You're In The Army Now

Our Company Clerk class after basic training. I am on far right in front row

After 14 weary days at sea, the transport ship docked at Yokohama, and my company went to Camp Drake, Japan and as individual replacements were scattered throughout the Far East - some stayed in Japan but others went to Korea, Guam and the Philippines. Two days after landing at Camp Drake's 15th Replacement Company my orders shipped me to the Adjutant General Section (AG) at 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters, at Camp Crawford near Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.  

Three camps were established outside Sapporo, the Islands capital city. 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters and the 7th Cavalry Regiment were stationed at Camp Crawford. The 5th Cavalry was stationed at Camp Chitose, Area I. The division had a huge training area of 155,000 acres. The mission of the division was to defend the Island of Hokkaido.

On 10 February 1953, the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 61st Field Artillery Battalion and Battery "A", 29th AAA AW Battalion, departed from Otaru, Japan for Pusan and Koje-do, Korea to relieve the 7th Cavalry who had previously rotated back to Korea. On 27 April, all elements of the 5th Cavalry, less the 3rd Battalion and Heavy Mortar Company, returned to Hokkaido. I joined this regiment in 1955 at Camp Schimmelpfennig shortened to Schimm.

Sapporo was the coldest place on earth. To me it was impossible to get warm and stay that way very long. We stood rifle inspections in blizzards that were so cold the rifle bolts froze in the open position and could not be slammed shut. Troops were towed about the complex on long ropes pulled by "cats." 

We wore skis and snowshoes and Mickey Mouse boots and often climbed up ladders to get out of our snowed under Quonset huts. It was not uncommon to see met walking across the roofs of their huts on their way to the mess hall.

My Army career began with the Carrier Company #2 as the Company Clerk, and I shared an office with the First Sergeant and Company Commander in the 1st Cavalry Division, and I was in the 1st Cavalry Division when my tour of duty ended in 1957. Four years, two months, 17 days of service to my country.