December 2006                                                  The Megaphone                                                               Page 3

Military Maneuvers (continued)

by Dewey W. Smith

I left Mt. Ranier Ordnance Depot and was sent to Mississippi Ordnance Plant in Flora, Mississippi. I was able to bring my wife back to Elwood and then proceed to Mississippi. After a few days at Flora, I was sent to Camp Shelby for some refresher field training. Another Sergeant and I were in charge of the PX (Post Exchange). We had to drive into the main camp each day and buy beer and cokes and candy for the troops. We had a large tub in which to ice every thing down. In the evening we would sell the products to the soldiers. The next day we would do it over again. 

After a few days I was ordered to report to Aberdeen Proving Grounds at Aberdeen, Md. for a refresher course in Administration and Personnel. I was there a few weeks and my wife came to be with me. We rented a room from a very nice family and had to eat our meals out. My wife was pregnant and had trouble eating. I would take her home a jar of dill pickles and she would eat all of them the next day. She could eat sauerkraut and bananas. We would go out and she would order a meal and when it was delivered she took off for the rest room. I would eat most of her meal She would come back and eat her sauerkraut. Then order another order of the same. The people that we rented from gave us kitchen privileges for breakfast on Sunday. We were free to use anything in the refrigerator for breakfast. 

Just before Christmas 1944 I was transferred to Indian Town Gap, Pa. I was able to bring my wife home and spend a few days before I caught a train on New Years Eve. We were put on a troop train after a couple weeks and sent to New Orleans. I helped in the kitchen on the train. I knew the cooks. After feeding the others we would come back and the cook would ask us how we liked our steaks. We ate good. I have already told about my 23 last nights in New Orleans. We were put on a Navy transport and were on our way to Panama. As a first three grader I was given a room and not down in the hold. I also ate in the dinning room. I remember stopping in Guantanamo Bay. I would have like to have gone ashore, but we were not allowed to. After we reached Panama they put us on a train to cross the isthmus to Panama City and the Post of Corozal. 

I was put in charge of a battalion office. Col. Schwar was the officer in charge. I remember they  sent down orders from post hdqrs. saying that no enlisted man should know the combination to the safe. Of course I knew it. The Col. had me to change the combination and then send it to Hdqrs. Guess what, I still knew it. and the Col. knew that. 

My office window looked over the Miraflores Locks of the canal. We could watch all the boats coming through. On Sunday we went to the beach and swimming. On return I was told that I had a telegraph. It read Black head born, 9 lb 6 1/2 oz. I remember saying, "What the h--- is it, a boy or a girl?" Then someone asked who sent it and I looked and it was signed Judith Eileen Smith. I said "I have a smart kid, she signed her own telegram." 

We had a Lt. Col. in the shop by the name of Spike Hennessy. We would say, "Good morning, Col." and he would remind us that he was Spike. So the next day we would say, "Good morning, Spike" and then receive a report that he was a Col. When we left Panama we were shipped back across the isthmus. Col. Hennessey came over and had me and another sergeant called out. He said that he did not get to tell us "Good bye" so he came over to do that. He took us to the Officers Club and bought us several drinks and a lunch. 

I came back to New Orleans on a cruiser that they use today for your cruises. We were shipped to Camp Atterbury to be discharged. I went to Fort Ben to see my brother there who had been wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. The nurse made me stay and eat with him. She set up a table outside for us. I then came to Elwood to see my daughter of 7 1/2 months for the first time. 

I am not a hero. I almost can say that I had a 3 1/2 year vacation. The heroes are still there or in VA hospitals. I can honestly say that I had a good time in the service.  

Dewey W. Smith

Monon '39