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I was
Personnel Sergeant by this time, having joined the unit at Fort Sill
to train as a Surveyor, and when I was fully trained, was assigned to
Alpha Battery as Instrument Man, under a MSG Floyd Beach who was Chief
of Survey. Beach was frequently 'off color' so I had the job of being
both the Instrument Man and Cof S.
The Battery
Commander at that time was a Capt Powell, who due to having had a bad
measles attack as a kid was badly pockmarked. We nicknamed him after
the Dick Tracy character "Pruneface Powell" or simply Pruney as the
mood took us. He had a habit of playing quick draw with us NonComs,
and really hated being beaten.
The Battalion
Commander was replaced by a Lt Col Lutz, who had a bad larynx which
had been badly done in Korea - so couldn't speak very loudly. Naturally
he became Whispering Smith. He was a really good CO, sharp, fair, and
a great leader. The troops liked him, and worked really hard for him.
His predecessor (whose name escapes me) was not any of those things,
and had the added burden of a terrible wife, who was known by the Ladies
of the Battalion as the Black Magnolia - very much the Southern Belle
- and apparently pretty bitchy to the ladies.
We were
based in Bad Kissingen at a former German Army barracks with the 2/14th
Armored Cavalry. Our mission was to help defend (read hold for a few
hours) a section of the Czech Border which was only 14 miles to our
East. I think we might have lasted a few hours before being overwhelmed.
Glad that we never had to prove that one way or the other.
I have
some old orders, photos etc of the time which I can donate if wanted.
I was pleased to see the unit went on with the same pride we had. (Webmaster
note: Ray has been contacted about the this).
Ray
A Grafflin, 265403006, SSG (Ret'd)
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