Oral Histories
Some pieces of history can be tangibly held. They are written in stone or casted in granite and aluminum. They lie in documents and photos of the archives. They are in what’s left behind in the built environment. But other threads of the past are kept in the memories of people. These memories are primary sources that tell us something about the lived experiences and the ways memory of historical events have been preserved and changed over time.
As the years go by, memories of those who remember Camp Howze and its significance to Gainesville and the surrounding area are fading away, but the National World War II Museum, Library of Congress, and universities have all taken time to preserve some of those memories.
On this page are more than 100 oral history interviews related to Camp Howze and its history. Listen to veterans whose military service led them to Camp Howze, reflect back on their experiences in their own words.
Interviews conducted especially for this Camp Howze Online Museum (Joe and Mary McMahon, Shana Powell, and Brad Meeks) share about efforts to preserve and educate the public about the camp’s history; honor the soldiers who trained at the camp; and understand how the camp’s memory impacts people today.
UNT Oral History Collection
McMahon, Joe | Son-in-law of 103rd Infantry Division soldier Frank J. Waldeck and volunteer in the 103rd Infantry Division Association of World War II; life in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois; his family member's military service in WWII; life on the home front; volunteering and experiences with the 103rd Infantry Division Association of World War II.
McMahon, Mary | Daugther of 103rd Infantry Division soldier Frank J. Waldeck and volunteer in the 103rd Infantry Division Association of World War II; life in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois; her father's military service in WWII and the Korean War as well as memories he shared of the wars; life on the home front; volunteering and experiences with the 103rd Infantry Division Association of World War II.
Meeks, Brad | Public relations officer for Camp Howze Military Vehicle Preservation Association; military vehicle restoration; formation of Camp Howze MVPA in 2012; development of Camp Howze MVPA educational programming in schools and public events such as History Alive Weekends; nonprofit's work to honor, support, and connect with military veterans.
Powell, Shana | Curator of Morton Museum of Cooke County from 1986-2007; work at the Travel Information Center in Gainesville, and as an adjunct professor of history at Grayson College; Cooke County history research related to Camp Howze; memories from soldiers at Camp Howze and local Gainesville residents during WWII.
Duke, Wallace "Tim" | Retired Santa Fe Railroad agent. Childhood in rural North Texas; the Great Depression; war work at Consolidated Steel Shipyard; draft into infantry; training at Camp Howze and Camp Livingston; European Theater; push from Cologne to Altena, Germany; the Ruhr Pocket; push into Austria; V-E Day; reassignment to Pacific Theater; Philippines; post-war work experience; post-war life in Dallas.
Gannt, Archie | His experiences in the European Theater during World War II. Boyhood in central Texas; his induction into the Army and basic training at Camp Howze, Gainesville, Texas, 1942-43; Camp Claiborne and Louisiana maneuvers, 1943; shipment to England, October, 1944; combat on the Siegfried Line, November, 1944; leadership problems; Battle of the Bulge, December, 1944-January, 1945; combat living conditions; Officer Candidate School and commissioning, Fontainebleau, France, April-June, 1945; postwar service in Europe, 1945-46.
Camp Howze MVPA Oral History
Frost, Elmo | Frost was the son of an oil worker and moved to Gainesville from Oklahoma in 1939, he was drafted in 1943 and served until 1945. 38th Infantry Division, 151st Infantry Regiment, E "Easy" Company. Jungle warfare training in New Guinea, combat operations in the Philippines (Leyte, Subic Bay, Luzon Bataan, Corregidor).
Mississippi Oral History Program
Rathgeber, Robert A. | Private First Class in Army during World War II; Draft into Army; Army Specialized Training Program at Texas A&M; training at Camp Howze; Served in European Theater in Marseille, France and Germany.
Waldeck, Frank J. | Platoon Sergeant in 103rd Infantry Division in World War II; Draft into Army in the 103rd Infantry Division; training at Camp Wheeler, Miami Beach, and Camp Howze; European Theater of the war including active duty in St. Die, France, Vosges Mountains and the Battle of the Bulge; Bronze Star Medal for a voluntary mission in March 1945 delivering a message through enemy territory in Germany; Father of Mary McMahon and father-in-law of Joseph McMahon.
National World War II Museum
Alaniz, George | Born in New Mexico; Enlistment in Army; Amphibious landing training at Fort Ord, California with 7th Infantry Division; Sustained critical injury at Battle of Attu; Sent to San Diego, California and Salt Lake City, Utah to recover from injury; Additional training at Camp Howze as day orderly of the 8th Service Command; Met and married his wife during his time at Camp Howze.
Ambrose, Haney | Early life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Life during Great Depression; Draft into Army in January 1943; Basic training to be mortar man at Camp Howze in Gainesville, Texas; Assignment into weapons Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division; Pacific Theater of World War II.
Barnes, Jack | Early life in West Texas; Drafted into war and sent to Mineral Wells, Texas for induction; Training as part of 311th Engineer Combat Battalion and the 86th Infantry Division at Camp Howze; Service in European Theater during World War II.
Brown, Bernard | Boyhood in Portland and Salem, Oregon; Basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and Army Specialized Training Program test in Boulder, Colorado; Engineering training in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Additional infantry training at Camp Howze and joined Company I, 3rd Battalion, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Service in European Theater of World War II.
Huber, Robert | Drafted into Army in February 1943; Basic training with 86th Infantry Division at Camp Howze; Assigned to 104th Division at the Mojave Desert, California and became Staff Sergeant; Service in European Theater of World War II.
Porteau, Leo | Born in Reeves, Louisiana and traveling around Louisiana during the Great Depression; Drafted into Army in 1941; Training at Camp Howze and becoming a squad leader; Service in Pacific Theater of World War II.
Maresca, Frank W. | Childhood in Jersey City, New Jersey during Great Depression; Enlisted in war after hearing of attacks on Pearl Harbor; Basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey; Tank and infantry training at Camp Howze; Service in European Theater of World War II with 75th Infantry Division.
McConn, John "Jack" | Childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma during Great Depression; Enlisted Reserve Corp's training at Rice University; Basic training at Paris, Texas; Infantry training at Camp Howze; Service in European Theater of World War II with Company C, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division.
McGhee, Edwin | Boyhood in Brownwood, Texas; Life in Depression; Infantry rifleman in Company B, 1st Battalion, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division during World War II; Army training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Camp Howze in Gainesville, Texas and Camp Shanks in New York and his experiences during the European Theater during World War II.
Peer, Wayne | Childhood in Keenesburg and Greely, Colorado; Drafted in March of 1943; 8th Armored Division at Camp Polk, Louisiana; Air Cadets at Gulfport Field, Mississippi and Keesler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi; Flight training at Moore Field, Texas; 103rd Infantry Division at Camp Howze, Texas; Service in European Theater of World War II as Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon, Headquarters Company, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division.
Smith, Rothacker | Childhood in Detriot; experiences with quartermaster duty and being an African American in the Army during World War II; time at Camp Stewart in Georgia and Camp Howze in Texas including meeting boxer Joe Louis during his visit to Camp Howze Thanksgiving 1943.
Stern, Herbert | Childhood in Rockville, Maryland; Primary training at Tulsa, Oklahoma and basic training at Randolph Field, Texas; Infantry training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and the 8th Infantry Division Artillery as commander of Headquarters Battery; 84th Infantry Division training at Camp Howze; Service in European Theater of World War II.
White, James | Born in Port Arthur, Texas; Enlisted into Army and was active duty in 1943; Army Specialized Training Program at Texas A&M; Infantry training at Camp Howze with 103rd Infantry Division; Service in European Theater of World War II.
Yudenfriend, Herbert | Childhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during Great Depression; Enlisted in Army in 1944; Basic training at Camp Blanding, Florida. Advance Army training at Camp Howze; Service in Pacific Theater of World War II.
Veteran's History Project (Library of Congress)
Alvarado, Benjamin | Private in Army; G Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, V Corps, 1st Army; G Company, 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, XII Corps, 3rd Army; 129th Military Police; Drafted serving from 1943-1945; European Theater.
Baker, John J. | Technician Five in Army; Military Police, Headquarters Company, 12th Army Group; Served from 1942-1946.
Beck, Joseph Dale | Private First Class in Army; Company F, 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division; Drafted serving from 1943-1945; European Theater.
Behrends, Richard D. | Sergeant in Army; 86th Infantry Division; Enlisted serving from 1943-1946; European and Pacific Theater.
Black, David Paul | Captain in Army; 84th Infantry Division; 57th Fighter Group; Enlisted serving from 1941-1971; European Theater.
Bode, William Frances | Warrant officer in Army; 311th Medical Battalion, 86th Infantry Division; Drafted serving from 1942-1945; European Theater.
Briggs, Carl Stanley | Sergeant in Army; Medical Detachment, 2nd Battalion, 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division; Drafted serving from 1943-1946; European and Pacific Theater.
Brong, Ray Clifford | Technical Sergeant in Army; 909th Field Artillery Battalion, 84th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1942-1946; European Theater.
Brooks, Charles E. | Technical Sergeant in Army; 3rd Battalion, 333rd Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division; European Theater; Captured as prisoner of war.
Carmen, Richard Lynn | Corporal in Army; 421st Engineers, Corps of Engineers; Drafted serving from 1943-1946; Pacific Theater.
Casteel, Herbert C. | First Lieutenant in Army; 140th Infantry Regiment; Enlisted from 1943-1946.
Chaney, Sr., William Marshal | Staff Sergeant in Army; Company B, 147th Infantry Regiment - Regimental Combat Team, 37th Infantry Division; Enlisted from 1940-1945.; Pacific Theater.
Chase, Seymour M. | Infantry Private in Army; Enlisted from 1942-1945; European Theater; Captured as prisoner of war.
Cook, Elmer Melvin | Private in Army; Transportation Corps Harbor Craft Company, 174th Infantry Regiment; Enlisted from 1945-1946; Pacific Theater.
Dean, Leon Alan | Technician Five in Army; Battery C, 404th Field Artillery Battalion, 86th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1943-1946; European Theater.
Donnor, Donald K. | Staff Sergeant in Army; Company C, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division, 7th Army; Drafted from 1942-1945; European Theater; Captured as prisoner of war.
Doors, Donald Fred | Private First Class in Army; 1st Infantry Division; Drafted from 1944-1945; European Theater.
Ellis, Charles Frances | First Lieutenant in Army; 65th Harbor Craft Company; Drafted from 1944-1946; Pacific Theater.
Elliot, Robert M. | Sergeant in Army Air Forces/Corps and Army; 89th Infantry Division; 83rd Infantry Division; 3rd Army; Drafted from 1942-1946; European Theater.
Espensen, Sr., Kenneth L. | Captain in Army; 495th Coastal Artillery Battalion; Commissioned from 1942-1946.
Feldstein, Marvin | Private First Class in Army; Canoneer in an anti-tank company (unknown); Enlisted from 1942-1945; European Theater.
Fortner, Robert Gerald | Private First Class in Army; 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, 7th Army; 141st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company; Drafted from 1943-1945; European Theater.
Fulton, Charles Lee | Private First Class in Army; 3rd Platoon, K Company, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted from 1943-1946.
Fumento, Rocco L. | Staff Sergeant in Army; 34th Infantry Division and 88th Infantry Division, 5th Army; Enlisted from 1944-1946; European Theater.
Gamboa, Raymond Luna | Private in Army; 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division; Enlisted from 1943-1965; European Theater; Battle of the Bulge.
Granlund, Peter B. | Technical Sergeant in Army; Company K, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1943-1946; European Theater; Battle of the Bulge.
Gwaltney, Joe Edward | Sergeant in Army; Company F, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division; Enlisted from 1942-1973; European Theater; Operation Overlord (D-Day Normandy Invasion), Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge.
Hallock, George J. | Corporal in Army; 246th Field Artillery Battalion Headquarters, Americal Division; Served from 1943-1945; Pacific Theater.
Handziak, Edward J. | Private First Class in Army; Company K, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Served from 1943-1945; European Theater.
Harman, Raymond William | Technician Five in Army; 633rd Quartermaster Laundry Company, 107th Armored Regiment, 106th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1944-1946; European Theater.
Hinrichs, Calvin Paul | Technical Sergeant in Army; 1689th Engineer Battalion; attached to 3rd Army, 8th Army, and 15th Army; Drafted from 1943-1945; European Theater.
Hoy, Arthur E. | Corporal in Army; 3rd Engineer Battalion, 24th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1943-1945; Pacific Theater.
Hubbard, Walter Eugene | Sergeant First Class in Army; 422nd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1944-1965; European Theater; Battle of the Bulge; Captured as prisoner of war on 12/16/1944.
Huber, Robert Y. | Staff Sergeant in Army; 104th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1942-1945; European Theater.
Jansen, Marvin William | Sergeant in Army; Counter-Intelligence Corps; Enlisted from 1942-1945; European Theater.
Jeffers, Fred W. | Corporal in Army; 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted from 1942-1946; European Theater.
Koch, Norman J.E. | Private First Class in Army; 86th Infantry Division; Drafted from 1941-1945; Pacific Theater.
Kuhn, Andrew M. | First Sergeant in Army; Cannon Company, 127th Infantry Regiment, Americal Division; Served from 1943-1946; Pacific Theater.
Lee, Sr., Warren William | Technical Sergeant in Army; 12th Armored Group; Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 9th Armored Division, V Corps; Served from 1942-1945; European Theater; Battle of the Bulge.
Logsden, Charles Lee | Technician Four in Army; Company B, 34th Combat Engineer Battalion; 1521st Army Air Force Base Unit; Served from 1941-1945; Pacific Theater.
Manger, John Philip | Captain in Army; 164th Engineer Battalion; Commissioned from 1942-1946; European Theater;
Martin, Charles Leslie | Technician Four in Army; 328th Medical Battalion, 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted from 1942-1945; European Theater.
Martin, Rex C. | First Sergeant in Army; Company I, 3rd Battalion, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted from 1942-1945; European Theater.
McConn, Jr., John Luke | First Lieutenant in Army; Company C, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Company C, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division; Enlisted from 1943-1945; European Theater.
Migl, Geroge Joe | Technical Sergeant in Army; Anti-Tank Company, 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1942-1945; European Theater; Battle of the Bulge.
Mitchell, Charlie David | Staff Sergeant in Army; 3918th Quartermaster Gasoline Supply Company; Drafted serving 1943-1968; European and Pacific theaters.
Moody, William Benjamin | Corporal in Army; USASCOM C, 8th Army; Drafted serving 1945-1946; Pacific Theater.
Morado, Sr., Mike | Private First Class in Army; Company K, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1942-1945; European Theater.
Murray, William James | Private First Class in Army; 103rd Infantry Division; 17th Airborne Division; Drafted serving 1943-1946; European Theater.
Mussett, Richard P. | Private in Army; Serving 1943-unknown; European Theater.
Newman, Willie | Sergeant in Army; 1st Special Service Force; 101st Airborne Division; Drafted serving 1942-1944; European and Pacific theaters; Battle of the Bulge.
Nicholson, George | Staff Sergeant in Army; 778th Tank Battalion; drafted serving 1942-1947 France; Captured as prisoner of war.
Owens, Weldon | Private First Class in Army; Company E, 10th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1943-1946; European Theater.
Padilla, John Cabrera | Army; 334th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1942-unknown; European Theater; Captured as prisoner of war.
Parks, Matthew W. | Private in Army; F Company, 2nd Battalion, 235th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division; Served 1943-1945; Germany; Battle of the Bulge; Captured as prisoner of war.
Quinn, Robert D. | Private First Class in Army; Company I, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted serving in 1943-1945; European Theater; Battle of the Bulge.
Raresheid, Jr., George William | Technician Five in Army; 3789th Truck Company; 475th Truck Outfit; Drafted serving 1943-1946.
Reeves, Robert Donald | Sergeant in Army; Battery C, 382nd Field Artillery Battalion, 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1942-1945; European Theater.
Roberts, Alfred D. | Sergeant in Army; 88th Infantry Battalion, 78th Lightning Division; Drafted serving 1943-1946; European Theater; service as an interpreter for Italian prisoners of war.
Rowe, Russell Lowry | Private First Class in Army; C Company, 51st Engineer Combat Battalion; Drafted serving 1944-1946; Germany.
Schafer, Robert Roy | Staff Sergeant in Army; Company B, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division; Serving 1942-1945; European Theater.
Schlenker, Irvin | Army; 88th Infantry Division; Trieste United States Troops; Drafted serving 1944-1953; European Theater.
Schmid, Maurice Edward | Technician Four in Army; 343rd Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division; Enlisted serving 1942-1946; Pacific Theater.
Schnitz, Joel C. | Private First Class in Army; 1st Battalion, 409th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Serving 1942-1945; France.
Schock, Gottlieb | Technician Fifth Grade in Army; Service Company, 343rd Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1943-1946; European and Pacific theaters.
Schutzer, Albert | Staff Sergeant in Army; A Company, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Enlisted serving 1943-1946; European Theater.
Smith, Lowell Earl | Technician Five in Army; 67th Field Hospital; serving 1943-1946; European Theater.
Steffler, William R. | Staff Sergeant in Army; 928th Field Artillery Battalion, 103rd Infantry Division; drafted serving 1942-1945; European Theater.
Styles, Thomas DeWitt | Staff Sergeant in Army; 86th Infantry Division; Company C, 263rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 63rd Infantry Division; European Theater.
Thompson, Richard W. | Private First Class in Army; 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion, 410th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division, 7th Army, VI Corps, 6th Army Group; serving 1942-1946; European Theater.
Tracy, Richard Donald | Sergeant in Army; M Company and F Company, 335th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division; D Company, 26th Infantry Regent, 1st Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1942-1945; European Theater; Operation Overlord; Battle of the Bulge.
Trimmer, Jay D. | Army; Company K, 351st Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division; drafted serving 1943-1945; European Theater; Captured as prisoner of war.
Tucker, Lawrence Rudolph | Technical Sergeant in Army; 3rd Platoon, Company B, 10th Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division, 3rd Army; Serving 1943-1946; European Theater.
Turner, Leonard Paul | Technician Five in Army; 76th Signal Company, 76th Infantry Division; 111th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AAA) Battalion; serving 1943-1946; European Theater.
Valentine, Virgil Curtis | Corporal in Army; Battery A, 928th Field Artillery Battalion, 103rd Infantry Division; Drafted serving 1944-1946; European Theater.
Van Damme, William D. | Technical Sergeant in Army; Company A, 63rd Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division; Enlisted serving 1944-1946.
Voit, Edward T. | Sergeant in Army; 78th Infantry Division (Lightning); infantry training at Camp Howze; enlisted serving 1944-1946; Captured as prisoner of war in Germany serving as an interpreter.
Ward, Edward Eugene | Staff Sergeant in Army; Company A, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; European Theater.
Watkin, Jr., Robert N. | Sergeant in Army; C Company, 411th Infantry Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division; Enlisted serving 1942-1946; European Theater.
Wells, James Edmund | Private First Class in Army; Company G, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division, 3rd Army; Serving in military 1944-1946; European Theater.
West, Billy | Sergeant in Army Air Forces, 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group; Draft into Army Air Forces serving 1943-1945.
Winsor, Earl William | Private First Class in Army; 86th Infantry Division at Camp Howze, Medical Detachment, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment; Draft into army serving 1943-1946; Pacific Theater.