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 36th 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, 142nd Infantry, 36th Division. Later he was made a bandsman with the rank of Technician 4th 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.
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