From the Great Depression to World War II

Joseph Szalay

Description

Follow Author Joseph Szalay thru the Great Depression as the son of Hungarian immigrants, thru his service during World War II with the 102nd Infantry Division. Candidly written through various artlcles that appeared over the course of more than 10 years in "The Herald Democrat" newspaper in Sherman, Texas

Sujets

• Histoire
• Segunda Guerra Mundial
• Great Depression
• Military
• World War II
• History
• Seconde Guerre mondiale

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 01 janvier 2001
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781681623436
• Langue: English

Extrait

TURNER PUBLISHING COMPANY 412 Broadway P.O. Box 3101 Paducah, Kentucky 42002-3101 [phone]
Copyright 2001 Publishing Rights: Turner Publishing Company This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
Turner Publishing Company Staff: Editor: Dayna Spear Williams Designer: Peter Zuniga
Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 2001099207
ISBN: 978-1-56311-777-0
Additional copies may be purchased directly from the publisher. Limited Edition.
Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgments
Telling My Stories
The Great Depression
Thoughts Of Old Country Revived
Military Experiences January 1941-March 1946
Our First Experience In A Combat Zone
The Szalay Family
Index
F ROM THE G REAT D EPRESSION TO W ORLD W AR II
Joseph J. Szalay
D EDICATION

This book is dedicated to our daughter, Carolyn Nolan and our son, James Butch Szalay. Our son and I spent many days together camping at Platt National Park near Sulphur, OK. We also camped out at Galveston near the water s edge. We enjoyed eating at the wonderful restaurants along the sea-wall. Our son died of a heart attack March 1996. He was only 48 years old.

Daughter Carolyn Jo Nolan
Our daughter was a joy to be with. We looked forward to her visits several times a month. When she arrived at our back door, she gave us that smile that all was well with the world. She loved life and enjoyed every moment until she was struck down by a terrible cancer that took her life at age 55, March 1999. She gave us two fine grandsons that give us all the love that we can handle.

Son James Butch Szalay
We miss both of our children very much but life goes on and we must accept these facts and make the best of these circumstances.
A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to thank Mr. Don Eldridge, editor at the Herald Democrat in Sherman, TX for his continued interest in publishing these articles in the local newspaper from December 1991 to October 2001.
I also want to thank my wife, Marie, for the hours spent typing these stories the past several years. Thanks also to my grandson s wife, Lea Nolan, for helping out with the typing on several occasions. My thanks also to Venita Johnson for typing numerous articles the past several months. My sincere thanks to Willis Hastings for his encouragement for me to continue writing these stories.
T ELLING M Y S TORIES

Professor Jerry Lincecum, an instructor at Austin College in Sherman, TX started a program a few years ago called Telling Our Stories.
The classes met on Sunday afternoons for several months each year. It was intended to interest senior citizens to tell stories of their experiences, in writing, for their families, children and grandchildren.
Willis Hastings, an acquaintance of mine, wrote an article about his experience as a bombardier during WWII. His plane was shot down and he parachuted out of his plane and landed in Hungary. He became a prisoner of war near the town of Miscolc, Hungary and was eventually taken to prison camps in Germany.
My parents were born in Hungary and I remember them mentioning the town of Miscolc on several occasions. I visited with Willis Hastings and told him that I remember some stories that my parents talked about this town. He suggested that I write an article about my parents birthplace in Hungary and their experiences growing up working on farms that were owned by wealthy landowners.
I wrote an article as suggested by Willis and had him read it and make some comments. He told me to take it to the local newspaper, The Herald Democrat and talk to Don Eldridge, the editor. Apparently, the editor felt that the article had merit and it was published in the next Sunday edition.
The editor s approval increased my interest in writing and I started to write articles that were published about once a month. This has been going on for over 10 years and I still enjoy writing.
My friends told me that I had a special talent and that I should put these articles in a book. This book is the result of all the encouragement I got from many of my friends who enjoyed my articles the past few years.
B IRTHPLACE M EMORIES
I was born January 3, 1919 in Duquesne, PA. My parents came to America about the turn of the century when immigration was at its peak. They were processed through Ellis Island with thousands of immigrants who came from various countries of Europe, Africa and Asia.
My parents came from Agad, Zemplain County of Hungary. They met in Duquesne and got married about 1900. They lived there all their lives.
My father worked at the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Mills in Duquesne most of his adult life and retired at age 65. Mother died at age 33 and my father tried to take care of our family of two boys and four girls. A year or so later he placed a brother and two sisters in an orphanage since he was unable to care for all of us and continue to work in the steel mills. The two older sisters went to live with friends and I went to live with my Aunt Mary.
After the stock market crash in 1929, which was the beginning of the great depression, I worked for local grocery stores, fruit and vegetable stores and other places from age 10 for 2.50 a week. I continued working at these places until I graduated from high school in 1936. During the summer I worked at Kenny wood Amusement Park, from age 15 to 17 for 25 cents an hour. I worked about 70 hours a week and made 17 to 20 a week.
After graduation from Duquesne High School in 1936, I joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and stayed there for one year. We did soil conservation work which included building small earth dams.
In 1938, I went to work in the steel mills as a laborer and about a year later I worked as an apprentice in the forge shop. I earned 50 cents an hour which was the going rate for this type of work. I left this job in 1941 when I was drafted into military service.
The military service was for one year but this was extended 18 months when the world situation demanded more drastic measures. After Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 the term of service was extended for the duration. I served overseas from September 1944 until December 1945 and was discharged in March 1946. Our unit was in combat in Germany from November 1944 until May 1945. After the war, we served in the Army of Occupation until December 1945, at which time we sailed from Europe back to the good old USA.
While in the service I married Marie James of Paris, TX in April 1943. When I returned from service I settled in Paris, TX and went to work for Texas Power and Light Company. I worked there for 35 years and retired in 1981. We raised two beautiful children who died at a very young age. Our daughter died of cancer at the age of 55 and our son died at the age of 48 of a heart attack.
M ILITARY S ERVICE
I was drafted into military service January 18, 1941. I was sent to Fort Meade, MD for processing which included taking a battery of tests that lasted three days. These tests were used to determine your special skills and aptitude that would determine your military assignment.
Our entire group was sent to Dodd Field, Fort Sam Houston, TX for basic training. After eight weeks of basic training, we were assigned to Company B, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. The test results apparently had little effect on our assignment to the infantry.
I received infantry training from March 1941 until about March 1942. At this time I applied for a transfer to the military language school because of my knowledge of the Hungarian language. My application was approved by my company commander who forwarded it to the Division G-2, which was the military intelligence organization of the 2nd Infantry Division. The officer in charge of the Division G-2 section interviewed me and advised me that I would be given tests to determine my aptitude for this military duty. After the tests, which I passed, I was advised that a vacancy would be available for me to be assigned to the G-2 section of a new division.
I was placed in charge of training the personnel that would be assigned to the G-2 section of the new division. I was given field manuals and scheduled to start the training immediately.
I was promoted to corporal and taught classes on military intelligence for several weeks. The cadre for the new division, the 102nd Infantry Division, was being organized and prepared to leave the 2nd Infantry Division in the near future.
In June 1942, the cadre was sent to Camp Swift near Austin, TX to continue our training until the 102nd Infantry Division Camp was ready. In August 1942, we were ordered to proceed to Camp Maxey, Paris, TX to the 102nd Infantry Division Camp which was nearing completion. Our Division Headquarters office and barracks were just about ready for occupancy. We had to use an outdoor privy for a couple of days until all the plumbing was completed.
I was charged with the responsibility to continue training the G-2 section for the next several months. In the meantime, I was promoted to sergeant, staff sergeant and finally master sergeant.
Lt. Colonel Thayer was in charge of the G-2 section and he was a very strict disciplinarian. Since the camp was new, there were several things that we needed that were not available. Col. Thayer would not accept that fact and he advised me to improvise. I made numerous trips to various buildings in the camp looking for material to improvise with to satisfy Col. Thayer.
In December 1942, we received word that there would be warrant officer vacancies available and applications should be submitted to the Division Adjutant General s office. I applied and was scheduled for an interview and exam in the near future. I spent the next several days studying and preparing for this opportunity. I burned the midnight oil reading and memorizing Army regulations and other military subjects.
The day for my interview and exam finally came. I was seated in a chair in front of a group of staff off