No deferment for him

It was near the end of World War II, but they did not know that at the time. Herbert L. “Von” Greenway got his notice for the draft. His family were farmers and his dad worked in the water plant at the Japanese camp in McGehee. His dad’s response was that he would get Von a deferment. They had once before. Von’s answer was, “No, it’s not fair. Everyone else has to go, I will too.” Both Maw and Paw were upset and it brought many tears in the days to follow, but Von went.

Five siblings watched him go. During his basic training, the war began to wind down, with surrenders from the enemy and the company was first sent to Japan. Being a person of no small ego, Von insinuated the enemy had heard he was on the way and decided to save themselves, so they surrendered.

He was an MP during most of his Army days. First, he was in Japan, then the company returned to U.S. soil. In California he worked while waiting on orders. Next was Germany. As they traveled across the U.S., by train, they picked up German and Italian POWs. On the ship across the Atlantic, Von met some Italian and German POWs who knew his dad, as they were located at some place around the Japanese camp. Few people know about that. As they docked to leave the ship, those POWs who had thought all the time they were going home instead found themselves in England, facing English soldiers.

Much of the time in Germany, they worked to control the unruly American soldiers. The stories were so interesting to his five children who grew up listening to them. When some became close to adulthood, they wanted to join the Army, but for some reason, he objected. It is one thing I have a tinge of regret about.

SANDRA G. THOMPSON White Hall