Cecil D Wallace, Sr. and WWII

Renee brought to my attention that Cecil Wallace, Sr. served during WWII. He enlisted in 1944 for the duration of the war, and his grave stone says,

PFC 179 AGF Band 

World War II

Translating the acronyms, you get: "Private First Class 179 Army Ground Forces Band."

He and his family must have been proud of his service.

I wasn't able to find much information online about the Army Ground Forces Band that Cecil was in--it appears that there were many bands serving during WWII, but only a few big, well organized ones. I couldn't find enough information to decipher what the inscription on his gravestone meant.

According to US Army Element, School of Music,

"The Army Band performed at countless Red Cross and USO dances and played concerts for civilians. Of all the premier bands in Washington DC, The Army Band is the only one to ever perform in a theater of foreign combat operations."

I believe I remember hearing that his preferred instrument was the cornet.

Cecil's daughter Kathleen remembers,

"He did not go overseas.

I have no idea how long he was in the army.  He had felt it was his duty to serve.  He was in the infantry, but later when they learned he was a musician, he was in the band.  I know nothing about concerts given or the like.

I don't remember him ever telling any experiences, but obviously since he didn't leave the USA he didn't see combat.  I do remember him telling about crawling under barbed wire with live ammo fired over their head during training.

Nor do I know if the war had much affect on his life afterward.  He had been a music teacher before the service, and was a music teacher at another school (in the same county) after.

I cried after every furlough when he had to return.  Mom put on a good front, and kept our home pretty normal."

Lucy and Cecil (probably circa 1927, when they were first married)

Cecil with music students.

The Connells Leave Germany

Laura got another story for us--it's about Granddad JC and Grandma Izzy when they moved back to the States after being stationed in Germany. Enjoy!

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BREMEHAVEN, GERMANY

An indispensable radio repairman, granddaddy JC was stationed in Bremerhaven Germany.

In 1968, JC (a major sergeant first class) needed to go back to the states for Norman’s funeral. The general said JC would have to reenlist if he left and wanted to come back to Bremerhaven (JC was coming up on retirement).

So, instead of reenlisting, he decided to retire. The guy that replaced JC had no idea how to maintain the equipment; and the commander over JC was a bum (according to granddad). JC told the commander about the repairman's incompetence, but the commander did nothing.

Granddad brushed up the satellite to run for several months after he left, but warned the commander that the repairman didn't know how to fix it.

Well, later, a fellow retiree/buddy from NC showed up at JC's house in SC. (JC was keeping the kids while Izzy was teaching during the day - he was working the night shift).

JC: It sure is great to see you.

Buddy: Would you like to know what happened after you left?

JC: Sure.

Buddy: The Bremerhaven station went down for 2 weeks, and they ended up court marshalling the commander. He was up for retirement soon, so it didn't ruin his career, but he ended up losing a stripe. And a TON of retirement money.

Izzy’s side: “Well, he (JC) left first. And I had to clear out quarters.”

<that means packup and move>

She packed out the house and lived with a friend for a few days (and used her kitchen)

She had 6 kids plus their luggage. To catch the flight, they had to take 2 taxis. Bob and Grace were late, and grandma was having a fit.

She went up to the line and the man at the ticket counter said, 'I see you on the itinerary, but no children. I’m sorry; you'll just have to wait for a different plane.'

"I’ll take that ticket. YOU take the children."

Well, he could tell she was serious. He made arrangements, and suddenly there was room on the plane :)

They bumped a few GIs, who were all sitting around and very graciously said, 'no problem' when she explained she had bumped their seats.