The Okie Legacy

Vol. 2, Issue 50, 18 March 2000, Saturday

"Happy Irish Weekend"

Uncle Bob & WWII

Last week Y'all know we embarked on a search to get to know another side of our Uncle Robert L. McGill and his WWII military records. This last weekend more treasures were uncovered hiding in storage in our basement. These trinkets, tidbits & treasures have overwhelmed and fueled the fires of the adrenaline high that has been flowing through our veins this week.

One small find would lead to more questions and then on to more discoveries. Another window opening to the past to give a view of an uncle some of us never really knew... AND... Some knew better than others. Its like each piece of the family puzzle bringing the whole together for a better understanding.

We've been working diligently on "Uncle Bob's Timeline." Sometimes we just don't know when to stop and take a break anymore, but this is an adrenaline high. We can't help ourselves. OK! Here is what we have so far as of this writing for Robt. L. McGill's WWII Timeline.

We believe the 75th was activated at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on 13 April 1943. About that same time Uncle Bob was promoted from Lt. to Captain and began his float, attached with one unit at one place and then another somewhere else.

We also believe he participated at the Louisiana Maneuvers staged around Camp Polk near Leesville, Louisiana. He then went to Fort Sam Houston, Texas -- to AFTAC Florida -- to Camp Breckinridge, KY in October 1944 with the 75th Div HQ G-3 Section. (What does the G-3 stand for? Is it some sort of "Intelligence" section?)

We believe that he shipped out from New York in November 1944. In Europe was the first time that all elements of the 75th were pulled together at one time and under Division command. Prior to that, the elements had been farmed out to other outfits. Bob arrived in Ocquier on 21 Dec. 44 with the 75th.

By 9 Feb 1944, the Captain was with HQ 18 Corps in Shreveport. He may have been participating in what was called the Louisiana Maneuvers, but I'm unsure of the exact dates. He was probably attached to the 193rd Tank Bn. at Leesville, LA for training before shipping out with them in Dec 1941 for the Hawaiian Islands. I don't know the significance of his changing his address to Armored Forces, Schofield Bks. That might have meant he became part of the HQ staff, or he might have been promoted to Lt., or ???? (more questions to explore).

There are lots of questions unanswered and the more we discover the more the adrenaline flows and the rush for answers is on again.

As of 14 November 1944, NYC (or on board ship to an overseas assignment) there is a letter from Bob to his mother. He was trying to get affairs straightened out before going overseas. He mentions that he really enjoyed New York City; saw a couple of plays; wishing his wife, Helen, and his mother were there to go to the plays with him. He mentions that tickets were very easy to get for everything but "Oklahoma." It appears from the stamped date on this letter that it was received in Alva, Okla. 23 Dec. 1944.

As we move onto January 3rd, 1945, Belgium another letter from Bob to his mother. Bob mentions some of the places he has lived and worked. Everything from a castle to a cellar. He says, "Certainly don't envy these people here trying to get their belonging back together again after all this war is over."

He mentions the country where they are reminds him a great deal of Tennessee (rather hilly with streams, etc.). BUT... He would take anywhere at home and "wouldn't trade it for the whole darn country and it was a mutually feeling with all of us. I like my job and have a great group of fellas to live with (a flyer, a paratrooper, and a chem officer). Good companionship."

This 1945 Alva Review Article just makes it more difficult to follow Uncle Bob, because it adds one more unit he served with... Both the 290th and the 291st. But, at times, those units were configured as Regimental Combat Teams with bits and pieces from other Regts, several battalions, etc. We wish we were more familiar with military jargon to help us untangle all this military info.

"World War II was the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of mankind. However, the half century that now separates us from that conflict has exacted its toll on our collective knowledge. While World War II continues to absorb the interest of military scholars and historians, as well as its veterans, a generation of Americans has grown to maturity largely unaware of the political, social, and military implications of a war that, more than any other, united us as a people with a common purpose.US Army Campaigns: Defense of the Americas."

OAKIE's LINKS & MAILBAG

One of the many treasures that we found this last weekend was a photo of the "Kemper Cadet Dance Band." Robt. L. McGill (known as "swingman" by his friends) played cornet during his '37-'38 school years at Kemper Military School & Junior College. Some of the same fellows that were in the band toured Europe in the "Summer of '38" aboard the ship "Europa" playing in the dance band in third class & tourist section. I've added the info to Uncle Bob's '38 Europe adventure.

Have you been over to the Goldbug Reunion site lately? I've added a class photo of the Class of 1934. My Uncle Bob was just one of many graduating seniors during that year. As well as Vernon Whitney, Kenneth Wilson, J. Morehart, W. Parkhurst, F. Demaree, etc. Check out the Alva Goldbugs Class of '34.

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I'm running into some precious treasures of what my grandmother Constance Warwick looked like in her younger, teaching years. This photo of young Constance Warwick McGill is one of my favorites.

FreeLane powered by Excite.com -- Fast 56K modem connections; Unlimited Net access, FREE forever; Use the browser of your choice, and put the FreeLane Navigation Bar where you want it. 100% free Internet Access $0 per month! The service can only be obtained by downloading it. It is small enough (less than 600 Kb) to fit on a floppy disk.

Want to send a Talking Email? Just record your voice over the phone, then zap it over the Web. It's free, with no funky microphones or software needed. Vstream is now Evoke. Be assured that despite the name change, you've come to the right place. Same company. Better name. Talking Email by Evoke.

The Schoolbuddies.com theme is "In touch for life!" which captures the concept of serving its users regardless of their ages. Through its broad range of resources it provides for the varying interests of students, teachers, and alumni. "Because we also cater to current students and teachers we felt that we should provide our services at no cost," said Ridgway. "While other sites have subscription or usage fees, Schoolbuddies has launched as a free web site. This will help make Schoolbuddies the primary website for friends to Keep in Touch For Life."

MegaSpider - Searching the search engines.

"You really put together an exceptionally great issue this week. It will take me all week to check out all the things you've included. Thankyouthankyouthankyou for your efforts." s/ A Faithful Reader

These are some pictures of Major Robert McGill's uniform with some medals, etc. that we have recently discovered hanging in our cedar closet and a photo of Maj. Robt. L. McGill. Uncle Bob's American Defense Service Medal

ROTC pin and two other unknown pins are grouped and shown with the 5 hash marks on his jacket sleeve. We believe the five hash marks represent the five years he was in the army (1940-1945). This is all New to me, so bear with me if I misname something here. I'm only a novice, but learning as I go.

Maj. Robt. McGill's Bronze Star Citation - Bob's WWII Medals - According to other sites out there the top ribbons, left to right in picture, represent the Bronze Star and the American Defense Medal. The 2nd row, left to right, (???-It may have been awarded by one of the Allies or I may just be overlooking it), American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal. The decoration on the lapel is a tank. American WWII Medals

We've been told that all Armored Divisions use that same triangular patch with the number designated in the top third and the nickname on an added bar at the base. The decoration on the lapel is a tank. It signifies Armored Force. The 67th AR which Bob was with in Jan. 1941 was a component of the 2nd Armored Division whose nickname was 'Hell On Wheels'.

In October 1943, Bob was a Captain with the HQ XVIII Corps the test section in Monterey, Calif. The 18th was an Airborne Corps. The below link is their insignia. The insignia made us think of one of our nephews and his affinity for dragons when he was a child. -- http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/lineage/branches/acdb/18ac.JPG

"Your best bet will be with the 75th Division (it was not an Armored Division). The strongest bonds were forged during combat. Go to http://www.military-network.com and click on the "reunions & alumni org" link. See if you can locate a contact for the 75th Infantry Division. Also, check out the following link on basic steps to take in tracking down WW II info. Good luck in your research.

1. I'm reasonably sure that the 6th AD was never assign to 18th Corps. (Actually, I've never heard of 18th Corps, but I'm not that serious a student of WW II Army organization.)

2. I'm reasonably sure that "6th HQ Special Troops" is unrelated to "6th Armored Division". I have no idea what this organization would be. Maybe our query to the on-line group will shed some light on this." -- Bruce

"Sixth Armored Division (Super Sixth) Unofficial Home Page... The 6th Armored Division was created February 15, 1942 at Fort Knox, Kentucky and was made up almost entirely of citizen draftee soldiers. Its training stations were Camp Chaffee, Ark., Louisiana Maneuvers, the Mojave Desert, and Camp Cooke, CA. It arrived in England in February 1944 and landed at Utah Beach on July 18, 1944. During the next 9 1/2 months, the 6th Armored fought in five major European campaigns of World War II."

History of the 86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron mechanized in World War II.

"Kalbfell's name listed during the time dad was with the battalion, which was july 43-May 45. Also, I believe that the army fort you are thinking of is Fort Polk at Leesville, LA. Alot of armored training took place there before and during the war." Shawn Daily, candidate guidance officer us naval academy

The Story of the 75th Infantry Division -- 22 Dec 44 Town = Ocquier, Region = Liege, Country = Belgium. The Command Post for the 75th Division (Infantry) was established in the town of Ocquier on 22 Dec 44. http://glycine.ncsa.uiuc.edu/~schnitz/75th/Booklet/75th-1-5.html

"I am researching a book entitled World War II Letters by Walter Cronkite, which is a collection of letters from soldiers to their friends and families back home. World War II Letters will have letters from soldiers from every country involved in the Second World War, including the United States, England, France, Japan, Germany, Russia, Canada, Australia, and other countries. The book will be published by Knopf. But we need your letters! Do you have a letter from your father, husband, brother, sister, wife, mother, or friend that you want to share? If so, we would love to hear from you."

Please contact at the following address: Tracy Quinn, Claren Books, Adler & Robin Books Inc., 3000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 317, Washington, DC 20008 -- phone: (202) 986-9275 fax: (202) 986-9485 http://www.adlerbooks.com

"If you are the webmaster of a veterans' site or if you distribute a newsletter, please post this information. If you have any questions about this book, I would be happy to answer them. I really appreciate your help. Without your support, this book wouldn't be possible."

Here's some military buddies of my Uncle Bob (3rd from the left) taken during the WWII years at the Skyline Room in China Town. The woman is the "bubble dancer" without her costume (or rather a different costume). Pass this along to some of your WWII enthusiasts and see if we can identify some of the others in the photo.

"Linda, store this away for future reference, if you haven't already found this site." -- http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/

"People are like stained-glass windows... They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, But when the darkness sets in, Their true beauty is revealed only if There is light from within." --Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Shell of the Castle on the Hill, Alva, OK March, 1935 -- Here is the photo from an aged negative that I found while rummaging through my basement this weekend. It shows what was left of the "Castle On The Hill" (Northwestern Normal School) after it burned March 1, 1935. All that remained of our famous Castle in northwestern Oklahoma. The photo shows the backside of the castle looking north down College Ave. (6th St.) with the administration building on the leftside of the Castle. The black spots on the photo are due to the light spots where the negative was damaged.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"An Irish Blessing... May your neighbor respect you, Trouble neglect you, The angels protect you, And Heaven accept you."

Irish Proverb: "A man is known by his company."

An Irish Proverb: "What shall I do to love? Believe. What shall I do to believe? Love."

See You All Next Friday (((hugs & *S*)))
Linda (Oakie), Columnist

 

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