Partial Transcript: In college, Julian joins the National Guard during his sophomore year. He is a part of Company B, 124th Infantry, 31st Division. Julian does his training at Camp Blanding. At this time, the Florida National Guard runs Camp Blanding, not the federal government. He describes the living conditions and training. In 1939, Julian graduates college and finds a job at CIT a finance company in New York.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Blanding; employment; higher education; infantry

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Partial Transcript: Julian works for a finance company and is transfer to Birmingham, Alabama to work at a desk job. On December 7, Julian is working and hears the news about Pearl Harbor on the radio. Julian's previous military experience includes graduating from a Military Academy, training at Camp Blanding, and a certificate of promotion to be a Second Lieutenant of Infantry. Julian calls for active duty and reports for Fort McClellan Alabama. He stays at Fort McClellan and trains until he is notified to go to Camp Blanding. Julian discusses his thoughts on the war with Japan.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: basic training; Camp Blanding; employment; Lieutenant; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Julian is in the Army reserves, Second Lieutenant Infantry when Pearl Harbor is attacked. Within a few weeks, Julian calls for active duty and reports to Fort McClellan, Alabama. There is training on rifles and maneuvering. Julian discusses a Commander Otto Lange at For McClellan who is promoted to Brigadier General Assistant Division Commander. They travel overseas and land in Salerno, Italy. Julian says General Lange is hands-on and is active in the fields.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Blanding; Italy; Salerno; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: The beach in Salerno, Italy, is long. General Walker divides the beach into three sections. General Lange is sent to the South end of the beach. Julian describes an incident with General Walker and General Lange that brings General Lange back to the United States. Julian goes back to the states to Camp Blanding to command a training company. At a reception at Camp Blanding, Julian sees Colonel Lange.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Blanding; European Theater; Italy; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Julian is in the 36th Division and receives special training to go overseas. At Camp Blanding, Julian recalls practicing rope climbing and 25-mile marches. The marches would start at dark and walk all night. There would be ten-minute breaks every fifty minutes. Julian is assigned 36th Division, Company F, 143rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion (rifle company). There are no junior officers, only Company Commanders. Julian discusses Carolina maneuvers. At this time, Julian is Second Lieutenant.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Blanding; Commander; European Theater; rifle; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: When Ray is called into active service, he is a Corporal. You have two stripes and nine men under you. Ray discusses the responsibilities of a Corporal. Above a Corporal is a Buck Sergeant. A Buck Sergeant is in charge of two squads. A Platoon Sergeant is a Staff Sergeant. The Second Lieutenant is a Platoon Leader. In Ray's Company, there are two platoons. One platoon with machine guns (30 caliber water-cooled machine guns). Another platoon with mortars (81 mm mortars) with four squads. There is a headquarters platoon for administrative services. Ray discusses the weapons they carry and the functions. The squad leaders carry a 45 mm pistol (automatic). Ray's weapon is a 30 06 rifle. With a 30 06, you can place a grenade launcher on it.

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Keywords: machine gunner; mortar; platoon; Sergeant; squad; troop; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: In July 1943, Ray is at Camp Edwards when he receives notice to go overseas. Ray and his men land in Oran, Africa. Ray say they are training all the time even on the voyage overseas. Ray describes their itinerary and route. At one location where they are stationed, Ray says he remembers the bugs. At night, the troops would practice maneuverings. When they would return, Julian says the spiders would have rebuilt their webs.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Central Europe; living conditions; marching; travel; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ray says the troops travel by boxcar trains. Ray and Julian share stories of attacks in Africa.

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Keywords: European Theater; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Julian shares a story about his battalion in Casablanca, Morocco, establishing a safe area for President Roosevelt to arrive. President Roosevelt never comes. Julian thinks this is a trick for the German soldiers. Julian and his battalion are at the mansion for ten days before returning to Africa. The war in Africa ends. Along the way, Julian and his men cross a train with German prisoners with French troop guards. Julian discusses his feelings about the POWs treatment.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: European Theater; German soldiers; invasion; Prisoners of War; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Julian discusses the French farmers in Africa and their livelihood. Julian recalls three American soldiers are attacked when they are on leave. When Julian and his battalion arrive in Salerno, Italy, for the invasion, they learn the night before the Italians surrender. The American soldiers become relax. However, the German soldiers attack with artillery fire. Two men from Julian's Company are killed in action.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: artillery; artillery fire; European Theater; farm; farming; German soldiers; invasion; Killed in Action; mortar; Salerno; surrender; troop; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ray discusses arriving in Italy and crossing the Anzio beach quickly. There are many dead bodies. The battalion comes under attack and set up for counter fire. Ray takes his squad and joins the platoon. Ray is not afraid at the moment when the bullets are flying. He says it feels like a dream world. He mentions to Company from El Paso and one of their squad members is killed by a German tank.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Anzio Beach; artillery; artillery fire; German soldiers; Italy; machine gunner; platoon; squad; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ray discusses his objective to take down the tower. There is no one in the tower, and soldiers are collecting a few souvenirs. He shares a story about friendly fire with his brother's company and a soldier from headquarters.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: artillery; artillery fire; European Theater; German soldiers; siblings; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Ray does not see many booby traps in Salerno, Italy. However, he does come across a few landmines. Julian says before leaving Africa, they are given instructions and cautions on booby traps. He also discusses training versus being in war. Being in war is not something you can get used to, according to Julian. Ray says it is routine, you just do it. The thought of being in war hits Ray when he sees little children killed for the first time. Rays recall the effect of war on the Italian citizens. The GI life is to have candies for the kids and treats for the dogs.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: artillery; artillery fire; children; European Theater; German soldiers; Italy; shell shock; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: After Ray leaves Altavilla, Italy, he heads north of Italy. Before going to his first battle at Mount Rotondo, France, Ray and his battalion do a lot of training. Julian says you are constantly training even if you are not in combat. Julian's battalion loses a lot of men with the encounter with the Germans. They need replacements. Julian is not with his men because he is capture by the Germans. Ray says Julian is one of the few people who can escape from the Germans. Julian and the Company Commander are placed on a prisoner of war train. They escape by jumping off the train. Julian discusses a mistake during wartime. He mentions how he and the Company Commander become the prisoner of war (POW). After the initial landing, Julian is on reserves. Another division comes in the 179th Division.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: European Theater; France; German soldiers; Italy; Killed in Action; Prisoners of War; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: The 179th Division arrives and advanced too quickly. As a result, there are many casualties. This regiment is much larger than a battalion. Julian's Company is just one battalion. The Battalion Commander, Colonel Jones takes the commanders by motor transportation and moves them behind the 179th Division. At this time, Julian is the Executive Officer for F Company. Julian and his men go on a compass march at night. They headed into a flat land between two rivers, in the town of Persano. Persano is an Italian Army Post. Julian and his men set up post behind the 179th Division.

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Keywords: Commander; European Theater; German soldiers; Italy; Killed in Action; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Julian discusses covering up a dead German soldier. In September the ground is dry in Italy. Julian and his men do their best to gather leaves and dirt to cover the scent of the decaying body. Julian recalls the German soldiers' surprise attack and outnumbering Julian's company. There are 26 to 27 casualties in F Company. Many of Julian's men are wounded and some are captured by the Germans. Julian is one of those captured.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: European Theater; German soldiers; Italy; Killed in Action; machine gunner; rifle; Sergeant; shrapnel; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: The men captured from F Company are placed in horse barns with officers outside. Julian says it is cold. Julian and the other officers would lay close to one another to say warm. Julian says the German outfit guarding them is very strict. The German guards did not take Julian's watch because they would be court marshaled. Julian recalls the German soldiers shooting into the bodies to make sure they are dead. One memorable moment for Julian is seeing the First Sergeant for the 45th Division laying in the middle of the road. In war, you take care of your casualties.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: European Theater; German soldiers; Killed in Action; living conditions; Prisoners of War; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Julian discusses going across Naples, Italy, and place into an Italian prison. At the prison, other prisoners are British, African, and French. The Germans did not have much food. Julian recalls there is a can of meat divided among 15 to 20 officers. Julian manages to escape with another Company Commander by jumping out of a train. This Company Commander is Julian's friend who joins the 36th Division at the same time he does. Julian's friend is an Executive Officer.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: Camp Livingston; Commander; European Theater; German soldiers; Prisoners of War; World War Two

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Partial Transcript: Julian believes the German soldiers who capture him are different from the German guards watching the Prisoners of War. The second night of being captured, Julian did not have anything to eat. Julian remembers the second night the officers are placed in a spacious courtyard. The German guards and two volunteers from Julian's Company go help collect food.

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords: European Theater; Italy; living conditions; Prisoners of War; World War Two

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