] Monday, November 9, 1863 [Temp. 28] Fine but very cool. Ed finished getting up his seven barrel. Jim & I got up the Belomnts. Ed & I left for town at 12 M. & like to have frozen going Jim took wheat to mill but did not get it ground. Tuesday 10 [Temp. 28] Clear & cold. Kate did not get to Dels until dinner time. I looked through the market stand at Dels nearly all day. Jim did nothing but load up cider apples. Clear & cold. Wednesday 11 [Temp. 32] Clear & Cold. No one kept the thermometer. Ed & Jim got up Ms Gibsons apples 4 Bls & 2 bls for Del. Lou & Charlie got to Dels about 9 o clock. Kate & I called to see Louisa Masch. Poor thing. I fear she may be on her last bed. Jim went to mill again for nothing. Clear. [Page 106] Thursday, November 12, 1863 [Temp. 42, 64, 54] McGuire engaged 150 trees. Clear, magnificent day the finest I ever remember in November. Julia being quite sick I had to do housework. Could not do much out. Ed & Jim went to town with Gibsons & Dels apples. I got the well bucket up & mended it. Kept busy all day. Clear. Friday 13 [Temp. 48, 61, 62] Ed left at noon. Jul & Pearl rode out in the Buggy. Var. Looked very much like rain. Very muld Indian Summer. Ed & Jim got up six barrels & three baskets. Cow got in the Barn & destroyed the apple awfully. I measured the Brandy & put it in a smaller cask 30 Gallons. I was busy all day. Lilla walker over. Saturday 14 [see symbol] [Temp. 49, 59, 44] Polly got out & made her escape. Began raining about 6 All & rained gently all the forenoon. Jim sawed wood & husked some Corn. Ed Hall helped him. I husked Big Corn & fixed the Big [?] so as to tar it. Ed got home at dark. Rained hard in town. Very cloudy, turned cool. �[Page 107] [Temp. 39, 39, 38] Jim took Lilla in the cart. Misted & drizzled all day. I staid in the house all day excepting a couple of races after the cow who got out yesterday & staid out all night. Dean called & got his whip & took the hooks off of the lines. Ed quite sick all day. Drizzling. Monday 16 [Temp. 38, 43, 40] Jim too kPrince down to the shed. Drizzled all night & all day. One of the most diagreeable days immaginable. Jim sawed some wood & went hunting. I read nearly all day not daring to go out. Ed still quite unwell. Mustering still. Tuesday 17 [Temp. 40, 48, 44] Ms C & Jul rode buggy to depot. Ms C came home with Jul. Rained all night & misted half the day. Sun shone a few minutes but clouded over again. I coughed all night quite sick all day. Jim picked up a few Newtons in the Pear O. He took a load of Cider apples to Davis (Conklin took tea with Jul). Cloudy. [Page 108] Wednesday, November 18, 1863 [Temp. 40, 50, 53] Var. Considerable sunshine today turning warm apif[?] it would rain again. Jim hauled three loads of wood. Found some stolen. Ed sorted apples in the Barn. A man got 100 appletrees, 2 Peas & 1 Doz Strawberry hearts. Clear. Thursday 19 [Temp. 48, 67, 59] Ed started at 12. Jim hauled wood all day. Ed got in his load 7 Bls. I fizxed two baskets of fine Clear Pears. Jim took up apples for cider & brought home a barrel of Cider. John came after his brandy 30 Galls. Friday 20 [Temp. 38, 38, 54] Jim worked hard all day. Letter from Kate. Began drizzling at 12 last night & continued all day almost without intermission. Jim stacked the wood in the woodhouse & hauled one load I did nothing but read, being too unwell to go out. Ed got home at dusk being too unwell to go out. Cloudy. �[Page 109] Saturday, November 21, 1863 [Temp. 38, 43, 35] Mistd all the forenoon very disagreeable raw. Ed sorted apples at the Barn. Jim & Bob Dickinson husked 10 bushels of Corn out of the woods piece. I did nothing but read. Jul went to the store with Tom. Sunday 22 [Temp. 29, 40, 33] Jul got three teeht plugged. Conklins called. Var. cold all day. Froze the ground pretty hard. Jim took a vomiting spell which prostrated him the whole day. Ed had to do all his work. Jul & Pearl went to Sallie's & I did wk the house work. Clear & frosty. Jim took wagon to Willowville. Share. Monday 23 [Temp. 28, 50, 44, 44] Sturgiss & Dickinson picked up apples on share. Var. Cold all the forenoon. Moderated after dinner. Ed got in four Barrels of apples & a barrel of Cider for Harrison & left about 11 oclock. Jul raked up Leaves. i carried away in Basket & raked some, fixed myself. Drizzling. [Page 110] [note written above the date] Ed got home at 2 P.M. Tuesday, November 24, 1863 [Temp. 53, 63, 38] Jul & I went to Sallies after dinner. Var. Misty again before noon. Rained pretty hard in the night. Jim sawed wood & ransacked the country for Lard & Eggs. Got no Eggs. Cowhouse roof felt in. Jim went after the cart & wheels & old rigging. Brought home 30 Galls Brandy. Pumpkin pies. Night wind. Wednesday 25 [Temp. 34, 40, 38] Pearl went home in the Buss. Var cloudy near all day. Very raw & chilly. Jim husked corn near the wood & my seedling. McGuire came & got 15 hoes at $5. Silence reigned supreme. I read some Hamburg vine & covered it. Cloudy. Thursday 26 [Temp. 28, 50, 34] �Skles did clear day. We all took at Conklins. Thanksgiving. Ed was unwell, & I was a little feverish but it wore ooff. Jim & I shelled corn. My seedling & he went to mill but did not get it ground. Brought home flour & Chopfeed. Clear. [Page 111] [note written above the date] Jim &I caught a rabbit. Friday, November 27, 1863 [Temp. 28, 60, 54] Ed would go although all rain signs mecauled. Var. Moderated during the day. Ed fixed his load for Tom. I sorted out nearly three baskets of poor Pears the last. I felt bad before dinnerbut husked Corn afternoon. Got very cold feet. I expect to cough for it. Cloudy & windy. Saturday 28 [Temp. 50, 48, 56]Sold the last Pears today. Rained hard nearly all night & rained & misted most of the day. Ed had another nice time in the rain but did first rate. Jim sawed some wood but loafed mostly. I fitted a handle to the Splitting Axe. Cold & Cloudy. Sunday 29 [Temp. 22, 24, 18] Cloudy & Bitter cold all day so cold that we could not be out. I went to Barn & measured the rest of the corn which was in the waon & put it in the crib. ul went over to Conklins a little while. I fear for the apples in barn. Cloudy. [Page 112] Monday, November 30, 1863 [Temp. 10, 32, 20] Very cold all day. Jim went to the mill & got the meal. After dinner I killed the Pig & had the devils own time cleaning it. I ws out most of the day. Ed had fever. Apples all froze hard in the Barn & applehouse. Clear. Tuesday, December 1 [see symbol] [Temp. 26, 46, 40] Ed had fever agian after noon. Var. Fine day although cold it did not appear so. I cut up the Pig, Scalded & Washed the Barrel & salled it down. Made iron hoop & put it in the wine barrel, washed it out & began racking cider. Sifted Meal &c. Clear. Moderated Wind S. Jul made Lard. Wednesday 2 �[Temp. 37, 50, 34] Ed had fever again. Var. Clear mosto f the day. Moderated fixing for rain. I finished racking the Barrel of Cider. It is splendid. I then husked Corn. Jim hauled wood & 14 doz Blades of Sorghum from Ducket. He is sick tonight. Has a chill. Clear. [Page 113] [Temp. 36, 52, 44] Ed got up 4 Bls apples & Barrel Cider. Var. Moderated very much. The thaw makes the ground very cold. I did various jobs about. Mended big gate, tamed leaks in roof, husked some corn but had backache so bad I had to quit. Friday 4 [Temp. 48, 56, 46] Sallie sick, sent for Jul to come over. Var. Mackarel sky turning warmer. Jim & Bob D husked in Fodder all day. I cleaned up Barn floor, put Romanites in the Barn. I then racked Cider. Ed got home at 10 oclock having sold out last night. Ms Conklin called. Ed sick tonight. Clouds. Saturday 5 [Temp. 38, 52, 38] Jul has not returned. Ed sorted apples all day. Var. Very cloudy at sunrise. Splendid day. Jim & Bob haule up one load of Fodder & a small load of Corn. I did housework. Papered the kitchen cieling where it was broken off & scrubb the Kitchen. It took me three hours. Made a bread pudding & applesauce. [Page 114] Sunday, December 6, 1863 [Temp. 26, 40, 30] Var. Rather pleasant. I did housework as Julia did not get home after dinner. Ed started over those afoot bringing over the Buggy. He met Miss Witham. I went back with her & found Sallie dieing. She left about half past six conscious to the last. Clear. Jim took Cider apples. Monday 7 Ms Conklin took tea with us & spent the evening. Var. Cold but file as ant[?] I slept with Shadoan on the manow[?] Lounge & was cold all night. Had a troubling. I brot over the grave digger & set them to work. Had to get dinner for him and his son. They took Sallie over about 3 P.M. & burried her. Del, Harrison & Pet just got here in time. Clear. Tuesday 8 [see symbol] [Temp. 36, 50, 42] �Harrison, Del & Pet left after brekafast. Var. Cloudy nearly all day. Looks lke rain. Jim fooled his time away. Husked about three bushels of corn. Ed got off at about 11 AMsure to be caught in the rain. I husked some corn, made scraper, mended Barn ladder & sundry other [?]. Cloudy. [Page 115] [note written above the date] Jule & I went over to Conklins. Ms Thompson called. Wednesday, December 9, 1863 [see symbol] [Temp. 38, 43, 40] Ed got home to supper. Cloudy all day. Looked very much like rain. Jim did very little. Cows got in twice. I felt bad & did very little. Sold 10 trees to a Dutchman. Made Loila a stool. She rode on Charley over to Williamsville & back. Cloudy. Thursday 10 [Temp. 38, 40, 38] I went to Davis after the Cider. Ms Ducket called. Cloudy dark & raw all day. E Wind. Jim pretended to husk corn. Broke the wagon tongue & drove out cowws. I overhauled Georges act. Found it overrun mine over $20. I drove cows & built up fence. Pulled up Beets & crowed them. Ed worked with apples. Friday 11 [Temp. 38, 53, 53] Rained before day & has misted & rained all day. Jim sawed wood & greased Harness. I cut fodder tops & made cowfeed she euts[?] He took ole[?]. Ed had dreadful backache. Jim sorted some apples. I papered back of the stove &c. Dark & drizzle. [Page 116] Saturday, December 12, 1863 [Temp. 48, 56, 54] Drizzled & rained all day & is at it yet. Jim sorted apples in the Barn & sawed wood. I linkened all day at one thing or another. Tried to make the Pump work better. Jul worked hard. Ed quite unwell. Raining. Sunday 13 [Temp. 52, 56, 53] I had another cow drive & fence fixing. Rained all night & drizzled most of the day, a most gloomy prospect. Nothing but mud & & [ampersand repeated] mise [mice?] for some time. I �was out a while looking for Peas buds but found them very scarce. This is bad for puel[?] buds. So much warm weather. Raining. Monday 14 [Temp. 42, 34, 29] Ed & Jul rode to Lanes store. Cloudy all day. Burned cold & snowed a little. I gave Jim a blowing lip & he did much better today. He sawed wood & I was going to husk Corn but it turned too cold. I arranged George's account & read. Cloudy cold & wind. [Page 117] [note written above the date] Gave Dned[?] apples Sanblory Fair yesterday. Jim pulled some corn in the trusk. Cloudy & cold all day. Very gloomy day. ED loaded up six barrels & left at 11 oclock. I rakced the cider which was in the molasses barrel inot the clear one & began boliing down the rest. I made Bouce & put on the meat. Cloudy. Wednesday 16 [Temp. 27, 31, 33] I racked Cider & made Apple Butter & &c. Cloudy in the forenoon. Snowed afternoon. Slicted after supper & now Raining hard with Thunder very unusual. Jim pulled two cartloads of Corn & sawed wood. Jul taken with verh[?]. Got vomiting which continued all day. Ed came home & had a vomiting spell. Rain & Thunder. Thursday 17 [Temp. 50, 28, 30] Ed wrote to Kate. I put in a line. Rained & Thundered hard most of the night. Drizzled most of the day. Jim husked corn in the Barn. I tinkered with the Pump & made it worse. Did not find the leak. I cleaned up the Barn & cut fodder. Ed just taken with Hemmorhage. Cloudy & windy. [Page 118] Friday, December 18, 1863 [Temp. 24, 26, 20] Var. Snowed a little this morning & again tonight. Jim Leila & I hauled two bushels of Corn. He plled two loads of Corn & hauled up. I churned & made Cider molasses. Jul called on Mrs. Sturgis who is sick. Snowing. Saturday 19 [Temp. 12, 24, 16] �Ed very unwell today. Cloudy, a few minutes sunshine. Very cold all day. Jim sawed wood, he sawed some for Conklins. I went to Moores Mill. Got 2 Bushels. Corn ground & a bag of Shorts. Jul went as far as Gests got her Bonnet fixed. I paid Taxes & bot a Tureky. Cloudy & bitter cold. Sunday 20 [Temp. 10, 25, 22] Var. Cloud & very cold all day. Nothing but reading & warming done today. Jim cut up some [?]. I felt like kicking him out. Jul & I went over to Conklins and spent the evening. Cloudy. Too cold to snow. [Page 119] Monday, December 21, 1863 [Temp. 24, 40, 36] Ed quite unwell, no fever but bad cough. Var. Considerable sunshine. Moderated. Jim finished getting in the Corn. I began quitting away the debris of the Cowhouse, which had fallen down some time ago. Jim went to Carmel to get shoes but did not succeed. Shadoan called twice. Thin clouds. Tuesday 22 [Temp. 30, 31, 30] Two stray gees came yesterday. Cloudy & towering all day. Looks very much like snow. Jim & Frank Ducket got in the rest of the Fodder. He cut wood for Conklins. Ed went to town with Conklins. I had the blues for two or three days. Wednesday 23 [Temp. 28, 28, 20] Cloudy all day & very cold & going to be colder tnoight. Jim spent the morning at the Shoemakers. Sawed some wood. I was very much under the weather. Severe pain in the Heart. Ed got home late with Conklins. & very unwell. Clear & cold. [Page 120] Thursday, December 24, 1863 [Temp. 14, 34, 24] Del got my note of alarm and came in the Buss. Clear & bitter cold all day. My dear boy was taken with dreadful hemorrhage of the Lungs at 3 oclock A.M., & after nearly suffocating, lulled off until 11 AM, when he had a severe attack & succumbed. Adieu, dear son. Clear. Friday 25 [Temp. 26, 40, 32] �Harrison came in Bugg & took Del home. Var. This is the gloomiest day of my life, my only son Edward was buried! I never knew how much I loved him! Satuday 26 [see symbol] [Temp. 36, 46, 42] I took Ms. K & D Shadoan home. Got very damp. Nothing worth recording. All looks blank --letter from Slittman, violent pain in my heart still. Drizzling. [Page 121] [Temp. 42, 48, 49] Rained all night and all day & still at it. Jul & I took dinner at Conklins at suppertime. I cut cowfeed. Raining. Monday 28 [Temp. 37, 34, 36] Cloudy all day. Spit shower[?] & sleet a little. Jim sawed wood. I was busy fixing alarm clock &c. Ms Dickinson & Jul washed. We had options which had been intended for Christmastime. Cloudy & windy. Tuesday 29 [Temp. 32, 40] I went to Dels & took Sophy to Baza. Var. Jim & I loaded up two barrels of Cider & took it to town & sold it to Paul for $16. We took Tom & Charley, intending to sell Lehang[?]. Put up at woods where Jim slept. Cloudy. [Page 122] Wednesday, December 30, 1863 Sent Jim home with Tom & wagon. Drizzled all day. I came near suffocating at the Bazarr last night & riding in the rain twice to Nora Depot & Cameys Stable caused Hemorrhage of the throat & Cold, could not sell him. Thursday 31 [Temp. 50] Drizzled all day & what I wrote yesterday occured today. Snowed by bedtime & great change. Julia came in the late train. Found her at Dels. Snowing. One of us gone, Poor Ed! Will we be here next year? Perhaps this is the last diary I shall complete. [remaining memoranda pages left blank] �[Cash Account, January] [Cash Account, February] [Cash Account, March] [Cash Account, April] [Cash Account, May] [Cash Account, June] [Cash Account, July] [Cash Account, August] [Cash Account, September] [Cash Account, October] [November & December cash accounts left blank] [Memoranda Page 1] [Memoranda Page 2] [Memoranda Page 3] [Inside Back Cover] [Back Cover] � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Civil War and Slavery Collection Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 Slavery--United States African Americans United States--Politics and government--19th century Description An account of the resource A selection of correspondence, diaries, official documents, photographs related to the American Civil War and to the institution of slavery, collected by Harvey E. Lemmen. The collection includes a selection of documents from ten states related to the ownership of slaves and abolition, correspondence and documents of soldiers who fought in the war and from family members and officials, diaries and letters of individuals, and a collection of mailing envelopes decorated with patriotic imagery. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Lemmen, Harvey E. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/472">Civil War and Slavery Collection (RHC-45)<br /></a><a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/470">John Bennitt Diaries and Correspondence (RHC-43)<br /></a><a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/471">Nathan Sargent Papers (RHC-44)<br /></a><a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/478">Theodore Peticolas Diary (RHC-51)<br /></a><a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/476">Civil War Patriotic Envelopes Collection (RHC-51)<br /></a><a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/479">Whitely Read Diary (RHC-52)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1804-1897 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg; application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Image; Text Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1804-1897 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-51-Peticolas-diary Title A name given to the resource Theodore Peticolas Diaries Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Peticolas, Theodore (1800-?) Description An account of the resource Theodore Victor Peticolas, born 29 Feb. 1800 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was a fruit farmer in Union Township, Clermont County, Ohio at the time he maintained this diary. It contains his account of the day-to-day routine farm work, crops, family, neighbors, and social life. Peticolas' son Edward, by 1863, had been discharged from the 6th Ohio Infantry Regiment for a disability suffered in the War. Edward died on Christmas eve, 1863. Subject The topic of the resource Diaries Peticolas, Theodore V. Peticolas, Edward Agriculture Farms, Small Fruit growers Personal narratives, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Ohio Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1864) Clermont County (Ohio) Ohio Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/478">Theodore Peticolas Diary (RHC-51)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7bc5b7086193d5259826fcabf157ae09.pdf 2e161822e55a1c9a3a85efc74de7dde2 PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Incunabula Description An account of the resource The term incunabula refers to books printed between 1450 and 1500, approximately the first fifty years following the invention, by Johann Gutenberg of Mainz, of printing from moveable type. Our collection includes over 200 volumes and numerous unbound leaves from books printed during this period. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1450/1500 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Incunabula Collection (DC-03) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United </a> Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource text Language A language of the resource eng it la nl de Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Opera Latina [folium 86] Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03_086Petrarca1496 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Petrarca, Francesco Description An account of the resource One leaf from Opera Latina by Francesco Petrarca and edited by Sebastian Brant. Printed in Basel by Johann Amerbach in 1496. [GW M31505; ISTC ip00365000] Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Basel: Johann Amerbach Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Language A language of the resource la Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1496 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Brant, Sebastian (editor) Type The nature or genre of the resource Text https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b9738ce17d4916a8f1da03a0ddca6316.pdf 4c0522d01bdb3d6e6ccf67ba6579f45b PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Incunabula Description An account of the resource The term incunabula refers to books printed between 1450 and 1500, approximately the first fifty years following the invention, by Johann Gutenberg of Mainz, of printing from moveable type. Our collection includes over 200 volumes and numerous unbound leaves from books printed during this period. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1450/1500 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Incunabula Collection (DC-03) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United </a> Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource text Language A language of the resource eng it la nl de Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource De Remediis utriusque fortunae [folium 107] Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03_107Petrarca1490 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Petrarca, Francesco Description An account of the resource One leaf from De Remediis utriusque fortunae by Francesco Petrarca. Printed in Heidelberg by Heinrich Knoblochtzer not before 1490. [GW M31621; ISTC ip00408000] Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Heidelberg: Heinrich Knoblochtzer Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Language A language of the resource la Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1490 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Type The nature or genre of the resource Text https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e4564454a862275458386b01313a1548.pdf d56e897a2d9e09cf26664897c878135e PDF Text Text � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9ac7c5416ca59409dc4d93fa97fce525.pdf 7a25bf17265d2ed71402c4ee0f38da54 PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Incunabula Description An account of the resource The term incunabula refers to books printed between 1450 and 1500, approximately the first fifty years following the invention, by Johann Gutenberg of Mainz, of printing from moveable type. Our collection includes over 200 volumes and numerous unbound leaves from books printed during this period. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1450/1500 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Incunabula Collection (DC-03) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United </a> Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource text Language A language of the resource eng it la nl de Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Opera Latina [folia 26 a-b] Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03_026Petrarca1496 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Petrarcha, Francesco Description An account of the resource Two leaves of Opera Latina, the first collected edition of the works of Francesco Petrarch, edited by Sebastian Brant. Printed in Basel by Johann Amerbach in 1496. Illustrated with historiated woodcuts and red and blue rubricated initials. [GW M31505; ISTC ip00365000] Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Basel: Johann Amerbach Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Petrarca, Francesco, 1304-1374 Language A language of the resource la Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1496 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Brant, Sebastian (editor) Type The nature or genre of the resource Text https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/eded5ef8e5516cd446dddcc17e7b89ed.m4v 278592a3e572a9a24588c53c16982846 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fd499bc71424407048b75bd0272a4666.pdf 11adbdca6a3ad3ecd7e37e0c6272cf29 PDF Text Text ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW ANN PETROVIC, Infield Shortstop Women in Baseball Born: November 17, 1928 Aurora, Indiana Resides: Tucson, Arizona Interviewed by: James Smither, PhD, GVSU Veterans History Project, August 7, 2010, Detroit, MI at the All American Girls Professional Baseball League reunion. Transcribed by: Joan Raymer, October 4, 2010 Interviewer: “Now Ann, can you start by giving us a little bit of background on yourself?” I was born and raised in Aurora, Indiana. There were about five thousand people and I was the youngest of nine children. I had five brothers, and now you know where I got started in baseball, and three sisters. That’s how I got started in baseball. Interviewer: “In what year were you born?” I was born on November 17, 1928. Interviewer: “What did your family do for a living?” My father worked at a chair factory, he was a bandsawer and he sawed legs and arms and stuff for chairs and that’s what we did for a living. Interviewer: “So, did he keep that job through the depression?” He did. He was about fourteen years old when he started and he worked until he was about seventy-eight years old. Interviewer: “What kind of school did you go to?” 1:03 Well, I went to school; I went like anyone else you now, elementary and junior high, then high school. Interviewer: “When did you start playing sports?” 1 �I had five brothers of course and when I was real little we lived on a farm and I kind of hung around with my brothers a lot and whenever they would go play ball-- of course they were on any team—if anyone would give them a uniform they would play. They were on church league, industrial leagues or anything. As far as I can remember, I used to tag them around to the ball parks and everything and every time they would, I grew up eventually, put me into the field and let me play with them and as soon as one of them would go out and—second base, they would go out and take batting practice, I would take their position. 2:04 I kept going with them every year and playing at home with them and in the winter time, of course, the snow was up over the house, so we would move furniture and then we would play ball in the house from the living room to the dining room. I can remember one brother, he was fantastic and the Cincinnati Reds wanted him, but he got injured in World War II and he’s the one that taught me everything. He played shortstop and of course that’s what I played. We played all winter because we just played in the house and that’s all we had in those days. If you had a mitt and you had a ball, you went out and played ball, but I had to play with the boys because the girls couldn’t catch me you know. They would say, “don’t play with “Shorty Meyer” she’s nothing but a tomboy”. In those days no one would play with me and of course I couldn’t play with the girls anyway. My name was not good and it wasn’t exactly right for a girl to go out and play ball in those days, so that’s how I got started, with my brother. 3:03 Interviewer: “When you were in junior high and high school did you have any chance to play organized sports?” 2 �Yes, I was with sports all through and in senior high they even had a parade and they picked out the best athletes, a girl and a boy, and I was the best of the girls and they had a big parade and this was a town of five thousand people and everyone knew what you were doing almost—they knew when I was going to All American to try out and everything, so they had a parade for us and I was the athlete of the whole school. Interviewer: “How old were you when you tried out for the All American?” Ok, when I tried out for the All American I was only fifteen years old. The way I got into the All American is my father read in the Cincinnati Inquirer that Betsy Jochum was going to go and play in the Girls All American Baseball and all these fifteen years I had been playing with my brothers and everything and I said, “there must be a team that I can get on somewhere in this place”, and he said, “well, I’ll go up and talk to her parents and see where she went”. I said, “ok”, so he went up and talked to Betsy Jochum and in those days it wasn’t easy to go from one place to another hardly. 4:20 Cincinnati was about thirty-five miles from us, we lived in Aurora, Indiana right on the Ohio River, so he went up there, my father did, and he got the address of the people, so they said, “you bring her up, we’re going to try out at Peru and La Salle, Illinois”. They had six ball parks I think and they said to go up there and try out, so I went up there after we got the address and they said to come on up, so I went up there and the first day I was so nervous I couldn’t even hardly catch the ball. All these girls and all this excitement and everything, so my father said, “we’re going home tomorrow”, and I said, “oh no, I gotta meet all those people that thought I was going to make it and everything?” He said, “yup, the way you played today you won’t even sigh a contract or anything”, so I said, “ok, give me one more day”, so I went the next day and I said, “over on first base is my brother Wally, 3 �second base is my brother----“, and I went on and I was playing with my brothers all this time, so I didn’t even look at the girls and man, when that ball was hit to me I threw it over to first and went all around there, so that night I signed the contract. 5:32 I sort of relaxed and played the way I was supposed to play, so anyway, that’s how I made it. Interviewer: “And your father thought that was a good idea?” Yes, he sure did and he was there after I signed the contract. I have a picture of my father standing there beside me and then he asked if I was going to be in good hands and the manager said, “yes, she’ll be in good hand and we’ll take care of her”. I had never been away from home for fifteen years and my mother cried when I left, but anyway a couple of nice All Americans took me in, Faye Dancer and Pepper Beare, I was on their team and I went right to Minneapolis. Anyway, they took me in. The chaperones; they help you if you’re homesick or anything like that, that’s their job. 6:20 I got over it after a while and I spent a whole year with the All American. Interviewer: “Now, did you join them after their spring training or were you part of that?” After spring training, and then they put you on a team, after I tried out and everything. Interviewer: “You tried out, but did you go to a spring training with the whole league there or did you just go to join a team?” Well, the whole league was there. Interviewer: “I think in 1944—did they use Wrigley Field that year?” Yes Interviewer: “Ok” 4 �After—after we played ball, I went back to school, in the wintertime. We weren’t in the playoffs or anything. That was in September. Interviewer: “I was just trying to follow the sequence of events. So did you go to Chicago to try out or did you first go someplace else?” 7:15 After I got through they told me, at the end of the season or almost to the end, they asked me to go Chicago with the National League because they need players over there, so then I went to Chicago and it was the same year, at the end of the year almost, in September, and they told me to go over there and see them. I went over there and tried out over there and I made it, but it was just about at the end of the year. Interviewer: “I was still talking about the beginning of the season.” The beginning of the season when I went to Peru and La Salle, Illinois—then what they do after that is put you on a team and that’s when they sent me to Minneapolis. 7:59 Interviewer: “Ok, all the way to Minneapolis.” After Minneapolis they sent me to Kenosha. I was traded for Liz Mahon, so I went to Kenosha and played. One or the other, but Minneapolis only lasted one year. Interviewer: “When you joined the league, did they give you a list of all the rules and regulations and how you were supposed to behave and the way you were supposed to dress?” Oh yes, you had to be in at ten o’clock and when you’re in your own home town, of course, you’re always with a family and there’s always two of you. They never go in with one person, so they did put me with a roommate and get me a place to stay in the town where we stayed, like in Minneapolis or Kenosha. 8:50 Interviewer: “Did they have a dress code that you had to follow?” 5 �Oh yes and you’ve heard this a hundred times, you had to wear a skirt. You could wear shorts inside when nobody saw you, but you had to wear that skirt and dress up when you would go outside. Both of us never smoked, but you couldn’t smoke or anything like that and you had to dress up when you went out into public, and they had the charm school. When they had the charm school they looked at me and they picked me out of that whole bunch and used me as an example. I just came up and I wasn’t the type to--I was a tomboy anyway--dress up anyway, and they would say “Ann you come up here, we’re going to use you”, so they fixed my hair and fixed me all up and I was a little embarrassed. I was only fifteen you know, and never been—anyway, they used me as an example when they had the charm school. 9:42 They would teach you how to walk and how to sit and when you go to someone’s home they wanted you to be ladies--to be ladies and play like men, that’s what they wanted me to do, so that’s what I did. Interviewer: ‘So, you actually got the charm school experience, because a lot of the players that joined later didn’t have that, but you were still early enough that they were still doing it.” It was a good thing and to this day I remember the things they told me and I never forgot it. How to sit, how to do—and it’s good, some of the education I never had in my life being on the farm you know. Interviewer: “Now, were you a starting shortstop? Did you get to play regularly with the team?” No, when I started that was a problem, they had too--enough players in those leagues and they told me to go out there to Chicago and play and get more experience and then you can come back to the all American. Well, I got more experience and I liked it a lot and I 6 �was playing all the time, so after that I said, “no, I don’t want to go back”. I was familiar with the team and the league and all the people and Charlie Bidwell was good to me. 10:56 I played for the Bluebirds, Eddie Kolski was good to me and all of them, so I said, “no, I’m going to stay up here”. They needed players in the All American—see, they went from underhand and sidearm to overhand and a lot of girls came up to the National League because they didn’t want to pitch overhand and we had a lot of girls up there. I said, “hey this is great for me and I’m playing all the time, so I’m staying here”. I made a good name for myself up there. 11:22 Interviewer: “Ok, you did get to play in some of the games with the All American?” Oh yes, I was backing up Pepper Beare in shortstop when I was playing in Minneapolis and when she got hurt I went in, yes I did. Interviewer: “In Kenosha did you get to play?” Yes, the same thing there in Kenosha. I didn’t go in all the time as a regular player, but I used to go in when anybody would get hurt or when they were way ahead and they wanted to see what I could do and things like that, but I did get to play quite often. Interviewer: “Were you a good hitter?” I always betted first or second, I was fast because I always ran from my dad all the time because I got in trouble on the farm and I had a lot of speed. I slid a lot and I got a lot of strawberries. Batting, my brothers and them, they never did give me much help because when we took position I took the infield and they never let me bat. They would go in for game practice and they never let me bat. I warmed up my brother when one pitched and I caught a lot and did a lot of infield, but they never let me bat much, so I had to learn that 7 �when I was on the All American. 12:33 That’s the position I was in. Defense, but not offense, but they were working on it. Interviewer: “When you were playing for Minneapolis, did you have some long road trips?” Did we have long road trips? Well, playing for Minneapolis, I can remember this one— we were getting on this train, not the bus, the train, and it was a troop train, I’ll never forget it. Fifteen girls got on that train with these servicemen and it was something else. I was fifteen years old, so I just got in a corner and watched what was going on. The guys were wanting you to write to them and asking when they go overseas and stuff like that. They were giving out addresses and talking to you and stuff, but it was some experience and I really enjoyed that. That’s the only thing I can remember that really happened when we were traveling, but otherwise we went on the bus. 13:28 Interviewer: “Did it take a long time to get from Minneapolis to the other places?” No, from this day I don’t remember, but all of them were pretty much close together the year I went in 1944. We didn’t have to travel too much, but I can remember going on the busses and stuff from one place to the other, so it was interesting anyway. Interviewer: “Tell me a little bit about how the softball leagues in Chicago worked.” Oh, in Chicago? In Chicago you only played ball at night and I think you had eight to ten teams in Chicago and I worked at the Edgewater Beach Hotel during the day. Now this is exciting because I worked at the reservation office. Now, when the ball players came in at the Edgewater Beach Hotel, we’re talking about the National League, they came in and they only played in the daytime because there were no lights at Wrigley Field, so I would 8 �meet them at the door because I knew they were coming in. 14:29 I met Mel Ott and Harry “The Hat” Walker and all those guys you know, and I was at the door and I met them and I told them who I was and that I was playing ball. They wanted to come out and see me play ball because they had nothing to do at night and here I was working during the day, so I set them up and they took a cab out to watch me play ball and the first time they watched me they said, “hey come over here. The next time you come to the hotel I want to show you how to bat”, so they got a bat out and they started showing me how to stand and bat and they were trying to help me and everything, but it was exciting and I met the whole team when they came in and had a lot of pictures taken and autographs and I have several balls from them that are very valuable to me today. I got to know them well and that was exciting. Whenever they would come into the hotel, and I knew when they were coming because I was making their reservations, so it was great. 15:24 Interviewer: “So you had a day job, but then did they also pay you to play the ball games at night?” Oh yeah, we got paid just like we would in All American. The National League paid the same and I got the same amount. They made sure that where you were working, that it was a good place and they were the ones that helped you get the job. There were certain jobs they didn’t want you to do because it was too hard on you and you couldn’t play ball. Here I was just sitting at a desk and I didn’t have to use up much energy, so they placed you where and in jobs so you could still play ball. You had the day free, but you would go out and play at night, so it was no problem with me to do that. 9 �Interviewer: “When you played for the All American and you had gone in at fifteen, you weren’t done with high school yet.” 16:27 No, I played all through high school and I was in the National League, but I played in the summer, then when we had playoffs that would run into September and school was still going on, I went ahead and finished up the playoffs and then when I went back to school they let me make that up. They were nice enough to say, “hey you’re two weeks late or three weeks late”, and they helped me to make it up so I would catch up with the other students in the high school. I did graduate from high school because of their help and everything, so I went right through. I was the only one, oh there were two, of nine that graduated in my family and I was one of them. Interviewer: “When you were playing in Chicago, where did you live?” I lived—when I worked for Edgewater Beach they had a an apartment for employees and I lived there and before that, before I got into Edgewater Beach, we had an apartment and my father said, “hey, since she’s not traveling, I’m going to send your two sisters”, and two of my sisters came out to Chicago to live with me. 17:38 She said, “I want you to take care of Shorty”, that’s what they called me at home, she said, “I want you to take care of her, so I’m sending you guys out to stay there”, so they got a job, and it was during the war of course, in an airplane factory, both of them did, and it wasn’t hard to get a job in Chicago in those days. I went ahead and worked at Edgewater and they worked at the plane company and they took care of me and when I had to go to the ballpark I always took the El and I rode place to place around Chicago on the El by myself at night and you can’t do that today. 18:23 Interviewer: “You can in a lot of Chicago, not all of it”. 10 �Anyway, that’s what I did. Interviewer: “How long did you play in Chicago?” I played in Chicago—I played pro ball until 1950. I went to college after high school and the first year in college, and of course that college that I went to, the same problem I had all year, girls aren’t supposed to play with boys. I was called into the president’s office because I was playing ball with a boy on campus. Do you believe that? I was passing ball with a boy on campus, so they called me into the president’s office and they said, “we are not allowed to do that here”. It was at Nyack College in Nyack, New York, and I said, “well, if I can’t keep up in the wintertime because of all the snow and everything, and all the girls in Florida and California and Phoenix, Arizona and places are playing year around and they go back to spring training and they’re all in shape and here I am in snow country and I gotta keep in shape if I want’ a do anything and stay in the league with the rest of them. I wouldn’t have enough money to come back here next year if I didn’t make the team.” 19:45 He said, “ok, we’ll change the rules”, so I got to play ball with the boys and beside that I joined the Y to keep up on the exercise in Nyack, New York where the college was. I went down there and worked out myself a lot in between, but when it got warmer I played outside with the boys. So that’s the story on that one. Interviewer: “All right, then what did you get your degree in at college?” In college, Christian education and I wanted to be a physical education teacher, then I met this nice man and went two years to college, three—I know I had one more year to go and I went ahead and he was one year behind me, so I went to work and helped put him through and I decided to get married and that was something too because we announced our engagement and they said, “freshmen aren’t supposed to get married”, 11 �because they only had three years in this college and you had to go three and I went two years. He said, “I’m not the one that’s announcing it, she’s announcing it and she’s a sophomore”, so it was all right and they changed the rules on that one too. 20:57 I went to work and I worked at Lederle’s’in Pearl River, New York and I made Oramycin capsules in those years and I helped put him through college, so he got to finish. Interviewer: “What did you do after that?” After we went to Nyack, we settled down in a town, after he graduated, in 1952 we settled down in Ashland, Ohio. Now, Ashland is about 20,000 people between Cleveland and Columbus. He was born in Mansfield and he was a professional photographer, so he got a job there in Ashland and we settled down and we bought a home and we stayed there and raised two children, two boys, and we lived there from 1952 until 1978 and then we moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1978 and that’s where we live now. 22:02 Interviewer: “I guess, while you were playing and going off to college and after you finished playing, did the people around you know that you had been a professional athlete?” No, they didn’t believe me. My boy, when he went to school, he said, “my mom was a professional ball player”, they had show and tell and he was in the first or second graded I thing, and he said, “my dad is a professional photographer”, and he gets up and they didn’t believe his mom was a professional ball player and I would tell the neighbors, “I used to play pro ball” and they would say, “oh yeah, my mom was a garbage collector”, and they didn’t believe it., so that’s what we went through all these years until the movie came out in 1992 and that was different now. They called me up two or three times in Ashland, Ohio, they wanted me to come back, so this October the 9th, I go back to 12 �Ashland, Ohio and I will be in the Sports Hall of Fame this year. 23:06 They all believed me after the movie came out and now they want me in the hall of fame, so that’s quite an honor. Interviewer: “Were you involved at all in any of the events surrounding the movie?” Around the National, two blocks from the biggest park, they had softball tournaments, industrial, in Ashland, Ohio where I was, they were famous for softball and they had it from all over the United States coming there and I’d go down to the ball park and watch them all the time and meet the players that come in and everything and you didn’t have to pay or anything. Of course some weekends when they had professional teams come in I did pay, but I went down there and got to meet them and I told them I played bal and stuff. I went out and passed and at that time I could still play pretty good. Remember, I quit during my prime time and I was only twenty-one years old when I quit in 1950, so I could still play ball. I also played for an industrial league. I got a job in Ashland and they made leather jackets, it was called Kesko and they said, “hey Ann, you played ball, you can play ball for me”, and I said, “ok, I’ll come out”, so they put me on first base. 24:15 It was the first night, this is an industrial league, and I was playing third base and the ball was hit to me and the girl was going into home and I threw that ball into home and it hit her chest, it hit the ground and they called 911, I’d of liked a killed her, so that was the end of me playing ball for the industrial league. These were like the housewives you know and I didn’t know it, I just went in there and did my thing and I couldn’t play there anymore. 24:40 Interviewer: “Did you ever do any coaching?” 13 �Yes I did, they wanted me to coach the girls. I went down at the park where they played and helped with them once and a while, but I didn’t do much because I didn’t have much patience, but I told them what I knew and everything, and the Y in Ashland, I went for volleyball in the wintertime and basketball, so I played volleyball and I traveled all over Ohio and we got for that Y and I don’t know how many, but I played like a pro once and I hate to lose and these were a bunch of housewives and this girl beside me couldn’t hit it too good, so I would get in front of her and hit the ball, and I got in a lot of trouble doing that you know because once a pro always a pro. You play so hard and I don’t care what I do, I play—I put everything in it and my name got to be mud after a while, but I stuck with it. They got to know me and I was pretty good, so they hung onto me because I helped the team. 25:48 I enjoyed traveling and playing with the women. We did that from 1963 all the way until I left in 1978. I traveled all over in the wintertime. Interviewer: “You were pretty constantly active in sports the whole time, so leaving a professional league didn’t stop you, you kind of just kept going and in various places and in college you kind of made them do it your way.” Exactly, mom could never find me, I had a bat and a ball and I was in the neighborhood and anybody would catch me, they would pick up a team, the boys, I was right there. We had to play in the street a lot of the time because they didn’t have ball fields or anything and every time we hit the ball and a car came by we had to get off the street, this is home plate and we would get off the street right in the middle of a game and we had to move over and let the car go by and then we would go back out in the street you know. 26:37 We played in the street a lot of times and you might have one or two cars go by. They didn’t have many, but that’s what I did. As soon as I would get up in the morning as a 14 �kid, I was all ready to go out and play ball. My mom had to send my sisters out there to find out what street we were playing on and what team I was on , but I loved it so much that and that was the only way I could play and I just went out every day to see who I could play with. Interviewer: “When they made the movie, A League of Their Own, they tried to get together a bunch of the former players and they were involved in different events connected with the movie. Were you a part of any of that?” When they made the movie I signed up to go to Evansville, Indiana where they were for their spring training, because I’m from Indiana. Anything in Indiana, like I left all my stuff in South Bend, Indiana for the historical society because I’m from Indiana and I’m proud of that. 27:36 I signed up to go, but at the time I was working at, it was like Kroger’s, I worked fifteen years in Tucson, Arizona, it was called Alpha Beta and later it was called Abco and I worked at that store, it was like Kroger like I say and a grocery store it was and I was working—I started as a courtesy clerk and they were right across the street from where I was living and I would go over there every day and say, “hey, can I get a job?” They would say that they didn’t have anything and I said, “well, I’ll even scrub the floors”, and I just wanted to get in because I knew what I could do. One day after—I would say almost a year I tried to get in there and they said, “hey Ann, I’m getting tired of looking at you, I’ll give you a job as a courtesy clerk, so I said, “ok, I’ll take it, what is it?” I didn’t even know what it was. I knew what a bagger was, but I didn’t know what a courtesy clerk was, so he said, “you just take this uniform and get ready and come over tomorrow and you’ll be a courtesy clerk and I’ll teach you what to do”. 28:38 I said, “ok, I just live across the street”, so I got this nice uniform and I put it 15 �on and I went over there and he said, “you’re going to be bagging these groceries you know and you’re going to be pushing those carts”, and I was about fifty years old at that time and I was the oldest bagger in the state of Arizona, so I didn’t care and they had all these teenagers and this is something else, so I went over there and I got to learn how to bad, they taught me how to bag and stuff and I was going so fast they said, “that lady must be on dope”, because they never saw anybody move like that and the teenagers were just messing around and all they wanted was the money and they didn’t want to work and I was working. I said to the manager, “I’d like forty-eight hours”, and he said, “we don’t give courtesy clerks forty-eight hours, but I watched you work and I’ll call up the office in California and I’ll see if I can get you forty-eight hours”, so he called up after a couple of weeks or so and he said, “I got permission and you can work forty-eight hours a week”, so I said, “ok”, so that’s what I did, forty-eight hours and I worked there for fifteen years. 29:47 I got so I even taught courtesy clerks eight years and like I say, I worked there fifteen years and I really enjoyed it. Moving fast was just the way I was brought up. I move fast all the time, but they weren’t use to that because people there don’t work like that and I was because of being so active getting those carts. I would go out and get maybe eight or ten at a time and these people would bring in four or five you know. He liked the way I worked, so I got to work forty-eight hours. Interviewer: “Now we got into this subject when I asked you about going to Evansville or you signed up to go to Evansville?” I signed up to go to Evansville and my husband had open-heart surgery at the time and I didn’t get there. I was working at the store, that’s why I got that store, so I stayed there, 16 �but I wanted to go to be in the movie, but I didn’t make it. 30:46 At the end of the movie and stuff. Interviewer: “Now, since you only played with the all Americans for one year, how did that combination of playing in the all American and then playing in the Chicago League, what effect did that have on you?” Well, because I was so young, I was still learning and a lot of those girls that came up there, they had been playing for a few years and I was working on experience and I wanted to get up there where the rest of them were you know and I wanted to stay in the league for along time, as long as I could and that was the thing I was working on. The only way you get experience is to play and I was sitting on the ---and that’s what the manager told me, “Ann you’re good, but you need more experience”, so you’ll get it at Chicago and I did. That’s what I liked and I stayed there and I got to know everyone and everyone knew me and that’s why I decided to stay in Chicago when they wanted me back. I said, “no, I’m going to stay here”, so that’s why, experience is what I was working for at that time. Interviewer: “You’re playing professional sports as a woman fairly early on, the late forties and early fifties, did you see yourself as any kind of pioneer or didn’t you think about that?” I didn’t think about that, I went year to year, I had fun and I enjoyed it. Shorty Decker and me and in Chicago on the Queens, we had more double plays than anyone in the whole league and she took short stop and I took second because she was a little better and short stop and she was older and I could play second and I could play third. Finally the girl on third got to be forty some years old they put me on third and I almost got it down 17 �my throat between short stop and third, but I learned when to come in and when to go back and I ended up playing third at that time. 32:51 Interviewer: “It makes for an interesting story and a little bit different one, so I would just like to thank you for coming in and telling it.” I enjoyed it very much and thank you very much. 18 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Interviews Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was started by Philip Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs, during World War II to fill the void left by the departure of most of the best male baseball players for military service. Players were recruited from across the country, and the league was successful enough to be able to continue on after the war. The league had teams based in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, and operated between 1943 and 1954. The 1954 season ended with only the Fort Wayne, South Bend, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Rockford teams remaining. The League gave over 600 women athletes the opportunity to play professional baseball. Many of the players went on to successful careers, and the league itself provided an important precedent for later efforts to promote women's sports. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/484">All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Collection, (RHC-58)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Sports for women World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American All-American Girls Professional Baseball League--Personal narratives Oral history Baseball players--Minnesota Baseball players--Indiana Baseball players--Wisconsin Baseball players--Michigan Baseball players--Illinois Baseball for women--United States Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-58 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource video/mp4 application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Language A language of the resource eng Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-10-02 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-58_APetrovic Title A name given to the resource Petrovic, Ann (Interview transcript and video), 2010 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Petrovic, Ann Description An account of the resource Ann Petrovic was born in Aurora, Indiana, in 1928. She grew up playing ball with her brothers and played on different girls' teams in school. When she was fifteen, she heard about tryouts for the All American Girls Professional Baseball League being held in Illinois, tried out and was assigned to a team in Minneapolis which soon moved to Kenosha. After playing in the league's first season, she signed with a professional softball team in Chicago, where she played until 1950. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) Video recordings All-American Girls Professional Baseball League--Personal narratives Baseball for women--United States Baseball Sports for women World War, 1939-1945 Baseball players--Wisconsin Women Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010-08-07 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/484">All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Collection, (RHC-55)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/773ba59e5262f84ebb929e7ce278ee83.pdf 53fbcf2b520b37da1f2415ba1007913e PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Incunabula Description An account of the resource The term incunabula refers to books printed between 1450 and 1500, approximately the first fifty years following the invention, by Johann Gutenberg of Mainz, of printing from moveable type. Our collection includes over 200 volumes and numerous unbound leaves from books printed during this period. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1450/1500 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Incunabula Collection (DC-03) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United </a> Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource text Language A language of the resource eng it la nl de Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Historia scholastica [folium 150] Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-03_150Comestor1500 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Petrus Comestor Description An account of the resource One leaf from Historia scholastica by Petrus Comestor. Printed in Strassburg by Georg Husner on July 15, 1500. [GW M32180; ISTC ip00466000] Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Strassburg: George Husner Subject The topic of the resource Incunabula Printing 1450-1500 Language A language of the resource la Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1500 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Type The nature or genre of the resource Text https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fa4bde5ae4aeb47fd758455df7dc44ae.mp4 19a3107222c57337ab559c8b8e93f9fa https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/06677191aebedf9b558245ceb20e372a.pdf dbe60239bef0b46348167004df0e16e1 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Interview Desert Storm Chris Petty 124 Minutes        (00:00:11) Pre-enlistment Born October 1969 in Cedar City, Utah o Moved to Salt Lake City and was raised there Father worked at local copper mine Mother was a waitress Attended a Mormon church Graduated High School in 1988 o Immediately moved to Las Vegas, Nevada o Worked construction there for six to seven months Made good money but had no goals, eventually decided to join military o Joined the Army for wider selection of jobs, other option was Marines (00:02:28) Enlistment and Basic Training Enlisted in May 1989, Went to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for Basic Training o Basic Training consisted of "Soldierizing," Breaking down recruits with little sleep, lots of exercise, was very regimented, active schedule o Many team oriented tasks to bring soldiers from all walks of life together as a team  Drill Sergeants were recently prohibited from striking the troops o Biggest problems in training came from recruits who refuse to comply with team life o Grouped into platoon for 12 weeks, troops become close, most made it through, 2 or 3 guys didn’t    (00:06:00) Advanced Training Went to Fort Gordon, Georgia for Communications training o Never used equipment he was taught with Training lasted 2-3 months Most learning was in classroom, working with radios, setting up antennae Learned Morse code, never used it  (00:07:30) Airborne School Consisted of lots of running in full uniform and jumping out of airplanes  �              Learned how to jump and land safely Physical conditioning and training was very important Trained to go anywhere in the world and drop in within 36 hours Finished Airborne School in November 1989, waited two weeks for assignment (00:11:10) Ft. Hood/ LRS Competitions Was assigned to Special Operations Was technically stationed in Fort Hood o Arrived amidst Long Range Surveillance competitions throughout army to form a new Long Range Surveillance Company Bounced around a lot, was in Fort Camel, Hawai'i, Germany, short field ops 2-3 months Chris' Airborne unit was the only one in Fort Hood, and they won the competition Chris' company acted as eyes and ears for the Division o Would be inserted behind enemy lines and perform recon, report back to Division o 5-6 man squads, highly outgunned, essential to remain undetected, had to silence dogs for survival (00:16:30) Desert Storm Company was deployed without warning, briefed about Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait on the flight to Egypt o Landed within 36 hours of invasion Met with a 7th group Special Forces group meant to train them on operations in the area o Entered Saudi Arabia and practiced methods of insertion using teams of helicopters and Jeeps o Saudi Government would watch radar and tell what would appear, goal was to find a way to evade these o Settled on a plan that involved a rolling stop, making it appear on radar like the helicopters turned around without landing, had to jump out at high speeds o Prepared this operation for five months There was a compound on the outskirts of the city called Arabian Chicago Bridge and Iron o Chicago based company, brought in trailers for troops to stay in o People who worked at ACBI were laborers imported from Sri Lanka, brought interesting culinary dishes Chris' unit was kept away from the front lines, set up a base in the East with 18th Airborne corps, was paired with Brainiac intelligence troops (00:26:20) Crossing the Border Was embedded with intelligence units, gathering data on the enemy, began crossing border into Kuwait in October o Would fly directly over enemy encampments �                   Searched for low spots between hills and would set down under camouflage and gather enemy intelligence o Operated under extreme heat, most of carry weight was water, operations lasted 2-3 days Main function was to recon the terrain for future movements, was not informed of larger scope of operations After main US attack is launched, Chris' operations move further and further into Kuwait Wore sterile uniforms, no markings, caused a few close calls and misunderstandings One team in the company took some Iraqi troops prisoner, they were in such awful shape they received medical attention while the team waited for extraction Volunteered to stay back and clean out trucks after operation was over, then returned to Ft. Bragg, redeployed to fight the War on Drugs in South American countries (00:37:00) War on Drugs Served in the new 18th Airborne Corps, acted as eyes and ears of the War on Drugs in South America Operated all over South America, Columbia and Honduras o Not permitted to go into cities, kept in confinement to prevent bias of locals o One mission in Honduras featured the team's heavy being dropped onto a cow Mission was to watch villagers tending to drug fields Soldiers knew to recognize cartel presence by the presence of vehicles Tension was always high, soldiers were told if something went wrong, they were on a "training mission" Chris' team would often be attacked by spider monkeys, team took coordinated shots to disperse them without making too much noise Served with a West Point Lieutenant, let ants eat through his backpack to teach him a lesson Chris' team was never compromised by locals Performed these missions for about a year and a half, made maintaining a life at home very difficult, Chris requested reassignment (00:42:18) Reassignment Assigned to a signal battalion, didn't really find a place there o A military intelligence officer happened to be there and handpicked Chris to be his Training Officer As Training Officer in Ft. Hood, Chris was in charge of physical training, gas chambers, and the rifle range, operated here for about 8 months Sent back to Ft. Lee for supply school, consisted mostly of logistics, much less physical, lasted about 2-3 months Chris was granted a short leave, then deployed to Korea �                (00:45:40) Korea Flew to Korea on commercial flight from LAX straight to Korea, extreme jet lag from changing international time zones Assigned to 1-5 Infantry for battalion logistics, managed supplies for the entire battalion, only got two weeks of training with the current crew, forced to learn the system quickly Stationed at Camp Casey, largest northern post in South Korea Korean Nationals with wealthy families would serve alongside American forces, Chris requested to room with the Koreans so he can learn about their culture o The Koreans didn't know much English, sometimes had selective understanding o Korean Republic Army was rough on its soldiers, Chris witnessed a disciplinary beating o Had a few issues but overall enjoyed serving with them Chris traveled all over the country using the Korean transit system, visited 2000 year old temples, experienced local cuisine, went scuba diving, ate freshly caught and cooked octopus Opted to go to mountaineering school on an island off the coast rather than taking mid-tour leave Operated here for a year 1993-1994 Traveled in civilian clothes, most people still knew he was military, local Koreans seemed to like the Americans Went from Korea to the 82nd Airborne Division (00:59:58) 82nd Airborne 82nd is America's reactionary force, built to go first, soldiers were in one of three cycles o When on mission cycle, everything was packed and ready to go, had to keep officers informed of location at all times, be able to return to base in two hours, could not drink  Didn’t know where they were going, most often were training drill o When on support cycle, was responsible for loading trucks and preparing supplies for those on mission cycle o When on training cycle, would do field and range training, kept skills sharp at National Training Center o Average cycle was 1-2 months Stayed with 82nd for about 6 years Got married and had first son in this time Attended Police academy for a semester, paid for by the Army, started working as part time officer in sheriff’s department Majority of people surrounding the base were veterans, most people were friendly toward military Chris never really served with female troops Reader’s Digest wrote an article on the 82nd, spent a couple weeks with the troop, called them Most Fit Alcoholics On The Planet (00:07:17) (Timer has restarted) Getting out �                  Never deployed with 82nd, served as supply guy for the artillery, liked to play with the guns in off time Left Ft. Bragg and left the military Chris didn’t really like Utah, Wife was from Jackson, Michigan so they moved there Chris went to college full time under the GI Bill o Earned his pilot's license Was still in the Reserves at this time, helping with criminal investigations, worked one weekend a month o Much more relaxed environment Chris always wanted to be a pilot and fly, required 700-800 hours of flight time, only had 100 or so after flight school o Best way to fill the gap was instructing, Pay was too little and the hours were dependent on students and too inconsistent for Chris to pursue further (00:10:05) Going Back In Joined the ADSR, (Active Duty in Support of Reserves) in 1998-99, stayed for 5-6 years o Became full time member of a transportation unit in Battle Creek, Michigan Still a major shift from the 82nd Airborne mindset Commander was a new guy, also a fireman, First Sergeant worked for a trucking company Chris became known as the Black Market First Sergeant o Had 10 years of experience and knew how things worked o People came to him to get things done o Taught the guys how to rappel, was one of two rappel masters in Michigan at the time Worked closely with Battle Creek law enforcement, teaching the SWAT teams how to rappel o Received an award from the police department While working for the Sheriff’s department in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Chris was handpicked for the special teams because of his training, even though he was a rookie (00:14:35) Iraq Chris’s Battle Creek unit was deployed to Iraq with the Striker Brigade, part of the large Task Force, and assigned to an active duty battalion, worked with more contractors than soldiers Deployed from Ft. Lewis, WA, got new equipment and refreshed training o Chris secured the team better trucks than they were assigned o Chris focused on getting everyone what they needed to go Chris was sent with the Advanced Party to Kuwait, flew on Hawaiian Airlines, had layover in Ireland, flew to Kuwait from there Chris’s unit came from average walks of life and were able to set up their own AC and electricity, were self-sufficient Had to salvage armor and materials for their inadequate trucks Much of the force was ready to go for months while waiting for Strikers to be finished properly o Strikers were lighter vehicles, could get in more places on weaker infrastructure �o                  Drivers trained without large cages that were added in the field for RPG protection, caused them to run into everything o Strikers were spoiled by the Army Deployed every-other with the Strikers, separated by twelve hours, got through most of country unopposed Iraq was much more battle-torn and scarred by war than Chris’ previous visit in Desert Storm, Stayed mostly on the roads At one point set up headquarters in a former mental hospital Conflict was relatively quiet around Chris, unit was in Tikrit when Saddam Hussein was captured, not involved in that operation though Moved north to Mosul, the unit’s final destination, transport took fire on this journey, often took mortar fire completely out of nowhere Chris’ unit had 18 Iraqi’s working for them, got to know culture through them, o Some were Kurdish, some were Iraqi, Chris saw the hatred and forced them to work with each other, eventually they found their common humanity o Some of the workers accrued bounties for working with the Americans Chris consistently saw an extreme lack of humanity, no one kept records, many didn’t know how old they were Chris’ commanders were control freaks, networked to get his guys supplies o Picked up a whole truck of air conditioners for his troops, got in trouble and got grounded for it, whole truck got shot up and air conditioners were ruined Chris’ unit took several casualties, Humvees were improperly armored o Two men had close calls with death and had to be sent to Germany for mental therapy, one eventually returned to duty o IED’s were the biggest enemy, biggest killer o Iraqi’s believed that large satellite dishes produced force fields around the truck, attached trash bags to RPG’s to penetrate them, made rocket flight erratic o Chris was fired at by an enemy taking cover behind a cow Chris spent 16 months in Iraq, volunteered to stay behind an extra month Chris’ only problem with Iraq was the disruptive effect it had on his family o Troops had phone banks to communicate with family, Internet came toward end of Chris’ stay, no cell phones o Had big impact on Chris’ relationship with his son The inhumanity of daily life in Iraq stands out to Chris the most The strength of the insurgency was increasing during Chris’ stay, many were crossing the border from Syria Chris saw that Halliburton was stealing oil from Iraq and taking it to Kuwait, Americans were guarding their trucks with their lives Halliburton contracted out many positions that the Army was trained to do Chris’ Iraqi workers told him stories of the insurgency kidnapping kids and threatening their death to coerce parents into car bombings One of Chris’ workers was captured and mutilated on video because he was working with Chris (00:46:42) After Iraq �          Chris spends a week in debriefing, making sure his physically and mentally okay, help acclimate to civilian life, everyone is impatient to go home o Many vets have driving issues, can’t drive at night Chris begins working as an Army recruiter in 2005, Chris enjoyed the work and helping kids out, hated the chain of command climate Chris was top recruiter in MI in his first year Chris encountered people avoiding him in uniform at Andrews University, met resistance from the Dean in obtaining student records o Talked to students about his philosophy on Iraq and reasons for being there Many recruits joined for same reasons as Chris, searching for direction and something to do, needed a future, some want to do their part for their country Had issues with recruiting commander, who wanted him to change his successful recruiting methods, Chris refused and won out because he outranked him Chris was given station of choice until his retirement, chose to be sent to an MP company in South Bend at one rank lower than he was in order to keep his kids in the same school district, ended up being promoted to First Sergeant, one rank higher than he started Retired from Army as First Sergeant of that MP company Worked security at a nuclear plant, was mind-numbing work so Chris left Chris’ wife works as a nurse, Chris takes care of kids and is going back to school for things he enjoys � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27_PettyC1911V Title A name given to the resource Petty, Chris Allen (Interview outline and video), 2015 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2015-12-15 Description An account of the resource Chris Petty was born October 1969 in Cedar City, Utah, and was raised in Salt Lake City. He graduated high school in 1988 and enlisted in the Army a year later. He received advanced communications training and completed Airborne School. Chris was soon assigned to a Long Range Surveillance Company which would become part of the 82nd Airborne Division. He operated with this unit performing reconnaissance in Kuwait during Desert Storm, and later in South American countries for the War on Drugs. Chris was reassigned to South Korea, were he operated supply and logistics for a battalion stationed there for a year. He was reassigned to the newly formed 82nd Airborne Division, where he served about six years. He left the military for a while to spend time with family, then went back into the reserves. Chris' reserve unit was deployed to Iraq in support of the Striker Brigade, where he served for 16 months. After Iraq, Chris worked as a very successful recruiter for a few years, then retired from the military as a First Sergeant of a Military Police Company in South Bend, IN. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Petty, Chris Allen Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Veterans Video recordings Iraq War, 2003-2011--Personal narratives, American United States. Army Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Moving Image Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project collection, (RHC-27)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b81d490ff7b321e5a2cb4883f49d53c4.mp4 305e31c64497dd331dc8176fa050a23e https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/737d88c51bfbc58b9323802a6c088c52.pdf 57fde8ab4b92d0817be4c9bb7b35893e PDF Text Text Living with PFAS Interviewer: Danielle DeVasto Interviewee: Gary Pettyjohn Date of Interview: 7/28/2021 Danielle DeVasto: I'm Dani DeVasto, and today, July 28, 2021, I have the pleasure of chatting with Gary Pettyjohn. Hi, Gary. Gary Pettyjohn: Hello, how are you? Danielle DeVasto: I'm doing well. How are you? Gary Pettyjohn: Uh, we're freezing up a little bit here. Soon as you started recording, it started. Danielle DeVasto: Oh, yep, my internet connection is unstable. Gary Pettyjohn: Oh, okay, so it's you, not me. Danielle DeVasto: It's me. Yeah, it's me. Gary Pettyjohn: Okay. Danielle DeVasto: I'm even hard wired in. Gary Pettyjohn: Oh, interesting. Danielle DeVasto: Yeah, it's unfortunate. Um, am I sounding better to you now? Gary Pettyjohn: It is. Danielle DeVasto: Okay, I'll just- I'll just start over, I guess. Uh, I'm Dani DeVasto and today, July 28, 2021, I have the pleasure of chatting with Gary Pettyjohn. Hi, Gary. Gary Pettyjohn: Hello. Danielle DeVasto: Gary, can you tell me about where you're from and where you currently live? Gary Pettyjohn: I currently live in Northville, Michigan, uh, but I was born and raised in Grayling, Michigan, uh, north, in northern Michigan, uh, near the Camp Grayling, uh, uh, National Guard Army training site so. Danielle DeVasto: And you said you currently live in North? Gary Pettyjohn: Northville. Danielle DeVasto: Northville. So— Gary Pettyjohn: Yeah. Danielle DeVasto: —I'm still learning some of my Michigan geography. [LAUGHTER] Gary Pettyjohn: Oh, no worries, it's on, uh, it's in southeast Michigan. Danielle DeVasto: Okay, how long have you lived in Northville? Gary Pettyjohn: Uh, in Northville about three-and-a-half years. Before that, my wife and I lived in South Lyon, Michigan. It's over by Brighton, uh, north of Ann Arbor, for close to 25 years so. Danielle DeVasto: All right. Gary Pettyjohn: So. Danielle DeVasto: Gary, can you tell me a story about your experience with PFAS or with PFAS in your community? Gary Pettyjohn: Yeah, I- I, you know, my experience with PFAS all centers aro-, centers around where I grew up. Um, I had heard of PFAS, you know, in the news most- mostly related to either Oscoda or, uh, you know, at- at around the Air Force base there, Portsmouth, and, uh, and over on the west side of the Page 1 �state around was it Rockford, um, I believe. Um, so, I mean, those were the most noteworthy PFAS stories I had heard of. Um, but back in, uh, 2017, 2018, uh, I was driving home from work and, uh, listening to NPR, as I usually did, and I had one of those NPR moments where the story just grabbed me because it was a story about PFAS, and then they mentioned Grayling. And that, you know, perked my ears up. [LAUGHTER] I, um, I, and, uh, I got home, I stayed out in the car, listened to the rest of the report, came in, ate dinner, and got on the internet. And, uh, you know, the rest, they say, is history. Um, it was just, uh, it was like going down a rabbit hole, you know, because, um, it just kept getting worse and worse the more I, the more I looked into it until I found a heat map that, uh, that the military had put out. Uh, and then there's two, there's two groups that are dealing with Grayling. There's the military and they've got this RAB group, um, that's dealing with the PFAS contamination. And then you've got the state of Michigan in part doing their thing. Um, I, you know, I wasn't aware of either. Um, but I found this heat map and, uh, and, you know, the- the green and yellow and red dots all around the airfield, which is, you know, the area that I grew up in. I grew up in, um, uh, two separate homes that were in the testing area, and, you know, there were yellows and reds and, you know, a few greens sprinkled in there. But I- I also know that even though we lived in town, we had a private well, and, you know, and so that was, that was concerning . Um, uh, these heat maps showed, you know, where the PFAS was flowing, and it was like flowing right through my backyard, you know. Um, so, you know, that's- that's- that was the beginning of my awareness [LAUGHTER] of, uh, PFAS, and- and then I started, you know, wondering about, you know, all the health issues that my family's had. Uh, my mother, when she was in her late 40s, um, uh, needed her appendix removed, and they did a biopsy on it, and there was some rare form of cancer in this, in this appendix. So, they, um, you know, she did, you know, did a- a round of treatment, and, um, and ironically, the day that she was declared terminal was the day she got a notification that she was cancer-free. I don't know how that works, but, uh, [LAUGHTER] I, uh, uh, it just one of those ironic things. Um, so it, you know, it- it took, she had about five years from the initial diagnosis to when she- she passed away. Um, right about the same time, my father became ill. He had turned jaundiced, and so he went into his physician, and he told him to go immediately up to, uh, the medical center up in Petoskey, Michigan. Um, uh, and, you know, they ran tests and couldn't determine what was causing it, um, so they did exploratory surgery. They opened him up, they went in and they found, um, tumors, pre-can- is what they call pre-cancerous tumors on his pancreas and then on his liver, and they performed a procedure called a Whipple. And, you know, if anybody's curious about it, Google it. It's, uh, [LAUGHTER] it's almost medieval what they do, and they don't, they don't use that procedure very much anymore becausebecause of the horrible side effects of it. Uh, but they, you know, they basically removed part of his pancreas as part of his liver, sections of his, you know, bowels, part of his stomach, and then they somehow plumb it all back together. And, uh, um, and, you know, true to what I, the research I had done on Google about the Whipple, uh, he had terrible side effects. He had, he suffered from pancreapancreatitis attacks, uh, on a regular basis. Uh, they finally got that a little under control with his medication the he had to take like once a month with a syringe. This, you know, it looked like it was Page 2 �meant for horses. Uh, used to get these shots, um, to try to keep his pancreas under control. Um, but hishis liver slowly, uh, you know, basically disintegrated, and, you know, cause of death was cirrhosis of the liver. Um, I mean, he did have, you know, he lived with that for about 20 years. So, I mean it wasn't an immediate, um, immediate thing like it was for my mom, but, uh, you know, it certainly wasn't much quality of life. You know, constantly, uh, being afraid to get too far away from the hospitals because, you know, he had a bad experience going into a- a different hospital they didn't know his history, and, uh, you know, they really messed him up. Um, so he was always afraid to venture too far from home. Um, and, you know, I've, you know, I, in high school I developed asthma, which was, you know, doctor back then said it was kind of strange that, you know, that I developed asthma, you know, that late in life. Um, you know, I've had, uh, I was hospitalized once with vasculitis and I- I was at U of M Hospital for, you know, almost over a week, and they would bring in the- the- the wannabe doctors and to- to poke and prod me because they never seen anything like it. And I came out of it with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Um, I don't- I don't- I don't think I had Crohn's disease. I think I had, you know, some kind of inflammation in the bowel, but I don't think it was Crohn's disease. I have a cousin that has Crohn's disease, and, you know, I've seen what it's done to him, so I'm pretty sure I don't have that. But, you know, they did the best they could. So, you know, and my sisters, both of my sisters have had, uh, children with autism. Uh, one- one child was born with cerebral palsy. Uh, and, you know, my- my- my one sister had- has one severe autistic child, one I'd say mildly, uh, another one that's probably on the spectrums, like an Asperger's type. Um, and the oldest girl, I, you know, I think she's, uh, she's been, you know, pretty healthy. But so I mean, you just, you go back [LAUGHTER] and you- you learn about this PFAS chemical that likely was in your water when you were growing up. You know, one of the frustrating things for me has been as a nonresident, you know, [LAUGHTER] you know, I requested and- and, uh, information about any of the testing that they had done at the house where I used to live, and, uh, and I was told that that was, you know, that was not gonna happen, that, you know, I- I didn't live there so, therefore, they wouldn't release those- those figures to me. Um, so, you know, that's- that's been a little frustrating. Uh, I think something that's sorely lacking in- in- in these conversations is, you know, what about the people that used to live in the house that's been found to have PFAS? And I understand that priority number one is, you know, identifying where it is, and, you know, get clean water to those people, whether that's through filtration or through hooking them up to municipal water supplies or- or whatever- whatever's got to happen. I understand that that's the first- the first priority, but, um, you know, it's- it's like if you lived there, if you lived there, you know, your- your exposure doesn't count. You know, that's kind of the way I feel about it. Uh, I had joined the, MPART started a, uh, a Citizens- what, a Citizens Advisory Workgroup, um, and, you know, in hopes of getting more information and, you know, it turned into, in my opinion, I don't know, it's just kind of a bureaucracy. And, you know, I attended a year's worth of meetings and it was going nowhere, so, you know, I politely said, you know, I'm out. Um, so, I've been rambling. [LAUGHTER] I, you know, I, uh— Page 3 �Danielle DeVasto: Where did you go from there after MPART, or what have- what- what for you was the story at that point? Gary Pettyjohn: Um, you know, I- I just, I kinda, I'm- I'm obsessed. I have a thumb drive that's full of, you know, everything from, you know, news articles to scientific papers to, uh, just anything you could imagine. I spent a week downloading all the- all the documents, uh, related to the Minnesota vs. 3M, uh, lawsuit that they concluded in 2018 or 2019. Uh, the attorney general for the state of Minnesota, uh, kindly put all those out there so for everybody to see. That's been very interesting. Um, you know, I monitor the- the- the RAB, the military side of, you know, Grayling's remediation and test, you know, water testing activities. And, you know, any- anything that MPART puts out, I'm still on the mailing list, so I get all the e-mails. Um, so, you know, it's, it- it- it, I guess I- I don't know anything for sure. I don't know that- that our water had PFAS in it. I- I don't, you know, it's- it's a tale of, I don't know, I guess. Um, I find it hard to believe that we weren't impacted given all of the health issues, um, especially, you know, especially with my dad. One of the- one of the PFAS issues is, you know, liver, panc-, you know, pancreas, kidney- kidney type problems. He certainly qualified for that. But, uh, um, you know, I'm angry. I'm angry that, you know, that these chemical companies knew what, you know, that- that these were toxic chemicals, and, um, and touted 'em as some miracle, you know. Uh, some miracle product that would put out, you know, fires from, you know, crashed aircraft and, you know, fuel fires, things like that. And, you know, I can remember growing up, uh, seeing plumes of smoke coming from, you know, the airfield, and, uh, you know, they just used to, you know, light stuff on fire and put it out, you know, weekend after weekend after weekend. So, you know, I, uh, I think there's something terribly wrong with the chemical regulation process in the United States and probably throughout the world. The EU seems to have their act a little bit better that we do. Um— Danielle DeVasto: What problem is it that you think there is? Gary Pettyjohn: Well, I, that- that they're allowed to use chemicals in manufacturing and, you know, consumer products, and- and there's no responsi- they have no responsibility for figuring out what the toxicity is, and how these chemicals move around in the environment, and if they're bioaccumulative. You know, they, you know, they, you know, they came out in, uh, what 1976, they came out with the- the—I forget the acronym. It's for- for the legislation, but it was supposed to tighten up regulation. But then they grandfathered, like, 65,000 chemicals that were on the books at the time. You know, um, you know, the chemical companies want to- want to vet, you know, one PFAS chemical at a time, but there's thousands of, you know, it'd that the next couple centuries to- to figure out all the nasty effects from these chemicals. But, you know, they're okay with that because, you know, they're making money all the time while, you know, they're delaying, you know, they're running their delay tactics. You know, I- I don't, and- and PFAS is not the only one. I mean, there's all kinds of chemicals out there I'm sure that are benefiting from the poor, same poor regulatory structure that we have. Um, you know, in my mind, you shouldn't be able to, you know, at least with the FDA, when they release a drug that they had to go through some testing. They had to understand side effects, and document side effects, you know. But the chemical companies, they Page 4 �can just Better Life Through Chemistry, and then, you know, people are left holding the bag. You know, people get sick, people die before any action's taken. It just doesn't sit right with me. But, uh, so, you know, I troll 3M, DuPont and ChemOrgs on Twitter. You know, every time they pet, you know, they dislocate their shoulde- you know, what terrible citizens they are. [LAUGHTER] It's about all I can do, you know. I write— Danielle DeVasto: And you said and you, and you said you weren't aware of PFAS before you heard that NPR show, right? Gary Pettyjohn: No, no, and my sister still lives in, you know, she's actually lives in my, the last house that my dad owned in Grayling. And even that house is- is inside of- of the testing area. Um, the house is only, I'd say, maybe two miles from the airfield, but it's- it's not, it's- it's not in the- in the flow as the geologists have- have, uh, identified of the PFAS plume. But, you know, but she- she lives in that community still. And I called her up and I'm like, why didn't you say anything? And she's- [LAUGHTER] she's like, "Oh yeah- yeah, I heard of PFAS. They've been drillin' wells up and down our road." And, uh, so, um, I, you know, I gently tried to get her to do a little research on her own, you know, just to try to understand what it's- what it's about, and, um, you know, my sisters are 15 and 17 years younger than me, um, so, you know, my- my mom after I was born, she miscarried a couple of years later, and then she was told she would never have children. And something corrected itself, [LAUGHTER] uh, and my- my oldest sister came along you know, they didn't grow up in- in those houses. They- the only one that they grew up in were- was the last one that my sister lives in now. So, but, I mean all the studies say that it's passed from, you know, mother to child. So, you know, if my mom had high levels of PFAS in her, likely, you know, they were impacted, um, you know, and we're all- we're all exposed to it to a certain degree, uh, as it's been shown that, you know, every American, you know, virtually every American had some level of PFAS in their blood, um, so, in addition to these extra exposures, you know, by people that arethat live near air bases or live near these- these chemical company facilities that, uh, get a lit- little extra, uh, you know, we're all continually- continually exposed, so I, you know, it's—I, uh, read that, uh, Robert Billot, I read his exposure book, you know, and, you know, it didn't help my attitude towards __________ 00:01:27. [CHUCKLE] I'm sure that was the intent, uh, but, you know, it's just, uh, I don't know, it's- it's been frustrating. Danielle DeVasto: I know. Gary Pettyjohn: I just, there's, and I doubt that I'll ever get any answers, you know. So. Danielle DeVasto: Well, you might have touched on this a little bit, but what concerns do you have about PFAS contamination moving forward from this point? Gary Pettyjohn: Uh, just the glacial pace of- of, you know, trying to get the EPA to do anything about it, you know, the last four years, and nothing was going to happen on PFAS, so, you know, as soon as the 2016 election was over, I was [CHUCKLE] pretty much, you know, that was a done deal, but, uh, um, you know, I- I'm just—I think at its core, you know, this is just another example of, you know, a poor regulatory system, you know, a poor that allows chemical companies to create chemicals in the lab, find a use for it, Page 5 �and, you know, they just put it out there and, you know, it basically turns us all into lab rats, you know, um, and once they start identifying, you know, people start going, "Hey, we live next to this __________ 00:03:16 plant and, you know, everybody's coming up with testicular cancer and, you know, liver problems and all this stuff," and, you know, people start putting two and two together all of a sudden, you know? Yeah. And then they fight you tooth and nail, so, to prove it and I don't know why it's incumbent on us, you know, as- as citizens, to prove that your product is harming, you know. Uh, you know, the terrible thing about, you know, chemical contamination is there's no smoking gun. You know, it takes decades sometimes for these cancers and diseases to- to manifest and, uh, I mean, trying to prove causation is- is very difficult and, um, you know, it's just- it's, I- I don't understand why they don't have to prove that their product is safe before—or if it's not safe, then let everybody know it's not safe and don't let it be discharged into, you know, surface waters, you know, used indiscriminately, [LAUGHTER], you know. Uh, you know, I can remember, uh, the local fire department in Grayling, uh, they used to have this, [CHUCKLE] like at fourth of July or something, they had this big- big ball on a rope that they strung across and then they had two fire trucks on either end and they were trying to force the ball over over the line with- with the fire hoses and one year as an added special thing, they used this foam, [CHUCKLE] sprayed down, you know, sprayed down everybody. People were playing in it. You know, you look back on that stuff and you're like, oh, my God, you know, you're so ignorant. But there were people that weren't ignorant, and that's- that's the disheartening thing, people knew. You know, some people tried to warn us __________ 00:05:39, you know, but then they were just, you know, crank employees ushered away, you know, but, you know, I think, you know, that's disappointing. It's disappointing that companies put profits over people, you know. Danielle DeVasto: There were people like that in Grayling, in your community, that you remember growing up that tried to say things about the foam? Gary Pettyjohn: No, no, no. Uh, people that worked within the chemical companies. If you read any of it—and I found that out because of the 3M law, the Minnesota lawsuit against 3M, there were documents in there that there was an employee that famously, you know, fired off a- a resignation letter and, uh, it was funny because the anti PFAS people use that as a big example of, you know, here's somebody that, you know- you know, tried to stand up to them- stand up to 3M and I guess event—you know, like a few months later, he went back to work for 3M and ended up retiring from there. Now he grows organic vegetables out in, you know, Iowa, somewhere, so- [LAUGHTER] so much for having a conscience, you know. Maybe he- maybe he went back 'cause he thought he'd- he'd be able to make changes, but, um, obviously not so much, you know. I mean, 3M knew that this stuff was bad, which is why they got out of business. You know, they stopped making, they stop- stopped making, uh, you know, what was it PFOA, was there a big thing, I think, uh, they stopped making it back in the early 2000s, uh, 'cause they knew. [CHUCKLE] I'm sure their- their people told them, "You're gonna lose your shirt on this stuff if you don't stop put it out there" So, they sold the patent rights to, uh, to DuPont, who had absolutely no problem, uh, taking up the mantle and producing those terrible chemicals. So. [LIP SMACK] So. Yeah. Page 6 �Danielle DeVasto: Well, before we wrap up today, is there anything else that you'd like to add that we haven't touched on or anything you'd like to go back to and say more about? Gary Pettyjohn: No, I don't think so. Uh, that's my story, I'm sticking to it, I guess. [CHUCKLE] You know, it's- it's not so much of a story as, uh, I wonder if there's a story there, you know. Again, I don't know that I'll ever- ever get the answers I'm looking for, you know. Nobody can tell me what the PFAS levels were like in my private well when I was growing up on 802 Plum Street in Grayling, Michigan, during the '70s, you know. Uh, you know, don't know that I'll ever know. So. Danielle DeVasto: Well, thank you so much, Gary, for taking the time to talk with me and share your story today. Gary Pettyjohn: Sure. Thank you. Page 7 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Living with PFAS Interviews Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Devasto, Danielle Description An account of the resource Beginning in 2021, the Living with PFAS interviews were recorded to gather the personal stories of individuals impacted by PFAS contamination. PFAS, or per- and polyflourinated substances, are a large group of human-made chemicals used widely since the 1940s to make coatings and products resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. They can be found in countless household items, including food packaging, non-stick cookware, stain-resistant furniture, and water-resistant clothing. These chemicals are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily, can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources, and build up in animals, plants, and people. PFAS have been linked to increased incidences of various cancers, increased cholesterol, decreased fertility, birth defects, kidney and liver disease, and immune system suppression, and thyroid dysfunction. It is estimated that PFAS are in the drinking water of more than 200 million Americans (Andrews & Naidenko, 2020). In Michigan alone, over 280 sites have PFAS contamination exceeding maximum contamination levels for groundwater (MPART, 2024). Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Living with PFAS (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource In copyright Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Personal narrative PFAs (Perfluorinated chemicals) Groundwater--Pollution Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-11 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource video/mp4 application/pdf audio/mp3 Type The nature or genre of the resource Motion Picture Text Sound Language A language of the resource eng Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PFAS0023 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pettyjohn, Gary Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021-07-28 Title A name given to the resource Gary Pettyjohn, 2021 (Interview video and transcript) Description An account of the resource Gary Pettyjohn grew up in Grayling, Michigan before moving to the southeast region of the state. His experiences with PFAS in his community center around the Wurstmuth Air Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan. After learning about the contamination in about 2017, he began to connect his family's health conditions to PFAS. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource DeVasto, Danielle (interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Personal narrative PFAs (Perfluorinated chemicals) Groundwater--Pollution Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Living with PFAS (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource video/mp4 application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cf7a9c230e0813034ceb8471c934093b.mp4 77aaf574ec9a640d7070308dd95b5ee9 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6931fe8cc8b75a894e42ba8219004efa.pdf e553467418af37b17039e4d0165723c7 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Leo Pfaller (00:29:35) (00:00) Early Years: • Grew up in a lower middle class family • Graduated from Lowell High School • Father was an immigrant from Germany and married his mother in 1927 • His parents moved Lowell from South Dakota • Close family ties • Has older brother, good relationship • He broke his brother’s nose with a hammer when he was eight • His brother now lives in Toledo (02:43) School: • Graduated close to the top ten in the class • Small person, 5’1” and 98 lbs • Participated in tennis, class officer, and had a good time in school (03:17) Married Life: • Marriage is fine, married July 10, 1954 • Joined the service in February 1954, wife stayed home and he visited her every weekend • Stationed in Fort Knox, not allowed to go on leave outside fifty miles until he completed his training • After training, his wife lived with her parents and he was transferred to Texas where he stayed his entire military career • Had three boys • The first son John died at 12 years old from medical problems • Second son Robert born in 1957 and the third son James was born in 1959 • Robert is a salesman and James is employed by Sysco (04:41) Experiences with the Draft: • He was drafted while he was in college in 1953 • He was told he would get college deferment • Checked with his draft board and told he was due to join in October 1953 • He didn’t get a call later and he checked back with them and someone had advanced their draft, so he didn’t have to join until after December �• • Received notice to report in December and he became engaged to his wife December 21 Reported for active duty in February 1954 (05:36) Beginning of his Military Career/Training: • He was in Armor • He was able to give his preference on position • His first choice was to be the Seabees and his second choice was to be in engineering or construction • His third choice was stamped in by the military and it was Armor • He was drafted into the Army • Had 10 weeks of Armor training • Selected as a tank commander to stay and train the next group for their tank training • Spent the next 10 weeks for training and then was shipped out to Fort Hood • In training, he just did as he was ordered to • Training was physically and mentally challenging but it wasn’t a problem (07:15) Training Stories: • When he was a tank commander in charge of his crew, they went on a driving expedition • Kentucky is notorious for its clay soil and it was raining • Drove 48 ton tanks across a length of about five football fields on wet, flat clay soil • It was fun to put the tank in neutral and spin the tank around • They also took the tanks out to the 90mm range and completed their firing exercise • On the way back to base from the range to clean up the tanks, the tank about ten in front of his had a hatch break and it decapitated the tank commander when it went down • He didn’t feel training was too stressful, just another job (08:40) Entertainment: • In basic training, the military kept them busy with exercises • At Fort Hood the training was less stringent so they had more leisure time • The men would play poker and write letters • He didn’t leave base that much especially since he was married but some went to Juárez and other Mexican towns for entertainment • Movies were fairly close by and he went occasionally (09:41) Family Life during Service: • His wife didn’t visit him on base • She became pregnant on one of the last weekends of training and was due June 5, 1955 • He was home on leave for that occasion and he lost his first baby �• Scheduled to go to Germany but he didn’t have enough time left so he stayed at Fort Hood (10:33) Food: • The food was good, they had C-rations • Being non-wartime, they were fed well with good cooks • His last three or four months of service, he was a cook • Food was shipped in and they had a schedule of what they were supposed to eat • 200 men in the company would have an hour to eat, most ate fast because they didn’t want to eat cold food (11:43) End of his Service: • On leave he would go home and spend time with his family • After being done with the service, he got a job with a tile company in Grand Rapids, MI on his third day back • He went back to college and got his GI Bill to pay $135 per semester • He had to maintain 12 credit hours to receive it • He took courses in college that applied to construction • Worked the summers locally to pay his way through school • Couldn’t wait until 4 p.m. to get his discharge papers and leave • Right after he got off base he changed into civilian clothes • Four people were discharged that day, one of them from Kalamazoo procured a car to drive home with and prepared it for driving from Texas to Michigan • When it was his turn to drive he found that the car was pulling towards the left, the guy had put about 175 lbs of air in one of the tires • He was in the service exactly two years (14:34) Unable to Receive Compensation for Hearing Lost During Service: • During his service, he lost most of his hearing in his left ear and 40% in his right when a tank next to him fired a 90mm round during inspection • He tried to get a hearing aid through Veterans’ Administration in Grand Rapids but was denied • His brother was also in the service in rocket training and lost some hearing and was able to receive a hearing aid in New York (15:52) Benefits of Service and Experiences with Racial Problems • Proud to serve his country but also glad to leave • Didn’t really appreciate it until 20 years after when he joined the Legion �• • • • • • The Legion marches in parades, have Veterans’ Day dinners and get-togethers in remembrance The service gave him a chance to mature and improve racial relations At the time, segregation was very popular and there were some African-Americans in his outfit that served with distinction Some of the members of his unit, especially a sergeant that participated in very racial activities One night that sergeant was the sergeant of the guard and three men snuck into his private room and nailed his table, chairs and bed into the ceiling That sergeant died during maneuvers: it was cold and he laid on the back of the tank and the combination of the auxiliary engine (used for communication and batteries) and the blanket cause him to asphyxiate (18:27) Friendships: • He had a good friend in the service that he joined up with and left with • Had other good friends that he played poker with • That was the main entertainment: being together, a bond between soldiers • His fondest memory is getting out, but it was a good experience • He enjoyed the comradeship (19:38) Experiences with a Court-Martial: • He was on guard duty in May and they had to wear their winter uniforms until Memorial Day • His job was to bar the gate and check tickets to make sure any cars passing were authorized • He was very sick and he was sitting on a rock by the other company’s guard shack • A jeep came up and he got up and asked for the paperwork • The man in the jeep was the officer of the day checking on the guards and told him he should not be sitting down during guard duty • He replied to the officer that he was very sick and told him where he threw up • The officer set him up with a court-martial and he went back to the barracks • About a week later they were on maneuvers in a field and he was called out of the tank to an Armored Personnel Carrier and had his court-martial • The officers quizzed him and the prosecuting officer was there • Given a 30 day restriction and a $30 fine • One of his friends in Battalion HQ notified him that it never got on his record • Advice to future servicemen: “Do what you’re told and do the best job you can.” (22:23) Pictures of his Time in the Service: �• • • • • • • • • • • • • Basic Training picture with his friend Tank firing 90mm in Fort Knox, Sept ‘54 Didn’t like paying a $1 of his wages out of $90 per month for haircuts Picture of him cutting his friends hair with barber equipment that his mother gave him Charged $0.50 for a haircut and made more money that way than being in the service Wedding pictures Picture of him lying in a tank tread He was in Able Company and his tank got stuck in a muddy creek An African-American came by and built a fire to help dry their clothes and sold a bottle of wine to them for a dollar He received a sharpshooter award when he was in Basic Training Used a 30 caliber carbine and their personal weapon was a 45mm pistol Left the service as a specialist in the 4th Armored Division Graduated from Michigan State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PfallerL Title A name given to the resource Pfaller, Leo J. (Interview outline and video), 2007 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pfaller, Leo J. Description An account of the resource Leo Pfaller served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 in the 4th Armored Division. He had several duties in the Army including tank commander, guard and cook. He discusses his training, dealing with the draft, family life in the military, experience with a court-martial, racial tensions in his outfit and stories about his time in the Army. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Ruegsegger, Maranda (Interviewer) Lowell Area Historical Museum (Lowell, Mich.) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) Video recordings United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Veterans United States. Army Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007-05-31 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2ae5b3bd41609ec9c409fe473f3d31b6.mp4 e32fe9742515850c80d56a1ecb69c3a5 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bccce766ad5d73a9615c36e58ccde02f.pdf 8d63de79c6cc16efbba402e806143caf PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Dan Pfeiffer (01:12:48) (1:30) Background Information • Dan was born in Byron Township on December 18, 1931 • He spent his childhood on a farm during the depression • They had nothing extra, but food • Dan spent lots of time hunting and fishing • He went to a one room school with seven other grades • He had to walk 8 miles everyday to high school • His father had wanted him to take over the farm when he got older, but he was only interested in cars • Dan started driving when he was 12 years old (10:30) The Korean War • The media had been calling it the Korean Conflict at the time • Dan planned on enlisting in the Air Force, but had been drafted before he had time • He was drafted into the Army on May 10 • Dan went to Battle Creek for his induction into the Army • He then went to Fort Riley in Kansas for 16 weeks in basic training • Dan then spent two months in leadership school • Dan felt than training was boring and nothing new to him (18:00) Training • None of the men knew where they would be assigned after training • Dan was training with an infantry outfit • They trained with live bullets, crawling on the ground and someone got injured (25:00) Japan • Dan was shipped out from Washington on Christmas Eve • There was horrible stormy weather and everyone got sick • Japan smelled horrible because they used human feces as fertilizer • Dan and others were training to replace infantry in combat (30:30) Korea • The Chinese and North Koreans had pushed the Americans back into South Korea • Dan took a position on the main line of resistance • Korea was very cold, snowy, and miserable • More people were removed from the front lines for frost bite than those that had been wounded • The men had to wear the same clothes for months and eat cold food �(36:00) Dan’s First Time on the Line: February 1953 • Dan was petrified and said that anyone who says they were not scared is lying • There were rats everywhere • The fighting had started in June 1950 and everything had been blown to pieces with trees shot down everywhere • There were patrols at night to size up the enemy • War is like survival of the fittest • The trenches were 9 feet deep and 20 inches wide • Dan became very negative and thought that he would never go home because he would die in Korea • They slept in shifts during the day and always went on patrol at night • Dan never understood the reasons for his orders and felt like nothing was ever being accomplished • The Americans had superior firepower, but were outnumbered (47:15) Reconnaissance Missions • The men would figure out their path with a map during the day • They tried to figure out how many mortars or machine guns the enemy had and where they were located • The next day they would fire mortars on the enemy positions (50:50) Fire Fights • All their larger guns from the rear would bombard the enemy and then they would attack with mortars and artillery • They attempted to blow the enemy from their positions so they would scramble about and be easy targets • The Chinese would play popular American music to try to make the troops homesick and they would also announce propaganda to try to make them surrender (53:40) Supplies • Someone would stand guard while others took turns going down the mountains • They had to carry all their supplies on their backs and travel by foot (56:35) Sandbag Castle • Dan spent the last 8 weeks of the war at the castle • They had always been hearing rumors about a cease fire occurring soon • It took place July 27, 1953 • The Americans and Koreas both had to pull back 1000 yards and abandon their fortifications • Dan then learned they were outnumbered 20 to 1, when they thought they were only outnumbered 3 to 1 • They had been worried that the enemy would not honor the cease fire �(1:00:45) Chauffer for the Commanding General • Many people interviewed for this position, but Dan was lucky enough to land the job • He was then able to sleep in a tent, take showers, wear clean clothes, and eat good and hot food • He had been driving for reconnaissance missions • He met Vice President Nixon several times and also while he was president • Afterwards, Dan thought the war was a waste because we still have troops in Korea • Also Vietnam was a waste along with the current war in Iraq �'CHAItA\;TEIl 01' SUAllATlOII 1(, BDliOBA3IZ /1. .......,-: _. - - ,·~o~~~ ~:~--~ ,,- I OiPAaTJIPfT AD~ REPOIT OF SUA..mo~ FIOM THE ALlIED FOltES OFTIlE. 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SENUITS PREVIOUSLY APPLIED FOR IS"o.ily ,...., COMI'EUATION, PENSION, IIISURANCE SENEFtTS, ETC. < ' :lV. SIGNATURE.o' IlI"FICER JUTNORllED TO SloaN Rel fr act mil STO and t:-f"d to U'SAR to complete E:ight (B) yrs liTe und.er mtr~ Svc Act ;1 <, >­ /,. , . .:.'\~l- ..'; . INDIYIDUAL'S (OIY ITO !E DfLlVUfD 10 rHE 'NOIV/DUAL BEING SEfARAh,n 59·-$.3ro ,".'"+t / / 1 j ,.1.// /I~_- ._.-c.­ , � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PfeifferD Title A name given to the resource Pfeiffer, Dan (Interview outline and video), 2007 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pfeiffer, Dan Description An account of the resource Dan Pfeiffer served in the US Army between 1952 and 1954. He served in an infantry unit in Korea during the last months of the Korean War in 1953. He provides detailed descriptions of combat patrols and fighting in the trench lines against the North Koreans and Chinese. Later on, he was assigned to be the chauffeur for a general. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Veterans United States. Army Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Video recordings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007-12-14 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/999a6770817eac1849c3567414481206.jpg 1152d882fa74796fe56410077801784c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Summers in Saugatuck-Douglas Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Kutsche Office of Local History Description An account of the resource Collection contains images and documents digitized and collected through the project "Stories of Summer," supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage Grant. The collection aims to document the twin lakeshore communities of Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, as they transformed through the state's bustling tourism industry and acceptance of minorities. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1910s-2010s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Various Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich.) Douglas (Mich.) Michigan, Lake Allegan County (Mich.) Beaches Sand dunes Outdoor recreation Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Stories of Summer (Common Heritage project) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Text Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-07_SD-PhilipsL_0001 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Philips, L. Title A name given to the resource Frozen Pie Boxes Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph featuring numerous stacked boxes from the Lloyd J. Harriss Pie Company. The sides of the boxes are labeled as having "6 - 8" Frozen Pies" and the photograph appears to be taken inside a refrigerator storage facility. Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich) Allegan County (Mich) Frozen baked products Food--Storage Black-and-white photography Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital file contributed by L. Philips as part of the Stories of Summer project. Relation A related resource Stories of Summer (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b0d321de354ed8ccdd82591169ff56c5.jpg cf716e8d89fe5ad9e0484b15a88ae113 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Summers in Saugatuck-Douglas Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Kutsche Office of Local History Description An account of the resource Collection contains images and documents digitized and collected through the project "Stories of Summer," supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage Grant. The collection aims to document the twin lakeshore communities of Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, as they transformed through the state's bustling tourism industry and acceptance of minorities. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1910s-2010s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Various Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich.) Douglas (Mich.) Michigan, Lake Allegan County (Mich.) Beaches Sand dunes Outdoor recreation Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Stories of Summer (Common Heritage project) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Text Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-07_SD-PhilipsL_0002 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Philips, L. Title A name given to the resource Pie Company Semi-trailors Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of two semi-trailors parked outside the Lloyd J. Harriss Pie Company loading dock in Saugatuck, Michigan. The one on the right has a truck attached and the trailor on the left is parked for loading purposes. The photograph is taken from an angled view to the right. Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich) Allegan County (Mich) Frozen baked products Food--Storage Black-and-white photography Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital file contributed by L. Philips as part of the Stories of Summer project. Relation A related resource Stories of Summer (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/deb1001cdd147b414a67640d4241ff8c.jpg 9c1e36e42c9f855c814e074d305b4d10 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Summers in Saugatuck-Douglas Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Kutsche Office of Local History Description An account of the resource Collection contains images and documents digitized and collected through the project "Stories of Summer," supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage Grant. The collection aims to document the twin lakeshore communities of Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, as they transformed through the state's bustling tourism industry and acceptance of minorities. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1910s-2010s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Various Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich.) Douglas (Mich.) Michigan, Lake Allegan County (Mich.) Beaches Sand dunes Outdoor recreation Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Stories of Summer (Common Heritage project) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Text Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-07_SD-PhilipsL_0003 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Philips, L. Title A name given to the resource Pie Company Semi-trailors Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of two semi-trailors which have "Pies, Lloyd J. Harriss" advertised on the side. They are parked outside the Lloyd J. Harriss Pie Company loading dock in Saugatuck, Michigan. The one on the left has a truck attached and the trailor on the right is parked for loading purposes. An employee is standing in the middle and appears to be reviewing a clipboard of information. The photograph is taken from an angled view to the left. Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich) Allegan County (Mich) Frozen baked products Food--Storage Black-and-white photography Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital file contributed by L. Philips as part of the Stories of Summer project. Relation A related resource Stories of Summer (project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3649dc866f590ee816a0e6e8b6311c7b.pdf 202dc9558755d9e3993551f6d6d88186 PDF Text Text Larry Philips interviewed by Eric Gollanek and Megan Stevens July 21, 2018 EG: This is Eric Golloneck and Megan Stevens and I'm here today with say your nameLP: Larry Philips EG: at the old schoolhouse in Douglas Michigan. on July 21, 2018. This oral history is being collected as part of the Stories of Summer Project, which is supported in part by Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage program. Thank you for taking the time to talk with me today. I'm interested to learn more about your family history and your experiences this summer, in particular in the Saugatuck-Douglas area. Can you please tell me your full name, Larry, and spell it? LP: It's Larry Richard Phillips. L A R R Y R I C H A R D P H I L L I P S. EG: Okay, very good. So, we'll start in the beginning you were talking about the old schoolhouse and being a student here. Tell me bit about where you grew up. LP: I grew up in Douglas [Laugh] EG: Okay. LP: We lived in Saugatuck with my dad who's in the service. EG: Okay. LP: In fact, I met my dad when I was five years old. when we went to pick him up on the bus when he came back from World War II. MS: Wow, that's an amazing story. LP: And I went to the first grade over there and then we moved to Douglas and I was in the second grade here. EG: So, first grade in Saugatuck and then transferred if you will cross the river. LP: The River here to Douglas, yeah. EG: Very good. Tell me little bit about your parents and your family and maybe their names and �what they did, what their background is with.. LP: My family… My wife's name is Carol. We've got three children. Alison, Kevin, and Michelle. Alison lives in Hudsonville and the other two are located pretty local. They're out on Old Allegan Road. EG: Okay, so stayed close, family stayed close together. LP: Yep, pretty close. EG: Your parents, you mentioned your father was in the service in World War II. What was his name? LP: Henry Phillips was his name. EG: Was he from Saugatuck originally? LP: No, he was from Fennville. EG: Okay. So, there's a family connection there in the area. What was his role in the second World War? LP: Just Infantry. EG: Was he in Europe? LP: Yes. EG: Or the Pacific? LP: Landed in Italy and walked to England. EG: Okay. MS: Wow. [All Laugh] LP: As the war moved, so. Right, yeah. He didn't really walk to England, because you have to get across the water. [Laughs] There's some other transportation involved. �EG: For sure, yeah. What were some of your of most vivid memories from childhood growing up and Douglas? LP: Vivid ones? [Laughs] EG: Ones that stuck out, memories growing up. They could be here at school or could be off you know in the neighborhood or off at the the beach or river, or… LP: As a kid, I mean we probably use the athletic field down there for everything because we played, I think, baseball, every day that it was a good day. Yeah, in the winter we always went sledding to the golf course. EG: Uh-huh. LP: Had bicycles in the summer, would ride to Baldhead. We'd climb the face of Baldhead. Can't do that anymore, but back then, you could. [All Laugh] EG: Uh-huh. LP: And, yeah that's really just about it. EG: Yeah, how about… You mentioned your father in Fennville. Your mother's family? Was she also from Fennville? LP: My mother's family was from Sweden. and they were in Minnesota, then they went to Chicago, and then they bought a a farm up here and my mother graduated from this school. EG: Okay. LP: Oh. and my dad's mother graduated, which is my grandmother. She graduated from this school too in eighth grade. EG: What was your mother's name? LP: Francis. EG: And what was her maiden name? �LP: Ekdahl. EG: Can you spell that? LP: E K D A H L. Wait a minute, it might be E C ? E C K D A H L. Boy, I've never been asked us to for a long time. EG: Yeah, that's a tough one to pull off, yeah. LP: I was thinking about the family history pieces and thinking about those. My cousin Alice, her last name was Eckdahl. She's married to John Bock, who was an ex-Fire Chief in Saugatuck. EG: Okay. MS: Oh, wow. EG: A close web of connections in a small town right, or series of towns. 5:01 EG: So, deep roots here in the community, gets a little sense of how your family first came here. Particular memories you had growing up here that you know you say that were good or bad parts about being in town or growing up here? LP: They were always really good because we had Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. We used at sea scouts. I never belonged to the sea scouts. EG: Okay. LP: Yeah. EG: Were there some particular activities that stand out from that for you? LP: Just playing ball. EG: Just playing ball. How about in the scouts? LP: At that time there was a shuffleboard dollar tennis court. �EG: Okay. LP: The whole works. Plenty of things. EG: Lots of activities down there. I know in some other interviews, baseball stood out as the sport in town. In town, yeah, now when you… When you went to Fennville for high school did you participate in any sports or clubs or anything? LP: No, I couldn't because I had to ride the bus back. There was no way for me to get back. When my parents picked me up because we only had one car, and my dad used that because he was working. EG: Oh. LP: So, I couldn't get involved in sports. I would have played baseball if I would have been able to get back and forth. EG: What were the years, approximately, that you were in school that you were in school here in Douglas? LP: I think I started school here, it was either '46 or '47. EG: Okay. LP: And then I graduated from the eighth grade here. And then I graduated from high school in 1957, in Fennville. EG: Right. Was there a particular reason that you went to high school in Fennville as opposed to Saugatuck? LP: At that time, Douglas with a separate identity. EG: Right. LP: Saugatuck had the high school. We weren't tied in with Saugatuck, so we could go to any one wanted to. Then, some of the kids went to Saugatuck. EG: Right. LP: There was a bus that went to town for Fennville, so... �EG: Got you, that was more convenient. LP: There were about four or five of us that went to Fennville. Because of the bus, it was more convenient, as opposed to Saugatuck, where you would just have to walk. EG: Walk, right. LP: Or get a ride or something. EG: Yeah. Got you. Very interesting. Very much kind of a world. LP: All of the roads are gravel except the road that come down through town. Okay, that used to be Old 31. EG: Right. MS: How mock the gravel roads everywhere. LP: All gravel. EG: Growing up here in Douglas in particular were there, were there businesses and places or institutions beyond the field there that you hung out or that were important for you or your family? LP: Well, the one restaurant that was the Soda Lounge, which is now Everyday People. I think that's always been a restaurant in one shape or form. EG: Okay, yeah. LP: And the bakery. EG: What was the Soda House like when you were growing up or a teenager? LP: Well, you'd get an ice-cream cone for a nickel. [Laughs] MS: That's awesome. EG: That sounds like a good deal. �LP: You might be allowed one of those every two weeks or so. [All Laugh] EG: Right, absolutely. LP: But then, we go there in the morning when waiting for the bus because it always open it up so could in where it was warm, which was kind of nice. EG: For sure. MS: Very nice. LP: Bill Kruger was the name of the gentleman who owned it, and where he left I have no idea, but he coached us to use one of our coaches for baseball. EG: Okay. MS: Oh, wow. EG: Very nice. So, ice-cream there was this was a stand-out. Were there others? LP: Then the Douglas Bakery was there. EG: Particular things remember eating from or that you wanted to eat? LP: I think that was one of my first jobs that I had. I think was eleven years old and sorted pop bottles and beer bottles. EG: Okay. MS: Oh wow. EG: Uh-huh. Very cool, very interesting, yeah. So, other work? So, thinking about summertime is the focus of this. Other jobs that you had? It sounds like you worked there, and were there other things you did during the summertime in terms of work? LP: I had a ... I delivered papers at that time. I think it cost fifteen cents a week to have the paper delivered. �MS: Oh, that's a good deal. [All Laugh] LP: In the winter you had to walk it, but if I don't answer the number you could ride a bike. EG: Right. So, daily? Daily delivery? Was it a daily paper? LP: Yep, a daily paper. 10:00 EG: Some early mornings. LP: Some early mornings, yeah. [Chuckles] Then I worked at Sickle's Market. EG: And what kind work did you do? LP: Stocking shelves and doing that. EG: So, tell me a bit about after your graduation from high school what were your steps from there? What did you do at that point? LP: Well, I graduated in '57 and I went to work in 1957 in at Food Industries. EG: Okay. LP: I work. I worked there for.... jeez. Well, I was part of Lloyd J Harris Pie Company, but it was called Food Industries. EG: Okay. What… how did you… what was your entrance there? How did you get hired there? LP: Stacking crates. EG: Stacking crates? LP: Of apples delivering crates of apples. EG: Okay. �LP: Well, not crates of apples, the crates. Loading trucks in. EG: That was a year-round job or seasonal? LP: The first year was seasonal because I got laid off in the summer EG: Okay. LP: …but I had another guy who mowed yards. We had a good time doing that. So, we made it through. It's not a bad place to be in the summer. EG: No, it isn't. LP: There's always, you can always find a job, if you want a job. EG: And then from that point, what other work did you do there? Or, what was your…? LP: I ended up... I was... The manager that was there was Joe Prentergass, and he was the one that got us started with Lloyd J Harris. And, then, when I came back to work I took care of Harris' house. Mowed the yard, cleaned the swimming pool that's one reason we don't have a swimming pool, because I had my fill of cleaning those. [Laughs] EG: That was enough of that, right? LP: Yeah, it was the in summer. Usually had to fix crates or do something else while it was down. [Phone Rings] LP: Oh, I think that's me. Whoops. EG: That's okay. LP: I have no idea what it is for. Soon as you touch it, it's gone. MS: It's ended already. EG: Not a problem, not a problem at all. Yeah. So other work that you had there with Harris? Talk a little bit about that. �LP: Well, yeah, then I started driving truck. okay. and hauling between here and Saugatuck. We fixed apples, prepared apples for them to make into pies. And also went to... then we'd collect blueberries in the summer, at the Locker Plant, because they owned that. EG: So, lots of fruit on the move. LP: Fruit on the move. [All Laugh] EG: Any questions that pop out to you there, Megan? LP: Seems like it was 62 or 63 when they closed it. Three of us worked up in Shelby, Michigan, and established another plant up there for doing all the fruit up there with Lloyd Harris. We'd rode back and forth with him every day. EG: Kind of… maybe thinking a little bit about Saugatuck and Douglas together, what were some of your impressions of Saugatuck, as someone living in Douglas through your school years high school years and beyond? LP: Oh, we always hung out in Saugatuck. EG: Okay, spent a lot of time there. LP: We did. The Soda Lounge was there and that's where everybody congregated, and you had all the records you listen to. You’d have to pay for it but I mean it was no big deal. Well, it was, but… EG: So this will be in the mid-fifties? LP: Yeah. The big pavilion was there, you'd go there for movies. That's when you're kid. When you got older it was a bar down there. MS: That's right. LP: Spent some time there as well. I guess. EG: This is good. So yeah, what can you tell me a little bit about the Soda House, the Soda Lounge? What kind of records were there? Were there…? �LP: Oh, all 50s. EG: Oh sure. LP: Lots of R&B. Galveston. Yeah, a lot of Country Western was starting to be pretty popular back then. EG: Are there any particular records you remember or artists you remember? LP: Not really. [Laughs] That was a long time ago. We had a good time. Had a good time. There you go, that's right. Of course, cars, hot rod cars were the thing back then, too. EG: Mhm. Did you have a car? LP: I did. I did. Yeah, when I was seventeen I bought a brand-new 1958 Chevrolet Impala. EG: Okay. MS: Nice. 15:04 LP: Three, 348 engine, dry car, the whole works. That was certainly a car payment. You know, $107 a month. So, you know I had to work. [Laughs] EG: What was the terms of that loan? Was it like two years, three years? How did that work? LP: I remember it cost me $3400, and it weighed 3400 lbs. EG: A dollar a pound, okay. LP: It was $107... Yeah, that's how I remember it. The payments were...$100 I think they were $106. That's why I had to work during the summer when we were laid off. EG: Sure. LP: Unemployment paid $40, but I had to pay the rest. EG: That is a significant car payment. Were there… were their fair number of people you knew from high school that had cars? �LP: Oh yeah. EG: Pretty common? LP: Yeah, pretty common. Everybody was always wanting to race, one way or another. EG: Yeah, that is definitely one of the themes that we're really interested in with this project, especially during the summer. The kind of shenanigans of Saugatuck and Douglas through the 1950's and 60s. Tell me a little bit about racing, hot rod culture. LP: Well, we used to race in Stanton Michigan. So, every weekend we probably be six or eight of us that would drive up there. Up by Greenville. Yeah. Up by [Indistinguishable]. I think the drag strip is still there. EG: It still is there. LP: It's still there. And then there was one in Indiana I can't remember the name of that one right now. EG: Okay. LP: We went down there just a couple times. Yeah. We put a group of people from here that you knew from the community would go up there to Stanton up and down Indiana. EG: Yeah, interesting. LP: So, this was the weekend. Usually, every weekend you were somewhere for racing. EG: Okay, very interesting. How'd that go? [Laugh] How many did you win? LP: I think I won two trophies. EG: Okay. MS: Nice. [All Laugh] LP: Right now, you can probably buy those trophies for three dollars, so what you had invested it wasn't really for making the money. �EG: Sure, sure. That's fascinating. Did you do a lot of customization or modification that you made to your cars? LP: Oh, yeah. Yeah, obviously, all lowered, with laid pipes on. It would come out like… EG: Yeah. Right. I assume you drove your car, I mean... LP: Yeah, we drove them back and forth. EG: Yeah, that's what I meant. LP: My friend, he had a Corvette. We towed that back with a rope, at fifty-five mile an hour too. Oh, yeah and he would put his brakes on if he see someone trying to pull out. Because If I just hit the brakes... EG: Yeah, right... Yeah right. I mean... He couldn't quite react, so it was up to him to make sure he can put the brakes on. So, anyways, up to Stanton, I think it's 80 miles. EG: It's a long way from here. LP: 80-90? EG: Yeah, it'd be a good haul. LP: It's quite North and East in Grand Rapids. So, yeah and no highways. I mean, no 131, 196, or any of that. EG: How did you go up there? Did you just- did you start right away and back roads? LP: Back roads. Yeah, back roads. That all ended when I got married, so. [Chuckles] Racing days were over. EG: How old were you when you got married? LP: 20. EG: So, a couple years. �LP: A couple years. A couple years of having… I'm not gonna say it, good time. EG: Yeah. How did you meet your wife? LP: Well, that same summer that I was laid off. I worked for a gentleman who had a milk delivery. EG: Okay. LP: I did the commercial runs every weekend. Well, she was from Hopkins and she was some living with some lady in Saugatuck, and she worked at the one restaurant where I had made a delivery and we met that way. EG: Got you. What was the restaurant? LP: [Sighs] Ned Roberts owned it. Portacall. EG: Okay, very good. LP: Boy, you're getting lucky on my memory. It's not the greatest at times It comes and goes sometimes. It's like AM radio, fades in, fades out. [All laugh] 19:50 EG: So, racing. Did you ever race at the Air Park Speedway? LP: No, but we went to there when I was in grade school, because a friend who announced made the announcements while we were running and all that we'd set up there in the booth with him. It was Thomas... We had Thomas Insurance here, if you ever heard of that. EG: I have not, not yet. [All Laugh] EG: Not yet. I like that connection. LP: Yeah, so definitely an interesting in racing and hot rods. That's where we… EG: Was there driving around racing, racing on the streets as well in this area? �LP: Oh, yeah. One of the cops used to watch for us help us out. So, that he knew the kids were doing it, you know, so he would watch over you a little bit me. Try to reduce the chance of accidents and things like that. EG: So, get in pretty so decent relationship with the police in town. Never a problem, yeah. EG: Yeah. How about when, you know part of the story… kind of you know things going on and Saugatuck and Douglas go through late 50s and 60s but running with experience with you know biker gangs is certainly something we've read a lot about. Did have any experience? LP: We were... I was married when we had that, because I was a fire department over in Douglas, and they rounded up a bunch of them in right took their motorcycles away from them, put them in jail overnight and they put everything in the fire department, so the fire departments guys to go back release them to them and that's how they copped out is what they did. They were done. But, the guys were decent guys that had the motorcycles, they were just partying and having a high old time. Sometimes, it got out of control. EG: Too many, too many drinks too many times. LP: Too many drinks, yeah. EG: So you had all those bikes and stuff in fire station while you were there. LP: Yeah, that's where they put them. EG: Anything that stands out? LP: That's when it was underneath the Village Hall. EG: Okay. Got you. LP: When the Fire Department was underneath it. EG: Yeah. Anything that stands out about that? Were they decent guys? Where are these guys from? Where were these, if you remember? All over? LP: All over, yeah I think this group was out of Illinois though, kinda sticks in my mind. From the Chicago area. �EG: Interesting. LP: Not trying to pass it onto Illinois. [Laughs] EG: That's a first... That stands, that jumps out to you. LP: Yeah, it stands out. I won't say it's a fact, but that's... EG: Right. LP: But that was just once that that ever happened, though. But I know the town would be so busy it would be blocked off. They just stop traffic from going in because it was no more room for cars to park or do anything else. They just stopped it and barricaded the roads. If you grew up around here you know how to get in without... [All Laugh] MS: Other ways in. LP: Other ways, yeah. [Laughs] EG: Knew all the back roads. LP: Saugatuck's always been a busy, busy town. EG: Yeah. Lots of activity. Were there, kind of switching, your experiences there. You mentioned spending a lot of time there, hanging out in high school and teenage years and twenties. Were there particular places that you, aside from the Soda Lounge, you mentioned bars, as you got older, bars or restaurants...? LP: I didn't really frequent the bars. yeah. If anything, once we' were married, we'd go to The Butler to eat, or the Coral Gables. We didn't do that very often. [All laugh] EG: Not common. LP: Not, no. �EG: You said you had three kids? LP: It was a real treat. Three kids. EG: That's a handful right there [All Laugh] LP: You know what you had to order, you knew how much you could spend, and you knew how many drinks you could have, because you still had to pay the babysitter when you got home, so it was a good deal whatever you did it. Most of the time, we got together with other people that we hang around with you know and have get togethers at their house. You know, have dinner or something. Somebody brings this you bring that. That worked well. MS: Nice little potluck. EG: Do you remember some of the families that you guys used to hang out with for dinners and things like that? LP: Yeah. A lot of are them gone already. Shruten Gus was one of them. The Whitemans. He was the plumber in town. 25:12 LP: Oh, golly. I know there was a lot of other people there but you most of are them all gone now too. Oh, and then we snowmobiled too. We started the snowmobile club, The Snow Gutters. There were some fifty some members. EG: What year did that start, approximately? 1960s? 50s. LP: Oh, quite early. Because I ended up I bought a used snowmobile. It was a year old it, was a 59. Then, I bought a brand-new one that was 1960. EG: Okay. Nice. LP: Yeah. That was out at the old airport. Okay. And then you could ride in the winter I mean the winters were bad enough where you could just take off and ride anywhere you wanna go. EG: Was that common in town, that people road snow machines in town, or not so much? �LP: Well, we set up trail areas where you wanted to go into town, to any of The Butler or the Coral Gables. You had a certain way that we put up signs for snowmobiles in town, in Douglas also. EG: Okay, that's great. What were those, do you remember what snowmobiles you had, the 59 and the 60? LP: Ours were Arctic Cats. There were Arctic Cats, Polaris. I think they're both still about the only ones going. I can try to remember some of the other names, but I can't. Johnson was making some. EG: Yeah, Johnson had one. LP: Oh, there were a lot of different brands. I don't remember them anymore, I'm sorry. EG: That's alright, I was just curious. Where did they come from? Was there a dealer? Where did people get them? LP: We bought the Arctic Cats in Holland, and Mercury was over across that was one of the other brands the Mercury Motor, or Snowmobile, yeah and I was trying to think there was another one up here next to where the Red Wood Drive-In used to be. I can't remember what brand it was. It was pretty popular, but they would repair any snow mobiles. EG: Right. LP: If you had a problem with them, most of time you better do your own fixing. [Laugh] Which is often. EG: Often. [All Laugh] LP: Yeah, it was. EG: Very cool. So, it's a winter experience there, too. LP: Pretty fun stuff from early on. EG: Yeah. Favorite places to go in the summertime? You mentioned Mount Baldhead and climbing that as a kid. Oval Beach. �LP: Yeah, Oval Beach. Douglas Beach. We didn't... We went camping once up to Holland when the kids were little, stayed up at the State Park. Otherwise, you got you got your summer destination right here. EG: Okay. LP: We had a boat. EG: A boat as well, nice. Do you have other questions that you can think of here? MS: Yeah, you mentioned the big pavilion and the pavilion in the movie theater. Did you go there often or maybe just once or twice? LP: No, it used to be every week whenever they'd change. If it was a decent movie, we went over there to see it. MS: Oh, nice. LP: And we used to go to the wrestling there. okay. Oh, wrestling? Gorgeous George and all the Flow Eagle... [All Laugh] LP: I can't believe they can fake stuff so well. EG: They do a pretty good job. LP: That was inside the big ballroom where they have the wrestling. EG: Right. MS: Oh wow. EG: Other events you remember or other things, memorable things from the Big Pavilion you remember doing there or seeing in there? LP: They had a drive theater just half-way to Holland. EG: Okay. �LP: Oh yeah, so we go there for movies when the kids are little. EG: Right. LP: That was perfect. Yeah, quite a lot of... a lot of people did it. 30:08 EG: So, you mentioned you were in the fire department. Were you in the Fire Department when the Pavilion caught on fire? LP: Yes, I was because I was was one of the other firemen and we were up on top of the roof at the El Forno. EG: Okay. LP: Yeah, and it got so hot, we were hiding behind where the air movement came out of the building you know yeah. Yeah, because it was so hot. When it finally broke lose, really good, that was a little scary. EG: I bet. MS: I can't imagine. LP: Because if you look where the pavilion was right there in relationship to the El Forno. I mean, next door. EG: It was next door you. LP: Oh, man, because house is on the other side burnt, one of the restaurants and then it was three houses across the river that caught fire and burned to the ground. EG: Okay. MS: Oh wow. EG: From the embers? LP: Yeah. It was a good thing the wind was out of the direction that it was. �EG: Right. LP: Otherwise, it could have taken could've whole the town. EG: Right. MS: Oh wow. LP: It was a huge fire. EG: Yeah, for sure. Other parts aspects of that do you remember? How you get the call or how you respond to that? LP: I was working at the pie factory and somebody… They just had a bell at that time and then finally… Well, it was Lloyd Harris himself, he came out to the dock and he says they got severe fire going on downtown at the pavilion, so you guys can go help so I was not on the fire department at that time. EG: Okay, got you. They just recruited you as volunteer. LP: Yeah, to volunteer to go down and help where you could. EG: Yeah. When you were up at El Forno's roof, did you have water or something? LP: Yeah, we had fire hoses. EG: Okay, got you. LP: Trying to keep that the roof and that wet, wetted down too, to keep that from catching fire. EG: Yeah, quite the fire. How long did that go on? What was your term memory of that experience there? LP: Oh, it must have been that at least six hours and I know there was a crew that stated during the night because it was you know, it would flash up a little bit just to maintain it, but I didn't I didn't help. That was done they when the building finally collapsed and everything, everything was gone anyways. It was shortly after that that I got on the fire department. EG: Okay. That was your baptism by fire. �LP: Right and I spent forty-some years the on fire department. okay. Between Saugatuck, between Douglas and then when Douglas went to Saugatuck. John Black was the Chief and I was the Assistant Chief. EG: Yeah. Are there other big event that you remember responding to this is part of that. LP: Oh yeah, the Tara when it burned, right next door. That was a a big fire. Yeah, there was a couple hotels in Saugatuck that burned. Can't remember the names of them.... Mount Baldhead Hotel, where Ship and Shore is. That burned. I can't remember the other one was in the middle, but it was another hotel that burned to the White... The Whitehouse, I think it's called but it was Casablanca, and blanca is Spanish for white. EG: Right yeah, yeah. Very good. So, and then, kinda shifting back to work at the Harris Pie Factory. Tell me about your work there in the later years, jumping forward a little bit. And, I'm guessing, retirement? LP: Well yeah, when Food closed finally. I went to Saugatuck and worked and drove a lift truck, and then I got involved in maintenance. Worked my way up through there. Went to several schools. Got knowledge of refrigeration and electrical. EG: Okay. The whole works. LP: So then, I got the opportunity to be head of maintenance and chief engineer for the whole plant and anything involved. 35:13 LP: Then, well, we went through some bad times there, too. When Harris sold the business, he sold it to Mrs. Smith Pie Company. I don't know if you've ever heard of Mrs. Smith, but they're out east, out in Pennsylvania. EG: Yeah. LP: It got caught in an anti-trust suit. EG: Okay. MS: Oh. �EG: What year was this? LP: And it was that way for two years, then two guys bought it. Frank Roca and I can't remember the name of the other, the guy’s name but they were there for the money because all the money that had made it went into the bank in a lump sum and they paid so much for the plant on took the money. EG: Got you. About what year was this... Did Harris sell the plant and then the ... LP: I think it was around… [Mutters] I want to say it was in the seventies. EG: Okay. LP: If I start talking about another one, I'll probably remember when the date was. But, they had it for two years. And, then it went. They were having trough financial and a company in Chicago took us over and they finished it up in about a year and a half or so. It had right around 78 when it all started going bad because at '82 it was closed and two of us were retained by the bank to keep it, so nobody would mess with it. In '82 Mrs.... or Rich Products wanted to buy all the equipment and they came there, and they were looking at. They wanted all the equipment and they asked me if I stay there to help him unload it and I says, "No, when that happens, I'll be gone." They just, then they decided to buy the whole plant. EG: Okay. LP: When the meantime, Chef Pierre was after me to go work for them in Traverse City. I kind of held them off because Rich Products and them both gave me an offer on the same day. I went up there and they showed houses and everything else for us to move there. EG: It's good to be in demand. [All Laugh] LP: Yeah, it was. Worked out where they both made me the same. nearly the same offer. okay and I didn't have to move and start paying for another house. [Chuckles] So, I just stayed, yeah. Yeah, that was in 1982, and I was assistant manager with a fellow from Winchester, Virginia. and then he got called to another plant in Appleton and they made me general manager. I did that for twelve years. then they got so busy that they didn't want to build any more in the town. The town really wasn't real good favor about adding more industrial area to it because it's a resort town, so. �EG: Right. In this specific location, probably, too. LP: Right. EG: It's right there, right on your way in and out of town. LP: Right, yep. So, they just turned it over to Sarah Lee, the business and then we shut the whole plant down and stripped it I'm trying to remember the fellows that bought it. Anyway, the Fruit Exchange. The office building used to be the old Saugatuck Fruit Exchange, the one on the south side of Culvers Street, where it's a park now. EG: Yeah. LP: That had I big building in there. It might be one of those pictures in there of that, I don't know. EG: Okay, we will have to look. So, this would have been the early 1990s? LP: No, it was in 1998, when that happened. EG: Okay. LP: That's when we closed it, when we were done with it. EG: Got you. LP: And then, I worked for Rich Products, going around to different plants, helping them on different items and I did that for two years and then a friend of mine. I went to work for him in Grand Rapids for two years and retired. 40:01 LP: Excuse me a minute, I don't... EG: No, that's okay. LP: It was the wife. My daughter and all of them are in Hawaii. EG: Very nice. �MS: A good place to be. LP: I don't know why you'd travel anywhere else when right here, you've got everything you need here, beach wise. EG: Changes that you've of kind of, reflecting over changes seen you in Saugatuck and Douglas? What are some things that have changed the most from your childhood to now? LP: Well, we used to…. The Butler, we went there last night. We still do, but you don't know anybody any more in there. Used to be our town, you know, and now it's the younger, a different group that is in there. And we belong to the Singapore Yacht Club, because we were there for 12 years with a boat, and then we bought a motor home and did that for about ten years and now we got a fifth-wheel that we bought, and sat a lot in Florida, and we go down there in winter. MS: Escape some of the cold. LP: For a while. Escape some of the cold. EG: How long do you go down there? LP: For three months three and a half. EG: Other changes that you've seen for the good or for the bad? LP: I think everything is more or less been for the good. I'm not so fond of the highway out here. EG: More and more traffic. LP: More and more traffic, yeah. It's not made where. I mean you pull of of Douglas and you almost swiped my car and it's getting there for a left and turn and if a truck comes, they almost have to go over to that. And then, you see the bicycles riding down the highway. EG: Yeah. Quite the mix. LP: Yeah. [All Laugh] �LP: That was the only place where it was wide enough where they didn't have to use the highway really if they didn't need to. So, I... well… maybe they say it helps Douglas. I don't know if it does or doesn't, but it's there. EG: Way too soon to tell. LP: Yeah. EG: Looking ahead, kind of thinking about you know, this interview will be saved for a long time. So, when someone listens to this tape fifty years from now, imagine that, what would you like to know about your life and the community right now? LP: I enjoyed both communities. EG: Of Saugatuck and Douglas. LP: [Laughs] Of Saugatuck and Douglas, but I'm still partial to Douglas. [Laughs] No, I think it's a great area really. EG: In particular things you described for some future listeners that we don't know who that moment might be like? LP: Yeah, would be interested in another fifty years. Didn't change much over in the last fifty really. I mean the buildings got renewed or something like that you know. EG: It's still recognizable place from your child as a resort community a small town small. LP: Yeah, small town, and you know, yeah. EG: Any advice for a young person that might listen to this tape? LP: I think it's more of a retirement area, as to find a job in town and live here is kind of tough now. EG: Yeah. LP: When we were younger it wasn't. I mean, we had grocery stores, so you were here all the time. Well, they still have the grocery store. More work. EG: More year-round work. �LP: Yeah, more year-round work. More diversity of work. It's kind of nice for the younger people. They've got a lot of different places that they can work. My daughter she works is waitress at The Butler. I think she's the oldest one her been there the longest. Not the oldest but been there the longest. EG: Very good. LP: Fifty years, that's an interesting, I've got to do some more thinking on that one, you know. EG: Right. LP: I don't know much more can it change. MS: Yeah. 44:59 EG: Tough to say. I guess another way to look at is what you imagined your life would be like, when you're in the school building, looking forward imagining fifty years down the road Is Saugatuck and Douglas pretty much how you expected? LP: Course it changes. [Phone Rings] EG: You're in demand. MS: That's a fun tune. LP: Somebody trying to save interest on your credit card. I don't know if you get those calls. EG: Yeah, we do. [All Chuckle] LP: It drives me nuts. Where were we? [All Laugh] EG: I guess another way to say it did you imagine when you were a kid that you would stay here in Douglas? �LP: Yeah, I kind of did, because there was always work and it was busy, you know. Of course, we had the company here so that employed quite a few people, really. EG: Right, for sure. Any other questions that you have on your mind there, Megan? LP: No, not really. Not at the moment. EG: Anything else we didn't ask about that you want to share? LP: Not really. Other than food industries, there was the Morgan Ice Company. It was bought, but you probably know that. LP: In that hall, we used to play basketball over there when we were here in school. It used to be that the Douglas ACs owned it. I don't know what it was originally made for. I never inquired. EG: I don't know off-hand myself. LP: Somebody said it was a church at some time. EG: Yeah, I think that's accurate. MS: Yeah. The Library? Yeah, I think it was a church, and then.... LP: I don't ever remember it being as a church when I was going to school here. right. I know the athletic office was active there. Yeah, they had all their weightlifting and all that stuff in the basement. That was quite popular back then, too, with baseball teams Fast pitch for men. That's kind of disappeared now. But, a lot of the guys here played it. I didn't, I didn't care for softball. The library tore down the house we lived in for two years right after we were married. [All Chuckle] EG: Bit of a loss. LP: A bit of a loss, yeah. Some things have come and gone. But the town is still advancing, though. Some beautiful homes go up. Lake Shore, there are some nice ones out there. [Chuckles] It is a retirement area, really, when you stop and look at it. Other than what kind of labor you call it that work for the waitresses, the stores. EG: The service industry. �LP: Yeah, service. That's what I'm trying to think of, service industry. There are no major companies around, like there used to be so. Holland is a place where you go to work. EG: Oh, very good. Unless we have any other questions or comments, I'm going to thank you. Thank you so much for your time. LP: Thank you for having me. EG: For sharing your memories here. LP: I wish I could remember more. I'll probably think about a bunch of them. EG: We can always do a part two. If you think of some good stories, let us know. LP: If there's something you need. MS: We can always come back. LP: Well, I was on the fire department so that was always involved. Then, I was on the city board here. Did that. It was active, it was the job that held me here, so I stayed. EG: And it’s a long continuity, it sounds like. You've had a long time of being here to understand how things work. LP: What doesn't work. EG: What doesn't work, yeah. LP: Yeah, all towns have the same problems. I think. Roads and everything else. EG: Well, very good. LP: I enjoyed the area. I love the area. EG: Very good. We appreciate you sharing all that of and with that. I'm going go ahead and I'll stop the recording here, and this concludes our interview today. Thank you. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Summers in Saugatuck-Douglas Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Kutsche Office of Local History Description An account of the resource Collection contains images and documents digitized and collected through the project "Stories of Summer," supported by a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage Grant. The collection aims to document the twin lakeshore communities of Saugatuck and Douglas, Michigan, as they transformed through the state's bustling tourism industry and acceptance of minorities. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1910s-2010s Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Various Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/">Copyright Undetermined</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich.) Douglas (Mich.) Michigan, Lake Allegan County (Mich.) Beaches Sand dunes Outdoor recreation Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Stories of Summer (Common Heritage project) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Text Language A language of the resource English Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018 Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-07_SD-PhillipsL_2018-07-21 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Philips, Larry Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2018-07-21 Title A name given to the resource Larry Philips (interview transcript) 2018 Description An account of the resource Larry Phillips recounts his time in Saugatuck and Douglas, where he grew up. In this interview, he discusses working several jobs, including his work at the Lloyd J. Harris Pie Company. He also discusses his time as a firefighter and provides a first-hand account of the Big Pavilion fire. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Gollanek, Eric (interviewer) Stevens, Megan (interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Saugatuck (Mich.) Douglas (Mich.) Allegan County (Mich.) Motorcycle gangs Automobiles Oral history Audio recordings Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Stories of Summer project, Kutsche Office of Local History. Grand Valley State University Relation A related resource Stories of Summer (Common Heritage project) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/877fe55bbdbd88b2db86371d10c9fc25.m4v b0c44b1910efa252bcf9056e41dc573c https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fa1bf3d09b7953d6aaee211c0e4f21c8.pdf cccbab23eb136e9bfeb4dbe400d47a31 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veteran’s History Project Gregory Phillips Vietnam War 1 hour 9 minutes 21 seconds (00:00:18) Early Life -Born in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 22, 1948 -Grew up in the area -Attended the University of Alabama -Studied political science -Graduated in early 1969 (00:01:00) Getting Drafted & Basic Training -Drafted after he graduated from college -Reported for duty on July 16, 1969 -Received his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia -Eligible for officer training (since he had a college degree) -Didn’t interest him; he wanted to get out of the Army as soon as possible and alive -Older than most of the recruits -Majority of recruits were 18 or 19 years old and he was 21 years old -It was a culture shock for him, especially with the drill sergeants screaming obscenities at him -He was a little overweight, so drill sergeants focused on him -Didn’t stop him from completing basic training -Discipline wasn’t a problem for him -Lasted nine weeks -First week spent at the induction center getting processed due to the Moon landing -Next eight weeks consisted of training -Most drill sergeants had served in Vietnam, and all of them were career soldiers (00:04:08) Advanced Infantry Training - 2/3 of his training company was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana, for advanced infantry training -Fort Polk was a primitive base -Buildings had been built during World War II, had scorpions, and wild boars -Eight weeks of intense training -Some training was geared towards fighting in Vietnam, but most of it focused on conventional warfare -Did an “escape and evasion” course -Learning how to avoid capture and how to endure being a prisoner-of-war -Had non-commissioned officers (sergeants) training them -Some of them were younger than him, and most were new sergeants with no experience -They were nice men, at least (00:06:48) Deployment to Vietnam -He got two weeks of leave after completing advanced infantry training -On December 10 (or 11), 1969, he left for Vietnam -Flew from Birmingham to Los Angeles to Fort Lewis (near Seattle, Washington) -Stayed at Fort Lewis for two or three days -Flew from Fort Lewis to Alaska to Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam -Flew there via Flying Tigers Airlines -Landed during the day and it was hot -Boarded buses with wire on the windows to keep out grenades �-Sent to an induction center for processing (00:08:21) Service with 1st Infantry Division -His first assignment was with the 1st Infantry Division at Lai Khe -Served with them for two months -He served in the Color Guard -Responsible for “casing” (or retiring) units’ colors that returned to the United States -Spending his first two months with the 1st Infantry Division was excellent training -Taught him the skills that helped him survive with the 101st Airborne Division -Got into occasional skirmishes -Usually 20 – 25 American soldiers against 2 or 3 North Vietnamese soldiers -He watched the experienced soldiers to learn how they acted in combat -Discovered a few bunker complexes -Told to do as he saw, and don’t talk -Gave him more discipline -He served as the radio-telephone operator with the 2nd Battalion of the 28th Infantry Regiment -Operated in triple-canopy jungle -No contact with civilians unless they passed through a village -Joined 2nd Battalion (mechanized) of the 2nd Infantry Regiment -Had armored personnel carriers for travel and combat -Easier than walking, but lost the element of surprise -Saw no combat with them -Spent six weeks with that unit -Saw an old man walking around in the middle of nowhere, so they brought him back to base -Suspicious, but not an immediate or apparent threat (00:15:40) Morale in the 1st Infantry Division -Most of the men had a bad attitude because they had been drafted -Focused on survival, not heroism (00:16:18) Transfer to 101st Airborne Division -Reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Phu Bai -Passed through Long Binh during the reassignment process -Stayed there for five days -Took a C-130 cargo plane up to Phu Bai -Went through SERTS (Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School) -Learned how to rappel and go on long marches -Some replacements had experience while others were brand new soldiers from the States -Most of it seemed pointless to him, especially the rappelling -Joined Delta Company of the 1st Battalion of the 506th Infantry Regiment -1st sergeant asked him which platoon he wanted to join -Joined his unit on March 1, 1970 -Commander of Delta was Patrick Skinner -Nice, relaxed man -Flown by Chinook helicopter to the field to join his unit for maneuvers -Joined the 2nd platoon in the field (00:20:13) First Major Enemy Contact -One week later he saw his first major combat action -They set up a night defensive position -Operating in “I Corps” (military district in South Vietnam in the mountains) -At midnight he heard 25 or 30 explosions at 1st platoon’s position -2nd platoon moved to their position to assess the damage �-Skinner had been knocked unconscious, and several soldiers sustained critical wounds -He and the other men built stretchers to carry the wounded -Waited two hours for a helicopter to evacuate the wounded -The enemy knew the company commander was at the position they attacked -One of the wounded men ultimately died from shock -They had most likely been attacked by sappers -Small teams of North Vietnamese soldiers that hit and ran with satchel charges (explosives) -They weren’t able to catch the sappers -Left the area too fast, and the American soldiers focused on securing the perimeter -A couple nights later they got hit again, and that time it was his platoon -Taken to Camp Evans to regroup and recover -He had taken a small piece of shrapnel in his eye during that fight -Awarded the Purple Heart for his wound -Brought in replacements to account for the severely wounded and the dead -Spent one night at Camp Evans (00:27:17) Firebase Ripcord Campaign – Entering the Area -Flown to Firebase Rakkasan with a new company commander -Before leaving Firebase Rakkasan on May 5, artillery hit the landing zone to prepare their assault -Flew out to Firebase Maureen, an abandoned base in the A Shau Valley -It was a hot landing, because the artillery had been fired at the wrong coordinates -Landed in the midst of a thousand North Vietnamese troops -They fired tear gas at the firebase to hamper the American troops -A long firefight ensued with the North Vietnamese until they retreated (00:31:22) Firebase Ripcord Campaign – Operating out of Firebase Maureen -Conducted patrols in the area around Firebase Maureen -Someone spotted an enemy soldier with red hair -Unless it was a genetic anomaly, then it was probably a Soviet adviser -Remembers making camp to the west of Maureen and seeing mountains on the Laotian border -On May 6, his platoon moved to the south of Maureen -North Vietnamese soldiers ambushed them and wounded two men -Continued moving through an abandoned bunker complex area -North Vietnamese opened fire from an embedded machine gun position -Called in air support and a jet dropped a 500 pound bomb on that enemy position -No effect; North Vietnamese still kept firing -After the failed bombing run, his platoon decided to fall back to Maureen to get resupplied (00:34:56) Firebase Ripcord Campaign – Battle of Firebase Maureen -2nd platoon went to Firebase Maureen and established a perimeter -Two-man positions around the base -Set out anti-personnel mines -Some men dug foxholes while other men used existing bunkers -Dusk on May 6th when they established their positions at Maureen -At 4 a.m., on May 7, North Vietnamese forces attacked Firebase Maureen -Platoon leader got killed first -North Vietnamese attacked with satchel charges and small-arms fire -Killed seven men on the west side of the perimeter in the initial assault -Multiple wounded -Gregory set off his mines to hinder the enemy attack -Platoon sergeant fell back to the center of the perimeter with a radio to call in reinforcements -The platoon sergeant ordered Gregory to help another soldier on the west perimeter �-He ran to that position and fought from there for 2 ½ of 3 hours -During the battle he was wounded six times, but never stopped fighting -North Vietnamese continued to throw satchel charges at the perimeter -One landed two or three feet away from him, but it was a dud -They threw out flares to guide the helicopters -During the battle he was about 25 yards away from the platoon sergeant (small perimeter) -Armed with an M79 grenade launcher and a pistol for the duration of the battle -Shrapnel from an RPG hit him in the back of the head -North Vietnamese closed to within 15 feet of his position -He shot a grenade at one enemy soldier and the force crushed the man’s skull -Fired a canister round (similar to a shotgun round) at another enemy soldier -Enough force to lift him up ten feet and throw him down the hill -He took his friend’s rifle and charged down the hill to engage the North Vietnamese -At this point he was shot in the side -Doesn’t remember if he turned around killed the shooter, or someone else did -The North Vietnamese fell back once 1st platoon arrived at Maureen -He was treated and stabilized long enough to be evacuated via helicopter -Gregory didn’t tell anyone about his experience at Firebase Maureen for over 20 years (00:49:10) Reunions Pt. 1 -In the early 1990s he started talking about his experience in Vietnam -On Veterans’ Day he wore his Purple Heart ribbon on his shirt -Someone made a positive comment about it -Led to his decision to start talking about his time in the war -Got involved with the 506th Infantry Regiment Reunion group, Currahee -The writer, Randy Mills, reached out to Gregory to give his perspective of the battle at FSB Maureen -Gregory remembered the most out of all the men -Mills wrote, Troubled Hero: A Medal of Honor, Vietnam, and the War at Home (2006) -About Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth Hays and the battle of FSB Maureen (00:51:18) Recovery & Coming Home -First sent to the Camp Evan’s infirmary -1 – 1 ½ hours later he was sent to the hospital in Phu Bai for surgery -Stayed there for one week -Sent to Cam Ranh Bay to being the process of returning to the United States -Didn’t realize the severity of his wound until he learned he would return to the US -Sent to Japan for one week of surgery and recovery -Returned to Fort Rutger, Alabama to complete his recovery -Spent three months there recovering and working as a hospital orderly (00:54:23) End of Service -For the last ten months of his service he was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas -Assigned to be a tank commander -He knew nothing about tanks -Made a tank instructor -Did his job as best as he could despite not being a tank soldier -Participated in secret weapons training -Wife lived with him at Fort Hood until she got pregnant -Returned to Alabama and gave birth to their child there -Working at Fort Hood was like having a civilian day job -No anti-war activity other than Jane Fonda trying to get on the base to protest the Vietnam War �(00:56:55) Drug Use in Vietnam -There was a fair amount of drug use on bases in Vietnam -His first exposure to marijuana was in Vietnam -Men in rear positions were most likely to abuse it -Had down time and it was readily available -He never saw anybody using hard drugs like heroin -Some of the officers smoked pot with the enlisted men -He didn’t appreciate that since they were supposed to be leaders -North Vietnamese smoked pot to get the courage to attack -Never saw men smoke in the field (00:59:05) Life after the War -He had studied to be a teacher, but lacked the patience -Got a job in sales with a food distribution company based in Ohio -Worked for them for ten years -Only way to move up in the company would have been to go to Chicago or Ohio -Didn’t want to do that, so he quit -Returned to Birmingham and started his own food business -Had that business for 15 years (01:00:50) Reunions Pt. 2 -He joined the 506th Infantry Regiment Association -Given a roster of the names of the men that served in the 506th in Vietnam -He was able to make contact his old friend, Dick Doyle -This led to him talking to Randy Mills about his book -Contacted his platoon sergeant, man he fought alongside at Maureen -Which in turn led to contacting other men from 2nd platoon -Gregory is one of a group of men in 2nd platoon awarded for their actions at Firebase Maureen -He received the Silver Star for his actions -Another man received the Distinguished Service Cross -Kenneth Hays received the Congressional Medal of Honor -One man received the Bronze Star for Valor -Has attended Ripcord Reunions to see the other men of D Company -Although he didn’t fight at the battle of Firebase Ripcord, he fought in that campaign -In 2009 he went to his former platoon sergeant’s hometown for a smaller reunion (01:07:55) Reflections on Service -It was a maturing experience -Allowed him to be a district manager at 25 years old in charge of men double his age -Taught him that he could live with less and be alright -Little food and water, sleeping outside, and being in combat -Able to endure more than civilians that haven’t seen combat -He wouldn’t repeat his experience, but he appreciated it � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27_PhillipsG1963V Title A name given to the resource Phillips, Gregory (Interview outline and video), Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2016-10-06 Description An account of the resource Gregory Phillips was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 22, 1948. After graduating from college in 1969 he was drafted into the Army. He received basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and his advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In December 1969 he deployed to Vietnam. He was first assigned to the 1st Infantry Division at Lai Khe and he served with them for two months (first in 2nd Battalion/28th Infantry Regiment then 2nd Battalion (mechanized)/2nd Infantry Regiment). Gregory transferred to the 101st Airborne Division at Phu Bai, and joined 2nd platoon of Delta Company, 1st Battalion/506th Infantry Regiment on March 1, 1970. On the morning of May 7th he and the rest of 2nd platoon fought at the battle of Firebase Maureen where he was wounded six times and was later awarded the Silver Star for his actions there. He was medically evacuated to the United States and served at Fort Hood, Texas, for the last ten months of his enlistment (he was most likely discharged in June 1971). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Phillips, Gregory Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American United States. Army Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project collection, (RHC-27)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Language A language of the resource eng Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource video/x-m4v application/pdf https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e145b8c5f831a8517b8d166e7383f5d8.mp4 9561650b17eb0472acad7071e682a912 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a9bccb9efbf15492ef2cde4f788263da.pdf db581cce414b277ce22f9c1e0f61b6fa PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Interview Notes Length: 13:56 Randolph Elbert Phillips Jr. Vietnam Veteran United States Navy, February 1963 to August 1968 A-Branch (00:26) Pre-enlistment/Family: • Due to poor grades in college he joined the Navy • Joined Navy because it had better standards of living during the war • His Uncle’s Navy experience influenced his decision • His father had retired from the Army, and his uncle had retied from the Navy as an Admiral • He had another uncle who had been in the Korean War • His father had served in WWII (landed during D-day), the Korean War, and Vietnam before retiring • Father is buried at Arlington (1:43) Enlistment: • He was a communication technician (A branch) • Ended with the rank of Petty Officer 2nd class • Had a category 3 security clearance • His job was classified • He went to Yeoman A school, Instructor school, and Leadership school • Stationed in Hawaii for a year and 10 months • Stationed at US Naval Reserve Training Center in Jersey City for 3 years • Learned to instruct reservists during his time their (3:25) Free Time/Friends: • In Hawaii they would go to the beach to surf and pick up girls • He had multiple friends who were married, and when holidays came around he would visit them • In general people in the service did not celebrate holidays that much because they were away from their families • Made many good friends during his enlistment and is still close with buddy from the Reserve Center in Jersey City (5:50) After Enlistment: • Went back to same University he had been at before the war, and finished his degree • Went on to be a Sales Representative for a few different companies (6:37) Lessons Learned: • The main lesson he learned in the military was how to be disciplined �• Some were forced to go into the service just so they would learn some discipline • Learned that life was not all fun and games • When he went back to college (1968-71) his experience in the military helped him understand the importance of education (9:01) Vietnam Memorial: • Many veterans were affected by the war, and the wall brings back a lot of those memorizes • It make him remember the three classmates who lost their lives during Vietnam (10:23) Soldiers Coming Home (then and now): • When they came home they were spit on and called baby killers • The Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq are treated with more respect • Veterans from Vietnam were impacted deeply by the way they were treated when they came home • Veterans, when asked about their combat experience, are very reluctant to talk about their experience in Vietnam • His veteran friends only talk about the humorous experiences, but not much else � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PhillipsR Title A name given to the resource Phillips, Randolph Elbert (Interview outline and video), 2007 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Phillips, Randolph Elbert Description An account of the resource Randolph Phillips served in the US Navy as a communication technician from 1963-68 during the Vietnam War, training reservists for service in Vietnam. He joined the Navy because his grades were too poor to keep him in college. For part of his service he was in Hawaii, and for a longer period he was in Jersey City at the US Naval Reserve Training Center. He talks about what he learned by being in the military and how it applied to life after service. He talks about the Vietnam memorial and its affect on him and other veterans of Vietnam. He also talks about how the Vietnam veterans were treated when they came home, and how it differs from how veterans are treated today. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Przybysz, Molly (Interviewer) Horn, Alison (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007-06-01 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9d4c0dfdef89853e1098b651ae211c5b.jpg e4f73afe1719d72e18fc493960fe010f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Grand Valley State University Photographs Subject The topic of the resource Aerial photographs Universities and colleges Michigan Grand Rapids (Mich.) Allendale (Mich.) Building Facilities Dormitories Students Events 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Description An account of the resource People, places, and events of Grand Valley State University from its founding in 1960 as a 4-year college in western Michigan. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource News & Information Services. University Communications Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/41">News &amp; Information Services. University Photographs. (GV012-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-03-03 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-NC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1960s-2000s Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Local Subject Subject headings specific to a particular image collection 1970s Source <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/41">University photographs, GV012-01</a> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV012-01_UAPhotos_000712 Title A name given to the resource F.E. Seidman Distinguished Award ceremony Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Phillips, Rod Description An account of the resource President Lubbers, L. Wm. Seidman, Richard Gillett, Dr. Arthur Burns, Marvin DeVries, James Daughdril, and P.K. Seidman at F.E. Seidman Distinguished Award ceremony. Subject The topic of the resource Grand Valley State University Grand Valley State College Michigan Allendale (Mich.) Universities and colleges Faculty Events Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-NC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives black and white photo https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/39d8242df9f54f725f87e3bcacaeb94f.m4v 648f66c1341a93774361fd43c2942c18 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6432d7377aa08e6b3b5dcd3bad8c1ded.pdf 7fe7568bb3425ea35045a2c69666111e PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Interview William Phillips Length: 57:45 (00:15) Background Information     William was born in Flint, Michigan and graduated from high school in 1936 His father was an insurance agent and able to keep his job during the Depression William stopped by a recruiting station and was told he was likely going to be drafted in the future so he should enlist now so that he would have a say in what he would be doing William enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April of 1941 (5:35) Training  William was sent to Chanute Air Field in Illinois  He worked on KP for a week and then began taking airplane mechanics classes  William never went through any actual physical training, but only took classes  William graduated from airplane mechanic school and was then sent to a hotel near the beach in Miami  They did not yet have any planes to work on so William worked in the mess hall for 6 months  He was cooking for men in Officer Candidate School  William was finally sent to Miami Airport to work on single engine trainers (11:45) Advanced Training  William was then sent to Kessler Air Field in Mississippi for crew training with B-24s  They were not actually doing any hands on work, but just taking classes learning the systems of the schools  William spent 6 months at the Field and had some time off on the weekends to go to the bar  He was later sent to Santa Ana, California for Air Corps Cadet basic training  William also went to Arizona for primary flight training, working with B-22s  William did very well in training and enjoyed flying  He also went through basic training with Stearmans, but washed out  He thinks that probably saved his life because he would have been in class 43G, which had a +70% mortality rate over Germany (19:25) Gunnery School  William later went to a gunnery school and after passing the classes volunteered for permanent party to help run the base �  He was in Utah working with shot guns, hand guns, rifles, skeet, and machine guns They first started on the less complicated guns and later began working with moving targets (22:50) Idaho  William was transferred to a field in Idaho for crew training  He became an instructor and was training gunners with B-24s  William was in Idaho for about 7 months in 1944 and like living there; he made many good friends  While working there he helped build an underground gunnery range (27:00) Training for Overseas  William was sent back to Kessler field for crew training with B-17s  They began flying as a crew and William was assigned as a gunner  They trained for 4 months and were then sent to Savannah, Georgia to receive their own plane  Then they were sent back to California, flew to Hawaii, Christmas Island, and then Biak (31:05) Biak  They stayed in Biak for one month just waiting around because a general needed to use their plane  It was a rustic camp on a very large base with many people  They finally got their plane back and then moved to Puerto Princesa Bay where they began working with the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron  William figured that he would be going home after the bombs were dropped on Japan  Everyone was very happy and not really expecting to be part of the Japanese invasion (38:00) Sent back to the US  William took a ship back to the US instead of flying and the trip took 25 days  He would have rather flown; there were very rough seas and it felt like the ship was falling apart  There were about 3,000 men on the ship, while most of them were sick below deck  The weather got better as they got closer to the United States and they landed in San Francisco  William took a train to Chicago to be discharged and then took another train back to Flint (40:25) After Service  William began working at his old job with AC Spark Plug, but did not enjoy his job  He then began working with his father’s insurance business � William and his brother bought their father’s business in 1955 and William continued working there until 1990 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PhillipsW Title A name given to the resource Phillips, William (Interview outline and video), 2009 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Phillips, William Description An account of the resource William Phillips was born in Flint, Michigan and graduated from high school in 1936. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in April of 1941 and was sent to Chanute Air Field in Illinois for airplane mechanic school. William also went through crew training and gunnery school, later becoming an instructor training men to work as gunners with B-24s. He later got his orders to work overseas and was sent to Puerto Princesa Bay where he began working with the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Veterans Video recordings World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American United States. Army Air Corps Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009-09-19 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5ab45aa172661ac9205705e4c9dde530.mp4 f6c561463d83ccb7c4342b7240196141 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4a51629d8e306dc5488747218eaf6985.pdf 9cce238a8f78ef49cf6e39768bbb1725 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Interview Name of Interviewee: Lavont Pickens Name of War: World War II Length of Interview: (00:52:58) (00:35) Background Information • Lavont was born in Mosley, Michigan • His father owned a creamery and his mother was a telephone operator • Lavont went to high school in Hart, Michigan • After graduating from high school Lavont worked as an operator at a power plant, which helped defer him from being drafted for a while • Lavont felt bad about being deferred while all of his friends were being drafted (4:05) Europe • Lavont had enlisted in the Army and became part of the 94th Infantry Division as a rifleman • It took them 14 days to cross the Atlantic and they had a few U Boat scares • The ship landed in La Havre and they then traveled into Metz to serve as replacements • The men moved into Germany near the Mosel River under the direction of General Patton • Lavont was hit in the lag with shrapnel while in Germany by a nearby land mine • Some other men were also hurt by the land mine and they all had to help each other make it back to headquarters • They were later brought to a hospital in Luxembourg in an ambulance (12:30) North Germany • Lavont was sent back to the same outfit when his leg had healed • He worked with L Company trading shifts with I Company • Many of the men had to leave for the hospital because they had frostbite in both feet • They traveled through Belgium and then back into North Germany �• They found some slave labor camps in North Germany that were mostly filled with Russians • Lavont was in charge of about 50 Russians from the old camp, making sure they received enough food each day • They later had to located where the Russians were from through an interpreter and send them all home (23:05) Czechoslovakia • Lavont traveled from Germany into Czechoslovakia • Their squad set up camp in a small farming community once they had passed a few larger cities • There was guard detail on the outskirts of the community 24/7 to keep the Russians from entering • They never saw any Russians, but knew they were hiding out in the woods • Even when the war was over they could still hear the Russians firing off their guns in the woods • Most of the Czechoslovakians would not eat any of the food the American men gave them because they thought they were trying to poison them • At one point a German soldier had broken into a woman’s house and demanded she feed him, pointing an unloaded gun at her • They took the German into custody and he seemed happy to surrender; he was starving • Lavont remained in Czechoslovakia after the war during the Army of Occupation • After the war the Germans in Czechoslovakia were called werewolves; they hid in underground tunnels and only came out at night (28:20) Battle of the Bulge • The men had been moved and stationed in a small town to get a week’s worth of rest before moving onto the Battle • Lavont had a friend that had suffered some mental problems after being shot in the head • The man broke into an abandoned house and found an old German uniform • He put it on and began parading around through the streets �• Lavont was very lucky and did not get hurt at all while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge • They moved on from Belgium to Germany and fought on the front lines • All the German artillery were 88mm, even their anti-aircraft (38:15)Belgium • In Belgium the German soldiers would take the uniforms off of British soldiers • Most of the Germans spoke English and there would be whole companies of them posing of British soldiers (41:10) After the War • Lavont had gotten married before enlisting and his wife had worked in a grocery store while he was gone • They also had a young daughter that his wife took care of while working • Lavont continued to write letters to many of his friends in the service after the war • He is now retired and living in the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PickensL Title A name given to the resource Pickens, Lavont A. (Interview outline and video), 2003 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pickens, Lavont A. Description An account of the resource Robert Perrin was born on September 11, 1923 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and drafted into the Army in 1943. He went to Camp McCoy in Wisconsin for basic training, which he thought was terrible. Robert then began training for the Military Police and was later stationed in Louisiana to help with flooding. Robert was transferred into the Army Air Force and then became part of the 42nd Rainbow Division. Near the end of his service Robert was instructing the Military Police how to repair radios in Colorado. Robert was discharged on November 26, 1945 and moved back to Michigan. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Collins Sr., Charles E. (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Veterans Video recordings World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American United States. Army Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2003-07-26 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/72203cdc65399a358fdfa4de81c854f8.mp4 808f419af71008cf2590238f974bd101 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0fd94cbf8731b4e2117225533738458d.pdf 6a36322fc380b9dbe9a7c25a1332e667 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Interview Notes Length: 13:56 Randolph Elbert Phillips Jr. Vietnam Veteran United States Navy, February 1963 to August 1968 A-Branch (00:26) Pre-enlistment/Family: • Due to poor grades in college he joined the Navy • Joined Navy because it had better standards of living during the war • His Uncle’s Navy experience influenced his decision • His father had retired from the Army, and his uncle had retied from the Navy as an Admiral • He had another uncle who had been in the Korean War • His father had served in WWII (landed during D-day), the Korean War, and Vietnam before retiring • Father is buried at Arlington (1:43) Enlistment: • He was a communication technician (A branch) • Ended with the rank of Petty Officer 2nd class • Had a category 3 security clearance • His job was classified • He went to Yeoman A school, Instructor school, and Leadership school • Stationed in Hawaii for a year and 10 months • Stationed at US Naval Reserve Training Center in Jersey City for 3 years • Learned to instruct reservists during his time their (3:25) Free Time/Friends: • In Hawaii they would go to the beach to surf and pick up girls • He had multiple friends who were married, and when holidays came around he would visit them • In general people in the service did not celebrate holidays that much because they were away from their families • Made many good friends during his enlistment and is still close with buddy from the Reserve Center in Jersey City (5:50) After Enlistment: • Went back to same University he had been at before the war, and finished his degree • Went on to be a Sales Representative for a few different companies (6:37) Lessons Learned: • The main lesson he learned in the military was how to be disciplined �• Some were forced to go into the service just so they would learn some discipline • Learned that life was not all fun and games • When he went back to college (1968-71) his experience in the military helped him understand the importance of education (9:01) Vietnam Memorial: • Many veterans were affected by the war, and the wall brings back a lot of those memorizes • It make him remember the three classmates who lost their lives during Vietnam (10:23) Soldiers Coming Home (then and now): • When they came home they were spit on and called baby killers • The Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq are treated with more respect • Veterans from Vietnam were impacted deeply by the way they were treated when they came home • Veterans, when asked about their combat experience, are very reluctant to talk about their experience in Vietnam • His veteran friends only talk about the humorous experiences, but not much else �HISTORY OF THE 1252ND ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION APRIL 1944 TO SEPTEMBER 1945 BJ "JIM" MURRAY .' ./ �----------- ----- .~- / References: ~ Diary of Buford James Murray (Jimmy or Jim) "B" Company _ Travelogue of "C" Company CITATION - Attack of Siegfried Line Unit Awarded 3 Battle Stars Ardennes Rhineland Central Europe Traveled In: America England France Luxemburg Belgium Germany Austria Czech �HEADQUARTERS COMBAT COMMAND "A" 6th Armored Division APO 256, U S Army 26 February 1945 SUBJECT: Commendation 1252d Engineer Combat Battalion TO Commanding Officer, 1252d Engineer Combat Battalion 1. During the period 8 F2bruary to 24 February 1945, while serving as a part of Combat Command "A", 6th Armored Division, the 1252d Engineer Combat Battalion demonstrated in all its actions a high degree of efficiency and aggress­ ,ivness. Although much of its work consisted of other than engineering work, it acquitted itself with credit in all its activities. 2. Various tasks that it was called upon to perform during this period were as follows: a. Preparing defensive positions along the sky line drive in Luxembourg. b. Aggressive patroling against active enemy resistance. c. Participating in a feint by fire against the ::; iegfried Line. d. Repairing broken roads~and filling craters. e. Building a 100-foot foot bridge across the Our River. f. Attacking the pillboxes of the Siegfried Line in the role of infantry supported by tanks. 3. The spirit and basic training of this battalion enabled it to successfully perform all of these tasks. Its engineer work was efficiently and skillfully done. Its patroling was alert and aggressive and of great value in developing and clarifying an obscure situation. Its attack displayed energy and determination. As tangible evidence of this, its record shows participation in the capture of 73 pillboxes of the Siegfried Line. 4. It is desired to commend the officers and men of this battalion for its service while a part of this command. lsi John L. Hines Jr. It I JOHN L. HINES JR Col, Calv Cmg �1st Ind. HEADQUARTERS 6th ARMORED DIVISION, Office of the Commanding General, APO 256, U S Army, 6 March 1945. To: Commanding Officer, 1252d Engineer Combat Battalion. 1. I fully concur in this basic letter and add my appreciation for the cooperation extended by yourself, your officers and your men. lsI George J Read Jr It I GEORGE J READ JR Brigadier General Commanding 2nd Ind HQ, 1252d ENGR C BN, APO 403, U S ARMY, 11 March 1945. TO: All Companies, 1252d En~ineer Combat Battalion, APO 403 1. Basic letter and indorsement will be read to all men at the first formation. 2. The Battalion's firstldfficial commendation was received with gratification and pride. I want to thank each officer and man for the part they played in their assigned tasks lsI James E Linden It I JAMES E LINDEN Major Commanding CE ------------------------------------------ �I TRAVELOGUE OF 1252d ENGR C BN, CO "c" 21 Oct Oct Oct 3 Oct Nov 29 31 Dec Dec 1 10 Jan Jan 11 Jan 16 Jan 18 22 Jan' Jan 7 Fel) 8 Feb 9 Feb 10 Feb 13 Feb 2 16 Feb 20 Feb 22 Feb 23 Feb 24 Feb 27 Feb 7 Mar 10 Mar 14 Mar 24 Mar 1944 Left Camp SWift, Texas-Chauncey (the dog), stayed behind. 1944 Arrived at Camp Kilmer, N,J.-Overseas physical-short arm. 1944 Left Camp Kilmer for embarkation at New York-The right cadence in bo~ a train. 1944 Shipped from New York on Tamaroa-48-49-50 ••••• 1944 Disembarked at Avonmouth, F.ngland, arrived via rail at Torquay, Engla "Any gum chum?" "C4-II1P SI-J.IPL.f:Y II 1944 Embarked for France from Southharnpton on the Sobienski-Hit that PX Ii 1944 Disembarked at Le Havre, France-How to celebrate New Years Eve: full ­ hoof 10 miles uphill. pitch tents on the cold, cold ground. 1945 Arrived at Forges Des Eoux, Apple Orchard-Camp Cowmanure. 1945 Left Fc:-ges Dt's Eoux via ('onvoy and 40 & 8- "One minute to gol"-Staffc took a GI. 1945 Arrived at Enghien Les Bains, 8 kilometers from Paris-The Casino-What happened to the heat? ,1~45 Departed Enghien Les Bains for the front-More 40 & 8-"We' re going to b Patton's spearhead." (Remember) 1945 Arrived at Biwer, Luxembourg-Technic of building a stove from a cream , 1945 Left Biwer and arrived at Niederdoniven, Luxembourg (Infantry outpost duty)-lO,OOO gallons of wine-Snowghost-The cats ate the Heinies in Abn. 1945 Left Niederdoniven and arrived at Oberdoniven, Luxembourg, Patton came. Bowen shaved. 1945 Left Oberdoniven-The night was wet and stormy, the road was dark and dreary, and the l252d was lost again. 1945 Arrived at Eschweiler, Luxembourg-Straw on the school house floor, if y could find the straw. 1945 Left Eschweiler, arrived in Consthum, Luxembourg (Outpost duty and road­ work)-God and the Infantry ga~e Evans to the Radio Section. 1,45 Left Consthum and arr tved 1':1 Walhausen, Luxembourg (Outpost duty)-"The tank blew all to hell." 1945 Left Walhausen and returned to Consthum (Outpost duty and roadwork)-The messhall was in the dairy. 1945 '. Left Consthum and arrived in Marnach, Luxembourg (Preparation for breach ing Siegfried Line)-Newest frills in storming a pillbox-Willmore's head kaputted Gura1l's jeep. 1945 Took part in breaching operation against Siegfried Line, crossed Our River at Dasburg, Germany, advanced to Pruscheid, Germany-The Colonel commended Singer and Bowen on their looting ability. 1945 Advance reaches Sevnig, Germany (Third Platoon cleared the town)-You don' have a saddle when you ride a tank. 1945 Left Pruscheid, Germany, returned again to Consthum, Luxembourg-The duffle bags were all fouled up. 1945 Left Donsthum, arrived at Neundorf, Belgium, near St. Vith-(Cordurory roadwork)-Knee deep in mud and a manure pile before every door. 1945 Left Neundorf, arrived in Mutzenich, Germany, There's nothing like a Tell Mine to reduce the waistline. 1945 Left Mut~enich, arrived in Scheidt Germany (Roadwork),' Dragon's Teeth and the Siegfried Line-The machine guns still were loaded-Welch killed by AP mine. Left Scheid, arrived in Mullenbach, Germany (Roadwork) Ruskis, Polskis 1945 and French by the hundreds; PW's by the thousands-the first bathtub in Germany. 1945 Left Mullenbach, arrived in Budenbach. Germany (Preparations for Rhine crosslng)-Con~unications set up ten ton Heinie switchboard. �Mar 1945 Mar '1945 2 Apr 1945 10 Apr 1945 15 Apr 1945 17 Apr 1945 22 Apr 1945 23 Apr 1945 28 Apr 1945 1 May 1945 2 May 1945 6 May 1945 May 1945 • 19 6 June 1945 9 June 1945 10 June 1945 12 June 1945 Made assult boat crossing of Rhine River under concentrated fire at St. Goar, Germany-Now we knew that Sherman waR rlght-A 20mm sprays a lot of lead and a little wine helps it to go by-May and Martinez of Second Platoon killed. Left Budenbach and arrived at Auel, Germany (Roadwork)-We walked 3 kilo­ meters to visit a castle and found an "Off Limits" sign on the door­ Needles shot. Left Auel, arrived in Kamp, Germany, on East bank of Rhine River (Main­ tained ponton bridge)-We were demons with a motor boat-We laid a line across the Rhine. Left Kamp, arrived in Laubach, Germany (Roadwork)-Nazi baby factory and nix fraternizing, what a life! Left Laubach and arriv~d "t \leimer, Germany (prepared Luftwaffe camp for Patton's Headquarters-Rootin' tootin' lootin'-Buchenwald Concentra­ tion Camp. Left Weimer and arrived at Bad Blankenberg-5,OOO bottles of wine and somehow we built a bridge. Left Bad Blankenberg and arrived in Dietersdorf, Germany-The messhall was in the railroad station. Left Dietersdorf and arrived in Trebgast, Germany (Roadwork)-DeHart went visiting-the convoy pulled out too soon. Left Trebgast, arrived in Echenbach, Germany (Roadwork) The city hall boys found a home-the beer came in kegs. Left Echenbach, arrived in Wackersdorf, Germany-The things you'll find in a schoolhouse. Left Wackersdorf, arrived in Mangelhan, Germany (Hauled Bailey bridge equipment)-cobwebs on the ceiling and cowdung by the messha11 door­ Hitler reported kaput. Left Mangelhan and arrived in Regan, Germany (Erected timber bridge, repaired roads J-Hode ru apar i.menta , cognac by the barrel and the end of the War-Wine women and a pistol don't mix. Left Regan and arrived in Hebertsfelden (built 257 foot timber bridge in 'Eggensfelden) 85 points or the CBI-The Radio Section sets up in a trailer. Moved from Hebertsfelden to Wilding, near Frankenmarkt,Austria (Garr­ ison training begins)-"Hedy Lamarr honeymooned here"-The rains came and the duffle bags went. Left Wilding, and moved to Redl, Austria-We collect ourselves after the flood-a night in the theater. Left Redl, and arrived in Oberholswang, Germany-The Field Artillery helps us find billets-The Gesthaus wasn't big, but it was dry. Left Oberholswang, and arrived in Kricheiselfing, Germany-Garrison life gets underway in a baby factory-and Stars and Stripes says the Third Army will occupy Germany. �APRIL 1944 12th I left home, Taft, Texas, to go into the Army. We left from Sinton. I was in charge of the group that went up that day. It gave me a funny feeling not knowing what to expect. I reported to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. 13th I spent all morning filling out papers and was sworn in at 13:25. This afternoon-we received our G.I. Clothing. 14th We are still getting classified and receiving shots. 15th I went home. I reached Taft at about 2400. Some bus ride! I was glad to get home. 16th I left for Fort Sam to complete induction. Little did I know where I would go in a few days. 17th This is my first day in a Unit. I spent all day policing grounds and shoveling manure for flower beds at Fort Sam. Little did I know this is what I would also do the first day I reported for work with Sinclair Pipe Line Company after graduation from Texas A & M in 1950. '!:: I tested red and green color blind. This kept me out of the Marines. Most of the people inducted in this time frame were killed in the P T O. I lost some good friends out there. The person scheduling which unit we would go to had gone to the University of Texas. Since I had completed one semester at Texas A & M he gave me my choice. I took an opening for "C" Engineers. He said it was Combat or Construction duty. I thought it was better odds than the Infantry. I Met the highest ranking person I ever saw in the Army. He was an inductee with 3 days seniority over me at Fort Sam Houston. 21st I fooled around today getting more shots. I saw an old Aggie friend and a Stage Show. usa 22nd I left Fort Sam Houston by bus to go to Camp Swift near Bastrop and Austin, Texas. I was surprised to be stationed so close to home. 23rd I was assigned to "A" Company of the 1252ND Engineering Combat Battalion. Later they changed me to "B" Company. One of the recruits had the measles and we were put in Quarantine for two weeks. We had a good time. There were 60 Texans in one building - One Big Party. �The 1252 ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION WAS A UNIQUE GROUP. The Cadre arrived at Camp Swift prior to the arrival of the personnel for the Battalion. Approximately 1/3rd of the men came from the East. They were trained Construction personnel and Truck Drivers. 1/3rd were younger troops from Texas to do the hard physical labor and 1/3rd were from an AAA training program being disbanded. The Battalion trained as a Unit, went into action as a Unit and for the most part returned home as a Unit. I want to commend the Cooks and Bakers we had. They always had coffee and cake on hand when we came in from hikes and training exercise. They also did an excellent job in the E T 0 under extreme hardships. I also want to commend the Jeep and Truck Drivers for taking us over unmarked roads, driving on both sides of the front lines and taking us on a lot of R & R short trips. We were lost a lot of the time but we always made it to our objective. Thanks a Lot! JUNE 1994 6th "B" Company was building a Double Double Bailey Bridge when we received word that American Troops had landed in France. Heavy fighting has been reported on the Beachheads. NOTE: In the latter part of the summer I witnessed one of the biggest mistakes I have ever heard of. The 10TH Mountain Division with thousands of mules were transferred in mass from the Rocky Mountains (Cold) to Camp Swift (Hot) with 110° F in the shade. The men made it but I don't think a single mule made it. So much for Army Planing. LEAVE CAMP SWIFT TO GO TO E T 0 OCTOBER 1944 6th Everything is packed and ready to go to the E T O. I had to stay in Camp tonight. 4 �7th I left for Taft on the Greyhound Bus. I missed connections in San Antonio and looked up some friends and caught a later bus. A lot of Troops are on the move. 8th Arrived home this morning and was sure glad to see the Folks. It was tough knowing I was leaving in a few days for the E T O. I will be glad when I see them again. Returned to Camp tonight. . . 9th I intended to go into Austin and see some friends at the University of Texas but No One was allowed to leave Camp. This was rough on the wives in town as well as on the husbands in Camp. 10th Checked all equipment and rested the rest of the day. 11th We got some replacements today. They have been in the ALEUTIAN Islands (S.W. of Alaska) for the past 18 to 20 months. From what I have heard this was rough duty. We were informed we would leave the next day for the E T O. 12th The 1252ND Engineer Combat Battalion left Camp Swift around 1300 by train. We went through Waco and Dallas. 13th We left Texarakana at 0012. I had been in the Army six (6) months to the day when we pulled out of Texas. 15th The Company arrived in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey late at night. approximately 2 miles to reach our quarters. 16th They really worked us getting all of our equipment ready and checked. 17th We got our physicals in the morning. What a laugh. No one was rejected. Several had ruptured ear drums. I had my picture taken to send home to the Folks. I hoped it was good. 18th The ones who lived around New York got passes to go horne and to see their families. The rest of us get to go on pass tomorrow. 19th We were restricted to our area. All of the bunch finally carne back from leave. We move out in the morning. Most of the Company got drunk tonight. 20th We left Camp Kilmer for embarkation at the Port of New York. We rode a ferry across the River and then boarded the H.M.S. TAMAROA. When we left Camp Kilmer we were placed under tight security. No names of Units or anything to indicate who we were. When it came time for us to load they announced over the Port loud speakers that Company "B" of the 1252ND Engineer Combat Battalion could start to load. (So much for security. Loose Lips Sink Ships - etc.) 5 We hiked �21st The rest of the troops loaded. We were cleared by 1600. However, we could not pull out until the next day. The brother of one of our group visited him on the boat. He would be on one of the escort ships in our convoy. He told us not worry. That's when we started to worry. Some of us threw several life preservers over board to see how much we could depend on them. All sank as soon as they hit the water. We were chewed out for destroying Government Property. At least we knew to head for a life boat fast if we had to abandon ship. 22nd In the morning the H.M.S. TAMAROA pulled out of Port. (48 -49 -50). I saw the Statute of Liberty and it gave me a funny feeling. I will be glad when i get to see America again. The Crossing Was Good - The Food "Vas Not NOVEMBER - 1994 2nd A play was put on by the SS of the Battalion and the Jr. Birdmen. It was good and well received. I was seasick. The ground swells got to me. The sea was calm and . boat wasn't rocking. 3rd We arrived in ENGLAND. Troops started disembarking at Avonsmouth this morning. "B" Company finally got off at 2000. We boarded a train and headed South to Torquay. We arrived about 23:55. Then we rode trucks to where we were to stay. "C" Company called it "Camp SHIPLEY". Had it not been for the WAR we would have had it made. Torquay was located Southwest of Plymouth and was a vacation resort. A Red Cross Mobile Canteen Unit was assigned to our site and handed out coffee and donuts. The Battalion went through additional training and stressed hikes. Everything was uphill. It rained a lot. I experienced heavy English fog for the first time. We had to feel our way back from town. The Battalion was well received by the English until the Officers decided to build a divided four (4) lane highway to train the equipment operators. The English didn't appreciate an American Interstate Highway across their Country Side. Their roads were narrow and it was hard for two vehicles to pass. I don't know if the land was ever reclaimed. 6 �We trained planting and taking up Anti-Personnel and tank mines. They were a few accidents. I am still partly deaf in my left ear from a booby trapped mine exploding next to me. DECEMBER· 1994 3rd An advance party from the Battalion came back and said we were slated to clear mines on the Peninsula so the Army could have more clear space to train. I am glad we didn't have to go as we have had intensive training in clearing mines. American, English and German. We still didn't know too much about taking them up. Another Battalion in our group received orders to clear a beach near Torquay of mines that the British had planted to repel a German invasion. The first day we heard they lost two (2) officers and several men. Due to this a few of them refused to continue taking up the mines. (I think I read about them later in the Readers Digest. It was kept quite) After this incident we suspended this type of training. I have found that mines are seldom laid as shown on drawings. Generally no one knows where the maps are. The War in Europe was going smoothly. The North flank had been holding firm, Allowing Patton to break through the hedge rows irrthe Middle and South of France. He was going like a Bat Out of Hell with hopes of a Victory by Christmas. Friction was building in the support Units because some though Patton was taking more than his share of the supplies for the 3RD Army. The fronts had stabilized and were being re-supplied when the bottom drooped out. BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE 15th On Saturday the 15th of December at 05:30 the Germans began the Battle of the Bulge with a force of 275,000 men, 1,900 heavy Artillery pieces, tanks and other related equipment. The weather was Cold with snow on the ground. They assaulted a 50 mile front held by six (6) .American Divisions made up of approximately 75,000 men. Later it was discovered that a large portion of the Americans were on R & R and Christmas leaves. The bulk of the troops were in a more or less holding position waiting to regroup. It was getting harder to supply them with food and gasoline. I believe at the time of the German attack that the Americans only had 10 to 20 men per mile on the front line point positions. Some of those were killed in their sleeping bags. In freezing weather it is normal to try to stay warm. (Note: I later stood guard in my sleeping bag with my rifle inside but never zipped it up. Even when I go camping now I remember this.) 7 �By December 20th the Germans had advanced 20 to 25 miles and only the areas around Bastogne and St. Vith were holding. I was told by a person that had been in the CIA that some of the crack German Units had been supplied with pills that kept them mentally alert and awake for several days at a stretch. However when the effect of the pills wear off you can go to sleep standing up. You don't awaken until your body says it is OK. This could have been one reason several of the German units seemed to hit a stone wall for no reason. The result of this battle action cost the Americans over 75,000 men killed, wounded, captured or missing in action. It was the final blow from the German Army and resulted in the speeding up of the down fall of the Germans. What A Loss To Both Sides WAR IS HELL TO BOTH SIDES BACK TO THE 1252ND 15th While the Battle of the Bulge was starting on the 15th a dance was held and the English and Red Cross girls attended. It was a nice dance. We hated to leave but some of us left at 2200 to go to London on a pass. The train was blacked out for the trip. 16th We arrived in London at 0430 and got some sleep. We started out at 0800 and completed our tour late that night. We saw some shows and plenty of damage due to the Tumbler and Glider V bombs. The usa group was excellent. They said that Rangers and Combat Engineers were the only ones to keep their caps on all the time. I don't know if this was good or bad. They wanted to know about the Cowboys and Indians back in America and about the Texas oil wells. I thought the British had a rough go at it. London is still a big city and is a good R & R spot. We hated to leave but caught the 1430 train back to Torquay. 18th For the first time we heard that the Germans had started an attack, later called the Battle of the Bulge. Everyone in the hospital where we were working that was able to walk and carry a weapon was put in a division replacement pool and sent to the front as replacements for the troops that had already fallen in the counter attack. At this time, from what I heard, I thought we might also be broken up and sent on as replacements rather than a Battalion. 8 �Everyone that could carry a rifle was being assembled in France and were sent to the front. Cooks, bakers, ordinance personnel, truck drivers, and walking wounded were included. This period of the action was later proven to be one of the biggest defeats of the American Army. 25th CHRISTMAS - Since we were in Torquay, we had a more or less normal Christmas. However, orders had come in for us to join Patton's forces as soon as possible. 26th Today all of the Battalion except for the guards (I was one) went to a rifle range- for a week to zero in their rifles. This afternoon we were alerted to go to France at once. Boy, did thing happen fast after that. 27th We worked hard all day packing and loading the equipment on flat cars and trucks. The Battalion worked all night but somehow I got out of the night work. 28th We finished packing all equipment tonight. They gave out everything in the mess hall. We had a big final meal and slung packs at 2345 to leave for France. 29th We rode on a train to South Hampton where we boarded the Polish ship MIS Sobleski, We still didn't know where we were going. 31st We arrived in Le Harve, France in the morning and got off in the afternoon. I stayed behind to load duffel bags and got out of an 8 to 10 mile hike with full field packs. We were still working at 2400. What a Way to celebrate New Years Eve. From the "C" Company report the hike was all uphill and they pitched tents on the cold, cold ground. What a welcome to France. While we were guarding the gear we were under sniper fire all the time but no one in our area was hit. Whoever was shooting at us were damn poor shots. 1st At least at midnight, they lit up the sky with anything that would make a noise or a light. The Americans had bombed Le Harve and the French resented it. We helped a Major drink his whisky ration to keep warm. It was extremely cold. There was know and ice on the ground. We rode in 6 X 6 trucks to where we would camp. We arrived at 0230 and got up at 0400 to move out. We boarded 6 X 6 trucks. We drove to an apple orchard near Forges-Les-Eaux. We were half frozen when we arrived. The apple orchard was full of cow manure covered with 6" of snow. Most of the day was spent gathering fire wood. We bedded down in 4 man pup tents. We went over to a farm house and liberated the thatched roof and placed the thatch under our tents. At night the tent would freeze over and seal the tent. No one wanted to be the first up but the fourth one got up fast. When you live in the open you get climitized fast and learn to build small fires. 9 �It snowed every night. Twice it rained. It was hellish weather. Only about 6 of the Company had to go to the hospital because they were sick. We gathered wood in a field. We found out later it was a mine field. A French man that lived close by traded us for cider (it was good). Some of the troops went in to town to eat. We found out German Para Troopers were near. The farmer was mad because we took the thatched roof for bedding. I think we gave him some lumber to re-roof his house. Needless to say he was still mad. War is Hell. 6th We spent today freezing in the apple orchard as usual. This was by 19th birthday, and one I will never forget. I got loaded on cider. 7th I took a shower and got clean clothes. We got our px rations. We paid for them. It was the last rations we paid for until after V.E. Day. 8th We heard we were going to Cherbroug to clear mines or attend a mine school. We were going to be Infantry Combat Engineers. However, the orders changed 3 times and in the end we were in the 3rd Army. We were to back up the Bulge and hold the line. What it meant we didn't know. 10th We left Forges-les-Eaux today by 6 X 6 truck to go to Rouen. Then we boarded the 40 X 8 (train box car) and left for Paris. There was a lot of snow and it was very cold. 11th We arrived in a suburb of Paris. Enghiem-Ies-Bains, located 8 kilometers from Paris to stay in a casino. The people thought we were from the front. We were cold, tired and black. We were in a building but it was hard to warm the building. I received a different view of the French. Most of the people preferred the Germans to the Americans and all the French in this area wore new and expensive clothes. It appeared a lot of them were German sympathizers. We knew it was to be bad when they had communion for the Catholics and Protestants and services for the Jews. This is when I realized how similar each is. We sat on bunks around the church area and watched. A bunch of us had a big party. All of us were drunk. We knew we were going up to the front so we really celebrated. What a night! We heard one of the cooks in the Battalion traded sugar for a large bottle of Calvodose. He drank the entire bottle. He was our first casualty. He was shipped back to the States. I never heard if he got out of the hospital. 10 �16th We left Paris this morning in a 40 and 8. We were going to be Pattons spearhead. The train passed through Sainte Menehould. We damn near froze during the 2 days we were on the train. Everyone lay down at one time on your side, on the floor facing in one direction. If one person turned, all turned. Those damn 40 and 8's were Hell to ride in. They are cold in the winter, no room for a fire or we would have had one. Thirty-two men and full equipment, I heard some had frost bite after this ride. (40 and 8 stands for 40 men or 8 horses.) 17th We passed through Verdun and arrived in Uc Krange this afternoon. We had to sleep another night in the damn 40 and 8. 18th We talked to a group of tankers this morning. The tankers came to regroup. They had been shot all to Hell. We left by 6 X 6 truck in the afternoon to go to Biwer in Luxembrough. Today we became a part of the forces in the 3rd Army under Patton. We are approximately 8 miles from the front. The weather was cold and snow was on the ground. We were at the southern anchor of the Bulge. We relieved the 7th Engineer Combat of the? Infantry Division. 19th We heard artillery firing all day, and saw flashes all night. We doubled the guard. A Jeep of Germans broke through. No damage was done to our units. 20th 18 of Company B traveled about 8 miles and put-up a double apron of barbed wire fence near Mantermach? . We built 500 yards in 5 hours in knee deep know. We were 1,500 yards from the Germans. It was cold. Too cold for us to even be worried. I still don't know if the fence was finished. I was too tired and cold to care. The Germans were a short way off and were not attacking at that time. So what the heck. We returned to Biwer that night. 22nd Patton gave orders for the troops to sleep in houses and we agreed. At the same time, he ordered us to wear neck ties at all times. Company B left Biwer to go up on the line today. It was snowing lightly and was cold. 2nd Platoon ~ "B" CO. - moved into 3 or 4 houses in Munschecker and set up camp. We were less than 1000 yards from the Germans. We spent the first night in the fox holes. The ground was frozen. There were 6 to 12 inches of snow on the ground. I was scared in this situation. From that night on we were within 5 miles either in front of or behind the Front Line. Everything was fluid and the drivers did not have road maps. They kept running off the maps or just got lost and found their way home some way. Very good drivers. We had some wild rides. At least we kept the Jerry cans full of liberated wine and schnapps and enjoyed our rides. We had no heat on these trips and it was cold. We had to keep moving. 11 �"C" Company left Biwer and moved south of us to Niedevdoniven. The first thing they did was to liberate 10,000 gallons of wine (Oh Boy)! At this time the 2nd Calvary Ghost Patrol defeated the Germans in Ahn in the "C" Company area. After this the snow Ghosts moved to the Munschecken area and installed their still in the church tower.. A few days later either the all copper still blew up or was hit by German Artillery and the church tower was destroyed. The Germans were shelling our outposts in the forest using tree bursts to expand their effective areas. They did not have the proximity first we had. After a few shellings we moved about 50 yards from the tree line and dug new fox holes. One group dug one they could not out of without help. We had to keep them narrow to keep the tanks out. We had moved too far and too fast with the Bulge Counter attack and out ran our food supplies. Everyone had dysentary and we ate cheese, chocolate, and wine. The cooks did the best they could. I lost 20 to 30 pounds while we were at Munschecken and I swore I would never go hungary again. "B" Company sent out several reconnaissance patrols to check the river area. No one was shot and the Germans played music every night and partied while we froze on out post duty. We were with the 2nd Calvary (Ghost Patrol) 2nd '"the 808 Tank Destroyers. Across the Mosel River was the 11th SS Panzer Division (we heard this later) one excellent hard fighting unit. They lived in an underground factoy or Siegfried Line Block House. 25th We test fired our 30 and 50 Caliber machine guns today. Unknowingly we shot at the house where the 1st Platoon had their left flank. They thought it was the Germans. They left out fast. It was really cold here. Everyone had frozen hands and feet. It is too cold to get close to a fireplace when we get off outside duty. We have to wait at least 10 to 20 minutes to thaw out so we can get close to warm up. The 2nd Calvary shared their still's production with us. That made it possible to survive. 27th One squad dug 3 more fox holes. All of them froze (6 hours of digging.) I heard some War guard dogs barking. It took me about 10 years to not think of this when dogs started to bark 28th We stood guard duty every 2 out of 3 nights in a nearby group of woods. It was so dark the 4 of us stayed about 5 feet apart. The U.S. Infantry faked a river crossing one mile away. We sure saw a lot of fire worked. 12 �29th Heard our second 88's (11th Panzer Tanks). The shells fell 43 paces from our dug out and set fire to a house in town. The Americans moved in a 155 long tom, (artillery field pierce) 100 yards in back of us today and kept us awake while the Germans threw machine guns and Burp guns at us tonight from their side of the river. I helped on a mortar. I started to go on a reconnaissance patrol but was ordered to stand fast. FEBRUARY, 1945 1ST Everything ok. Still Cold! Dietz, Lt. Condron and I cleared mines out of the road. It was the first job like that so we could use the road on the west side of town. Someone had installed the mines at the edge of town. It was in a slight cut. I still do not like to mess with frozen explosives. 2nd The snow melted. It was a mess. Mud everywhere. It rained so hard you could not see your hand in front of your face. 3rd It snowed and rained. The fox holes ran over with water. We stood post outside the holes. We shot at a German Patrol. They left. no one was hurt. At this point no one cared too much. War is Hell. Troops under fire became accustomed to the danger. Example: during training we could not build small fires to keep warm. On the MLR (Main Line Resistance) we built fires or anything else we wanted to do. 4th A new outfit came in to relieve "B" Company. Five of us had to stay to show them the ropes. They were more scared than we were when we moved in, if that was possible. 5th Company "B" left Munschecker today. THANK GOD! All of us will feel the effects of this place for the rest of our lives. We moved to Flaxweiler for 14 days of R & R. Some laugh. 6th Two of the men that relieved us, the 2nd Platoon, were killed by booby traps. I will say we were well trained during our training England. I talked with a bunch of the Ghost Patrol of the 2nd Calvary. As I remembered we were with the 6th Armor and 2nd Calvary. Both were excellent units. The group at Echternach were having a hard time getting a bridge in and Patton came to determine what was the matter. Four of us stopped Patton at a cross road outside of Echternach and questioned him. At this time English and American speaking Germans were around. Four of us held him with rifles until he proved who he was. He was nice about it. 13 �The line was fluid and we had just shot at several half tracks that ran our road blocks with AP shells. They sure picked up speed after we shot them. i would have shot Patton but my rifle jammed when he drove up. There were no friends except the ones we knew or checked out. Otherwise we would have shot them. This type action was taking place in other areas. I heard Patton gathered a group together in town to give them a pep talk. One of our bunch made a wisecrack about the other Engineers for the Division could not build a bridge under fire across the Our River. (It could have been "A" Company?) Patton told the group we had better rest and pray for them to get the bridge in that afternoon or we would build it that night. He wanted to cross the Our River and open up the front. The river was flooding and proved to be a difficult crossing. Thank God they built the bridge in time and the tanks crossed the river on time. We played soldier on a hill and took in a 7th usa stage Show and a movie tonight. About this time, "C" Company moved to Oberdoniven. Patton came by to inspect the area. "B" Company stood by all day as reserve for the river crossing at Echterhach. Something's up. "B" Company took off fasf'fbis afternoon. Tonight we reached Eschweiler. We had an open truck. We rode in the rain, sleet, hail, and cold. It was windy. 8th "B" Company pulled in at 0025 this morning. ~We were really tired and flopped on the floor and slept. I had guard. I pulled it with Clemmons. "C" Company left Oberdoniven in a stormy night, got lost and found Esehweiler and on the 10th moved to Consthum for outpost duty and roadwork. 9th I wondered over the town (Esehweiler) looking to see what I could find. An American tank was destroyed. We took the 30 caliber ammo out and zeroed in our rifles. 10th "C" Company left Eschweiler on 10th and moved to Consthum for out post duty and road work. "B" Company left Eschweiler to go up on the line at Walhausen. Relieved 7th Air Division. We rode a way in trucks but hiked with full field packs the last 5 miles and the last 2 under German observation. Our battalion again replaced what had been a full division. Fighting had been heavy and we again used our R & R duty to serve as infantry. 14 �11th It had been quite for "B" Company for a few days. The night before when we were on duty all Hell broke loose. Screaming minis (mortars) and 88's with machine guns and burp guns. Quite a racket. P.S. The Counter attack was broken. Things got sticky at times. 12th I had tonight off. It sure came in handy.. All was quite except when our guards came in. The Germans threw a lot of Screaming Minis. No casualties. 13th "C" Company moved to Walhausen and said a tank blew all to Hell. "B" Company spotted for Artillery lOS's fire on 'the Germans. All morning we had a lot of fun until a Cub (airplane) came over. The Germans really got up and took off. We caught Hell tonight. They paid us back. 14th Company "B'' was eating dinner when the Germans threw a lot of Screaming Mini's at the church. They hit it, too. Three of us left the church and crawled behind a stone wall back to our home (approx. 30 yards distance). I didn't spill a drop of my coffee. 15th "C" Company left Walhausen and returned to. Consthum to do out post and road duty. "B" Company left Walhausen after going through Hell. God was with us all the way. We sent back to take up the MLR at Consthum. 16th Most of the troops in "B" Company had lost 3 to 4 inches in the waist and were touchy. That night the German patrols were active. We went out to the MLR (Mainline of Resistance). No sleep that night. We had dug in the main line of resistance under fire. I had a machine gun in by fox hole with another person. We told everyone when we settled in that anyone who came up the draw to think twice. We had a mine field in our rear and I was not going to attempt to go through it at night. No Germans came up our draw. But there were several Americans and German combat patrols in the area that night. 17th "B" Company went back up to the line at Walhausen. When we got there, the Germans welcomed us with 12 SM. One of our group liked to play the piano and when he did the Germans laid in motor fire on us. The Sm's landed 20 to 30 feet from us in the 2nd ph. Four men were wounded. Laine, Frank Straight, John Fundyea, and Johnson. Several of the Sm's hit the street in front of our building on top of the cobble stone road. the others landed just off the west side of the road where the ground sloped 15 �down. We had heard the incoming shells and hit the road gutters. The shrapnel whet over us. One foot elevation make a lot of difference. 18th God was sure with me. 1 was on a 10 man reconnaissance patrol and we 'moved into the village. The Germans threw hand grenades and the first one hit Capt. Gunion. About this time we decided to pull out. through a gap in a stone wall and climb up the hill behind. Several machine guns were aimed on the gate. 8 of the 10 received Purple Hearts. Seven of us in one group were pinned down on the side of a hill 3 1/2 hours with no cover. We were exposed to Sm's, MG and Bump guns. Every time someone moved, they cut loose. Several of us prayed for a cloud to come up the valley and one did. That gave us some cov~r. Willie Clemmons fell off the path. Webber and Murray went back down the hill to pick him up and carry him out. Then we carried each other back to the base. That was one Hell of a day. Everyone except me went to the hospital. Brown and Hendrick were hit. (I do not remember the name of the other 4 men on patrol). When 1 returned to base I was scheduled to go back to the same place on the 19th. Sgt. Scioli and the squad leaders said no. I then volunteered to set up a 50 col. MG on the hill looking down into town to smoke out the Germans when another patrol was schedules to look into town again. 19th Last night the Germans did a lot of firing. 1 thought 1 would have to go out on patrol but it proved unnecessary. Boy was Cglad. I was dead tired. the Germans came up to the 3rd Squad's position last night. (No casualties - 1 think). 20th "C" Company left Consthuim and arrived in Marmach for preparation for breaking the Siegfried Line. I had a day off scheduled but went out at 1800 and dug in solid rock till 0600 to make a shell hole 5' x 2' x 4' for a 50 cal. mg. We were to draw fire so a bridge could be blown up. 21st "A" Company had a reconnaissance patrol pinned down in the same place "B" Company was pinned down. 1 heard 2 men were killed in "A" Company. 1 was placed on the 50 Cal. MG with a man from Florida. We fired all day to cover the patrol actions. I knew where the German fire was coming from and kept their fire to a minimum by shooting into the windows where the Germans were set up. We were on top of a hill and shot into the valley and town. The ground and grass in front of my MG was burned black. 1 was chewed out because 1 had used a months ammo in one day. (I would do the same thing if a similar situation came up again.) 16 �To support our group, we called in artillery fire on the Germans but made sure we didn't hit them. We just ran them from the edge of town to the other edge of town and provided cover for our patrol. The shells were clearing our hill by 10 to 20 feet. That is the only way we could get help. After several hours a forward observer (a captain) came up and wanted to know what in the Hell we were shooting and the size of the enemy force. After we told him what we were doing he played with us a while and at dusk he shut down the shelling and left. They were getting low on Ammo. Everything was in short supply. Patton had set up a Red Ball Express from the sea ports to the front line. They did a good job and kept the supplies coming. It saved our necks. When I got in tonight, I volunteered for a 30 man combat patrol but it was called off. 22nd "C" Company took part in breaching operations against the Siegfried Line. They crossed the Our River as Dasburg, Germany, advanced to Pruscheid, Germany. The colonel commended Singer and Bowen on their looting ability. "B" Company left Walhausen at 0230, then left Consthrum at 0600, and arrived under fire on the Our River at Dasbourgh. My squad gathered in side a room of a stone house until the shelling slacked off. Then at 1000 we went across the Our River on a foot bridge to attack the Siegfried Line. We moved to the edge of town in a valley. After regrouping "B" Company started receiving shell fire. I didn't know if this fire was German or American only that if we stayed there no one would be left alive. I made up a squad consisting of myself and 7 others. Three had first arrived as replacements a few days ago. They had served in the Aleutian Islands and were in trouble in England for picking up a cook stone and hand carrying it to town and selling it. The MP's were unhappy. The eight of us moved out as a squad (I believe Clemmons was with us) during the confusion and ran up the hill toward the Siegfried line .pill boxes. We started clearing them of Germans. After the grenades ran out we used our other weapons. We had a successful day. Thanks to everyone working together, none of the 8 were wounded. I still don't believe it. I took a cat nap in the headquarters bunker. I was starting to hear Germans using the field phone to talk to the bunkers. I rolled over with my rifle stopping just short of shooting. It was a bunch of "B" Company speaking in German. (They were /'vl·-/ r, G'/?7d/il J 'r ft'../ ; ' -7', lucky) •. '-j)'-r L:J/.)1,7IG Lv("!"-- "-Y"'il1f-_ /'_";'''''_ !L I -e'l i I .. I -~. f·']I/,09­ I stood guard for 4 hours that night. The Germans were 100 yards away. They knew the end of the war was near. 17 �The 1252 BN did an excellent job and were given a copy of a citation by the commander of the Read Task Force Castallo Combat team "A" for Action under fire, for making the assault crossing, capturing our 73 fortified Siegfried Line concrete bunkers with minimum losses. We also drove the last Germans out of Luxemburg with this action. It was rumored that we would be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation but we hadn't suffered enough casualties on this assault. We also should have been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge. We had in enough time but Headquarters said we were Engineers. 23rd "C" Company advance reaches Sevenig, Germany (Third Platoon cleared the town). You didn't need a saddle when you ride a tank: "B" Company carried demolitions but left them. We understood that "A" Company rode tanks into 2 towns. "C" Company rode tanks into 3 towns. "B" Company took the 75 pill boxes and cleaned out the bridge head. 24th "C" Company left Preischeid, Germany and returned again to Consthum, Luxembourg. The duffle bags were all fouled up. I had the day off. I sat in front of pill boxes and ate all day. The Germans (75 of them) were 300 yards off taking life easy in the woods. They were POWS by night. '<c 25th I helped sweep 12 miles of road. Tanks passed us both ways. It took all day. That night we pulled out and went back to Consthum. We took 1 POW. The trucks came up through towns that were not yet taken by the Americans and went back the same way. The front was fluid. We were lucky. 26th "B" Company left Consthum to go to Petit Thier (west of St. Vith) to do road work but it was the wrong town. We rested. The break was good. We had been on the go. 27th "C" Company left Donsthum, arrived at Neundorf, Belguim, near St. Vith. (Corduroy roadwork) Knee deep in mud. A manure pile before every door. "B" Company left Petit Thier and went up to Schonverg through St Vith. We moved into a town that was occupied by the 89th division. I didn't see any building in St. Vith that was over 6 inches high. We used the rocks, rubble, and logs to repair the road. 28th "B" Company worked fixing roads and approaches to the D.D. Bailey Bridge that goes over the rail road in St. Vith. It was some job. The rocks kept sinking into the mud. 18 �29th "B" Company worked in St. Vith building and repairing a Corduroy road. They are hard to make. It rained a little. The officer in charge of group head quarters couldn't find anyone. He was mad. It was too cold to work. We finished our job but he wanted it finished a lot sooner. MARCH 1945 1st "B" Company left Schonverg and moved to Espeler. We lived in a school house. It was a nice warm place about 30 miles from work. 2nd "B" Company had a stretch of road across the Our River in Germany. there was a Red Cross unit with the hospital and we stopped in for coffee and doughnuts. It snowed that afternoon. Our Infantry was taking heavy casualties in this area. Patton needed the road to supply the front north and east of St. Vith. The fighting was heavy and ambulances were going both ways. We heard that any noncom in the 1252 that wanted a Battlefield Commission to 2nd Lt. could have it. After what we had seen there were no takers. 3rd It snowed and rained all day. We were repairing the roads, A Red Cross van drove past several times without stopping. I was fed up and stopped then with my rifle and requested them to give us some coffee and doughnuts. They said they only served the fighting troops. (How they got to 'the Front Line they couldn't explain.) I told them although we were Engineers we had just come off the line after serving as Infantry for several weeks. I also told them to cut the B.S. and give us something to eat. She gave us coffee and doughnuts and reported us to their headquarters. It was cold. My throat hurt all day. 4th I was on road patrol last night. We didn't do much. Today I was off. The rest helped a lot. The strain has been hard on me. 5th I was sick. My throat hurt. I stayed in and repaired my equipment. It is still morning. 6th We heard that we were leaving but the orders were changed to leave the next day. It rained all day and the roads were in fair shape. 7th "C" Company left Nuendorf, arrived in Mutzenich, Germany. There's nothing like a Teller Mine to reduce the waist line. We left Espeler and moved to Winterscheid. We worked all day in the rain. We were disgusted. We found a house but it wasn't very good. 19 �8th We moved into a better house when we came in. While we were working we found a couple of dead Gl's and a dozen Germans. One of the boys went through infantry basic training with one of the dead Gl's. A German youth (10 to 12 years old) shot at us all day. When we got ready to leave one of the group went to his house and gave him a spanking and broke his rifle. He told him to learn how to shoot. None of our bunch was hit. 9th "B" Company left Wintersheid. We passed through Prum and stayed in Gonnersdorf. 10th "C" Company left Mutzenich, arrived in Scheid, Germany (Roadwork), Dragon's Teeth and the Siegfriend Line. The machine guns still were loaded. Welch killed by AP mine. ' "B" Company rested up waiting for orders to come in on what road we were to fix. The Americans had just passed through the area. 11th "B" Company's orders came in today. Kolbert, Grening, and Murray cleared mines on the approaches to the craters in the road. 12th "B" Company checked two scout cars for booby traps. We finished clearing the roadway. The Germans really believed in mining this area. 13th I had sinus trouble today. It was also my day oft. I stayed in. This was the only time I had sinus trouble overseas. I might have been killed had I not been sick. Lt. Condron took out a party to clear mines. Hart was killed and Dietz was badly wounded. His leg was blown off by a shoe mine. Bill was hurt when his bulldozer hit a mine. 14th "C" Company left Scheid, and arrived in Mullenbach, Germany (Roadwork) Ruskis, Polskis and French by the hundreds; PW's by the thousands. The first bathtub in Germany. "B" Company moved from Gonnersdorf to Zermullen. We moved in and straightened our things up. We rested up that day. We are making a pincher movement-firing on three sides. It sure seemed funny to see the stuff going both ways. 15th The Battalion gave "B" Company the worst strip of road but we fixed it in 2 days time. We made a swell road. Had a good day. We found good loot and 2 cases of 10 in 1 extra rations came in. 16th Repaired roads outside of Kelberg with hot patch. It was a good job for our first job with hot topping. A farmer was sure mad we used 3/4 of his wood. 20 �\\ \, '\, . '\ " 0' Today we finished the wood pile." Walked 5 miles checking the road and shooting ' 17th my M1 and M3. We also tried out the pistols. 18th We drove 50 miles looking for fine rock. We found one load and came in. We had a good time this afternoon. 19th Some of the group found a car and a motorcycle for the 3rd squad. The owner had hidden the wheels and part of the electrical system. It will go 30 mph and will climb the hill. The motorcycle will go 50 mph and 30 mph up the hill. 20th "B" Company was notified to form assault boat crews and get ready for a major river crossing, 21th We picked up a case of oranges from a QM truck. The other squad took one case also. They were good "while they lasted. 22nd I had today off. We were told one of the officers wanted the car and motorcycle for themselves. We hid the car as we found it and gave the keys to the owner. He was happy. We are now in the 1107 Engineer Combat Group. It is a damn good outfit. The best I have heard of. All West Point officers, 23rd We went on a 100 mile round trip to get a load of rock and then we didn't use it. Something is up we are to move out tomorrow. . '<­ 24th "C" Company left Mullenbach, and arrived in Budenbach, Germany (Preparations for Rhine crossing) Communications set up ten ton Heinie switchboard. "B" Company moved from Zermullen to Ebschied. I knew something was up by the stock piles of river crossing equipment. We have been told the Rhine had been crossed at that point. 25th We went to church for communion. (Someone thinks we will have heavy losses.) After that we had a gas class. It broke up. Then the 2nd platoon went to get Bailey Bridge Equipment and put up a 40 foot S.S. (Single Single) Bailey Bridge. It was the first in the Battalion and we got it. Thank God. It kept us busy. 26th "C" Company made assault boat crossing of the Rhine River under concentrated fire at St. Goar, Germany. Now we knew that Sherman was right. A 20mm sprays a lot of lead and a little wine helps it to go by. May and Martinez of Second Platoon were killed. We prepared to make the Rhine river crossing. I believe it was Good Friday. We relieved the 168th that was almost wiped out this morning. "C" Company was alerted at 0001 last night and "B" Company at 0600 this morning. We waited all day in the woods. At 1700 we carried 5 truck loads of assault boats to the Rhine River. (Boy was I scared.) We came back and ate supper. We again went 21 �down to the river at 2000 to make the 4th wave of assault boats. (Note: the first wave was at 0400 this morning.) I made 3 trips by 0230. We moved the 84th Division across at St. Goar. The outboard motors still had grease on them and had not been test run prior to our need to use them. Damn poor planning. The casualties on the 1st attack wave was approximately 100 killed. Over 300 casualties occurred at this location. I went to school in 1st grade, Seminole, Oklahoma, with one of the men in my boat. Hope be makes it through the war. The boats were loaded with I" freeboard. The infantry had on full gear. We rowed straight across the river. After unloading we ditched the boats and loaded into one and rowed back across. We ended up 1/4 to 1/2 mile down stream. We walked back and crossed again. The army had a lot of plywood to repair the boats. I don't think it ws ever used for this purpose. It was a good thing they had a lot of boats. (Someone put in the pontoon bridge at the site in the next few days.) After we secured the East Bank we gathered up to go home and gathered on the West bank of the river. Snipers shot all night but didn't hit anyone. They were lousy shots. The German with a 20mm gun in a castle on the east bank really tore us up. He was killed that night. On one of my trips across the Rhine a search light crew threw their light on a raft next to us. It was loaded with wounded and Germans. When the shelling started, most of them jumped off the raft and went down river or drowned. It was a stupid loss. We got away from the raft as fast as we could. We were about to sink as it was. We quit at 0230 to go in to rest, but we had to go back out to haul j gravel for a bridge. Only one truck load of assault boats were left but the landing I beach head is secure at this time. I got to bed at noon. Since I had been up for 72 hours, (I didn't want to miss anything), we drank our meal and went to bed at noon. M/e had a champagne and wine party. Excellent SS stuff. Everyone got drunk to release the strain. Only the German people and 2 or 3 of our Company guarded us. We wanted to sleep 24 hours. Thank God we made it through this action. ~ 28th "C" Company left Budenbach and arrived at Auel, Germany (Roadwork). We walked 3 kilometers to visit a castle and found an "Off Limits" sign on the door. Needles shot it. ·"B" Company left Ebschied and moved to St. Goarhausen, the town across the river. '1 f All of us got lit. The building we stayed in was headquarters for the Youth movement. We got lost on the move and took the wrong road. It was lucky for us. A 20mm cannon was firing on the correct road and knocked out several trucks when we would have been there if we had been on time. 29th Yesterday all the 20mm cannons in the area were wiped out. The night before one squad was fired on with 20mm but no one was hurt. We rested up. Hitler had his yacht stored here but we were not allowed to use it. There were too many booby traps. 22 �Note: Several days ago, "B" Company was going in a convoy and stopped for a rest stop. Someone saw a big Buck Deer and they all lined up to shoot the deer at approximately 100 yards. Everyone emptied one clip and the deer watched them then turned around and walked into the woods. The officers were mad and said no one knew how to shoot. A few days later in St. Goarhausen one of the men shot a \ deer from the mess line at over 100 yards and the shot was up hill. Then several j people had to brin.g the deer in for Dennis. 1Rat% . as the h»rd part. The deer was//" good. l- k-~·#1~~cdt' '7 . )ffM 30th We had part of the stretch of road "A" Company also had so we stayed in the afternoon. We looked all over town. There was not much left. The civilians had hidden everything. 31st "B" Company went out and tore up road blocks alongside the Main Supply Route. We sighted 4 men. We formed a patrol and went to see if they were snipers in some caves along the road. It was a good spot for a 20mm. No action. We guarded the Treadway bridge at St. Goar for 4 days. APRIL 1945 1st We took care of a treadway. 1010 Engr. constructed. We were given the job of building a 1500 foot Bailey Bridge (floating) across the Rhine River. We replaced another Engineer Battalion. 2nd "C" Company left Auel, and arrived in Kamp, Germany, on East bank of Rhine River (Maintained pontoon bridge). We were demons with a motor boat. we laid a line across the Rhine. The Rhine River had torn out the bridge 3 times when we arrived. On our first day we sank 4 utility boats and tore up one LCVP (US Navy) and that afternoon the bridge was torn loose by a buoy out of control in the middle of the main current. It drifted down stream and every AAA gun on the River was going to cut loose but we saved it by pushing it up to the bank. This tore up the Kingspan raft. 4th Today we got the bridge back to the same place (at night) and a bay did the same thing only this time we sank the bay with M1's and M3's. We lost the rest of the night getting things straightened out. 6th The next night we completed all the bays and were taking it easy then orders came through that we were to stop work on the bridge. We were going to go on into Germany. 7th The Germans said there was a bad current under the surface caused by the bend of the river. They were right. This was the only bridge not constructed as planned by 23 �Patton for the Rhine. After we lost it 3 or 4 times we secured and moved out. I was afraid that it would tear out some of the Bridges down stream. We even had some navy boats on hand to help. 8th SHAEF HQ was mad since they had planned on the bridge for five months. But they didn't count on the Rhine River cross current. 9th I got off at 2400 last night. We went out this morning and took up a road block. We went out at 2000. We were called in at 2300. Boy are we tired. It rained tonight. We left the Rhine river area and cleared mines from shoulders of roads. After that we never could get one of our truck drivers off the road surface on to the shoulder. I was chewed out by one German sapper for being 2 days behind his schedule. He had placed the mines on a bridge and he didn't blow it up as scheduled. He wanted to make sure he took up the mines so we didn't destroy the bridge. This cost us some c-rations but it was worth it. He lived in the area and it was an important bridge. 10th "C" Company left Kamp, and arrived in Laubach, Germany (Roadwork). nazi baby factory and nix fraternizing, what a life! "B" Company left St. Goarhousen and moved to Kottingen. Fooled around the rest of the day getting settled. We sent about 60 miles out of the way. Scenic Drive. 11th We rested up. There is one squad out looking for material. They found it. The other squad went for it tonight. 12th This morning we started changing a bridge to a 70 and widened it 4 feet. Some job. We manhandled 17" beams. It was hard work but it had to be done. 13th Last night the lumber yard we had taken the materials from was strafed. Today I have been in the Army 1 year. We moved from Kottingen to Hersfeld to finish a bridge. 14th At 0230 we left and moved to Gospenrodos. Some of the squads were strafed this morning. We started building a 400 foot Bailey Bridge but was called off. 15th II "C" Company left laubach and arrived at Weimer, Germany. We prepared Leftwaffe camp for Patton's Headquarters. Rootin' tootin' lootin'. Buchenwald Concentraction Camp. "B" Company went to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. One Hell of a mess. The people had scattered all over the city and into the woods. Bodies were stacked on the ground and on trailers. The ovens had ashes in them. i didn't go into a 24 �barrack. One of my bunch went in the door and came out feeling sick. He recommended I should stay out. Too many faces and bodies in the beds. We arrived in Herrondof at 0400. I pulled guard and the German planes were still flying around. We finally left in the afternoon for Weimar. 16th Today "B" Company cleaned out the. Air Force and Flack officers schools of Germany at Weimer for Patton's Headquarters. Things changes so fast the 1st Army took the place over. We went through a warehouse and picked up a bunch of fur coats. Later army headquarters paced the area off limits..After the war I ate dinner with one of the officers and he told how they had tried to strip the place after they had kept the GI's out of it. The officers wanted the furs. I told him we already had all we wanted and had first choice at that. He never liked me after that. 17th "C" Company left Weimer and arrived at Bad Blankenberg. Five thousand bottles of wine and somehow we built a bridge. "B" Company left Weimer in daylight and passed through Efurt and Gothe and moved into Molsdorf. One mile from the Super Highway. We are to build a bridge on one lane of the Super Highway. 18th One lane was already repaired. We went after lumber and it took us 1/2 hour to get there and 3 hours to return. The German Air Force is sure a lot of trouble. They let fly at anything. They hit something and fired a few rounds at "A" Company 'r­ somewhere close by. They flew in pairs. 20th One was about 500 yards behind the other. The first plane dropped flares and the next one would cut loose with everything he had. What a feeling. Note: In this time frame sometime after we left Weimer we moved at night with our lights on and were stopped two separate times. The civilians turned on lights at the head and tail end of our convoy. The planes knew the area and strafed the road. Both times they missed our truck by 2 to 3 feet for the entire length of the convoy. Somehow they thought we were going the other way. On the first strafing I had my fur coat on and ran through a 5 strand barbed wire fence (light weight wire) on the side of the road. The rest of the men followed me. The second time a bunch of us stayed on a hill a short distance off until we thought it was safe to load and start the trip again. We were again very lucky. 21st We carried the lumber to "C" Company, instead of working at night on the bridge. It was lucky we did. There were a dozen German planes out and they gave the convoys Hell on the Super Highway where we were working. 25 �2nd "C" Company left Bad Blankenberg and arrived in Dietersdorf, Germany. The mess hall was in the railroad station. "B" Company left Molsdorf through Colburg to Scheverfeld. There were a lot of holes in the bridge sites and in the other bridge where we were working. 23rd . "C" Company left Dietersdorf and arrived in Trebgast, Germany (Roadwork). DeHart went visiting and the convoy pulled out too soon. "B" Company moved from Scheverfeld to ????????? We fooled around the rest of the day. We traded everything for eggs. We were hungary and had a nice house. 24th We started building a fixed bridge to take the place of a 125 foot Bailey Bridge. We got in lumber and we fixed one bay today. 25th We worked and by night had the structure completed, including supports. worked until 2400. We 26th We removed the BB today and floored the bridge by 2300. We also had most of the rails up on the side. 27th We rested up today. Battalion used the trucks to haul treadway. They sure tore up our trucks. They loaded 4 treadway sections on each 6 x 6 truck. 28th "C" Company left Trebgast, and arrived in Echenbach, Germany (Roadwork). The city hall boys found a home. The beer came in kegs. "B" Company left and moved to Goldmuhl. 29th "B" Company had a dry run to tear down a Bailey Bridge. For the past 3 days there has been a big gasoline shortage. Not enough to bring the Infantry and tanks up for our assault crossing so it has been put off 3 nights in a row. (We found this out later.) 30th I had guard this morning. "B" Company used 3000 gallons of gas when we left at 1900. We went through Bayreuth. We traveled 100 miles to carry BB material. We slept for 2 hours and then ate the 5 in one rations. MAY 1945 1st "C" Company left Echenbach, and arrived in Wackersdorf, Germany. The things you'll find in a schoolhouse. 26 �"B" Company carried BB equipment to Cham. It rained and we got to the houses at noon. At 1700 we were alerted for an assault across the Danube river at 2400. It was called off. I went to sleep at 2000 and found out later the assaul t was called off. I think I was the only one that got any sleep that night. The 71st Infantry had driven past the assault crossing point so we moved to Gmund close to Passua. The crossing was to be a combined air and ground operation including glider treops and Airborne Infantry. It was to be a big crossing to show the Germans and Europe that America still had plenty of power at the end of the war. I later found out that the German side of the river had a large number of 20mm standing wheel to wheel. We would have never survived the crossing. I think the Lord was good to us again. 2nd "C" Company left Wackersdorf, and arrived in Mangelhan, Germany (Hauled Bailey Bridge equipment). Cobwebs were on the ceiling and cowdung by the messhall door. Hi tler reported kaput. 3rd What a hole. Dirty as Hell. It was the first place I saw that dirty. We had to ride 40 miles to work and it is very cold. Everyone wanted to pull guard duty. 4th Company left Gmund to go to Patersdf to live in a better and cleaner house. Tonight the SS Germans made an attack around Gmund. All the SS troops were killed. '~ 5th We worked in the rain all day to keep the MSR (Main Supply Route) open and went in at 2000. All of us were tired and went to bed at 2400. 6th "C" Company left Mangelhan and arrived in Regan, Germany (Erected timber bridge, repaired roads). Modern apartments, cognac by the barrel and the end of the War. Wine, women, and a pistol don't mix. "B" Company woke up at 0230 to go out to work on a road. We loaded gravel by hand. We hauled 6 truck loads. After breakfast we fixed up a field hospital and completed the job at 2300. Plenty of rain all day long. 7th We got up at 0530 to drain roads. It was still raining but we finished the hospital road at 1200. We were on the road at 1530 when the MP's told us the war was over. We had a party that night. 8th Today was the official VE Day. I sure am glad the fighting has stopped. Now we have to wait until the Army says what is next. 27 �9th We left Patersdf to move to the Eger Airfield in Cheb, Chechoslovakia. We were to replace a double double Bailey Bridge across a railroad. The Russians would be given this area and the Army wanted the Bailey Bridge moved to the area we would keep. It was some ride in the 6 x 6 trucks and the Battalion scattered over 150 mile radius. We are working with the 1st Division. 10th Several of us went to see the German Army Airport at Egar. It reminded me of Barksdale Airfield. I have the flag that flew over the airfield. They had jet planes and light bombers. OUf Air Corps really did an excellent job. I saw my first jet plane at Eger Air Field. I was told that Army headquarters had them moved back to our side. 11th Our bridge replace a DDBB over the railroad. We first had to clear away wreckage of the original bridge. 12th the Company has worked in 3-8hr shifts. Ours was 2400 to 0800. The sun came up at 0430. We had to do a lot of digging in the rock. 13th We used air drills and TNT to reach bed rock. We had our main meal at 0400. The cooks did an excellent job. 14th The 1st Infantry Division and a Radar Outfit each had a picture show and we went every night. Saw 2 USO stage shows while we were there. 15th The family that lived in our house brought us their liquor ration. They wanted us to take care of their stuff and not let the other Germans and troops into their place. 16th Anything that is loose is stolen. I was told later the RR cut where we built the bridge was crossed through the courtesy gave 200 dead troops who had 85 + points (Enough to go home) from the 1st Infantry Division. They were low on motar ammo and M1 and M3 ammo. Later on several Germans were hurt by shoe mines planted along the side of the cliff close to where we were working. They only lost a leg a piece. Lucky. 18th (James Rice of Portland, Texas, 1st Division was in the assault. He made it with our a scratch. We worked together a few summers ago.) 19th "C" Company left Regan and arrived in Herbertsfelden (built 257 foot timber bridge in Eggensfelden) 85 points or the CBI. The Radio Section sets up in a trailer. This area was to be given to the Russians and I heard that some of our group went through the area with trucks and stripped anything that was useful. Some of the people were also leaving. The area east of us is under Russian Army control. All Hell was breaking loose in the next town. 28 �20th No American was allowed to enter the Russian side of the line. 21st We were still moving Equipment and working on the bridge. 22nd Another bridge was built across a near by river for the same reason. We finished the bridge this afternoon. I sure was glad .. I got off that night. 23rd LtB" Company had a big party to celebrate the finishing of our bridge. Everyone was drunk as we could get. We really had a night. We were under orders not to tell the people the Russian would take over when we left. 24th We left Eger at 0700. We went through Regensburg to Staudach. 25th We worked on the roads on the Main Supply Route and hauled 2 loads of gravel. We traded for some eggs. Good Trade, I pack of cig. for two dozen eggs, salt, and fire wood. 26th I stayed in today. I had guard duty last night. 27th "B" Company had a rough time. Five of us were out working on filling 2 holes. We traded a farmer out of 50 eggs. We took this afternoon off to eat them. 28th We stayed in to prepare to move the next day. 29th "B" Company left Staudach to move to Grieskirchen. straightened out. We are living in a castle with a moat. Spent the day getting I pulled guard duty on the approach road. I stood at a spot where a big German war dog watched me. His master kept him under control. A German staff car with 3 officers sped past me. I yelled halt 3 times. On the third halt, they slammed on the brakes. A MG in the castle tower was trained on them. He did not have to shoot. I don't know what happened to the 3 Germans. 30th We were not supposed to get out of the castle. However, few were left inside. We had an inspection of M1 and M3's. Everyone passed. Nothing had been cleaned in 3 weeks. 31st We went on road work today. What a farce. We stood on the side of the road all day long. 29 �JUNE 1945 1st "B" Company worked on roads today. We hauled hotmix 3 miles. We are having a rough time. They are doing anything to keep us out on the roads. 2nd We used a bunch of POWs to work. We worked them 2 hours and had to return them. We had a round trip drive over 100 miles. Boy do we burn gasoline. 3rd "B" Company is leaving tomorrow so we have to get things ready. We went swimming. We were chewed out for it. The water was very cold. 4th We left Grieskircher and moved to Neukirchen. Boy were we lucky. We only went 50 miles out of the way. We can get a good view of the Alps from here. We went swimming today. The water was very cold. Everyone tried it only once. 6th "C" Company moved from Hebertsfelden to Wilding, near Frankenmarkt, Austria (Garrison training begins). Hedy Lamarr honeymooned here. The rains came and the duffle bags went. "B" Company rode all over the country looking for a POW camp. We went to a show tonight and swam this afternoon. It was a swell pool. 7th We worked a group of SS troups today. We straightened up our equipment on the trailers. It was some job. Glad they had to do it for-us. They did a good job. They wanted to come with us because we had food. The Germans for the most part were out of food. 8th We sent to Berchtesgaden and saw Hitler's home at Obersalzberg. The place is really torn up. There is a nice lake there. The buildings were still smoldering. 9th "C" Company left Wilding, and moved to Redl, Austria. We collect ourselves after the flood, a night in the theater. /~" Company left Neukirchen and moved to Amerang. We are living in a guest '\house. All of us have feather beds. (Really living it up.) ~, ' 10th "C" Company left Redl, and arrived in Oberholswang, Germany. The Field Artillery helps us find bullets. The Gesthaus was big, but it was dry. "B" Company straightened up. They told us this was our last move before the big move. I sent out my washing. 30 �11th We heard there where 160+ Purple Hearts given out in the Battalion and 8 Bronze Stars in the "B" Company. The last 4 Bronze Stars were to give 4 fellows 85 point to get out now and not have to go to the PTO. They deserved it. 12th "C" Company left Oberholswang, and arrived in Kricheiselfing, Germany. Garrison life gets underway in a baby factory, and .Stars and Stripes says the Third Army will occupy Germany. 14th We had an outboard motor from the Rhine River assault and found a SS Storm Trooper assault boat. We took them to a lake near Obing. We saw a blown bridge 240 feet high. They told us it was the highest bridge in Germany. 15th We made a surf board for the boat to have more fun with. I learned how to ride the board. 16th We sent to the lake and rode the surf board again. 17th Returned to Obing lake for rest. 18th A soldier was killed on guard at Wassenburg at the bridge over the Inn River. Approximately 12 KM from Amerang. We doubled the guards at 0200. 19th We doubled the guard tonight. A Jeep and 2 of our men were fired on. I broke out and gave ammo to myself, Pemn, Scargrough, 'Menker, Wagner, and a couple of others. We were not allowed to have ammo at this time, orders. We went out on patrol to take care of the snipers. No action. The Germans called themselves the werewolfs. When they found we had been active front line infantry they cut out the horse play and we never had any trouble with the Germans again. The word spread fast. Others were not so lucky. 20th Two guards were killed on the Super Highway about 20 KL from here early this morning. 21st Things have quieted down around here and it appears as though it is safe in this area. 22nd ? 23rd "B" Company was ordered to build on air strip near Munchen for L-5's and 2 motor planes. We checked the area and found a camouflaged air strip with off ramps to store the planes. The Germans did an excellent job of hiding this base. We got out of a lot of work. We went to a show. 31 �24th ,~e spent the ~g Ludwigs day in Prien. We went swimming in the afternoon. We sent to see castle on an island in the Chremsee. It's really beautiful. 25th "B" Company received 2 Battalion of German volunteer workers today. They built their own shelters fast. This was a surprise. 25th All of the Germans were SS Troops. They were special at some jobs. Their food came from Germany QM. No trouble at all to guard. 27th I cleaned my MG tonight. We guarded 2 battalion approximately 1500 men with 12 men and 4 MG's located on the corner of the camp. We would have more prisoners in the morning that we had the night before. The Germans went out and found their friends. They would wake us up then they left the compound and when they returned. Food was short for all the Germans. It is strange when you can guard 1500 plus troops with 12 men. The only food was in the compound. 28th It is rumored that we were alerted. I went to the show tonight. It was a good show. 29th Official alert of the 1252nd Engr Combat Battalion, destination unknown. It hope it is the States first. God help us out. 30th//We finished packing equipment, and saw Jack Benny usa show this afternoon. Sure ,\( was good. I got a shot for typhus. Eighty new replacements are corning into the Battalion to bring it up to full strength. '". .JULY 1945 1st This morning the ones with over 85 points left. Some of them were very good friends of mine. I sure hated to leave them. But they have served their time. 2nd Didn't do much today. It rained all day. The lG's came around today. Little did we know we would beat the 85ers home. The bunch really put up a howl. 3rd Rained all day. This morning all weapons were checked by the ordnance and vehicles were checked to replace all shortages. Also, replacement clothes carne in. 4th It rained all day. We went to the Red Cross and the show tonight. Finished packing our equipment and stored it. It looks like it is direct shipment to the CBl or PTa. 5th Received all shortages of equipment. The lG said it was T.S. but we were going direct to the CBl or PTa. I had guard tonight. 6th I got my other 2 battle stars today and good conduct ribbon. Just fooled around the rest of the day. "B" Company finally beat "A" Company in softball. This was the first 32 �time this happened. 7th I rested up. We went to the show that night. 8th I slept all morning, fooled around all day and went to the show at night. I thought it was a usa show bu t it wasn't. 9th "B" Company went on the range this morning to zero in our Ml's. "Old Betsy" is in perfect working order. Scored 51 out of 60. I was in top 5 of Company and went to the show tonight. 10th I fooled around all day. I had to clean "Betsy" tonight also my m.g. 11th It looks like we are going directly to the CHI. We ordered all necessary equipment for the CHI. Went to the show tonight. Checked my Service record. 12th I got a vaccination for small pox. Slept all morning. They completed a two day round up of SS men today. Even found one of Benito Mussolini's cabinet members in the raids at Amerang. An American Captain (Airborne Division) had been in town for several days getting things lined up. We heard they flew in his personal plane to pick him up. 13th I had my teeth checked today, all were ok. We went to the Red Cross and then a show. 14 - 15th ???????? 16th I had guard duty tonight. // 17th_/ Pimm made Sgt, Geisler Cpl. We loaded trucks with equipment. All men who have , over 75 service points left this afternoon. Hughs and Jones left. Hated to see them " go. Foxhole buddies. They have served their time. 18th "B" Company left Amerang this morning at 0900. The Civilians came out and waved to us. We rode all day and stopped at 1700 outside of ???????????? "B" Company played ball tonight. 19th We left at 0700. Recrossed the Rhine River a lot easier than crossing it the first time. We saw the Erney Pyle Monument at the rail road bridge at ???????????? We stopped outside ?????????????? at 1730 and went swimming. 20th We left at 0700. We stopped at a GI Joe rest stop for coffee and sandwich. We arrived in Nancy at 1430. I had a 6 hour pass. We really had a good time. 33 �21st We left at 0700. We rode all day to another Gi Joe. We arrived at Dijon at 1530. I took a shower, saw a show, made $40 tonight with the cubes. 22nd We left at 0630. We rode all day to another GI Joe stop. There were no passes tonight. We went swimming in the Rhone River. We arrived at 1630 in ?????????? 23rd . Reveille was at 0430. We left at 0600. We arrived at Calas Marshaling area at 1700. It was rocky, rolling, sandy ground. There were 14 men tents with cots and showers. Mountains were in back ground. \Ve will just have to wait. 24th We went to the show tonight. 25th I took the Cholera shot today. We turned in our Engr. Equipment today. I had a 6 hour pass to Marseille tonight. It is really some time. 26th We went through the gas chamber this morning. Saw a tonight. 27th We got all the trucks ready to turn in today. We saw a 28th We packed all guns in the company. The Battalion sure caught Hell for it. The Staff Sgt. was there. The Platoon had 10 gallons of ice cream. I saw a stage show in French. It sure is good to be in a rear area command. 29th We banded 3/4 of the equipment and marked it. It won't be long now. PTO. We went to the 20th Corps band concert, then saw a usa show. usa stage show and one usa Show. 30-31 ????????????? AUGUST 1945 1st We were told straight that we were going to the PTO direct. We are supposed to go to the ???????????? from all indications. 2nd I took the 2nd Cholera shot today and it is making my arm sore. It knocked a couple of men flat in the tent. They were sick tonight. 3rd Had an 8 hour pass to Marseille. We really got drunk. Had my picture taken. 4th I heard today that our equipment will start to be loaded. We are to sail before the last of the month, straight through to the PTO. 5th We were paid today. 34 �6th We had 10 gallons of ice cream for the platoon. 7th I saw the Betty Hutton usa stage show last night, It was good. She really puts on an act. Later she had a nervous breakdown from the show. 8th Today we got rid of the organizational equipment. We are getting lectures from men back from the PTO. We are training to put in at Foot Bridges.. We heard about the atom bomb today. 9th Russia declared war on Japan today. The war should be over soon and another atom bomb was dropped. 10th I was in a Japanese mine class today when we heard that Japan had thrown in the towel. I sure hope so. I don't like their mines. 11-12-13 ????????????? 14th Today the Texas Aggies had a big get together but I couldn't get off guard. I couldn't go. Lt. Condron said he signed for me. I expect the war to end soon. Guards were doubled. 15th I heard the war was over at 0330. I' was sure glad. Most of the troops went to church today. All Hell broke loose tonight. 30 wese killed and a lot were wounded. Friendly fire in the camp. 16th I had a pass to Marseille today. All shipments to the CBI and PTO stopped. Boy am I glad. Now we can go home. I hope. 17th GI's inspection this morning. I had a pass to go to the beach. It reminds me of Corpus. We are heading for the states. 18th Clothing inspection this morning. 19th Another clothing inspection 20th We found out what camps we go to in the USA. I go to Ft. Sam. Part of the TAT was loaded out tonight. It wont be long now. 21st Turned in our gas masks today and some other equipment. We were restricted to the company area today. We should board a ship soon. ~nd each platoon received 10 gallons of ice cream. 35 �22nd The 1252nd BN is in charge of the ship. Today we finished loading the TAT (To Accompany Troops). We got everything ready to go all packed up. We are really sweating it out. 23rd We boarded the ship Bienville at 1630, .It is a nice ship. I pulled KP for supper. Good chow. For the record I was always the top ranked non com that pulled KP duty. The 1252 BN keeps its bunks the rest double up on 12 hour shifts. 24th We left the dock at Marseille at 1520. We were out of site of land at 1800. Gentle sea. The ship is rolling a little. There are 2300 men on board, all ready to go home. It was rumored that the ship carrying our equipment went on to the PTO. 25th Smooth sea. Last night 12 were sick due to the waves. Weather is warm. Passed the ?????????? Islands from 1200 to 1600. 26th I had KP for supper. We fed 2500 men in 3 hours and 45 minutes. Still warm. Passed Rock of Gibraltar at 1230 today. It is some rock. We also saw Spain and North Africa. 27th This morning it is colder and a little rougher. I went to a show tonight. We are really traveling now to get away from 'a storm. 28th Rough sea, white caps, a little rain. It is rough as hell this afternoon. The ship is really rolling. I was sea sick for awhile, but was OK afterwards. 29th The sea has calmed down but the winds are really blowing up. It is w armer today. I was on KP duty for supper. We sure ate well. 30th Smooth sea. I started taking penicillin shots for a cyst infection un der my ear. Passed the Azores Islands this morning. 31st Smooth at sea. Spent last night in sick bay taking shots. We had an excellent breakfast. I went to a show tonight. SEPTEMBER 1945 1st I pulled KP duty for breakfast. It rained most of the day but we are making good time. The ship is riding smooth. 2nd Today was VJ day. I sure am glad. Now maybe the world can settle down and work for a United Peace. 36 �3rd I took a GI physical and was told to get out the OD's to land in. We filled out custom slips. We heard the ship came across on auxiliary engines to speed the crossing. 4th The skipper of another ship carrying rear area support troops turned up his speed and reached port during the night. Ws:.. had all combat troops on our ship. The troops on the other ship marched in the victory parade in Boston. We went straight to Camp Myles Standish. It is a nice camp. I had KP duty for breakfast. Sighted land at 0800. Boston and the Fire Boats gave us a royal welcome. I set foot on-US soil at 1700. What a supper tonight. 5th I fooled around all morning. I ate ice cream all afternoon. Camp Myles Standish is a nice camp. Went to usa Stage Show tonight. 6th I fooled around today. I went to a 7th The Company started leaving out at 0500. We leave for Texas at 1610. It took us all night to leave New York State. 8-9 On a slow train across America. usa Stage Show. 10th Went through Enid, Oklahoma, and then crossed the Red River. We went through Temple, and Austin. '". 11th We arrived in San Antonio, Texas this morning. We left Ft. Sam Houston on a 30 day pass. Mickner, Deaton, Hanks, Dele Farse?, and Murray had a party. I saw some friends in San Antonio and left for home. 12th I arrived home, Taft, Texas, at 0645. I sure am glad to be home. The place looks like it used to look. Note: In November 1945, I heard that the HMS Tamaroa was sunk in December 1944. Also, that 2 ships were sunk in our crossing to England on board the HMS Tamaroa. That was a narro~ escape. 37 �:-~• II!R J:'. ....ILili:~· . ,. ...::n : ~ : ~ SPOt, r \. Wieseneggen von allen Grossen, j ~. 11 • ~' '. lA' • " " �~. '.~' . ' . .,· }:EiserneFeldeaoen, I\J lJlllIgor u. dn.uorlmfLoi l ankweiler . , a L~lIolzeggen; . ?ffolzlhllm Ganz eiserne Viehkessel, Halbe Heilmaterial-Ersparniss. . Eis cnac]: o o L � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PimmJ Title A name given to the resource Pimm, John (Interview outline and video), 2008 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pimm, John Description An account of the resource John Pimm was born in Connecticut in 1924 and graduated from a small country school in 1941. John then went on to a military college in Northfield, Vermont. The entire college enlisted in the service on September 14, 1942. John went through the Army Specialized Training Program in Nebraska and then Combat Engineer Training in Texas. He shipped over to England at the end of 1944, and then served at the end of the Bulge campaign and the advance through Germany to Czechoslovakia. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource McCauslin, Kelly (Interviewer) Spring Lake District Library (Spring Lake, Mich.) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Veterans United States. Army World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Video recordings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2008-10-25 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ea940b82c88730d9f2bb87e901b6335a.pdf 93236c4e6db7439c98115a96285edb3a PDF Text Text PIPESTONE l TOWNSHIP, z<( ..J C. 1- zw BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN ~ C. 0 ..J w > w cl ..J <( I a: w zw C, C. -en ~ z == 0 1- I w z IAI• 11,,. ,11. •lo. I~- .,_ I.II. 1l1t- Ill• ,111, lw. l IIU Jlt. •loL ,i.. 4'1. ,Ila. ,ti.. ,111. \11, ,u.. •\I. 411. ,II,, ,II,. 1111. W/, , ._ \Ill- ·-• fJ#. -'• ,IIL ,.,._ .t.. .... ,11,. ,Ill• ,Ml• •"' .J11. JI,. \II'- .,,. ""· ~ '"· .... .... ""- 0 I- en w - C. C. �z < ..J 0.. 1- z GENERAL DBVBLOPHBNT PLAN FOR w :E 0.. 0 ..J PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP ADOPTED: w > w C ..J Prepared By: PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION Merrit Kirk, Chairman Robert Bishop Herbert Hasse Don~ld Hettig Vern Holle Harold McCarthy Carl Michael Bruce Dustin With Technical Assistance From: BERRIEN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION < a: W I z w C, 0.. - :I: u, z 3: 0 1- w Aaron Anthony, Planning Director * Dennis Schuh, Assistant Planning Director z 0 1- u, w * Project Planner - C. 0.. �TABLE OF Q)NTENTS Paite i Planninit Commission Adoption Resolution. • • . . . . iii Endorsement by Township Board • • . CHAPTERS INTRODUCTION. I . . . . . .. . . HISTORICAL SKE1Ui/GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION II Historical Sketch . c.eoeraphic Location III NATURAL FEATIJRES. V VI VI I 3 3 . . . . . 1 5 .. . . 6 6 8 Caeology/Topography. . . Soils . . Lakes and St.reams . Cl imat.e . 17 19 lJfILITIES . . 21 Yater and Sewage Disposal Electric. . Telephone . . . . . . . Natural c.as . . . . . Solid ~aste Disposal. County Drain System . . 21 29 29 29 29 31 ... . IV . . .. . . . . . COMMUNITY FACILITI~S. 33 Schools . Fire. . Pol ice. 1-bspitals Library . Recreational. Township Property 33 35 35 35 36 36 36 . . 38 POPULATION. . TRANSPORTATION. 46 Road System . . . Air Transportation. Railroad. . . . . . 46 48 48 �VIII ECX>OOMIC BASE . .. ... Labor Force Tax Base • • IX X . . . . EXISTING LAND USE. SUMMARY; GROWTH POLICIES; RECX>MMENDATIONS • \ 49 53 55 62 �LIST OF MAPS PaE?e MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP MAP GEoc:RAPHIC LOCATION • . • • • . TOPOGRAPHIC LOCATION. GENERAL SO IL MAP • • • DETAILED SOIL MAP NE 1/4 DETAILED.SOIL MAP N\l 1/4. DETAILED SOIL MAP SE 1/4 • . DETAILED SOIL MAP SY 1/4 ..... GROUNDYATER MAP. • . . . . • • . . . . . . SOIL FACTOR MAP FOR SEPTIC TANK ABSORPTION NE 1/4. . SOIL FACTOR MAP FOR SEPTIC TANK ABSORPTION N\ol 1/4. . SOIL FACTOR MAP FOR SEPTIC TANK ABSORPTION SE 1/4. . SOIL FACTOR MAP FOR SEPTIC TANK ABSORPTION S\.1 1/4. . NATURAL GAS DISTRIBlTI'ION/TELEPI-DNE ClJMPANY SERVICE AREAS ClJUN'IY DRAINS. . • • . SCH)()L DISTRICI'S • • . . . . . COMMUNITY FACILITIES • • • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROAD SYSTEM. . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EXISTING LAND USE . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.A. 116, FARMLAND AGREEMENTS/PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND. PROJECIED FunJRE LAND USE . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 MAP 15 MAP MAP 16 MAP MAP MAP MAP 17 18 19 20 5 7 8 12 13 14 15 22 24 25 26 27 30 32 34 37 47 56 59 68 LIST OF TABLES TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 FOURTH FRIDAY ENROLLMENT FIGURES . . . . . POPULATION GR0\.111-i: 1950-2000. .. . . . . POPULATION CHANGE: 1970-1980. . . . . . PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN POPULATION: 1970-1980. PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN POPULATION: 1950-1980. POPULATION DENSITY - 1980. . POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS - 1980. }-[)USING CHARACIERISTICS. CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE 1980 - OCCUPATION. . . . . 1980 - INDUSTRY. . . . . . CLASS OF \.JORKER. . . . . . . INClJME AVERAGES. . . . . . . . . . PLACE OF \.IORK--STATE AND COUN'IY LEVEL. 1986 REAL PROPER1Y VALUATION . . . . 1986 PERSONAL PROPER1Y VALUATION. . . 1975-1986 EQUALIZED PROPERTY VALUATION. EXISTING LAND USE. . . COMPARISON OF LAND USE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 49 50 51 51 52 52 53 53 54 57 58 �PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP PLANNING C01MISSION AOOPI'ION RESOUJI'ION PIPF.STONE TOWNSHIP GENERAL DEVELOR1ENT PLAN WHEREAS, the Township Rural Zoning Act, Act 184, P.A. 1943, as amended through 1978, stipulates the provisions of a township zoning ordinance should be based upon a plan designed to promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare, to encourage the use of lands in accordance with their character and adaptability and to limit the improper use of land, among other things; and WHEREAS, the Township Planning Commission Act, Act 169 P.A. 1959, as amended, requires the planning commission shall make and adopt a basic plan as a guide for the developnent of unincorporated portions of the township, and such plan shall include the planning commission's recommendations for the physical development of the unincorporated area of the township; and WHEREAS, the Pipestone Township Planning Commission has, during the period of May, 1986, to October, 1986, prepared such basic plan for the purpose of encouraging and guiding orderly and efficient future growth and development of the township; and WHEREAS, in accordance with Act 168 P.A. 1959, as amended, notices of public hearing have been duly published and on December, 1986, a public hearing was held at the Pipestone Township Hall for the purpose of making public explanation of the proposed development plan and receiving public comments and recommendations regarding the plan; and WHEREAS, the Pipestone Township Planning Commiss i on has given due consideration to public comments presented at the hearing, a public record of which is on file with the township clerk: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, the Pipestone Township Planning Commission hereby approves and adopts the Pipestone Township General Development Plan dated December 1, 1986, as the plan required by the aforementioned state legislative acts to encourage and guide further gro~th and development of the township in an orderly manner. i �( RFSOLVED ON nus 2, DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1987, AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PIPFSTONE 'l'a\lNSHIP PLANNING CXM1ISSION ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING V<YI'FS OF THE PLANNING CXM1ISSION MEMBERS: Yes Merrit Kirk Herbert Hasse Bruce Dustin Harold McCarthy Vern Holle Robert Bishop Donald Hettig No ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Merrit Kirk Planning Commission Chairman Planning Commission Secretary ii �PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP BOARD ENIX)RSEMENT RF.SOillrION PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP GENERAL DEVELOFMENT PLAN WHEREAS, the Pipestone Township Planning Commission has been established pursuant to the Township Planning Commission Act, Act 168 P.A. 1959, as amended; and WHEREAS, in accordance with provisions of the aforementioned act, the planning commission has prepared a basic plan, known as the Pipestone Township General D'evelopment Plan, dated December 1, 1986, to encourage and guide orderly future growth and development in the township; and WHEREAS, the planning corrmission has given proper notices of public hearing, and helf a public hearing on December 1, 1986, at the township hall, a record of which is on file in the office of the township clerk; and WHEREAS, the Pipestone Township Board has been kept infonned of the preparation of the basic plan, has been represented on the work committee responsible for preparation of the plan, and had representatives in attendance at the public hearing: BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that the Pipestone Township Board hereby endorses the preparation and adoption of the basic plan by the planning commission and, further, endorses the content of the plan and its policies and recommendation regarding orderly and efficient future growth and development in Pipestone Township. RESOLVED ON TIIIS Pipestone Township Supervisor ~ ~ Herbert Hasse Pipestone Township Clerk iii �I INTRODUCTION Tiie Pipestone Township Planning Conmission fllllctions in accordance with provisions of the Township Planning Act, Act 168, Michigan Public Acts of 1959, as amended, and the Township Rural Zoning Act, Act 184, Michigan Public Acts of 1943, as amended. Pursuant to the duties and responsibilities set forth in the above legislation, the township planning commission has prepared this general develoµnent plan for the following purpose: To promote public health, safety, and general welfare; to encourage the use of resources in accordance with their character and adaptability; to avoid the overcrowding of land by buildings or people; to lessen congestion on public roads and streets; to facilitate provision for a system of transportation, sewage disposal, safe and adequate water supply, recreation and other public improvements; and to consider the character of the township and its suitability for particular uses ,judged in terms of such factors as the trend in land and population development. The scope of this general development plan includes a brief review of Pipestone Township's history--it's people, early developments and resources; discussion and analysis of the Township's population in terms of the past, present, and projections for the future; a review and analysis of such pertinent factors as natural features, soils, utilities and transportation; a study of the economy; the existing land use pattern; goals for future development of Pipestone Township; and projections for desirable future land use. After considering the possible implications of future development in the Township--particularly unguided, indiscriminate developrnent--the Pipestone Township Planning Commission decided to proceed with the preparation of a general 1 �developnent plan and a revised zoning ordinance to implement the goals and policies of the general develoµnent plan. The Township Planning Conmission requested technical assistance from the Berrien County Planning Conmission to help prepare the developnent plan and revise the zoning ordinance. Both documents will receive a legal review by the township's attorney. It should be emphasized that this general development plan is not an ordinance. It cannot, in itself, control land use and development. purpose of the zoning ordinance. This is the Rather, it is the plan referred to in the Township Rural Zoning Act, P.A. 184 of 1943, as amended, being the basis on which the zoning ordinance is developed. The plan suggests goals and policies for desirable future growth and development; the zoning ordinance is an implementation tool for realization of the plan. The plan, of course, is not a static document. It should be reviewed and updated periodically, at least every three years, in keeping with changing conditions and their implications for future growth. 2 �II HISTORICAL SKETCH/GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION HISTORICAL SKETCH (This brief presentation of the early history of Pipestone Township is based on the book Berrien Bicentennial, 1976, by James T. Carney, portions of which are quoted or paraphrased hereafter without additional citation. The first family to settle in Pipestone Township is identified as James Kirk, his wife, and seven children. This was in April of 1837 and the family lived in a cloth tent and pole shanty until neighbors from distant communities helped him erect a log cabin. Dr. Morgan Enos, the Township's first physician, also settled there in 1837. He hired Crawford Hazard and Nathaniel Brant to cut roads from Millburg. These gentlemen also settled in Pipestone Township to work for Dr. Enos . .•• Robert Ferry, an Irish immigrant, is also recorded as having moved to the Township in 1837. Mr. Ferry eventually expanded his holdings to over 1,000 acres and was buried on his old homestead. It was not until 1842 that Pipestone Township was set off as a separate township. James La.rue was elected as the first Township Supervisor and Morgan Enos was elected Clerk. In the early 1840's, William Boughton and Joab Enos laid out a village and called it Pipestone. Growth of the village was very slow. By 1846, the Township's population had grown to about 300. It was at this same time that the Village of Pipestone obtained a post office and William ~ughton was the first Postmaster. In 1850 a German Settlement started in the northeast part of the Township. William Hackstatt, Henry Stevens, and Henry Tulker came as a group with their families from Cincinnati. 3 �About 1853, the Village of Pipestone was renamed "Shanghai" after a breed of chickens that Dr. Enos was raising. ( The first merchant in Shanghai was John . Garrow. Mr. Garrow owned a store, a smoke-house, and a sawmill. later took over the store and also served as Justice of the Peace. James Haskins By 1880, Shanghai contained two stores, at least a dozen homes, a school, and two blacksmith shops. Shanghai's growth was slowed in 1881 when the railroad avoided the village and passed a mile or so to the west. It was at the location of the railroad that a new village named "Hartman", in honor of the farmer that donated the land, l-18.S started. Several stores and.an express office were located in Hartman. Two Township residents, Amos R. Green and Harvey Franz, self-taught archaeologists, became well known throughout the state and were honored by the Michigan Archeological Society. William Teichman brought his Skyline Orchards into the spotlight in 1941 when he brought a new variety of peaches, Redhavens, onto the market. William's son, Herbert, has carried on the family tradition by being a leader in intrcxiucing mechanical fruit harvesting methods to the fruit belt. The Teichman famil y is also well known for the official U.S. Weather Station they have operated for over 50 years. 4 �GEXXiRAPHIC LOCATION Pipestone Township is located in the central portion of Berrien County on the eastern edge. It is approximately 100 miles east of Chicago, Illinois, 25 miles north of South Bend, Indiana, 45 miles southwest of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and 200 miles southwest of Detroit, Michigan. It is bounded on the east by Cass County, on the north by Bainbridge Township, on the west by Scxius Township, and on the south by Berrien Township. Pipestone Township is a rural township bounded by similarly rural townships . The nearest urbanized areas are Niles and St. Joseph-Benton Harbor. Pipestone Township is part of the Benton Harbor Metropolitan Statistical Area and is identified as census tract 105. The nearest major transportation route is I-94, which is 7.5 miles north of the Township . M-140, a state highway, crosses the Township in a north-south direction while M-62 is situated across the bottom of the Township running in an east west direction. -------, -, MAP1 VAN BUREN \ I LAKE MICHIGAN I I ------7 R )}}! BERRIEN I I I CASS NIL,J __________ J ____ - - - - INDIANA (I) I ~I • GARY . • SOUTH BEND ' LA PORTE ...J I ...J I 5 • ELKHART II �I II . ( .. . NATURAL FEAWRES GEOLOOY/TOro:m.APHY Pipestone Township lies in the Southern Upland geophysical region in Michigan's lower peninsula. The Township is characterized by the Berrien - Allegan highland section of this southern upland region which consists of areas of relatively strong relief. The Township is part of the Valparaiso Morainic system with the ridges extended in a general northeast to southwest direction. The soils are mainly sandy with a high protection of clay drift. The bedrock in Pipestone Township is mainly Coldwater Shale overlain with glacial drift. This galcial drift averages approximately 150 feet deep throughout the Township. 4 The existing topographical features of Pipestone Township are primarily due to the effects of the glaciers. The Township's gently rolling or undulating topography was formed by the advancing and retreating glaciers. The ridges fonned in this manner are called moraines and consist of till which is a random mixture of silt, clay, sand, gravel, and rock fragments. Other surface fonna.tions created by the glaciers include outwash plains, lake beds, and glacial spillways. The elevation in the Township varies from a low around 620 feet above sea level in the area where Farmers Creek exists the Township to a high of 870+ feet above sea level on the central-eastern edge of the Township. \ The relief is most pronounced on the east and west sides of the Township with the center being relatively level. 6 f �MAP2 ! C f It ij' :1 •• Ii !I I• •I .: i --- .- ~ ., >- :c Q.. I (/) z ~ 0 I- w z0 I- Cl) w Cl. a::. ·b : /.i ..,. _ . . . - -:-✓-~ .. L/ --. _,,-;- ~ ---r. ,,- t; .. a. tn 0:: <( ::> (!J 0 a:: 0 a. ._ 0 0 I- z (.) 0 �In the late 1970's soil scientists made a survey of the soils in Berrien County. Through this survey they learned what soils are in Berrien County, where they are, and how they can be used. They observed the steepness, length, and shape of the slopes; the size of streams and the general pattern of drainage; the kinds of native plants or crops; and the kind of rocks. The soils were classified and named according to nationwide uniform procedures. This plan contai ns bo th a general soil map and de tailed soil maps for Pipestone Township. MAP3 GENERAL SOIL MAP ... ( ;_:i\r_: ___--: ~._.- £:;:·.•::::·.·.,>::.·.·.·.,.-.:··.J L· ·: ' · · · : •. • ·:.••I t .:::::: .: l _ .-,~~ . ~ ~ i · ... <;; Riddl es-OCkley--Oshtemo Association Pel.la- Kibbie Association Bloun t - Ri mer Association Ockley- Osh temo Association Spinks--Oakville-Oshtemo Association 8 �This general soil map shows broad areas that have a distinctive pattern of soils, relief, and drainage. landscape. soils. Each map unit, or association, is a unique natural Each association consists of one or more major soils and some minor It is named for the major soils. The soils making up one association can occur in other associations, but in a different pattern. This general soil map can be used to compare the suitability of large areas for general land uses. planning purposes. Because of its small scale, it is not suitable for site The soils in any one association differ from place to place in slope, depth, drainage, and other characteristics that may affect the management of a particular site. Brief descriptions of the soil associations in Pipestone Township are listed below. Riddles-Ockley-Oshtemo Association: Nearly level to very steep, well drained, loamy soils on outwash plains, morained, and till plains. the soils in this association are farmed. these soils are used as woodland. erosion. Most of Where the slopes are steep, The main problem in cultivated areas is Riddles and Ockley soils generally are fairly suited to well suited to septic tank absorpti0n fields in areas where slopes are less than 12 percent. Oshtemo soils and other soils that have slopes of more than 12 percent are poorly suited to septic tank absorption fields. have poor filtering capacity. Oshtemo soils These soils are fairly to well suited to building site develoµnents. Pella-Kibbie Association: Nearly level, poorly drained and somewhat poorly drained, silty and loamy soils on outwas plains, lake plains, and deltas. Most of the soils in this association are fanned. 9 Some areas are left �idle or are in woodland. (_ Ponding is conman in low areas. The soils in this association are well suited to cultivated crops, hay, and pasture. The soils in this association are poorly suited to build.init site develoµnents and septic tank absorption fields. Wetness is the main limitation for Kibbie soils, and ponding is the main limitation on Pella soils. Blount-Rimer Association: Nearly level and gently sloping, somewhat poorly drained, loamy and sandy soils on till plains and moraines. soils in this association have been cleared and drained. used for cultivated crops, hay, and pasture. undrained areas. limitations. Most of the They are often There are some swampy, Wetness and restricted penneability are the main These soils are poorly suited to building site developments and septic tank absorption fields due to a high water table. Cx:!klev-Oshtemo Association: Nearly level to steep, well drained, loamy soils on outwash plains and moraines. association are farmed. Most of the soils in this The main problems of management are erosion control, slope, and soil blowing. Draughtiness is a problem on the Oshtent soils during the midst.mllTler months. The soils in this association are well suited to hay, pasture, specialty crops, and trees. The soils in this association are fairly suited to well suited to recreation uses, buildi~ site developments, and septic tank absorption fields. \ capacity are the main limitations for Oshtemo soils. Slope and filteri~ Slope and shrink- swell potential are the main limitations on the Ockley soils. Spinks-0akville-Oshterno Association: Nearly level to very steep, well drained, sandy and loamy soils on moraines, till plains, outwash plains, ( 10 ti - �and beach ri~es. Most of the soils in this association are farmed. blowing and draughtiness are concerns in -cultivated areas. Soil The soils in this association are well suited to hay, pasture, woodland, and recreation uses. They are poorly suited to cultivated crops. association can be irrigated. productive. Many areas of this With proper management, these areas can be This association is fairly suited to buildinlt site developnents and septic tank absorption fields. Slope and poor filtering capacity of the soils are the main limitations. The map units on Maps 5, 6, 7, and 8 ., Detailed Soil Maps, represent the soils identified in those survey areas. These maps used along with the following map unit descriptions can be used to detennine the suitability and potential of a soil for specific uses. It should be not~ that this soil survey is a general overview of the soils in Pipestone Township. Individual site assessment may still be necessary to determine soil capability for proJ.X)sed development. Further infonnation of each of the soil types is contained in the Soil Survey of Berrien County. Copies of this document are available from the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service located at 3820 S. M-139, St. Joseph, Michigan. ! I' 11 �I ~I :•: ,flJ I .. \ .. ., I I v r::~ 71e I I I 0 ,., _J DETAILED SOIL MAP NE 1/4 PIPESTONE ..... N ,. ~ -0 .ta. �MAPS a. <C ~ w z 0 0 C -a. ..J .... Cl) w en a. w - -.::I" ..J .,.. <C 3: I- z .......... w C 13 �MAP6 a. <( :E w z 0 0 I- C - ..J en iW ! ..J <( -I- u, w CL CL ~ .......... T- w u, w C 14 �=~~ 31 F\ I f -~ ........ -. - 1\,·,' \.·. .. ~ \ ~; ~:. DETAILED SOIL MAP SW 1/4 PIPESTONE ..... t.rl i: > "'0 .... �SOIUMAP SYMBOLS/SUITABILITY RATINGS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Hap ,abol 2 5 6 7 108 100 lOF 118 llC 110 llE 12A 128 12C 120 138 13C 130 148 l4C 140 14E 15C 168 17 19A 20 22A 23 25 26A 278 27C 28B 29 30 31A 32 330 33£ 348 35 36 37 38 42A 44A 51 52B 55 56B 56C 57A 60B 61A 62 63B 63C 64A 65F 66A 67A 68A 69B 70A 71 72B 758 76 77B 788 788 78C 78C 780 780 80 828 82B Limitations for Septic Tank Absorption Fields Soil Name Cohoctall-Abscota sandy 1oams Houghton muck Adrian IIUCk Palas ■uck Oakville fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes Oakville fine sand, 6 to 1B percent slopes Oakville fine sand, 18 to 45 percent slopes Oshte■o sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes Oshte■o sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes Oshte■o sandy loam, 12 to 18 percent slopes Oshttm sandy loam, 18 to 35 percent slopes Ockley loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes Ockley loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes Ockley loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes Ockley loam, 12 to 18 percent slopes Spinks loamy fine sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes Spints loamy fine sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes Spinks loamy fine sand, 12 to 18 percent slopes Riddles loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes Riddles loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes Riddles loam, 12 to 1B percent slopes Riddles loam, 18 to 45 percent slopes GlyTM)Od loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes Crosier silt loam, D to 4 percent slopes Rensselaer silt loam Brady sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes Gilford sandy loam Monitor loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Sebewa loam Lenawee silty clay loam Pipestone sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes Tustin loamy fine sand, 2 to 6 percent slopes Tustin loamy fine sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes Rimer loamy fine sand, 0 to 4 percent slopes Cohoctah sandy 1oam Belleville loamy fine sand Kibble loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Pelh silt loam Morley silt loam, 12 to 1B percent slopes Morley silt loam, 18 to 25 percent slopes Blount loam, 0 to 4 percent slopes Aquents and Histosols, ponded Pew-, silt loam Granby loamy fine sand Elvers silt loam Morocco loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes Coupee silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Houghton-Kerston mucks Abscota sandy loam, 0 to 6 percent slopes Edwards muck Martinsville fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes Martinsville fine sandy loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes Thetford loamy sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes Plainfield sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes Whitaker loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes Poy silt loam Metea loamy sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes Metea lo1my sand, 6 to 12 percent slopes Selfridg~ loamy sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes Udorthents and Udipsanments, 18 to 90 percent slopes Landes Variant silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes Shoals silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes Granby-Morocco complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes Plainfield-Urban land coniplex, 0 to 6 percent slopes Thetford-Urban land complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes Pits Udips-nts and Udorthents, o to 6 percent slopes Rimer-Urban land complex, 0 to 4 percent slopes Urban land Osht--Urban land complex, 0 to 6 percent slopes Riddles-Oshtemo complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes ~-Oshtemo complex, 1 to 6 percent slopes Riddles-Oshtemo complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes Riddles-Oshtemo complex, 6 to 12 percent slopes Ri ddles-Oshtemo complex, 12 to 18 percent slopes Ri ddles-Oshtemo comp l ex, 12 to 18 percent slopes Cohoctah-Urban land complex Oshte■o-Ockley comolex, 0 to 4 percent slopes Oshteao-Ockley complex, D to 4 percent slopes for Dwellings Without Base,aents Li ■ itations Li ■ itations for Dwellings With B1Se111ents Limitations for Lawns and Landscaping Severe : wetness, floods Severe: ponding, percs slowly Severe: ponding Severe: subsides, ponding Severe: poor filter Severe: poor filter Severe : slope, poor filter Severe : poor filter Severe: poor filter Severe : poor filter, slope Severe : poor filter, slope Slight Slight Moderate: slope Severe : slope Severe : poor filter Severe: poor filter Severe : poor filter, slope Slight Moderate: slope Severe: slope Severe: slope Severe: percs slowly, wetness Severe: percs slowly, wetness Severe: ponding, percs slowly Severe: wetness, poor filter Severe: ponding, poor filter Severe: wetness, percs slowly Severe: poor filter, ponding Severe: ponding, percs slowly Severe: wetness, poor filter Severe: percs slowly, poor filter. Severe: percs slowly, poor filter Severe: wetness, percs slowly Severe: wetness, floods Severe: ponding, percs slowly Severe: wetness Severe : ponding Severe: wetness, percs slowly, slope Severe: wetness, percs slowly, slope Severe : wetness, percs slowly Severe : floods, wetness Severe: ponding, low strength Severe: ponding, low strength Severe : ponding, low strength Slight Moderate: slope Severe: slope Slight Moderate: slope Severe: slope Severe: slope Moderate: shrink-swell Moderate : shrink-swell Moderate: shrink-swell, slope Severe : slope Slight Moderate : slope Severe : slope Moderate : shrink-swell Moderate : slope, shrink-swel l Severe: slope Severe: s 1ope Moderate : slope, shrink-swell, wetness Severe: wetness Severe : ponding Severe : wetness Severe : ponding Severe: wetness Severe: ponding Severe: ponding Severe: wetness Slight Moderate : slope Severe : wetness Severe: floods, wetness Severe: ponding Severe : wetness Severe: ponding Severe : slope Severe: s 1ope Severe: wetness Severe: floods, wetness Severe: ponding, low strength Severe: ponding Severe : ponding, low strength Slight Moderate: slope Severe: slope Slight Moderate: slope Severe: slope Severe: s 1ope Moderate: shrink-swell Moderate: shrink-swell Moderate: shrink-swell, slope Severe: slope Slight Moderate: slope Severe : slope Moderate: shrink-swell Moderate: slope, shrink-swell Severe: slope Severe: slope Severe : wetness Severe: wetness Severe: ponding Severe : wetness Severe : ponding Severe: wetness Severe : ponding Severe: ponding Severe: wetness Severe : shrink-swell Severe: shrink-swell Severe: wetness, shrink-swell Severe: floods, wetness Severe: ponding Severe: wetness Severe: ponding Severe: slope Severe: slope Severe: wetness Severe: floods, wetness Severe : excess hin~s. ponding Severe : excess humus, ponding Severe: excess hinus, ponding Moderate: droughty Moderate: slope, draughty Severe : slope HOderate: small stones Moderate: small stones, slope Severe : slope Severe : slope Slight Slight Moderate : slope Severe : slope Moderate: droughty Moaerate : draughty, slope Severe: slope Slight Moderate: slope Severe : slope Severe : slope Moderate : slope Moderate : wetness Severe : ponding Moderate : wetness Severe : ponding Moderate : wetness Severe : ponding Severe : ponding Severe : wetness Slignt Moderate : slope Moderate: wetness, droughty Severe: floods, wetness Severe : ponding Moderate : wetness . Severe : ponding Severe: slope Severe : slope Moderate : wetness Severe : percs slowly, ponding Severe : ponding, poor filter Severe : ponding, percs slowly Severe: wetness, poor filter Severe: poor f il ter Severe : ponding, percs slowly, floods Severe : floods, wetness, poor f i lter Severe: ponding, percs slowly Slight Moderate: slope Severe : wetness, poor filter Severe : poor filter Severe : wetness Severe : ponding, percs slowly Severe: percs slowly Severe : percs slowly Severe : percs slowly, wetness, poo r fi lter Severe : ponding Severe : ponding Severe : ponding Severe : wetness Sli gh t Severe: ponding, low strength Severe: floods Severe : ponding, low strength Moderate : shrink-swell Moderate: shrink-swell, slope Severe : wetness Sl i gh t Severe : wetness Severe : ponding, shrink-swell Slight Moderate : slope Severe : wetness Severe : ponding Severe: ponding Severe : ponding Severe : wetness Slight Severe : ponding, low strength Severe : floods Severe : ponding, low strength Slight Moderate : slope, shrink-swell Severe : wetness Slight Severe : wetness Severe : ponding Slight Moderate : slope Severe : wetness Severe : ponding Severe : ponding Severe : ponding Moderate : wetness oroughty Sl 1ant • Severe : exces s humus, ponding Mooerate : flood s Severe : excess humus ponding Sli gnt ' Moaera te : s 1ope Mooe rate : wetnes s drougnty Severe : draughty• Mooerate : wetness Severe : pond i ng Moaerate : draughty Mooera te : dro ugh ty, slope Moae r ate : wetness Severe: Severe : Severe : Severe: Severe : Severe : Severe : Severe : Slight Severe : Severe : Severe : Severe : Slight Severe: wetness, poor filter floods, wetness ponding, poor filter, wetness poor filter wetness, poor filter floods floods, wetness ponding, wetness wetness floods floods, wetness ponding, wetness wetness 0 Sl io nt Severe : floods Severe : pond i ng , wttness Moderate : drough ty Moaera te : wetness, droughty Severe : wetness, percs slowly Severe : wetness Severe : wetness, shrink-swell Moderate : wetness , droughty Severe : poor f i lter Sl i ght Severe : poor filter Moderate : s 1ope Severe : poor fi l ter Severe : s 1ope Severe : poor fil ter, s lope Severe : wetness, floods Severe: poor filter Slight Slight Moderate : shrink-swell Sliqht Moderate : slope, shrink-swell Moderate : slope Severe : s 1ope Severe : s 1ope Severe : floods, wetness Sl1gn t Moderate : shrink-swell Slight Moderate : shrink-swel l Sl ignt Moderate : slope, shrink-swe ll Moderate : slope Severe : s 1ope Severe : slope Severe : floods, wetness Slight Moderate : shri nk-swell Moaera te : sma 11 S11c~t Mooe rate : sma ll Mooera te : sl ope Hoaerate : sma l 1 Severe : s 1ope Severe : slope Severe : floods Mooer ate : sma 1i Sl 19ht stones stones stones, slope we ~ness stones 16 �LAKES AND sm.F..AMS There are six lakes located in Pipestone Township that are larger than eight acres in size. The following table describes these lakes. Location Size Sec. 4, T5S, Rl7W 20 acres Little Black Lake Sec. 3, TSS, Rl7W Sec. 4, TSS, Rl7W 8 acres Black Lake Description & comnents Clear, heavy weed growth, muck shoreline. Has state owned public access site. Clear, muck shoreline Brush Lake Sec. 36, TSS, Rl7W 62 acres Most of the lake is shallow with muck bottom. There are extreme fluctuations in the lake level. The southern tip of the lake is in Cass County. Jarvis Lake Sec. 1, T5S, Rl7W 20 acres Spring fed, muck bottom Mud Lake Sec. 21, T5S, Rl7W 8 acres Clear, muck shoreline Rowe Lake Sec. 2, T5S, Rl7W 30 acres Clear, muck shoreline In addition to these lakes there are numerous ponds and smaller bodies of water. They are important for agricultural irrigation purposes and for providing wildlife habitat. There are three principal streams flowing through Pipestone Township. Pipestone Creek is the largest. This stream originates at Jarvis Lake and flows in a westerly direction through the township. Several county drains outlet into Pipestone Creek before it enters Sodus Township where it eventually empties into 17 �the St. Joseph River. ( Fanners Creek is a springfed creek that flows in a southwesterly direction through the southwest portion of the township. This creek also empties into the St. Joseph River after leaving Pipestone Township. Crooked Brook is a small springfed creek in the northwest corner of the township that empties into Pipestone Creek. It is used primarily as an outlet for agricultural drainage systems. 18 �CLIMATE Prevailing winds from Lake Michiian moderate the air temperature of Pipestone Township. These lake breezes keep it cooler longer in the spring and wanner for a longer period in the fall. In winter the averaa;e temperature is 27 degrees F., and the average daily minimum temperature is 20 deirees F. In sUJmer the average temperature is 70 degrees F., and the averaie daily maxinn..nn temperature is 81 degrees F. The total annual precipitation is 35 inches. percent, usually falls in April through September. Of this, 20 inches, or 56 Average seasonal snowfall is 65 inches. The average relative humidity in midafternoon is about 63 percent. The sun shines 67 percent of the time possible in summer and 37 percent in winter. prevailing wind is from the south-southwest. The nonnal frost-free ~rowi~ season is about 180 days. Precipitation Temperature Month Ave~e Daily Maximum F Average Daily Minimum F Daily Avera"e F Average Snowfall Inches Inches January February March April May June July August September October November December 31.1 34.5 44.4 59.0 70.3 79.8 83.4 81.7 74.5 63.6 47.6 35.3 17.0 19.9 27.5 38.3 48.1 58.2 62.2 60.6 53.8 44.1 32.9 22.5 24.1 27.2 36.0 48.7 59.2 69.0 72.8 71.2 64.1 53.8 40.2 28.9 2.31 1. 79 2.57 3.80 3.30 3.45 3.33 2.86 3.40 2.97 2.82 2.78 17.5 12.7 7.2 2.2 Trace 0.0 Year 58.8 40.4 49.6 35.38 65.0 19 o.o o.o Trace 8.0 8. 1 16.5 The �Source: ( United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Soil Survei of Berrien County, November, 1980. Data compiled from 1948 - 1977 at Eau Claire, Michigan. 20 �IV UTILITIES WATER AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL Currently Pipestone Township's water needs are being met by individual wells. Depth to the static water table averages 33 feet in Pipestone Township with a maximum of 133 feet and a minimum of 8 feet. feet with wells ranging from 32 to 207 feet in depth. is available throughout most of the Township. The average well depth is 89 Adequate clay protection Nitrate problems have been identified in the eastern half of Section 27 and the northwest quarter of section 23. Flowing wells are quite common in Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 12, and 14. There does not appear to be, at this time, any significant need for municipal water services in the Township. Map 8 is a groundwater map that was prepared by examining well log summary sheets that were completed for each section (approximately one square mile) of Pipestone Township. The information on the summary sheets were compiled from well logs filed by well drillers with the Berrien County health Department. since well logs have only been required by law since 1967, little or no infonnation was included for wells installed before that time. Interviews were also held with several well drillers to obtain information and the map was modified to reflect infonnation provided by persons knowledgeable of the area. Additional information on individual well logs should be obtained from the Berrien County Health Department. The map identifies three types of groundwater areas in Pipestone Township: 1. areas where there are no apparent groundwater problems. 2. areas where there are groundwater problems for which there are lmown solutions or adjustments. 3. areas in which there is insufficient infonnation to make an evaluation. 21 �(. 12 Yt .-::,.;!-~-- •. 17 16 ·i~.:.·~-t~!.; ~'·'c.·,·:1·· · ;·~:.~·:;:~r=~~:. tt~H}{1\t · i;if1)fftlfIt 25 Indicates no apparent groundwater probl ems. vzzzzzzzza Indicates that there are groundwater problems for which there are known solutions or adjustments usually achieved by special requirements in construction or location. Indicates insufficient information in the area to make any meaningful evaluati on. MAP SOURCE: Groundwater Mapping Notebook, January 198 1, Southwestern Michigan Commission. 22 �Areas mapped as having correctable groundwater problems in Pipestone Township are generally indicative of an acquirer that does not have protection of at least ten feet of impervious soils or it is not known if the impervious soils extend over the entire acquirer. section. In most cases, coloring was done by the quarter This means that even though there may be infonna.tion on only one well in the quarter section, the color was expanded as a general indication of possible problem or lack of a problem. Sewage disposal in Pipestone Township currently consists of individual onsite septic tank systems. Information on soils included in the Berrien Cotmty Soil Survey indicate that approximately 15% of the Township's soils are of a type which are well adapted for septic tank systems. About 5% are classified as "poorly adapted" or "moderat~ly well adapted" for residential development because of poor drainage and percolation. This leaves approximately 80% of the Township's soils that are classified as "unadapted" for residential developnent. These general areas of suitability are identified on Maps 9, 10, 11, and 12. Sections 25 through 36 of Pipestone Township were included in a mtmicipal wastewater treatment study. This was the Berrien Township Facility Plan for Wastewater Collection and Treatment, October, 1978 - facilities Planning for the Village of Berrien Springs, Village of Eau Claire, Township of Berrien, Township of Oronoko and Sections 25 through 36 of Pipestone Township. This plan proposed two short sewer extensions on the Village of Eau Claire system to serve residents of the Township. The proposed system would have serviced a few homes on Pipestone Road and a few homes on Ma.in Street. After public hearings the Township decided that there was not sufficient need for the extensions to warrant their costs. A resolution was then adopted by the Township Board ending Pipestone Township involvement in the facility plan. The two areas proposed for sewer extensions were placed in the future service area for the Eau 23 �0 ~ NE 1/4 PIPESTONE SOIL FACTOR MAP FOR SEPTIC TANK ABSORPTION . SLIGHT LIMITATIONS t :::;::,:•:•:•:•:-:-3 -·-·- - - ----MODERATE LIMITATIONS SEVERE LIMITATIONS ~ 1.;. 3: ► co ~. �MAP10 en z :E z -w 0 I<( I- ...I -0a.I- a: 0 m a: w > w en "' ~ <( ~ z <( w z 0 ....CJ) w C. C. "11:t' ....... .,... 3= z en z 0 I0 I- I- w I- <( -a. I- en <( a: 0 LL a. < :E a: 0 I0 :E ..J w a: w 0 0 :iE I en z < LL -:iE ..J 0 I<( I- I I• I ·•. -0 en ..J I- :I: C, ..J en 25 �SE 1/4 PIPESTONE SOIL FACTOR MAP FOR SEPTIC TANK ABSORPTION SLIGHT LIMITATIONS ~::::::::::::::::::::::J MODERATE LIMITATIONS SEVERE LIMITATIONS N C7) I: ► -a ...... �MAP12 z -w -a. 0 li:t . .J a: w > w u, 0 u, m w z 0 tU) w CL . CL 11:1' T "" < ~ z u,z 0 < l- .:: o -:Et- -a. <( l- ..J w u, <( i:t C 0 0 w t- a: w :E LL a. < ~ i:t 0 l- o < LL -0 .,;,,J u, u, z 0 -t- . .J ::c C, ..J U) 27 �Claire system. 1his indicates the capacity is available if the Township ever decides to pursue the installation of sanitary sewers for these areas. Since the Township does not, at least in the near future, contemplate the installation of municipal sewer facilities, soils will be of critical importance in detennining location of future developnent. Adequate lot size and proper separation of septic systems from groundwater wells should be maintained to avoid pollution problems. Source: Southwestern Michigan Conmission, Groundwater Mapping Notebook, January, 1981. Berrien County Planning Commission, Water and Sewer Plan, June 1, 1971. McNamee, Porter, and Seeley, City of Niles, Niles Township, Wastewater Treatment Facilities Report, January, 1975. 28 �ELECTRIC ( -. Electric service is provided throughout the Township by Indiana & Michigan Electric Company. Power is available in sufficient quantities at all locations, thus it poses no restrictions on develoµnent. TELEPHONE Telephone service is provided by two separate phone companies, Michigan Bell Telephone Company and General Phone Company. Their service areas are identified on Map 13. NATURAL GAS Gas service is supplied by Michigan Power Company. currently available in the areas identified on Map 13. Natural gas service is Supply is considered adequate to meet anticipated growth. SOLID WASTE DISrosAL Collection of solid waste in Pipestone Township is left to arrangements between the residents and collecting contractors. Individuals may also talce their solid waste directly to a landfill on their own. There are no landfills located in Pipestone Township. The Township is a member of the Tri-Township Landfill Authority which also includes Berrien Township, Oronoko Township, and the Village of Berrien springs. This Authority owns and contracts for the operation of a 10 acre landfill site in Berrien Township. This landfill is not licensed under Act 641 of 1978, the Solid Waste Management Act. \ Due to geological conditions at the site (lack of clay) it is anticipated that this landfill will be closed in the near future. The Authority has not made any definite plans on whether they will try to license a new site or develop an alternative method of disposal. The nearest licensed landfill is the Orchard Hill Sanitary Landfill which is approximately seven miles north of the T0t,inship in Watervliet Township. 29 This �i MAP 13-- ~" u II I UJ (.) - 1 > ' 0::: UJ ! ,~ I! I en > z<( c.. :E o . -J -J UJ m. z < CJ ..J <( Q: ::J: I.LI ::::E (.) z I.LI CJ (.) UJ z 0 :c c.. UJ ..J L&J I- z -:::::,0 -ccc:: en -C I- I- en <( C, ••• • ••• ••• •• ..J <( 0::: ~ => I<( z 30 �landfill is privately owned and operated. about six years of capacity remaining. The company has 55 acres licensed with They own additional land adjacent to the existing fill site but have not released any plans concerning expansion. CXXJNTY DRAIN SYSTEM The locations of existing county drains within Pipestone Township are illustrated on Map 14. The majority of these drains are constructed of underground tile and open ditches. The primary purpose for the original installation of these drains was to improve agricultural productivity although now some of them also provide drainage for residential develoµnent. By law, the County Drain Commissioner can only spend $800 per mile per year for nonnal drain maintenance and assess the costs against landowners in the drainage district on his own initiative. If a new drain is to be built or costly repairs and upgrading undertaken on an existing drain, a petitioning process must take place. If the project wins approval, landowners served by the drain are assessed the costs based on degree of benefit. 31 �,BJ( ·1 ~~ - _ ., :<---+-~~====::I ✓, -- =~__....__. _ri 1 J ,r--· ·:~ \ .\ I R-....,~••' ~~~~l--t-L.1....-L-4--t::31--l---J----,,.L.+---r-----ll----1---l t--f--.1'----'='I.. 1---:r.\==a~===-==~I -7r--- 1 ~ . 1 :~._~~~::~~~~~-l~~~~L--.-JL----UL~~r-T--+-~~~_i_4--__JI I I~ =~~ ~~~=-----i ----==-~~=-:~=-=~=~=L::::I . ~. . . . . . G , I I I w I I t 1--------lr_ jj_ UJ I I nn1l•l1 lrfFl [ 1 • I~ ' t ~ • h----.----i 0 K II 1 r t----,--~-+---l i==u _:_ ~g -ii--.--,:,,_____. ~ rf\ J1l.~ .r .=: ·u 1--1 11r·~ t---1~-,--r--+- I --11--~~~~m~~\\~•:~=~-~~JJ_;::=::~• - I I I ~, m . lL1 ~ :J -11 ~ 1 --'~ 11 11 L rr I t5~ ___,_,b- 41 _,81 ;===::.~~~tj - -,----at--\~, ~---.....__.__i_u____J_ , _£'&. PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP 1• • IOOO' DATl Of P'NOloaAPtff A,11. IM4 COUNTY --- 14. GREENFIELD & SMALLEDGE DRAIN 27. MOSS LAKE DRAIN. WELSH LATERAL 2. AUMACK & KELLY DRAIN 15. HARTSE LL & ELY BRANCH 28. MUD LAKE DRAIN 3. CLARK DRAIN 16. HARTSELL & ELY DRAIN 29. MUD LAKE DRAIN EXTENSION 4. CROOKED BROOK DRAIN 17. HASS CROOKED BROOK OUTLET 30 . NICHOLS DRAIN 5. CROOKED BROOK EXTENSION 18. INMAN & PARKS DRAIN 31. OLDS & SLENKER DRAIN #I .......... DRAINS 1. AUMACK DRAIN 19. JENNINGS DRAIN 32. PARKS & DEWITT DRAIN 7. DWAN & KERSTETTER DRAIN 20. JOHN AUMACK BRANCH 33. PIPESTONE CREEK DRAIN 8, EASTON DRAIN 21. JOHN AUMACK DRAIN 34. PIPESTONE LAKE DRAIN 9. EASTON EXTENSION 22. KELSEY DRAIN 36. SUTHERLAND & ROUSE DRAIN 10. EAU CLAIRE EXTENSION 23. KERSTETTER DRAIN 36. SUTHERLAND #2 11. EAU CLAIRE VILLAGE DRAIN 24. 37. VLADIC DRAIN 12. FRANZ & VERSAW DRAIN 25. LEWIS & TOMPKINS DRAIN 38. WOOTEN & BISHOP DRAIN 13. FRANZ & VERSAW EXTENSION 26 . MOSS LAKE DRAIN 39. ZECH DRAIN 6. CROOKED BROOK LATERAL (.,.) ~ ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ft911 LANGLAN DRAIN -- - - ts) 3: ,,..... ... ), 1 �V cxtMJNITY FACILITIES SCHCX)LS The school systems and facilities that serve the residents of Pipestone Township are an important factor in the developnent of the convnunity. Although schools are one of the primary reasons people give for locating in a particular location they are also one of the most difficult facilities to proiram into a land use plan. This is due to the limited amount of input that the township has into the educational administration process. Pipestone Township is served primarily by the Eau Claire School District. Two small portions of the Township are also served by the Benton Harbor and Do~iac School District (Map 15). In addition to the public school system there are several parochial schools available to Township residents. Information provided by the Eau Claire School District indicates that the The existing facilities are adequate to meet the current trends in enrollment. following chart lists enrollment figures for the Eau Claire School District between 1980 and 1985. TABLE 1 EAU CLAIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOURTH FRIDAY ENROLI..NENT FIGURES 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 Spec. F.d. 362 134 374 9 370 143 385 13 416 167 405 8 Part Time1 Total FfE2 879 9ll3 996 4 479 175 419 16 47 1, 1365 470 159 394 14 149 1, 186 6 445 145 359 9 159 1, 11 71 GRADF.s K-6 7-8 9-12 1 Addition of adult education classes accounts for part time students. Membership based on Full Time Equivalency. Figures are not head counts. 3 Includes 118.3 Full Time Equivalents from Benton Harbor as Inter-District Transfers. 4 Includes 179.5 FTE from Benton Harbor as Inter-District Transfers. 5 Includes 312.7 FTE from Benton Harbor and 1.3 FTE from Coloma as Inter-District Transfers. 6 Includes 307 FTE from Benton Harbor as Inter-District Transfers 7 Includes 239.9 FTE from Benton Harbor as FTE Inter-District Transfers. 2 33 �MAP1S- . ; Ii u II I I . en a:: I(.) LLJ a:: < c::: _, (.) - I- -en C ::::, ct ••• ._ ~ a:: ct :c z (.) ct 0 c.:, t- ct z == m · 0C LLJ ...I 0 0 :::c (.) en 34 �Universities and colleges within comnuting distance include: Lake Michigan College Southwestern Michigan College Western Michigan University/WMU Continuing Education Michigan State University Continui~ F.ducation Center Andrews University Notre Dame University Indiana University of South Bend Saint Mary's College FIRE Fire department services are provided for Pipestone Township by a department composed of Pipestone Township, Berrien Township, and the Village of Eau Claire. The fire station is located ion the village (Map 16). by a volunteer force consisting of 22 men. Eighteen of these men have taken the State of Michigan's 66 hour Fireman's Training Program. rating for Pipestone Township is 8. It is manned The current insurance Funding for the department is under an agreement where the Village provides the building and its maintenance and the two townships provide the manpower and equipnent. The Fire Department's current equiµnent inventory includes the following vehicles: (1) (1) (1) ( 1) (1) Pumper, 750 gallon capacity, 750 gal./min. discharge Pumper, 750 gallon capacity, 500 gal./min. discharge Tanker, 1,500 gallon capacity, 250 gal./min. discharge Mini-pumper/rescue truck, .250 gallon capacity, 250 gal. /min. discharge Jeep grass fire fighting rig (on loan from Michigan Department of Natural Resources) RJLICE The Township's police protection is provided by the Berrien County sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police. HOSPITALS The nearest hospital for the majority of Pipestone Township's residents is Berrien General Hospital, which is approximately two miles south of Eau Claire. In addition, residents have available Mercy-Memorial Medical Center, St. Joseph; 35 �Mercy Hospital, Benton Harbor; Lee Memorial Hospital, ~ i a c ; and Conmunity ( Hospital in Watervliet. These are all full service hospitals offering a full range of in-patient and out-patient services. LIBRARY Pipestone Township contributes funding to the Eau Claire District Library. This facility is located in the Village of Eau Claire. (Map 16). RECREATIONAL The only public recreational facility in the Township is a public access site on Black Lake that is owned and maintained by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Privately owned recreational areas include Pipestone Creek Golf & Tennis club and Indian Hills Golf Course. TOWNSHIP PROPERTY The Pipestone Township Hall is located one-half mile west of M-140 on Naomi Road. This building is used primarily for Township meetings (Map 16). Other property owned by the Township includes three cemeteries. These include the Eau Claire Cemetery, which is almost at capacity, the Shanghai Cemetery, and the Shanghai Memorial Cemetery. These last two cemeteries contain adequate space to meet the Township'~ needs for the forseeable future. I I •. 36 �~" " 1 f--==-=-~],F-=-+~ :=-..::::-=r-- r-- II F~~a~rl.-,,~ t .t= f-1 u J .- .l.C !!! w ,--- :,,, - ij • □ ' - ~ -- ,.. ,fie J d - L• rl e• ~ll,. II J.I •~I uU LJU ~ ,--' ", ~J~ ~ I L ,n ~ , - - - ~ .Ill ,- ~r I .~ ~LL .----c=·u ,11=---;----yl.J7_!1 r--- ~~t-,u ~.--~-11, ,r----·7... D - • r---- ~ - .--- ·. I'< ~ J N l'C ~ llr R [ ~ :--=:: f== 'rl\~~ FU ' - I "l ~ ~ & \ , !ii!M•1 , L.._ "' I I -r--- -- I ~ t .&; 0. 'M ! n ,: :Ii " '.- r---- II f--J ll I! ~ =- ·~ wil ... Ir- . lr-------i _ l~ i - ,., -IL , • • l)()O' 0A Tt fr P'tlOToawffl Al'tl, IN4 If--.- -- ' Id 1 1 l ..,_ JC] .. It--,- L I - = I: PFESTONE TOWNSHP COMMUNITY , t--r---r- _/ )lylf----L I !" ~ r--,-- - • t=~;~__:_+Ilr~J----:~..11!7_,,.~C-7 LL J - - I ~ Ir--- - , • lhr-'r-~ - r--~ r-_ -_ - 'T_- _ II Jd; ., 1-J I ' ~ _£~ \I • ~r--_-_-_ 1-1 - ,- 1 l__!--..L.L-L....L-J,....Jal!,,,J,,,a._,~.a '![ll!H :;;;:! !• 1~~~-1 [_ ,- K ,_, l ' , - I IJ. ·1 lb-='L-.f--r--~ - 1l-r- . - r - r - 7 - -,v 0 . I -~ • • • -\} • L , - ---., • j' l_ - . ,- - .. µ 1 t--~, J h7 n ~~ ,u r---- ·111r' .. . - \. L...l µ ,-, •1r---, 1 r----11 r------11 r----, ~ 11 ~ ~" ;:; ' ) ' - .... ll µ I r--nr-- - D. J I ~ , [",. □ J • ~ ~-,1 r:--- W L J--f:::::=~11 w - . ..... "" 11 I" I "-- r F~ ~N. ~~ □ .U. I _ ,/ I / ' ~.,- I• lr-11 J.lL - - J 11· ~ 1u II ~-~·---7 . i, l ,~ . I I~ ~-.--- .-. £ , "' • .. ~ r- l ~ '.J t---- _ - --j - -- lf I t' I V ?:/i" I -• •~ C I j ,- f .-- -3- 11---,-, r- A , J. " ~--7"~.-TJ ~ ~ /' ' - I_ = I =" ~ ( -' ), p 1 '• II -- J I p HJ-,- I I - ,-- r-- II ,---, •= r----1~ I .--- . I 111 II::::--,- l ,.J ~ - , ,- ,~, r- .J ' I ~--1 1~--, [ I ·--.___' . . ., ._ ~ t( \= _Jr-------i..1: _. - ..LI _. r--. .c ·- ~ ..... ~ -- ___....., __....,.. ......., ,.u .. FACILITIES 1. FIRE DEPARTMENT 2. EAU CLAIRE DISTRICT LIBRARY 3, PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP HALL 4. EAU CLAIRE CEMETERY 5. SHANGHAI CEMETERY 6. SHANGHAIMEMORIALCEMETERY 7. PUBLIC ACCESS SITE :;) ~ 3: ► "tJ .. en i �VI FOPULATION One major factor that needs to be taken into consideration during any type of planning for the future of Pipestone Township are population trends. Analyzing these trends can provide direction when planning for cocmrunity develoµnent. It can assist in trying to reach a balance between growth and efficient develoµnent. Projected population levels relate directly to land use. Population levels will also detennine the demand for convnunity facilities and governmental services. The following tables offer an examination and comparison of Pipestone Township's population trends over the pa.st three decades. Projections for future population levels are also provided. TABLE 2 FOPlJl.ATION GROW'IB: 1950-2000 BERRIEN COON'I'Y PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP Population Count Year Change In Number Percent Change Population Count - 115,702 Change In Number Percent Change 1950 1927 1960 2197 270 14.0 149,865 34,163 29.5 1970 2437 240 12.2 163,875 14,075 9.4 1980 2364 -73 -3.0 171,276 7,041 4.5 2050 1990 (projected) -314 -13.3 169,000 -2,276 -1.3 2150 2000 (projected) 100 4.9 176,000 7,000 4. 1 * * * SWMC/Provisional Population Projections - 1986. 38 �TABLE 3 1970-1980 POPUI.ATION CHANGE Number of Persons *Lincoln 2,513 *Oronoko 2,279 Coloma 969 Watervliet 860 Hagar 855 Royalton 533 *Baroda 499 *Berrien 397 Buchanan 389 *New Buffalo 295 Chikaming 251 *Three Oaks 151 *Galien 115 Bertrand 110 Bainbridge 95 Benton 86 Lake 66 M>i.pestone -58 Weesaw -174 Scxius -244 Niles -249 *St. Joseph -310 *includes villages or parts of villages within the township 39 --- - - - -------------- �TABLE 4 1970-1980 PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN PORJLATION % Watervliet 35.6 *Oronoko 26.9 *Baroda 23.0 *Lincoln 22.8 Coloma 22.1 Royalton 21.1 Hagar 20.9 Buchanan 12.2 *New Buffalo 11.4 *Berrien 10.2 *Galien 6.9 Chikaming 6.2 *Three Oaks 5.2 Bertrand 4.9 Bainbridge 3.4 Lake 3.1 Benton Niles .5 \ -1.9 11*Pipest~· 'h'f '. -:.2:4 . *St. Joseph 4 "-- -3.0 Weesaw -7.4 Sodus -9.7 *includes villages or perts of villages within the township 40 �TABLE 5 1970-1980 PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN roPULATION ; *Lincoln 422.4 *St. Joseph 207.6 Coloma 135.8 Niles 129.7 *Oronoko 127.2 *New Buffalo 119.0 Buchanan 115.8 Royalton 115.4 Hagar 98.1 Watervliet 91.0 Chikaming 85.6 Bertrand 76.5 *Baroda 71.1 *Berrien 70.3 Lake 54.5 Bainbridge 31. 2 *Galien 29.4 Benton 26.0 *Three Oaks 23.3 SPipestooe 22.r Weesaw 13.2 Sodus 8.0 ~ *incltxies villages or parts of villages within the township 41 �TABLE 6 roruLATION DENSITY - 1980 PERSONS/ACRE Weesaw .09 Bertrand .11 Bainbridge .13 *Galien .13 *Berrien .13 Buchanan .17 Sodus .17 Lake .19 *Three Oaks .20 *New Buffalo .22 *Baroda .23 Royalton .27 Chikaming .31 Watervliet .36 Hagar .38 Coloma .43 *Oronoko . 49 Niles .54 \ Benton .91 *Lincoln 1.14 *St. Joseph 2.23 Berrien County .46 *includes villages or parts of villages within the township 42 �TABLE 7 roPULATION CHARACTERISTICS - 1980 PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP BERRIEN COUNTY AGE Total Persons 2364 Under 5 5 to 9 years 10 to 14 years 15 to 19 years 20 to 24 years 25 to 34 years 35 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 to 74 years 75 years and over 163 167 222 259 178 317 302 299 230 131 96 3 and 4 years 16 years and over 18 years and over 21 years and over 60 years and over 62 years and over 50 1758 1648 1515 328 283 Median 30.9 % of Total 6.90 7.06 9.39 10.96 7.53 13.41 12.77 12.65 9.73 5.54 4.06 2.12 _ 74.37 69.71 64.09 13.87 11.97 171,276 % of Total 13,126 14,087 15,192 16,445 14,189 26,376 18,982 17,472 16,641 11,367 7,399 7.66 8.23 8.87 9.60 8.28 15.40 11.08 10.20 9.72 6.64 4.32 5,080 125,468 118,595 109,557 26,301 23, 157 2.97 73.25 69.24 63.97 15.34 13.52 29.5 RACE White Black American Indian, Eskimo, Aleut Asian and Pacific Islander Other 2128 180 11 98.31 1.01 .60 2 .08 43 43 144,007 24,817 593 822 1,037 84.08 14.49 .35 .48 .60 �TABLE 8 HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS - 1980 ( \ PIPFSI'ONE 1™NSHIP HOUSING BERRIEN COONTY ~ ! 987 100 68,758 100 Vacant, seasonal, migratory 161 16.31 3,342 4.86 Year-round 826 83.69 65,416 95.14 Owner-occupied. housing units 625 75.67 42,463 64.91 Renter-occupied. housing units 145 17.55 17,813 27.23 56 6.78 5,140 7.86 Total housing units YEAR-ROUND Vacant housing units Median Value owner-occupied 31,900 33,900 \ 44 �The 1980 census count for Pipestone Township, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, was 2364. This was only 36 people less than was projected. 1980 the Township's population decreased by 73 persons. From 1970 to A slight decrease in population is projected to continue throughout this century. These tables indicate a rather stable population. pressures for residential developnent in the near future. This will reduce This will pennit the majority of the Township's land to remain in agricultural production. Even though population trends do not indicate the potential for strong developnent pressures there is still a need to direct what growth does occur. Sound community developnent can lower the demand for governmental services and truces required to support them. 45 �VII TRANSroRTATION ( OOAD SYS'ID1 The highway and road network in Pipestone Township provides two basic functions, moving traffic and providi~ access to property. Both of these functions are important and can best be accomplished by developing and maintaining a system of roads providing for varying levels of service. These levels of service can be classified as follows: 1. Highways designed to accoovnodate the movement of heavy volLUT1es of traffic through the Township. 2. Arterials strategically located and improved roads designed to carry the major traffic movements within the area. 3. Collectors 4. Local - designed to collect and distribute traffic between local streets or areas and the arterial streets and highways. primary function is to provide access to property. Examples of these classifications incltrle: 1. Highways M-140 and ~-62. 2. Arterials Naomi Road and Old Pipestone Road. 3. Collectors 4. Local - Black Lake Road and Hochberger Road. Townhall Road and Keigley Road. Pipestone Township's road system, as classified by the Berrien County Road Commission, is illustrated on Map 17. State highway M-140 runs the entire length of Pipestone Township in a north-south direction and M-62 runs~along the southern border from Eau Claire to the county line. These are the only two major highways in the Township. remainder of the roads are under County Road Commission jurisdiction. consist of a combination of paved and gravel surfaced roads. miles of Pipestone Township's roads are still gravel surfaced. 46 The These Approximately 22.5 �r·( . ' i--- ' '' +-H~~fi1f 1~· r·~:::r .., hi - l •--, I l Ill ~u ~I . l- t- _rb ' ' ■ t:::l r., ' i -+-t---,- t~ r1 . .. -~-1.s. ..•••, ....... ••••• ~ b,_' .. L........ J --t-1 .............., = ' II! I ~ 1E 11,_[l ~ ·Mrt ~ ~-T- I, I-- c a ,_ - 1ft U ~lllff4"tffi t: r. I LL I ~ I--' Ill ·~ .l!'-----L-~ ~ I I .. M ~ ·--r- IIZ I LJ I I ~ ~ u-...C-~ . l:1.J ... n r--T ll J -------- ~-r- -- ----•· ~ £T ii)-~-~ "'-A. 111 tic , Lm... PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP , . . . 1000' OAU IX' l"ltOT~ Al'tt, 19M ~ ~ ............... .,........_... ..... _....nea ~ 1.UI. ROAD , _____ STATE HIGHWAY -•- • - • - PAVED PRIMARY ROAD SYSTEM ••••••• .... PAVED LOCAL ROAD u1111111111111 GRAVEL LOCAL ROAD ,f::;,, ~ 3: ,,.....> .... �Private motor vehicle is the principal means of transportation for Pipestone Township residents. With limited public transportation options available and a dispersed population, private motor vehicles will remain the predominate form of transportation. AIR TRANSPORTATION There are no airports in Pipestone Township. Commercial air service is available at Ross Field in Benton Harbor and at the Michiana Regional Airport in South Bend. The Doi.,ragiac Municipal Airport, Dowagiac; Watervliet Airport, Watervliet; Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport, Niles; and Andrews University Field, Berrien Springs; all provide general aviation service. RAILROAD There is no rail service directly available in Pipestone Township. Passenger and freight service are both available in Niles and Dowagiac. 48 �VIII ECONCMIC BASE A townships economic structure needs to be taken into consideration during the land use planning process. planning. This is due to its close relationship to physical the intent of this chapter is to provide basic infonna.tion about Pipestone Township's economy. The labor force, industries, and tax base will be briefly described. LABOR FORCE The 1980 U.S. Census listed Pipestone Township's civilian labor force at 1,062 persons 16 years and over. The following table breaks this county down by sex and compares it to Berrien County's total 1980 labor force. TABLE 9 CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE (Persons 16 years and over) PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP o/. of BERRIEN % TOTAL COUNTY TOTAL Ma.le 617 58% 44,750 58% Female 445 42% 48,825 42% 1980 Civilian Labor Force TOTAL 1,062 of 77,575 The above figures sho~ that the Township's labor force in 1980 was 1.37% of the County's total labor force. declined. to 74,300. By January, 1986, the County's labor force If the Township retained. 1.37% of this total it \..lould indicate a labor force of 1,018 in 1986 for Pipestone Township. a 4% decrease. This represents The current Michigan Employment Security Commission's projections state that the areas labor force is not expected. to change significantly over the next few years. The occupations of this labor force and the industries they are involved. in are listed in the following two tables. 49 �TABLE 10 1980 - cxx:t.JPATION (Fmployed persons 16 years and over) PIPF.STONE 1™NSHIP CXXJNTY muNT CXXJNT MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY CCCUPATIONS: Executive, Administrative, and Managerial Occupations 45 Professional Specialty Occupations 80 TECHNICAL, SALES, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUProRT CCCUPATIONS: Technicians and Related Support Occupations 31 Sales Occupations 65 Administrative Support Occupations, Including Clerical 157 SERVICE CCCUPATIONS: Private Household Occupations 7 Protective Service Occupations 9 Service Occupations, except Protective and Household 92 FAR.MING, FORESTRY, AND FISHING CCCUPATIONS 131 PRECISION PRODUCTION, CRAFT, AND REPAIR OCCUPATIONS 118 OPERATORS, FABRICATORS, AND LAOORERS: Machine Operators, Assemblers, and Inspectors 93 Transportation and Material Moving Cccupations 75 Handlers, Equipnent Cleaners, Helpers, and Laborers 24 50 BERRIEN 4.9 8.6 6,393 8,048 9.2 11.6 3.3 7.0 1,603 6,663 2.3 9.6 16.9 10,273 14.8 .8 1.0 355 1,038 .5 1.5 9.9 7,728 11.1 14.1 2,218 3.2 12.7 9,267 13.4 10.0 9,670 13.9 8. 1 3,405 4.9 2.6 2,681 3.9 �TABLE 11 1980 - INDUSTRY (Fmployed persons 16 years and over) PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP COUNT AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND MINING CONSTRUCTION MANUFACTURING: Nondurable Goods Durable Goods TRANSPORTATION ca1MUNICATIONS AND aI'HER PUBLIC tJrILITIES WHOLESALE TRADE RETAIL TRADE FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE BUSINESS AND REPAIR SERVICES PERSONAL, ENTERTAINMENT, AND RECREATION SERVICES PROFESSIONAL AND RELATED SERVICES: Health Services &lucational Services Other Professional and Related Services PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION BERRIEN COUNTY % <XX.JNT ! 131 36 14.1 3.9 2,450 3,140 3.5 4.5 67 272 42 7.2 29.3 4.5 5,023 19,065 2,108 7.2 27.5 3.0 10 40 110 16 9 1.1 4.3 11.9 1.7 1.0 1,607 2,025 10,988 2,595 2,138 2.3 2.9 15.8 3.7 3.1 24 2.6 2,375 3.4 48 44 5.2 4.8 4,413 6,855 6.4 9.9 55 23 5.9 2.5 2,295 2,265 3.3 3.3 The class of worker as identified by the census is identified in Table 12. TABLE 12 CLASS OF WORKER (Employed persons 16 years and over) PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP COUNT PRIVATE WAGE AND SAlARY WORKER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORKER STATE GOVERNMENT WORKER LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKER SELF-EMPLOYED WORKER UNPAID FAMILY WORKER 723 6 23 55 105 15 51 % 78.0 .7 12.5 5.9 11. 3 1.6 BERRIEN COUNTY COUNT 55,889 793 1,317 6,287 4,665 391 ~ 80.6 1.1 1.9 9. 1 6.7 .6 �Income averages for Pipestone Township are lower than the County average. Median household income is approximately 95% of the County's and median family income is approximately 85% of the County average. TABLE 13 INcaiE AVERAGES PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP BERRIEN COUNTY MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INca-IB $15,452 $16,274 MEDIAN FAMILY INcx:ME $16,274 $19,166 The place of work for members of the labor force is identified in Table 14. TABLE 14 *PLACE OF WORK -- STATE AND COUNTY LEVEL (Workers 16 years and over) COUNT % Work in County of Residence 645 80.1 Work outside County of Residence 107 13.3 2 .3 51 6.3 Work outside State of Residence Not Reported *This infonna.tion obtained on a sample basis 1980 Census. 52 �Pipestone Township has no single large employer. activity is very limited in the Township. Commercial and industrial Most residents work and shop in the ( nearby Twin-Cities urbanized area. TAX BASE Residential and agricultural properties provide the largest portion of the tax base for Pipestone Township as the following table indicates. Together they account for 91.8% of the Township's equalized valuation. 1986 Real Property REAL TABLE 15 TABLE 16 PROPERTY VALUATION Valuation as Assessed Valuation as Equalized 101 201 301 401 601 Agricultural Commercial Industrial Residential Developmental $10,286,700 $1,164,500 $ 737,700 $11,275,500 $10,239,775 $ 1,154,069 $ 737,700 $10,953,571 800 Total Real $23,464,400 $23,085, 115 1986 PERSONAL PROPERTY VALUATION Valuation as Assessed Valuation as Equalized 51,484,400 $1,484,400 The Township levied 8.1225 mills against the 19854 valuation and distributed it as follows: General County Township County College Special Voted Drug Abuse Special Voted Township 5.4250 .9675 1.3300 .2000 .9675 (mills) (mills l (mills) (mills) (mills) The mileage levied for school operations depended upon which district the property was in. Eau Claire School District Benton Harbor School District Dowagiac School District 31.5015 34.6673 28.4500 53 (mills) (mills (mills ) �TABLE 17 1975 - 1986 OOlJALIZED ~PERTY VAWATION Year Real Property 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 $ 9,321,348 $ 9,602,610 $ 9,945,450 $11 , 418 , 285 $14,856,712 $18,414,578 $20,903,113 $24,256,596 $21,904,255 $22,935,038 $24,205,597 $23,085, 115 Personal Property $ 937,350 $ 723,196 $ 727,900 $ 834,850 $ 923,853 $ 951,250 $ 962,900 $1,393,400 $1,507,050 $1,452,850 $1,146,300 $1,484,400 Total $10,258,698 $10,325,806 $10,673,350 $12,253,135 $15,780,565 $19,365,828 $21,866,013 $25,649,996 $23,411 , 305 $24,387,888 $25,351,897 $24,569,515 Percent .65 3.36 14.80 28.78 22.71 12.91 17.30 - 8.72 4.17 3.95 - 3.08 As these property valuation figures indicate the Township's tax base is relatively stable. With the general trend of agricultural land values remaining constant or declining in value the Township cannot anticipate an increase in its ta'< base . This will restrict the amount of public services that can be provided by the Township . 54 �IX EXISTING LAND USE A field inventory of existing land use was completed for Pipestone Township in May, 1986. This inventory recorded what appeared to be the actual use of each parcel of land throughout the Township. After recording the use of each parcel of land on section maps, the data was transferred onto a Township 1:::ase map (Map 18). Total acreage within each classification was then calculated and recorded (Table 18). It should be noted that the acreage figures given are estimates for working purposes only, and are not to be represented as being precise land measurements. The classifications used for this inventory are outlined below. Residential use includes single family, multi-family, mobile homes, and generally all kinds of housing except temporary farm labor housing. Commercial use includes wholesale and retail sales and services as well as personal business and professional services. Industrial use includes all forms of product processing and manufacturing. Public and Semi-Public use includes governmental property and operations, schools, churches, and cemeteries. Recreational use includes golf courses, camps and other similar for-fee activities. Agricultural and Vacant use includes land which appears to be actively farmed or operated for agricultural purposes including appurtenant structures, \ and land that does not appear to presently have any active use. Transportation use while not actually mapped as a use category is included in the tabulations and encompasses all roads and highways. Water includes lakes and ponds of 5+ acres. this category due to their varying widths. 55 Streams were not included in �r ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------,, ~ PIPESTONE TOWNSHIP L""- 1• ■ IOOO' DA l! r1I rttOTOlltU'tff A,11. 1114 ~ ...... - ,..........,.....,.__.WIN .- IAU EXISTING LAND USE ■J"iilllJ RESIDENTIAL (:::::::::::::::::::::) COMMERCIAL - t~:}Mfsi!f}·M INDUSTRIAL RECREATIONAL ~ PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC AGRICULTURAL OR VACANT t1l 0) i: ► "'0 . ..... co �TABLE 18 EXISTING LAND USE Acres Residential % of Total 889 3.9 Corrmercial 34 .2 Industrial 7 Public and Semi-Public 30 .1 751 3.3 20,271 88.7 Transportation 675 3.0 Water 193 .8 22,850 100.0 Recreational Agricultural and Vacant TOTAL The primary purpose of this land use survey is to provide basic data on land characteristics and the activities that are occupying land in Pipestone Township. This will assist in detennining if there is a mix of land uses that might lead to future conflicts of use. It will also assist in evaluating the interrelationships between various land uses, such as: housing to shopping, housing to transportation routes, etc. To put these land use tabulations into the proper perspectives, they will be compared with general percentages of land use for all townships within Berrien County and for the County as a whole. figures is the Berrien County Land The source for the Township and County Use/Cover Inventory - 1982. 57 �TABLE 19 ( <XNPARISON OF LAND USE . ACRES ~ ACRES ~ ACRES % Residential 889 3.9 27,402 7.7 33,332 9.0 Convnercial 34 .2 2,943 .8 4,458 1.2 Industrial 7 2,347 .7 3,534 1.0 315,704 88.5 320,297 86.3 30 .1 751 3.3 Agricultural & Vacant 20,271 88.7 Transportation 675 3.0 Water 193 .8 Public & Semi-Public Recreational .8 2,401* .7 3,128* 5,795 1.6 6,451 1. 7 22,850 100.0 356,592 TOTAL *does not include county and local roads 100.0 371,200 100.0 Residential Development: Pipestone Township has proportionately less residential develoµnent than Berrien County, 3.9% compared to 9.05, and proportionately less than the other townships, 7.7%. The majority of the residential development is large lot rural residential scattered throughout the Township. There are currently no subdivisions in the Township. Commercial: Commercial land use in Pipestone \Township covers approximately 34 acres, or .2%. This is considerably less than the County's 9.0% and the township's .8%. This commercial use consists primarily of a2ricultural oriented businesses located along M-140 and several small businesses such as bcxiy shops. very little general retailing business. 58 There is �MAP19 C z<( I. I ...I I 1- II ...I <( a:: II :::> ...1 :::> I , S:2 I 0::: c., <( LIJ -:Eac..:: en 1- ,z L&J ~ L&J L&J c::: C!J <C C z <C ...I ~ c::: <C LI.. . <C• Q. I 59 �Industrial: Industrial land use covers approxinately 7 acres or only .03% of the Township. Therefore, the impact of industrial land use is almost negligible. Public & Semi-Public: There are approximately 30 acres or .1% of Pipestone Township used for public and semi-public purposes. Cemeteries, churches, and schools account for the majority of this category of land use. Recreational: This use covers 3.3% of Pipestone Township and consists of approximately 751 acres. Two golf courses and a large private camp account for the majority of this acreage. Agricultural & Vacant: At 20,271 acres or 88.7%, this is Pipestone Township's largest land use. It is higher than the County at 86.3% and slightly higher than the townships as a whole at 88.5%. Map 19 indicates which of this land is considered prime agricultural land according to the Berrien County Development Plan. Map 19 also indicates which parcels have approved' P. A. 116 of 1974, Farmland Agreements. These agreements ensure that this land will remain agricultural for at least ten (10) years from the signing of the agreement. Currently there are approximately 4.616 acres of farmland in Pipestone Township enrolled in this program. Transportation: The 675 acres or 3.0% of land used for transportation in Pipestone Township includes road rights-of-way for county roads and state highways. 60 �Water: There is approximately 193 acres of water in Pipestone Township, or .8% of C. . Lhe total land use. This is primarily comprised of Brush Lake, Rowe Lake, Black Lake, Jarvis Lake, Little Black Lake, and Mud Lake. Areas of the Township that contain private small lakes and ponds were included in this category only if they were five acres or larger in size. \ 61 �CHAPI'ER X Stff1ARY; GROffl-1 roLICIF.S; RECXM-1ENDATIONS The Pipestone Township Planning Conmission has prepared this General Oevelopnent Plan to guide future developnent in Pipestone Township in an orderly fashion. The following is a suuma.ry of the previous chapters in this General Oevelopnent Plan. The policies and recommendations for future development are based on this infonnation. NAWRAL FEATIJRES: Pipestone Township's soil pattern is dominated by the Riddles-OCkleyOshtemo and Pella-Kibbie soils associations. well drained and poorly drained soils. diverse. These include a combination of both The topography of the Township is The northwest portion, the southwest corner, and the eastern edge of the Township display the most relief. is generally flat or slightly rolling. The east-central portion of the Township There are no large lakes or rivers present in the Township. Significance The soils and topography that are best suited for agricultural use are also the most desirable for residential development. these areas are identified as prime agricultural land. Portions of Without natural limitations to development it becomes necessary for the Township to develop guidelines to insure that the development that occurs can coexist with agricultural pursuits. This will limit the negative impact upon agriculture which is a primary industry and major portion of the Township's economic base. lJfILITIES: Munic ipal water and sewer are currently not available in any portion of Pipestone Tot,nship. Electric and telephone service is available throughout the 62 �Township. Natural gas service is available only in limited areas adjacent to the Village of Eau Claire. ( Significance With the low rate of growth projected for Pipestone Township there should be no need in the near future for municipal utility services. Both existing and new developnent can be serviced by on-site systems if it is directed to appropriate areas and adequate lot sizes are required, This will provide for protection against groundwater and surface water pollution from individual septic systems. CCMMUNITY FACILITIES: Most students in Pipestone Township attend the Eau Claire Schools. protection is provided by a volunteer fire department. Fire Police service is provided by the Berrien County Sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police. Significance Pipestone Township's low population density has resulted in a low demand for public facilities and services. This is fortunate for the Township because its rural character makes it difficult to provide services at reasonable costs. FGPULATION: Pipestone Township's 1980 census count was 2,364. This represented a \ population loss of 3% between 1970 and 1980. This reduction is expected to continue through 1990 with a slight increase predicted between 1990 and 2000. The projected year 2000 population is 2,150 which is about the same as the Township's population was in 1960. At .12 persons/acre Pipestone Township's density is the third lowest in Berrien County. 63 �Significance With an nticipa.ted decrease in population the quantity of growth should not be a problem in Pipestone Township. The Township can easily What needs to be watched is the accolTITIOdate additional develoµnent. quality and location of developnent. This can minimize any conflict between residential develoµnent and agricultural land use. TRANSroR'I'ATION: Pipestone Township's local road system is basically meeting the needs of local vehicular traffic. Adequate north-south highway access is available. East-west highway travel is available but limited. service are available in nearby communities. Passenger and frei~ht rail Commercial and general aviation services are also available in nearby communities. Corranercial and general aviation services are also available at numerous airports located near the Township. Significance With a stable or slowly declining tax base, maintenance of the existing road system will be the primary concern of the Township. Upgrading of the numerous gravel - roads throughout the Township will be very costly. Pressure for upgrading will increase as residential development occurs along these gravel roads. ECONO.'IIC BASE: ThP. majority of Pipestone Township's residents are employed outside of the Township. This makes the Township heavily dependent on adjacent communities for providing employment opportunities. The ta'C base of the Township is centered in agricultural and residential land uses. 64 �Significance The viability of the industrial base in adjacent communities is an ( issue for Pipestone Township. its residents. It represents employment opportunities for The reliance on residential and agricultural land for a tax base means the Township needs to encourage quality residential development in areas that require minimal municipal services and will not adversely impact prime agricultural land. EXISTING I.AND USE: Approximately 88% of the Township land use is classified as agricultural or vacant. This is clearly the predominate land use in the Township. Residential land use is approximately 4%. This is the second largest use. It is comprised of a mixture of farmsteads and single-family residential dwellings scattered throughout the Township. There are few areas of concentrated residential developnent in the Township. Private recreation land use is the third largest category at 3.3% . .. ,!. • Significance Through proper planning and zoning future development can be appropriately guided to conserve the Township's primary assets, agricultural land, and residential development. GROWI'H POLICIES Planning and zoning in Pipestone Township should: \ Guide residential, commercial, and industrial land use toward non-prime agricultural lands. - ~laintain the low density, rural character of the community. - Require lot sizes that are adequate in si~e to help prevent earth, groundwater, and surface water pollution, as well as to encourage aesthetically pleasing residential areas. 65 �RECXM-!ENDATIONS The following reconmendations have been prepared to guide develoµnent in Pipestone Township. These reconmendations should be implemented through the distribution of economic activities and population densities in a manner that keeps with the natural characteristics and growth policies adopted within this General Development Plan. These recorrmendations indicate the general types of land use to be encouraged in various sections of the Township. The actual use of individual pa.reels of property is regulated by the Pipestone Township Zoning Ordinance. The zoning ordinance and subsequent amendments will assist in guiding future development toward the desired land use pattern as portrayed by the Future Land Use (Map 20). This map illustrates the recommended land use patterns which implement the development policies of this plan. It is emphasized that the future Land Use Map, shown on page 68, is not a. zoning map. Res iden t.ial, Low density residential use is projected for the northwestern area of the TownshiR~ Additional residential developnent is anticipated with large lot/single family dwellings being the predominate fonn. Multi-family development is currently very limited and will probably remain so. Commercial The Village of Eau Claire serves as the commercial center for the majority of the Township. The only other identifiable convnercial area in the Township is in the vicinity of the M-140 and M-62 intersection. This area consists of several large scale corrmercial and light industrial uses. - development is anticipated to continue in this area. 66 This pattern of �Industrial The limited number of industrial enterprises in Pipestone Township are currently scattered throughout the Township with no one area serving as an industrial focal point. On the future land use map two areas have been targeted for future industrial develoµnent. boundary of the village. municipal water and sewer. this area. The first is the area adjacent to the north This area has the best potential for being serviced by Natural gas and access to M-62 is also available to The second area is primarily for light industry and is along the southern portion of M-140. Recreational An increase in recreational land use is most likely to occur through expansion of existing facilities. The locations of the existing recreation=ba.sed businesses are conducive to expansion. Impact on other types of land_JJses would be minimal. -1,- .. ==--~ ' =. ;,__ _ .J The zoning map which will be prepared as,,. pa.rt of the... revised/2oni~ ' ... ,. ' . ' . ordinance will be a device to assist the Township iin implementing this-plan.-· The -~-- .. - - 1 . t! - _ _ .,,,,. ·----- zoning ordinance and map, like this general developnent plan, should be evaluated and examined periodically to keep pace with changing conditions. The zoning ordinance should be flexible enough so as not to cause ~r~~sonable hardship on property owners. At the same time, it must be strict enough to control indiscriminate, incompatible developnent and serve as a guide to orderly, well planned land use. ( . 67 - �~ 11 r ·t ;1,· . 1 1 • ,. 1I' " 1 , ~l- 1 '1< ti· ., ,., I I I II I' -.---.-1 "" • ~ PIPESTONE TOWNSHP fjl.. II I t• • IOOO' OAT[ t, l'ltOTOIIIN'tff Al'tt. 1994 ~ ....................... ................ ,.. u.u PROJECTED FUTURE LAND USE tit,,: i~~ii~~, 71 ti I 11 LlLNI (:;:;:::;:;:;:;:::::;:;:::::::::;:] r.::·.: ;;:··. \. .~.:..~·.·J RESIDENTIAL ----~ '~ } I t• t- • ·-' • .J• COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL ►, " 11 -RECREATIONAL ' 1 , r,d -t--- Ii AGRICUL TUR-AL C7) (X) 3::: )> "ti N 0 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wyckoff Planning and Zoning Collection Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Planning & Zoning Center (Lansing, Mich.) (Organization) Wyckoff, Mark A. Description An account of the resource Municipal master plans and zoning ordinances from across the state of Michigan, spanning from the 1960s to the early 2020s. The bulk of the collection was compiled by urban planner Mark Wyckoff over the course of his career as the founder and principal planner of the Planning and Zoning Center in Lansing, Michigan. Some additions have been made to the collection by municipalities since it was transferred to Grand Valley State University. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Michigan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1960/2023 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/870">Planning and Zoning Center Collection (RHC-240)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">No Copyright - United States</a> Subject The topic of the resource Michigan Comprehensive plan publications Master plan reports Zoning--Michigan Zoning--Maps Maps Land use--planning Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-240 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Language A language of the resource eng Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Pipestone-Twp_General-Development-Plan_1987 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pipestone Township Planning Commission, Pipestone Township, Berrien County, Michigan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1987-02-0 Title A name given to the resource General Development Plan for Pipestone Township Description An account of the resource The General Development Plan for Pipestone Township was prepared by the Pipestone Township Planning Commission with technical assistance from the Berrien County Planning Commission and was adopted on February 9, 1987. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Berrien County Planning Commission (consultant) Subject The topic of the resource Master plan reports Pipestone Township (Mich.) Berrien County (Mich.) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/870">Planning and Zoning Center Collection (RHC-240)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/dd7f30f3e8a50eb357cabd7d0983f09c.m4v dbc517c5f8ec935ef3ecc22abc9e8fe4 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/027a6f526baba095d20d2302fac1a1e9.pdf 3ed43232ca0e9464b5090a7c988bb4e8 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University All American Girls Professional Baseball League Veterans History Project Interviewee’s Name: Grace Piskula Length of Interview: (00:38:20) Interviewed by: Gordon Olson, September 26, 2009 in Milwaukee, WI at the alumni annual reunion of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League Transcribed by: Joan Raymer, April 14, 2010 Interviewer: “Grace, I think the easiest way to start these interviews is to just talk a little bit about you and your family and your experience with sports before you got involved with professional baseball. Where were you born and tell me a little bit about your background.” Well, I was born on February 26, 1926 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the south side of Milwaukee and the neighborhood was primarily Polish and German. I had a younger brother and an older brother in my lifetime. All of my experience with sports came from the neighborhood because my neighborhood was full of boys and there was only one other girl. 1:16 Gladys and I were the only two and she didn’t like any sports, but I always played and had a lot of fun. I even played tackle football in a lot of open lots and wherever we could get equipment. We had a big yard and the man upstairs would buy a ball and we would play ball in the back yard. There was a big barn that we surrounded and it must have been an old country area because if you got a home run it would go over the barn and land in the alley in the next block there, but my brothers were not interested in sports. One was very interested in reading, that’s my oldest brother, and in theater, and my youngest brother was a runner. He ran when he was in high school. 2:10 There was a social center near our home and you could go to the social center and play volleyball, basketball or take classes and it was run by the Milwaukee Recreation Department, which was terrific, so I got interested in sports. I was playing all over the city, volleyball, basketball, and softball and eventually played softball in West Allis, they had a league there and many of the girls who made this league are from that area. Interviewer: “They started as softball players.” It started with underhand softball and we played at night, and of course when I was playing it was during the war years and the men weren’t around, so they had big crowds, five thousand people would come and watch and I was offered a job at Heil Company if I would play volleyball, basketball and softball for them. 3:10 I wasn’t interested because of my family. My mom never went beyond the sixth grade and my father never beyond the tenth and both of them were terrific believers in education. However, they couldn’t afford to send us to college, but we certainly were checked on during our grade school and high school time and that’s all that mattered, doing well in school. 3:34 1 �Interviewer: “Now, in the neighborhood when you were playing, this was what would be called today, disorganized recreation. There were not teams as such, it was just whoever showed up in the morning to start playing ball?” Yes, all the boys were—I think I was the only girl and all the boys would get together and somebody would bring a bat and they would bring a ball and we would play in an open field. 3:59 Interviewer: “Did you choose up sides?” Yes, you would toss the bat and choose up sides. Interviewer: “As the only girl, were you the last one chosen?” No, I was not and my brother never liked the fact that he wouldn’t be picked before me. Interviewer: “You were the better ball player in the family?” Yes, but he was a better runner. 4:21 I had these trophies in the kitchen, my mother had them up and his friends would come over and they would say, “What did you get the trophy for?” My brother would say, “they’re my sister’s”. Interviewer: “That’s great—now, what position in softball?” I played—actually I played almost all of them except pitching and catching, but my main positions were short, first base, third base and left field. 4:50 Interviewer: “That pretty well covers it.” I played second base once, but I never played right field or pitched and I was a good hitter that was the other thing. Interviewer: “That would explain why you got chosen quickly. How did you hear about the all American Girls League and how did you get involved with that?” Well, I didn’t hear about it frankly, it was news to me. I didn’t know they had tryouts, I didn’t know anything about that. I was working at Schuster’s in the candy department to get money for school. 5:28 Interviewer: “Schuster’s was a department store in Milwaukee?” Yes, a department store and they had a cafeteria and all these other things and I played softball on their team and I got a telegram from Jack Lossa. Jack Lossa was a former Milwaukee Brewer who had a softball team on the north side and Buddy Greif was my coach and he had a softball team on the playgrounds on the south side and he got to be a manager and he needed a player in left field immediately and he remembered me playing against his team and he just sent a wire and said, “Have job for you on Rockford Peaches. Report to Racine”, and my mother said, “You’re not going anywhere.” 6:14 Interviewer: “How old were you at this point?” I was about eighteen, and my mother said, “you’re not going”. I was a senior in high school, trying to earn money for school, so I called Buddy Greif and asked him to come 2 �over and he said to my mother, “where could she earn fifty dollars a week plus two fifty a day for spending money?” My mother couldn’t answer that and I wasn’t earning that kind of money even at Schuster’s or even in the defense plants soldering canteens, so they did let me go. 6:46 I went to Rockford and lived in a rooming house. Interviewer: “I have to ask you, when you went to Rockford, was that one of the first times that you had left home essentially?” Yes, I never was on a train until I went to college because it was kind of a protective neighborhood. We had certain hours at night and you had to stay home and talk as a family. We had a night where we had to stay home so we could talk together as a family, so we could talk together and play together and stuff. A different kind of family than we have today. 7:32 Interviewer: “That’s a good family practice. Your family must have been rather excited when you decided to go off and play baseball?” I’m not sure they were excited at all. Actually my mother knew very little about sports. She came to an all city game we had one time when I was playing left field and my father told me that when the ball came out and I caught it, she turned to him and said, “now what’s she going to do with it?” That’s how much she knew about the game. 8:02 Interviewer: “Fortunately you knew what to do with the ball when you caught it.” I knew where to throw it, right. Interviewer: “Somebody told me that at one point Mr. Wrigley took an active interest in your career.” Actually when I went to college, I went to LaCrosse State University, my first college experience and while there I got a phone call from Mr. Wrigley, I wasn’t the only person, there were a few girls that he must have somehow got names of who were from different areas not just Milwaukee, but from others, and he asked me to come and tryout in Chicago with the Chicago Chicks. 8:46 Interviewer: “A different league.” I really think the Chicago Chicks were the work up league for the other one. Interviewer: “Their teams played all around Chicago.” They played at night and we wore shorts, we wore satin shorts and tops and then satin leggings and I still have the contract in my scrapbook from that experience and we lived in rooming houses in groups. In fact, I will try to remember the name of the gal who— her husband use to come and she was married and had children and he use to come and watch her play on weekends. 9:21 She also got on one of the teams in our league, so that was like, what do you call that, the minor leagues?” 3 �Interviewer: “Minor leagues probably.” Mr. Wrigley, I don’t know if it was he himself. He asked me to come and I said, “I can’t come, I have no money”, and he said they would put me on the Hiawatha, which went from Lacrosse to Chicago and I never had a chance to see my parents, so I said, “I won’t come unless I can stop in Milwaukee and see my parents”, and they let me do that and when we got to Chicago there was a limo waiting and they took me to a gym and tried me out. When the movie came out I was sitting there and I had forgotten about that experience and all of a sudden tears were coming down. It was a recall that happened to me and I’m sure it happened to other people also. 10:20 I played first base there. Interviewer: “Describe that tryout experience. What did they have you do?” Oh, they had me bat mostly in the gym and field when someone would throw a ball to you. That’s about the extent of it. It was a fairly large gym. Interviewer: “Who was watching the tryouts and who was making the decision?” I don’t know who the man was. They had somebody that took us there and was checking out what you could do and I had a first baseman’s mitt and an infielder.s mitt and a ball. I had one of those bags with me. It was a twelve-inch softball. It was the Olympic style softball. 11:09 Interviewer: “This actually took place though after you had already played with the Peaches, correct? You played with the—or did you go with the—“ I played one year with the Peaches and then the next year I played in Chicago. Interviewer: “Let’s back up to that Peaches experience. You got to Rockford on your own and do you remember the first game you played in?” No. I remember that at one of the games I slid into first base and I may have sprained my ankle, but we had no people to help us with injuries. We had a coach and the team and that was it, and a chaperone, that was it. The catcher, I remember, taped up my foot, but we were all so eager to play that we wouldn’t tell the coach what condition we were. 12:02 When I look back on it, when I look at the players now and all the help they get, exercises, food and all this. There was nothing and in fact most girls worked during the day, especially in Chicago. That’s why I went there, to make money for college. We worked during the day, like office work or store work and played ball at night. Interviewer: “Just so you had money to go to college, but earn money and also get to play the game you love.” To earn money for college and I loved the game. All three of them. Interviewer: “Any recollections of the—you played essentially part of a season in Rockford?” Yes. 4 �Interviewer: “Any recollections of the games?” They were terrific in Rockford, the people; they had lots of support and lots of people in the audience and then the American Legion and others there would say, ”today the first home run gets ten dollars”, you know what I’m saying, they use to give away prizes to the batters and a lot of times they would serve lunches for us after the game. 13:15 You always had to deal with the fans to sign autographs on cigarette packs and stuff you know people weren’t going to keep anyway. They were eager to see what you look like. 13:29 Interviewer: “Any guys hang around after the game?” Lots of guys, especially in Chicago. Interviewer: “So it’s a version of what goes on in major league baseball today only the genders are reversed.” Yes. The ladies went to see the men and the men went to see the ladies. Interviewer: “that’s good. What was the field like? The playing conditions, do you have any recollections of the condition of the field for example?” I thought they were very good fields. They were fields, as I recall, that other men’s softball teams played on in the communities. In fact, all of my sports experiences were out of the community. I played volleyball and basketball even in Iowa, you know, we would go on weekends on trips. I don’t know why, but during the war none of the companies got a lot of publicity and they always had these teams for publicity. 14:30 The paper always had the scores and the name of the company would be in the paper and that’s why they wanted people to play ball. Interviewer: “They wanted winning teams.” They wanted winning teams and they wanted their names in the paper and that’s why I was offered a job to play three sports, during the war, for that company and they said they would give me this nice easy job, but of course without an education, what kind of a job could you get, so to us—my mother was so proud—I told you she never went to school and I have a brother with a PhD and both myself and my other brother have masters degrees and my mother said we were the only ones in the neighborhood. 15:10 Interviewer: “She was very proud of that.” She was so proud of that, when she lived she was. Interviewer: “Any big hits, any big plays still come to mind from your playing days?” I remember that in Chicago at my first bat, I hit a triple and I’ve never forgotten that one. I also remember my first night with the Rockford Peaches, playing left field, a fly ball coming and I’m going after it and I catch it and I look and there was someone backing me 5 �up to make sure I would catch that ball. I remember getting my ankle wrapped when I slid into base. 15:49 Interviewer: “Pain is something you tend to remember.” It was painful later, also because it wasn’t taken care of. Interviewer: “So, you played part of a year then in Rockford and then the next year in Chicago, was that the extent of your professional playing?” Yes, I finished and I went to school. Interviewer: “Where did you go to school?” I went to school at Lacrosse State University and then I went to New York University for my masters and in 1952 we all went to the Olympic games as part of our studies. We wrote some papers on sports in America and as they are played in other countries and that’s a very big highlight in my life. 16:34 Interviewer: “That’s an incredible experience. Where were the 1952 Olympics held?” Helsinki. We saw Paavo Nurmi run— Interviewer: “Helsinki, that’s right. You didn’t just go to the Olympics, you got on a boat and traveled across the Atlantic to the Olympics.” Two boats. Interviewer: “When you say we all, who do you mean?” We were all graduate students for either masters or PhD’s at New York University. The only man who spoke Finnish in the group was a black man with his PhD and to me that was very interesting. 17:10 Interviewer: “I bet it was interesting to the Finnish people as well.” We slept in a dormitory of some kind on straw beds, double deckers, but you could see the Olympic torch all night long through the window. Those were interesting experiences and meeting the athletes from other places who were on steroids. You could see it in their builds Interviewer: “Already then you saw it.” Way back then in 1952, I think before they even noticed it. Most of the gymnasts--I never saw such shoulders on women Interviewer: “A little unusual.” Very unusual. Interviewer: “Particularly for you as a physical education major, you studied kinesiology and the structure of muscles and things, you knew what you were looking at.” 6 �Something was funny. I think it was a year later in 1953 or 1954 that they got onto the drugging. 18:11 Interviewer: “For the first time. I want to back up just a minute because I’m familiar with Lacrosse. Now Lacrosse, one of the featured majors is in physical education.” Yes, I got my first degree from there. Interviewer: “That’s what that school, among other things, focused on. How many women at Lacrosse were taking these kinds of courses? Were there a lot of women and was it unusual? ” No, there were a lot of women. We had practically—it was almost even the men to women as students. I don’t know what we had in my class, eighty or ninety and half were men and half were women. 18:48 Interviewer: “Then you went from there and got a graduate degree?” I went to New York University for my graduate work and I would go in the summers at first. They had a school camp and then later, the last year, when I got my maters we were on this trip and we studied on the ship all the way across. Interviewer: “That’s still an incredible experience.” Just a wonderful experience and I have never really forgotten it because we became very good friends after all the trips through Europe etc. The gents carried our luggage and it was wonderful. I still have friends from those days. 19:32 Interviewer: “Once you graduated, what was your career after?” The same thing after I graduated. My first job was as a physical education teacher at McKinley Jr. High School in Racine, Wisconsin where I started my career in baseball. Interviewer: “You came home.” No, I’m a Milwaukee girl. Interviewer: “You went back to Wisconsin.” That was strange, that was strange, that was very strange. I remember coming to that city and wouldn’t you know, I got a job there. I was in Racine at the junior high school and then I taught in the high school and then I taught at the University of Hawaii for a year and then I came back and I became the director for the district in health and physical education. 20:20 I spent my major lifetime in Racine. Interviewer: “In education.” Yes, in education. Interviewer: “You were in Hawaii?” I was in Hawaii before they were a state. 7 �Interviewer: “How did that happen?” That came up because I was a student at N.Y.U. and Dr. Sokhi, who was on staff in Hawaii, got to know me when I was going for my masters and at the time physical education teachers were hard to find and they wanted me to come the very year that I graduated, he did, and I said, “I can’t do that to my district. They took me when I knew nothing and they can’t replace me now because there are no teachers, so I went back to Racine and all the while I was in Racine that year, I kept getting missiles from Dr. Sokhi and he asked me to come the next year then. 21:20 I asked my superintendent, I didn’t know if I would like it or not, if I could take a leave of absence and he told me I could if I came back the next year, so I agreed to that and I wasn’t to Hawaii and taught and after a year they wanted me to stay on and I said I couldn’t because I had promised Racine that I would come back. I went back and the man I had made the promise to had lest the community and I have never forgotten that. That is a dirty trick to play on somebody. Interviewer: “You kept your word.” I kept my word, but the superintendent didn’t. Interviewer: “Hawaii would have been a very interesting place to be in.” It was and the next year they became a state. Interviewer: “Because of the fact that you were a player, a teacher—you’ve been in sports in one way or another, women’s sports, for a long time. Reflect a little bit for me if you will on the kinds of changes you’ve seen in the attitude towards women athletes for example and the attitude of women athletes toward their sports.” Well, I think the women are interested in their sports, but there’s little they can do with the fact that sports have become a business instead of anything else and unfortunately what happens is the women, even though many are more talented than some of the men, never are paid anywhere near what they are being paid and the reason is that they don’t bring in the revenue at the gates and I think that’s true with almost everything except maybe golf. 23:12 I was hole captain at the meets when the golf association was in Wisconsin and they got terrific crows, so golf and maybe tennis is good, but women’s basketball and softball, for some reason, do not draw crowds. The basketball’s a killer on the heart and the women play as well as the men do, but their not compensated. Interviewer: “Not at all. One thing that occurs to me, when you were playing baseball the uniforms were designed to emphasize the fact that you were a woman and it seems to me that all the way through, right up to today, that still is a part of the difference between men’s sports and women’s sports. There is still an emphasis on making sure that the fans in the stands know that they’re watching women athletes.” I don’t know, I think women will always be women, or they should be, otherwise we have a big problem and I think that the attitude that people think if you play a sport you have to be tough, it’s not true. I know many women who are very feminine who play 8 �sports very well, so I don’t know how you’re going to dispel that. There are a lot of very nice looking women in sports and not only in looks they have good shapes too. 24:39 You can’t—the only difference, I think, you have to remember—take for instance my shoulder for instance—men have more muscle spindles in that shoulder than I do and I’ll never be able to match them and maybe that’s the reason that when women got into overhand throwing, they lost so many arms, I don’t know. Interviewer: “There were a lot of injuries to women pitchers?” Yes, the women went to play just like the men play baseball, throwing from the pitching staff and we lost a lot of arms and pretty soon the league was over. Some of it might be part physical, I don’t know. 25:17 That’s just my opinion, you would have to ask a Kinesiologist. Interviewer: “At the time there wasn’t a lot of good science about the strain that was put on an arm by throwing.” I have a personal opinion, I can’t figure out why women would want to box. I don’t understand, I can see tennis, I can see volleyball, I can see the other games, but boxing and football, I don’t understand that. Somebody’s going to have to give me an education also. 25:53 Interviewer: “I’m with you.” Every man I know that ever played football has had back problems all his life. Interviewer: “Legs and knees and just serious problems.” It’s tough; it’s a tough sport. Interviewer: “This is a question I’ve asked an awful lot of the players. While you were playing—when you first started out as a professional woman baseball player, did you see yourself as a pioneer in any way?” No, I loved the game and I think—my mother use to say I shake to play. I would go to the social canter and play volleyball and basketball, you know I’ve done those three things all my life and now I golf and that’s about it, but I don’t know why because I didn’t have a family—my mother never went beyond sixth grade and my father never beyond tenth and they just didn’t have the opportunities that I had. 26:56 Interviewer: “Sports opened doors for you.” Yes, the sports have opened the doors for me and I’m sure it has for many young people, but first get the education. Interviewer: “Now as you look back on it, you have a chance to assess the role you played, now do you see yourself as--in some ways, although you didn’t realize it at the time, actually pioneering?” 9 �Yes, I think that helping women not only in the professional aspect, but even in the college sports and the scholarships and things of that kind because those things are much more available to women today than they use to be just as they’re available to someone who is good in theater or good in art, we have that in sports now and people will have to look for it, but it’s there. Some of the legislation is helping also. 27:58 Interviewer: “Ok.” I figure I was lucky and I thank you for this opportunity. Interviewer: “Well, we were the fortunate ones.” If anybody’s going to hear it---“get your education first”. Interviewer: “A great line to end with.” Thank you. Interviewer: “Thank you very much.” Interviewer: “Lets talk a little bit about the movie. All of a sudden the league—it wasn’t forgotten, but it wasn’t well remembered either and then all of a sudden there’s a major movie made about your experiences. What kinds of reactions and experiences did you have as a result of the movie?” 28:39 I think everybody was excited about the movie, but I forgot to mention the fact that I had my uniform sitting in my closet for, it must have been ten years, because the last game that Rockford played was in Milwaukee and I still have the programs from that day and here I had that uniform sitting and after about ten years or so I got rid of the uniform from my closet. I either gave it to a costume shop or to the theater group I can’t remember which, but the movie is unbelievable, every year and I watch what’s on the movies and they must show that thing eight or ten times a year and every time they show it they got a crowd watching it. Now, the movie made the comedian, Rosie O’Donnell, I think that made her, that movie and I think you should know that actually a bunch of players at the time, I’m not going to name them, didn’t want Madonna playing in our movie because they didn’t like her lifestyle at the time, so I didn’t know much about Madonna because I’m not a big movie fan, but I did buy the movie for all my nephews and nieces. 30:01 Interviewer: “After the movie comes out, did that affect you more recognition?” Yes, after the movie came out you get more mail—people asking for autographs. I have had autograph seeking from Germany, for soldiers, from people in the services that send you stuff and one person sent their first day issues of a stamp collection and instructed me to sign on that first issue thing and I thought—“what are they doing?” I know they’re selling autographs and I think mine is worth about fifteen dollars now. I had somebody check up and see, but there’s one I have from the Brewers called the—It’s in the case and that one’s worth more because I’m on with the men players also. 30:57 Interviewer: “And you get invited from time to time for appearances?” 10 �Yes, it’s usually clubs and schools. Every year I’m at some school because they’re studying women—what women have achieved and there will be some number of kids that want to write about the league, so then they call me up and ask for an interview and then they write their papers. So far every girl who has written a paper about my life in the—has received an A on their paper, including my niece. Interviewer: “what do you tell them when they--?” I tell them what I told you—how I was brought up, how I had never been on a train until I went to college, how my folks never had—and this was a way of getting an education for me because they couldn’t afford to send me and how the boys were both able to go because they were both in the army at that time and their school was paid for and mine wasn’t. I think at that time there was an attitude that it’s more important for the men to get educated than the women because I found a little of that in my father. He was afraid I would get married and all that money would go down the drain. 32:10 Interviewer: “You emphasize to the girls, when you get a chance to talk to them, to get their educations.” Yes, I really—that was the proudest—my mother was proudest of the fact that she had three kids—two had masters degrees and one had a PhD and that to her meant more than anything we did, even playing ball really, because she never went beyond the sixth grade. They never had a chance, they had big families and they had to help at home. My father never beyond the tenth, he wanted to be a doctor and never got to be one—they had thirteen kids in their family and they had to go to work. It was the end of the depression. 33:02 Interviewer: “Kids need to understand that in many ways they have far more opportunities and they better take advantage of them.” All of my nieces and nephews, I tell them that they’re spoiled rotten and they are. They’re living in an entirely different world, they have so many things and they ask for something and pretty soon it comes. We could wish for it, but we didn’t expect it. Interviewer: “Any regrets about taking time out to play professional ball?” No, I loved to play, I would love to play now, but all I play now is golf. Interviewer: “thanks for taking an extra minute. There was good usable stuff there.” 11 �12 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Interviews Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was started by Philip Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs, during World War II to fill the void left by the departure of most of the best male baseball players for military service. Players were recruited from across the country, and the league was successful enough to be able to continue on after the war. The league had teams based in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, and operated between 1943 and 1954. The 1954 season ended with only the Fort Wayne, South Bend, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Rockford teams remaining. The League gave over 600 women athletes the opportunity to play professional baseball. Many of the players went on to successful careers, and the league itself provided an important precedent for later efforts to promote women's sports. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/484">All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Collection, (RHC-58)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Sports for women World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American All-American Girls Professional Baseball League--Personal narratives Oral history Baseball players--Minnesota Baseball players--Indiana Baseball players--Wisconsin Baseball players--Michigan Baseball players--Illinois Baseball for women--United States Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-58 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource video/mp4 application/pdf Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Language A language of the resource eng Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-10-02 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-58_GPiskula Title A name given to the resource Piskula, Grace (Interview transcript and video), 2009 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Piskula, Grace Description An account of the resource Grace Piskula was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 26, 1926. Growing up she played softball with the neighborhood boys and in school. She played all positions but mainly stuck to playing shortstop, first and third base and left field. Eventually, her coach, Buddy Greif, approached her one day and informed her she would be playing for the Rockford Peaches. Soon thereafter while she was up at college, she received a call from Mr. Wrigley, owner for the Chicago Chicks to come play for them. She played one year for the Rockford Peaches and then the next for the Chicago Chicks. Her career highlights include hitting a triple for Chicago and then catching a fly ball while with Rockford. Following her two years in the league she quit and went back to college. She discusses her post-baseball career in some detail. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Olson, Gordon (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) Video recordings All-American Girls Professional Baseball League--Personal narratives Baseball for women--United States Baseball Sports for women World War, 1939-1945 Baseball players--Wisconsin Baseball players-Illinois Women Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2009-02-26 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/484">All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Collection, (RHC-55)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e57c474e0de8bbc15ed49fdbb4ca04a2.m4v 3cd2e4327600f7a751c9f6f0b008a9b4 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6ea71da59d068f0897fac475a559a826.pdf a12e3981ebd419bf75f88876ce07f619 PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Veteran: Kenneth Pitetti Interviewer: James Smither Transcribed by Gabrielle Angel Length: 1:50:00 00.00.00 I: We‟re talking today with Ken Pitetti of Wichita, Kansas and the interviewer is James Smither of the Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project. Okay, Ken, start us off with some background on yourself, and to begin with, where and when were you born? V: Yes. I was born and raised in San Francisco and I had a Catholic school upbringing with a Catholic grade school, Catholic high school. I: And, what year were you born? V: I was born in 1946. I was a baby boomer. I: What was your family doing for a living at that point? V: My dad was a fireman of Italian descent. My grandfather came from Italy. And then, my mom was a housekeeper, but she also worked for the school‟s lunching program. She cooked for the schools. My dad was a fireman, and he also had a second job, so he worked two jobs. This is in San Francisco, inner San Francisco. A great place to be raised, San Francisco was. A really nice time in the fifties. And, I had an older brother and a younger sister, and we were a working, inner-city, middle class family. My brother and I would get up in the morning and do paper routes. My sister would work part-time after school. So, we were a family that pretty much grew up with a work ethic, that everyone had to participate, because we had three kids going to Catholic school, so that was expensive. I: What kind of ambitions or plans did your family have for you? Did they want you to go to college? V: Well, for-for all – for all of us, my parents wanted us to go to college, but I was the only one of my brothers and sisters that went to college, and I don‟t know why. And I don‟t know why, because that was available to us and my parents would say they wanted us to. 00:02:15 V: I was pretty good at athletics. I was always the type of guy who wanted to be the team captain and pretty much excelled in football in high school. I would go on to play at the University of San Francisco, football. And so, football began to make me start shooting for college. I know I got real serious with my studies when I was a sophomore in high school. I worked myself up to a college prep position. At that time, they tagged you. You took a test when you came into a �Catholic school, and they had the As, Bs, Cs, Ds, Es and Fs classes. I started at the Cs, and by the time I was a senior I was with the A class. I don‟t think I shoulda been with them. Actually, it was a neat situation because the guys I went to high school that were in the A class went on to be doctors and lawyers and were really smart. But, they were really neat really helped me to realize I should be reading magazines besides Sports Illustrated. They introduced me to Time magazine, and to different things that were able to introduce me to things that were happening in the world. I had no idea what was going on in Israel before until guys said, “Hey, you ought to read this article.” I began to get involved in events that were occurring throughout the world and how they might affect me way back in my junior, senior year of high school. I: And when did you graduate high school? V: 1964. 00:03:56 I: And what do you remember about, say, the Kennedy assassination? V: I remember the Kennedy assassination was a big thing because you had a Catholic family, Kennedy was Catholic, and it was a big event. I hate to say it was an event, but it was a combination of a historical event, a president was killed. Why was he killed, how did that happen? That was something that I, as a kid, wondered about. How could this guy get on this , you know, this book store and fire this weapon to kill the president of the United States? We did have the Secret Service, you know. And, so, that was the beginning, I think, of our generation beginning to question things that were occurring in history at that time. So, we had that, but what I remember distinctly was in the summer of 1964, the Bay of Tonkin Incident. This was 1964 now, and at that time, my parents had gone on vacation. I stayed home because I was working. And on Saturday- the night that LBJ came on, I think it was Saturday, it was in August I believe that the Bay of Tonkin Incident happened. And there was a bunch of guys, we were all graduating together, and we were all friends. So, there was probably about eleven, and we were all playing. And this was back when we weren‟t drinking anything, we were drinking 7-Up and drinking orange juice and Coke and eating potato chips and popcorn. I mean, that‟s how innocent it was at that time. And, LBJ comes on, Lyndon B. Johnson comes on about the Bay of Tonkin Incident. I happened to take a break, so I was sitting in our TV room, and I yelled out, I said, “Hey guys.” I said, “You guys gotta come in here and listen to this. There‟s something going on out here. You know, there seems to be something happening in Vietnam.” 00:06:00 V: And the guys were saying, “Oh, Pitetti, you know, shut up.” And, you had Rich Nelbo, who spent 18 months as a Marine over there. And, you had Danny White, the Danny White who killed Mayor Mosconi. That was one of my buddies! And he served with 82nd for a while there. And, you had me. Every one of those guys who were sitting �there, whether they got away- whether they got out of the Draft, somehow found a way to go into the Reserves to stay out of Vietnam, or went into the Peace Corps, it all affected, it affected everyone in that room that day, in many ways. So, that was something I remember exactly and how it affected all of us, the Bay of Tonkin Incident, and how we were all affected by the that incident and the commitment to go into Vietnam. I: Alright. Now, did it occur to you at this point that you might get drafted because of that? V: I was- I‟ve read a lot of guys who served in Vietnam, I‟ve seen many of your videos online. I think for many of us, we were raised… My dad was in World War II. My Uncles were in World War II. All of his buddies at the fire department when I would go down there and talk to them were in World War II. My godfather – I know the movie The Godfather makes all us Italians look like we part of the Mafia, but a godfather in an Italian family is a very important person. And, my godfather, Steve Caccia, was with Patton. In North Africa, he got wounded. In Sicily, he got wounded. In the march into Rome, he got wounded So, here I have a godfather with three Purple Hearts. And so, it was expected, I felt, that you served your country. 00:08:06 V: So, when the time came into my Sophomore year, I really, I was majoring in Pre-Med and Biology, but I knew my GPA was not going to get me into medical school, so I was thinking maybe I‟d go to graduate school, maybe I‟d teach. But, I was saying, “Well, I don‟t want to get drafted. I know enough about the military, that you had to go the first two years in ROTC.” It was a land grant college if you were of draftable age, so I had spent two years in ROTC already. So, I said, “Well, when I graduate, I‟ll put in two years of active duty and two years Reserve Unit after that, just do my time.” In 1966, yes Vietnam was warming up. I had Rich Nelbo, the guy that was in there, come back in 1967 after 18 months who said, “Don‟t go.” [Laughs] Danny White came back from Vietnam, said, “Don‟t go.” So, I had that information, but I still had this feeling that I had to serve my country. It just sounds a little emotional, but I-I knew enough history to know the sacrifices that were made for me to be experiencing the affluence and opportunities that I was experiencing, and somehow, I felt that I owed this country my time, and if it was during a war that-. Believe me, you could not live in San Francisco and not know about the Vietnam War, and I read material about the questions about the Bay of Tonkin, especially the second incident that were shadows on the radar, that really didn‟t happen, so before I even went active duty, I knew that the Bay of Tonkin was of questionable veracity. I‟ve read enough and saw- I mean, there were marches every other day in San Francisco against something. My apartment was in the middle of Haight-Ashbury district. So, you saw this whole hippie scene, San Francisco. 00:10:31 �V: The campus of the University of San Francisco is approximately four blocks from the, from Golden Gate Park, and approximately eight blocks from the corner of Haight-Ashbury. So, believe me, you could not live in those times and not be aware of all of these things that were there, Civil Rights, Women‟s Rights, the question of the Vietnam War, it was very adamant on campus. I mean, when we would march on days of ROTC, there would be people around the parade grounds with banners against us, against Vietnam, and so, we lived with that over our heads all the time. And so, but, I still felt an obligation to serve my country. I: How did you kind of view the protestors and stuff? V: I viewed them as somebody, I viewed that they were sincere in what they felt about, I actually understood why they felt that way. I had read enough to know about the questions of the Vietnam War, so I wasn‟t somebody some gung-ho individual. The only problems I have with those who participated in the Anti-War Movement of Vietnam was not their cause. It was what they said to us when we came home. That was wrong. We didn‟t start that war, we had nothing to do with that war, yet we were the low-hanging fruit that they could pick off in airports. And I heard, one of the things you hear from the men that I led in that jungle was what they went to, because when I got wounded, I went back, I was flown back and I went to a hospital. I didn‟t have to face what these guys had to face coming back in the airports. 00:12:47 V: The stories I heard, it‟s shameful. It‟s just bloody shameful what they were called. You know, here were guys that were drafted. They knew nothing, they were 19 or 20 years-old whey they get drafted. They knew nothing about the Vietnam War. And, here they‟re called all these terrible things. And I was called these terrible things when I went on campus. I started when I was going through recovery at what was Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco, it‟s not there anymore. But I asked the, while I was going through rehabilitation I asked the doctor if I could start my master‟s program at San Francisco State. And he said, “Sure, as long as you‟re back in your bed by 10:00 at night, you can start your classes, you can start your master‟s degree.” So here I am with one leg, my wife is pregnant with our first son, and I had to move on with my life. I had to start getting ready to get a job, and at that time I was going to start teaching, so I needed my teaching credential, I needed to start on my master‟s degree. 00:13:47 V: When I went out there to register, this was in January of 1971 I think, when I was still officially in the Army, all‟s I had, I had hardly any clothes. I had my jacket, my Army jacket, I was with the 1st Division and then I was in the 101st tags, Combat Infantry Badge, I was standing in line with no leg, my leg had not been developed yet so all I had was this cast with an extension of a foot on it, and crutches. And I was a target! And, I mean, I was a target. And you know, �people didn‟t say, “Oh, can we get you to the front of the line?” No. “Screw you, you stand in line, and by the way, we are going to call you all of these names.” And then, my first semester there, nobody would be my lab partner. Nobody would be my lab partner because who I was. And all throughout, I entered academia, I entered where the liberals were, you know. And listen, I‟m a democrat, okay, I‟m a democrat, but I wasn‟t the democrats that called me names and I felt did some shameful things. And throughout, I would be at parties, and somebody would say, “Hey, Ken, I heard you were in Vietnam.” And, you know, there may have been seven of us standing there, but when somebody brought up that, by a minute later everyone had receded, and the only person who would be there would be me and the guy asking the question, and the guy asking the questions, was wishing the hell he would never ask the questions. I would be at parties, and somebody would make remarks like, “You were that dumb to serve in Vietnam? You got a degree and you went to Vietnam?” So, this was the stuff I caught in academia, which you know it really made me more determined to succeed. 00:15:58 V: It said, no, you‟re getting your master‟s degree, and then, no Pitetti, you‟re going to get your doctorate degree, because you are going to stay in academia and you are never going to let these people be in a position to tell you what to do. Believe me, I enjoy it, every Veterans Day, to wear my Vietnam Combat hat across this campus, and it‟s like, screw you, you know. So, I feel the scars of, and I know that what‟s his name is going to be coming out with a PBS thingI: Ken Burns, yes. V: Yes, and I read an article about that and I‟m hoping he does a good job. I have met people who were part of that movement who did call us names, and I‟ve told them to their face that they should be ashamed of themselves. Most of them would agreeI: Mhm. V: -that now that they, now that they are old enough to know that they shouldn‟t have done that. But, I‟ll tell you what. I still carry the baggage of that. And maybe it was something that really spurred me on to be who I am right now. I: Okay. Now, this of course is, a lot of this ideally comes at the end, but I don‟t care. So, now, let‟s move back, though, in your story. Let‟s take you back. I‟d like for you to tell me what you actually did in the ROTC program there. V: Okay, in the ROTC program, nothing really became important until your upper division, until your junior and senior year. Here I was, playing football. I was co-captain of the team. And, we would have the cadre in our- the officers that ran ROTC had one or two combat tours in Vietnam. They knew where we were going. So, we used to take tests in a room not much bigger �than the room we are in right now, and they would have on the corners combat films of Vietnam, volume full up. And they had in front of us, at that time we had stereos. They would have the stereo full blast with marching music and they would walk around throwing fire crackers. They said, “If you cannot think under these situations, then you will not be able to think in combat.” You know, I was wondering why they did that, but, boy, were they spot on. 00:18:26 V: And then we would have what I would call 72-hour no sleep weekends. They would load us up on a bus and take us across the bay to Fort Roberts or Fort Cronkhite or down to Fort Ord, to the different military locations. And we wouldn‟t sleep. They would just do nothing but classroom work, compass work, nighttime compass, drill, compass, compass, compass. Knowing the map, knowing the compass, knowing how many steps you take at night to make 100 meters. They drilled that into us. Okay, 12:00 Saturday night. “Pitetti you‟re the platoon leader. Here‟s your platoon. This is your mission. You have thirty seconds- you have thirty minutes to put a plan together. Lead your platoon.” And you always screwed up, because there was an ambush waiting for you. They would say, “Okay, Cadet, you screwed up. Do you know why?” And I would say something like, “No, sir, the Cadet has no excuse.” And they would say, “Okay, here‟s what you did wrong.” They would say, “You didn‟t have your flank covered. You weren‟t up front with your point man and your slack man.” They would just, very constructively, say what you did wrong. They weren‟t yelling at you. They would say, “This is what you did wrong, and we‟re telling you this because you‟re gonna be in charge of people and lives will matter.” 00:19:57 V: And that was- I got some great training by those people just in the two years of ROTC. I know everybody thinks ROTC is sort of a lame way to become an officer, but the cadre that we had at that time, the NCO cadre as well as the officer cadre at the University of San Francisco, was top notch and they knew where we were going. So, here comes my senior year and you gotta choose a branch. [laughs] Okay, this is 1968. The Tet Offensive had just occurred, and you had to choose a branch. Let me see, there‟s infantry, and then there‟s infantry, and then you get to choose infantry. I was saying, I don‟t know about this, so that the Colonel called me into his office. He said, “Ken, I hear you‟re having trouble about picking a branch.” “Well, kind of, sir.” He says, “Ken, well I‟ve been watching you on that football field and you are a born leader. You are infantry.” [Chuckles] �And I said, “Yes, sir.” And he said, “Could you sign this to dictate the branch that you‟re going in?” I said, “Yes.” [pen on paper noise] Infantry. I: Right. V: So here I go. Okay, so I go to infantry. So, I spent an extra semester. My first year of college, I didn‟t play ball. And then, because I had, because I majored in Biology, I had labs. So, I couldn‟t get my whole curriculum in in four years. It took me an extra semester, which I was able to play an extra semester of football in the fall of „68. So, I didn‟t go right until the summer of ‟69. I: M-kay. So, when do you actually graduate from college, then? V: Officially, I graduate in the fall of 1968. I: Okay, so, December, at the end of fall term? V: Right, December of 1968, yeah. 00:22:00 V: Now, I look back at this, and had I not, if I graduated on time, had I arrived in the 101st Airborne Division, I would have been either in the lead-up to Ripcord or in the A Shau. [Laughs] Life takes crazy turns. I: Alright, so now after, so now you graduate at the end of ‟68. V: There wasn‟t a position opening in what was called Infantry Officer Basic Training at Fort Benning until early, until late spring. So, I went in then and trained at Fort Benning, well, I trained at Fort Lewis for what we called Summer Camp, ROTC‟s summer camp, which was six weeks of basically boot camp. And then, I went out to Fort Benning in Georgia to start on IOBC, which the other graduates at West Point and VMI and Citadel, everybody who graduated and was in the infantry went into Fort Benning IOBC. I: Alright, so what did that program consist of? V: IOBC was an extension of what I was doing in ROTC, I think. It was map courses, given small unit tactics. Okay, you‟re the squad leader. Okay, Pitetti, you‟re the second squad leader, and so and so is the squad leader and so and so is the platoon leader. And, that would change daily. Everybody would get a position. You‟d go through the typical infantry training. At that time, we were still, I think we were still using M-14s. I don‟t think they had M-16s for all of the training I did. I remember using an M-1 when I started ROTC. I: Old World War II rifles. 00:24:10 �V: Old World War II rifles. In fact, I qualified with the M-1 one of the weekends we went there. And then we got M-14s for the rest of ROTC. And, I didn‟t really see an M-16, I don‟t think, until Fort Benning, Georgia. I think up at Fort Lewis, Washington, I think we still had M-14s. And, then I first qualified with the M-16 there at Fort Benning. So, okay, you did your qualifications. You‟d take your M-16 apart and put it back together again. Qualify throwing a hand grenade. Qualify with the M-16 machine gun, what an M-79 grenade launcher is. All the basic small arms, uh, weapons. Map courses, map courses, compass courses, night compass courses, over and over again. And running you, and doing what Infantry people are going to do. I think the Army trained us well to prepare us. I don‟t think anything happened in Vietnam that I wasn‟t really prepared to do. So, I think, somewhere along the line, we got, we got good training. 00:25:30 I: And was radio and communication a part of that too? V: Yes, and artillery. Artillery. [Laughs] Calling in artillery. Using the map, how do I adjust artillery? That was pretty much drilled into us. The other thing was, we got a total of three hours of working with TNT and C4. A total of three hours. Now, in Vietnam, C4 was used a lot, and I kinda knew how to use it, but the first, I was with my platoon for maybe ten days, and they said, we‟re getting ahead, but. So, you got three hours of so-called training in explosives. So, we get in there, we get in an area, said, “Okay, now you gotta blow an LZ.” “Okay, umm, let me see. I think I‟ll put C4s up against the trees, and then I‟ll take a det chord and I‟ll connect all of the C4s, and let me see, I‟ll put this explosive into the first C4, so maybe if this explodes maybe the det chord will just explode all the rest and the trees will go down. So, I hook it all up, and we do it all, and my radio man says, “So Lt., do you know what you‟re doin‟?” And I said, “Oh yeah. Yeah, I‟ve got this.” So, we come back and we pull out, fire in the hole, boom. [Noise] All the trees go down. I look up, holy cow, and my radio man goes, “That was cool, Lt.” So, now, I walk out into the middle of the area and go like this to my platoon. [Claps, laughs.] So, after three hours I became the expert. And, I told my radio man, he goes, “Man, you really know what you were doing, Lt.” And, I said, “Yeah, good training. Just good officer training.” I: Alright, how long was the infantry school? V: Ah, four months, I think. I: Alright, was there any notable difference between the West Pointers and the rest of you? �V: Um, I think there was a little bit with the West Pointers and the guys from the Citadel. I think they felt that- I called them abused children, because they felt that they had gone through all this tough thing, and when they found out I was from San Francisco, they said, “Oh, you‟re a hippie, man. You‟re not Infantry.” And I‟m saying, “Oh, alright. Whatever, whatever you guys gotta say so.” 00:28:13 V: And there was a limit of ring knocking [knocks on table] with the West Pointers, and it-it-it… Look, if you‟re thinking about putting a- having a career in the military, even then, you better go to West Point, you better go to Academy, the Citadel, the VMI. You know, that‟s the nature of the beast. When you go to those schools to train you to be a military person. I just wanted to serve my country and go back to civilian life. So, yeah there was, but I got into a group of guys from the Citadel, and they were absolutely crazy. They were great guys. They, they adopted me. They adopted me and said, “Y‟all better stick around with us and we‟ll show you how it‟s done.” So, I said, “Okay,” and I went along with them. [Chuckles] I: M-hm. So, when did you finish all of that? V: Oh, I left there in late- early fall. I: Okay. V: Of ‟69, and was assigned to, at that time it was the 24th Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, which became the 1st Division at the end, towards ‟70, I think. ‟70, ‟71, the 1st Division came back to Fort Riley. But, at that time, it was the 24th Mech and I became a platoon leader in the 24th Mech and we were the back-up for Europe. So, we did everything armor. It was APCs, and tank sort of, uh, military movement. But, then, this was, at that time, there was a gas shortage. They couldn‟t afford- they couldn‟t afford to keep the APCs and tanks going. 00:30:10 V: So, they said, “Okay, you guys are now straight leg.” Which was good. So, we, when we did our maneuvers we would be Infantry. And, there was a lot of guys who had just come back from Vietnam and were part of my platoon and were waiting for, they had four, maybe six months left before they got out. And I said to them, they were in my platoon, I said, “Look, guys. I would appreciate when we would go out and do these maneuvers that you teach me whatever you think I should know as a platoon leader in Vietnam.” And they were really good about it. They said, “Well, Lt., let‟s go out on an ambush tonight.” I said, “Okay.” �And, so, they would take me out on an ambush and show me how to get out of the perimeter they were in, where to go. First of all, do this, get away from your perimeter. Sit low. How to gradually move to your ambush location, how to set your claymores up. These guys, they could have said, “Screw you, Lt., I don‟t care anymore.” But, I think they had saw enough in Vietnam to realize that maybe I could save some lives. And I thought, I thought those guys were really good, and I learned a lot from them at Fort Riley. I: So, how long were you there? V: [Exhales] Six, seven months? I got my order maybe five months there? That I was going. I: Before we move out, what was kind of daily life like for you there? V: At Fort Riley? I: Yeah. V: You showed up to your, uh, at 7:00, around the front of your formation. They found out that I had played, that I was the jock of the company and the brigade. And they said, “Okay, Pittetti, you‟re going to lead the daily dozen, and you get to take them on a two-mile run.” 00:32:03 V: So, that‟s what I did most mornings before we started anything. And then, again, there would be mortar training, there would be keeping the APCs going, going out in the APCs, playing war games. You, you leave on a Monday morning and you come back on a Saturday morning. At that time, you went Saturdays too. You went Saturdays until 12 noon. And you would play war games out in the back lots of Kansas here, up at Fort Riley. You‟d play war games, red against the blue army and who could beat them. You went about being miserable when it was cold. That‟s what we did, you played war games. I: Were you living on base at that time? V: I was living in the BOQs on base, yes. I: Alright, so you weren‟t married yet at this time. V: No, but I met my future wife, she was at Kansas State University. Fort Riley was, oh, twelve, thirteen miles from Manhattan, Kansas, where K State was. Carol was a junior, so I, this is not going -. I met her one night at a party, and the rest is history. We got married right before I went to Vietnam. I: So, at K State, they didn‟t just stay away from the military? V: Well, they were told to, but with my Italian heritage, I could talk to people. I met her at a party. We got into conversation. She‟s really beautiful; even now, she‟s just a really beautiful lady, both inside and out. I just want to say this, I don‟t know how many of your people say this, but, uh, our wives are Vietnam Veterans, too, because they had to put up with us when we came �home. Nightmares, not sleeping, not wanting to talk about it. You know, I woke up one night from a nightmare and I was strangling her. I had thought she was an NVA soldier who had just come into my foxhole. And, and, she stayed with me. That‟s guts. That‟s commitment. So, I just want to say that she is, she is not only been part of my life, but she is my life. 00:34:22 I: Alright, so, now before you leave Fort Riley, did you yourself switch from the 24th Division to the 1st division? V: Yeah, we did. In fact, my last two weeks there, I think the last two weeks they switched over to it, to this division. And I was like, on my way out, you had to switch the patch on your uniform, ah jeez. And then, I got orders to go down to jungle training in Panama before. They were doing that a lot now, I think they were doing that to a lot of guys, that before they went to Vietnam, and this was good training. Let me tell you, I think those three weeks in Panama was really, because that really got you back into small units. And again, I think the cadre, both the officers and the NCOs, down at that Panama jungle school were really top notch and really prepared for what you were going to face in Vietnam. Good people, good training. I: Okay, and from there do you get a leave or-? V: Yeah, I get a leave. Three weeks? And Carol Sue kisses me goodbye at Travis Air Force Base. We made the Arctic go from there to Anchorage, Alaska, to Japan, into Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base. Yeah, there‟s a story here that I can tell you. 00:36:00 V: So, so we arrive Ripcord‟s going on. And, I don‟t know anything about the Ripcord. I don‟t know where the 101st is. I know nothing. I: So, when are you arriving there? V: I‟m arriving in August. I: August of –? V: August of ‟70. Ripcord had just got over. I: That ends in July. V: Yeah. Ripcord is July 23. I arrive in early August. Okay, and so, you arrive there, and they say to change your money and go get your equipment. This is Vietnam, and you‟re in a different country. And they say this- you‟re always arriving in the middle of the night, okay? You go to your barracks or whatever, get some sleep, and tomorrow you‟re going to get up and we‟re going to have a formation or whatever, get all your equipment. And then, by that night, you‟ll have your assignment. �Okay, so I look up on the board: 101st Airborne Division, okay? Okay. Second of 506 [2nd Battalion, 506th Regiment]. Okay. So, they, we had, they were going to move us out that night and fly us C-130, I think, up to Phu Bai. Phu Bai to Hue, and up to Camp Evans. I: M-hm. V: So, I‟m walking to the so-called Officer‟s club. It was a big parachute covering an area that had beer and warm drinks. So, a guy is coming at me, he has his green beret on. Captain. And it was, it was, it was Mike Brady who I went to ROTC with at U of SF. So, Mike‟s coming, and I say, “Mike!” And he goes, “Ken!” And, we are talking. So, he says, “So, where‟s your assignment?” I said, “I‟m going up to 101st.” He goes, “No.” He says, “Let me make a phone call. Ken, let me make a phone call and I‟ll get you to another unit.” 00:38:06 V: And I said, “Why, Mike?” And he says, Mike, Mike says, “You don‟t want to go north.” “Okay, listen, you know, I got assigned there, I‟m going there.” And he said, one more time, “Let me go in and make a phone call.” I says, “No, Mike, I got my assignment and I‟m going.” And he says, “Okay, then. You‟re not buying another drink the rest of the night, okay?” Now, go forward, I‟m in the hospital in San Francisco, at Letterman Hospital. One night, in comes Mike. And he stands in front of the bed like this. And he said, “Didn‟t I tell you to let me make that phone call?” I said, “Shut up. Come here, Mike.” And we hugged one another. So, anyways, we fly up there to Phu Bai. The C-130 lands, and they say, basically, “We‟re going to taxi in, turn around, and then start taxing out, so you better not ask this thing because we ain‟t stopping.” Well that says, I think there‟s something happening up here. So, I get out, and we get our equipment out. I need to relieve myself, so we have these piss tubes that they were called. So, I go over there, and I piss, and we‟re looking at the mountains, these mountains. So, I‟m looking at these mountains, and this NCO comes up next to me and he‟s using the tube. And, I look at these mountains and the sun is just coming up. He said, “Take a good look at those mountains, Lieutenant, „cuz that‟s where you‟re gonna be.” �And I said, “Thank you, Sergeant.” So, there you go in, you go into P training. Five days of P training, repelling out of a helicopter, making sure the M-79 and how it works, the M-60 and how it works, how to work it. 39:00 So, we‟re up out, outside Camp Evans, right outside Camp Evans. We‟re in the bleachers and we are getting the drill on the M-79. And there‟s the beginning of the lowland mountains over here. These Cobras are coming in about one kilometer away from us and they are just blasting this area with 40mm rockets and hitting them with things. And the guy goes, “Oh, it looks like there is a platoon in trouble. Anyway, guys, the M-79…” I: [chuckles] 00:39:52 V: [laughs] Okay. That night, we get hit with rockets, and then the next day, the company, the Charlie Company chief comes to pick me up. And he goes, “Lt. Pitetti. Where‟s Lt. Pitetti?” “Here.” “Jump in.” So, we go through, this is the middle of the night, so we‟re going up and down Camp Evans. We come to the headquarters, the Charlie Company headquarters. We pull in and he lets me off. So, I go in. The top sergeant is sitting behind a desk. He sat at this desk, and there were like, beer cans all over the place. He‟s sitting there, smoking a cigar, and I walk in. “Another lieutenant.” “Yeah.” “Okay, drop your shit right there, Lt. Want a beer?” I said, “Well, you know.” He said, “Trust me, you better have a beer, because where you‟re going tomorrow, you ain‟t going to see any of this stuff.” “Okay, alright, Top. You know, I got you.” So, I take it. So, anyways, the next day I get pulled up, flown out to Rakkasan I: Let‟s back up a little to a couple of things in this transitional phase. You referenced P training, what was that? V: P training was five days where you were in country. Basically, they give you five days to adjust, and they‟re introducing you to the enemy. What is the standard operating procedure of the enemy? The ones you were up against were the most well-trained North Vietnamese Army soldiers, there is. This is not Viet Cong territory. This is NVA territory. Here‟s a few ambushes. Here‟s-here‟s what you‟re looking for, here‟s what your point man is looking for, is cut off trees. �When you see cut off trees, that means that you got a bunker up ahead of you. They‟ve sparsed the trees, so the bunker can have its rifle bars trained on you. So, when you‟re out, and you start seeing these things, you back off, because you‟re getting into a bunker complex. Ah, stay off of trails if you can. How they set up. You leave anything, they will use it against you. Police your area. Noise security. Just basic infantry stuff that should be reminded of before you go out in the field. 00:42:26 V: So, it introduces you to the enemy you‟re facing, the types of ambushes they have, things like, if you see cut off trees just clear the area out for an ambush, you‟ve got a bunker. What to do when you hit a bunker, how to approach a bunker. All the basic things that anyone has to know at high corps at that time against the North Vietnamese Army and their techniques. So, standard operating procedures, relearning the M-60, relearning how to shoot your M-79, throwing a grenade, just to remind you how things are done. Rappelling out of a helicopter. Those were things that were done in P-training. I: So, was any of that new or useful? V: No. All of it, all of it was always useful. How to get in and out of helicopters. It was always useful. It was redundant sometimes, but you know, in combat, there‟s nothing wrong with redundancy. I: And then you mentioned the rocket attack. V: Yeah, 122 rockets. You had hills right outside of Camp Evans. And you, we were in the low lands, right next to the coast of Camp Evans and Camp Eagle, which for us was right off of the coast. And you, if you went about five miles, you hit rice paddies. And then you had the coastal mountains that came up, and then they came down, and they you open into the mountains. A huge mountain range that was between you and the Laotian border. And that was your area of operations. Sometimes, they would come down, and they would set up 122 rockets and knock off, or try to, or maybe 82mm, just as close as they can and drop two or three or four, and just get out of the area, and try to, you know, just see what they could hit. 00:44:27 I: So that was something over very quickly. V: Yeah. Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-boom. The sirens would go off, like yeah, okay, you know. Yeah, they hit us. Yeah, so the sirens seemed to be always going off after the impact. Yeah. I: So, we can take you back on your story now. So, basically youV: So, I take a Chinook, a big Chinook with all this equipment on it. And, now, you‟re trying to – I‟ve got all of this equipment, I‟ve got a to try to stay in the chinook and it‟s coming up. I‟m kinda looking out, seeing the low lands go and the coastals. Then, I look up and there‟s Rakkasan, our base at Rakkasan. �So, you fly in, you get off and go up into the bunker complex area like all firebases had. And so, I don‟t- I‟m looking for Charlie Company. I‟m walking up, and these artillery guys were there. They said, I said, “Where‟s Charlie Company?” “You new Lt.?” “Yeah.” [scoffs] “Charlie Company is right over there.” [laughs] Okay, so, I go down. So, I‟m walking around. So, these bunkers, you know you got all these bunkers with stairs that go straight down. And I don‟t know what bunker Charlie Company is in. So, another guy walks by, and I said, “Hey, where‟s Charlie Company?” “You new Lt?” “Yeah.” “Huh, Charlie Company is right down there.” So, I go there. There‟s four guys sitting down there, no shirts on. They‟re playing bridge. So, I… “You the new Lt.?” “Yes.” [both laugh] 00:46:05 V: “Is Captain Lamb here?” So, Captain Lamb, who‟s all of 5‟8”, 130lbs., looks up and he says, “I‟m Captain Lamb. And you‟re Lieutenant -?” “Pitetti.” “Pitetti. I didn‟t know how to pronounce that name.” I said, “It‟s Italian, sir.” He goes, “You know how to play bridge?” “Yeah.” “Okay, good,” he said. All of the sudden, we have impacts. 82mm impacts. Pwah-pwah in the air. And I‟m looking like, should I do something? He goes, “Sit down, Lt.” “Well, shouldn‟t I go out to my platoon?” �“Look it, they‟ve been taking care of themselves pretty well before you arrived, okay? So, they‟ll know what to do.” I: [laughs] V: So, I go out and take over my platoon and this is-this is. A lot of times people say they‟re the new guys when they‟re all just enlisted men, but for a lieutenant, it‟s hairy, too. So, you go out there. I go out there to my platoon and my bunker area. So, a guy comes up to me. “You new Lt.?” “Yes.” “Here‟s the f-ing compass, here‟s the f-in‟ map, and this f-in‟ platoon is all yours. And, Lt.? You better have your shit together.” And he walks off. So, that was, that was the introduction to, to, hello. 00:47:40 V: So, Captain Lamb says, “Get your stuff, go around and introduce yourself to your platoon. Then, come back here.” So, I said, “Fine, okay.” I come back here. He goes, “We got about five days before we go back out in the field. We‟re up here at the firebase, we‟re pulling perimeter for the firebase. Look, you will be actually able to get half a pint of milk tomorrow for breakfast. Enjoy it. Okay, you‟re going to get some hot food, just one hot food meal a day. Enjoy it. And, I want to get you up to snuff here before we head back out to the field, okay?” “Okay, right.” “So, tomorrow, I want you to take a squad out and riff the area. Go around the perimeter of the firebase to see if there‟s any trails or anything that looks suspicious.” “Okay.” So, I go out there and we do a riff. We stop every once in a while, in position. Ya know, I‟ve got point man, slack man, me. Think I got that down. So, we‟re going around. We come back up. I come back to him. And he said, “Well, how‟d it go?” It was like six hours that we were out there. So, I said, “Well, there doesn‟t seem to be anything out there.” He goes, “I got a pretty good report back from some of the guys. Said you kind of knew what you were doing. This is a good start.” I: [laughs] �V: So he says, “Come out here.” So, he‟s standing, he‟s got his back to outside, looking towards Laos. He says, “I want you to look over my shoulder. Don‟t stare, just look over my shoulder.” This is Captain Lamb. I just kind of went with it. I said, “Yes.” “Do you see that sort of terrain, that hill about a click out that you can see the top of it,” he goes. “Okay. Tomorrow, you‟re going to combat assault there because some equipment was left out there. You gotta go out, and I want you to get that equipment. Load it back on helicopters. Then,” he said, “I want you to lead your platoon back here, and I want you here by nightfall.” “Okay.” 00:49:43 I: Who had been running your platoon before you got there? V: Ah, good question. I believe Lt. Campbell had? Lt. Jim Campbell, who I communicated with just recently. Burkey, Sgt. Burkey was a platoon sergeant. Ah, another story. So, that same day I took over the platoon, Burkey is running. He had been taken out of the field, he had, he was short, he had maybe 30 days left. He was running re-supply from Camp Evans up to Rakkasan, Firebase at Rakkasan. And he found out that there was a new officer to take over 3rd platoon. He also was involved in this, “Are you the new Lt.?” So, he comes over to the bunker and I‟m sitting there, and he goes, “You the new Lt.?” I said, “Yeah.” He goes, he walks over and goes, “I‟m Sergeant Burkey.” He says, “You take care of my boys, Lt., you hear me? You take care of my men.” “Yes, Sergeant, I will do my best to take care of your men.” So, this was all. So, anyways. I go out, okay, and Lamb says to me when I‟m going out to do this, he says, “You‟re going to be in lead ship. That‟s the way we do it here, Ken. You‟re lead ship, and you‟re responsible for, once you land, to bring in all the rest of the helicopters, to bring in your platoon, and then reload the supply and lead your people back here.” “Okay.” “By the way,” he said, “we‟re going to hit it with artillery and you‟re going to have Cobra gun ships with you.” You know, [gestures], okay? �So, we‟re up there, circling, about six choppers, about six Hueys. And below us, they‟re just hitting the shit out of this thing with artillery. I don‟t think it was from Rakkansan. It had to be from another flyover, O‟Reilly or something. It was 155s, and 155s were too under range at that place, so the artillery had to be coming from another Firebase. So, I‟m watching as the place is exploding and I‟m going, “Okay, I‟m glad they prepped me for this.” 00:52:02 V: And then, my helicopter peels off by itself and starts approaching this thing, and through, from the outside come these two Cobras. And they are just hitting this thing with rockets. [Rocket noises]. And I‟m looking over there, and as we go the machines, the M-60s off the side of the helicopter are just strafing the hell out of this thing. And the bullets, the casings, are coming in and hitting my helmet, you know? So, and this is funny you know, I gotta replay this. So, I jump, we jump off of the helicopter and I hit and I roll, and you know, I‟m upside-down, and I‟m backwards, and I‟m laying there. We‟re all laying there, and nothing‟s happening, so I look over to my radio man and he says, “Okay, Lt., pop a green smoke and bring in the rest of the choppers.” “Got it.” [pats himself] “I don‟t know where my green smoke is.” And he says, “What? You don‟t know where your smoke is?” “No.” He says, “Look, Lt., all‟s you have to do, all‟s we‟re asking you to do, is pop the green smoke and bring the rest of the platoon in.” I said, “I got that, but let me look and see if I can find the green smoke.” So, he‟s on the radio, and he says, “Okay, you want me to tell these people up here that everything is on hold until you find the green smoke?” I said, “Don‟t say anything. [pause] I got the green smoke!” And he goes, “Lt., now go out there and pop it and bring in the rest of the, the rest of the helicopters. Now, you know how to do that, right?” I said, “I got it.” So, I pop the green smoke, bring in the rest of the platoon. We get back to the firebase that night, come in, and so, I report to Captain Lamb. He said, “Hey, you didn‟t do bad.” He said, “You know, I got some good reports on you.” He said… I: Is there anything notable about the walk back? It was your first time actually out there. 00:54:02 �V: We went, I went very slow. And, you know, one of the things I think that really impressed the guys is that I was up front. Point man, slack man, me. And, we would go slow and sit down for a while, listen. Go slow, sit down for a while, listen. Didn‟t take trails, cut through some jungle. And, then, we had approached the perimeter from a certain location to be let into the wire. They were waiting for us at this place so you couldn‟t approach it from any other location. I got them back there, no casualties. Everything went well. You know, neat. I think I know what I‟m doing. So, that‟s when Lamb begins to say, “Well, maybe this guy will be good, maybe he‟s going to work out.” I: And what was your impression of Lamb himself? How good of a commander was he? V: Lamb was a… quiet commander, so when he talked, it was best that you listened. He was not a rah-rah guy. He was, I think this was his third tour. He was, he was, uh, he was – I: A Mustang? V: A mustang. He was, he spent his first tour as an NCO. And, he knew his stuff. I mean, he was a good Company Commander, I felt. I mean, I only had one company commander to compare him to, but I felt he handled me pretty damn well in determining what I should do. I gotta tell you another story, and this is an example of how, given that it‟s 1970, you get the attitude that is not that high sometimes. There was one time that when I first arrived that Lamb set a listening post over there past the re-supply landing post, so that you have three people over there at that listening post. “I want you to go over there with a radio man and see how they‟re doing.” 00:56:16 V: “Okay.” So, I went over there. They are sitting in a circle playing cards, with their bags, just playing cards. Just, they were on a picnic. So, well, how do you handle this? Okay, so I walk in and I say, “Who‟s winning?” They all look up. “Are you the new Lt.?” “Yes.” Now, I said, “Look, I‟m going to put you in positions I think you should be in. And, when I leave, you can go back to playing cards, but then your parents may get, “The Department of the Army regrets to inform you that your son was killed.” And I may have to write back to your parents and say, “Well, I didn‟t know them very well, but they were healthy the last time I saw them.” I said, “It‟s your call. You can take your positions and stay there and do your job as a soldier, or you can go back to playing cards, but I‟ll be back sometime.” That‟s the way I kind of handled things, in terms of, I didn‟t feel it was my place. You had Leaf in the front, you had the understanding that you had 19- 20- year-old kids who had been hearing all of this anti-war information, had probably had demonstrations outside wherever they did their bootcamp, their AIT, were actually questioning why they were there, and here they were. And, �you know. That‟s the way they felt and you had to tell them what they should do, but when you turn your back, they could do whatever they want. But, basically, they were great guys. They were good men. 00:58:09 I: Now, how long did you actually spend in the field? V: I was there for almost four months before I got wounded. I: And then, proportionally, how much time did you spendV: I spent I: Not on firebases orV: I was on that firebase for four days, and then I was never on another firebase. We had a short stand down that we went down to Eagle Beach, but most of the time, we were in the field. That was the standard operating procedure of the 101st, that you had any battalion that was in charge of a firebase, and you had a company around the firebase for security, and you had companies out in the jungle on patrol. I: And when you‟re out on patrol, what‟s the purpose of that? V: I think, looking back, I think we were bait. [Laughs] We were supposed to identify areas that we felt there was a lot of travel going on, pull ambushes, identify bunker complexes, just try in any way to prevent the movement of the enemy, prevent them from developing stores, caches of food or weaponry. That was, I mean, that was basically what we were looking for. 000:59:58 V: I felt that, I mean, I felt that we kinda were bait because we knew once we came in contact, we had all this support fire. And most of the time, that was where most of the enemy casualty occurred. It didn‟t occur from the M-16 or the M-60s, but sometimes it did. But the NVA were really good about getting their wounded and dead out of the area. They would not leave their people. But, where I think they took a lot of their casualties was our support, our artilleries, our F-4 and Cobra support. That‟s where I think they took their loss. So, I think looking back, that‟s what we were there for, to bait them, to make contact, and then bring supporting fire on them. I: So, at this point this tape is about up, so we are going to pause here. I: We were talking, now, about your time out in the field of Vietnam. You had learned the ropes and sort of made the acquaintance of your men. About how many men did you actually have in your platoon? V: Depended on the day. I don‟t think there was- you were supposed to have thirty. Actually, ten to a squad, that makes thirty, then you had your platoon sergeant, your platoon medic, your platoon radio man, and your platoon leader. So, really, you should have 34 people. �I: Would you, I guess the forward observers would be at the company level. V: The forward observer would be with Cpt. Lamb, wherever Cpt. Lamb was. Cpt. Lamb would maybe be with second platoon for a while. Maybe he would be with… He never was with me. He was with First and Second Platoons. So, yeah, it was platoon operations. You worked as a platoon. So, again, you should have 34. I was lucky to have- 28 was the most I ever had. So, you maybe had seven to nine in a squad, and many a night, I would take the CP, which I should be in the middle, and I would go to the perimeter in order to fill in the perimeter. 01:01:59 V: Now, we were supposed, this is something I will say. There were decisions that had to be made, that, it‟s like we talked about Hill 902, and how, perhaps, they shouldn‟t have been there that second night. And I know people watching this stuff don‟t know what we‟re talking about. [Pitetti‟s company had been overrun on that hill on July 2, 1970 because they had stayed there a second night] And, perhaps, another company commander would have found a reason to move off that hill. I would be called up and say, “You should put an ambush at this location.” If I, if I take an ambush out, they‟re up all night. My platoon is down to two squads. Maybe, maybe sixteen men in a platoon pulling the perimeter, with another group maybe 100-150m away. So, I would call off my ambush, and there would be no ambush. We would be in a platoon perimeter. So, you had to do those sometimes, because day after day, your men became exhausted. There were so many things you had to worry about as a platoon leader: A, you‟d get the order in the morning of where to be by that night. Captain Lamb would say basically that was where he wanted us to be by that night. You instructed your platoon, your squad leaders and squad sergeant because you knew because by that day, every day, you could be gone. You acquainted them with what you were doing, where in the map you were, what the direction was, what the purpose of that day was, where you should be that night, and, were something to happen, where was your rallying point, where do you get your men to with the helicopters. 01:03:57 V: Now, during that day, you had, you‟d go down the ravines, I mean, the map was just contour lines, and you would go down into the ravines and up into the ravines. You were, a, you had to find in the line of march water, because guys would go through a gallon and a half of water a day. So, you made sure you crossed the Green Line to get water for your men. You didn‟t want them to reach position that night with empty canteens. So, you had that to worry about. You had to stay off trails, but you had to be at a certain location by that night. So, you would walk down this trail for maybe 100m and then you‟d get off and go this way to get off of them. �You were constantly, you had your point man and slack man, and any time the point man saw something he didn‟t like, he would go like this, and he would look at me, and he would come up, you would go down, you would go up, you would look, you would assess the situation. Do I just continue? Should I bring my squads up flanking? Are we into a, flanking me? Are we in a situation where I need to watch my flanks? So, all of these were decisions you had to make, and where were you on the map. Where were you on that map? Because, if you did not know, and if you got in trouble, you couldn‟t direct artillery, you couldn‟t direct leadership, you couldn‟t bring in medevac. And, by the way, as you‟re going along here, what if you do get hit? Where are you going to medevac? Where are you going to bring your guys to medevac? How‟re you going to get there? 01:05:54 V: So, there‟s all this logistic, and, by the way, guys are running out of boots. Guys need boots. So, you better get back to the S4, you‟d better get back. These boots, these pants are falling apart. So, you had those logistics that your platoon sergeant had to worry about. He was in constant communication with you. So, you had those logistics. And, okay, when you arrive that night, how are you going to get into that night defensive position? Because you better not do the same thing every night, because you had trail watchers. You knew you had trail watchers on you. You knew the NVA was watching you, every day, and they would know how you, what your line of march was, how you would set up for a night defensive position. So, you had to come up with different ways of setting up your night defensive position, and never the same thing. And, so, all that you were trying to run, and then, by the way, you were on two hours energy. Everyone was on until 10:00 that night, and then you‟d go on two-hour watches. You would maybe get six hours of broken sleep that night, pulling, maybe a 2-4 watch. And then you‟d get to do the same thing the next day. That was the most exhausting, both physically, mentally and psychologically, that I think I have ever experienced, was trying to stay up like that every day. I: What kind of system did they have to keep you supplied? V: Every four days, you got a resupply. I: Would that come in in the morning usually? V: Whenever. You didn‟t know. You‟d get the order from Cpt. Lamb to find a position to bring in re-supplies and call back that position when you get it. And that‟s when I told you the funny story about C4, that‟s what we were doing. We were bringing in resupply. So, I‟d get it every four days, weather permitting. You would be responsible for finding the place where they came in, and you‟d hand out the C-rations. 01:08:05 �V: And, the first, and the other thing was that the mail would come with it. You got 19-, 20year-old guys. They got girlfriends, they‟re writing letters to their mom, or whatever. Now these guys, if they got the letter, they would sit there, and they would act like they were in their living room on a Sunday reading the paper reading their letters, you know. They would forget all about the fact that there was a war going on. So, what I had to do, was when the re-supply came in, I had one of the platoons- one of the squads load up and start out and start going in the direction that I wanted to go. Usually, I would put my platoon sergeant with them and say, “I want you to get to this area and secure this line of march.” So, as soon as stuff was unloaded, you would start giving it out to your squads. C-rations, a third of the c-rations you would just throw away. You would not need all of that stuff, and you had to carry the stuff. And c-rations are heavy. They‟re not like the stuff that they have, whatever they call that. So, a lot of guys would throw stuff away. You had to empty the camp, remember, men, do not leave anything for the enemy. You had to empty your cans and make sure nobody left the empty cans. They would use them as, they would put a grenade in them and leave it out in the pathway, if you‟re using along the trails. Some G.I. would come along and kick it. So, you had that to worry about, guys who wanted to read their mail from home, and you said, “No. We‟re going to up and get the hell out of here, because we just marked our position.” And it wasn‟t until maybe 4:00 that evening when I knew we had made enough, had traveled far enough, close to our night defensive position, that I would sit down, make sure everybody got what they were supposed to get, whether it be enough machine gun M-60 bullets or whatever, and give them time to read the letters. And then, head off again to our night defensive position. 1:10:20 V: So, to me, resupply day every four days was a pain in the ass because you had that human nature, and you wanted to just sit down and say, “Forget the war Lt., let me read my letter from my girlfriend, or from my mom! Let me just experience a few minutes of just enjoying this.” And you‟d say, “No, you can‟t, we‟ve gotta move out. Come on, let‟s go.” So, those were some of the things you had to do to keep people alive. I: One of the things I noticed before we started this interview, you were showing me some clips that the 101st Airborne had had, and there were a lot of guys out in the field very close together. When you‟re actually marching, how far apart are you? V: It depends on terrain. Most of the jungle was pretty damn thick, so if you string out 28 guys, 28-25 guys, all single file through the jungle, they might be, they might be five to ten meters, feet apart. Some places, you would lose sight of the man in front of you in a matter of five meters. So, it‟s important to keep your men together, but not too close together. Now, what, what the hell was going on behind me, I had no clue. That was the squad leaders and the platoon sergeants. I was focused on point man, slack man, me. And, right behind me was a radio with an antenna on it, to say to the enemy, you know something, the guy with the radio was the platoon leader. So, �there were a whole lot of other things, so I expected the squad leaders and platoon sergeant to make sure that guys didn‟t get lost, and that they weren‟t clustered up, but they weren‟t so far away that they couldn‟t see one another. I don‟t know if that answers your question, but it was thick. Now, there were sometimes that the area would become sparse. There was, Agent Orange was being dropped, so there were like splotches of jungle that were dead. So, you would hit that, point man would hit that, bring me up, and what I would do, I would circumvent, send a couple squads this way and a squad this way, and we would circumvent. We wouldn‟t walk through that area. Now, you could see people and it was easier to travel with that. Those were the only times that I remember that we didn‟t go single file. I: How much actual contact did you have with any enemy ground troops as opposed toV: You had, it was whenever they wanted to make contact with you. There were sometimes when we would look back. There was one day we saw a trail watcher. We knew he was calling, we felt he was calling. He was with a radio man, so we felt this guy might be calling league too [?]. It was a rush for me to get to Cpt. Lamb, to get artillery up to that area, and I guess we won because we didn‟t get hit. They, there was one time they hit us, it was in the morning. And we were just beginning to break camp, if you will, heading out in the direction we were supposed to go. And they hit us with full RPGs. And they hit one of the guys really bad. He fell out over the, there was a slight cliff that was there, and the men rallied real well, they had just got back down to their positions to begin to re-fire. We got the kid that was wounded was wounded real bad and we knew we had to get a medevac out real soon. The thing is, they were beginning to figure out our line of march. They were beginning to booby trap all of the old LZs in the area. They were starting to booby trap all of the trails in the area. And, so therefore once… So, there we are and I know there‟s an LZ in about 300m, and we‟re going to have to take the trail. If we‟re going to get this guy out, we‟re going to have to take the trail. 01:15:13 V: So, I just said, you know, “Give me point man.” And this guy instantly stands up with his M16. And, I‟m saying this because I want to tell the people listening the courage, and the service, and how they felt about their fellow soldiers, to do anything to make sure they saved them. So, he has to get up and takes the machine gun, and he starts boppin this thing. [gun noises] Nailing that gun, hitting areas in front of us, and we‟re carrying this kid through the trail and onto the LZ. Medevac comes in, we get him on the medevac. Haven‟t hit a mine yet. And we get back to the perimeter. They had receded. I think they got what they wanted. They were telling us, “We‟re here.” And, that‟s an example of what would happen. Bang, they would just hit you. You would return fire, stand your ground, and try to get your wounded out. That was our life. �01:16:27 I: In the space of about four months, how many times do you think you would have that sort of contact? V: About four or five times we had actual contact. I: Then how common was it to hit booby traps or mines? V: Oh, the last two weeks I was there, it was, monsoons had set in and it slowed everything down. We weren‟t getting in resupply because of the weather. It‟s hard to think about being cold in the jungle, but when its been raining for 24 hours, never stops, not one stitch of clothing is dry. It‟s all wet. And, at night it gets down to 68 degrees up there, up in the mountains, and you are cold. Your guys start getting sick and running fevers. And I would say, in those two weeks, all of us were sick. And they began, you could hear during the day, the other units hitting land mines. You could hear them going off. And, what I‟m going to say is, I didn‟t want to tell this story because I wasn‟t sure about this story, about what happened the last day I was there. But, just about four years ago, I hooked up with the then platoon sergeant, my then platoon sergeant, Chuck Riley. We‟ve been talking, and in fact, we communicate a lot via email. 01:18:11 V: And so, he said to me, “Do you want to know what happened?” I said, “Yeah.” He said, I said… Basically here‟s what I think. We had three units, three platoon units. Cpt Lamb had fallen hard on. So, we had a West Point guy that was platoon leader. He‟s a good man. And First Platoon, that Lt. had stepped on a land mine earlier that morning. So, then it was just him and me, there were two more Lt.‟s left. And then, that lieutenant got into problems, his platoon got into problems, and he hit a land mine. So, they called up to me, my call sign was 2-5, 2-3. They said, “2-3, this is 7-Alpha.” 7 was the company commander, 7-Alpha was the radio man. He said, “2-3, you are now 7. We need you.” And, I said, “I think he‟s telling me that explosion we heard got that lieutenant.” Now, I‟m trying not to, this is two weeks of being out in the rain, trying to get through the jungle, being exhausted. And, I just wasn‟t thinking right. And, I said, “We gotta move, we gotta move.” And, I know Chuck said, “Don‟t go down that trail, Lt.” “We‟ve gotta move closer,” I said. “We gotta hook up, we gotta hook up. We‟re in trouble.” And, bang, I hit the landmine. 01:19:58 �V: And, basically, he came out and put a tourniquet on my leg, and guys in the platoon came out and laid down fire so he could recover me back into the jungle. And then, and then he called in a Medevac. And when the Medevac came, we had two wounded guys on that thing. They picked me up with a jungle penetrator, because they couldn‟t land. There was no place to land. I: So, what is a jungle penetrator? V: A jungle penetrator is a little seat on the end of a metal rope. So, he had to come over and hover and send it down. And Chuck Riley literally had me on his back and carried me and slapped me into the seat. And he was yelling to the radio man to tell them to pull it up. So, I‟m coming up, and there are tracers going through the air. [Laughs] And I‟m going, “You know, I don‟t think this is going to be good.” And, so, the helicopter pilot, and I‟ve been trying to find this guy, begins to move. I‟m dangling from the helicopter. He wants to get out of the area, so he‟s trying to clear me above the trees. And they‟re wheeling me in at the same time. So, they‟re wheeling me in and I‟m going like this, and you know, it‟s completely out of your control. So, I‟m going along a tree top. They‟re wheeling me into the helicopter. And so, the guy pulls me into the helicopter. There were so many casualties that day that the bottom of the helicopter that day was thick with blood, sticky blood. So, I hit the bottom and I‟m going like this in blood. And the guy that pulled me in looks at my leg and looks at me, and says, you‟re yelling over the thing, says, “You‟re okay. Hang in there.” 01:22:10 V: And he turns around, and he‟s working on a guy on the other side of the helicopter. And I‟m going, “Okay? I‟m okay.” And I yell out, and I go, “Do you have any morphine?” He turns around and says, “We ran out this morning.” So, he goes back over, and he‟s working on the guy on the other side. And, I hear the guy who was just talking to me yell, “Oh my god, we lost another one. We lost another one.” And he just leans over the guy. So, I‟m laying there, and I look up, and there‟s this guy sitting above me, and he‟s got a thing on his face, a big old bloody Band-Aid on his face, and his right arm is gone. It‟s, it‟s a stump. And so, I‟m looking up at him, and he‟s looking down at me with one eye, and I reach up and we just grab one-another‟s hand. We were just trying to give one-another courage until we got to the field hospital. When you get to the field hospital, there was so many casualties that day that there was no room in the hospital. They were laying us out in the mud because it was still raining. It was just, this was like a scene from the Civil War. �And so, I‟m out there, and this nurse, these nurses, and may I say, the nurses were fantastic. They were the angels over there. Those nurses probably saw more in a year than most nurses see in a lifetime. And I know many of those nurses from stories I‟ve heard came back with PTSD just as bad as many of us guys did. And there was nobody for them either, to talk to them about the carnage that they saw. They were only 22, 23, 24 year-old lieutenants, the nurses, and they were the angels. 01:24:17 V: So, this nurse kept on coming over to me. She would fade in and out. She would grab me by the hand and say, “Honey, you hang in there, you hear? We‟re going to get you into the operating room. I don‟t know when, but you hang in there and we‟re going to take care of you.” Eventually, they got me into the operating room. And for those who aren‟t looking at me, when I stepped on a land mine, it blew my leg off about six inches below my knee. It‟s called a traumatic amputation. Very common wound sustained by many of us given the landmines that were there lined up. So, that‟s my story with how I survived. So, to those people looking at me, I‟m a miracle. [Laughs] And when I came home, and when I came to after the operation, I thought about all that had happened. And I thought about the men in my platoon and in my company. And I thought about those two pilots that came and got me out of there. And I said to them that I felt that I owed them, that I had to live my life paying those people back. I owed them to live a good life, and I think I have. I: I want to back track to a couple of things here. There are sorts of stereotypes that people have about Vietnam and what happened there, and it doesn‟t often necessarily fit with reality. Sometimes it does. One of them has to do with the drug use. Were you aware of that, or did you see it either in the field or not? 01:26:00 V: [Sighs] When we were in the field, I can honestly say that I was not aware of any of it in my company, okay? Now, on Firebase, I made sure I made rounds to bunkers each night to make sure there was a man in their position and that nothing funny was going on while we were on base. When we were out in the field… So, I‟ll tell you how I know this. If I pulled, say, the first watch from 1012, I would have the guy that took the watch from 2-4 wake me up at 2. And then I would go around to each of our positions. I would make sure that there was somebody on watch. Okay, so that‟s how I can say I didn‟t see it. On the Firebase, I didn‟t see it. Now, we had a stand down, and in the stand down, we came out of the field. You took all of your clothes off and put them in a big pile and they burned them. You got, like, wow, clean, dry clothes to wear. No, wait a minute, you got a shower! A shower! So, after soaping up about four or five times, you got out and you got these clean clothes on, and on that night, it was a tradition �that the officers went out and bought the booze. And the order was, you had steaks. And the order was, you will be drunk by midnight. Now, were there guys that went off and smoked weed? Hey, I don‟t know. I just told my men, “Hey, look. I‟m going to get drunk tonight, and I‟m going to get drunk with you guys. So, if you want to do anything else, it‟s your call, but if you get caught, I‟m really going to get pissed off. Okay?” 01:28:11 V: And that‟s all I said. So, was there anything going on at a big stand down, at the big, big Camp Evans, where you had the perimeter set up and we weren‟t soldiering at that time? There could have been. I‟m sure there was. But that‟s what I know about the drugs. I: Yes, that‟s the idea: what did you see where you were. V: Yes, that is what I know about it. I: And another big thing is racism. There was a lot of tension back home. You get a lot of kids from back home that brought it with them. Did you see signs of that? V: If you were back at a main base, like Camp Evans, there were areas where white men weren‟t supposed to go. There were areas where black men weren‟t supposed to go. Back where the war wasn‟t, there were racial issues. The little, the few days I was at Camp Evans, I did experience some of that, so there was no doubt there were racial issues. Out on the field, it didn‟t exist because of the situation you were in. Now, what was happening back at Camp Evans, I‟m sure there was some racial strife going on. And rightly so. I mean, look. Let‟s put me into, let‟s turn my skin into black, and have me raised, rather than in the neighborhood I was in San Francisco, say I was black and raised in Hunter‟s Point, and I got into the army. And, I couldn‟t get a job when I was young, but the idea of going to college wasn‟t there. And, then when I go to Vietnam, I may have felt the same way, that what am I fighting for. 01:30:10 V: So, I tend to try and put myself into other people‟s shoes. I‟m not blaming anybody who is black or white who had those feelings at that time. Again, if I was in their shoes I might have felt- I probably would have felt the same way. But, they were there. And, so, they still exist today. I don‟t see it. I‟m a retired officer, I go out to McConnell Air Force Base every day, just about. I work out there and I don‟t see a racial problem that existed, but we were being drafted at that time, that‟s in the military now. I went back to Fort Campbell and I visited troops back there, and I didn‟t feel the racial strife that I felt in the service. And that‟s because everybody has to realize, look what was happening in the 60s. I lived through two race riots in San Francisco. There were just, cities were burning. Civil Rights was huge at that time. You had Eldridge Cleaver. You had leaders of the black community that were speaking out about their rights, and, there were people that, I would too if I was black. I would �have said, “Here, you know you‟re right. There should be more…” You had Malcom X. Kane. I can remember listening to all of those people and going to an Eldridge Cleaver talk in San Francisco. And you get the feeling that maybe if I were black, I‟d start feeling this way too. So, that‟s where I come from. And, by the way, we had a foster son who was black. White people are naïve when it comes to the undercurrent of racism that exists in our society. And, I only knew about that by having a black kid in my family and raising him. To see through his eyes and see his experiences, I was able to see racism that existed as an undercurrent in this society. So, that‟s where I‟m at with that. 01:32:28 I: Alright. So, back to the main line of your story. So, initially you were in a field hospital in Vietnam. Were you at Camp Evans initially this period or were at Eagle, or… V: When I originally arrived? I: Yeah. V: When I originally arrived, I was in Da Nang, I flew up to Phu Bai I: Actually, on your way out. V: Oh! On my way out. So I‟m flown from Quang Tri, that was where the field hospital was, to Denae. What they would do was that they would stabilize you at the field hospital for 24 hours. Once stabilized, they would fly you into Da Nang. Da Nang was the main thoroughfare through which you either went to Japan or you went back to the States. When I arrived in Da Nang, they determined that I was stable and there wasn‟t a reason why I couldn‟t make the flight back to the States and start my rehabilitation back in the States. So, I was flown from Da Nang to the Philippines, to Hawaii, and into Travis Air Force Base in California. They flew me out to Fort Simmons Hospital in Denver because my wife had gone back with her mom. She‟s from Dodge City with her parents while I was over there. She came up and joined me in Denver. 01:33:53 V: After about three weeks there, I convinced the powers that be that look, all of my stuff is back in San Francisco. My car is back in San Francisco. Carol was pregnant at the time and needed to start seeing an assistant doctor every week. And she‟s between Dodge City and Denver. We knew nobody, well, we knew somebody in Denver, but all of our belongings are in San Francisco. So, they flew me out, back to Travis and down to the hospital where I rehabilitated and started my master‟s degree and my teaching credentials. Got my teaching credentials, coached football and taught in San Francisco. We moved out to Kansas. I taught high school and I coached football and basketball. And in the summers because of the GI bill I stayed there a year to get my master‟s in biology. So, I got my master‟s. That was 1980. Two years after that, I decided I wanted to go back and get a PhD. So, I was accepted in the University of Texas Southwest Medical School and started there in 1982. I was 35 years-old. I went full time. Four years and �three weeks later, I received my PhD. Worked a post-oc, spent a little bit of a post-oc at University of Texas Southwest Medical School. Great people, I learned so much there. They were fantastic. Got a job up here at Wichita State thirty years ago. I‟m teaching pathophysiology, clinical physiology, I‟m in the Department of Physical Therapy, to the doctor students of physical therapy. I see nursing students, I teach PA students. So, I teach all of the people that would be in all of your health professions here at the College of Health Professions here at Wichita State. Most of my research has been with disabled populations. I focused on kids with developmental disabilities in my past 20, 25 years. And that‟s probably where I‟m going to leave my mark. I‟m still focusing on working with kids with developmental disabilities and intellectual disabilities: down syndrome, autism, those type of kids. 01:36:19 V: I enjoy it, I love it. I get paid for what I do. I love research, I love writing, I love teaching my kids, I love to be around them. I‟m living a dream, that‟s what I‟m doing, and I‟m paying back the guys that saved my life in Vietnam. I: You also mentioned that when you got back you had your share of PTSD and other events… V: Oh, yeah, continued, continued events would happen. As I, out of nowhere, for instance, I flew into Washington DC one time. I would be flown back there sometimes to be an evaluator of research proposals for, like, the VA or NIDRR, research for disabled people. And you would be flown back there, and you would review different proposals, determine and rank the proposals as you would see fit. I knew some people back at George Washington University that I did research with, so I would use the time I went out there to hook up with my colleagues, at George Washington. They were part of my research team and they were part of doing what we were doing. I went to a social event that was put on by GW, George Washington. I don‟t mean to be derogatory or cause any ill feelings, I‟m sure George Washington is a great university. But, you have to remember that academia, in my generation, there was that culture, the anti-war culture, and that anybody that served in Vietnam, there was something wrong with us. 01:38:03 V: And, I was at a party, and this woman that was my age there with her daughter who was about nine, and she said something like, “I heard you were in Vietnam.” And, I think somebody put her up to this. I really do. She was standing next to her mother, and I said, “Yeah.” I told her yeah. And she goes, “Why would you do something as stupid as that?” Now, I know that nine-year-old was put up to say that. And I look at her mother, and her mother was just smiling, like, boy you deserve this. Just stuff like that. �And I said, “Well, this is not my party.” And I said, “Ma‟am, you have a nice evening. Girl, you have a nice evening. Good luck to you and your life.” I then went over to my friends and said, “I‟m leaving.” And left. It‟s stuff like that that would appear every once in a while, out of nowhere. It‟s just like someone came over and just slapped you right across the face. I: Now, today, you are pretty connected and well-involved with other veterans. V: Sure. I: And when did you start making those connections? V: I think most of us… I think Gary Gillian was very active in our Charlie Company organization said it the best way I know how. He said, “You know, for twenty years, we buried it. And for the next ten, we ran away from it. And finally, somewhere around 2000, we said, „Enough of this, we are getting too old. We gotta start reaching out.‟” And that‟s where we started reaching out. So, I‟m at the commissary one day. And I, every once in a while, I get a 101st Airborne hat and I‟d be wearing it cocked, and I‟d be walking around with it. And, I go and work out, just about every afternoon, and after I work out, I go to the commissary. Carol Sue always has a little list that I have to pick up, so I pick up a list of groceries and I head home. 01:40:04 V: So, one of the guys over there, one of the clerks, was a Vietnam veteran, and he said, “You worked with the 101st.” And I said, “Yeah.” And he said, “You gotta meet somebody. You gotta meet somebody.” I said, “Sure, John. Yeah.” And he said, “I know somebody from the 101st.” And so, I‟m out there a couple of weeks later, and John comes up to me and he said, “Ken, don‟t go anywhere.” “Oh, okay.” A guy comes over, says, “John told me you were in 101st.” I said, “Yeah.” And he goes, “So, who were you with?” Pft, like you‟re going to know who I was with. I said, “I was with 2nd of 506.” He said, “Oh, you were with Currahees.” �I mean, who would know that. I: Yes, it‟s a nickname of the Battalion. V: Yes, it‟s a nickname of the Battalion. So, I go, “Yeah.” Then he goes, “What company were you with?” I said, “Charlie Company?” He goes, “I was with Delta.” I said, “For real?” He said, “Yeah, I was with Delta.” So, I go, “Okay.” And he hands me the card and says, “Look, if you‟re interested in getting back with your crew, just send me an email,” and said, “I will hook you up.” I‟m going, right. So, I said, “I‟ll take the card.” And I put it in my pocket. “Well, it was nice meeting you.” And he‟s getting the feeling, you know, that I‟m kind of disking him. So, I‟m walking out and he says, “Oh, by the way, Currahee.” And that just stopped with in my tracks, because I hadn‟t heard anybody say that, that Currahee. I turned around and looked at him, and he said, “Think about it.” 01:42:04 V: So, I go back to the car, get in the car and go back home. And, I take the card and I have it on my desk at home, and I put it there like that. And I‟m working on the thing, and I‟m looking at it like, do I? Do I open this door? I think I know what happened while I was over there. But, does my platoon really want to talk to me? I mean, I left them in a mess. Do they have ill-feelings and hard feelings towards me? How am I going to be greeted if I see these guys? So, Carol comes by and she looks over my shoulder and asks, “What‟s that?” And I tell her, and I go, “Babe, I don‟t know whether to open that door.” She goes, “You have no choice. You‟re opening this door.” And I said, “Yes, ma‟am.” So, I email him, and I get hooked up with Charlie Company, and I‟ve been with them ever since. So, it was just a chance meeting and a lot of the guys that we try to get to the reunions, you‟re talking about guys that are in their late sixties, Jim. They‟re afraid, like I was. What are the people going to think of me? �And you say, “Look, when you come, you will have closure like you‟ve never had closure before. You will be with people who understand you.” And to each man that has come back from the first visit, it has been that way. So, it has been, for all of us who put up with all of these decades of hiding from it, of not wanting to talk about it, we finally are stepping forward and saying, “Look at us. We served our country. We fought for our country. Enough of this feeling towards us. Respect us.” 01:44:04 V: And, I think after two generations of the strife that happened, like the kids that I teach now, they don‟t know about Vietnam. And they look at me and go, “You served in combat? Holy cow. Wow!” You know, I‟m put up on a pedestal by the generation that I teach. That‟s what, after two generations, we got away from that. Am I still pissed off at my generation? Big time, okay, big time, but you have to put it besides yourself. And I really hope that the new PBS that is coming out on Vietnam, and from what I‟ve read, they do a pretty good job. I: I‟ve actually seen parts of it and he does a very good job at making it very balanced with all of the different perspectives and giving people the time to talk. There are a lot of asides and he does not pull a lot of punches. V: Good, good. I trust from his previous productions that he‟ll do a good job. I: Now, if you were to put together sort of a balance sheet of how the military experience as a whole has affected you as a whole and include the training and so forth as well as Vietnam, what stands out for you? How did all of that affect you, other than losing part of your leg? V: I, again, I was raised surrounded by people who served in World War II, and I read a lot of history when I was a kid. Catholic upbringing, you read a lot, and you read a lot of history. I was aware of the things that happen in our history to give us the freedom that we have. And, I always wondered, what was it like on D-Day? What were those guys thinking about when the front of that landing barge went down, and they had to walk out on that beach? What was it like for the Marines in the Philippines to have the front of that barge go down and to wade out into those waters, not knowing what you were going to hit? 01:46:12 V: Well, I found the answer to that, when you come in on a CA and you‟re lead ship on what I described to you that first time I went into. Things are blowing up all around you, and you‟re damned scared, and you‟re hoping that you don‟t do the wrong thing, and you‟re hoping no one‟s there and no one is going to shoot you. I found out what that was like, and in doing that, I became a part of that long grey line of those people that served this country, that fought for what the Constitution says. I feel really good about that. I feel like I deserved, I earned my right to be an American serving in Vietnam. That has been with me all my life. �So, to me, it made me earn what I was given. It made me realize the sacrifice and the pain people have suffered for what we stand for. I realize how easy it is back here, that you live in a survival mode, that when things are pretty tight or bad, I‟m the guy who usually tells a joke, and says, “You know guys, let me tell ya, it could be really, really worse. So, let‟s kick back and say, this is the situation and solve the problem.” So, it has allowed me to be in a leadership position and say, and mean it, “Guys, you don‟t know how bad it can get. This is nothing. Let‟s just put our heads together and figure out how to get this solved.” 01:48:05 V: I think it just makes you feel like you‟ve earned it, that you‟ve been able to help people get through tough situations in life, like let‟s take it one step at a time, and that you‟ve been a good mentor, and a good American, being that, when the time comes for me to die, I‟m going to leave it in a better shape than I found it with the people I associate and the students I associated with and helped. I feel pretty damned good being 70 years-old and being who I am now, so I think it‟s made me. And, I go through pain and discomfort every day of my life because of my leg, but that gave me more empathy to people who are disabled, who are suffering. And, I know how important it is to try to help them. So, that‟s what it‟s given me. I: Alright, well, thanks for a remarkable story. Thank you very much for taking your time to share it today. V: It‟s been my pleasure, Jim. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27_PitettiK2146V Title A name given to the resource Pitetti, Kenneth (Interview transcript and video), 2017 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-07-21 Description An account of the resource Kenneth Pitetti, was born in1946 in San Francisco, California, where he was raised. He enlisted in the ROTC program at the University of San Francisco. He signed up for infantry in the Army. He received Infantry Officer Basic Training at Fort Benning. In the fall of 1969, he was assigned to the 24th Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, which, within his last two weeks of the assignment, became the 1st Division. He then participated in jungle training in Panama before being sent to Vietnam in August of 1970. He was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He spent most of his time in the field leading platoon-size patrols in the mountains and jungles in the northern part of South Vietnam. Four months into his service in Vietnam, Ken Pitetti stepped on a land mine and lost his leg just under his knee in a traumatic amputation. He was medically evacuated to a field hospital, where they performed surgery. He was sent back to the United States to recover. After his return to the United States, he faced the negative treatment and negative stigmatization that many veterans of Vietnam felt. Still, he worked to get his PhD and now is a professor at Wichita State. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pitetti, Kenneth Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project collection, (RHC-27)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource video/x-m4v application/pdf https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/015170a426360d893154e3eae2ecfdca.mp4 d7531b3fc98fb55b2a1ff7db28081d57 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ce6fbb5a3f844f3305544f26b39367fc.pdf 303fb359963d77415da3552d9757c80e PDF Text Text Grand Valley State University Veterans History Project Vietnam War/ Germany Richard Pitsch Interview Length (42:02) (00:10) Family Background       Born December 4, 1952, Born and raised in Byron Center, Michigan where he lived the majority of his life (00:20). Father worked for General Motors on 36th street until his retirement at the age of 52 for medical reasons (00:42). He was aware of the Vietnam during grade school and remembered the era of military advisors. He did not think that the war would continue until his coming of age (00:58). He was eligible for the draft and his draft number was one. He withdrew from his first term at Grand Valley State University (01:35). He volunteered for the draft, which simply extended his actual enlistment for 3 months. He took the time to wrap his around what was about to happen to him (02:04). He became active duty in August 1972. He hoped that he would not go to Vietnam due to the troop draw down. However, he had some expectation that he would end up there (02:27). (03:08) Active Duty/Basic Training          He first went to processing at the induction center in Detroit, where he was given medical exams and some other testing (03:12). From there, he took a bus to Fort Knox, Kentucky near Louisville, for basic training (03:34). All different types of people were on the way to Fort Knox with him. There was no homogenous group (03:43). At the induction center, in Detroit, there were some people trying to ‘beat the draft’ by faking their hearing tests or trying to raise their heart rate or blood pressure (04:06). Less than 2% of the group did this (04:44). They arrived at Fort Knox at 4:00 AM and were told to get off the bus and line up by the drill sergeants (05:44). Footprints were on the pavement showing them where to stand. This began the indoctrination of ‘you will do what we say and when we say’ (06:00). Basic training mostly involved development of group mentality, relying on one another (06:20). He was in reasonably good shape due to his participation in athletics during high school (06:53). �   They ran everywhere when time would allow for it. The basic training had been reduced to 6 weeks from 8 weeks due to the need for troops. At times, they traveled in cattle trucks to their destination (07:13). He adjusted well to the military life and he attributes this to his experience with athletics. The loss of freedom was more difficult for him (08:20). Some men did have trouble with the lifestyle change. One guy left by hitchhiking. One man left for week and then returned. He was court martialled and sent to military prison for a time. He later returned boot camp and had to start over (08:54). (10:05) Advanced Individual Training (Fort Bliss, Texas)               After basic training, he took a plane to El Paso, Texas and trained for air defense artillery at Fort Bliss (10:21). He took a battery of test when he was at the reception center at Fort Knox, where they determined that he scored high enough on the intelligence exam to get assigned to air defense artillery [?] missiles (10:54). The systems he trained on were computer based (11:11). Advanced training at Fort Bliss was a 12-week program. There were moderate facilities, which had a 3-story barracks building (11:33). There were about 40 men in his company (11:50). The base was large and was utilized for training of various weapons systems [Hawk, Tow Missiles and Armor] (12:06). Physical training was integral to the program. He trained on the various equipment utilized for the tracking system (12:27). He was a fire control crewman. He tracked targets and designated them for attack (12:25). The system he worked on could track mid to high-level aircraft (13:27). There was no firing of missiles during training. Everything was simulated for expense reasons (14:00). Richard was happy about his assignment, because the missile system he trained on was not utilized in Vietnam. So, he knew he would not go to Vietnam and hoped for stateside orders (14:17). These missile systems were in Chicago, Detroit, New York City, San Francisco, etc. They have since been decommissioned (14:45). Advanced Individual training (AIT) allowed for more freedom. They spent time in Juarez, Mexico, which was a much different place then than it is now. The drug cartels did not have a major presence in the town. It was fun and entertaining, but they were warned that they were under the jurisdiction of the Mexican police (15:13). After AIT, he had a few weeks of leave and then reported in to Fort Dix, New Jersey in January of 1973 (17:16). (17:30) Active Duty/Germany �                         After leave, Richard took a plane from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, where he got a bus to Fort Dix, New Jersey. He then flew on a charter flight to Frankfurt, Germany (17:42). He knew the number of his unit, but nothing else (18:09). He realized that everyday army life was much less strict than training (18:26). His unit was Delta Battery 2nd Battalion 1st Air Defense Artillery (18:44). He was stationed near a small German town. He was given isolation pay, because they were basically in a rural area and away from almost everything. Most Nike Hercules units were in isolated areas (18:44). It was located in Central Western Germany, close to the Dutch border and a few miles from the Rhine (19:55). The job was to protect against air attacks versus being a front line of defense at the Eastern German border (19:33). They kept watch over the Eastern frontier looking for hostile aircraft that might enter airspace (19:42). There were approximately 100 men and 1 barracks building and a motor pool garage (19:59). At their arrival, they were greeted with ‘welcome to the end of the world’ (20:42). The fire control facility was located at the top of a hill (21:01). They reported and settled into the unit easily (21:36). Duties included operate computer, report to fire control, and run checks on equipment (21:52). They played a lot of basketball (22:28). One day a week they were hot battery, which meant that had to be within 15 minutes of the equipment. They were locked in (22:39). They had one significant scare when he was operating the radio. They received a call from headquarters telling them to man their battle stations, but the aircraft ended up being friendly (22:48). The Arab-Israeli wars affected their status for about week. They were on high alert (24:08). There was no anticipation of action from the Soviets, at the time (24:55). They trained for it though (25:05). The group of men consisted of all types of people, some educated and some not. Mix of races, too (25:14). Segregation existed, but it was voluntary. Not many people had been to Vietnam due to the type of training they had (26:06). They tried to travel when they were off duty and they met people from around the world (27:14). They were cautioned to not wear their uniforms off base due to the possibility of resentment of German nationals from WWII, but he did not encounter a lot of animosity. [Baader-Meinhof Gang] was around during this time (28:00) Richard eventually rented an apartment in town and had no issues with his landlord, who had been part of the Fascist party. He learned enough German to function (29:00). Morale of the unit was overall normal (30:13). �      The officers lacked leadership skills, except one who was ex-enlisted (31:09). They had a West Point cadet spend the summer with the unit and when he returned he left the institution (32:20). One major event that stands out to Richard is a shooting incident. A soldier on guard duty was joking with a friend and shot him in the head. They were not supposed to have live ammunition loaded in their weapons. (32:55). There was an investigation of the entire unit (33:55). In another battery a soldier opened fire and injured 2 (34:15). He left after 20 months in Germany, August 1974 (34:46). (35:00) Inactive Duty   He rotated back to the United States and was placed on inactive duty status for 2 years. If the U.S. needed him, he would be called back to active duty. These were the terms of his enlistment (35:04). He was discharged on August 9th, 1974. The day President Nixon resigned. His letter of appreciation bore Nixon’s signature (35:35). (35:50) More Information on Germany and Life after Service          While in Germany, they were aware of current events, such as Watergate (35:58). Some Germans thought Watergate would create destabilization and others were amused by it. Probably much the same way as the American public (36:45). Once Richard returned to the U.S. the economy was in poor condition (37:30). He found his first job through the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) (37:46). He was a janitor for Grandville Public Schools, first. Then he worked for RC Cola until he realized that factory work was not for him (38:01). He decided to return to school and get a trade. He received an electronics technology associates degree. Once he received his degree he began working for Lear Siegler Avionics (38:20). His training in the service brought him to this path. There is little to no comparison with the technology of the seventies and today (38:57). The computers he worked on could solve only one problem. They 12 ft. long, 2 1/2 ft. deep, and 5 ft. high. They utilized vacuum tubes and all information was fed into them from the radars (39:10). He did not want to be in the service. Most likely due to the anti-war sentiments of the 1960’s, but after he returned from the service he adopted the attitude that everyone should have to serve for a couple years. It was a positive learning experience for him (40:30). � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Veterans History Project Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. History Department Description An account of the resource The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs. Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1914- Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American Michigan--History, Military Oral history Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American United States--History, Military United States. Air Force United States. Army United States. Navy Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James Boring, Frank Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context RHC-27 Language A language of the resource eng Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a> Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context PitschR Title A name given to the resource Pitsch, Richard (Interview outline and video), 2011 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pitsch, Richard Description An account of the resource Richard Pitsch volunteered for the draft in the summer of 1972. He expected to go to Vietnam, but had hopes that he would not due to the troop draw down. He completed his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and completed his advanced training at Fort Bliss, Texas. He was assigned to air defense artillery missile system and was a fire control crewman. He spent 20 months of active duty in central Germany, near the Dutch border. He returned to the United States in August, 1974, and was on inactive duty for the next two years. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Smither, James (Interviewer) Subject The topic of the resource Oral history Veterans History Project (U.S.) United States--History, Military Michigan--History, Military Veterans Video recordings Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American United States. Army Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Moving Image Text Relation A related resource Veterans History Project (U.S.) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2011-04-12 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf video/mp4 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives