Best Friends Tom Poston, Bob Fisher, Don Olson, My roomy Lybrand
Best Moment Completing basic
Worst Moment Marching as right guide, I made a right turn while the rest of the flight turned left. Sgt Hix called "Flight Halt!!"" He was livid. "Ogden!!!" he hollered as he ran up and got nose to nose. In front of the whole flight he screamed at the top of his lungs, "You empty headed, stupid SOB If you ever pull that @#$%ing) stunt again I'll set your ass on top of a fence post, drive a nail through your gd @#$%ing apparatus and push you over backwards." I have never forgotten those unkind and scary words.
Instructors Sgt Hix A/2C Clark
Other Memories Being sworn in on Nov. 3, 1953. Becoming a "pinger". Being issued an Army field cap, one piece fatigues and tan suede combat boots. Marching to mess, classes and more drill practice afterwards. Evening barracks parties, Taps and reveille. While attending Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX Tom was made Squad Leader and got to wear deuce strips and being scrawny and 5'1", I was made right guide , wore three strips and marched at the front of the flight. Later I learned that this dubious honor was always given to the smallest man in the flight so the whole flight would have to guide on and match the stride of all to that f the right guide. At least the stripes kept us both out of pulling KP. While attending Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX Tom was made Squad Leader and got to wear deuce strips and being scrawny and 5'1", I was made right guide , wore three strips and marched at the front of the flight. Later I learned that this dubious honor was always given to the smallest man in the flight so the whole flight would have to guide on and match the stride of all to that f the right guide. At least the stripes kept us both out of pulling KP. Prior to graduating, we were promoted to A/3C I was sent to Keesler AFB, MS for Basic Electronics Training at Keesler AFB and Tom left to attend Aircraft Mechanics Training at Chanute AFB. where he was killed an an automobile accident while on week-end pass. During bivouac, hearing the sounds of incoming mortars, rockets, artillery, machine guns the smell of cordite. Yelling "GAS" at the first scent of wild onions (mustard gas simulation)and frantically donning a gas mask and clearing it. An exciting time for a youngster like me. Competing with my "Roomy" and others for the "American Spirit of Honor" award. Prior to graduating, we were promoted to A/3C. I was sent to Keesler AFB, MS for Basic Electronics Training at Keesler AFB and Tom left to attend Aircraft Mechanics Training at Chanute AFB. where he was killed an an automobile accident while on week-end pass.
