I've been talking with Mr. Marlowe about creating this thread for discussion with him regarding his activities and he has agreed to post as he can.

Mr. Marlowe was a participant in the 101st's landings in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord the night of June 5-6 1944 and the landings in The Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden 17 Sept 1944. He also participated in the subsequent ground operations of both campaigns.

I know that you all will treat him with the same great respect that you do our other treasured veterans and I know we are all looking forward to what Mr. Marlowe has to offer.

Mr. Marlowe, thank your for your service and willingness to talk with us about it here.

__________________
Best Regards,
JW

Excellent! I look forward to reading about Mr. Marlowe's experiences. This is the kind of information that cannot be found anywhere else coming from someone who was there. These postings will be treasured.

__________________

Outstanding!! Thank you Mr. Marlowe My uncle served in the 517th PIR and the only thing he ever said was "he was nuts for jumping out of airplanes" so, I do look forward to what you have to say.

Gentelmen

I guess this a good a place as any to start. I was born the eldest child of Walter Lee Marlowe and Norma B. Click. The date was November 28,1921. I was educated in military dependents schools untill I completed the Eigth Grade at a number of locations around the 48 contigeous states.

I went to High School in San Antonio, Tx. I graduated in 1940. At that time the congress was debating the selective service bill. I thought I was smart so I decided to do my service before entering the university. I went Ft. Sam Houston to see what my options were.

The recruiting sergeant told me that he had a deal for me. The agreement was that I would serve 1 year on active duty and five(5) years in the reserves. There was a War Clause in the agreement. The War clause was that if War was declared while I was on Active duty my enlistment would be extended for the Duration of the War plus six(6) months.

I aslo got my choice of Army Post to take my training on active duty. I chose Ft.Benning,Georgia When I arrived at Ft. Benning i was able get my footlocker ready for inspections before the rest of the recruits so they made me an acting corporal

Will continue later.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

Thanks, Mr. Marlowe for being willing to share your story with us. You are off to a great start. I'm sure we all look forward to further details on your service.

__________________
"Faint heart never won fair maiden", so I say "Go for it!"

Lou

I'm definitely looking forward to reading all your entries. Thank you for sharing.

__________________
Best World War 2 Comics

Thanks for being willing to share your stories with us. I look forward to reading what you have to say.

__________________
"Don't one of you fire until you see the whites of their eyes! Powder is scarce and must not be wasted. Fire low! You are all marksmen and could kill a squirrel at a hundred yards. Reserve your fire and the enemy will all be destroyed! - Israel Putnam, at the Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775
"War is a conflict of great interests which is settled by bloodshed, and only in that is it different from others." - Karl von Clausewitz

Thank you, Mr. Marlowe. I appreciate your willingness to share with us. We can study the books of various scholars, but their writing can never match the memories and experiences of someone who was there.

I will look forward to reading your entries on this thread (as I have enjoyed them elsewhere already in the Forum).

__________________
Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

Gentelmen:

To continue with my story. At Ft. Benning I received the usual Infantry School training for recruits. Among the training items was a course in rifle marksmanship, I did not explain to my instructors that as large 13 year old lad I had received instruction from a US Army Sergeant in marksmanship with 1903 Springfield Rifle. Shooting the M ! was a delight. Great range conditions and an excellent weapon I was able get a very high score in Marksmanship. The Major in charge asked me if I would like to tryout for the Infantry School Rifle Team? I agreed to become a student under instruction; if I had suceeded I would have been a member of the Team that was scheduled for the Presidents Cup Match in the Spring of 1942.

In the meatime I was appointed a Marksmanship instructor for the Infantry Shool course for incoming new officers. I then a permenant Corporal. My new position would get to the Rank of Staff Sergeant which I achieved in May 1941. I remained in Ft.Benning for 1941 and most of 1942. In May of 1942 I was told to report to the Sergeant Major of the 2nd Student Training Regiment. He told me that the next day I was to see the Regimental Commander. When I saw him the next day he told me that I was to go to OCS( Officers Candidate School) I told I had not application he state that he had applied for me and I was accepted.

By entering in early July I would compleat the course in October 1942. Since the US was a way all of the Wartime needs were in the course. Upon graduation on October 7,1942, I was sworn as a Second Lt. of Infantry on October 8,1942 and would rank from that date. To my delight I was accepeted at the Parachute School at Ft. Benning, the course to begin 1 week after commissioning. I had 5members of my class of 180 go with me. I compleated jump training on November 14,1942 and was assigned to the 101st Airborn Division at Ft. Bragg,NC.

Will Pause,
As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

Airborne All the Way)

What did you enjoy and dislike about Fort Benning?

__________________
Best Regards,
JW

thanks for shareing - great to read

__________________
All the Best,

Andy

Gentelmen:

I will continue the story.I arrived at Ft. Bragg,NC on the 15thof November ,1942. I reported to Capatain Jack Vaughn the Adutant of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. At this date the 101st Airbone Divisionhad only 1(one) Parachute combat Team that included the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 377th Parachute Artillery Batallion ( 75mm Howitzers) plus 1 comany of Parachute Engineers.

Jack Vaughn allow to repot to E Company then return to assist him with his duties. Captain Vaughn explaind that my Twenty First Birthday would come late in the mounth and untill that time anydocument that I executed would not be valid. I was to read and recommendaction but Captain Vaughn would sign all documents until I became 21 years old. It was a return realism that I was the Boy Wonder of the regiment.

The 4 week I spent working with Captain Vaughn was very instructive. Men and officers were being sent the Regiment as fast as the Training Command could produce them. The 101st and 82 Abn Divisions had absolute priority ontrained manpower. Their senior officers had the authority transfer any man or officer they want to with giving any reason. I believe that such authorit was never again given. Before enlisted men could go their assigned units they had to spend a month in the Training Battalion. Dress Parades were held weekly. Since Captain was busy he allowed me to act as Adjutant on parade days. I had done some of this in High School where I was a Major in the Junior ROTC Cadet Unit. At the End of DecemberI wasallowedto Join E Company full time, My Boss Captain Jim Hatch suggested that I become the commander of the 1st Platoon. He explained that it gave me and the platoon time to get know each other.

We went at once to the combat ranges and trained with live ammunition. During the training wewere pulled out to get ready for a VIP visit. When we demonstated our methods of attack we learned that among those watching were Secy of War Heny Stmson,General McNearny UK War Minister Anthony Eden , and General SirJohn Dill of the Imperial General Staff. Our commanders were pleased how everything came off so I guess we did well.

Unit training continued through Feburary of 1943. On completion of Unit Training half us got leave. I got spend timein Washington,DC I had several dates with a youg lady who was a Secretary in the War Department casualty office. I had olny met once when she 7 years old and I was10. We had a wonderful week in the Washington DC Social Scence. I was object of interest by the residencet as they had seen very few paratroopers in full dress jump boots and all.

On Return to Bragg I was tol we would spent the next six week in the field on divisional training. We forthe learned that during training we would have a additional Parachute Infantry Regiment join us

We caught the train for Tennessee and ended up at Camp Campbell as our Base Camp. The 82nd went to Camp Shelby. There was much gossip wheather the 101st or the 82nd would go to North Africa. When training was complete we learned that the 82nd got the nod,we were unhappy.

Must Pause,

As Ever,
Walter L. Marlowe
( Airborne all the Way)

Thank You Mr Marlowe. It never fails to amaze me that the Armed Services had the ability to take boys from school and in a short time train them in a wide variety of skills and leadership. This done on such a vast scale, but thankfully the services had some first class material to start with. Looking forward to the next posting....richardrhs

Gentelmen:

After compleating the Tennessee Training we were given home leave prior to deployment to overseas. My mother was living in Houston,Tx. and I caught a flight to there. My mother was determined to feed me all of the things I liked most. I then went to San Antonio to see my Sister and my Father before catching a flight back Washington ,DC. There I spent the last five (5) days of my leave with a certain young lady.

We were staged the the Port of Embarkation at Nayack ,NY. Our trip to the UK was over two weeks long as we were in a heavily escorted convoy. We were l;anded at Liverpool and put on trains for Reading. The 2nd batallion was quarted near Welford. Our mixed quarters were converted stables and a manor house when the Col. and his staff were quartered. Our mess was in the barn and all members ate at the same mess. I understand that this upset some of the long service people bur Col. shut them up quickley.

Our training grounds were called Salibury Plain and we often could see Stonehenge in the distance. We had British officers with us so could use live ammunition. Britian at the time had ladies of the land army culivating all un used land.

While there a Captain and I with 6 Segeants were detailed to go to Jedburg in Scotland to train peole in Small Arms and Parachuting. These people were introduced to us by a Commander in the Royal Navy. We were not allowed to talk to these people except during instruction. We were given three days leave in London then returned to our unit

Pause,
As Ever,
Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

What was your rank at this time?

Did you travel by rail or truck from Liverpool to Reading?

__________________
Best Regards,
JW

Welcome brother Marlowe..

There are fewer and fewer of us from "our war" remaining.
I was in San Antonio once when I was in transit after returning from overseas. The "Pachucos" owned the river walks then. (I am writing large so I can read it myself)

Wow, how many veterans are there on the forums?

__________________
BEEP BEEP I'M A JEEP BEEP

Dear Fighter Pilot:

If you were in P-47s over Holland in September 1944 I owe you big time. Plwease accept my gratitude for keepin the enemy off my back.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

Mr Marlowe,

Thank you so much for this! It's a fantastic read! Looking forward to more!
But don't let me get in the way of our conversation with Fighterpilot! Please continue gentleman!!

__________________
Scott

Ladis and Gentelmen:

My Grandaughter pointed out that this was not an all male forum. I have amended my salutation.

On my return from Jedburg I took back my platoon and continued training. I noticed that our ranks had thinned. Major Ginder told me that the Col was away and that Col. Cole was in charge of the regiment for the time being. He also told that the Col. would like to see me the next day. I went down to Greenham Comman and Reported to Col. Cole. The Col. told me that I was on the 1943 promotion list. He futher stated that loses fro tranfers illness, and injuries had causedour manpower to drop. The War Department had requested that the regiment accquire replacement to bring them to TOE Strength plus 10%. He pointed out that I would be a 1st Lt. and could command one of the companies of replacements and the other officers would be 2nd Lts. I would return to the US on a returning B-!7 aircraft. He assured me that I be home for Chrismas of 1943. His estimate that I would be in US for about 90 days.

Departure day began in Scotland, the B-17 I was traveling in was an older model and almost at the end of its operational lfe. Its Flight crew was returning with it. The bomb bay had been secured and fuel bladers had been placed in it giving the aircraft much longer range. We flew from Scotland to Iceland then from Iceland to Newfoundland and From Newfoundland to Virginia near Washington,DC. From the Airfield I was taken to BOQ at Ft. Meyer,VA. There I was given an overseas return physical and placed in 48 hour quarenteen. They fed me very welland attended to all my needs. On the third day I was told that I would be going to the War Department thenext day and get my Class A Uniform Pressed. The next day the automobile picked me up with some other 2nd lts and when we got to the War Department were taken to the Adjutant Generals Offices. There a Col. intoduced himslf as an an Assistant to Maj.Gen. J. A. Ulio, Adjutant General of the U.S. Army. We ere handed letters mine was addressed to 1st Lt. Walter L. Marlowe. We opened them and mine stated that I had been promoted and would rank from the date of the letter. The Col.s Secretary came with a hanfull of Silver bars and heled uf replace our old gold ones. We were now longer the lowes officers on the totempole.

The Col. told us that we would all be paid and receive home leave for Christmas and after Chrismas report to our new assignments.

Must Pause,

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)

glad you got to home for christmas that year

__________________
You were a rotten pilot when we flew in Russia you're flying a desk now but you're still a rotten pilot!

I just love reading these first hand accounts from our veterans. For those of us lucky enough to have been spared combat, it serves as a reminder of why we should be thankful.

__________________
"Faint heart never won fair maiden", so I say "Go for it!"

Lou

Ladies and Gentelmen:

I returned from leave in January 1944. The Army Ground Forces personelle Office had laid out a program for me. I would first go to Ft. Bennin,GA. to select my Infantry people and an Acting First Sergeant for my company. Then I would prceede to Ft. Sill,OK to select my artillerymen and then return to Washington. My last selection would be made at the Engineering School and the Signal Corp. School that were in drivivg distance of Washington. The program was to have the selection process compleated by the end of Feburary so that we could sail for UK in March 1944.

I caught the courier plane to Ft. Benning and in about a weel I had made a selection infantrymen,mostly parachute qualified, as our need list proclaimed. I then got a ride in an A 20 to Ft. Sill,OK. There the selection of Artillerymen was made, the majority were glider qualified. When we finished at Ft. Sill I returne to Washington and had three days off.

I then made motor tips tp the Engineerig School at Ft. Belvoie, VA to select engineers the most of were parachut qualified. Late went to the Signal Corp School with my list of skills needed. I got to Washinton and turned in my list.

I was informed that I would go to the Port of Embarkation to take command of Company C of GP 180. Our unit designation. When arriving I would recieve Secret Orders from the Commanding General of the New York Port of Embarkation. They has reason believe that we would be on very fast ship to the UK.

I had a final week end in Washington and caught the Train to P.O.E. Upon arrival the office of the Commanding General issued My Sealed Secred Orders. They have been long been declassified. They told my Officialy that I was Command Company C of GP 180 and that my unit would man the light antiaircraft guns aboard ship.This meant any weapons 50mm in bore. The ship had 40mm Bofers and 20mm Olikerons in steel gun tubs.

I Assenbled my officers and we went over to the barrack and muster the company. My acting First Sergeant had forme the company into four(4) platoons. I assigned 1 office to command each platoon andkept one officer to act as executative officer.

The next day everyone got their final physical exam and were kept in holding area until the train ride to board ship. We took the train down to the dock and were ferried over to our ship. When got to the ship we were met by the ships Gunnery Officer, a Royal Navy Reserve Lt He intoduced himself as Brutus which preferred to his Cristian Name. So for the Voyage I call him Lt. or Brutus. He explaine that sice we were sailig the Atlantic alone that we were onvery fast ****.. Her name was the Athelone Castle and she had been part of the Union Castle Steamship Company. SHE A New PUT SERVICE

Page 2
She was a new ship put in service to be the Royal Mail ship between Southhampton and Capetown. She was also designated a Royal Mail ship.

We left NY at sundown and after we pased the lightship the engines were full ahead. We turned to action stations just before dawn and this became our routine all the way acros on the fifth evening we turnrd sourh into the Irish Sea and the next mornind we docked in Liverpool.

Must pause,
As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe
( Airborne all the Way)

ladies and gentelmen:

Please accept my apology at my unseem absence. My dental and automotive problems have absorbed most of my enegie for the last six weeks. I will endeavor to contine my story in the near future.

As Ever,

Walter L. Marlowe

( Airborne all the Way)