In January of 1941, "Steve" joined the Armed Forces of the United States at Ft. Logan, Colorado. He was assigned to the 57th Infantry of the Colorado National Guard, which became a unit of the 45th (the Thunderbird) Division. He was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma until March, at which time he was sent to Camp Barkely, Texas, until February of 1942, then to Ft. Devans, Massachusetts, where he was promoted to Corporal. In November of that year, he was stationed in Pine Camp, New York until May of 1943. In June of 1943, he embarked for Europe. As a soldier of the 157th Infantry of the 45th "Thunderbird" Division, he saw action through-out Europe....Italy, Sicily, Africa, the Anzio Beach-head and Germany. The 45th Division had one of the highest combat records of the war. "Steve" relates several stories about General Patton during World War 2. General Patton told General Patch to, "Keep his sloppy soldiers out of his third army area", in Alsace Lorraine. General Patch replied, "He brought his soldiers over there to fight the Germans, not Dress-up for the French." Another time, "Steve" was sitting in a truck seat in Italy, when General Patton stopped by and fined "Steve" $5.00 for not manning the machine gun, which could have led to a court martial.
After the war was over, "Steve" returned to Denver, Colorado, where he was discharged as a Sergeant, at Ft. Logan, Colorado, in September, 1945. In 1946, he re-enlisted in Denver, Colorado and was sent to Montrose, Colorado on recruiting duty. It was here he met Lillie Alice Bickerstaff and in July, he was transferred to Ft. Lewis, Washington. On August 10, 1946,
"Steve" and Lillie were married in Olympia, Washington.
Notes written by: Emma May (Stevens) Noland
In January of 1941, "Steve" joined the Armed Forces of the United States at Ft. Logan, Colorado. He was assigned to the 57th Infantry of the Colorado National Guard, which became a unit of the 45th (the Thunderbird) Division. He was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma until March, at which time he was sent to Camp Barkely, Texas, until February of 1942, then to Ft. Devans, Massachusetts, where he was promoted to Corporal. In November of that year, he was stationed in Pine Camp, New York until May of 1943. In June of 1943, he embarked for Europe. As a soldier of the 157th Infantry of the 45th "Thunderbird" Division, he saw action through-out Europe....Italy, Sicily, Africa, the Anzio Beach-head and Germany. The 45th Division had one of the highest combat records of the war. "Steve" relates several stories about General Patton during World War 2. General Patton told General Patch to, "Keep his sloppy soldiers out of his third army area", in Alsace Lorraine. General Patch replied, "He brought his soldiers over there to fight the Germans, not Dress-up for the French." Another time, "Steve" was sitting in a truck seat in Italy, when General Patton stopped by and fined "Steve" $5.00 for not manning the machine gun, which could have led to a court martial.
After the war was over, "Steve" returned to Denver, Colorado, where he was discharged as a Sergeant, at Ft. Logan, Colorado, in September, 1945. In 1946, he re-enlisted in Denver, Colorado and was sent to Montrose, Colorado on recruiting duty. It was here he met Lillie Alice Bickerstaff and in July, he was transferred to Ft. Lewis, Washington. On August 10, 1946,
"Steve" and Lillie were married in Olympia, Washington.
Notes written by: Emma May (Stevens) Noland
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