Honor Flight DFW trip#9

Harbor on the cars radio.

Robert was inducted into the US Marines in November, 1942 at the age of 21.

 Robert went into flight training to become a pilot. In his career in the Marine Corps Robert flew dive bombers and fighters. Among some of the aircraft he flew were the SBD Dauntless, the SB2C Helldiver (the Beast), and the F4U Corsair fighter.

He was assigned to the VMSB-331 squadron of the 4^th Marine Air Wing. His unit was based at Majuro in the Marshall Islands.

During his service Robert flew many missions hitting nearby islands such as Millie, Jaluit, Maloelap and Wotje Island. Wotje Island held a large Japanese seaplane base. One of the important facts about Millie Island is that this was the location of the first formal surrender of Japanese forces after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 22, 1945 the USS Levy DE 162 was host to this historic event and first surrender of Japanese territory as WWII ended.

Roberts’s most memorable experience was when his dive bomber was hit by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing run on Wotje Island. Robert had to “dead stick” a landing of his damaged aircraft into the Pacific. Luckily he and his rear seat gunner were picked up by a Navy PBY Catalina flying boat. He and his gunner were soon back at their base.

Robert was discharged from the Marines on December 22, 1946 with the rank of Captain. He received the Air Medal during his time in the service.    

Honor Flight DFW trip # 9

Charles is a native of Dallas Texas, and still resides there to this day. He was in high school at Adamson High in Dallas Texas when he heard the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the Navy at the age of 17 in 1944, starting boot camp in San Diego.

This sailor shipped out on the U.S.S.Wake Island CVE-65.which was an escort (or Jeep) carrier from San Francisco to Hawaii in late 1944. The Wake Island then sailed for the Philippine Islands passing through the Sergio Straight just after New Year’s Day, 1945 joining the massive fleet for the forthcoming invasion of Luzon, Philippine Islands.

Charles had the very hazardous duty of being an aircraft handler on the deck of the Wake Island. With planes moving around the deck with rockets and bombs attached, and props spinning, this was one of the most dangerous jobs that a sailor on an aircraft carrier could do.

The Wake Island participated in the Philippine campaign, then was stationed off Iwo Jima and sent naval aircraft to attack the island in support of the Marines for 24 consecutive days. After being relieved and refitted, Charles and the rest of the crew of the Wake Island arrived off Okinawa arriving in the operating area in late March, 1945. The ship was attacked at one point by Japanese kamikaze aircraft with one narrowly missing the ship, but causing extensive damage to the hull.

The Wake Island continued to serve in the Pacific until the end of the war. After the war, Charles was part of the tests off San Diego where the navy tested the FR Fireball, the first jet to land on a U.S. carrier.

Charles eventually got out of the service and went to work for Braniff Airlines. He went to school, obtained a Masters degree, and retired as a principal for D.I.S.D. after 25 years. Charles and his wife have been members of White Rock United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

Charles told me that in visiting his WWII Memorial, all the thoughts and memories of the men he served with, and didn’t come back will come flooding back.

Honor Flight DFW trip #9

Robert was a high school senior when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened on December 7, 1941.

He joined the US Army Air Corps on March 15, 1943 at the age of 18.

After basic training, Robert was sent to gunnery school to learn how to shoot the .50 caliber machine guns used on heavy bombers. He soon qualified and became a top turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator.

Robert was sent to England and was assigned to the famous 8^th Air Force. He was assigned to the 492^nd Bomb Group, 856^th Bomb Squadron.

Robert’s most memorable experience was the day that his bomber was hit by German flak. The plane was on fire so the order was given for the crew to bail out. Robert came down from the top turret and realized that his flying suit was on fire too! He saw that his parachute was not fully hooked up but he jumped anyway. Robert landed in the cold Baltic Sea and was soon picked up by a patrolling German E-boat crewed by German Marines.

Robert said that he was lucky and that God was surely looking out for him. He found out after the war that he was the only surviving crewman on his B-24. He got out of the hospital and spent the next year as a prisoner of war. Before his release, Robert walked 800 miles across Poland and Germany, heading west since the Russian army was coming. The German’s didn’t want to release their prisoners, and they didn’t want to become POW’s of the Russian’s.

Robert was discharged on October 31, 1945 as a Tech Sergeant.

He received the French Croix De Guerre medal, the POW Medal, Purple Heart, D-Day Normandy Campaign Medal, and the European Air Offensive Medal with clusters.  

Honor Flight DFW profiles trip #9

On Sunday, December 7, 1941 Joe was at home in Oklahoma City. No doubt he and his family heard the first reports of the attack around noon or so that day. People were scared. Where was Pearl Harbor? How did the Japanese surprise us like that? Questions like this lingered for weeks, months, even today.

He joined the Marines and was inducted on October 20, 1942 at the age of 18.

Joe participated in some of the most horrendous battles in the South Pacific. He was in the famous 2^nd Marine Division;”C” Company, 1^st Medium Tank Battalion at Tarawa.

Later he was a member of “A” Company, 2^nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division at Saipan-Tinian and again at Okinawa.

Joe states that two of his most memorable experiences during the war were the invasion of Tarawa, and the terrible first night on the island of Saipan. Both times he experienced fanatical Japanese suicide attacks, and since they favored night assaults, little sleep was had for days.

He says that during the war he matured fast. The horrible things that happen in war makes him realize that we should avoid it at all costs. Unless we are thrust into a war like the US was in WWII.

Joe received the Purple Heart on Tarawa, and the Presidential Unit Citation with one star.

He was discharged as a Corporal on January 6, 1946 after participating in the initial occupation of Japan.  

Honor Flight DFW profiles trip # 9

James was home on December 7, 1941 when he heard the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Hawaii.

He joined the US Marine Corps on January 11, 1945 at the age of 18.

While in the Marines, James was in the infantry, and was assigned as a camp guard.

His duty locations included Parris Island, Camp Lejune, Camp Pendleton and the USNS Pier 91 at Seattle, Washington.

He attained the rank of PFC and was discharged on August 19, 1946.

Honor Flight DFW profiles, trip # 9

Oscar was riding in a McCamy Texas school bus traveling from Austin Texas back to McCamy when he heard about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Sunday December7, 1941.

Oscar was inducted into the US Army Air Corp on November 28, 1942 at the age of 18. He began pilot training after boot camp, and soon found himself on the way to Italy.

This author had an uncle that was in the “Checkertails” of the 15^th Air Force. He was based at Foggia, Italy where I believe Oscar was based as well. Oscar was assigned to the 15^th Air Force, 52^nd Fighter Group, of the 2^nd Fighter Squadron.

Oscar flew P-51 Mustangs which is considered to be the finest fighter of WWII. He flew 50 combat missions and attained 250 combat hours as a fighter pilot.

His duties while in Italy were as a fighter pilot, but he also was the Operations Officer, and Director of Personnel.

During his time with the 15^th Air Force, Oscar flew many missions that involved strafing and bombing German troop transports, aircraft on the ground, and trains. Trains were particularly dangerous to attack because many were heavily fortified with flak guns on flatbed railcars.

However Oscar’s most memorable experience was when he shot down a German Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf FW-190 fighter. This was considered by many to be the hottest German fighter (before the ME-262 jet) in the Luftwaffe inventory.  

Oscar received the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross) with four oak leaf clusters, and the European Theater Ribbon with seven battle stars.

He had a long career in the Air Corps, later the US Air Force. Oscar retired in 1976 with the rank of Major.

Honor Flight DFW profiles, trip#9

Benjamin joined the US Army on November 25, 1940 at the age of 18. He was at Camp Bowie Texas on Sunday December 7, 1941. Actually he was watching a movie that Sunday afternoon near the base. Around 2:30PM the lights came on during the film, and the manager walked out on stage. He announced that all military personnel should return to base.

Benjamin was a member of the 142^nd Infantry, 36^th Division also known as The Texas Division. He participated in action in North Africa, Italy, Southern France, the Alsace Loraine area of France, the Rhineland in Germany, and the Austrian Alps.

He was a Staff Sergeant, battalion S-4 responsible for supplying five companies with food, weapons, ammunition and clothing.

Some of Benjamin’s most memorable experiences included landing in the second wave in the invasion of Salerno Italy, the first wave in the invasion of Southern France, the liberation of Rome at midnight June 4, 1944, and the attack behind German lines at Valletri, Italy.

Benjamin has said that his experience during WWII caused him to grow up to become a mature young man.

He was awarded the Good Conduct, and American Defense Medals. He also received the EAME Campaign Medal with five bronze stars. The Bronze Star Medal, the 36^th Infantry Medal, and the Non-Combat Medal for Outstanding Service.

Benjamin was discharged on June 28, 1945.

  

Honor Flight DFW trip #9

Eddie had just returned from a movie on the afternoon of December 7, 1941 when he heard the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. This was in his hometown of Robert Lee Texas.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on July 8, 1944 at the age of 17.

Edie was eventually assigned to Co. A, 1075^th AAF BU at Miami Beach Florida.

He also spent time in Coral Gables Florida at the Miami Biltmore Army Hospital. He was then transferred to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital at Lowry Field, Colorado.

Eddie said that he enlisted in the Air Corps to become a pilot or a crewman on a bomber. However during the middle of 1944 there was a surplus of pilots and aircrew. So as often happened during WWII, Uncle Sam sent you where you were most needed, not just where one wanted to serve.  Eddie was a clerk typist 055 in the Final Discharge Section.

This is a great example of a member of the military doing his or her job to their utmost ability in the service of their country. As in today’s military, not all of the jobs were glamorous, but they were all important to make the American war machine function properly during wartime.

After his discharge in 1947, Eddie graduated under the GI Bill from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in petroleum engineering.

Eddie received the WWII Victory Medal, and the American Theater Medal.

Honor Flight DFW profiles trip #9

Donice was living in Arkadelphia Arkansas when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Hawaii on December 7, 1941. He didn’t exactly how he heard of the attack. He may have heard it from a friend, or on the radio. He may have been sitting in a movie theater as some have said. The film suddenly stopped, and the manager walked out on stage and announced that the movie was over, go home to your loved ones.

He enlisted in the US Navy on December 7, 1943. At the conclusion of boot camp, Donice attended radar school, eventually attaining the rank of Radioman Third Class.

Donice was assigned to three ships during his service during WWII. One was the USS Killen, DD-593 which was a Fletcher-class destroyer. The other was the USS Soubarissen, AO-93 which was a fleet oiler. Lastly there was the USS YMS313, which was a minesweeper.

One of his most memorable experiences happened on November 1, 1944. This was during the invasion of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. Around 10AM his ship was attacked by seven Japanese kamikaze suicide planes. The ships gunners managed to shoot down four of the attacking planes and one other dropped a 500 pound bomb on the portside of the ship. The ships gunners got the rest of the attackers but the bomb did a lot of damage. The bomb killed fifteen sailors and well as massive damage to the ship.

At the Battle of Surigao Straight, which was body of water between the islands of Mindanao and Leyte, Donice’s ship put a torpedo into a Japanese battleship.

When asked how his military service affected his life, Donice said that “I grew up fast.”

He was discharged on July 26, 1946.     

Honor Flight DFW trip # 9

Charles was home on December 7, 1941. On that Sunday his life and millions of other Americans lives were forever changed.

He joined the Army Air Corps on October 28, 1942 at the age of 19. After boot camp, he was assigned to the 13^th Air Force in the South Pacific.

Charles soon found himself on the island of New Guinea. The US Army under General MacArthur were fighting the Japanese who had built several airfields on that island as well as surrounding smaller islands.

Charles’s job while assigned to the 868^th Heavy Bomb Group at Noomfour New Guinea was that of prop specialist and aircraft mechanic flight line supervisor. With all those responsibilities he also found time to cook at the base.

His most memorable experience was hearing Japanese bombers flying over his tent at night on bombing runs. One time in particular the plane was so low that he heard the bomb bay doors open and then heard the bombs being dropped on the base!

Charles ended up making a career out of the Air Force retiring in 1964. Later in his career he was part of rocket research at Edwards Air Force base in California.

He received many awards including the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with six bronze service stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four bronze oak leaf clusters, and many more.  

Honor Flight DFW trip # 9

On December 7, 1941 Jimmy remembers being in his room at U.T. working on a project when the radio “blasted” the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jimmy says that his worries about what to major in at the university were over. He began to concentrate on his Naval ROTC studies at school.

He was inducted into the Navy at the age of 18 on July 1, 1943. He received his commission as Lieutenant Junior Grade (later achieved Lieutenant) in February 1944.  

Jimmy was assigned to the newly commissioned USS Hubbard and spent six months patrolling in the Atlantic. Then he was back on shore for four months of additional training at CIC school.

Jimmy was sent to the Pacific in 1944. He was tasked with several jobs while on board the (small ships) as he described them. In combat however, Jimmy’s job was that of Combat Information Center (CIC) commander.

His most memorable experiences were when he participated in the invasions of the Philippines, Iwo-Jima and Okinawa. During the invasion of the Philippines his ship carried troops to the beaches. During the invasions of Iwo-Jima and Okinawa, his ship patrolled around the islands offering fire support to Marines and soldiers on the ground fighting to gain a foothold under withering Japanese fire.

Jimmy says that he was only sixteen years old and only at U.T. for three months on the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He received his commission as an Ensign at the young age of eighteen. His naval training and serving aboard ships approaching the Japanese home islands had a strong effect on his life and maturity.

He was discharged from the Navy on July 1, 1946.

Honor Flight DFW trip#9

Billie was in the 8^th grade in Plainview Texas when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was in the last year of Junior High School.

He joined the US Navy and was inducted on June 26, 1946 at the age of 18.

He started boot camp at San Diego California on June 6, 1946 and finished three months later. Then he was sent to electronics school at Treasure Island California, finishing that training on September 14, 1947.

Billie was assigned to the USS Comstock (LSD-19) at Pearl Harbor Hawaii and was transferred onboard in October 1947.  

Billie’s responsibilities on the Comstock included such duties as maintenance and repair of shipboard radios, and the repair of the ships sonar and radar units. He also worked on Loran, which was a highly secret navigation system on the ship.

His most memorable experience was his ship’s participation in Operation Sandstone between October 1947 and May 1948. These were the atomic bomb tests off Eniwetok Atoll in the South Pacific. He feels that this experience as well as the rest of his time in the Navy contributed to a strong base for his future adult maturity.

The USS Comstock also was deployed to China with Billie on-board in October 1948.

After his discharge with the rank of Electronics Technician 2^nd Class in 1949, Billie earned electronics degree from Texas Technical College.

His awards included the China Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Honor Flight profiles trip #9

On December 7, 1941 Melvin was hunting quail in a field somewhere south of Houston. I’m not certain but he probably found out about the surprise attack from a radio report. But maybe it was when he got back to civilization and people who wanted to be the first to give the bad news approached him. But where is Pearl Harbor? That was usually the next question.

Melvin was inducted into the US Army Air Corps on July 31, 1942 at the age of 19. After basic training Melvin was trained in the fine art of aerial gunnery. After this training, he and undoubtedly 10 or so other crewman flew a B-24 Liberator bomber to England. After the hazardous Atlantic crossing via New Foundland, Greenland or Iceland they finally landed in England. They were now part of the famous 8^th Air Force.

Melvin was a gunner on a B-24 at a time when American and British fighter escorts could only go part way to targets in Europe. The duty was extremely dangerous. The chances of surviving 20-25 missions were slim at best. Not only did these crewmen have to deal with German fighters and flak, the bitter cold at the very high altitudes they flew took its toll on many pilots, bombardiers, navagators and gunners.  The crewmen wore electric suits which were plugged into a receptacle in the bomber. Many times during combat, these suits became unplugged, or the system failed because of damage to the aircraft. Frostbite took its toll on many members of the Army Air Forces.  

Melvin was a member of the 453^rd Bomb Group of the 8^th Air Force. When asked what was your most memorable war experience, Melvin said; “Too many to answer!”

He was discharged on October 13, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. His awards include the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He also was awarded the Good Conduct medal.

Honor Flight DFw profiles trip#9

Bernard was inducted at age 23 on April 7, 1941 into the US Army. He was stationed at Fort Jackson South Carolina when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1942. At the time he was assigned to a service company on base.

His experience in WWII took him to the European Theater of Operations. Bernard was part of the 29^th Infantry Division also known as The Blue and Gray Division. This division was in combat for 242 days. It participated in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.

Bernard was a platoon leader and also a liaison officer to the Belgian Army.

He credits his experience in WWII to his belief that it made him a better man and was an excellent lesson in responsibility.

Bernard’s belief that it made him a better man is an almost universal feeling of WWII veterans that I have met. That may be just one of the reasons for the title “Greatest Generation,” that has been bestowed on this generation.

Bernard was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant on November 8, 1945.      

Honor Flight DFW profiles trip #9

On December 7, 1941, a Sunday, Glenn was in Corsicana Texas. He was inducted into the US Army on February 16, 1943.

After basic training Glenn was assigned as an infantryman. He participated in the American Theater of operations, and the European theater of operations.

During the war Glenn was assigned to the 66^th Infantry Division known as The Black Panther Division, activated on April 15, 1943. This division was in combat for 91 days and participated in the Northern France campaign. He was also a part of the 78^th Infantry Division. Known as the Lightning Division, it was in combat for 125 days. The division participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central European campaigns. Lastly he was part of the 104^th Infantry Division known as The Timberwolf Division. This division was in combat for 200 days. It participated in the Northern France, Rhineland, and Central European campaigns.  

His most memorable experience was one that many servicemen and women had. Combat. That never leaves you and Glenn has said that his experience in WWII taught him a greater respect for people.

His wartime experience made him realize that education was important, and it surely changed this soldier from a teenager to an adult!

Glenn was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart.

Honor Flight DFW trip#9 profiles

On December 7, 1941 Howard was at his home on California Avenue in Akron Ohio. He doesn’t say how he heard the news in his application, but probably someone heard the announcement on the radio around noon on that Sunday, and let Howard and everyone in shouting distance that a war was on. The next question was “Where was Pearl Harbor” and “How did we let the Japanese attack us by surprise?”

Howard joined the Coast Guard on July 21, 1942 at the age of 21. His basic training was conducted at Curtis Bay Maryland. He trained in among other specialties, HFDF also known as “Huff Duff.” He continued his training in Puerto Rico for six months, then to Atlantic City New Jersey.

After training Howard was shipped to the Aleutian Islands, specifically Attu and Adak islands. The Aleutian Islands during WWII were part of the Alaskan Territory. On June 3, 1942 small Japanese force occupied Attu and Kiska islands. The remoteness of the islands and the severe weather meant that it took nearly a year for American forces to eject them.  The importance of the islands was clear to the Japanese Empire since whoever controlled this area controlled the Pacific Great Circle routes.

The U.S. also feared that the islands would be used as bases to launch aerial assaults on the west coast of the U.S. and Canada.

The battle for the Aleutians is sometimes called the “Forgotten Battle.” This was because it occurred and was overshadowed by the simultaneous Guadalcanal Campaign in the Solomon Islands. Americans were riveted back home to reports on the radio of Marines and soldiers fighting for Clark Field on Guadalcanal.

Eventually American and Canadian forces overcame the Japanese occupiers in the frozen wastelands that were the Aleutian Island chain. Quickly Army engineers went about constructing airfields and communication bases on the islands, hoping the Japanese stayed away. They did, never to return.

Howard’s assignment in the Aleutians was radio repair and high frequency training. He also was tasked with listening in and intercepting Japanese radio broadcasts. The islands that Howard lived and served on were cold and hostile. Some servicemen succumbed to the remoteness and the harsh weather of the area. Loneliness and boredom caused many to crack under the pressure. Most however, like Howard accepted his assignment, and did his duty to the best of his ability.

Howard was on Attu Island when he heard that the atomic bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima. No doubt he could now dream that the war was close to an end, and that he could go home. An invasion of the Japanese home islands would not be necessary. The estimated million Japanese and Allied servicemen that would have died in the Operations Olympic and Coronet, and a war that reportedly would have gone on until 1948-49 would live to see late 1945 and beyond.

Howard took advantage of the GI bill, as millions of other servicemen and women did, and graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio in 1950 as a 2^nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He received a discharge from the Air Force as a 1^st Lieutenant on August 31, 1959.

Howard and his wife Grace, now live in Austin Texas.        

Honor Flight DFW interviews trip #9

Ernest joined the Army on November 25, 1940 at the age of 18. On December 7, 1941 he was stationed at Camp Bowie, Texas.

He was a member of the famous 36^th Division, also known as The Texas Division-Texas National Guard. This division was activated on November 25, 1940, the date of Ernest’s enlistment. The division arrived overseas on April 2, 1943 and was in combat for 400 days. The division fought at Naples-Foggia, Rome Arno, Southern France, the Rhineland, and all over Central Europe.

Ernest landed on the beach at Salerno Italy on September 9, 1943. The Germans and Italians fought ferociously trying to through the American forces back into the Med. Fortunately the Allies, including the Texas Division, fought heroically and gained a foothold on the beach. It was tough fighting, with the Italian campaign still active almost until the end of the war.

 He was a rifleman in Co. L, 142^nd Infantry, 36^th Division. Later he was made a bandsman with the rank of Technician 4^th grade.

Ernest used his experience in WWII and in the Army in later life to realize that he could tolerate (even if he didn’t enjoy it) almost anything in life.

He was discharged from the military on July 29, 1945.

Honor Flight DFW trip #9 profiles

Cleatis was at home in Bonham Texas when he heard the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It was Sunday, December 7, 1941.

He joined the Army Air Force on April 7, 1943 at the age of 18.

Cleatis has an interesting story to tell, as he was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. Of all the gunner positions on bombers during WWII, the ball turret gunner was considered by many to be the most dangerous position on the aircraft. The gunner was positioned in a very small compartment with his knees basically drawn up on either side of his head. And a small door was the only way to get out. Plus being hung out in the bombers freezing slipstream made for a cold, cold ride, especially if the heating element failed in the gunners flying suit.

Cleatis’ B-17 was hit by flak in May 1945. Flames were spreading along the wing near engine #3. The pilot told him to climb out of his turret and prepare to bail out. Cleatis reported that German fighters were still around and the bomber would possibly get hit while the crew prepared to bail out.

The pilot then decided it was better to try and land the plane. An abandoned German airfield came into view and the crew safely and thankfully kissed the ground when the B-17 pulled to a stop. The crew made their way out Germany back to England. They flew three more missions before the war ended.

Cleatis suffered from high altitude frostbite during his missions and continues with treatment even after all these years. He was awarded the Overseas Air Medal, 3 bronze stars, WWII Victory Medal, Good conduct, and his unit, the 452^nd Bomb Group of the mighty 8^th Air Force, received a Presidential Unit Citation.

He was discharged on November 8, 1945 with the rank of staff sergeant. 

July 2012 Hogwash

Continued from last issue; Motorcycle Officer Smith rode along Elm Street trying not to get his tires caught up in the treacherous streetcar tracks. Since 1909 when Dallas bought their first Harley-Davidson’s for police use, there had been several deaths on police bikes. So many that the City had thought several times to eliminate the motorcycle corps. Almost as many officers had been killed by motorcycle accidents as from gunshot wounds from bad guys. Training had always been the key in keeping deaths and injuries from reaching epidemic proportions. Automobiles were considered too expensive for general police work. Motorcycle officers answered calls for service in 1936, and because they were on two wheels, several times a day they had to call paddy wagons to haul prisoners to jail. So the city fathers saw the occasional injury or death of a motorcycle officer as the price for doing business in the City of Dallas. Sad but true.

Smith gingerly avoided the streetcar tracks, as well as numerous potholes along the street. Deep Ellum, like West Dallas, not yet annexed by the City, was kind of a dumping ground for all sorts of people, places and things, it was the last area to get the newest and best the City could offer, but the hard working folks made it work, and ignored the sense that theirs was an armpit of Dallas.

Passing such hotspots such as The Gypsy Tea Room and The Harlem Theater, Smith noticed the usual suspects hanging around out front being the “good eyes” for whatever illegal things might be going on in the darkened alleyways nearby. Smith and his partner knew of the gambling and afternoon prostitution that attracted businessmen from downtown. Sometimes these men were found out, and they were the ones who would fight the hardest, as they saw their careers and family life going south if arrested.

 He knew some if not all of the characters that frequented the bars and blues clubs. Yes, he felt the eyes from the sidewalks following the two officers on Harleys who waited for them to pass before the signal could be given that the coast was clear, until the officers made the block, and it started all over.

There were also the honest businessmen who worked long hours in the barber shops, clothing stores and the cafes. Smith felt especially protective of them. Many lived upstairs over their shops with their families. Then of course there were the pawn shops owners, many walked a fine line so to speak, but they were tolerated for the most part.

Smith used his left hand to shift as he played with the foot clutch of his new VL, a low compression Harley that was perfect for slow cruising. He had to stop several times to adjust the volume of his radio. It was either too soft or too loud. Soft? Smith and his partner stopped and put down their kick stands, got off and inspected the new radio. It wasn’t working at all! Smith took off the radio cover and as instructed, inspected the tubes. Sure enough the rough streets had already done a number on the new radio. He had a spare, and as a crowd of curious Deep Ellumites looked on, Smith installed it and mounted up.

As he accelerated, Smith noticed that he was at Elm and Central Track. This was the only area of Dallas that in 1936 mandated that two officers would patrol together. There was West Dallas, but for the most part the Sherriff’s patrolled that lawless area, home of the now dead bandits Bonnie and Clyde, until the fight was on and help was called usually from DPD officers who only then would cross the city limits into West Dallas.

This intersection of Elm and Central Track bordered the railroad tracks that led to old North Dallas, basically Hall and Thomas streets. There were bars, gambling joints and the Park Theater where some of the best blues musicians such as Blind Lemon Jefferson played and sang. But this area had very few of the honest businessman that occupied much of the real estate in Deep Ellum proper. This was an area where life was cheap; killings were common and seldom solved. Smith had once seen the body of a woman who had recently been killed since the body was still warm when found. She had been stabbed, and then rolled under a sedan that was parked at the curb. It was a busy Saturday night and people walked by not paying particular attention to the latest victim of Central Track. Aside; little did Smith know that later, this area was razed and elevated I-45 was built over the tracks, and that Hall and Thomas would eventually become a high end neighborhood. For now, the killings continued. 

    

July 2012 Dallas Police Shield

July 2012 Dallas Police Shield

Recently I received a copy of a March 1947 issue of “Municipal News and Views.” It was a City of Dallas house organ that included news from various departments throughout the City. It was volume 2; number 3 which would make one believe that the paper started soon after the end of WWII.

The newsletter was 11 pages long, and had a picture of the proposed “Corporation Court” that was to be built next to 106. What is interesting is that the drawing was signed by a “City Architect.” I guess that’s when the City had the money for such positions. Well, maybe they still do, I don’t know. The paper was proudly printed by the “Municipal Print Shop.” I’m not sure if the City still has one of those either.

The newsletter was sent to me by the son of Officer Preston D. Hale. You might remember that Officer Hale was killed in an airplane crash in February, 1947. He was using his own airplane to search for bank robbers who had fled in an easterly direction. His plane crashed in an area which was near a dairy farm in Oak Cliff. What’s tragic and ironic is that Hale had been in action in Europe during the war and apparently didn’t receive any injuries from his time in combat. He had been a Dallas officer since 1933 when he, along with many other DPD officers joined the military after Pearl Harbor. He had received many medals and commendations during his time in Europe. He spent two years, three months in the European theater including Normandy, Southern France, Holland and Germany. After coming home, he joined the department again and within a short time, died in the line of duty.

The newsletter was written largely by employees of various departments. Reading the stories submitted shows “how things were” in business in a more innocent time you might say of the 1940’s. Things that workers would never write or even say out loud in today’s work environment were fodder for other employee’s information and amusement.

For instance in the City Purchasing Department, the writer reported that “Attention All Girls,” Have you noticed two well dressed men in our office? Jimmy Dorff and Harry Watters have both purchased new suits and if I might say so-are mighty handsome!”

It seems that the Purchasing Department had more juicy gossip than most of the other City departments. Another breaking news story that would cause uproar today only because a person’s personal life was being infringed upon was the piece “Who is the mysterious man that is meeting our pretty little Rachel for lunch so frequently?” Looks like it might be serious! One can only imagine poor Rachel when she read this. Hopefully the story didn’t come back to haunt her, or the guy! Maybe the saying “It all starts with lunch” hadn’t been invented yet!

The police department’s entries were admittedly and predictably pretty dull, with a couple of exceptions.

There were the usual sickness reports, and well wishes for speedy recoveries. Lt. Charles Batchelor was congratulated on his Cocker Spaniels having pups. Captain Smith had a prized “Berkley” sterling silver lighter that he picked up while stationed in China during the war.

There was also the rather serious report that Chief Carl Hanson and 25 members of the police department drove to Waco to assist in guarding President Truman as he visited the city. Among the officers helping out were Sergeants Lumpkin and Griffin, and Officer Wiggins who guarded the presidential plane “The Sacred Cow.”

Bettie Brown, the “friendly little girl with the big brown eyes” who worked in the Chiefs office, was in New York City with her husband.  Can you imagine being described this way today in The Shield, or The Police News?

On a sad note, and one which all of us fear, was the death of Sergeant Bert Dellinger. He had joined the DPD on November 6, 1913.  What is interesting is the fact that he was promoted and demoted many times during his career. This may have been due to the financially strapped City during the depression. Or was it something else? The article didn’t say.

 He was promoted to Captain in 1921. A short time later he was promoted to Assistant Chief and served at that rank until June 1, 1933. He was then reassigned as a Sergeant on that same date of June 1, 1933. He was then promoted to Lieutenant in 1936. He served in this rank until October 1939 when he was again sent back to a Sergeants rank. It said that this change was due to “his age.” Yep, that would go over really good today!

Fortunately Dellinger retired on June 3, 1946 after 32 years of service. Unfortunately and this is part we all fear, and as happens today all too often, retirement was short-lived. He died in January 1947 after being retired only some eight months.