I was taking Basic Training at Camp Hood, Texas. We were on bivouac waiting for our 20 mile march back to camp and some semitrailer cattle trucks pulled up and loaded us in.

When we got back to camp, they told us about the Bulge. That afternoon and evening our guys were being sent to the airport to where either signed up for Paratroops or OCS. I had signed up for paratroops.

We spent about a week cleaning rifles, etc. We had Christmas alone, plenty to eat, but not very good. We were waiting for our orders and I got to go on a week delay in route home. I was home for NEW YEARS.

My parents did not know I was coming home. The bus driver let me out about 1 1/2 miles from home. Lots of snow and wind, full field pack.

When I got to our farm house, my dog challenge me. But as soon as he got my smell he almost turned inside out. After a few days at home it was off to Fort Meade for complete new clothes pack and gas mask. Then to Camp Shanks and there to The Queen Mary, 6 days unescorted to Glasgow Scotland,
South Hampton to Le Havre box car to Metz joined 76th Infantry, threw Luxembourg across the river to the Siegfried line.

I was wounded on Feb 19th. 1945 and spent a year in hospital.

I was discharged on Feb 1946.