I enlisted into the U. S. Army in October 1942 and was called to active duty in May 1943. At Camp Upton I was asked by the winter viewer, “Where do you want to serve?' I said, “tanks”..

I was shipped out to Fort Knox and the Armored Infantry Replacement Center. The basic training consisted of learning every possible job I might receive when I was sent as a replacement.

I trained on the 1917 Enfield rifle, 45 caliber revolver, 30 caliber machine gun; bayonet, map reading etcetera. I did 5,10 and 25 mile hikes.

I became a skilled driver of the half track. When I completed the basic training I was sent to the 14th Armored Division in Camp Chaffee Arkansas.

Instead of driving a half track I sat in the back of the truck. Then I was trained to be an infantryman again. After several months of training I heard that there was a need for airmen and the eyesight requirement was reduced to 20/30 from 20/20. I decided to apply even though my eyesight was 20/40.

Another soldier in line with me could read the 20/30 line through a crack in the door of the examining room. He gave it to me and I read the 20/30 line with both eyes. I passed, but my buddy washed out because he was color blind.

My Air Corps basic training in Gulfport, Miss. was a lark. The only weapon I trained on was the 30 caliber carbine.

There were five mile hikes with light gear and calisthenics but not much more. Classroom studies were also part of the training.

There were so many men waiting to start preflight training that we were sent as ground crew to Army Air Fields. I finally started preflight training at Xavier University. Training ended when the Army found that they had enough airmen and needed ground troops.

April 1944, I was sent to the 100th Infantry Division to be trained as an infantryman. This was my next complete basic training.

When I had to fire the M-1 rifle for score, it was my fourth time on the rifle range and I scored “expert”.That, resulted my being assigned the job of sniper as we went into combat in November 1944.

My basic training as a replacement, armored infantry man, Air Corps trainee and rifleman may have made me one of the best trained PFCs in the Army..

This is part of my book "Love Company" Company L 399th Infantry Regiment 100th Infanry Division in World War II and Beyond" by John M. Khoury. It is available for $13.50 postpaid at E-Mail address