A Local Boy's World War II Story
By Sue Stoner
On July 14, 1941, a young farmer from Welsh Run, Pennsylvania, reported to New Cumberland, Pa to be inducted into the United States Anny. His name was Harry Heinbaugh, and he would later become my father.
The next destination for Harry would be Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, where he was sent for Engineer Replacement Training. In early October 1941, he boarded a train that would take him cross country to San Francisco, California. Awaiting Harry and 1200 other soldiers was a converted freighter painted gray and flying no flag. Upon arrival at the dock, Harry and his fellow shipmates were finally told their destination: Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii. In a letter describing this event, he indicated that some of the men complained that draftees were not to be sent outside of the United States!
The ship was crowded and many (but not Harry!) were seasick during the one-week voyage. Harry spent a lot of time on deck because the sailing there was not as rough as down below.
Once in Honolulu, Harry was sent to Schofield Barracks, one of 60,000 men stationed there. Throughout his World War II career, he served with the Combat Engineers; at first, with Company F 34th Engineers and later with Company C 1341 st Engineers.
After the Pearl Harbor attack, Harry's unit spent considerable time in the Hawaiian Islands, building gun emplacements, among other duties. They even unloaded supply ships during a dockworker strike! But, of course, the War in the Pacific involved island-hopping, and Harry's unit saw action on Saipan, Espiritu Santo, and Tinian Islands.
While on Tinian, he and a buddy named Coonahan learned they had earned enough points to go home. Harry was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, on May 31, 1945.
The Pacific War ended in August of 1945. My father always felt President Truman made the right decision to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. The planes left from Tinian Island, where Dad last served. Having witnessed the destruction the Japanese wrought at Pearl Harbor, my father rarely spoke about it. But he was very upset when the United States Vice-President headed a delegation to Emperor Hirohito's funeral years later!
My siblings and I have always been proud of our father's service. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal. But he was most proud that his outfit won a Presidential Unit Citation for service in the Marianas Campaign.
Dad always felt he was one of the lucky ones who made it back home. During World War II, over 400,000 Americans were killed.
In his hundreds of letters to his parents, he often wrote of the "old farm" that he hoped to return to one day. Dad spent the rest of his life on that "old farm," dying there in 2003 at the age of eighty-seven.
Following are two letters that he wrote to his parents in December 1941 - 75 years ago.
Scholfield (sic) Barracks
Oahu, T.H.
Dec. 10, 1941
Dear Mother and Dad,
I am writing to tell you that I am alright and safe. At a time like this, I am just as well off here as any other place, and I do not want you back home to worry about me. I am here to do my part the best I can and I feel that I am soldier enough to do it. All the boys are in good spirits and are all together when there is work to be done. Now you cannot expect me to write to you very often but when I find time I will write. I sent you a Christmas present and greeting cards but I do not know if you will get them. I got the stamps you sent me and thanks for them. Let Mary know I am O.K. Now whatever you do don't worry because what is to happen will happen and you just keep the place back there straight. We will handle this over here the best we can and that will be good if you should ask me. Well I will say so long.
Your boy,
Harry E. Heinbaugh
Scholfield (sic) Barracks
Oahu, T.H.
Dec. 26, 1941
Dear Mother and Dad,
There has never been a Christmas that I appreciated as much as this one. We had a real dinner at the barracks and they also gave us candy and nuts and a cigar and cigarettes. I have not started smoking so I gave the smokes away.
The Company Commander gave out our Christmas packages when we were done eating. There were a lot of presents under that Christmas tree and I am not kidding. The going sometimes may be a little tough but a day like this Christmas we had makes you feel a lot better.
The package you sent me was the only one I have received so far, and everything in it was O.K. If I can get the films developed I will send some home as it is now the film business is on the blink on this island and you can understand why. The little camera was just the kind I wanted. The eats you sent me are very good. I have not tried the cake as yet but I cannot say you forgot my birthday this year.
I got five dollars from Mary and another five from an old friend in Hagerstown. I know I have another package on the way somewhere and will probably get it soon.
I am doing my best at the work and I think we are making good headway. You will have to tell the neighbors not to expect mail from me because we are asked not to write to much. It makes too much work and we are busy enough. I will try and write to you at home as often as possible and you will have to try and pass it on for me. I really enjoyed my Christmas and those pictures from home made me feel good. Don't worry about me for I am getting along just fine. Thank [you] for the box. Write to me. I will say so long.
Your boy,
Harry E. Heinbaugh
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