As I research the World War II era, my best family source of information is Bucky's brother, Bob (my Uncle). My Dad has been deceased for over 50 years and I really don't remember any stories about war time. The most I ever got out of my Dad was admittance that he carried a "side arm" while on duty in the Phillipines.
Uncle Bob has relayed several stories to me over the past several years. I had asked "where were you when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan and it was clear the War was over"? His response follows.
"Several weeks before the bombing at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Bob's troop carrier squadron had moved to Clark Field, north of Manilla in the Phillipines. There were not enough buildings at Clark Field to house all the officers (all pilots had officer status), so a new tent city was put up. Latrines (thats right, outdoor toilets) were needed and quickly assembled. They were put up along the service road to the new "tent city". Under normal circumstances, officers would have erected their own two holers and would be separate from the enlisted men's twelve holer. Because time and space was a premium, a special 10 holer was built for the squadron to be used by both officers and enlisted men. The latrine was not covered with any roof or shelter because weather was so good this time of year (July, 1945). Because the latrine was located along the entrance road, it could be used by males, females, visitors and natives. The latrine was more than a hole in the ground. It was a wooden structure built to a height of 5 feet. When someone sat on the latrine, his/her head would be 8 feet off the ground. Everybody could see you. There was no front or back to the "john". Natives, both male and female would come along and try to sell things to the airmen doing their thing on the toilet. This became a never forgotten meeting place. Almost everybody lost their shyness and embarassment by necessity. The natives thought the latrines were just a waste of good wood."
Bob remembers being at Clark Field when word came of the atomic bombs detonated in Japan. The War wasn't officially over yet but everyone was shouting "the War is over". Bob's recollection is that when notified that the War was over, he was sitting on top of the open air latrine. How could you forget a moment like that?
I resist with all the "crapper" jokes because it was such a serious moment in history. Oh well!
So if you want to tell stories recounting where you were during historic episodes in history, I challenge you to top Bob's "crapper story". I bet he was completely "relieved" when he heard the news. I couldn't resist.
Love,
Dad