War Stories Database
My Military Reminiscence
By Alvin C. Joslin
Service Date: 1942 - October 13, 1945
My call to the military was most untimely. I was in New York City in the midst of the Big Band era. My instruments were saxophone, clarinet, and flute. After college graduation and studying each summer in New York City during my Wabash College learning experience I was exactly where I had hoped and planned to be. When I got the summons I thought to myself - "I can blow" - I''ll let the military teach me to fly. There were 36 in my aviation cadet class. I am the only survivor. I served in England with the Eighth Air Force. My rank was Captain. When the Germans were defeated, I had an opportunity to go to the Continent and serve with the Disarmament Command - or Disarmament Division. The assignment was interesting, and challenging. The Germans throughout the country considered the military defeat to be a strategic retreat and as a result the barns and garages were loaded with war material and various types of war equipment. Our assignment was to identify, inventory what we had located, and cart it off to a centrally protected location. I carried an authorization signed by General Patton. We were not questioned, but we did face rather agressive resistance at times. One of the compliments we were officially given -- "You did well!". While I was stationed at Sioux City, Iowa Air Base I met my future wife, Betty. As of June 29, 2005 we will have been married 59 years. As I reminisce, this was the only totally good thing that happened to me as a result of serving the US military. I am pleased to be in The Field of Valor.
