My Dad always said he got his “college education” in the U.S. Army. He was drafted at the start of WWII and later served in Korea, rising to the rank of Captain.

Horse Calvary

When he was drafted, he was sent to the last remaining horse calvary unit at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he began his military career mucking out stalls. A poor Kansas City boy, he’d rarely seen a horse, let alone cared for one or ridden one. But all that changed.

The Reporter

Dad quickly moved away from the horses, though. He had worked as a copy boy, sort of an errand boy, at the Kansas City Star before being drafted. He’d been a long-time newspaper carrier on his bike in Kansas City and in high school started a small newspaper in his community, printing it on a press he borrowed money to buy in the family garage.

Camp Newspaper

So eager to find his way off barn duty, Dad told his superiors he had been a Kansas City Star reporter, a bit of a stretch. Before you knew it, he was in charge of the camp newspaper.

Horses Put to Pasture

By the way, it wasn’t long before the horses were retired as probably not so useful as World War II ramped up. Tanks and Jeeps were taking their place, so Dad probably would not have had barn duty for long anyway.

Rose Through the Ranks

Through a series of assignments, Dad rose through the ranks. By the time he had married my Mom and had been posted to the Pacific, he was on General Douglas MacArthur’s press staff.

Harrowing Experiences

He had some harrowing experiences during his time. One included a brief flight he was going to take with a buddy to deliver supplies. He said that as he stepped up to board the plane, a voice said clearly, “Don’t go, Joe.” He shook it off and started to board again. “Don’t go, Joe,” the voice said again. Dad told his buddy he’d changed his mind, and he went back to his tent. Shortly thereafter, he learned his friend’s plane had crashed into a mountainside, killing all on board.

Dad also took the first planeload of reporters to Nagasaki after the dropping of the atomic bomb.

Chief Attache on the USS Missouri

When the U.S. peace treaty was signed with Japan, Dad was in charge of telling the press where they could be and ensuring they had information they needed. He always described the day as overcast until the moment the treaty was signed when the sun broke out over a beautiful sea.

No Loser

Dad served again with MacArthur during the Korean conflict. He always was proud of his service, and holidays honoring veterans and those who have lost their lives defending freedoms always meant a lot to him. My dad was no loser and no sucker.