Page 168 - Anthology

I became the chauffeur for our Battalion Commander, Major John Eisenhower, the son of the President.
Most of the time, I took him around in a C-1 jeep or an old 1951 Chevrolet staff car. It all depended on
where he was going. The speed limit on base was 15 MPH and had a bunch of four-way stops. John
was always concerned at each stop sign. He remained silent, but I could tell he was always wondering if
I’d get him hurt by pulling out in front of an oncoming vehicle. I didn’t, but I know he always had that on
his mind. It was real good duty and I was proud of my accomplishment. Here was a farm boy with mud
and cow manure on his shoes chauffeuring around the son of the president; hop knobbing with the big
folks and bumping elbows. If I would have been promised I could continue to do that job, I would have
stayed in longer than my two years.

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Here is a little story for you; I was with the 30 Infantry Regiment. The 29 Regiment was in Germany.
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They wanted to switch the units out. But not a man moved. They did paperwork that made the 29 the
30 and the 30 the 29 . It was all paperwork.
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Just before my time was up, a Lieutenant called me in for a reenlistment talk. He said if I’d reenlist for
three or six years the army would give me money and make me a Sergeant. I asked if I could speak
freely and he said: “Well, go ahead, Corporal, speak what you’ve got to say.” I told him that my sleeve
was not long enough to hold the rank and the money was not green enough to make me want to stay.
He had a way about him. When he got mad or upset his jaw would get tight and this little dimple would
just quiver. It quivered that day. He said to me: “Well, this is just a formality, I have to do this.” I said
alright, and when you get through, you’ll already have your answer.

When I came home after the army, I worked on a 30-acre farm for a little over two years; then I
interviewed for a job in Lexington. I went to work for IBM and stayed with them for thirty-three years.

My number one accomplishment in life was marrying Billie; that’s when I started living.

My message to today’s youth is all about education. I would stress the importance of staying in school;
once you get that diploma in your pocket; nobody can take it away from you.