Page 68 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2018- Online Magazine
P. 68
John Freeman “Fitting In” to
the Army wwii
by Larry A. Williams
on April 24, 1945, Freeman saw that “the only things still
completed eight weeks of basic standing were steel structures.”
training at Camp Maxey near He left Japan on Oct. 6, 1946
Paris, Texas. Camp Maxey was and was discharged at Ft. Sam
in use from 1942 to 1946. It was Houston on December 8, 1946.
also a prisoner-of-war camp “It cost $20.00 to take a cab to
which eventually held over 7,000 Lubbock, so I waited and took a
German troops until the spring $.97 bus ride home instead!” He
of 1946. Freeman “pulled guard said he “had several girlfriends
duty a couple of times while that almost caught up with
stationed there.” me.” Back home in Lubbock,
he met Ramona Perry who was
After basic training, John and “interested”. They married in
“14-15 other guys from West October 1948 and raised three
WII veteran John Texas were sent to Ft. Ord, boys. He went to work at Rhodes
Freeman of Lubbock California to be shipped out Safety Center at 801 Ave. H and
Whad to laugh when to Japan.” The Japanese had wound up buying the business
asked if he was drafted or surrendered in August 1945, in 1948. He retired from there in
enlisted in the service. He said, so John would be part of the 1989. Tragically, Ramona died in
“I wanted to join the Marines. occupation of Japan. Sailing on 1978. He married Hester Roberts
When I went to report, the the USS General William Wiegel, in 1985, but she passed away in
recruiter said, ‘You look like you the ship was hit by a huge storm 2003.
would fit right in the Army.’” In in the Pacific. John said, “We
1945, you didn’t always get to lost most of our lifeboats and got John Freeman wanted to be
choose which branch you would lost a bit. It took us two to three a Marine, but he adjusted to
serve in; they chose you. weeks extra to get to Yokohama. his role in the Army. He made
I had guard duty a few times, but himself a “good fit”, and his
John Freeman was born February we had no weapons, which was honorable service was fitting. We
3, 1927, in League 4 (south kind of spooky.” are grateful, sir, for you and all
of Ralls), Texas to John and the others who willingly allowed
Anita Freeman. His dad was He was assigned to the 76th the draft board to choose how
a farmer, and his mom ran the Station Hospital and then the you would serve. Thank you.
household of five children. She 42nd General Hospital. He was
also did some a PFC Hospital Orderly
babysitting for for five months and then
other children. rose to the rank of TEC 5 as
John completed a Medical Technician. He
school through assisted medical officers
the 10th grade in the Dermatology ward
at Crosbyton where he cleaned and
High School bandaged wounds and
and “worked injuries, gave injections,
on a 700-acre sterilized instruments and
farm/ranch equipment and performed
owned by C.C. various other duties as a
Crosby that male nurse. John went on the 2013 South Plains
had 100 head of Honor Flight and “liked all of the
cattle.” Drafted John visited Nagasaki memorials and museums.”
while in Japan where he
68 Lubbock Senior Link
