From: "ercgreen" ercgreen@yourinter.net
Subject: DAYS OF OUR LIVES #125
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2003 09:19:31 -0400
MAIL-call - PRESERVING FORGOTTEN
MEMORIES
This newsletter is intended for the use of ASA TURKEY Veteran's.
Comments or submissions to the DAYS OF OUR LIVES are most
welcome. I will respond to all e-mails and will assist whenever
needed, but reserve the right to edit for content and clarity and
welcome any errors that may appear herein.
GREEN, Elder RC (gH), DOB: 1936, RA13513638, E7, 982/98C, Det 27,
1-15MY61, Det 120, MY-JL65, Det 27, JN66-OC67 & Det 4-4,
OC67-NO68, (Patty), 3094 Warren Rd., Indiana, PA 15701,
724-349-7395, ercgreen@yourinter.net
THE BELOW LISTED VET'S HAVE
MADE THEIR RESERVATIONS FOR THE ASA TURKEY REUNION (29-31 August)
AT SEVEN SPRINGS, PENNSYLVANIA
ANDERSON, Jerry, E3-E4, 341.10-Teletype repair, Det 27,
JL56-JN58, (Sally), 5209, Lindermann Ave., Racine, WI 53406,
262-634-8509, jsa@wi.net pd
$70.
ANTONELLO, Tony, RA13576417, E6-E7, 059/05K, Det 27, AU65-MR68,
Det 4, 69-70, (Val), 12257 Wye Oak Commons Cir., Burke, VA 22015,
703-239-1739, tonyvalanton@aol.com Pd $70.
BALDERSON, Eric L., (Rick), 2LT-1LT, Fin O, Det 27, 62-63,
(Ramona), 36 Florie Farm Rd., Mendham, NJ 07945, 973-543-2093, ericramona@aol.com Pd $70.
BERLIN, Franz DOB: 1939 RA17534092 E5 98J Det 4, 4-1 & 4-4,
62, (Peg), 300 Arundel Beach Rd., Saverna Park, MD 21146,
410-544-4833, warbi@mailstation.com Pd $40.
CARRICK, Ernie DOB: 1936 RA25358534 E3-E4 Personnel Det 4,
NO57-OC58, (Betty), 6111 Fairfield Dr., Huntsville, AL 35811,
256-852- 6180, eecarrick@hotmail.com
COMROE, Mike, E4, 059, Det 27,
61-62, (Jane), 205 Pinetown Rd., Audubon, PA 19403,610-666-7402, pennstateblue@enter.net. Pd $70.
CRAM, Gene W2 W2215309 OIC T/A Det 27, 66-67, (Phyllis), 5180 SW
Gardenia Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431, 352-489-9085, superchief3@msn.com pd $70.
CRANE, Jim 01-02 05225154 FC Det 27, 65-66, (Lisa), 1490 Lago Mar
Dr., Viera, FL 32940, 321-242-2404, jcrane3@cs.com
DeLEO, Steve DOB 1945
RA11423895 E4 982 Det 27, JA64-AU65, (Agnes), 203 Cheney Pl.,
Castle Rock, CO 80104, 303-688-1520, casrokcomm@aol.com. Retired Col, USAR, 32y svc, 7 as EM E-6
ERICKSON, Ron DOB 1940 E4 059 Det 27, MY61-DE62, (Cathy), 17204 E
37th Terrace, Independence, MO 64055, 816-373-3349, rke3349@cs.com
GOODMAN, Jay DOB: 1952 E4 MP
Det 4, SE72-SE73, (Kathy), 3468 Izy Hill Ln., Finleyville, PA
15332, 724-348-0358, jaykathy@nb.net. (Motorhome)
GREEN, Elder RC (aka Al & Green Hornet) E7 Det 27, 1-15MY61,
JN66-OC67(Buyuk Elgi & qtrs 225-E, eff 18JA67) & 4-4,
OC67-NO68, (qtrs 914-4), (Patty), 3094 Warren Rd., Indiana, PA
15701, 724-349-7395, ercgreen@yourinter.net pd $70.
HUNT, Carlos E DOB 1937 E3-E4 058 Det 4, MR58-MR59, (Frankie),
10215 Hwy 79E, Henderson, TX 75652, 903-889-2391, cehunt79@aol.com Pd $70.
JONES, Ed, DOB: 1944, RA18664602, E5, 059, Det 27, OC62-MR65,
(Florence), 30 Woodland Hills Dr., Bismarck, IL 61814,
217-759-7773, hejones@escocorp.com
KJOLLER, Jon, DOB: 1938,
RA15578113, E3, 058, Det 4, JL58-AU59,, (Darlene), 993 Rosemary
Dr., New Braunfels, TX 78130, 830-625-1064, kjoller@the-cia.net. (Plans to drive)
LAMBETH, Henry (Hank) DOB: 1940 RA14750951 E4 283.1 Det 4,
JN62-63, (Catherine), 1419 Marvin Dr., Vinton, VA 24179,
540-890-4508, halambeth@cox.net (cable) Pd $70.
MAU, Norman R., E2-E4, Finance, Det 27, JA65-JN66, (Theresa),
11225 Broad Green Dr., Potomac, MD.20854, 301-983-8469, maun@hotmail.com & maun@yahoo.com Pd $35.
McCLEVISH, Chas Jr E1-E3 RA13772572 711 S2 Det 27, 63-64,
(Carolyn), 1908 Harrison Rd., Dundalk, MD 21222, 410-285-1416, cmcclev@msn.com (Fri only)
McCULLOUGH, John T DOB: 1938 RA15560286 E3-E4 058 Det 4, 58,
(Sue),1044 E. Smith Rd., Medina OH 44256 330-722-6490, john38@zoominternet.net Pd $70.
MURPHY, Bob E3-E5 058 Det 27 and Det 4, AP61-AP62, (Peg), 7623
Turnbrook Dr., Glen Burnie, MD 21061, 410-255-0320, murphy@annap.infi.net and robert_a_murphy@md.northgrum.com
NEARPASS, Robt D E3-E5 MP Det
27, DE64-DE66, (Lorraine), 111 Hope Crossing Rd., Belvidere, NJ
07823, 908-638-7625, nearpass@accessgate.net pd $70.
NEILL, Hank, PVT-2LT, Finance, Det 27, AU62-JA64, (Judy), 7417
Jenna Rd Springfield, VA 22153, 708-569-5163, Hneill@erols.com - Retired Colonel Pd $70.
RODRIGUES, Charlie E4 Supply Det 4, 59-60, (Patricia), 210 Benham
Ave., Syracuse, NY 13219, 315-487-1195, pcrodrigues@webtv.net pd $70.
SCHWARTZ, Fred Det 4 58-60, (Rose), 321 Fain St., Morganton, GA
30560, 706-374-4302, egotrip@ellijay.com or roses1939@ellijay.com pd $70.
SINOR, Walter E4 F&AO Det 27, 62-63, (Betty), 3049 County
Road 239, Valley Head, AL 35989-4721, (256)635-6860, 877-453-5097
(toll free), walter.sinor@stpaul.com
STEFFEN, Arnold DOB: 1937
RA16568829 E4 283 Det 4, JL58-JL59, (Janet), 1043 Old Humboldt
Rd., Jackson, TN 38305, 731-664-5058, asteffen4@aol.com Pd $80.
TAVERNETTI, Dave & Sue, DOB: 1940, 2LT-1LT, Watch Officer
TK#4, Det 27, MR62-SE63, 238 Rio Vista Dr., King City, CA 93930,
831-385-4458, tavernetti@redshift.com pd $70.
VAN BROCKLIN, Jim DOB: 1929 SP3 (E4) US51337026 Det 4, FE56-SE56,
(Marcia), 39 Therin Dr., Hamburg, NY 14705, 716-649-9232, jandmvanb@adelphia.net Pd $70.
VAN ORDER, Roy DOB: 1936 E4-E5 283 Det 4, 27SE60-MY61, (Toni),
8186 Kneeskern Rd., Bridgeport, NY 13030, 315-633-0418, rvanorder@aol.com and roy.p.vanorder@lmco.com Pd $70.
WILLINGHAM, Ted YOB: 1944, RA18737230 E5 33C (Sugar Tree), Det
27, SE66-JN68 (Susan), 3 Chestnut St., Easthampton, MA 01027
413-527-9687 tedw@the-spa.com. Pd $70.
WYLIE, Jim (Sick Call), DOB: 1941 RA13774855 E3-E5 993 Det 4,
64-65, (Sharon), 322 Crossfire Ln., Ligonier, PA 15658,
724-238-6457, no email. Pd $70.
ZIMMERMAN, John W. (Bear) DOB: 1941 RA13774858 Det 4, 64-65,
(Sherry), RD#4 Latrobe, PA 2nd in MSC Hvy Wt class in 1965 per
Mauler. Pd $70.
INFORMATION
ABOUT THE 2003 ASA TURKEY REUNION
THE 2003 ASA TURKEY REUNION WILL BE HELD AT SEVEN SPRINGS,
PENNSYLVANIA ON LABOR DAY WEEK-END, 29-31 AUGUST 2003.
The 7 SPRINGS resort is near Champion, Pennsylvania. The resort
is accessible from either the Donegal or Somerset exits of the
Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Pittsburgh International Airport is
the nearest metropolitan terminal.
What other things should I know?
1. The cost per room is $85.00 + tax for each room.
2. For reservations call 1-800-452-2223 or 1-866-437-1300 and
inform the receptionist that you are with the ASA Turkey reunion
group
3. Request a room on the 6th floor or above that faces the ski
slopes. Each room has a balcony and the view is breathtaking!
4. The crash site of Flight 93 is nearby as is the rescue hole
for the 9 trapped miners. Both sites held the nation in suspense.
Also nearby is Frank Lloyd Wright's best architecture work
"FALLINGWATER" and Fort Ligonier.
5. No Pets permitted.
6. The cost for the Saturday nite banquet, etc is $35. per person
payable ASAP to me, Elder RC Green.
7. For additional information, contact Elder RC Green, 3094
Warren Rd., Indiana, PA 15701, 724-349-7395, ercgreen@yourinter.net
NOTICE- THE
CUTOFF FOR BIO'S AND PHOTO'S INTO THE 2003 ASA TURKEY MEMORY BOOK
IS 1 AUGUST 2003.
MAIL CALL
ANYONE REMEMBER A RONALD L. FULLER AT DET 27 IN 1966-67 OR IN
RVN?? I received the following email from Claudia Hinton James, jemscaj@aol.com. "Recently I began a search for a
Ronald L. Fuller, a former TUSLOG Det 27 member during 1966 to
1967. My search lead me to your e-mail address, so I am writing
to you to see if you remember him and if you can tell me what
happened to him - I want to believe he came back from Viet Nam
(his assignment after Turkey) and had a wonderful life. I met Ron
in 1966 when my father was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. My
father served our country for 30 years until the Army discharged
him for health reasons. (His unit was deployed to Vietnam just
one month after he suffered a massive heart attack, it saddened
him greatly to see his men go over without him.) During Dad's
time at Ft. Wood he, as well as mother and myself, befriended
Pfc. Fuller. Ron was several years older than myself and being an
only child I welcomed the opportunity to have a "big
brother" in my life. We corresponded for two years until I
got married and my husband, just having returned from Vietnam
himself, discouraged the correspondence. My parents last saw Ron
shortly before his deployment to Vietnam - they were saddened by
his obvious concern about whether or not he would return home.
My interest in finding out what happened to him was rekindled
when I recently came across all the letters he had written to me.
Some of the letters were written when he was stationed at Ft.
Devens (after Ft. Leonard Wood) - where he was attached to Co. D,
2nd Bn. USASATR. At that time (8/66) he was completing a new
course with top secret code and he had been reassigned to Turkey.
Sometime later (10/67) he sent me a wedding gift and card with
return address of: Pfc. Ronald L. Fuller, RA17720193, Co. A, Box
633, TUSLOG Det 27, APO New York.
Why am I looking for him after all these years? I am just curious
about whether or not all the plans he had for himself after the
war came true. And primarily I just want to know he did come back
and he had a great life.
Thank you for your time and commitment to our country, especially
during those war years. Claudia Hinton James, jemscaj@aol.com
ARENA, Richard J., DOB: 1942,
RA15638677, E4, 059.18, Det 27 & 4, JA62-MR63, (Maxine), 830
Jones Rd., Roswell, GA 30075, 770-992-3263, rjaims@earthlink.net.
President, Impact Media Services, Inc., Five Concourse Parkway,
Suite 2400 Atlanta, Georgia 30328 Ph: 770 390-9032, www.impactmediaservices.com
Enlisted Louisville, Kentucky
27 December 1960, separated 10 December 1963. Basic training Fort
Jackson, SC. After receiving clearance underwent 058/059 training
at the USASATC&S, Fort Devens, Massachusettes March 1961 -
September 1961 (Charging Charlie Student Company). Received
cross-training 056/057 September-October during Berlin crisis
while all troop movements were "frozen". Casual status
(morning cook) November-December 1961. Transit to Frankfort,
Germany 31 December 1961. Arrived Det 27 as an E3 in January
1962.
MY REMEMBRANCE OF MANZARALI STATION, Det 27
For those who can relate, here's a remembrance from the winter
and early spring of 1962 at Det 27. A small group of us arrived
on a cold snowy night in the dead of winter. We were shipped out
of Devens in a block allocation to Turkey so the RFA's that were
called up during the Berlin crisis could move into the student
barracks. Since everyone was "frozen", there was no
place to bunk when we got to the site. Some guys were housed
temporarily in the unfinished bowling alley, while a few of us
"bunked" in the baggage room. We were all eventually
moved in and stacked three high in a day room. As winter gave way
to spring and unremitting rain came pouring in and the landscape
went from frozen tundra to a sea of mud.
MY DAY LONG MUD TREK TO THE NEARBY HILLS OF SITE 23 WITH JOE
SULLIVAN.
On the first day of a two-day break, Joe Sullivan and I got up on
the barracks with a pair of high-powered binoculars to scout the
landscape. As far as we could see it was mud. We counted
twenty-one objects that we reckoned were plants. The mountains
that almost rung the base sat far off in the distance except on
one side where a range of hills seemed to be maybe a half hour's
hike. We decided that the next morning we'd get up early, hike up
there and see what there was on the other side. The morning of
our trek blew in on a cold northwest wind. Wearing field jackets
with liners
and winter hats, we headed out with little more than the
binoculars and a canteen of water. No compass, no food, no
brains. Out the Det 27 gate, through the antenna field and off to
the hills we slogged. The mud was thick and ankle deep, making
the going slow and difficult. After an hour we began to realize
that the "nearby" hills were a lot further than they
appeared. We slogged on for another hour, finally reaching the
base of the hills. The going got better because the mud wasn't so
deep on the hill side. Up we went, further and further. My God it
was long way to what looked like the top. When we finally got to
what we thought was going to be a ridge that would give us a view
to the other side, we found a swale and another ridge. Down and
up we went only to find another swale and ridge beyond. We hiked
on this way all day. I don't know about Joe, but when I started,
I imagined a nice walk in natural surroundings; something good
for the soul. It was turning out to be a cold, miserable,
meaningless meander into the unknown. As daylight began to fade,
we came over a ridge and there before us was the panoramic view
we sought. It was a large expansive valley. There was no sign of
life; just more mud. Joseph Parker Sullivan was possessed with
Irish humor. As we looked out on that valley, my spirits
flagging, but Joe began to laugh. He's a big man and he had a big
Oklahoma laugh. He pounded me on the back, wiped tears from his
eyes and said, "Well, Mr. Columbus, here's your new
world." I couldn't help but laugh too. We drank a bit of
water and turned to head back to the base. As daylight fell into
darkness, the night air penetrated our clothes, chilling us to
our tired and hungry bones. The one relief was that the ground
started to freeze so we didn't sink into the mud. We walked and
walked as a billion stars rode overhead in a crystal clear night
sky. Since we didn't have our bearings, we weren't sure if we
weren't just going in circles. Our previous light mood turned
serious as we began to realize that we might be in deep trouble.
After a few hours of walking up and down hills in the moonless
night, we saw the glow of manmade light beyond a hill to our
left. That could only be Manzarelli. It gave us hope and renewed
energy.
HEY ABIE!! WE'RE AMERICAN'S - YOKE BANG, BANG
We finally came up a ridge and saw Manzarali Station on the other
side. I started to head toward it when Joe grabbed me by the
jacket. "Where do you think you're going?" He said in
an uncharacteristically hard tone. He then reminded me that we
would have to pass through the antenna field and he reckoned
there were Turkish guards out there prepared to shoot
trespassers. That was a sobering thought. I stared at the base
and thought about stories we'd heard about the Turkish guards
shooting locals who went in the antenna field to steal copper. We
lay flat on our bellies looking for guards through the
binoculars. We didn't see any -- which was worrisome. After
fifteen minutes of agonizing we headed down the slope shouting,
"Hey Abie! GI's. Yoke bang, bang." The Turks were
probably laughing their butts off. The MP's at the gate said
something about yeni's and took us to the
infirmary for a once over by the night crew. Looking back at that
time, it is now a fond memory because of Joe. He had a great
joyful spirit. Sure it was a stupid thing to do, but Joe Sullivan
was such a positive individual that he actually made the
experience fun. I don't know where he is or what he's doing, but
I know wherever he is he's having a great time. Transferred to
Det 4 in August 1962. PCS to FT Devens MAR63 as E4. Underwent
instructor training and instructed on night shift from June 1963
until Separation as E5 in December 1963.
FORTY MILES FROM BOSTON BAY
After mustering out in 1963 I've returned to the Boston area
numerous times, but it was not until after 9/11 that I felt
motivated to go out to Devens. Realizing that the war on
terrorism is far from over, I suppose I was subconsciously
beginning a search for some way I could put my old cold warrior
instincts to good use. Arriving in Ayer on a bright clear day, I
found the years have been very kind to the old place. It looks
prosperous and the town center is a restored historic area now.
There were lots of visitors and the merchants are hospitable.
Devens is quite another matter. It has been decommissioned -- if
that's the term -- and it's a mere shadow of the way it was when
last I saw it in December 1963. Driving up the old AYER gate road
it was hard to reconcile my memories with what I was seeing. I
swung into the ASA school quadrangle. It was like discovering the
dying body of an old friend. USASATC&S is abandoned and in a
sad state of disrepair. Allen Hall, where I spent many hours as a
student and later as an 059 instructor, gave no hint of the
secrets it once held. Closing my eyes I could almost hear echoes
from the boots and cadence calls of all the students who ever
marched to school "Forty miles from Boston Bay".
Scanning the pealing paint and rusting gutters, I recalled the
faces of old buddies and imagined the ditty dah's and clickity
clack from the classrooms where I waited for my TOP SECRET
CLEARANCE back in 1961. Returning to town, I found an Army
surplus store where I searched in vain for ASA patches and pins
from the early 60's era. At the time I didn't know that ASA no
longer exists. It was there and then that I decided to find my
old outfit. All who served with ASA know there was something
special about the organization and its people. Isn't that why we
visit this site? We were front line troops in the cold war. We
made a difference. I don't know why the ASA was dismantled. Maybe
it was because of technology advancements, or maybe it's because
of service politics. It really doesn't matter now. What matters
is finding this site and you. Yes, we are old soldiers, but I'll
bet you are like me -- your antenna is up and you're on alert.
There is a very dangerous and clever enemy among us planning to
kill our families and friends. I can't help but wonder if there
isn't a way people like us, trained "observers", can
make a difference in this war.
After ASA I returned to live at home in Lexington where I
attended the University of Kentucky. Working my way through
school I did various jobs including four years with the Kentucky
State Police -- last assigned to the Organized Crime Bureau -
Vice and Violent Crimes Desk. In 1971 I was invited to join the
Kentucky Crime Commission, which was an appointment to the
Governor's staff. The Commission was charged with overhauling the
state's archaic criminal justice system. We codified the criminal
law, unified the court system, set standards for all criminal
justice positions at the state and local levels and funded
numerous projects modernizing Kentucky's Criminal Justice System.
After serving two Governors, I left state government to become
Director of Law Enforcement Planning on the Louisville and
Jefferson County Crime Commission and ended my career in the
criminal justice field as the Executive Director of the
Lexington/Fayette County Crime Council.
In the meantime I married, had one child and was divorced. In
1975 I married Maxine Dial, the widow of an old school chum who
had died five years earlier at age twenty-eight, leaving her with
two children. Moving to Atlanta in 1977 I went to work in sales
for Warner-Lambert, a Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and consumer
packaged goods manufacturer. By 1981 I was bored with sales and
decided to strike out on my own. I took classes and joined
professional associations related to television and film
production, and then in 1982 I took a great leap and started an
independent commercial film and video production company. Over
the next two years I produced numerous local and one national
television commercial. I also produced a number of instructional
and promotional videos plus a special for PBS. During that time I
found that many of my clients had no real marketing plan, and I
was soon doing as much consulting on strategic planning as I was
producing commercials. In 1984 one of my clients, Kleen-Tex
Industries, an international textile and rubber manufacturing
company, offered to bring me inside to develop a national
distribution network for a new product line.
By 1987 I was promoted to Director of Marketing. From 87 to '01 I
spent much of my time traveling the US and the world in support
of the company's far flung operations. During those years I
became active in trade associations and was known in the industry
through numerous articles in trade publications and speeches at
industry events from Tokyo to Rome.
In 2000 I became president of the British American Business Group
of Atlanta, which is the second largest chapter of the British
American Business Council. One of the directors was a senior
marketing executive with The Coca-Cola Company, and through our
relationship on the board an unusual opportunity arose. Coke was
preparing a global promotion associated with the 2002 World Cup
and my company was positioned to participate; however that would
have created conflicts in our primary distribution channel, so I
left Kleen-Tex to set up my present business with Kleen-Tex as
the primary supplier.
Today, my business is primarily licensing a patented product that
was developed in conjunction with the Coca-Cola global promotion.
In my personal life, Maxine and I have four wonderful children
and five beautiful granddaughters. Our son, Graham is general
manager of Alstom's Turbine Generator operations in Baden,
Switzerland. Our daughter Kimberly, who spent several years in a
remote mountainous region of Japan teaching English in public
schools, is now raising three daughters while her husband
develops hotels for the Hilton Corporation. Our daughter Paige is
a psychotherapist and administers women's mental health care
services in a region of North Carolina. Our youngest daughter,
Allison travels extensively in Latin America and is in
development with a charitable foundation out of Atlanta. She is
married to an English professor. Today while many former
intelligence people are telling their Cold War stories to the
world ASA people are still silent sentinels. What we contributed
to our country during those years may never come to public light,
but it never was about glory, was it?
Of the many roads I've traveled, I have never met better people
than I did during those incredible three years with the ASA. I am
proud to have served with you in defense of our great nation. I
found and have corresponded with Larry Bynum and Ray Carroll.
Those are two great guys There's another person I'd really like
to find. His name is Phillip Mitchell. We were at Devens
together, but he left the Agency and went to OCS. I saw him once
after he received his commission. As I remember he became a
helicopter pilot and later saw duty in Nam. Phil was from
Berkley, CA. Extremely brilliant and equally outspoken, he wasn't
well liked by many of our classmates, but I found him to be a man
of honor and loyal friend. I would dearly love to know what's
happened to him.
More ASA buddies. This is great.
Here's another ASA buddy: Ron Luther. He is from Warren, Rhode
Island. He served at Det 4 when I was there. I can't remember his
MOS. I think he was a 286. Here are some people I remember: Larry
Hinkle - SP5 Det 27 '62; Kenneth Barlow - SGT Det 27 '62, from
Mississippi; *Joseph Parker Sullivan, E4, 'Det 27 '62 from Sand
Springs, OK. Last known to be in Conway, TX; *Trent (Yancy)
Eubank, E-3, Det 27 from MS. Also has family in Danville, KY;
*Larry Bynum, Sp4, Det 4. '63 from Western, KY; George Myrick,
SP4, Det 27, '62 from MS; *Raymond Carroll, SP5, Det 4, '62 from
NH; David Davies, SP4, Det 4, '62; Vernon LaDue, SP4, Det 4, '62;
Charles Bierbauer, SP5,Det 4, '62. Now a senior correspondent
with CNN. Lives near DC; *Ronald K. (Rick) Tarr, SP4, Det 4, '62
from Oil City PA The * indicates guys I'd really like see again.
I've talked with Charlie Bierbauer a couple of times over the
years. He's accessible through CNN.
God bless
America.
BALES, Roger R., DOB 1948, RA15958996, E4, 05H/98C Tk#4, TUSLOG
Det 4, AU68-AU69, (Ida Lee), 8547 Quail Tree, San Antonio, TX
78250, 210-521-6179, rbales@texas.net. Elder - still looking for the pictures, hopefully
will find them this weekend and mail them.
My BIO
I graduated from 05H school in June 1968. Took two weeks leave
and went home and got married. Yep, married Ida Lee - been
married ever since (don't know how she puts up with me but she
does). Went back to Devens and then to Sinop in August. I guess I
must have been one of the few that had the privledge of traveling
to Sinop by way of the Sea Kamal. ASA's "Navy" a 98
foot cabin cruiser, powered by deisel, no cooking capabilities
but we had our choice of C rations to chose from for the full
3-day cruise. Best time of my life. I even went swimming with
dolphins during the trip. I was originally assigned to trick two
when I first got there and we worked 12 hours on and 12 hours off
for about a month before we got enough manning to go to four
tricks. Unfortunately most of the guys in Sinop were
"old-timers" on their last tour before getting out so
with the exception of a couple of guys I never saw any of them
again in the remaining 19 years I spent bouncing all over the
world. Sinop was an enjoyable tour even for a guy that had only
been married two weeks. I too still have the meershaum pipes I
bought my dad (I reclaimed them after he passed away 10 years
ago). I was at SINOP when Mildred delivered one of her many
litters and even helped with the delivery. Most of my time was
spent working - in the club or on the beach. However, we did make
a point of going to NATO's barbershop
whenever we could get away so we could sit outside, drink chi,
and eat the bread. I also remember the two army officers charged
with "assaulting" women down town - It happened at the
Yeni hotel. They asked two women, just arriving off the Black Sea
steamer if they were European. Both women ignored them and
continued on their way. The next thing we all knew they were
being charged with defamation of character and were hauled off to
the local prison. We high tailed it to NATO's and he hid us until
a truck could come get us. The base commander put the entire town
off limits until the local military governor relented and
released both officers (who, as I remember being told, were
promptly sent home). One of our fellows also got sent home early
during the big Ramadan celebration. At the end of Ramadan
everyone went to the tea garden to enjoy the celebration. We were
told we could go, enjoy the festivities, drink the booze but
DON'T dance with the women. Well, this fellow did and the next
thing he knew he was engaged to a rather handsome young lady.
That might not have been so bad except he was already married.
Doc Savage got him back up to the hill and the next day he went
home in the mail plane. Never saw him again. Lots of memories
coming back, many of them mirror those I've already read. Wish I
could make the reunion but maybe next time. I left Sinop in 1969
and my following assignments were:
Torii Station Okinawa 69-71
USASAFS Homestead 71-72
175th RRFS Bien Hoa Vietnam Aug 72 - Feb 73
Fort Devens (O5H Instructor) Mar 73 - April 74
USASAFS San Antonio 74-77
USASAFS Augsburg Ge 77-80
15th MI Bn Ft Bliss Tx 80-81
Torii Station Okinawa 81-84
Fort Devens (O5H Instructor) 84-89
Retired January 1989.
If anyone makes it to San Antonio give me a call.
GRITIS, Peter, DOB: 1921, 03-04, Ops O, Det 27, 59-62, (Helen-
deceased, 2/W Betty), 5236 Inverchapel Rd., Springfield, VA
22151, 703-321-7258, betpetg@juno.com.
Peter Gritis Memoirs of his TURKEY Tour of Duty,1959-62
I was the Operations Officer of Det 27 (in fact I was there when
the station was being built) during 1959-62; went to Bad Aibling,
Germany 1962-64; went to HQ ASA Europe, 1964-65; returned to HQ
ASA in 1965 as an assistant Inspector General for almost 2 years
and the last 6 months as Chief SIGINT Division. I retired in
October 1968 as a Lt Col. Went to work for the Army Materiel
Command in 1969 as a civilian and retired again in 1986. Been
goofing off since !!!!!
One of the key aspects of life in Turkey in this period was its
poverty compared with the US or Western Europe. A consequence of
this was the high import duties which the government put on
imported goods, the temptations this led to smuggling, and the
countermeasures which a government with bureaucratic inclinations
imposed to try to prevent smuggling. We learned about the
controls on imported goods before leaving Virginia since we had
to declare to Turkish Customs all household goods which we were
bringing into Turkey, including specific counts on silverware,
plates, etc. Under the Status of Forces Agreement, US Armed
Forces personnel were allowed to bring such household goods into
Turkey free of tax as long as the goods were later exported from
Turkey when the soldier left the country. Every one of the items
imported into Turkey free of tax under this agreement needed to
be produced upon demand of the customs inspectors when leaving
Turkey, or it was assumed that the item in question had been
sold, and at that point the duty, usually 100%, would be owed.
Sometimes items were broken, and they had to be kept until
departure, so that they could still be showed to the Customs
officials. Someone at Arlington Hall Station gave me a set of 144
bar glasses. During the 3 years we were in Turkey, every one of
these glasses was broken, and the broken pieces were all stored
in a box until we left. Under the Status of Forces Agreement, I
was entitled to bring in one car into Turkey tax free, and I
brought a 1953 Mercury which we had driven in Japan. We had
continuous problems with the voltage regulator on this car, and
it died 4 times in Japan. When I arrived in Japan, there was a
real shortage of cars there, and prices were very high. I had
therefore hoped to sell my car at these high prices upon leaving
Japan, but in the meantime some entrepreneur had brought a
shipload of used American cars into Japan and had depressed the
market. We therefore brought the car back to America at the end
of my tour in Japan and took it with us to Turkey, but then I
decided I needed a larger and more reliable car, and so I decided
to sell the Mercury and buy a 1960 model Volkswagen minibus from
Germany. Both selling the old car and buying the new car were
experiences. I sold the Mercury to a Turk, who took a long time
to actually deliver the agreed price for the car. In the
meantime, consistent with Turkish practice, I kept the car on
blocks until the money was received. As the time was approaching
when I would need the cash from the old car to pay for the new
car, I had to go to the buyer's uncle, who owned a winery, and
asked him for the money on behalf of his nephew. I finally got
paid only 2 weeks before taking delivery of the new car in 1961.
I bought the Volkswagen from a dealer in Ankara who had
brochures, but no cars actually in stock. The price offered was
very attractive since this could be a tax-free import. The price
delivered to Turkey was $1800, compared to $2000 in Germany
(including taxes), and $2400 in the US (with taxes and shipping).
I wanted to buy a blue car, but the dealer said I could only buy
a red car, the same as in the brochure. I also asked for an
optional gas gauge and for a larger mirror, and was told no.
Ultimately, I got exactly the car that was shown in the brochure
- the same color and the same features. I had to drive from
Ankara to Istanbul to pick up the car at the port. When I got
there, the car was really dull and dirty looking since it had
been covered with a preservative while being transported on the
deck of a ship and exposed to the elements and sea spray. The
preservative was removed by brushing the car with gasoline and
then it looked fine. Later back in Ankara, I took the car to a
garage for routine maintenance. A German instructor was there
teaching Turkish mechanics how to service Volkswagens. A rear end
assembly was spread out on a floor and was being put back
together. I remember the instructor went into a tirade when one
of the Turkish mechanics picked up a part with greasy hands. If
entering Turkey was an adventure, it was no surprise that leaving
Turkey would be the same. My next assignment was to Bad Aibling,
Germany, and we decided to drive there during the school holidays
in the summer of 1962. We spent a night in Istanbul, which was
memorable for the rancid butter in which our breakfast eggs were
cooked. We then passed through Edirne (former name Adrianople) on
our way to the frontier with Greece, which was always tense
because of the traditional hostility between Turkey and Greece.
It ended up taking over 6 hours to go through the Turkish border
post. I had arrived in Turkey 3 years before as a Captain and
driving a Mercury. I was leaving Turkey as a Major and driving a
Volkswagen. This created doubts about whether I was the same
person who entered 3 years previously, and also whether I had
paid duty on the sale of the Mercury, and so we sat at the border
post while phone calls went back and forth with Ankara to resolve
these questions. During all this time, my wife was very anxious
and took some tran- quilizers. While I was engaged with the
customs officials and my wife was sitting tranquilized on the
front porch of the border post, my daughter Gail, then 4 years
old, fell into a well in front of the building. She flailed
around for some time while her older sisters, Patricia (then 10)
and Carol (then 8), argued over who was going to get her clothes
wet pulling Gail out of the water. Fortunately, Patricia finally
jumped in and pulled Gail out before she drowned. It was good
that Patricia jumped in, since the well was over 10 feet deep and
Carol did not really know how to swim yet. After we finally were
cleared to leave Turkey, and had passed through the border gates
to the Greek side, I discovered that I had left my briefcase with
my orders and other important papers on the Turkish side of the
border. I did not want to reenter Turkey to get them, thereby
risking going through the departure process all over again, and
one of the Turkish officials threw my briefcase across the border
to me. Patricia had left a new pair of shoes on the Turkish side,
and they were not tossed over. Presumably, they went to one of
the daughters of the border officials. Our house in Ankara had
marble floors, which was typical in Turkish houses because it was
inexpensive. In contrast, wood was very expensive and in short
supply. Turks who had contact with the US military liked to
scavenge wood from the packing cases in which our household goods
were shipped. A Turkish carpenter made a bar for me out of wood
from packing cases which was rounded and cut to look like bamboo.
Water was also scarce and was only available for our house a few
times a day. We would all take baths in a single tub of water
which would then be kept and used for flushing the toilet. We got
drinking water from a military clinic and brought it to the house
in 7-1/2 gallon carboys. We shared both a janitor and a maid with
some other military families. The janitor once tried to carry a
lawnmower across the street while it was on, and the blade cut
off the tips of his fingers. The janitor and maid used to fight
over who got the empty bottles and cans from our family. These
could be sold for scrap and also used to make things. At this
time, the Turkish army made a big point of serving recruits
canned foods in order to introduce them to the Turkish
population. There was an attempted coup in Ankara during our
stay. One of the ringleaders of the coup was the son of the
owners of an apartment rented by Americans which was behind our
house on the other side of a ravine. Paratroopers were dropped
from the sky around us and there was a tank down the street
pointing toward our house because of this connection with the
coup ringleader. We stayed in the house for 2-3 days until
everything settled down. During the coup, the Turkish army
commandeered the Cadillac owned by one of the US Army colonels.
The colonel's wife could not stop them from taking their car, but
she insisted on going with them and driving the car herself. The
Turks did not like American women driving since they thought that
as a man's job. One way that they tried to keep American women
from driving was to require that they get a certificate of a
physical exam received from a Turkish doctor, who of course would
be male. They did not think that American women would take a
physical exam from a Turkish doctor. It was common for Turks to
use Coca Cola syrup as a medicine, especially to soothe upset
stomachs. The US government gave a lot of US food to the Turkish
government as foreign aid, but the products and sizes were not
really suitable. The US provided frozen chickens, which the
Turkish government had trouble selling to the public since Turks
expected chickens to come with a neck and feet and US chickens
are sold without them. Also, butter and cheese were provided in 5
lb. tins, which was very wasteful since the typical person did
not have any refrigeration.
Friends, effective immediately our
email address is: betpetg@juno.com. We look forward to hearing from you :) Peter &
Betty Gritis
HARBER, Jim E3-E5 058-Tk 1, Det 27, 19MY62-27OC63, (Becky), 110
Sable Trace Trail, Acworth, GA 30102, 770-975-0706, jimharber@juno.com. Hello Elder & Patty,....I have been
out of circulation for a while... Unfortunately, with the
unexpected vacation time off for the home build and move, I have
ran out of time off and will not be able to attend the reunion as
Becky & I had planned...
KNIPPER, Bill 09J Det 4, MR74-MR75, 1 Petersburg Ct., Oak Ridge,
NJ 07438, 973-208-1177, willyk@att.net.
Elder, Just discovered your site. I am attempting to refigure my
schedule to attend reunion. I was at Det.4, MAR74-MAR75. Where do
I send a bio? Good luck.
OBRIEN, John S (Jack) DOB: 1939 RA15663403 E4-E5 988.1663 Det 4,
64-65, (Kathleen), 3801 Lujon Dr., Beaver Creek, OH 45431,
937-426-4433, no e-mail. John and Kathleen visited SINOP in May
2003 and guess what. The harbor was FOGGED in when the cruise
ship docked and they couldn't see where the next step would put
them. Later they WALKED up the HILL, but were not allowed access
to the post which is now occupied by the Turk Air Force. On the
way up the HILL there is a motel called the Villa Rose which is
owned by a ex-Det 4 vet. The cruise took them to Sochi, Yalta,
Sevastapol, Odessa and to Romania and Bulgaria. The Obriens
regret that they will not be able to attend the 2003 reunion.
SCHWARTZ, Fred, E3, Det 4 NO59-DE60, (Rose), 321 Fain St.,
Morganton, GA 30560, 706-374-4302, roses1939@ellijay.com Just a quick note to let you know that I
only have the one e-mail address which is roses1939@hotmail.com. Also I was in Sinop from November 59 to
December 60, not 58-60 as it says with my name. Have I given you
enough BIO information for the the Reunion book? While in the
Army I remained a lowly PFC as my MOS did not allow for much
advancement. I did receive an early out due to being keep extra
time in Sinop. Any other info you feel would be helpful please
let me know and I will be glad to share it with you. Looking
forward to seeing you at the reunion.
AN E-MAIL FROM THE DAUGHTER OF
JAMES M. BOYTE: "Sorry, it has taken so long. I do not get
on the internet very often. Thank you for taking the time to
email me back. I will do my best to get some photos for you in
time for the reunion. I had no idea that anyone had gotten in
touch with any of my fathers' friends from Sinop, until I read
your letter. I guess my brother forgot to mention it to us.
Ernest Carrick emailed me as well and was wondering how to get a
copy of "Look Homeward" I believe that Barnes and
Nobles carries the book. The ORC PRESS publishing company went
out of buisness shortly after the book was published so we have
no contact with who publishes it now. My mom has a few extra
copies if anyone is looking for one. I know my dad had lots of
slides from Sinop especially of them working on the chapel. I
will get up with my mom and see what we can send you. Thanks. I
was only 17 when my dad died and it feels nice to talk with
someone who knew him. Tammy
VAN ORDER, Roy DOB: 1936 E4-E5 283 Det 4, 27SE60-MY61,
(Antoinette-Toni), 8186 Kneeskern Rd., Bridgeport, NY 13030,
315-633-0418, rvanorder@aol.com and roy.p.vanorder@lmco.com
ASA bio of Roy Van Order
I found out about ASA in a strange, at least to me, way. After
high school graduation I went to our local recruiting office in
Albany NY, to see what was available. I was already in the Active
Coast Guard Reserve but none of the schools I was interested in
were open, so I thought I would try my luck with one of the other
services. After a battery of tests I was called in by the Air
Force and asked if I would be interested in a commission as a
Navigator/Bombardier. Until that time, I thought you had to be a
college grad or at least have a couple of years of college to be
considered for flight school. I asked the recruiter about this
and he said that I did well on my scores so I could take it the
next step and go to Westover Field AFB for a series of further
testing and a flight physical. I had already taken my induction
physical and met the basic requirements for flight training. With
lots of reservations, I agreed to go to Westover Field. A few
days later I was on a train from my hometown of Albany NY to
Westover Field in Chicopee MA. With two other guys who were
several years older than me. During the several hour train ride I
learned that one was a college graduate, in fact an ex
seminarian, and the other had two years of college. Boy, was I
concerned then. We arrived at the station and were met by an
airman with a station wagon, and drove to the BOQ on base. There
we were given two man rooms and told we were on Cadet status so
we had officer privileges. We were given our schedules for the
next three days and then our rooms. The ex-seminarian and I were
given a room together. After settling in my roommate suggested
that we go into town for a few drinks. I said great, but how
would we get there? He went to the front desk of the BOQ and
asked the airman on duty how we could get to town. Was I
surprised when he said he would get us a staff car to take us
there and bring us back. I learned years later that even field
grade officers were seldom given staff cars. I guess they wanted
to impress us; and they did. The next morning with a very large
head, we started our battery of exams, which lasted over a
two-day period. At the end of the second day, our names were
posted indicating who would remain for the third and final day
for the physical. To my utter surprise we all made the physical
list. Many more made the "return home" list. After
another night on the town, we took or physicals. My two train
mates made list for flight school, while I missed out because my
eyes were 20 30. I was pretty upset about this, since I had
already taken a physical and was told that my eyes made the
limit. When asked about this, I was told that they had their
quota for the next class so they would not take any marginal
people. But, try again and I might make it. I won't tell you what
I thought at that time. Feeling a little down, I called home to
tell my mom I would be there sometime that evening. When she
answered she was really upset, and wanted to know what I had done
on the base to have two government agents come to the house
asking to see me. When they found out I had not returned yet they
said they would be back. Now I was nervous because I had no idea
what this was all about. After I returned home two young men
showed up and told me they had my scores from the tests I took
and thought I would be a good candidate for a special outfit that
prided itself on recruiting individuals with high test scores. In
fact, I was told, that most of the members of this outfit had two
years of college. So far they had my attention, but I still had
no idea who they were, or what this well education organization
was. I was then told that the organization was called the Army
Security Agency and that their mission was highly classified.
They could tell me that it was involved in intelligence gathering
and that the work would not only be interesting but very
rewarding. How could a 19 year old say no to that. Of course my
mother listened to all of this and went ballistic saying,
"My God he is going to be a spy" They assured her that
would not happen. The next thing I knew I was at Fort Dix going
through basic training and cursing those recruiters for talking
me into the Army. Toward the end of basic, and in the middle of
the night, several of us were called to the day room where we
were welcomed to the Agency and given orders for Ft Devens MA.
This was the beginning of the two sets of orders when traveling
through non-ASA organizations. At Devens, I believe we were
tested again and then given a choice of schools. I had a choice
of Refrigeration and Air conditioning Repair or Cryptography.
Once again, I asked what Cryptography was, and was told that it
had to do with code, cut that was all they could tell me.
Naturally I took it. It was October now and I headed out to Camp
Gordon GA aboard a chartered airline in the middle of the night
out of, I believe, Fitchburg MA I remember showing up at the post
in the middle of the night which seemed to be standard when being
moved by the Army. A few days later the name of the post changed
to Ft Gordon and I was to be there until around Feb of 1957. I
was in the process of completing the course in December, and
going to Germany, when a real cold snap hit GA. The commandant of
the school liked regimental PT performed every morning with the
troops shirts removed. This practice along with cold barracks and
no liners in the field jackets resulted in so many cases of
pneumonia that the IG came to the Fort to investigate. I was
among the unlucky ones who filled the hospital to overflowing.
There were even beds in the halls to start. When I got out of the
hospital, I missed completing school, and my port call to Europe.
Since it was close to Christmas, I got a two-week leave to go
home for the holidays. It is amazing how fate plays its hand.
After returning home, I got together with the girl who I dated
steady since my sophomore year in high school. When I knew I was
leaving for GA and knew also I would probably go overseas, I told
her not to wait for me, but to date other guys. I did not feel it
would be right to as a young girl to sit at home for three years,
or feel guilty about dating. It wasn't long before we were going
out every night. The last week at home we decided to get married
before I returned to base. After a lot of string pulling by my
family we got the paper work squared away and were married on the
30th of December 1957. She was 19 and did not need her parent's
approval, I was 20 and need my parents to sign for me because I
was under age. HAHAHAH.I always told everyone that Toni (my wife)
robbed the cradle and married an underage
soldier. New Years day I was an E2 on a train to Augusta GA with
a duffel bag and a bride. We got to spend a few weeks together
before she had to return to Albany and I had to prepare to ship
out this time to the Far East. Once again I left a post in the
middle of the night on a charter flight to Ft Lewis WA. What is
with these night trips?? There were about six of us who got to be
really good friends at Gordon, and we all traveled together.
After a few weeks at Ft Lewis we boarded a troop ship (In the
middle of the night) well, very early on a cold wet morning in
March. What amazed me that at around 4am or so there were red
cross volunteers standing on the dock passing out coffee and
donuts to a bunch of freezing but grateful GI's waiting to board
the USS Mann for the crossing of the big pond. We sailed at light
of day with 3200 troops and dependents out of Puget Sound in a
mild sea. Within a couple of days the sea was so rough that no
hot meals were served to the few that could eat. The quarters got
so bad from guys throwing up that you hated to go below deck.
However, 14 days later and ten pounds lighter I smelled Yokahama
Japan. I say smelled because the aroma hit us before we could see
land. After we docked, got our laundry done, and got our flying
twenty we took off for the fabled Ginza in downtown Tokyo. We
partied hard and had some great experiences. The first was using
a communal bathroom. I will always remember how I felt when two
very attractive young Japanese girls came in while I was at a
very low urinal. They could tell I was embarrassed and made the
most of it. The second great experience was going to the
"Rocker Four Club" As I recall it was a very large
colonial style building with a great circular drive and a
pillared entrance that had multiple bars and entertainment on
different floors. As my buddies and I exited a cab in front of
the club several little boys encircled us and took one of the
guy's wallet from his back pocket and then split. Did not make
his day. Anyway, we had a great time at the club, and went back
almost every night. During that time we partied with Aussies,
Kiwis (New Zealanders) Brits, and Turks, we also saw soldiers
from a number of other countries. During our stay in Tokyo we
were billeted at Oji Camp. One night after a particularly heavy
evening drinking with the Kiwis, I was stopped at the main gate
by an MP who told me I was out of uniform. I had no idea what he
was talking about until he pointed out that I had on a New
Zealand Ike Jacket complete with crown patch. This was not an
American Ike jacket so I had better change. Boy was my buddies
and I surprised. I had that jacket for years, and always wondered
if the guy I traded with got into trouble.
The time for Far East assignment came around, and we were all
called into a room where we were each given an assignment, and
the opportunity to change with anyone else that had the same rank
and MOS. It was at this time that I lost my friends. All the guys
that I had spent so much time with from GA to Tokyo were really
close now. And we all had the same orders for Korea. However,
another guy in the room who had the same rank and MOS as me got
orders for Chitose on the Island of Hokkaido Japan. He was also
recently married and was hoping for a Korean assignment so he
could return home in a year. The Japan assignment meant he had to
spend the remainder of his enlistment on the Island. Well, I had
some college money left so I thought it would be great to stay in
Japan and bring my bride over. Even though I had no idea where
Hokkaido was. I traded with the guy and thought he was going to
kiss me. However, my buddies were pretty upset and wouldn't even
talk to me. The next day I was taken to Tachikawa and put on a
C-118 headed for Misawa and then to Chitose AFB. The plan was a
bucket of bolts filled to the roof with crates of toilets and
other things. I remember it had a hard time lifting off from a
very long runway. I also remember that it dropped like a rock
coming into Misawa. To make a long story shorter, I settled in to
my role at the 12th USASA Field Station, found a small apartment
that was somewhat Westernized in an alley in Chitose and brought
Toni over in July of 1957, about four months after I arrived. BIt
was quite an experience for both of us. We had to build a coal
fire in a converted 55 gal drum that was on the next floor above
us if we wanted hot water to bath in. It took a long time to
build a coal fire, and we only got about twenty-five gallons of
hot water after the effort. Our Japanese neighbors upstairs would
also take advantage of the hot water, so we had to shower really
fast and together. You see the hot water pipe went to all the
apartments. We spent a lot of time taking in the sights and
experiencing the people and activities. Sapporo was always a
treat. Unlike Chitose, which had one paved street, Sapporo was a
modern city with a great brewery, a renowned winter festival, and
large department stores. The other aspect of the island that was
fascinating was the Ainu Indians who lived there. In fact, a
whole house full lived across from us. Some of the major events
while in Chitose were experiencing our first earthquake,
celebrating my 21st birthday, celebrating the birth of our first
child, a daughter we named Karen, and celebrating Toni's 21st
birthday in 1958. After the birth of our daughter at the field
hospital on the air base, we moved into housing, a Quonset hut,
on the Air Base. Later the 12th built new housing on the base,
and we lived in until we returned to the U.S. in June of 1959. We
flew to Tachikawa and stayed at Rotation Ranch until we flew
aboard a contract airline called "Slick"! Always made
me wonder...It was a four-engine prop job that traveled very
slowly across the ocean. Our first and second stops were Wake
Island, again in the middle of the night. After we left Wake and
were close to our point of no return we returned because of
engine trouble. After several hours in the ungodly heat with a
little baby, we headed out again. This time when I woke up it
seemed like we were 10 feet above the Pacific on three engines
heading for Oahu. Just before we went over the island the pilot
started the engine and we landed. Again, several hours later we
boarded a plane and finally landed at Travis AFB in CA. By this
time we were in bad shape. Finally got a cab to Oakland Army
terminal and quarters for the night. The following morning I
processed out and we caught an off the wall airline to NY and
then one to our hometown of Albany. After 89 days I reenlisted
and was back in ASA again at Devens after a short stay at Ft Dix.
Retested and was offered a 283 school at Ft Monmouth NJ. Moved
into some pretty shabby housing outside of the main gate, and
lived there from Oct 59 until June of 60 when I graduated as an
Electronic Warfare Equipment Repair man. After a thirty-day leave
I headed McGuire AFB in NJ for a flight to Frankfurt Germany.
After about a week in Frankfurt three of us were given 1st class
tickets on Olympic Airlines (Greek) and flew to Athens stayed
over, and on to Ankara Turkey. After a week at a shabby hotel on
Atta Turk Blvd we flew via L19 to the "Hill" Sinop.
Actually, we tried two times to get over or through the Kastamonu
Mountains before we made it on the third attempt. The wings kept
icing up and we would have to return to Ankara. That was one of
the scariest flights I have taken. The little plane was flying in
canyons with the walls so close sometimes you felt you could
touch them, all the while bouncing all over the place. When we
finally saw the "hill" and the landing strip on the
beach, it looked like heaven.
I remember moving into a James way and having a packing crate as
a table, a diesel fueled tent stove in the center of the James
way, and liquor bottles filled with water on a table. None of the
bottles had tops. I was told this was our drinking water and
water for coffee. I shared the James way with three other troops.
Phil Price from Valdosta GA, Harry Abraham ("the crazy
Arab") from Detroit, and a quiet guy we called the
"corporal" I can't remember his name. I was really
lucky these were a great bunch of guys. Phil and I were in the
same section so we saw a lot of each other. Since I was an E-4 I
didn't have to pull "Yeni" guard, so I was immediately
assigned to the ELINT side of operations. I was to replace an E-6
283 who was getting ready to rotate home. He was an older guy who
got religion and gave up drinking on the hill and would not allow
any swearing. He also wore a wedding band, but would tell anyone
who asked, that "although I am divorced I am still married
in the eyes of God". I found out about the swearing bit when
I did something and let out s string of XXXX. I spent the next
five minutes getting my butt chewed out. After as I looked around
the maintenance shop there were a number of guys breaking up.
Outside of his strong vocal beliefs he was a nice guy to work
with. Prior to the E-6's departure we had an inspection by some
general and his staff. As he came through our shop with the old
man and his staff trailing, the general started to shake hands
with each member of the team while telling them that their
sacrifices were appreciated. The E-6 and I were the last two in
the row of maintenance men so we got to witness the glad-handing
before he got to us. One of the men in the row was an E-5 named
Gardner who had a glass eye. However, the night before the
inspection he got a little wasted and dropped his eye on the
concrete floor and broke it. So during the inspection he was
wearing an eye patch. As the general approached Gardner he shook
his hand and asked "Sergeant, what happened to your
eye?" Gardner in his deep booming voice said very seriously
"Sir, I dropped it and it broke" I damn near wet my
pants seeing the look on the generals face. As he continued down
the row whenever he saw a troop wearing a wedding band he would
do his "as a married soldier you are making the greatest
sacrifice" speech. Well, he finally came to the E-6. Grabbed
his hand and made the mistake of saying "Sergeant I see that
you are married" That did it for me I knew what the general
just let himself in for. And sure enough the ole sarge grabs the
general's hand in both of his and started his "In the eyes
of God" speech. The general was trying to pull his hand away
while looking really trapped. While I was biting my lip and
trying not to listen. When the general, by now wondering what the
hell he was doing there, came to me he just shook my hand and
said "good job Specialist" as he was heading for the
door as fast as he could. The old man was staring daggers at the
sergeant as they left.
A week later the E-6 was departing for Ankara on the convoy at
around 5 am and I was fast asleep in my hut. All of a sudden a
yelling cursing figure awakened while pouring liquor down my
throat, all the time telling me the year will pass quickly. I
damn near had a heart attack, as did the others in my hut. As I
came to my senses, I realized my ole E-6 buddy let loose. He was
a loud, drunken, cussing GI again. He came back to the real world
before returning to it. We all wished him well as we poured him
onto the rear of the duce-and-a-half.
Life settled into the normal "hill" routine consisting
of "hate sessions" at the club, yells in the middle of
the night as troops fell into the new ditches constantly being
dug as new facilities were being built. It got to be a habit to
check your path during daylight so you could miss any new ditches
that were dug that day.
Some of the more exciting times included the take over of the
hill by the Turks after the shooting of a Turk at the main gate,
and the locking of the, I believe, field first sergeant in the
outhouse several times a week as he came from the shower room.
Each outhouse had a hasp to secure the door when it was moved.
Some enterprising troops bought a bunch of paddle locks, and as
the serge entered the outhouse they would put a lock on it. After
much yelling and banging someone would have to cut the lock off.
This continued until they posted a guard on the sergeant as he
left the shower room went to the outhouse and then to his tent.
The guard had to walk a post not just stand waiting for the
sergeant, so the troops timed his rounds and locked the ole boy
in again. They then left a note the effect that they had ten more
locks. It was pretty funny.
The other prank they pulled was to sneak up to the NCO tent and
pull off the rubber tube that ran from the barrel of diesel fuel
to the tent stove. This put out the stove but leaked fuel all
over the tent. This prank stopped when someone tried to pull the
tube off, but instead moved the stove close to the tent wall and
burned down the tent. No one was injured.
I left Turkey around the June time frame on emergency leave
because my dad had a serious heart attack. I was at Samsun at the
time and the first sergeant flew up to Samsun on an L-19 to pick
me up. I had just finished a night of partying and was asleep in
the club when he woke me and gave me the news. By the time we
returned to the hill my buddies had my bags packed and our Lt
lent me two hundred bucks for the trip home. I never forgot that.
I repaid him as soon as a got home. Also while I was in Ankara
waiting to fly out a Red Cross worker came by and asked if I
needed any money. I thought that was great as well.
After flying THY To Frankfurt I was put on a flight to McGuire
AFB NJ with a bunch of dependents and other troops on emergency
leave. After a stopover at Plattsburg AFB NY because of weather
we finally arrived in NJ. Oh yes, when we landed in Plattsburg we
were surrounded by air police because it was a SAC base. They put
us in a bus with no windows and drove us into a hanger and closed
the door so we couldn't see anything. We stayed there till we
left.
Prior to returning to Albany on leave, I had orders for Ft Bragg.
These were changed to Ft Devens MA because it was closer to my
home.
My dad recovered and I reported to Devens around July of 1961. It
wasn't long before a buddy from the "hill" Mel Wilcox
and his family showed up. We were both assigned to the same
maintenance group. My enlistment was up in Sept of 1962 and an
E-6 buddy of mine thinking about putting in for Warrant. At this
time I was an E-5. I had been talking to an E-6 buddy of mine
about this and he said he would do the same. Unfortunately I
never did because I was assigned as a primary to a reaction team,
which when I was an alternate was told it never got activated.
Did get activated in December of 1961. The next thing I know I
was at Arlington Hall getting orders and shots before heading for
the Brooklyn Army Terminal (I think that's what it was called) to
setup an old victory ship originally called the
"Czechoslovakia Victory" now named the "Lt JG
Robinson" for a trip to Africa. After four or so months in
the sunshine continent I was flown home via KLM Airlines,
reporting back to Devens. This again was an emergency return
because of an emergency operation my wife had.
All was well and I finished my hitch in September of 1962 after
six years with ASA. I did not reup because my wife was stricken
in the March time frame and the only way I found out about it was
a packet of mail from the American Embassy in Cape Town South
Africa got to me in May. I had to request a departure from my
team leader. My family contacted Devens a number of times and was
told since she survived the operation there was no reason to
return me.. OK. That's pretty much the story of my ASA days.
Everyone of us in the group at Devens was deployed to one country
or another during this time frame. Even Nam.
After leaving the service I stayed in the spook world working for
a number of electronics firms. Even spent time with some of my
old ASA buddies on their sites. During this time my family grew
to two girls and a boy, and I used my GI bill to go to college
and advance to a PhD. I know have three grown children, two with
families and one at home with us. I have two grown grandsons; one
with the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq, the other just graduated
Syracuse U and is looking for work. I also have three little
grandchildren (two girls and a boy )in tenn where my son lives.
I spent my career working for various companies from NH to CA
over my career. I have been on consulting contracts to most DOD
and non-DOD agencies and services. I even spent a few years as a
consultant in the telecommunications field. Today I am finishing
out my career by returning to my home state after a life time and
working for Lockheed Martin in their Radar Division in Syracuse
NY. Where we realized a life time dream to have a house on the
water. Thank You ASA for some exciting and educational years. And
thank you for providing me with the opportunity to have an
exciting and varied civilian career.
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