Page 85 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

GLEE PITNEY
HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESIDENT, ARMY FOUNDING CHAIR, VETERANS AFFAIRS GROUP
I grew up in Findlay, Ohio and was very involved in our family trucking business which I planned as my career. I think I was messing with trucks from age 3. I enrolled in Bowling Green State University, Ohio in Business with a Transportation major, and in Army Reserve Officer Training in 1950 and graduated in June 1954 as a 2nd Lt. After three months living with Gail, my new bride, I entered active duty at Ft. Sill, OK for Artillery training. I trained on many subjects with many hours on the 75mm and 105mm towed howitzers.
My training was completed in Feb. 1955. I had to leave Gail teaching in Michigan and headed for the Far East Command, which meant South Korea, arriving on my 23rd birthday on March 26. I was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division for 16 months North of Seoul near Panmunjom, which was on the border between North and South Korea where the peace talks were ongoing. I spent 8 months with the 11th Field Artillery Battalion as a Battery Motor Officer, and Forward Observer for three months. Due to my trucking background, I was promoted to Battalion Motor Officer responsible for all truck operations and repairs. We had 155mm Howitzers pulled by 5-ton dump trucks. We used these trucks almost daily assigned to the 3rd Engineers, hauling gravel, and all sorts of construction material, sometimes round the clock. We also had lots of field exercises with the artillery to be in top shape for any designated targets in the North.
My last 8 months I was assigned to the 3rd Engineer Battalion as Assistant Division Fire Marshal over four single-truck fire stations. As most buildings were very flammable, we usually lost whatever was burning as we carried a limited supply of water on the truck. We also drafted water from streams and any water trucks that were in the area. Our motto was “We have never lost a foundation.” Some of my BGSU fraternity brothers were in the area and some of us would go to Tokyo on our two Rest & Relaxations. Korean phone service did not exist. My two calls to Gail from Tokyo were about $100 each. (Think 1955-56 when a week’s wage was about $40-50).
I’ve always said that although I missed the fighting, I helped rebuild the country and keep the peace, a success on both counts.
85