HomeMy WebLinkAboutWWII Prog AdamsBILLY JOE ADAMS
United States Army (Retired)
2nd Lt. - Major, European Theatre
"That day - the bombing of Pearl Harbor - was “changing day” in my life. My whole attitude changed."
As a student at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, I was fortunate to enroll in the advanced ROTC program that would lead to being commissioned a Reserve Officer in the
Army. I would receive $21 per month for those times when I was enrolled in ROTC or attending summer camp. This added income had its enticements for me.
In the springtime of my senior year, those of us enrolled in Advanced ROTC were informed that the Army would very likely call us to active duty for one year of training some time within
the 12 months after we received our commissions, but it happened sooner than that. We had Commissioning and Final Review on Saturday, June 7, 1941 and I was ordered to report to Fort
Sam Houston, Texas on Sunday June 8, 1941.
After completing 3 months of schooling at the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma in October 1941, I was assigned to A Battery, 26th Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Infantry Division,
Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
On Sunday, December 7, 1941, I took my car to the battery motor pool to wash it. With the radio on, I then heard the initial broadcast of the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese.
That day was “changing day” in my life. I soon realized the impact of that attack not only upon our nation but also upon me as an individual. My whole attitude changed. I began to want
to do whatever I could to help my country thoroughly defeat Germany, Italy and Japan as soon as possible. It honestly was with regret that I was reassigned back to Fort Sill, Oklahoma
as an Instructor rather than remaining with the 9th Infantry Division as they were preparing for combat somewhere in the European area.
Now, fast forward to January 1945, I was a member of the 20th Armored Division and we were deployed to the European Theater, finally. Our division had some 20 days or so of combat. Very
soon after the cessation of hostilities in Europe, we were ordered back to the States, for training to prepare for the invasion of Japan. We were well aware that the war was not completed
and were glad to contribute our part. Being aware of the difficulties and casualties of the invasion of Normandy, we did envision a high casualty rate.
Consequently, when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were attacked with atomic bombs on August 6 and August 9, I was relieved and very happy.
This service provided me with valuable experience in my subsequent careers in the Regular Army and for my position on the faculty and staff at Texas A&M University.
B. J. Adams
College Station, TX 77840
27 July 2005
WWII Prog Adams