Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

SEARCH RESULTS

my selections

10,338
Videos
49
Photos
148
Docs

Search Again

advanced search

George Wilkerson

WWII | 412th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 20th Armored Division

The Army promised him college and then Officer Candidate School, but George Wilkerson and many others were called into the Army after a short time. He went to an armored battalion and became chief of a 105mm gun crew. (4:52)
In a frigid Boston, George Wilkerson boarded a huge troop ship bound for LeHavre. He didn't partake in any of the gambling, which was a smart move, considering what happened to one of the big winners. Once they prepared their equipment in France, they headed for the Rhine. (4:31)
They crossed the Rhine on a pontoon bridge. George Wilkerson's field artillery unit moved fast and were in five countries in as many months. It was cold, their mail couldn't catch up to them and George Patton managed to make them hate him, the one week they were under his command. (4:47)
In Belgium, George Wilkerson's unit captured a gun factory and the whole inventory was offered up. He got a couple of nice shotguns and he also "liberated" a movie camera. His artillery unit was lucky in other ways, chiefly they got the coveted 10-in-1 ration. (5:20)
At the end of the war, George Wilkerson was part of the force occupying Dachau. He describes the horrific scenes resulting from the genocide that was just becoming apparent. He spent some time in Europe before he returned stateside and was in two vehicle accidents. Apparently, the danger was not over. (Caution: Graphic Descriptions) (6:12)
Expecting to be a part of the Japan invasion force, George Wilkerson went home for a 30 day leave. While he was there, the atomic bomb lifted that weight from his shoulders. He had to stay on for a while as a supply sergeant, but he was soon back at the University of Missouri. (5:28)
Gerald "Bud" Berry

WWII | 91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group

Gerald "Bud" Berry enlisted as an aviation cadet in 1942, and vividly describes what it was like flying among hundreds of planes on D-Day. He elaborates on what happened when a dangerous cloud bank threatened the mission. (5:41)
Anti-aircraft bullets flew as American pilots bravely carried paratroopers on their D-Day mission. Gerald "Bud" Berry reflects back on the fiery fate of planes flying right next to him. (2:37)
Gerald Spinks

WWII | LCT Flotilla 1

As a crewmember on a landing craft tank (LCT), Gerald Spinks recalls what is was like delivering troops and supplies to Normandy Beach on D-Day. (8:19)
Gerald Spinks describes a memorable but mysterious event he witnessed while unloading equipment off his landing craft tank. (2:16)