What is the story behind the death of your horse when you joined the Army?

I only had Bonnie (my mare) two years but we did become very close. But here is the real story. I joined the Army during Christmas vacation. I had written a note to my stepmother that I had found a way to get back to Kunming China to join my family and would leave my horse at the station in Glasgow. Instead, I rode up the highway a mile then cut across the Reservation where I met Erika. I patted Bonnie on the rump knowing she would go home. Erika then drove me to Minot.

This was in the middle of winter and it was cold, very cold, in Montana. When I was in the saddle I wore an oilskin (a very heavy, waterproof poncho which keeps the rider and horse cozy warm and dry). Bonnie did not have the benefit of the poncho and me when she returned to the stable and, as a result, caught pneumonia. That is what killed her, not loneliness.

The Battles We Fought in the 2nd Cav Reconn Troop

You're absolutely correct. But I did not want this to be a blood and guts book. I tried to include the more humorous situations. We did lose several M-8s to mines and several more personnel to small arms fire. We even had one guy 'go nuts' which probably got him home early. Quite frankly, I have a tendency to work hard to forget the bad and remember the good. War is never pleasant but we learned to try to see the good side of everything as best we could. We had good officers (though we didn't always see it that way at the time) and the best car commander in the Army.

Can you tell me more about Col. Meiers?

I certainly could but his widow and daughter did not want me to include anything more than I already have. But I can say that he was the most important man in my life. I didn't get to know my own father; he was assassinated before I was born. My first step father was a very quiet, reserved, ex-Muslim. My mother was the boss in our family and I couldn't say enough about her. My second stepfather, 'Col. Martin', treated his family like they were his troops. He was cold, totally out of it as far as I was concerned. However, I do not like to say any more than I did. He, too, is dead (of natural causes) so may the good Lord bless his departed soul. Col. Meiers had a number of Jewish one-liners which could - almost always - bring a smile onto your face even in the most adverse circumstances. The one I like best is his response when folks asked him, in the usual greeting, "How are you?" His answer: "Great. I don't like the alternatives." When he was KIA in Korea, his family, the U.S.Army and the world lost a great man.

Is your Rebecca still married to the same guy?

She isn't - wasn't - 'my' Rebecca but, to answer your question: YES!

7 Sep 07 Addendum: Rebecca's husband died of 'coronary arrest' attack in June. I just learned of it. (And they are (were) both health nuts and he a daily jogger.)

What was your first pay in the Army?

My first pay in January '45 was, technically, $75. What I really received in my had (they paid cash) was $18 and change and that was the most cash I had even held in my hand. My pay as a private was a whole $50 (to me that was a lot of money!). I had elected to have $25 of that sent to Erika's father (who I had listed as my father) and the Army added another $25 to it which brought the gross pay to $75. I also had elected to buy the NSLI Life Insurance ($10,000) which had a premium, I think, of about $6.40 per month. I was in Europe for my second payday and we didn't get paid (they 'kept' it for us). I was also a PFC by then which meant $5 more per month.

How did you get away with joining the Army at age 15?

In the early Forties we didn't have all these picture IDs. In fact we didn't even have drivers' licenses that I can remember. I was 6 feet 2 and almost 240 poinds, been working hard on a ranch and in very good physical shape. Plus, if the sergeant suspected, the Army was hurting for men; the draftables were all drafted and those turning 18 (like I said I was) were joining to try and get a better deal (it didn't work). Also, back then, people were more inclined to take your word. It was a very different society from today's.