US AIRBORNE

Many thank you to "Jack" Sherman for having responded to my questions. For his kindness and time to me spent!

John Sherman, was born November 14, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan. His parents, John Francis Sherman and Olive are both originally from Cornwall, England. In 1905, his father immigrated to the United States to work in a copper mine in Butte, Montana. In 1915 he returned to England after becoming a U.S. citizen and moved back permanently to the United States with his family in 1920. They settled in Detroit and his father work for the "Detroit Transportation Dept. "
At that time, the family already has 3 children, born in England, Ronald, Marjorie and William. The family will follow shortly after John F. Sherman he settled down in Detroit.
The family grows even further with three children: Kenneth, John and Howard.

 “My childhood was varied some good and much not so good. We lived in a small house in Detroit and my dad worked during the depression but at a very low wage. Mostly we had enough food but the clothing for the younger children was all "Hand me downs" There we no luxury items.

My Dad died in 1936, I was 12 years old. My mother and oldest brother Ronald moved to Butte, Montana leaving the rest abandoned. Our sister kept us together but had to release the youngest (Howard, about 11 yrs. old) to our mother in Butte, Montana,

Eventually my sister married and one by one we all went into the Army.”

Despite the loss of his father, John was lucky. He was chosen to attend Henry Ford Trade School.

 “That was a vocational school set up by Henry Ford within the Ford complex. It was for underprivileged boys. We were paid a small amount for attending the school and learned the skills to become Tool & Die Makers. I graduated in June of 1941 and was recruited to work for the Naval Ordnance.

The training at Fords served me well after I got out of the service. I attended night school under the GI bill and eventually became a Manufacturing Engineer. That was my profession until I retired.”

It was during this time that he meets the one who will become his future wife Phyllis Jarchow.

 “Because of fuel rationing we "shared the ride"( took alternate turns driving to and from work with other people that live in the same area). Phyl's sister and her husband worked at the same plant and we took turns driving to and from work.  Phyllis (my wife) was 15 years old and was baby sitting (taking care of) her sister's small child and the house. One day when I went to their house I met her. She was very pretty and easy to talk to that was nice because I was shy with girls. I owned a car and a 1937 Harley Davidson motorcycle. I took her to the movies and other places just to have a companion. I do not look at her as a "girlfriend" just a nice person to be with. Most of my friends were in the Army or Navy.”

 “Phyllis was the second youngest of a family of 7 children she had three brothers and three sisters. She was a very pretty girl, tall, well built and with dark hair. She was very quiet and shy. She was and is very talented and smart. She played the Hawaiian (steel) Guitar and had beautiful voice. It was nice to be with her.

In recent years in thinking about when I first met her I said that "She was the first girl I had ever met that I didn't try to impress or "Show off".  She tells me now that when she met me she told her mother she met the man she would marry, she didn't tell me.”

 “She was 16 when I went into the Army, she said she would wait for me and she wrote me a letter every day while I was gone. I did not receive all the letters. We were married 3 months after I came home. Her mother and Dad treated new like I was their favorite son. They were wonderful to me. Phyl had plenty of experience with children because she was busy babysitting her older brothers and sisters children. She is loved by all the nieces and nephews and she is the "Favorite" aunt.”

So after graduation from Henry Ford Trade School, he worked for the Naval Ordnance in military production during for 18 months before he joined the army. 

The Navy Department deferred him from being drafted because of his skills.

“On Sept. 23, 1943 I volunteered to be inducted into the U.S. Army after being deferred for 18 months by the Hudson Naval Ordnance Plant in Warren, Mich. My position was labeled "Crucial to the War effort"
On Oct. 14, 1943 I reported to Ft. Custer, Mich. for duty. It was one month before my 20th birthday.”

 “Within one week I was on a troop train heading for Infantry Basic Training in Camp Wolters, Texas. Camp Wolters was designated as IRTC (Infantry Replacement Training Center). Camp Wolters was located near Mineral Wells, Texas. It was there I started 17 week basic Infantry Training. My earliest recollection was being called into formation by a mean looking and acting sergeant named Sgt. MacArthur. He informed us that he was Regular Army and had been subject to a lot of abuse by civilians (probably our parents) and was going to show us and everyone that he was someone to be reckoned with.”

 “I had struck up a friendship with a college ROTC student from Madison, Wisconsin and he stood next to me in formation. Sgt. MacArthur asked if anyone knew how to handle a rifle. Having heard from my brothers never to admit or volunteer for anything I was reluctant to admit that as a young boy I had been taught the "Manual of Arms" by an old Army man that stayed at our home during the Depression, the rifle was a BB gun. My friend from Wisconsin raised his hand so I raised mine; I think we were the only two. He gave use each a rifle and began shouting out commands, boy the rifle seemed awful heavy but we were able to follow his commands. It wound up being a good move on our parts because it gave us a "Stamp of approval". From then on we were kind of in a leadership roll.”

 “One thing I remember about Sgt. MacArthur was that he was determined to have his men in the best possible physical shape and me being a skinny 125 pound kid it was rough for me at times but I could out walk almost anyone in the unit. One day early in the training Sgt. MacArthur had me plug up the drain in the large shower in the barracks and let the water run to the top of the shower dam (about 3-4 inches deep). He then made everyone walk in the water with their boots on until they were soaking wet. We then went on a 10 miles hike to walk them dry. He said that would prevent us from getting blisters, and it did.”

 “After 17 weeks Basic training the group was shipped out. I was promoted to Pfc. and assigned to stay on as cadre. I was assigned to a newly formed battalion as instructor with the duties of "Acting Sgt.". The next 17 weeks was a very interesting and busy time, I discovered that in many cases the teacher learns more than the student, I liked it. Often there would be men that could not make it without help and some times I would help them by carrying their backpack. In later years and in combat I often times wonder if I had really done them a favor. The training course ended about the time of "D" Day, the Normandy Invasion. Infantry replacements were a high priority. I was issued 10 day "Delay in Route" and ordered to report the Camp Kilmer for overseas duty. I spent most of my time in Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Mich. with my girlfriend Phyllis Jarchow. Then off to Camp Kilmer, point of debarkation.”

 “On July 18, 1944 after an aborted sailing on a British Merchant ship the week before, we boarded a U.S. Navy destroyer to join a convoy headed for the UK. The incident with the British Merchant ship was a bit of luck for me. We were loaded aboard the stinking dirty British ship in NY harbor. The smell was sickening, because the ship was so over crowded we would have to sleep in shifts, 8 hours in a bunk and 16 hours on deck. We were to be part of one of the largest convoys ever. Two meals a day consisting of stewed tomatoes and boiled potatoes. The smell of the galley was enough to make you throw up. We were aboard for about two days waiting for the convoy to form up. No one was eating and the British crew was selling us our own Hershey Bars for $ 3.50 each. I knew I would never survive the trip. As luck would have it as the tugs were pushing the ship out into the harbor we were rammed by another ship and had to return to the dock and then back to Camp Kilmer. That's what I consider a LUCKY shipwreck. ”
  “The food aboard the Navy ship was much better but rather skimpy so we soon found out that our own Navy was not above making and extra buck off their fellow service man, you could get a extra pork chop for $ 2.50, so much for "Brothers in Arms"”

“After 11 days we landed in Cardiff, South Wales and then by train to somewhere around Southampton, England to a "Repple Depple" (Replacement Depot). The camp filled to capacity, we were issued new M-1 Garand rifles that were loaded with very heavy, sticky & smelly grease that was like molasses to clean off. Within a few days or so we were told to look for our names on lists that were tacked on the long row of bulletin boards, then report to the area designated. A search of the lists did not reveal my name so I waited. The camp emptied out except for a few guys. Within a few days the camp filled up once more, the same routine with new rifles loaded with the same stinky sticky grease. They had relieved me of the first one I had worked so hard to clean. This routine was repeated many times, each time leaving a few more men behind until the camp had more holdovers than new guys arriving.”

“We had no duties or drills so most of the time was spent thinking and worrying about what they had planned for us. We were hearing a lot about the horrors of the invasion and rumors were always flying. From the time I had arrived at Camp Kilmer in the States I had made a few friends that were still with me, Jim Shaw from Idaho, Oscar Schachter from Rockaway Beach, NY and Chuck Fisher from Columbus, Ohio. Chuck was from a military family, his Dad was on Gen. MacArthur's staff and he had lost a brother in the Navy, he was aboard the USS Juneau when it went down with the five Sullivan brothers aboard.”

“We began to try and figure out why they were keeping us behind. There were certain things that most of us had in common: (1) Most of us were not yet 21 years old. (2) Most of us were about the same size and build, some joked that we were all good looking. (3) Many of us had served as instructors or cadre and had at least a high school education. The BIG rumor that I liked was that they had passed a law that no one under 21 years old would be sent into combat.”
“Soon the camp was full of guys that pretty much filled the description aforementioned. We were loaded onto a train with all Black Out precautions. The train ride was not very long. When it came to a stop we raised the curtains to see a long platform with officers in class "A" uniforms standing at even intervals. We were told to exit the train and get into formation as called in front of an officer. One of the officers hollered out "Welcome to the 101st Airborne Division". Me and my big mouth I could not help myself and said "B... S... you have to volunteer for the Airborne" the officer replied "You just did".”

“Later, I learned that to be in a paratroop unit it was strictly volunteer, $ 50.00 a month Jump pay was included. As for the glider units they did not require that you volunteer but there was no extra pay either. It soon followed. »
“We were near Reading, England, units of the 101st were scattered around in nearby towns. The division had just returned from action in the invasion of Normandy. They had been kept in action longer than they should have and had suffered heavy casualties. We were the replacements. Chick Fisher, Oscar Schachter, Jim Shaw myself and some others were assigned to "G" company 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Div.”

“Chuck Fisher was a bit wiser than the rest of us and knew something about glider infantry and wanted no part of it so he volunteered to attend a three day jump school course and become a paratrooper. He liked the odds better. After he got his jump wings he was returned to the 327th Regt. Hq. in the G-2 section. He never jumped into combat; he went into Holland in a glider. Schachter was assigned to a rifle squad. Shaw was assigned to a Don Rich's Bazooka team. I was assigned to company Hq. as a runner / rifleman. The main duties of a runner is company Hq. security, carry messages for the company CO to where ever, along with bringing up replacements, temporarily filling in for missing team members and what ever else they could think of. I had limited contact with Capt. Evans the company CO but dealt more with 1st Sgt. Hayden. We were all issued Jump boots, green tie string jackets with four pockets and green matching pants with large tie pocket on each leg.”

 “Being a replacement is a very strange experience. No doubt there are many variations of how we were treated but I have talked with many and most are similar. I guess you could say that you are treated like a needed but unwelcome person. The treatment could be likened to that of a Leper, people keep their distance and seem to not want to know you. After all, you are there to take the place of their "best buddy" that they got to know so well thru all the years and trials of training. What makes you think you could ever replace that wonderful guy that is either dead or wounded?”

“As time went by and some combat experience I got to understand a bit better, but then with few exceptions the feeling of being a replacement was always there. An example: I was with the outfit several weeks, maybe a month. I was in my bunk at the far end of a Quonset hut filled with company Hq. personnel, several guys yelled out "Anybody here by the name of Sherman?" I was reluctant to answer but did. Several voices yelled "He's back there" I heard foot steps heading my way the gate was uneven, I strained to see who it was. When the person approached I recognized it was one of my buddies from back in Detroit, Mich. he was limping badly. I couldn't believe my eyes.”

“There was Bob Battice a full blooded Chippewa American Indian friend from my old neighborhood. Bob was dressed in a Ranger uniform, he informed me that someone had told him what unit I was in and he hunted me down. Bob got a pass from the hospital nearby where he was recuperating from wounds that he had received fighting at Point de Hoc on "D" Day. They had put a steel plate in his head to try and repair his wounds it affected his ability to walk. It broke my heart to see that great physical specimen in that condition. It also made me think a lot about what might be in store for me.”

“During the short time that I was with the unit before going into Holland, my first time in a glider, I only saw the frame of a glider one time and watched a demonstration on how to tie down cargo for a flight. For instructions they used a glider frame (mock-up) not the actual glider. That session only lasted about an hour, so much for the specialized training for glider troops. One good thing was that I my first pay after joining the 101st, glider troops were awarded $ 37.50 a month for flight pay. Some one in their infinite wisdom decided that extra pay was warranted.”

 “Jack” Sherman will see that a true glider on the 18 September 1944 during the invasion of Holland. He landed near Zon. The day before, the 101st Airborne Division had its PIR parachuted over Holland during Operation Market Garden.

 “We had two missions that were cancelled before Holland. Loading for the Holland invasion was my first time in a glider.

I read in Capt. Evans after action report that he assigned men from Hq. to different gliders. I think I was with a regular squad, I did not know anyone on the glider. I think a Sgt. was assigned to be co-pilot.

Being the "odd" man I had the seat next to the door. During the flight (about 3 1/2 hours) many of the men were getting "Air sick" and were "pitching their cookies" / vomiting in their steel helmets. They would pass them to me and I emptied them into a canvas bag hanging on the side in back of the door, then pass the helmet back. All the vomit would not drain out of the helmet so the guy would not put them back on their heads but just held them. At least half of the guys puked. When we came under fire the guys that were holding their helmets quickly put them on their heads. Little strings of vomit drained down from the helmet over their face and backs. It was almost comical.

When small arms fire came up thru the floor all men raised up and put their rifle butts under their private parts hoping to protect the "Family Jewels"

In the confusion the men that had been sick in their helmets forgot to refasten the chin straps. When we landed hard the nose of the glider hit a fence and the tail kicked up, many loose helmets were flying around the cabin bouncing off other people. I was at the door so I was the first one out after the glider settled down.”

 “I was very scared. I was never sick in boat or glider. (Strong stomach weak heart.) Landing was rough but no one hurt, maybe pilot and co-pilot from helmets flying around.

Some small arms fire coming from woods, not much. They ran away when we attack. Before landing much flack but non hit us, only small arms fire right down the center of the glider. Sounded like balloons popping.

Once on ground we assembled into groups and found our company. Later that day or next we attack woods clear out Krauts and take prisoners.”

 “They told us in the briefing before we took off that the Germans in Holland were sub standard troops. All very old or very young soldiers that were sick. Many of them did not have weapons or ammunition. The lying Bastards!!!”

Holland, John had very little contact with Dutch civilians:

 “We had a Dutchman from the resistance with us for a while. I did not talk with him. After the TERRIBLE shelling in the churchyard at Veghel I heard two Dutch resistance men say that they had killed the collaborators that gave the Germans our position in the churchyard. We lost about 80 men I think it was Friday, Sept. 22nd. Don Rich was one of the guys that had to return to the churchyard the next morning to help ID the dead. I was a terrible thing for him.”

 “In Holland there were MANY very bad experiences. It seemed that every time we would go into and orchard to bivouac the Krauts would put artillery in on us. The worst single shelling was in the churchyard at Veghel. The fights we had in Ophuesden were very bad.”

During this period in Holland, he still had the feeling of being less considered being a replacement

 “After we had landed in Holland when we stopped to eat our "K" ration meal I threw away the little packet of Nescafe powdered coffee from the box and five guys were on it before it hit the ground (I was not a coffee drinker). After that several of the guys were nice to me and asked why I didn't like coffee. They offered to take my coffee if I didn't want it. Being a replacement didn't matter then.” 

 “Jack” would spend 70+ days in combat before his unit was brought back to France for refit. Some guys received a permission to Paris, Brussels or even London.
“I did not get a pass to Paris or England. We just pretty much rested. Went into Rheims for a little champagne. Did not seem like we had much time for anything.”  

But, December 16, 1944, Germans launch a great offensive in the Ardennes Forest, heading for American defenses ensured by VII Corp. The 101st Airborne Division was placed on alert.

“When they told use to grab any ammo and food and load onto the trucks. That there was a breakthrough someplace. It was a surprise typical Army crap "Hurry up and wait". Like being a mushroom, they keep you in the dark and feed you bull shit.”

On December 19th, 1944 Jack and his unit would be sent to Bastogne, Belgium to stop a major German advance. Though surrounded by enemy forces for much of the time, the 101st Airborne would successfully hold out against overwhelming odds in what became known as the “Battle of the Bulge”.

 “I remember the trip in a LARGE stake truck, don't think there was room to sit down, slow cold long time between pee calls. Some guys hurt from overhanging tree limbs. It was dark, cold, and we were miserable.”

 “We unloaded at Mande-Saint Etienne at about 1 AM. It was dark & cold. We were trying to get warm by building fires. I had no idea where the Krauts were. I saw some stragglers along the roads, looked sad and beaten we tried to get ammo from them they had no weapons. Many were in a dazed condition very little talk, only that the Krauts were coming and killing everyone.”

 “A few hours later we were heading to Marvie. Think we started getting into position at about 10 -11 PM when we got hit hard.”

The Germans attacked in the 327^th GIR’s sector. The enemy succeeded to penetrate the defenses, but the glidermen gathered and led a counter-attack to repel the attackers.

On the 21^st of December the town was now completely surrounded by Panzer divisions, infantry and paratrooper divisions.

 “On rare occasions when I would see Chuck Fisher, Oscar Schachter, or Jim Shaw it was like seeing a long lost friend. I got to know a few of the old timers mostly by sight and not by names. They were a great bunch of guys that I always knew I could depend on but could never get close to. In Marvie I was near when Jim Shaw & Don Rich were trying to knock out a Kraut tank that was coming at our position. Don had given Jim some instructions on when to fire at the oncoming tank but the tank spotted him and got off a round that hit the building that Jim & Don were in, Jim was evacuated and I lost contact with him I heard rumors that he recovered and was transferred to the Air Corp. That was when Don and I made first contact. Our paths crossed a few more times before we connected near the end of the war.”

On the 22^nd of December 4 German plenipotentiaries arrived in the327^th GIR lines with a white flag, they were carried to General McAuliffe HQ.

They gave him an ultimatum: “Surrender within 2 hours or the whole city will be destroyed by massive plane bombing and artillery shelling”.

McAuliffe only and famous answer was “NUTS”, the German officer who didn’t understand the sense of the answer asked what does it mean: “It means go to hell!!”

 “The surrender party came into "F" company sector a couple hundred yards south. I did not see them but was aware of something happening. Things got quiet. I don’t remember when or how I heard of the Nuts reply.

The cold was almost unbearable when we had time to think about it and not how to stay alive. My feet were frostbite so I had to be out of action for maybe a day I don't know for certain. Today, I still had foot problems. I try to enjoy the life I have more now because of Bastogne. I think many times, it could not be true and that no one could survive that. It is amazing what humans can endure.”

The 327^th GIR resists for nine days, until the 4^th Division of Patton’s Third Army break through the encirclement. All casualties could be evacuated but the division had to keep contacts with the retreating enemy.
“A few times I had to make a run to pick up replacements behind the lines, that was always a hectic chore. The truckers that would deliver the replacements stayed as far away from the front lines as they could. They were in a hurry to drop their load and get out of range. I was just 21 years old but when I saw those replacements I couldn't believe how young they looked.”

 “Replacements mostly did not last long, I guess for several reasons. First off they were usually put out on outpost or point. They did not realize that it was wise to keep low, keep quiet, don't bunch up or smoke. I picked up about 16 replacements after Bastogne; I had to go back two or three miles to the drop off. They were young with all new overcoats and numbers chalked on their helmets. They were nervous, all talking at the same time, smoking and bunching up. I had to line them up, get their attention and tell them that they could get us all killed if they did not follow orders. I told them, No smoking, talking or bunching up and to keep an eye on me. If I hit the ground they were to hit the ground, if I hugged a tree they were to do the same. The krauts had a habit of throwing shells into wooded areas if they saw any movement. I got them to the unit and they were assigned to various squads. We got hit that night and several of the replacements were no longer with us. I have talked with many veterans and my experience is pretty typical.”

On the 18^th January 1945, the 101^st Airborne Division they were sent to Alsace as a defense line element until the end February, right after that they were sent back at least to Mourmelon.

 “Soon after we were relieved at Bastogne and Gen. Taylor retuned to retake command of the 101st we were moved down to France in the area of Haguenau to ward off an expected attack in that area. Gen. McAuliffe was getting too much press for his performance at Bastogne so he was given command of the 103rd. ID that was also assigned to that same front. My brother Ken (a.k.a Butch) who was 18 months older than me was a rifleman in the 103rd Div. and had come up thru Southern France late in the invasion. We had just arrived in the area and I was assigned guard duty at the company CP. While on duty, it was turning dusk, I observed a jeep drive by to my front. Jeeps were a bit rare in our outfit so I thought it might be a high ranking officer and kept an eye on it. For some reason that I can not explain I thought "That looks like my brother and yelled out "Hey Butch". The jeep came to a abrupt halt and backed up a bit. As soon as the drivers feet hit the ground I knew it was my brother Ken. Unbelievable!!! I ran up to him and threw my arms around him, my big brother was there with me. WOW!!!! Ken's first words were "Damn it Jack, when are you going to shave"? We talked and he confessed that when he heard my outfit was next to his he "borrowed" the Chaplain's jeep to find me. Knowing a little about Army rules & justice I was concerned for him. He told me not to worry because he figured that if he got caught the Chaplain would not prosecute. That’s my big brother. Our paths crossed a couple more times before we came home but nothing matched that meeting while I was on guard duty.”

A Mourmelon, Jack received permission to visit her brother who was hospitalized in London, England.

“Brother Bill (William) was the second oldest and was a T-5 Sherman tank driver with Hq. & Hq. Co. 3rd BN 67th Armored Regt., 2nd Armored Div. Was with the unit in the states and from North Africa, thru to Berlin except for the time he was wounded (Jan. 3, 1945) in the battle to retake Houffalize. I did get a pass to visit him in the hospital in England but I do not remember when. I fact it is one of the things that concerns me. I don't remember how I got to England. The first night in England I stayed with my Dad's youngest sister in Wimbledon and I think that was the night the last V-2 hit London. I remember and have picture of the time with my brother but the time. Trip and many other things are a "Black-out for me.

It may have been when we were in Mourmelon.”

Jack and the 101st Airborne Division would later fight through Germany and Austria, capturing Hitler’s infamous “Eagles Nest” in Berchtesgaden, Austria.

 “We just kind of rolled across Germany, in trucks and Ducks. Mostly I remember the hordes of German soldiers on the roads surrendering en-masse. they clogged the roads. The stupid bastards. I had very little contact with them I couldn't be decent to the bastards after what I saw what they had done to other humans. We had orders not to fraternize and I had no desire to do so. In most cases we passed up souvenirs because we were more concerned about carrying food and ammo.”

“I saw some of the labor camps but was more aware of the inmates wandering around in a daze and begging food and any comfort that they could find (makes me cry even as I write this, the dirty bastard Krauts).”

“The division had been responsible for the capture of "Hitler's Hideout" in Berchtesgaden, Germany.  Many of the art treasures looted from German occupied countries were stored or hidden in the caves in that region. They were gathered up and put on display in a large building in Konigsee near Berchtesgaden. The 327th or at least part of it was assigned to guard the treasures while they were on display for visiting dignitaries. I had little to no education about art and to me the items on display, mostly on large temporary tables looked more like a "Swap Meet" to me rather than art treasures. I had little to no education about art and to me the items on display, mostly on large temporary tables looked more like a "Swap Meet" to me rather than art treasures.”

On May 8, 1945, the war is finally over! At that time, the 101^st Airborne Division was in Germany at Berchtesgaden.

“I do not remember were I was when the war ended and it didn't matter much because I thought we would go directly to the Pacific.”

Sometime, during the month of July 45, the Jack’s unit was conducting raids until Goldegg Austria.

 “I found out some time later that we were relocated at the request of Gen. Geo. Patton to ward off a threat by the Russians to make a land grab in the Linz, Austria sector. Duty in Goldegg was light and consisted more a time of recreation at the local lake and surrounding area. While there we were taken in groups to Salzburg, about 40 miles for our qualifying glider flights to maintain out flight pay status. As luck would have it my older brother Ken was stationed in Salzburg, he had been transferred from the 103rd Inf. Div. to a 4.2 Chemical Mortar outfit that was there to dispose of any poison gas that was stored by the Germans in that area. On a few occasions I managed to hitch a ride to Salzburg to visit my brother while parts of our unit were taking their required flights. My best buddy Don Rich usually went along with me.”

 “Passes were not being issued to leave Goldegg and I wanted to spend some time with my brother, so I asked the CO for permission to go to Salzburg. He told me of the restrictions but added that he probably wouldn't' miss me if I was to go. He warned me that it would be an unauthorized leave and would be bad for the whole outfit if I got caught. I decided to take the chance. Don Rich would go along with me. We hitched a ride in a passing GI two & half ton truck for the 40 mile trip. During the trip I experienced terrific pain in my lower stomach. When the driver dropped us off at my brothers barracks I was doubled over with sever pain. Ken was worried and got the unit medic to look at me. The medic said he did not know what the problem was and said I should report to the Army hospital in Salzburg. I refused telling them that it would screw up the situation for everyone if I was reported there without proper authorization.”

 “Once again my brother "borrowed" the Chaplain's Jeep and drove me & Don back to Goldegg. He drove me right to our Aid Station, I was still in terrific pain, they examined me and put me in a ambulance and rushed me right back to Salzburg to the Army hospital. Brother Ken followed behind in the "borrowed" Jeep. Once in the hospital they suspected that it was a gall bladder attack and scheduled me for an operation the next morning, I was scared stiff. The next morning two orderlies came into the room and said they there to prepare me for the operation. The pain was gone and I was really scared and strongly objected. The commotion got the attention of a Army doctor that reluctantly listened to my claims and of my steadfast objection to undergoing an operation. He reexamined me and determined that the operation would not be necessary. I felt that I had been saved.”

For received his flight pay (Chickenshit stuff), Jack made his last flight in a glider. It’s a big souvenir for him!

 “I took my brother Ken and some of his buddies for a flight, I rode co-Pilot. It scared the crap out of them. They couldn't get out of the glider fast enough and many kissed the ground, happy to still be alive.  

Don't get "air" Sick & Pitch your cookies”

But a few days later, Jack was back on the road to the main hospital in Munchen. In the ambulance, he made a sweet encounter.

 “In the ambulance was four stretchers, upper and lower two on each side, I was in the lower side and across and above me was a beautiful American girl. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was almost like a dream after such a long time to see and be near a pretty girl that spoke like the girls that I had dreamed about. For the life of me I can not remember her name so I will refer to her as Alice hereafter. She became ill while on tour with a USO group and had to be admitted to the hospital. The other two people in the back of the ambulance with us were officers; the one next to me on the bottom was a captain. The two officers were making conversation with the girl and typical for an enlisted man I just laid there and listened. They were doing their best to impress the girl. She was above and across from me.”

 “She leaned over and looked at me and asked me something about the 101st and the action that I had seen, the two officers didn't approve and tried to cut into the conversation. She politely shut them up by saying that I reminded her of her brother and she was interested in what I had to say. It was awkward the whole 90 mile trip. After we were admitted to the general hospital in Munchen for processing and release, Alice looked me up and we talked quite a bit, "what a thrill".

 “As luck would have it her troop was in Munchen doing a show and she was able to rejoin them there. It was a musical variety type show. I was not confined to a bed and spent my time talking with and helping some of the guys that were confined to beds. Alice stopped at the hospital to invite me to come to the stage door of the theater and ask for her so that I could see the show. That night I showed up at the stage door and she escorted me in to a front row center seat. It was a great show. The last number of the program was a Jitterbug dance number. Alice came off the stage and took my hand and lead me up on stage, some of the other girls in the troop escorted other members of the audience on stage as well. Jitterbugging was my specialty and we really "Cut a rug". Alice was a terrific dancer. This routine was repeated several times in following nights until the show moved on. I never saw or heard from Alice again and I don't remember if I ever heard much about her other than I reminded her of her brother. Strangely enough she reminded me of my only sister who taught me how to dance.”

 “Alice proved to me that American girls are the world's greatest. She was a real moral booster for me.”

On leaving the hospital, Jack joined his unit, meanwhile, had moved to Sens, France. During this period, he received permission for a week to visit Switzerland.

The division is preparing for an airborne assault on Japan. But it will never com, Japan surrendered on 2 September 1945.

In November 1945, the 101st Airborne Division was dissolved.

“I was transferred to Co "G" 325 82nd Airborne in Camp Lucky Strike and trained with them for the parade, mostly physical conditioning and close order drill. Training was rough. They wanted to make sure that all were in good condition and would not fall out of the parade. Run a mile, walk a mile, run a mile before breakfast every morning. Lots of PE and marching. I was in the best condition of my life.

I returned to the States with them on the Queen Mary on Jan. 3, 1946.” 

He would return home to the U.S. with the 82nd Airborne Division and march with them in the WWII Victory Parade in New York City on January 12, 1946.

 “Being in the parade was exciting and the people in NYC were super. Treated us like heroes. The victory Parade in NYC was the end of the war for me and words can not say how happy I was to be home and out of the war.”

“I was discharged from the Army at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Jan. 17, 1946. I was back in Toledo, Ohio with Phyllis and her family the next day. A few days later I was back in my hometown, Detroit, Mich.”

 “My Brother Bill (William, 2nd Armored Div. N. Africa thru to Berlin. Wounded in "Battle of the Bulge") had returned home to Detroit, Mich. July, 1945, I returned to Detroit, Jan. "46", Ken (Kenneth, Co. "K" 410th Inf, Regt. 103 Inf. Div. France Germany, Austria) was still in Europe, he was not discharged until March "46".  My oldest brother Ronald (Army Air Corps) was still in the service (I don't know where). Howard (9th Corp. Philippines, Japan) was discharged Nov. "46" to Butte, Montana. Ron was the first in and stayed in the Air Force for 25 years. Retired as Chief Master Sergeant. Ron and Howard entered the service from Butte, Montana, not from Detroit, Mich. (separate story of family break up).”

“My sister Marjorie Worked for the Army Air Corps during the war, her husband, William H. Chegwidden was a M/Sgt. and served 4 years in the Pacific Theater.”

Three months after his return, April 13, 1946, "Jack" married with Phyllis Jarchow in Toledo, Ohio. They had two sons: John Francis (Jack or Jackie) and Kenneth James.

Unfortunately, Jack died following an illness, the 24 June 1993. 

“Phyllis was and is a perfect Mother, when our boys were small she bathed them and powdered them every night saying that "a baby couldn't tell you if they had an itch". Our sons love and protect her She cared for our son Jack in his days of sickness better than any nurse could have done.  When son Ken, the youngest visits he waits on her and won't let her do any cooking or cleaning.”

“She is a very talented person but needs to be encouraged. I taught her how to dance and she is very good. She learned how to Tap dance at age 63 and was part of a Ladies Senior dance group that won two state championships beating out groups half their age. She doe not read music but directs a senior singing group her in Band, I do the announcing and tell jokes for seniors at assisted living homes and senior center.  She has always been a wonderful partner and friend and she is still the prettiest girl I know.

She doesn't want me to write anything about her but I am still the BOSS.”

“She is loved by the re-enactor group that we know. They specialize in teaching the historical part of WWII not the battles. Many of the group have lost their parents and we kind of fill in for them. They are a wonderful group much like our own kids.”

“We have three grandchildren ( Jack's children) two girls  now 37 & 41, they live in the Midwest (Michigan and Illinois)  One grandson (Jack's child by second marriage) 26 years old, he lives in Portland, Oregon.”

Jack took few advantage of the GI Bill ...

“The GI benefits were very little, most important at first was the 52/20 benefit. That was each veteran was giving $ 20.00 a week for 52 weeks to help him adjust and find a job to make a living. Because of my skills I had several job offers to start work right away. I went to work as Tool & Die maker after six weeks. In later years I went to college for a couple of years (night school) for Mechanical Engineering under the GI bill of Rights.” 

Jack started working in March 46. He working for a friend who was looking for help qualified as sheet metal layout for a big contract.

“Then in April went work at Tool & Die Making to make money for supporting my wife and me.”

“After taking some college courses I went to work for Burroughs Corp. (now UNISYS) as Mfg. Engr. for 23 years specializing in Abrasive Engineering (Grinding & Finishing) as well as most machining processing. Mfg. Engr. is abbreviation for Manufacturing Engineer.  The job description simply put is: Using a drawing or blueprint of a item as provided by a Design Engineer. My job was to prescribe the input material, equipment and operation's required to produce the finished part.  Mostly these were parts for business machines (Calculators, typewriters, computers etc.).  

After leaving Burroughs I went into Machine Tool Sale & Engineering for a Swiss Co. Also worked in Fineblanking Sales & engineering. Fineblanking is a process developed by the Swiss. Simply put it is a method used to produce very accurate stamped metal parts, more refined than a conventional Punch Press. It requires special tooling (dies) and machines. As Sales engineer I would work with manufacturers to apply the process and aid in design to utilize the process for manufactured parts mostly for the Automotive industry. This process is used frequently for safety related parts such as seat, door, trunk and hood latches for automobiles. I’m Retired in "87".”

On his return from the war, Jack brought some memories, some booty.

“I have a German Luger that I took from a dead Kraut. I almost threw it away because it was too bulky to carry. My brother Ken had a shoulder holster made for me and I carried it that way and brought it home with me. I have several other souvenirs (dress dagger and 6'x 9' Swastika flag that Ken brought home).”

Jack, over time, keeps a serious grudge against the Germans.

“I don't really remember what my thoughts were about the German soldiers before going into combat. I do remember that they were the enemy and we had to defeat them.

As for my feeling after the war and know I could write a book and it would all be bad. I have had a lot of contact with Krauts since the war and I do not like what I know and have seen.

Far too many of them and many Limeys along with them view the war as a soccer match. Now that it is over you pat the other guy on the back and say "Good Show". Well I don't feel that way I hate the stupid bastards that have that attitude. One of the very best and realistic scenes in the "Band of Brothers" series is when Pvt. Webster is riding in the truck and yelling at all the Krauts that are marching by in surrender. He berates them and tells them how stupid they are. I can really relate to that. That's what I did.

When the Krauts were surrendering en mass as we went thru Germany all that could would Buddy up to us and say how they would now join with us to beat the Russians, I wanted  to kill every one of the Bastards.

After the war I worked for a Swiss company that sold industrial equipment some of it was German. I had contact with many Krauts. A very few I liked. Of all the thousands that I have met only one or two ever acknowledged that they or their families were aware of what was going on with the labor and concentration camps and EVERYONE hated HITLER. "BULLSHIT"!!!!

From where I sit the Kraut mentality has not changed, the bastards still think they are the super race. They don't accept the fact that they are not and think that they will somehow prevail. I like the old saying "Don't get mad, get even"

Today, John “Jack” Sherman and his wife live in Bend, Oregon, they often refer to is as “Gods Country”. They spent most of their lives in Michigan but moved around the country in the later years. Bend is close to the the geographic center of Oregon just east of the Cascade mountain range. It is considered "High Desert" so they have four seasons with none of them being severe. Even in the summer the nights are always cool. The climate is dry and the best part is he enjoy nearly 300 days of sunshine a year. The appearance of the area is mostly lava rocks and Juniper trees.

At his retirement, Jack thought he was just enjoying life, sitting in front of a large TV in a big Lazy-Boy chair! But, very quickly he would have tires.

“It was not fun. I got involved in "Volunteer" work, first as a instructor for a "Senior Driving" course. This is a program to teach senior drivers how to compensate for the affects of aging. It was a great experience and the rewards of helping people was pleasing. On occasions some ex-students would stop me on the street or in the stores and tell me that something I had taught them had saved them from having an accident. Things like that made me happy.”

“Our (my wife and I) next "Volunteer" experience was with children. We were surprised to learn that many if not most of the children in our schools were from single family homes and many did not have the chance to know the joy of having Grandparents near. Their thoughts of "old age" was strange and a bit scary to them so we got a group of "Old people" and put a together a "Super Senior" show group to entertain the kids in our schools and to show them that growing old didn't mean that you would stop living and sit in a "Rocking Chair". We all dressed as clowns and put together a show for the kids that included many of the songs from our early years. This was a big success and very rewarding for all. We have since moved on to less active endeavors. Currently we belong to a "Singing Senior" group that sing the "old" songs and perform at Assisted Living homes, nursing homes and Senior Centers in our area. It is great fun.

Entertaining is a big part of our life. We both like to sing and dance (have given up the dance routines) and we are not professionals. We enjoy doing it and are pleased with the results. We are blessed with many friends, young and old. We enjoy being with people and have finally learned to enjoy the good things while they last and that includes our health and well being, but still share when possible. We recognize that feeling and being well is mostly in our control so we make time to be active by going to the health club (gym) three days a week for some physical work out but confess that much of the time we socialize which in our opinion is as important as the physical work out.”

“We used to say that the way to feel young was to hang out with "Old People" but have changed to hanging out with people of all age groups.

One of my favorite sayings is "The harder I work the luckier I get"”

Jack Sherman's military decorations, awards, and honors include: Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Glider Wings with Combat Star, Good Conduct Medal, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Campaign Stars and 1 Bronze Invasion arrowhead, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Netherlands Orange Lanyard, "La Grand Croix de l' Order de Lepold II" (Belgium), "Croix Militaire de lere Classe" (Belgium), "Croix de Guerre 1940 Avec Palm" (Belgium), Fourragere 1940 (Belgium).

“The Bronze Star was awarded to all that earned the Combat Infantry Badge or Combat Medical Badge by Executive Order 11046 in 1947 supported by Gen. Marshall. Those that already had the Bronze Star were awarded a Oak Leaf Cluster. Since that time when someone is awarded a Bronze Star for heroic action they are awarded it with a "V" device.  Gen. Marshall said that the Infantry deserved special recognition because they paid the biggest price and endured the most hardship.

Some thing I point out to students "The Infantry was only 6% of the total number in the military and they sustained 82% of the casualties" 

Note: I am most proud of my Combat Infantry Badge and the Presidential Citation. The CIB because it is the least contaminated award and the Presidential Citation because I was with the unit when they earned it.”