Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Vernon Dean Worthington, "Dean", graduated early from Creston, Iowa High School. He was aware there was lots of war going on in countries far away. In that he was only seventeen, he didn't consider his own involvement quite yet. He worked at the local Chevrolet garage and was fairly content with his situation. As his eighteenth birthday got closer, he reported to the local Selective Service.

Soon enough he reported in at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. For a few weeks, he was a "hey you!" He was doing lots of little jobs (SLJs). In about March 1946, his name was called out over a loud speaker system. He reported to the person making the announcement. He was told he would be headed for an air base in Amarillo, Texas, right away. "Get your stuff!" That afternoon, he boarded a Troop Train full of other guys in the same situation.

The train stopped at the normal depot where the men were picked up in 6X6 trucks waiting to take them on to Amarillo Army Air Field. Yes, the seemingly warm Drill Sergeants greeted the trainees. They first lined the men up and marched them to a place where an untold number of immunization shots were administered. Next they went on to the hair stylists shop and back to their new living quarters. The new men were shown how to do several things like care and maintenance of personal affects – how to keep ones clothes just so... the Army way. They were shown the only way to make a bed...the Army way. You must know that if one flipped a quarter onto the surface of the bed, the coin better bounce or you would need to remake the bed. Clothes were kept in a foot locker.

The new men were marched to the "chow hall". Their names were recorded and they grabbed a tray and went through the line. Dean didn't care for the guys from the big cities on the east coast. His impression was that they were somewhat snobbish. Dean was at this training post for three months. Dean did remember that toward the end of training, they were told to complete a 20 mile road march.

There was a bit of lay over training at Keesler Base and in a couple of weeks, it was time to board a Troop Train headed for the west coast. A stop at Camp Kerns, Utah was an opportunity for more shots. The process of giving shots had changed from syringe deliver to air powered shots. Dean recalled that one of the shots was particularly potent. Most of the men had to take a half hour break in the shade to recover. This was also the departure post for the men who wanted to take leave before going overseas. Dean went on home for ten days and reported back to Camp Kerns. In not much time, Dean and others arrived in San Francisco and onto a troop ship headed for Japan.

Life on the ship would have been better if they had been served food that was properly prepared. The ship was run by the Merchant Marines. Dean remembered that when he sat at a table with other young men, an Asian man joined them. As the Asian man ate, he suddenly bolted up and ran out of the Galley. Obviously something didn't agree with the man but Dean didn't see him again to find out anything about the incident. Food wasn't very plentiful so when one of the cooks walked by eating on a turkey leg, the envy level rose. When the cook gave most of the turkey leg to a trailing dog, the anger level rose as well.

One should be reminded that the surrender by Imperial Japan to the United States of America and its Allies had taken place by now. When the troop ship arrived at the port most of the passengers went to the "replo depot" (Replacement Center). Dean said that when the men were on a train headed for the depot, the train went by Hiroshima. His voice faded and he said one could just "feel death" there. All the chatter on the train stopped as well...

Dean arrived at Itazuki Air Base. He was to learn the ropes of the base and where he fit in. One of his assignments was that of guard duty. He was taken to a large warehouse-type building. Inside was quite a battery of radio communications equipment capable of reaching the US. His duty lasted several hours but he was quite afraid of the place, with its darkness and squeaking floors. He was armed with a .45 cal pistol, but that didn't do much to quiet his fears. When asked if the handgun was loaded, Dean said that he forgot to check!

Another guard duty was back at the same building. There was a problem with Korean Nationals who would try to get in the building to take whatever they could get their hands on. Dean placed Coca-Cola bottles in front of the only door so that when anyone entered, they would very likely knock a bottle over and the jumpy guard would fire his weapon at the sound.

Dean gained weight at this place. There was a good mess hall, which allowed him to go from 115 lbs to 135 lbs. His main work was pulling guard duty wherever he was needed.

In time, his service was nearing an end. At the given date and time, he and others boarded another ship and sailed back to the "States." Even on his return cruise, he was assigned to go to the very bottom of the ship and guard the body of a slain soldier. The ship came to port in Washington State. Dean was discharged right away and got a train ticket for Creston, Iowa. His parents and two sisters thought to proactively greet Dean so they went to a different city where they knew the train would stop. Dean stopped at a different location and had to get a bus ride on to his home. When he got there, no one was home!!! Finally, they re-joined for a glorious welcome home.

Dean went on to civilian life easily. He used the GI Bill for assistance in several ways. Dean still has his uniforms including the Eisenhower Jacket. He still wears his dog tags.

Corporal Vernon Dean Worthington, thank you for your service!