Student Interviews World War II Veteran

In an effort to assist the Library of Congress in gathering more personal stories from World War II veterans, Chris Winters, a seventh grader at Newtown Middle School, interviewed WW II veteran Ray Scholl this past summer. Although the two have known each other for four years, Chris did not know much about Mr Scholl’s war experiences until the morning Ray sat down to be interviewed

Chris was surprised at Mr Scholl’s sharp recollections of events that happened more than 60 years ago. The following is what Chris learned:

Mr Scholl joined the Army right out of high school at age 18 and served for three years. He did basic training at Camp Edwards in Massachusetts, artillery training at Cape Cod, and then a stint in New Orleans, La. digging trenches. While in Louisiana, wild boars would often visit the trainees’ tents foraging for “goodies.” His “buddy” Cohen frequently had care packages in the tent that attracted the animals.

Mr Scholl spent two years serving in France and Belgium. As a communications specialist, responsible for laying lines for portable radios, Mr Scholl had to strap special hooks on his legs to help him climb trees. Once, while climbing a pine tree, he slipped. Though unhurt, he was reprimanded by “Lt Reggie” because he had not been wearing his safety belt.

After that, he always wore the belt.

In addition to being a communications specialist, Mr Scholl worked as a truck driver, oftentimes transporting officers. He did this even though he held no driver’s license in the United States and was so short that he had to sit on a pillow!

Sometimes his truck pulled a trailer carrying a cache of 40-mm machine guns. At times, he even had to use the guns. It was a dangerous job!

Mr Scholl said his mother worried about him “a great deal” and wrote to him every day. He still has the letters. She worried about what he would eat, and he reported that the food was not very good. C-rations and K-rations were frequently all they had. Mr Scholl lost some weight. Sometimes, his friends would barter with French farmers for fresh eggs, much better than the powdered egg substance they were served in the mess hall.

He said that the French citizens he met were very friendly and helped the soldiers when they could.

When asked what was the scariest thing that happened to him during the war, Mr Scholl cited the Battle of the Bulge. It was an experience during which he came under heavy enemy fire. Fortunately he was not hurt. One of the saddest things that Mr Scholl remembers was the local children. At times, their intense hunger led them to scavenge through Army garbage, searching for something to eat.

Mr Scholl remembers when General Patton came to visit his division. It was a white gloves inspection and everyone was a little nervous.

Another memorable event was the day a German plane was captured and landed at the airstrip where Mr Scholl was stationed. Mr Scholl has a picture of this plane.

Mr Scholl showed Chris his Army photograph, the frame adorned with his dog tags. He can still quickly rattle off his serial number, as if he used it every day.

Mr Scholl said that he had some very good friends in the service, especially Cohen, and wishes he knew where some of them are now.

Maybe some wonder where he is.

Anyone interested in submitting stories to the Library of Congress should visit www.loc.org, click on the American Folk Life Center and then Veterans History Project link.