HomeMy WebLinkAboutJ.D. Robertson, Brazos Valley HeroesOne in a series of tributes to members of "The Greatest
f ,
Everyone has been lightened at one time or another, but there are
siustions where you can be so snared Nat you can't physically
move. That is the kind of scared Jesse D. "J.D." Robertson encoun-
tered his first day of combat.
Robertson, one of six chidren, was boo and raised on a corn and
cotton farm near Mail Texas.
"After I left Crossroads Consolidated School in 1943, 1 continued
to help out on the fans until I was drafted in October 1943. 1 was
sent to Camp Wafters in Mineral Wells, Taxes, and then on to Ph Sill,
Oklahoma, for artillery school. While at Ft. Sill, we were on a hike
one day and were being followed by the comp dogs, who jumped
a rabbit. I picked up a rock and threw it at the rabbft, hitting it. The
Commanding Officer called a half and told everyone he was going
to take away my rifle and ammunition and only issue nee rocks. After
my first experience in combat, I was real glad they gave me a rifle
antl ammo, not rocks.
"We headed overseas out of Newport News, Virgins, on an old th-
ere ship. There were 500 of us, about 300 too many, and the seas
were tough. I thought I was going to die of seask:kness. We had
engine trouble, so we had to drop out of the convoy, ending up in
Africa, where we were repaired, finally landing in Naples, Italy. It was
just north of Rome that I was sent into my first combat action.
"1 was a forward liail which mearrt we had to keep communica-
tion with the Command Post or CP from the front line so we could
direct artillery fire to the designated targets. The front lines were in
the mountains and we went in at about 2 p.m. On the trail going
In you saw need soldiers all along the trail, German and American,
which made you realize the seriousness of the situation.
"About the time we got there, we began getting shelled by the Ger-
mans. I was so scared that I couldn't make my feet work. I had a
sergeant grab me and pull ire down so 1 wouldn't get killed. He told
me not to worry, everyone got scared. I never fell so law in my life.
I thought I was going to be a goad, tough soldier, not a scared one.
After that day until I came home, I stayed scared, but not that way.
"We were on the front line for two weeks before we came art for a
shower and a change of clothes. When I walked into the shower.
the guy next to me was a guy from my hometown. After a shower,
shave, change of clothes, a hot meal and a good night's rest, it was
right back Into me line.
"After we got back we began an advance. About daybreak. we got
caught in an open field. They threw mortars, artillery, snipers shot
machine guns at us. We were pinned dawn with no place to go. If
You coot think you can dg a hole with your bare hares, then you
haven't been presented the appmpriate opportunity. I wore the hide
off my hands digging a hole with only my helmet We stayed there
until we could slip out that night.
"About daybreak the next morning we made it to an old Wilding to
hole up in. I was up in a comer messing with a setting her when an
artillery shall hit the building. Of the 21 soldiers in the building, 15
were killed and the outer six were wounded. After I was pulled from
the rubble, I knew I was hurt but Trot hurt bad. A medic captain told
us that anyone who could move had to get back to an aid station
on their own. I used a German rifle for a walking stick and helped a
sergeant who couldn't walk wtthout help back to an aid station.
"I spent two months In a hospital In Florence, where they gave me
a Purple Heart and Nan sent me back. I was 's is nuft' scared now.
Shortly after I got back. my tentmate and I were trying W mall some
snow sc we could shave and bathe to some degree. A sergeant
came up and told me to report to the CB When I got there, the C.O.
told ma Nat we had lost contact with one of our companies and
he wanted me to try to mach them and determine what had hair
pened. He placed a bottle of whiskey on the tabs and told me he
appreciated me volunteering and the whiskey would be mine when
I got back. I remember thinking 'Volunteer. And you mean IF 1 get
back, not when.'
"When we reached the Po valley our 324's had M oft the Ger-
man supply lines and bombed out the bridges. The Germans had
no place to go. but they didn't give up easily, You could just about
walk on dead German soldiers anywhere in that valley When may
started surendenng, they surrendered by the thousands. The war
was aver."
With the war over, Robertson headed home on January 1, 1946. and
was discharged in Tyler, Texas, at Camp Fannin.
"The trip back took 12 days and I thought I was going to die at
sea again."
Robertson worked at various jobs but began his life's work as a
game warden in 1950. He was the game warden for Brazos County
for many years until his retirement in 1991.
°I feel hick be alive, but the service made me befter driver. I re-
spected the service. My wife has warded to go on a cruse for y ears
now and I tell her I've been on two and that was enough for me."
J.D. Robertson's name can he found on the Brazos Valley Veterans
Memorial. For more intonation, to make a contribution, or it you
know a World War II veteran whose story needs to be told, contact
the BVVM at wwweetemnsmemorial.og or all Younglim at (979)
260-7030.
The Eagle
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