Return To The USA

On June 22, 1945 we boarded the Queen Elizabeth at Greenock Harbor in Scotland. The Queen Elizabeth left Scotland on June 24th.

Our first meal aboard the Queen was a memorable one; for the first time since we left the States we were served American hamburger sandwiches with French fries.

The Queen Elizabeth ran into a terrific storm during our crossing of the North Atlantic. I understand this storm made our trip a day longer than usual. I know there were very strong winds and very high waves. We were all confined to our bunk area during the storm.

As usual a number of GIs were seaside. One GI in our area refused to leave his bunk unless absolutely necessary. I don't think he ate anything during the whole trip. l ate my share and then some and enjoyed the trip.

The Queen Elizabeth docked in New York Harbor on June 29, 1945.

What a reception we got! This was the first crossing of the Queen with returning veterans since V-E Day. I’ll never be able to describe in full everything that went on once we got in the harbor area and in the Hudson River. The Statue of Liberty was a welcome sight (Mom cut out of the Louisville Times the picture of the Queen Elizabeth steaming into New York Harbor.

When we got close to land tug boats with bands and dancing girls on them went round and round the Queen blowing their whistles, with the bands playing popular music and all in all welcoming us home. Confetti and streamers were thrown all around us. I couldn't begin to count the number of tug boats that welcomed us; there were dozens of them - must have been every boat from the harbor and miles away. Boats of all kinds and sizes saluted us. Every factory, every church, anything that could make noise blew whistles, rang bells, blew horns or made whatever noise they could. People were leaning out windows waving at us. What a sight! Everyone was welcoming us home. I don't believe there was a dry eye on the Queen.

After we docked we collected our small carry-on bags and were directed off the boat. We ran down the gang plank and almost everyone fell on his knees; some even kissed the ground.

The American Red Cross was there. For a change they gave us free milk and something to eat; I don't remember what.

We stayed at Camp Kilmer for only a few days.

The train ride from New Jersey to Indianapolis and Camp Atterbury was a rough one. We were on the dirtiest train for over 48 hours. We were tired from traveling from Abotts Ripton to Scotland to New York to New Jersey and now to Camp Atterbury.

The old steam engine burned nothing but coal. We had to keep the windows open because of the heat. The dirt and smoke came into the doors and open windows. Our skin and clothes became black with travel, and we looked like a dirty bunch of soldiers. Our food from the mess car even had cinders and everything else in it. We finally arrived at Camp Atterbury Indiana. We were assigned to the Army Service Forces, Fifth Service Command, 1560th SCU Reception Station No 6 Camp Atterbury in Indiana.

We were again debriefed about our overseas duty and on July 3, 1945 given 30 day furloughs. We were to report back to Camp Atterbury on August 4, 1945. R and R Orders.

Furlough

I left Camp Atterbury and arrived home on July 3, 1945. It was really good to see Mom, Dad, and my brothers and sisters who were still home. Two of my brothers were in the service. The 30 day furlough went by very fast. It was, in a way, very relaxing but I was anxious to have it over with because I knew it was only temporary, and I had to go back to the Air Force.

The most surprising thing was the way food and clothing was rationed. However, everyone was very thoughtful and treated me wonderfully. I’ll always remember our butcher, Mr. Gohman. He saw me walking by and called me into has butcher shop. He told me not to worry about ration stamps for meat; he would sell us meat while I was home on furlough and not take our ration stamps.

After a few days at home everyone got used to me. Things seemed to return to a normal home life. Dad got a big kick out of taking me to Check's and drinking beer with him. The furlough went by too fast, and I had to report to Camp Atterbury on August 4, 1945. Mom did try to fatten me up by cooking all my favorite meals.

Some furlough pictures:

Mom and Me

Charlie Grantz and Me

San Antonio

On August 4th, 1945 I reported to Camp Atterbury. The next day we were again loaded on a troop train and taken to San Antonio, Texas. Our arrival was reported in the local paper.

We were assigned to the 35th Air Depot group, 35th supply Squadron at Kelly Field in San Antonio.

At Kelly Field we were re-equipped with personal gear and given briefings on our going to the Pacific Theater of Operations.

The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on the morning of August 8, 1945. The second bomb ended the War. If we had invaded Japan, over one-half million soldiers on both sides would have been killed. A million more soldiers would have been wounded, some for life. A million or more Japanese civilians would also have been wounded or killed. I could have been one of these victims.

After the dropping of the second atomic bomb we did practically nothing. We were taken to the baseball field to play baseball. I believe the temperature was over 100 degrees in the shade. We mostly sat in the shade and rested the best we could. We did nothing except rest, eat and go into San Antonio in the evenings.