John J. Boyd memories of his service in Augsburg, Germany

He was stationed first at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland for his technical training in the Ordnance Corps. He went overseas to Germany via ship, arriving in the port of Bremmerhaven

When he got to Germany (about March 1947) he was assigned to the motor pool in Headquarters Co., 5th Regiment, 2nd Brigade of the Constabulary Corps. They were stationed at the Sheridan Kaserne* in Augsburg, Germany.

Soon after arriving the motor pool staff moved out of the barraks into some rooms at the motor pool building. He worked on installing electric lights in the motor pool building. Not sure if that was before or after making that their lodging.

In Sept 1947, the unit was change from the Constabulary Corps, to the 2nd Armored Calvarly. The 5th Regiment of the 2nd Brigage, Constabulary, became the 2nd AC,

He said that he worked his tail off, hoping to get a promotion so that he coud have his new bride join him. One of the duties he volunteered for was driving the "pass truck" taking the guys who had passes into town, and then picking them up at 10 PM at night. His efforts paid off and he was promoted to technical sergeant within six months. He says there were several who resented his quick promotion, but they hadn't done the work he had.

He took German kids to the movies on Saturdays. He had an emergency appendectomy at the base hospital. He had dental work done by a German dentist, repairing damage done by an army dentist in the States.

When Betty arrived they rented an apartment off base. He was issued an M1 Carbine to keep at home for security. One night he came home late at night, got into bed and when he slid his arm under the pillow got stabbed with a bayonet that mom had hidden there.

The motor pool garage was right next to the fence at the edge of the kaserne. He says he never saw the entire kaserne. It was huge.

He transfered to the Air Force so that he could fly home rather than going by ship. Eventually was stationed at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton the last month of his service.

They attempted several times to get him to re-enlist, but Betty had told him that he could be married to her or be in the Army, but not both. So that was settled.

* Kaserne is German for "barraks" and referred to a garrison for German troops. When the allies occupied Germany they took over these kasernes, and still called them kasernes, but gave them American names. Sheridan was named after PFC Carl V. Sheridan, who had been posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry during ?the attack on Frenzenberg Castle in the vicinity of Weisweiler (community of Inden) Germany?, on Nov 26, 1944.