On 9 November 1958, I reported to Fort Polk, for assignment to a "STRAF" unit,
the 697th Engineer Company (Pipeline).

While at Camp Polk, LA we spent most of the time training for war. Our mission was to get gas to the front lines during a war as quickly and safely as possible.

We would build a storage tank, install pumping stations and then lay pipelines from the ship to these facilities. We would then pump water from a creek (simulated ship) for practice.

In the spring of 1959 Camp Polk was closed down. We then moved to Fort Hood, Texas. I did not want stay there, so I volunteered to go back to Fort Polk, LA and help train the National Guard and Army Reserve. I stayed there until that fall and then we helped close the camp then returned to Fort Hood, Texas.

At Fort Hood we built the golf course and installed the sprinkler system for the course. Then we constructed an underground pipeline to get water to Belton Lake. That was a hard job as the ground was all rock. This pipeline provided water for the cabins the government had at the lake for use of the GI's and their families. That kept me busy until my time to ETS from the Army.

I was discharged on 18 August 1960. My rank at that time was PFC.

After my discharge from the Army I married a girl from DeRiddere, La who I had met in the Summer of 1959. We then moved to Perham, MN.

On 17 January 1961 I became a member of the Army Reserve and was assigned to B Company, 1st Battle Group, 409th Infantry (Reserves) in Detroit Lakes, MN. I received my discharge from the Army Reserves 31 July 1964.

While we lived in MN I worked for a company building grain elevators. I had worked for them before I went into the Army.

In 1966 we moved back to DeRidder, La., about 20 miles from Fort Polk, La., to live. I worked as a manager of a Convience Store until I retired.

We have 3 sons, 1 daughter and 1 grandson. Their ages are 39, 38, 34, 32 and 5.