1945. He started through France on March 3, 1945. He also served in Holland, Germany, Austria and Belgium. When the war ended, he came home for a 30-day leave and was shipped out of Fort Bragg after the first atomic bomb. He went to Seattle and sailed through most of the Pacific passing the Marshall Islands, Philippines, and others. He ended up in Japan in mid-September and stayed there until he returned home in late November. He was discharged in early December. He served in the infantry and had three days of combat! He was always on special assignment to Special Services in entertainment and recreation. He remarked: 'Music and fun kept me out of it!' Darrell Elwood Williams In March of 1943, Darrell received this notice: 'You are hereby notified that you have now been selected for training and service in the Land or Naval Forces and will leave for 179 Motor Avenue, Salt Lake City, Utah, at 7: 00 A.M. on March 3, 1943 via the Bamberger Railroad.' Darrell received his order to report for induction from the President of the United States, on February 15, 1943. Darrell said goodbye to his wife, Elaine Berrett Williams, whom he married only eight months earlier and was headed to parts unknown, uncertain if he would ever see Elaine again. Darrell entered active duty on March 10, 1943. Fourteen days later, he arrived at Camp Bowie, Texas. On March 13, 1943, the 651st Tank Destroyer Battalion was activated at Camp Bowie. Pvt. Williams was assigned to A Company Headquarters Platoon. The following two months were spent getting acquainted with the M10 tanks and preparing for maneuvers along with range work, dismounted drills and training films. Three months later, Darrell was promoted to corporal and became a clerk typist of operations. In November 1943, the 651st was moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where the battalion began its advanced training. The weather was wet, and the terrain was muddy. Training continued for the next three months. In January 1944 the 651st was on the move again. This time, the battalion ended up in Brownwood, Texas. During the next eight months, the Battalion began to settle in more as an active unit. The men were allowed to have more free time. Darrell even found a way for his wife, Elaine, to come and visit him for a couple of weeks. This made the military a little more bearable. On June 6, 1944, the battalion received word that D-Day had begun. This made everyone uneasy, and the training began to intensify. Everyone thought the battalion would be called up any day. No such luck or maybe it was luck that the battalion continued its stay at Brownwood, Texas, until the end of September 1944. Earlier in August, Darrell was promoted to tech four and became the general clerk for the battalion. In September he and the 651st TD Battalion were transferred to Fort McPherson, Georgia. They continued their training as the war continued overseas. The weather was cold and made it difficult for the men to keep their minds on the training. They were thinking of home, their wives and families and the upcoming Christmas season. The battalion was still unsure of its role as a fighting unit. They had an excellent rating on their platoon combat firing and tactical proficiency test. Still no word as to when or if the battalion would be shipping overseas. As luck would have it, on December 1, 1944, the order came. By Christmas, the battalion found itself in England. Darrell was again promoted to staff sergeant after arriving in England. He was assigned to H & S Co. 343 Engineers G & S Regiment as a supply NCO. During the first week of April 1945, Darrell's unit arrived in France and by April 12th, he found himself in Germany. During this time, Darrell was given the task of locating and disposing of vast quantities of enemy engineer materials. Instead, Darrell found a way to have the materials and supplies diverted to the U.S. troops. His initiative in obtaining the needed supplies contributed materially to the success of the U.S. troops in Rheinprovinz, the first area to be occupied and governed by allied troops in Germany. For this effort, Darrell received the Bronze Star. Darrell was also promoted to technical sergeant and became the operations NCO. Darrell spent eleven more months in Germany, with assignments in Idar Oberstein and Bad Wildungen. In February 1946 he was assigned to Co. B 278 Engineers C. BN.This unit was stationed in Brasselsberg, Germany. 132 Darrell continued his assignment as operations NCO until March 10, 1946, at which time he was released to return home. After arriving at Fort Douglas, Utah, Darrell completed the needed paperwork and was separated from active duty on April 15, 1946, with an honorable discharge. Darrell attended Weber College for a couple of years. He later found a position as a clerk in the cashier's office at Weber. After a few years, he moved to the stores department and later became the manager of the printing department for Weber College. Darrell worked 35 years for the college. Submitted by Jeffrey Darrell Williams, son Joseph Reese Williams Joe served in the 25th Medical Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, participating in three campaigns: Guadalcanal, New Georgia (Northern Solomon Islands), and Luzon (Philippines). He recorded several interesting and sometimes unpleasant experiences. His first frightening experience in action as a medic happened after arriving at Guadalcanal in January 1943. His company was attacked by Japanese snipers that fired on them from trees surrounding a battalion supply dump. After that was brought under control, they spent the rest of the day evacuating casualties from the fighting area back to the supply dump. During the following days and weeks, they treated and evacuated many casualties. They evacuated Japanese sick and wounded as well as their own men. It was in New Georgia that he saw his first leg amputation and the first serious battle fatigue casualties. There were times, however, that problems with the weather and the terrain were more difficult than those with the enemy. They were required to endure constant rain, forced to cross swamps, trudge up and down mountain ranges, and pass through jungles. Only a small portion of the war experiences which Joe recorded have been mentioned above. The good part was that he formed lasting friendships which he treasured in the years to follow. He particularly enjoyed being able to visit with his war buddies while attending reunions of the 25th Infantry Division. Bart Wolthuis Bart Wolthuis was a major in the Army. He served in the U.S.A. European Theater of Operation, in the German Rhineland Campaign and in the Saarland Campaign, France and Belgium actions. He was with the Army of Occupation and served as an interpreter for his unit in Germany. Robert E. Woods Bob Woods attended Weber before entering the service in 1942-1943. His education was interrupted with his induction into the Army. After basic training he was assigned to the 104th Infantry Division and saw combat in the European Theater of Operations in Holland and Germany. He received the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat and the Bronze Star for gallantry in action. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and several campaign ribbons. After he was discharged, he returned to Weber to finish his education, graduating in 1947 with an associate's degree. Jack W. Wright My military history began during my high school days in the 1930s. I was a student at Ogden High School and a member of the Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC). I got quite an insight into military life from a tough regular Army Sergeant, Ed Holloway. I must say, he taught us well, especially in the matter of military courtesy, customs of the service, and discipline! Following graduation from Ogden High, I looked forward to attending college, which was easier said than done. The '30s was the decade of The Great Depression and my family, as did most others, suffered financially. After a few years I did manage to acquire the necessary 133