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Troops Hoofin’ It To The Launching Area
Left to right: Windell Kelly, Jim Di Tursi, behind Jim is Bobby Hare, Bobby's cousin Billy Reaves, and does anyone remember who the last person to the right is?
Please let me know if you do...
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Hurry up Di Tursi...!
Ca’mon Jim, double time private...!
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Gourmet Chef Donald Pruitt
Don Pruitt finishing his cigar, going back into the mess hall. I don't remember the name of the guy in the doorway. Although, you know it might be Robert Hamilton...?
Anybody know...?
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Lionel Gonzales And Rob Peterson Hammin' It Up
Once again Nendick convinces Lionel and Rob to wash his car.
He probably promised he would drive them to Brackenheim to drink beer. I'm surprised he is not sitting in his car taking pictures of them while they are washing it.
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Dress Right... Dress!
Early morning formation, before chow. The long shadows show that the sun is still low on the horizon, having recently risen.
Still a lot of cars in the parking lot. I can spot my section chief SFC Festus Deal's two tone lavender and maroon 1957 Oldsmobile seventh one up the row. A real cruiser on those small German roads.
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Squad Ready For Inspection Sir...!
This was a daily event. Reveille was at 6am, and every morning someone would have the radio on tuned to Armed Forces Network, and the announcer would come on saying "It's 6:05 and it time for "Hillbilly Reveille". We would then get 30 minutes of country music, waiting for Faron Young to sing "Hello Walls", or Roy Acuff singing "The Wabash Cannonball"
After formation it would be back to your rooms, clean up in the latrine, and then down to chow in the mess hall.
Then we would go to work...!
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BCO Captain Mullen Giving Chopper Rides To The Troops
I did get the opportunity to have a ride in this chopper and it was a neat to see the whole site from the air.
I have since heard that he was killed in a crash. I was sorry to hear that news.
Bob Ware, the Generator Tech in the Launching Area, has a great story about his chopper ride experience.
"Capt. Mullen was a helicopter pilot plus CO of Charlie Battery... He was always trying to fly enough to keep everything current. I believe on a particular Sunday, either in 1961 or 1962, he flew up to the barracks, landed and asked if anyone wanted to take a ride with him, of course I volunteered.
I never rode in a helicopter in my life, also had not flown in a fixed aircraft. We took off, turned out toward the Schloss, adding elevation at the same time. When we got passed by the Schloss, and not saying a word, he dropped down low over the Vineyards in the Valley...
The drop being totally unexpected and so quick, caused my stomach to rise as fast as we had gone down. I didn't throw up, but I'm sure my shorts got soiled by this maneuver. It was a great experience."
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Camp Followers Trying to Cash In
This is such a fine looking structure with fascinating architectural lines. I think maybe the architect was influenced by the Bauhaus Movement of the 1930's, with its form and function having that industrial look.
If you look closely in the Pop-up Image you will see, to the far right, a couple of Deutschland's finest...!
At least that's what I think it is. I know I never saw any GI's in a skirt, so I'm sure that's not it.
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Officer Staff Joining In Celebrations In The Mess Hall
This either on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day. An idea of what a holiday menue was like can be viewed if you “Click Here”.
From left to right Standing: CWO Richard C. Lawson, 1st. Lieutenant Gearald Richardson, Captain Johm Popovics. Captain Popovics is talking to Mrs. Lawson, and the “shutterbug” behind the BCO is PFC James Fitzpatrick.
The dapper dude sitting behind the BCO is non other than famous and infamous PFC Lionel Gonzales, a well known Detroit Bonvivant.
Holidays at the battery were warm and festive, and I have warm memories of the attention to detail made to have them be special days for the troops. In a way to honor and show appreciation of our efforts, duty and sacrifice.
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Serious Discussions In The Canteen
Solving the worlds problems was serious stuff in the Charlie Battery Canteen. And this image is no exception. Of those who can be seen from left to right are:
Leo Quinlan, Robert Appenzeller, Clifford Scott, Robert Hamilton, Lester Archambeau, and the bartender is Bob Norkol.
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