Research - Bakers and Cooks

[Mark William]

I was an USAR E4 for a few years in an MP Unit prior to going into law enforcement, and since retirement I've decided to write a book - or at least try. My story is about two men who enlisted in 1939 to become Army cooks and the lifelong friendship they developed. I have general information about the School for Bakers and Cooks at Ft. Meade and am trying to find a veteran who can provide a living history interview. I know that's a very tall order at this point but I still want to try.

What I'm really seeking is intangible information, none of which can be found in the archived military sources I have. Topics such as what the classes were like, their daily regimen, how they spent their free time, their classmates and the friendships they made, what the instructors were like, the Drill Sergeants, PT, schedules, cool things they learned, stupid things they did, details about facilities, graduation and assignments, life after graduation, etc. I want my audience to be able to know my characters, not just read about them like they came from a textbook.

  
As you can imagine, my quest to find a veteran from that timeframe who went to Meade (or to a similar training facility) has been unsuccessful. So far I've contacted the VFW, VA, Am Legion, Nat'l WWII Museum, Nat'l Quartermaster Museum, an editor for Flags of Our Fathers, a military historian, the Gary Sinise Foundation, several culinary industry networks, and miscellaneous veterans groups.

If you have other suggestions or the ability to help me locate a veteran using your network, I would love to document their history in any way they feel comfortable. I could send a list of questions, set-up a Zoom call, or visit in person - whatever works best for them and their family. Or, if they're agreeable, someone could give them my contact information and they could contact me at their convenience.

 

I want to get it right, please feel free to share my request with any person or organization you think may be of assistance so as much factual information as possible can be gathered before it's gone forever.

 

I thank you for anything you can do to assist.

Mark  

814-221-0168

mwbettwy@gmail.com

[Cobra 6 Actual]

First off, welcome to this Forum. You may already be onto this, but any discussion of military cooks most probably has to include, at least tangentially, some background on military food. Here’s an excellent background book on that subject:

 

 

It has some information on the training of cooks and bakers, too. Good luck on your project. Sounds interesting.

[Mark William]

Thank you Cobra 6 Actual, much appreciated.

[Salvage Sailor]

Aloha Mark, Welcome to the Forum,

 

Somewhere in my Pineapple Army archive I have photos and documents pertaining to the 'Cooks & Bakers' school at Schofield Barracks set up for the Hawaiian Division in the 1930's.  I intend to start a topic on this subject in the interwar section (eventually) and thank you for the reminder.  

 

When I come across the material, I'll post it here for your reference.

 

[Mark William]

I'm looking forward to reading it.