| |
From James Robinette in 2005:
2nd Bn, 75th Field Artillery, V Corps
When I arrived in Germany in early 1962, I was assigned to V
Corps, A Btry, 2d Bn, 75th Field Arty. I was at a replacement
center for about two weeks, when we all were notified that we
were going to Fulda. After about a week, the Btry Commander sent
Lt. Leon Coody to get me, and we headed silently for a van with
guards around it (also lots of concertina wire). Lt. Coody authorized
me at the guard station, and we went inside the enclosure. It
was only then that I was informed that the van was for assembly
and disassembly of nuclear artillery shells. There were stacks
of containers and a practice shell simulator already assembled.
I was afraid to move over six inches for fear of blowing up Germany.
I guess I had already been Secret Cleared, and could be taken
in the van. I immediately became a nuclear-round assemblyman,
as well as a grunt.
I was the team chief about a year later. I was also promoted,
and became gunner on the 8-inch howitzer (after we received the
self-propelled version). I still was active in the assembly and
disassembly of the weapons. The assembled nuclear rounds for
Btry's A-B-C, were all stored downstairs in the same barracks-style
building where I lived. We were about 15 miles from the East
Germany border. I still have the receipt for all the tools required
for the assembly of these weapons.
I also attended the Army demolition school at Graf. Among
other things, we learned to create a simulated nuclear explosion,
but not with the Army's prepared "kit" for that purpose.
Instead we just jelled gasoline and used C4 explosives placed
into a pit that we dug in the ground. I later attended nuclear
weapons school at Hawkins Barracks in Oberammergau, Germany.
I left Germany in Jan. 1965 as a Sgt., went to Ft. Benning with
the 37th Arty, then went to Korea in July 65, then stateside,
and was discharged in 1967. It was a six-year Army service with
experiences I wouldn't trade for anything. One of those was my
being one of the soldiers picked to have lunch with President
John F. Kennedy at the 504th. consolidated mess at Fliegerhorst
Kaserne in Hanau in June, 1963 (still have the menu).
|