Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 1

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1 Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 1 Edward Kemp Anderson was born on the 20 December 1925 and was raised in Lewiston, Utah. At the age of 15, World War II had begun. During this time, Edward worked in Lewiston on the farm, hauled coal for Elbern Kent, and worked at the local sugar factory. For wages, a good days pay consisted of approximately $1.25. At the age of 17 and after working full time for an additional two weeks longer than the standard two- week school break established to allow the local children to assist in harvesting beats, Edward returned to school and tried to obtain the schoolwork he had missed. He was able to obtain the necessary work from all his teachers except one, who informed him that he could not make up the work and he would subsequently fail the class. In this same class was another student, Don, who was a friend of Edward's and who had been trying to get him to quit school all year long. After the response from the teacher that Edward would fail the course, Edward said to Don, Hey Don, do you still want to quit school? To which Don replied, I sure do. To this Edward responded, Well, let's get out of here then. Edward and Don then went over to the classroom window that was open, threw their books out, and left school for the last time. In that day, education was not a big concern and it was rare to attend college. Most men had manual labor jobs or relied on skills obtained through the service for employment. During this time of Edward s childhood, World War II had begun. The people in Lewiston knew of the war but not in detail. Information was only available through the radio and newspaper and it was not always current. People were aware of the war, but it was not a big concern. Children simply continued with their regular daily activities and did as they were told. The general feeling about the war among the people in Lewiston was patriotism to their country. They felt like the war was necessary after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Edward also shared these same feelings about the war. On the 20 December 1943, Edward turned 18 and on the 21 st he received his draft notice for the war. He would later enter full time military service on the 13 March The draft board for the area covering Lewiston consisted of local farmers. When it came time to draft boys for the war, the farmers would default to the boys in the town that were not in their own family so as to keep their boys for farming. Thus, if you were not part of the family of the draft board members, you were almost sure to be drafted when you turned 18. Marriage Early in the childhood of Edward and Floris, they knew each other and would often play together. They would ride bikes, play kick the can, and participate in other various activities together. To have fun, the local children would play with each other. There was no television, only a radio and a multi- line telephone. It was also often common to date and marry those whom you grew up with in your local town. Edward and Floris were married on 30 December 1943 in a special session set apart for the men who were going into military service. The temple was normally closed on this day but had opened to serve the departing servicemen. Edward and Floris

2 Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 2 first went through their own endowment sessions and were then married that same day. Because this was a special temple opening for departing servicemen, there was a large group of men and women attending. Floris borrowed a blouse and a white skirt from Aunt Ida Kent for their wedding and they both used the temple clothing for their ordinances. After the wedding, Edward and Floris went to Salt Lake City, Utah for their honeymoon. They traveled to Salt Lake City from Logan on a train called the Galloping Goose and stayed at the Temple Square Hotel, which is across the street from the Salt Lake City Temple. They stayed at this hotel for their honeymoon for two nights. Edward and Floris were both unfamiliar with Salt Lake City at the time and were both nervous about getting lost. Floris had only been to Salt Lake City once before they were married with her Grandmother. When they arrived, Edward hailed a cab and asked the driver to take them to the Temple Square Hotel. The driver said he would take them if they would like and then pointed to the hotel, which was within visible distance and only required a walk down an alleyway to get there, and said, It s right there. Once at the hotel, they ate most of their meals at a drug store, which was also within visible distance from the hotel, so that they would not get lost. In the hotel, they found a box on the wall, but they did not know what it was so they stayed away from the box. Later, they found out the box was a radio speaker that was connected to a central radio that played music for the guests. The guests could simply press a button on the box to turn on the speaker and listen to the music if desired. Both Edward and Floris now laugh when they look back on the memories of their honeymoon. After their return from Salt Lake City, Edward and Floris stayed with Edward s parents for several months until he left for the war. While Edward was away in the war, Floris purchased a home in Lewiston for $800, which she paid for in two years. Floris received a stove from Aunt Bell and a couch from their parents. She also bought a kitchen and bedroom set. For their fridge, they used an icebox, as an electric fridge was not yet available. They also did not yet have a telephone in the home. Military Service During Edwards s admittance into the Service, he was informed that he could join with the Army, Navy, or Marines. Edward enjoyed the water and thought he would make a good Navy man and thus initially desired to join the Navy. However, after walking right up to the Navy sign up desk, Edward immediately turned and walked straight to the Army desk and signed up. Edward is not sure why he decided to change from the Navy to the Army at the last minute, only that Heavenly Father was involved in his protection from an early stage. The recruitment office was located in Logan, Utah. When Edward entered the Army, he left Logan on a train to Fort Douglas and then to Camp Fannin in Texas for basic training. While at camp Fannin, Edward received training in demolition, ammunition, patrol work, defusing mines, and explosives among other training. In one such instance while in the France, Edward was commanded by his lieutenant to remove some dynamite from a

3 Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 3 dynamite cellar they found due to his training with explosives. When Edward entered the cellar, he saw nitroglycerin dripping out of the dynamite, which can explode when it drops and hits the floor. He quickly backed out and told the lieutenant that he would not remove the dynamite due to the danger and would only blow it up for removal. The lieutenant was angry but followed Edward s advice after discussing the issue with another lieutenant that was also familiar with dynamite. Edward was in Camp Fannin for a total of six months before being sent over seas. Even though Edward had extensive training in explosives, he also spent a lot of time on the front lines of battle as a replacement soldier. After the completion of Edward s basic training he did receive the opportunity to return home to Lewiston. This would be the only time Edward would return home during his service. Mail was difficult during the war. Soldiers were not always allowed to tell family at home in detail where they were located. In Edward s case, he preferred not to detail his location to his family so that they would not know the battles he was involved in and worry as much about him. Most mail was also reviewed before being sent or received. In many instances, mail would be delayed and would arrive in bulk shipments to the recipients. During Edward s service, he did have the opportunity to see a show by Bob Hope while in Stuttgart, Germany after the war had ended. In fact, Bob Hope was late for the show and tried to run through a roadblock, which resulted in his gas tank being shot out to stop him. This was rather comical for the soldiers. Hot cooked food for the soldiers during the war was not very common. Often cold rations were the primary source of meals. However, on one Christmas in particular, President Roosevelt promised that all the soldiers would receive a hot turkey dinner. This was a welcomed meal for Edward, as well as the other soldiers, as it had been several months since he had eaten a hot meal. For those that were on the front lines at the time, the meal was delivered by jeep as close as possible and then carried by hand to the soldiers. Other than the turkey dinner, Christmas was just like any other day for the soldiers. Fear was common among the soldiers. Edward, as well as many of the other soldiers, had fear during the whole duration of their service. Although, according to Edward, the Lord does and will bless you to be able to do whatever is required of you. Edward, as well as the other soldiers, continued to work each day as directed in spite of the fear they held. In a particular time in the war in Stuttgart, Germany, a city similar in size to Salt Lake City, Utah, a fleet of B17 s spent three minutes over the city dropping bombs, which leveled the entire city. During the war, not many people in Edwards troop created friendships with each

4 Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 4 other, as it was very difficult when a friend was lost in battle. It was easier to just not make friends. Thus, it was rare to have very many friends while in war. Edward did have a few friends through. Soldiers were also not allowed to carry anything that identified them other than their dog tags. The main purpose of wearing the dog tags was to identify soldiers in the event of their death. To this day, Edward still remembers his full dog tag number. During his service, Edward used an M1 Carbine, a Springfield 30-06, a pistol, and a fully automatic Grease Gun M3 Resin for some of his firearms. Later in life, Edward purchased the same style of Springfield rifles that he used for his boys. Edwards s first station was in Marseilles, France in the Vosges Mountains. By comparison, the mountains were similar to the mountains found at High Creek in Cove, Utah. It was very cold in the Vosges Mountains and Edward spent most of his time in a foxhole. One Christmas, Edward received a nice package from Floris and his family, which consisted, in part, of a nice bathrobe, slippers, and candy. Although, the bathrobe and slippers were not much use for a soldier in a foxhole but the candy was a welcomed treat. At this time of the war, Edward served under General Patch of the Seventh Army. Edward also spent most of his time in Germany after conquering France. In the battles that took place in France, they would often try to fight around the cities in an effort to preserve them. However, in Germany, preservation was not a top concern. This preservation of buildings and cities in France proved to be very difficult for the American soldiers, as many of the opposing German soldiers would place snipers in the buildings armed with Springfield rifles because they knew the Americans would try not to destroy the buildings. In one particular instance in which Edward received a Bronze Star, volunteers were asked to come forward to go help rescue a large lost company. Edward was one of the soldiers that volunteered. In Edward s words, he volunteered because he was freezing in the foxholes and it was a way to warm up. Edward, as well as the other soldiers that volunteered for this mission, then walked all night long and found that only 28 people were left in the company they were to rescue. Edward remembers traveling to the town and getting the lost and wounded company. However, he does not remember how they got the company out of the town or back to the American lines. While in Marseilles, France in the Vosges Mountains, Edward was engaged in a particularly difficult battle for him and his fellow soldiers. This battle also resulted in the awarding of the Meritorious Service Unit plaque for superior performance of duty to the soldiers involved. In the city of Bitche, the Germans had placed two 88- artillery guns in a cave above the city, which would fire upon any movement below. After a long battle, Edward and his troop climbed up on top of the mountain above

5 Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 5 the cave and let charges down with ropes, which blew the cave up. Within thirty minutes, Sally of Berlin, a local radio station, came on the radio and said they had killed over 200 people in the cave. Sally of Berlin also gave the American troops that fought this battle the name Bloody Butchers of Bitche. There was also a fort in the city of Bitche, which supplied the Maginot Line and the concrete Pill Boxes of the Germans through a network of underground tunnels. At first, these tunnels were unknown to the Americans as they would take the Pill Boxes in battle through use of hand grenades and after they had passed by the boxes, the Germans would come back and start shooting at them from behind. The Americans later found out that the Germans had tunnels, which provided a shelter for their soldiers in the Pill Boxes if the battle became too hot. After the fire quieted down and the Americans passed by, the Germans would simply reenter the Pill Boxes from the tunnels and resume firing. Many American soldiers were lost in the battles in the city of Bitche. (Official details of this battle can be found in the article titled Lewiston Man With Cited Unit ) Sally of Berlin was a local radio station that many of the soldiers listened too. Sally of Berlin proved enjoyable music as well as insight to the troops as she often described details about the American Soldiers and their battles. Some of the information she described was information that even the American soldiers were unaware of. For example, before landing in Marseilles for a top- secret mission, Edward as well as the other soldiers were commanded to remove all patches and identification. Upon arrival in Marseilles, Sally of Berlin announced on the radio a welcome to the 100th division of the Seventh Army. Sally of Berlin also knew in depth details about the 100 th division of the Seventh Army, including the number of soldiers, where they would be going, and where they planned to attack. She even knew their password, which she announced over the radio. It was thought that there must have been a spy providing information to Sally of Berlin. (For more information about Sally of Berlin, research Mildred Elizabeth Gillars. Gillars was the radio broadcaster known as Sally of Berlin.) After the battle in Marseilles, France, the 100 th division, of which Edward was a part of, was preparing to go to Japan. However, after the Atomic Bomb was dropped, Japan surrendered and the 100 th Division was no longer needed there. While on patrol during the war, one of the main purposes was to not let the Germans rest and to keep them scared. When the soldiers would find a group of Germans, they would throw several grenades and shoot several clips of ammunition before retreating back to the line. This way, the Germans would always be uneasy and worried about being found. One of Edward s duties while in the service consisted of a nightly raid patrol soldier. In this duty, Edward would go out every night in front of the American lines with the intention of searching and raiding any German camps. When a camp was found, they would follow the patrol tactic as described above. Edward thought this was a nice duty to have because it was rare that they would receive enemy fire back and during the day they would return to camp behind the American lines and receive hot meals.

6 Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 6 Edward did receive several medals and awards. Although, according to Edward, everyone did spectacular things when they were required, but only some received the recognition. While in other cases, some received recognition when there was no unordinary service given. On one particular instance, Edward was in a three quarter ton truck when they hit a land mine, which threw everyone out of the truck causing numerous injuries, but no blood was drawn. The driver, however, received some small cuts from the glass window breaking. Because blood was drawn from the cuts, the driver qualified for and received a Purple Heart award. In other instances during Edward s time in the war, Edward qualified for a Purple Heart. However, it was not something he desired to receive. Just before the war ended, Edward got the shakes. He would be fine while working during the day, but when he would sit and rest at the end of the day he would start shaking. When the lieutenant saw Edward shaking, he said he was going to send him to the rest camp. Edward argued with the lieutenant saying that the war was almost over and when that day came, he wanted to be with his troop on the front lines. Edward said, I m not going to be killed after all that I ve been through. To this the lieutenant responded, I m not worried about you being killed, I m worried about you killing the guy that s going to kill me. This was a very difficult time for Edward. Edward did end up going to the rest camp, which was located in Nancy, France and within several days at the camp, the war ended. The French women that worked at the camp were ecstatic when they heard the news that the war had ended. For several years, there had not been any lights allowed in the city of Nancy, France. The day the war ended, the lights were turned back on. Numerous French people then filled the streets simply to watch the lights they had not seen for many years. With the war ended, the troops began to return home in ships. However, Edward did not have enough points to return at this time. He did have enough points to get discharged, but not enough to board the ships. Edward was then transferred to a new division where, as per his choice, he drove a five- speed ten- wheel military truck for almost one year before returning home. This was the first time Edward had driven a five- speed truck of this size. In an effort to learn how to drive the truck, Edward spent all night in the Motor Pool driving the truck and learning where all the gears were located. Many of the WWII memories of Edward have faded. In some ways, he considers it a blessing to not remember all the details of the war. In total, Edward was overseas for approximately 1.5 years. Return from the war Upon Edward's return from his service in the war, Edward and Floris stayed at the New House Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah before returning to Lewiston. There was no special event for the returning soldiers when Edward returned. It was simply a quite departure and return. There was, however, a celebration in Logan when the war officially ended.

7 Edward Kemp Anderson, WWII Military Service 7 During the war, a German prisoner of war camp was set up in Preston, Idaho. The local farmers used many these prisoners for manual labor. When Edward returned from the war, he helped Uncle Ed on his farm as much as possible. However, Uncle Ed was still having a hard time accomplishing all the necessary work. Edward suggested they obtain a few of the German prisoners in Preston and put them to work on the farm. Uncle Ed did not think they would work, but Edward assured him that with his help they would. Thus, Uncle Ed and Edward departed for Preston with Edward s shotgun in tow; as the farmers were required to be armed before taking any prisoners. Once they had obtained ten prisoners and were about to return to Lewiston, they were stopped and told they could not take any prisoners because Edward had just returned from the service and they were afraid he would kill the prisoners. For employment after Edwards return, he worked in Lewiston for several years before later moving to Ogden, Utah. While Edward was in the service, Floris worked for Dr. W. E. Cragun and continued to work for him after Edwards return. While in Lewiston, Edward worked several different jobs. Edward worked as an auto mechanic for Jim Briggs, worked at the sugar factory, and worked as a driver of a dump truck driving from Richmond to Trenton. At one point, Edward worked at the sugar factory on a swing shift from 12-8am and drove the dump truck from 8am- 4:30pm. This was very difficult for Edward due to the long hours and lack of sleep. Eventually, he quit the dump truck driving job. Edward and Floris also bought into the floral business with Uncle Alma Kent and Aunt Ida Kent, however, there was not enough money for everyone involved to survive. Edward tried to make a living in Lewiston, but was unable to earn a substantial income. He later took a job in Ogden. After about one week of driving from Lewiston to Ogden and after one such drive where he did not remember driving between Logan and Brigham City, Edward decided it was too long and dangerous to drive the distance. Edward then, along with two other men, decided to move to Ogden and look for a place to move the family to. Edward first stayed in a chicken coop until he was able to find an apartment to rent. Once an apartment was found, Edward moved Floris, who was pregnant with Cathy at the time, down to Ogden.