George Frank John Waller:
Army Memories

These memories were supplied by George's son, George A.

George Waller enlisted in the army before World War 2 and met his future wife, Jane, during one of the soldier's dances held in Tennessee.

Before the War

He and four other Chicago boys went AWOL from Tullahoma TN during Memorial Day/Fourth of July. They rented a taxi for $50. They rendevouzed in Chicago at a bar and it took them forever to leave since they were drinking beer. The parents were waiting outside in cars to wave them off. After leaving, they amused themselves throwing beer bottles from the taxi as they drove down the streets of Chicago. Upon return, they were demoted one grade and received a lecture from the commanding officer.

Italian WW2 Memories

He chose pall bearers for a Lt who had recently left Dad's unit and was killed in a plane crash. Dad remembers corpses stacked up, put into mattress cases.

Walking back from mess hall one morning saw a fighter chasing a German bomber. The bomber was shot down before their eyes.

Jumped in a small fox hole during a bombing.

African WW2 Memories

Upon arriving in Africa, he was on guard duty about 5 am and heard a noise from the house next door and someone running from the house across the field. He thought about shooting but didn't. Shortly a small girl returned carrying milk.

Stood on the roof of a Red Cross building and watched a regional chief arrive to meet Gen Mark Clark. The local men rode in on white horses and line the streets. As the chief passed, they shot off their rifles and gave out a cry "Hoo Hoo."

Applied for flight school to become a fighter pilot. The war was winding down and his application was returned.

Stories and Memories of George F. Waller
George's Wife, Jane Warren Waller