I may add to this post as new things come to light, but felt compelled to post this because most of the people I know that would understand my awe about this recent revelation are folks on here...

 

Anyways, my grandpa had a few uncles in WWII, and the one in question was Chester M U L L E T T. I had talked to CHester with grandpa many years ago when I was in high school, and ignorant about a lot of the CBI. He lived about 2 hours away in Amish country where my grandpa's people came from before WWII. Grandpa thought a lot of CHester, he would have been about 6 or 7 years older than him, so I figure he looked up to him quite a bit. I remember a little bit about visiting him, and remember that he was a mule skinner with a mountain artillery outfit that had wooden wheeled 75mm Pack Howitzers. I also remember my grandpa encouraging me to ask if they took prisoners (I knew enough about the PTO to know the answer already...).

 

We had talked about visiting him for about two years, but between both of their health ins and outs, as well as my children (having a baby complicates everything!) and family commitments complicating things, we managed to get up there one time, and as luck would have it, he wasn't home. Chester died Monday morning. Grandpa isn't in the greatest of health either, just having an artery worked on, and it really wracked his system. Can't walk much, drive long distances, etc. His recovery from the artery deal was pretty big to me, and I have been trying to make time to spend with him, and when I heard the bad news about Chester, I hoped I could go to his service. Lo and behold, my first day of Spring break coincided with his service, and off we went. It was very cool seeing my grandpa get to see people he hadn't spoken to since the 1940s. The man that spoke at the grave his the beach at Utah by mistake on June 6th, and was firm friends with Chester. A man in the color guard wore a CIB, and had ribbons for the BS, PH, and probably 4 or 5 ETO campaigns. The bugler played the best taps I have ever heard, and it cracked a few tears. THe sense of community just a couple of hours away was great, and I come from a fairly small town at that. Just real nice to behold, and Chester was loved by a lot of people.

 

We drove home, and I located a book I picked up from another local vet that I had stuck a few papers in that Chester gave me. I dug them out and the insignia and words made my jaw drop. Mars Task Force. 5332nd Brigade, 613th Field Artillery. Ledo Road. Chester didn't talk about it much, but man. I feel better that we tried to see Chester, but man, I wish we'd have carved out some time somehow. If you know a WWII vet, drop them a line. Might be the last time you get to.

 

I'll post the papers CHester gave me, as well as the Psalm they read at his funeral from an '08 reunion later.

Nice story!

Thanks, man, for bearing with my ever-suffering typing. Just got a new computer, and it just doesn't feel right. Until I scan the docs he gave me, all I will add is that Chester was extremely proud of his service, and made several reunions. My grandpa also showed me where the old home place was, and told me that when CHester's draft notice showed up, he and CHester's brother walked to give it to him as he plowed a field for corn by horse. It was a heck of a field, and a heck of a long way on foot, but I know where all of this took place now.

 

Related to the story is another uncle my grandpa had, from his dad's side. Remember me saying all these old timers were reconnecting? Well, there were a few folks that Papaw didn't know, but they vaguely knew of each other through family name, or where they lived. This one fella asked Papaw "You aren't related to Delton P A R K S are you?" and we had to laugh. My great-grandpa, his brother, wouldn't own him as a brother because he was pretty much always no good. Pretty sure he lost in an illegal card game and went back with a few buddies and guns and "Won" his money back, and that's probably not the worst thing he ever did. Had troubles, especially with booze, but he did serve in WWII (despite being AWOL, possibly escaping the stockade, etc.) and sent back a Nazi pilot's watch that he had found on his body after his unit's guns shot him down. Great-Great Grandpa sanded the Swastika and etc. off of the back of it, because it wouldn't be fitting to carry that during the war (I have that watch today). I just thought it was funny because we talked about him on the drive up to the funeral.

 

Chester intended to give me a helmet or a helmet liner at one point, but we just couldn't make it up to see him. Sadly this is the first time I've been around that part of the family since I was a real little kid.

Garandomatic,

 

Thanks for sharing these stories and I look forward to reading more about Chester and the other member of your family who served. I have gone through much the same thing. Two of my uncles, both of which lived less than 15 miles from me, served and I never spoke to them about it. . I didn't learn of their service until after they had passed away. One was waist gunner in the ETO and the other served with the artillery, also in the ETO.

I can fully appreciate this story! A few years ago I discovered that three of my ancestors were brothers, two in the 146th New York Infantry, and one in the 44th New York Infantry. For the first, and only time during the Civil War all three brothers fought side by side on Little Round Top at Gettysburg. Last year I visited the 44th New York monument on Little Round Top, and found his name in the MASSIVE engineering castle that is their monument. Visitors can walk inside the castle (where there are plaques with the names of all the members of the 44th), and people can climb the steps to the top of the castle to get a beautiful view of the "Valley of Death".

 

John Swertfager later took an officer's commission with the 26th United States Colored Troops - where only white officers were allowed to lead colored infantry.

 

It was amazing visiting the same ground that these men fought on. I could feel a strong connection with them, and gained an inkling of what they had gone through.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post - i can't wait to read the next installment.