Recollections of Serving in the 14th Armored Cavalry in the 1950’s
I was shown a bunk–in Headquarters & Headquarters Company (**) after being picked up at the Fulda train station in March 1954, at about 9 p.m.–and told to go to the company supply room first thing in the morning. I did.
As soon as I got the usual gear–sleeping bag, wool blanket, parka with hood, gloves, mittens and insulated rubber boots (we called them “Mickey Mouse” boots)–I was told to get on a truck. I did that too. After bouncing around like a ping pong ball in a 32-gallon garbage can I arrived at god knows where at about 5 p.m. Immediately I was put on guard duty. I was relieved by another sentinel with others about 8 p.m. and taken to the mess tent. Mess Sgt. Mangus told us we were late and refused to feed us. I’m thinking: “I’ll remember this guy.”
We returned to Fulda the next day. I was told to go to barracks where I’d be told what to do later. Well, “later” turned out to be three days hence. Then I was told to go to the motor pool and report to the motor officer. I did. He said, “There’s a problem with a tank turret, find out what it is.” Now I’m beginning to think this some kind of joke. So I walked around tank a couple of times and went back to the motor officer and asked, “How do I get in that thing?” He screamed, “Don’t get smart with me Corporal,” to which I replied, “I’ve never been in a tank in my life, I am in the field artillery as a small arms repairman.”
Well, after trying to explain my first five days in the company to the First Sergeant, I was appointed the company armorer. About three months later I was told to lock up the arms room and report to the company commander. I reported to Captain Robert Parr. He said, “Sit down Sergeant.” I said, “Corporal, sir.” He said, “No, you are my new Supply Sgt., Sergeant.” I asked if I would be going to school to learn the job. He told me that he and Lieutenant Wilbert James, the Executive Officer, would train me. I was in the job just a few weeks when guess who showed up wanting some item (I forget what it was): good old Mess Sergeant Mangus. As far as I know, he’s still waiting for whatever he wanted.
In June, a year after my promotion to Sergeant, the First Sergeant told me I had been recommended for Sergeant First Class along with seven others, and that because of my brief time in grade I’d have to seek a waver prior to going before the promotion board. About two weeks after the board met I was at lunch when Captain Parr came up to me and said, “I’m sorry you didn’t promoted.” To which I replied, “But I did. I’m just embarrassed about my short time in grade so I haven’t sewn on the stripes.” Capt. Parr said gruffly, “Sew them on or I’ll take them away.”
Three months later I was discharged from the Army.
Charles A. Botsford, Sergeant First Class
Armorer, Headquarters & Headquarters Company., 1st Battalion, 14th ACR
1954-55
(**) Ed. note: In May 1960, the Regiment’s three battalions were re-designated squadrons, and all companies became troops.