HomeMy WebLinkAboutHarold "Specs" Gammon, Brazos Valley HeroesOne in a series of tributes to nx"mhers of "The Greatest
Generation" who served uur cixunry during World War II
As the
Texas AM
Gammon
and publk
provided much information about himself, until now.
Spec didn't say how Harold Lee became "Spec," but it
happened back in his hometown of Coalgate, Oklahoma, where he
graduated from high school in 1940.
"I knew I wanted to get out of the mines, so I went to Faster
Okahoma ABM Jr. College for a couple of years. I knew I was gang
to be drafted so I headed to Detroit, where two of my brothers
Itved and worked. I worked there until I was drafted in late 1942.
1 was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana, where I received basic and
advanced training as infantryman in an armored infantry division."
Spec was sent to Cahfomia and then back across the country
to New Jersey, where his clmsion boarded ship and headed to
England and France.
"We followed the invasion into Normandy with Patton's Third
Army. Everybody was proud to serve under him. He wanted to get
the war over and done with, I know that"
In December 1944 the Germans launched their last great
offensive of the war through the Ardennes Forest. That offensive
was later to be called the Battle of the Bulge. It was there that the
war ended for Spec.
"The thing I remember the most was the weather. it was very,
very cold. Our unit got pushed back and surrounded at Bastogne
and cut off by the Germans. That was where the American General
McAuliffe replied to the German demand to surrender by saying
Urts'. We weren't cut off long because help came and we put the
Germans on the run.
"We had to dig foxholes in that terrible cold for our personal
protection. One thing you had to make sure of was to dig your hole
so that you would have a place to put your feet. If not, when you
went to sleep, if you could, yourfeet wouldntstip into the bottom of
the foxhole into the freezing water. If they did, you would probably
dug a good foxhole, and
rid.
roan offensive, we came
unaer mortar nre arm one nn Deno me, knocking me forward,
wounding me in my hip ... @ got me out of the war."
Spec spent the rest of the war in a hospital in Paris and was later
stationed in England. He was sent home and discharged at Camp
Chalice. Arkansas. He retumed to college under the G.I. Bill, getting
his degree in journalism from Oklahoma ABM, now Oklahoma State
University. After serving as a journalist with several papers in the
Panhandle of Texas and West Texas, Spec was hired as the Sports
Information Director at ABM in 1963.
"I was really fortunate that Jim Lindsay, President Rudder's
assistant, called me abort that job. I enjoyed all the coaches and
athletes I got to know during my time. I was always impressed
at the loyalty of ABM people for their school. That impressed me
greatly. I am also proud to have served my country. I didn't have any
influence on that service, but I'm proud that I did serve."
Spec has kept a latter he received from President Harry Truman
which reads: "To you who answered the call of your country and
served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the
enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful Nation. As one
of the Nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one can
be called on to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude,
resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that
task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further
exalting our country in peace."
If you ever need to know how to dg a proper foxhole to keep
your feet dry or need someone to get in it with you, then Spec
Gammon is your man.
For more information, to make a contribution, or I you know
a World War II Veteran whose story needs to be told, contact
the BVVM at www.vetemmmemodal.org or Bill Yourgkin at (979)
260 -7030.
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