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IMPORTANT: Orville C Mathern gave His Life Story ONLY to His Grandchildren including myself. HIS STORY IS NOT TO BE REPLICATED ANYWHERE NOR SOLD OR PUBLISHED ANYWHERE ELSE BY ANYONE OTHER THAN WHOM HE CONSIDERED HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND HIS BIOLOGICAL FAMILY “ONLY”! HE WANTED HIS STORY TO BE GIVEN TO HIS BIOLOGICAL FAMILY AS WELL AND THIS IS “THE ONLY REASON I HAVE FINALLY CHOSEN TO SHARE IT IN THIS LOCATION” AND ALSO TO ENSURE “ONLY” CORRECT INFORMATION IS BEING SHARED! THIS WAY, GRANDPA’S LIFE STORY ACTUALLY COMES FROM HIMSELF AND NOT STRANGERS THAT NEVER KNEW HIM AS WELL...
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IMPORTANT: Orville C Mathern gave His Life Story ONLY to His Grandchildren including myself. HIS STORY IS NOT TO BE REPLICATED ANYWHERE NOR SOLD OR PUBLISHED ANYWHERE ELSE BY ANYONE OTHER THAN WHOM HE CONSIDERED HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND HIS BIOLOGICAL FAMILY “ONLY”! HE WANTED HIS STORY TO BE GIVEN TO HIS BIOLOGICAL FAMILY AS WELL AND THIS IS “THE ONLY REASON I HAVE FINALLY CHOSEN TO SHARE IT IN THIS LOCATION” AND ALSO TO ENSURE “ONLY” CORRECT INFORMATION IS BEING SHARED! THIS WAY, GRANDPA’S LIFE STORY ACTUALLY COMES FROM HIMSELF AND NOT STRANGERS THAT NEVER KNEW HIM AS WELL AS I DID! HE WAS NOT JUST MY GRANDPA, BUT HE WAS ALSO THE ONLY MAN THAT RAISED ME! HE WILL FOREVER BE MY ONLY HERO! HE WAS TRULY THE GREATEST MAN I EVER KNEW!
GRANDPA/DAD WAS MY SMILE, MY ROCK, MY STABILITY & MY SHELTER!
HE WOULD GIVE YOU THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK & HE NEVER ONCE MISSED TIPPING ANYONE AND HE GAVE HIS ALL TO MANY! HE WAS TRULY AMAZING! MY GRANDMA RAISED ME FROM AN INFANT AND THEY WERE BOTH LIKE MY MOM & DAD. THEY WERE BOTH MY EVERYTHING!
Thank You for your Respect,
~Kathleen Mathern Freitas’
IMPORTANT NOTE TOLD TO ME BY MY GRANDPARENTS, Orville & Viola Bradford’ Mathern. They went over to Hawaii by boat and came back by plane. Going over by boat, most of their belongings were lost. I have their only Original Hawaii Photograph’s along with their Foster Children Photo Albums!
Orville C. Mathern was born a few miles east of Toledo, Iowa, United States of America. Orville was The Son of Joseph Franklin Mathern and Daisy Marie Dixon' Mathern and Grandson of John Phillip Mathern and Ella (Elizabeth?) Beck' Mathern who were md February 13, 1899.
Orville was also the Great Grandson of Frank Joseph Mathern and Mary Augusta Breck md September 06, 1859 Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, USA and Joseph and Sarah Ann Young' Beck.
Orville was the GG Grandson of John Mathern and Apolonia Marie Kreber' Mathern
Orville was the second husband of Viola Berneta'Bradford' Long. They were married while Orville was in the Army, serving in the Army from 1941 to 1961. He was an Amazing Man. Together, they raised two grandchildren, Kathleen & Dean from infancy. From 1967 to 1976 they were Foster Parents to many children as Grandma Vi was Licensed for Foster Care. Grandma sent me these Licenses however they were lost during a move. I believe I read the location on the licenses read ‘Pacific Grove’.
Lynda/Linda Gray /Grey was Grandma’s Social Worker for the Care of the Children. Later, She retired in Florida. My Grandparents would have given you the shirt off their back and practically did. They went into debt because They ensured my foster Siblings received everything they needed and more as the State was not interested in this! My Grandparents did not care for Children for the money. They chose to be Foster Parents for their Respect & Love of Children and wanted to Give Back to Society! Grandpa was the only Man in my life. They were not just my Grandparents to me, but also my Mom & Dad to me! They were my solid foundation.
My Grandpa told me about His life & Military Service at our Kitchen Table. Grandma was concerned about a young lady hearing too many details and told grandpa, Dad that’s enough’. I could have listened to Him all day.
After this conversation & my baby sister dying,
He wrote His Life Story. Thinking about His life, baby brother, Parents & Family. I know he deeply missed His Son, Terry. And I prayed I would one day meet them. I still have some of their Family Photos.
I believe Grandpa would have liked for Terry’s family to have His life story. Yes, This story & His Jobs were very familiar to me.
Here is Grandpa’s Life Story (some spelling errors corrected)
Written BY Himself, Orville C. Mathern
LIFE OF ORVILLE C. MATHERN TO DATE
1
I was born on January 28, 1916. My birth place was just a few miles East of Toledo, Iowa. We lived on a farm in Iowa until I was about 2 years old. My Father(Joseph Franklin Mathern 1893-1983) quit the farm and attended the Ray Auto School at Kansas City, Missouri.
After his Graduation, we moved to Montour, Iowa. Montour is 11 miles from Toledo.
My Father worked as a mechanic at the Liberty Garage in Montour and my Grandfather worked with my Father as a Car Salesman. I was 3 years old then. About a year later, my Father went into partners with my Uncle in Toledo Garage. At the age of 5 Tragedies started at 4 or 5 years old. My Uncle(Benzie Roscoe Mathern 1898-1922) that worked in the garage, drown in the Iowa River with his Sunday School Class picnic. At 9 years my Baby Brother(Merle John Mathern 1926) Died. When I was 11 years old my Mother died with Cancer. Then at 12 years old my favorite Aunt(Ruth Marie Mathern’ Isenhower 1901-1929) died with the same type of Cancer my Mother died with.
At 5 years old I started to Toledo Public School. Then, when I was 7 years old we moved back to the Country. I had to walk 2 1/2 miles to School. Later on we moved north of Toledo on a big farm. We lived their for one year, then moved down on the Home Place. All this time I attended a Country School. At the age of 11 years old my Mother(Daisy Marie Dixon 1893-1928) died of Lung Cancer. My Mother or Father never smoked in their life. After Mother’s death I was shifted from place to place and missed a lot of school.
The summer of 1931 I worked for my Uncle Carl McFate(Carl Erwin McFate 1903-1997, husband of Orville’s Aunt Maime W Dixon 1901-1973) north of Toledo, to make me enough money to start in the Toledo Public School in the 8th Grade. At the age of 14, I went to live with my Grandparents in Toledo. During the summers I would work, so I could put myself through school every year. I also paid $10.00 a month. I worked for School Custodian and went to school.
I started in the 8th grade and wanted to play Junior High Football. But that past summer while working for my Uncle Carl, I injured my shoulder. But the Doctor said it was alright. But it was not. I reinjured it in my 8th year and again my Freshman year. So I was not allowed to play football in High School order’s of our School Doctor. My Senior year I played some with a special sling but still very little. The coach wanted my speed in the backfield, but my shoulder would not take it.
I graduated from High School in 1936 and in the fall of that year I went to work for The Iowa Electric Light & Power Company. While I was learning my job, I made $80.00 a month. That was for six months. Then I went on full pay. I had charge of all equipment, all Inventory & Supply Orders. I also had experience in running a stoker in which our heating Plant used. I worked for this Company for 4 years.
2
In October 1940 I joined the Iowa National Guards. “H” Company, 168th Infantry, 34th Division. In February 1941 we were inducted into Federal Service.
We were stationed at Marshalltown, Iowa for one month. Then the first of March 1941, we moved to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. We took our basic training and our advanced basic their.
On the 4th of July 1941 I married Miss Lee of Mississippi. We lived in Alexander, Louisiana. On July 10th, I left for the Louisiana Maneuvers. My Wife went to Iowa at that time. The Maneuvers ended October 6th 1941. After we came back from maneuvers, we were given a 15 day leaves. After our leave we reported back to camp. My wife had to have surgery, so she went home to her Family Doctor. About December 5th I was sent home on Emergency Leave. I was at my Wife’s home when World War 11 broke out. My Wife and I came back to camp and stayed their until January 1942. On the 2nd of January 1942. We were told to send our Wives and Families home. On January 6th we moved out to go overseas. Part of our outfit was already in Northern Ireland. But before we could load on a ship, it was sabotaged and sunk. We had to wait for a new convoy.
Then in April of 1942 we finally left for Northern Ireland. A lots of hair raising things happened by German Submarines. The Ship I was on was made like a gun ship. It had a lot of 30 & 50 caliber machine guns. 3 inch Naval guns and a 6 inch gun. We got credit for one Submarine. But we were escorted by Destroyers, Sub-Chasers, Cruisers and a Battleship. In Northern Ireland we were rushed to a secret camp. But most of the time we lived in the field. But came back to our base camp on weekends. We were in Ireland until late summer. We moved to Scotland where we took Amphibian Training for about one week. Then we were moved into a secret camp for a two week rest. That was at Inverrary, Scotland. We were put under British Control. We lost our Class A Blouses, because we looked too much like British Officer. We wore a Field Jacket and darn near starved.
Then we moved to Glasgow, Scotland. Then General Ryder took over the Division. We were put back under U.S. Army Control. We also got our blouses back with our Division & Regimental Crest’s back and we ate better. In Scotland we were given weekend passes, but our training was rough. We were hard like rock and we were kept that way. We made dry landings and had to take a city. We did that night after night. We all knew it would happen some day.
On November 8th 1942 it happened. But not the way we trained. The Royal Navy got lost and landed us on the wrong beach. But any way we took the City of Algiers in six hours except the Fort. Allied Commander ordered the Fort to surrender or they would blow it to pieces. The big King George Battleship had it’s big guns aimed at the Fort. Allied Commander gave them just one hour to answer. They didn’t need an hour. They surrendered and joined the Free French Army.
3
Our Division was held in reserve and the 1st & 9th Divisions jumped off on the attack. But their attack was stopped and push back some. So around the 1st of January 1943 the 34th Division attacked and took back the ground they lost. Then we were relieved by the French and moved over and relieved the 1st & 9th Divisions. We took over Kasserine & faid Passes with one Division. We were supported by the 1st Armored Division. We had the 1st Divisions Artillery with us. Our own Artillery was not with us. This area should have had two Divisions plus two Armored outfits with new tanks. But we didn’t have them. We held for a few days, but then we were attacked by the 21st & 19th Panzer Divisions, plus an Armored Infantry Division and a Greenadier Division. Our old World War 1 tanks got knocked out. We lost 54 tanks and we got cut up by Panzers. They over run the 1st Divisions Artillery. The French line, broke and the 168th Infantry was trapped. Our 135th & 133rd Infantry tried to help us, but with no support they couldn’t do anything. Our old Tanks were no match for the German tanks.
We did have two new tanks with us and they could go up against the German tanks.
They were all welded tank mounting a high muzzle villosity 90mm gun. These two Tanks did some good. Finally our Air Force came to our rescue of what was left.
We lost the 1st Battalion, Regimental H.Q. Company and half of the 2nd Battalion. One evening one of our planes dropped a note saying come out tonight the hole is open. So about 9 o’clock that night our Cat teams went ahead and we walked through the German lines. We walked 26 miles before we stopped. Then we ate a hot breakfast. It was daylight then and we were covered by our Air Force who was raising Cain with the Germans. We moved on to the rear with our new tanks, the two of them helping to support us. But nothing happened. During the tank battle most of the 1st Armored men got out of the way. But we counted 37 German tanks knocked out mostly by the airforce. And our planes still attacking.
On our way back we meet the 1st & 9th Divisions an the 2nd Armored with new tanks in which the 1st Armored took over and all Artillery Army, Corp, Divisional and Regimental. Our 175th Artillery had to stay with the 1st Division until there own could get there. That wouldn’t take too long. The Commander that pulled that blunder was relieved and General Patton took over.
We were supplied and rebuilt. Then we went back up as a Division. We were out for revenge. The next was Fondouk Pass. Our 1st Armored and all our Artillery supporting us. Just before the attack a British Tank Unit joined us with their big Churchill Tanks. We took the pass in one Dawn all out attack.
Alot of the Germans got away. But to pave the was one big rolling barrage and Infantry and Tanks followed. A German Colonel. He wanted to see that automatic 155gun. There wasn’t such a gun. But there were batteries of all kind of Artillery supporting us. After Fondouk was taken our Tanks took off to try to trap the Germans, but the Germans pulled clear back.
4
After Fondouk we were held up and trained as night fighters. After our training we jumped off on night attacks to clean up pockets. But Long Top Hill was ahead. The British got mauled at Long Top, so did the 16th Infantry and also the 135th Infantry of our Division. It could not be taken in daylight hours. So, Gen. Patton sent for the 2nd Battalion of the 168th Infantry. For a night attack. We received orders not to take any prisoners. We moved out at 1:00 P.M. in the afternoon. We were told what the backside of Long Top Hill looked like. There was a large table top on top of the hill, but the main part was 200 feet high ridge coming off the table top.
So we moved up to the base of Long Top. We had a hot supper and at 11:00 P.M. that night we started our attack. We had a long ways to go up. We moved up un-noticed. We hit the top just before daybreak. When we reached the top the enemy was down on the back side of Long Top eating Breakfast. Our Cat Teams moved in silently and killed their guards in silent death. And then the Rifle Companies took over the enemies positions. Machine Guns in each end of the table top, with interlocking fire in which no one could live.
The enemy were Italian Black Shirts and German African Core SS, backed up by Artillery. The enemy started back up the Hill Long Top at dawn. They were laughing and talking. Our Rifle Companies let them come within 30 feet so all of them would be on the table top. A flare went off and every gun opened up. In a few minutes it was all over. It was a terrible sight. Then our “G” Company mopped up. Everyone died. No one lived. Even their Artillery men were killed by our snipers. Most of these men attacked us at Kasserine & Faid Pass when they trapped us. That was a dear lesson to the Italian and German Soldier. They did it to alot of our Boys. 1500 enemy died on Long Top Hill. We didn’t lose a man or one wounded.
Two days later we did take prisoners on mop up. Then the day before it ended in Africa, I lost a machine gun by mortar fire, getting a platoon out of a trap. I knocked out a German machine gun and I didn’t lose anyone. But that mortar was knocked out very quickly. The next day the fighting in North Africa was over.
We took 7700 Prisoners at Matruh, North Africa. In the summer of 1943 we Guarded Prisoners for about 2 weeks. Then we went back into training for the invasion of Italy. We wasn’t to make the landing. But carry out the attack right after the landing and cross the river and take the high ground.
The Great 36th Division From Texas, said we’ll show the 34th Division how it is done. We were a square Division then. We had the 442nd Regiment From Hawaii with us. We had 442nd, 168th, 135th, 133rd in our Division. The 133rd never did much. But the 36th got hit hard right from the start. We had to help them out. 168th & 442nd landed an attacked with the 1st Armored in support.
5
We stopped the Germans cold and push them back. We were relieved by the 36th Division. We came back reorganized and made a night attack. The 168th was across the river and on the high ground before daylight. Our 135th Infantry crossed the river just after we did. Our Artillery really blasted that area just as we crossed. Then quit(quick?) to move up but had to wait for the 3rd Division to cross. But the 3rd Division was in trouble. They couldn’t get across the river and we could not go after the Germans Tanks. We spotted some German Tanks not too far from us and they were the ones shooting up the 3rd Division.
So Gen. Ryder decided to move. He couldn’t get the 442nd & the 133rd in time. So he sent the 168th Rocket Teams after the Tanks. Our reserve Battalion to attack the Germans from the left flank and rear. That attack by rocket teams and Infantry took care of the Germans and that let the 3rd across the river.
As soon as the 3rd crossed the river the 34th Division jumped off with Tank Destroyers serving as Artillery. We only had class D rations. Which is a chocolate bars, One Per Day and we had 3 days to get tour objective. On the 3rd day toward evening we caught the Germans preparing to counter attack. They had no cover or nothing. The Rifle Companies took up positions with Heavy Machine Guns Interlaced, Mortars were sat up and Tank Destroyers backing us.
We finished that German Division off fast and all we found was a few stragglers. We would search them, take their side arms and send them to the rear. We moved on to our objective . We held up their and our Mess Truck caught up with us.
The 1st Armored and Artillery caught up with us before we moved out.
When we jumped off again we were Spearheading the attack. The 3rd Division was on left flank and the 101st Division was on the other flank. But shortly the 3rd was relieved by the 45th Division. But the 34th was moving too fast. So we had to up. While we waited we got shelled by screaming mimesis.
We lost two men. After the line caught up the 45th Division was relieved by the 36th Division. We attacked again and crossed the river for the third time.
We hit a minefield. We lost a lot of men, but by daylight we had the high ground. We didn’t know what happened to the 133rd or 442nd. But anyway the 168th and the 135th infantries keep on pushing. We hit the Hermann Goring Dividion and finally drove them off of Dead Mans Hill. We lost a lot of men. We had about three quarters of Regiment left.
The 36th Division was to cross the Rapido River and attack Cassino and the high ground. They couldn’t get across the river.
Old Gen. Ryder said the 2nd Battalion of the 168th will make a night attack with tanks and take it. The 135th Infantry will hit Cassino and the 36th Division will follow and help us take Cassino. It probably would have worked if the 36th Division had done what they were supposed to do. We crossed the river and never got our feet wet and followed our tanks, at dusk. We took the high ground on the right of Cassino.
6
The 135th Infantry had taken one half of Cassino. But the stupid 36th Division tried to cross further down the river and got trapped. Our old wore Battalion made a night attack and got the 36th Division out of the trap. We lost some more men. Now we were down to
one half strength. Our 135th Infantry had to pull back.
While we were at Cassino, the 3rd, 45th and some others 101st was another Division. The Rangers went too far in and were wiped out. They all went into Anzio. We were at Cassino until the last part of February 1944. We were relieved by a French and we were pulled out of action. The Division moved back to Saint George. There we were built back up and the Division formed as a Division. We trained our replacements as quickly as we could.
In March we moved to Anzio the Hot Spot. We relieved the 3rd Division. We were on the line from March until May in 1944 at Anzio. On the 28th of May 1944, the 3rd Division pushed through us on an attack and cut highway 6. The 36th Division was to relieve them and General O’Daniels said no. Send in the 34th Division because they will attack. So we relieved the 3rd Division and took up the drive for Rome. We hit Rome on the June 6th. That was the day Europe was invaded by the Allies. We took Rome and keep on going north and didn’t stop until we were 72 miles north of Rome. On our drive we over ran the Germans C.P. and Supply Depot. Then we were relieved by the 40th Division. Our right flank was covered by the 442nd on this all out drive. We got a seven day rest. The 40th did not move. So the 34th went back up. The 442nd near the coast on flat terrain and the 168th on their right flank in the mountains. Who was on our flank I don’t know. Our attack started the Leghorn area fell then on to Pisa area fell then on to the Arno River. The 34th Division was relieved and given a 10 day rest.
It had been a hard old grind.
After our rest we went back in night attack training. Teaching all of our new men that we got at St. George. We had one week. Then we moved to Florence, Italy. We relieved the British and made a night attack to clear the mountains pillboxes. Knockout enemies 88’s, so the 91st Division and 1st Armored could come up the valley. Our attack was carried out. Along that time we lost the 442nd Division. They were sent to France. We had to wait a couple of days for everyone to catch up. Then moved out again.
The 135th Infantry was on our left flank. The 88th Division was on the Right flank. The 135th Infantry was trying to take a town and someone called the Air Force in and the 135th got bomb before the airforce new it was friendly troops. Then we made a night attack and took the town. We turned it over to the 80th Division and went over further to the left to plug a hole. We wanted the high ground.
We had to set up a winter line. By doing that we drove a wedge into the Gothic Line. But our Tanks came into a half circle so they could knock out any attack. We had all of our Artillery, Mortars. We had plenty of support.
7
At the winter line we were relieved by another Regiment of the 80th Division. The 34th Division was due for a rest. We were to get replacements and a number of us were going home. We were just (5) five miles from Bologna, Italy.
I went to Division rear December 10th 1944. And sailed for home in January 1945. We landed at Boston, Massachusetts. When we arrived at Camp Miles Standish. We only stayed one night. The next day we left for Hattisburg, Mississippi. At Hattisburg, all of us were given 30 day leaves.
After my leave my Wife and I went to Miami Beach, Florida for 14 days. After that I went to Ft. Benning, Georgia. My Wife went home. While on leave we did a lot of traveling, in Mississippi, Iowa, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. In early Summer of 1945 trouble started. She would take off and be gone for a week or two. No one knew where she was. Then she would come back, with some kind of a story. I started my Divorce in early summer 1945, before I was discharged, from the Army.
On my Divorce Investigation I found out she was married to some one in Nebraska, but I dropped all charges. I didn’t want any more trouble. So I took a quick Divorce and freed her.
I also meet Miss Boyton in 1945. We were married in November of that year. We moved to Tama, Iowa because both of us worked at Tama Paper Mill. My Wife quit and I worked their for 10 months at the Paper Mill and saw what was happening.
So in June 1946, I reenlisted back into the Army with my own grade. I was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. My wife was with me. In September I went to NCO School at Fort Benning. I put in 18 1/2 weeks if schooling. I graduated on February 7th. My wife was with me at Ft Benning also. She worked as a cosmetic Girl in a big Drug Store in Columbus.
I left Ft. Benning February 17th 1947. My wife joined me in April. I was sent to Fort Mead, Maryland and went to train 6 month trainees. I had one 2 hour class which was Map Reading. This was only 5 days a week. In July 1947 I was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Later on my wife and I went to Iowa on a 25 day emergency leave to help my Father out of a mess. When I came back to Ft. Knox, I was sent to
Brooklyn Army Base, New York. When I left to come back, my Wife stayed in Iowa until I sent for her. In New York I was assigned to the Military Police Honor Guard. Then on to
Escort for World War II dead. The Honor Guard was picked by General Plank and they were the Escorts. And the sharper you were the better. While on Escort, I received many letters of Commendation which means alot. After escort duty in 1947, I went back to the Military Police. I was placed as Special Guard at the Main Gate.
My wife joined me in October in 1947. Every Spring she would go back to Iowa for about 2 weeks then come back to New York.
In 1948 the Military Police Detachment was split up. I was sent to Staten Island as Training NCO of Staten Island Terminal Base.
While stationed at Staten Island Terry Lee was born at the Marine Hospital.
8
In January 1949 I transferred back to the Main Military Police Force. I was placed on TDY to Special Service and headed all the sports on the post. In June 1949 I reinlisted for the West Coast. And I was sent to Ft. Lawton,Washington.
Later I bought a home at Sky Way. With the Military Police in Seattle, I was on Town Patrole.
My Wife didn’t know she was pregnant until she was 5 months along. So in November 3rd 1949, Linda Sue was born at Ft. Lawton Hospital. I only had my home about a year and ahalf and sold it for a good profit. My wife wanted to buy a restaurant, so in 1951 we did.
Then came the Korean War. I was sent back to the Infantry at Fort Ord, California. In May 1951 Linda died of some kind of an accident.
Then in July I received orders to go to Korea. In Korea I joined Company “A” 31st Regiment of the 7th Division. That same night the Chinese attacked us twice and we were ready for them.
The next morning there were dead Chinese all over the place. It was old stuff to me though and didn’t bother me. We had one man in our outfit killed and one in “D” Company killed. Next morning after their attack we jumped off on a Combat Patrol. We kicked the Chinese out of their outpost. Killed and wounded a few. Later we were pulled off the line for a short rest. Then went to another place and relieved the 2nd Division. I was made T- Sgt. the 2nd Day I was on the front. The 2nd Division was just north of Heart Break Ridge, that is where we relieved them. We set up our defensive line. Then I had to run destructive patrols. That was how I got hit the first time by a mine. That put me in the hospital for a month. I was blind for 5 days and had three eye surgeries. I was hit in the 14th of November and returned back to the Company around the 18th of December.
That is when I found out my Wife got her divorce on November 14th. So I decided to let her have it. It was Illegal, but what the heck.
Just before I got hit the second time, Mom(Viola Berneta Bradford 1915-1995) sent me a Christmas Card. I couldn’t remember if I had met her, but later I found out I had not met her.
The 2nd time I got hit bad. But I did manage to save my old 3rd Squadron. One other Boy and I was the only two hit. He wasn’t hit too bad. I was taken back to Mash Hospital where they did surgery. I was their for two days and I was flown out by chopper to an airfield and put on a Hospital Plane and to another hospital some where. I was there a few days and was given a pair of crutches. Then I was taken by Hospital Train to a Swedish Red Cross Hospital. I was there for a long time. Then I was taken to Tokyo Army Hospital in Japan. A Doctor there told me I would never walk again. All this time Mom was writing to me. I made up my mind I could somehow and would walk again. A Nurse got two men to help me walk. And finally I could go alone and the Doctor wouldn’t believe his own eye’s. My leg hurt and would buckle, but it started to come out of it. Later I was sent to Omea Hospital and that is where I learned to walk again. Not like I use to, but walk.
9
I left Omea Hospital and went to Camp Drake, Japan. Drake was a Replacement Center. I found out I was coming home by Orders of Commanding General of the Hospitals in Japan.
All of this time I was in the Hospital, Mom was writing to me. And that helped. I guess I fell in love with Mom while I was at Omea Hospital.
So when I was ordered home onfir for Combat Duty, they found Mom’s address and they sent that one in. Why I don’t know. My Records said Iowa. But Mom’s address really did it. And Oh: Boy, everything popped.
Well, I did come home in 1952 and got engaged to Mom. I was at Ft. Ord first then to Camp Roberts in July. I put in for ROTC and was assigned to Brown Military Academy in October 1952.
Then in December 19, 1952, Mom and I were married and we lived in San Diego, California. It was nice duty except Summer Camp up in Ft. Lewis, Washington. I was at the Academy for about four years.
While at Browns, I was Instructor, Maintenance Man and the last two years I coached a Rifle Team.
In June 1956 we won the Sweet Water Championship rifle match.
In June 1955 we should have won it. We lost by one point. Our second year we won by 15 points. Then later in 1956 I was sent to Ft. Ord, California. At Ft. Ord I was a Platoon Sgt. Then into S3 of the Company. Then on to S3 in 1st Battle Group. Then in April 1959 I received orders for Hawaii. Mom was with me all the time. Vi & I sailed for Hawaii May 23, 1959.
I was assigned to HQ. Company as S3.
In the late 1960’s I was in and out of the Hospital and then put on Medical Hold for one year.
I was assigned to Battle Group Training NCO. Mostly a desk job.
Then in December 18th, 1961 I was sent back home for retirement out of the Army.
I retired December 31st 1961.
Vi & I moved to our home in Seaside which we bought in 1957. When we saw it, we were sick. It was a wreck. To this day it’s not back to where it was when we left it. But we did the best we could.
In 1962 I worked for myself and pretty good. In 1963 I went to work for the Lutheran Church School in Monterey. Then in 1967 I went to work for David Motor Courts in Monterey.
I still had the Church job.
In 1970 both jobs went under.
So I went to work for Dickers in Salinas.
I am still their, but now it’s called Malnick’s Stores.
When I am 62 years old, I plan on retiring.
I might work some at the job I have now.
In World WarII and Korean War directly under my Command I had never had a man killed and only one wounded. I did have 19 men Captured in World WarII.
In World WarII at Anzio I was wounded twice. All internal injuries. I never went to the hospital. My right arm was paralyzed for about a week. But I did not stop. I carry a scar on one lung. But I am still in pretty good shape.
BY: Orville Chestly Mathern
Written in 1970’s (between 1973-1977)
ATTENTION: For family Research Only.
Not for Reproducing. Do not publish for profit!
Thank you for being Respectful.
NOTE: Grandpa called Grandma Mom
And Grandma called Grandpa Dad
Endearingly
Added by Kathleen Freitas Mathern
Your Daughter & Granddaughter Forever & Always~Heart & Soul
~ ~ ~ ~Twenty Third Psalm ~ ~ ~ ~
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to
lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still
waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they
comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the House
of the Lord forever. Amen
~Please note, I thought my grandma said my grandpa's middle name was
Chester, however, I, Kathleen located a Military document that lists
His middle name was 'Chestly'. Please forgive my mistake.
Thank You~Kathleen
My grandparents showed me Grandpa's Purple Heart with what appeared to be four Jewels embedded into His Purple Heart when I was a young teen. I believe those were not Jewels, however more-than-likely guessing...Oak Leaf Clusters? Grandma had told me that Grandpa had been wounded (I believe she said five times?) I am trying to find documents.
Also, My Grandpa's Flag & Purple Hearts(Said to be Five Total including embedded (clusters?) as well as Grandpa’s Military Flag were mailed and never reached their destination several years back. It is My Personal Belief that All of Grandpa’s Military Items were Stolen while in Transit from Tennessee to My Cousin. My Grandma asked me twice what I would like before they moved, but I was not ready to think of them as passing nor did I fully understand how important it was for me to choose at that moment. I wished I had told Grandma Grandpa’s Military Items, but like my Biological Grandpa’s items that flooded in my care, floods, fires, belongings lost on ships, moves etc. it’s truly a miracle anything survived! I didn't appreciate the magnitude of the cost my Grandpa & others paid until I got older.
IF ANYONE HAPPENS TO FIND MY GRANDPA's PURPLE HEARTS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.
Grandpa’s Purple Heart’s meant so much to Grandma & Grandpa and they were kept safely in their Headboard of their bed all those many years. Shame on anyone that steals our Soldiers Items, especially thieves that work for the Post Office! Thank You.
How Grandma & Grandpa met, told to me directly from my Grandma & Grandpa...
Grandma worked as a Waitress. The Korean War was raging and some lady friends of my Grandma decided to volunteer to send Packages to our Troops. Many Women assembled to do this. They asked my Grandma to join them. They would assemble items such as Cookies, Toiletries including Toilet Paper. Grandma & Grandpa told me They, these Volunteers would send our troops Love & Messages in these rolls of toilet paper. Grandma was told there were Soldiers that had no family, so Grandma agreed to help as long as She could send items to those that had no family.
She was given the address / Info of Orville. Grandma sent Her package. (According to Grandpa’s Story, It would appear He didn’t receive His Package until after His last injury(January 9th, 1952 when Seriously Wounded In Action By Missile)! Grandma had been writing to Him. When Orville finally got released, He decided to surprise Grandma and visit Her. When He arrived at Grandma’s home, He laughed and said Endearingly and Lovingly, ‘Mom was like the Old Woman Who Lived In The Shoe. There were Children jumping in and out of all the windows and everywhere’.
Mom, Mina (Lynn) Marie Long came to greet Orville. They talked for a while. Grandpa told Grandma’s Daughter, Mina that He wanted to surprise Grandma with His Visit. Mina told Orville that Her Mom, Viola Berneta Bradford was at work and mentioned that it was Her Mom’s, Viola’s Birthday. Grandpa was excited and told Mina He would like to get Her a Birthday gift and asked Mina what She thought Viola would like? He asked Mina & Her Brothers that we’re home if they would like to come with and help Him pick out something for Viola, whom He has come to surprise. Mina and unknown who all went with Orville. Orville saw a Pearl Necklace and asked Mina if She thought Viola, Her Mom would like it. Mina said She would and so that is what Orville and Viola’s Children have to Viola for Her Birthday.
When Viola got home, She was at first upset that Her children would go with a stranger, but Grandma smiled and Grandma & Grandpa Mathern both laughed and You could see nothing but the most Endearing Love as they spoke to me and looked at one-another.
They both fell in Love and I was truly Honored to have been a part of their amazing lives.
Grandma & Grandpa would tell me the story about how ‘they were stationed in Hawaii. They went over by boat and came back by plane’! Grandma & Grandpa said I would walk around telling everybody that and Grandma & Grandpa would laugh and got such a kick out of that.
From a Dear Friend who has given me Joy from a distance and Closure that She never realized how much it meant to me. I want to Thank Her with all my heart what She has meant to me.
A Distant Angel from our dear Bradford, Long & Harris Families neck of the woods. Much Love & Thank You! I wish you and all my cousins & Family Joy, Good Health, Happiness and above all else, Love & Stability.
Thank You so much for sending me the following information. You have truly been My Angel.
“Orville is interred at B2C N D Lot 7 sp 2
Viola is at B2C N D Lot 7 sp 1
This means Building 2, crypt north side Double, lot 7 sp 1 and 2. The casket for Viola was put in feet first; then when Orville died his was put in head first ... so, they are head-to-head in this double burial ... If you need map of where the building is (and the internal drawing of how the caskets are placed), let me know your address, and I will mail this to you.
The information I gave you above, is more correct than "crypt" ... just sharing.
Adriana” |
