Susan Thacker interview with H. Aden Taylor (part one)

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. This is the first part of a two-part recording in which H. Aden Taylor reminisces about his military career. He begins by describing his duties as a band leader in the Texas National Guard and conducting military training at Camp Stanley. At 2:44 he describes the Texas National Guard uniforms, which were World War I surplus uniforms made of wool and cheap materials. At 4:16 he talks about the food provided during military training and dishwashing duties. He explains that Camp Stanley was near an artillery base; he was allowed to visit San Antonio, Texas, but not Spic Town. Next at 8:05, he recalls the 11 General Orders. At 9:25, he recalls when Colonel Thompkins, another commanding officer, and leader, was arrested for possessing liquor during prohibition. At 11:40 Taylor recalls Monday night rehearsal drills when the Texas National Guard band practiced, including songs such as Artillery March. The band performed secular songs rather than the religious ones they were supposed to perform. At 13:40 he describes the origin of the term Gringoes, which became popular during the war of Texan independence. Next at 15:47, he explains that Mass Sergeants were nicknamed belly robbers because they saved money by reducing rations. At 18:30 Taylor looks back on working as an instructor during World War II at Maxwell Field, an Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Specifically, he describes routines, squadrons, drills, and his duties. In addition, he explains some of the differences between African-American and White squadrons, such as different vocal commands. At 20:40 he details military music, specifically John Phillip Sousas popular marches. Next at 23:00, he describes transportation and artillery used by the Texas National Guard. Returning to the topic of Camp Stanley, he reminisces about traditions such as lowering the flag and social activities. To conclude the interview, at 27:55 he describes military equipment and personnel filmed in movies and tv-shows such as Wings. H. Aden Taylor (1904-?) was born in Pinckneyville, Illinois. He moved to Texas when he was 18, where he graduated from Baylor University in Waco. He joined the Texas National Guard in the 132nd Field Artillery as Band Master. Five years later, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia; and during World War II he was stationed in Montgomery, Alabama. Additional biographical information has not been determined. AHC Oral History Cataloging Worksheet File Information Catalogue number M';):, !VO'~. I() ')'/ (' I Source Field* (ContentDM) "~ Release form 1Q::,or No -=) cAz)h~> 4;\0-'\ (\.fJ /,J.( I V't)~ bt. \I~, I' () .n ~)\)..~A Transcript Yes or No scanned: ~~._~ From Yeso(~~) Default text: Contributed by an OR: Donated by individual: individual through <your org, name> Georgia Folklore Collection through <your org, name> Object Information Enter 'Informat'Ion about the plhwsl'caI obl'lect here: Title H. Ao,(IX)( c,~)\() I, (interviewee onaf imnteeravniedwd)ate --=r-- n{,:(' ~' 'J te'z ) IC(b c{' Oc ,\,1\)( I'd, Description ~,\ \ (bio on 1,\, II I, ,,-, \ ".' ""t,) f ':L" (\ 1<1',(,1\/ (,,', interviewee) _\)\f\"\ If,) , /\ I(), ;(JQA)'. ,!ltl ,t(Ji)/ ~ {)\A (' I ' j Joh,, ' IIII.' (\-PI , ()~ , \}ff""ft. iliA I 1 Creator Su2',(). VI TFlo (:he \\ l&{JX)eVYC) (Enter either an individual's Burrison Folklore Class name or an organization) Collection Name , (within the Georgia Folklore Archives organization) Creation Date Exact Date (yyyy-mm-dd) I Gl bet ()(' :tll \:iC' r \ ""j (use only one) 0'" Year (if only the year is known) Circa (4 digit year) Year Span From To . Object Type Image_ Text - Text and image_ Video and s~ _ Sound only_ Media Format Reel-reel (VHS, reel to reel, etc) Recording Hours: extent Minutes: ..2.;(':):) , II Derivatives Access copy: Yes or No Access copyformat: Recording clip Yes or No Clip extent: TLI<K Time code for Beginning: D'Ol) '\)~ End: 0 01 . u};f) clip (h:m:s) Notes Ky. "I (11\\ t," .\ o. \ \'\"~, O\.l)l)~, \\\':\ \~ 1'1','I, "\ '. 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(LOC subject headinos only) Keywords Burrison, John Personal names See subject who for additional names / --nXl~,\)\ I II !\c)c,) " J' \dr 'ch.nf nt,,1 \ "\ '., I -,-.,/'" ' < , \ \ ,,1\',\' Ii I 1.\"\ I " 3 Corporate names Geographic locations Topics l ' I'~~ 1~ '\)'\\\ ',"(\;("' '\\,''\ ~f\\\It f ~\ \ i "' 4 MILITARY EXI'i':HIENC~:S AND 'l'RADI'l'IOHS AS TOLD BY Mr. B. Aden Taylor /.11'. John Vi. Aldridge l~r. J"ohn [0). Thackclr for Professor John Burrison by Susan Thackor I .' I I \ VI,p/1 1 Georgia Stato Univorsi"by December, 1969 i Table of Contents lIiilitar'y Experiences as Told by l<Ir II. Aden Taylor Biogru,phical/descriptive sIcetch Transoript of interview Texas National Guo,rd Description of Uniforms Description of Food Mili tary Equipment Usod Spic '1'0''111 Gonoral Orders CoL Tommy 'l'ompldns Musio Played Gringoes (origin of name) Mess Sergeants 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 6 7 7 Description of Wool Uniforms 8 !.Iaxwell Field, Army-Airforce Base 8 MilHary I,Iusic 9 Joke 10 liiili tary Equipment (Artillory & AircraH) 11 Notion Picture 12 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 111-20 Cadenoe Call Sound Off Cadence Oall Delayed Cadence Call 'rho PrettiHfl't Girl Reloases !'IiIi'ta,ry Songs and Cadenoe O,.,ll s as Sung by !:II'. J obn 1I. Aldrj,dge and 1,11', John E, 'l'haoker Biographioal/desorip'tive sketches Transcrip"b of intervi(-HT Military Experienoes as Told by Mr. H. Aden Taylor Mr. H. Aden Taylor was born in Pinkneyville, Illinois. At the age of 18, he moved to Texas. After oompleting his undergraduate work at Baylor University, he worked in Texas for five years. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia. During World War II he was stationed at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama. At the end of the war he returned to Atlanta, Georgia. In September, 1969 he moved to Lithia Springs, Georgia. Mr. Taylor is 65 years old. lIe will retire from the A'tlanta Sohool System in 1970. He is my father. Having heE',rd him speak of l):is military experienoes, I deoided to interview him. I interviewed him in his home on Ootober 12, 1969 at 2:00 EM His home is looated in a surburban area approximately one mile from I-20, Loo Road Exit. It is a new briok homo at 3091 Laura Lane, Lithia Springs, Georgia, He was very serious about the interview. His expressions as well as attitude expressed his seriousness. lIe has requested that his name be withhold from use. The following material is quoted from the tape made during the interview with Mr. Taylor. Only Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Taylor and I wero present during the interview. Susan Thaoker: Mr. Taylor, I would like for you to holp me if you don't mind in going baok and sharing 1'Tith me some of the military tradi tions that were used 1;hen you vlere in the servioe. First of all, I would like to JcnOVI 1;hen you were in the service. Mr. Taylor: Originally I started in 1923 1'1i'th l32nd Field Artillery, Texas National Guard. I enlistod in the National Guard primarily for the money tha;t 1'1IiS envoIved, not a gren,t deal of money but it was paid overy three months whioh oame around D;t the right -time for my oollege tuition at Baylor University. 2 Susan Thaokor: About how muoh WB,S th",t money? ~lr. Taylor: Oh, I have.,.I have forgotten maybe $100.00 evory three months. It was my pleasure to serve as Band Mas'ter, band leader of tho 132nd Field Artillery Band, 'rexas Na'tional Guard. As band leader I was aooorded not the rank beoause you do not 00,11 it rank, ah, it was more a position of l'1arrent Offioer, And as most military men 10101'1 Harrent Offioers are neither fish, flesh nor foul. They are neiUler enlisted men, neithor are they offioors. I do believo they are aooorded a better status today. (po,use) In those days we used to go dmm I d to Camp Stanley for summer oamps. Camp Stanley is due west of San Antonio, oh, about 25 miles. It was a field artillery dump ~Ihioh was oommanded b,Y a, I don't 10101'1 whether you ought I a oall him e, deposed ah, at loast he was a oommanding offioor being punished for insobordinatio~ a few losser orimes. Sinoe the, from the day, sinoe the day that he was oommanding offioer at Fort OglethorpG Georgia. Col. Tommy 'l'ompldns was a oavalry offioer. To be sent to a field ar'tillory dump, of oourse, meant less wtatus for him. He lms very unhappy about the l'1hole situation and didn't minoe any words. One of tho most profane men I've ever lmolm, he oould ouss be'tween syllables. His favorite I expression was "agaragodemngation" One,'oooasion they asked him in ohapel '1;0 make a statement. He stood up and said, "I don't 10101'1 what to say but I am damn glad to be here. II ( As ~lr. Taylor quoted Col. Tompkin~ he imitated his voioe.) On his staff lias a Cpt. Patten 'Iho later beoame blood 'n guts Gen(0ral Patten of Horld Hal' II. I believe Mrs. rrlw.oker you asked about the uniforms. In those days we 110re Horld Hal' I oast-off uniforms, 01' perhaps a better 'term is surplus uniform. He 110re wool uniforms in the summer time and nea,r San Antonio. After about an hour or so the uniforms beoame wet ~ri th perspiration and tey even appeared 3 to bo 0001. (pause) You asked me, ah, feu minutes ago about '~ho food, The food Has not ah tho very best but, ah, WtS suffioient in quantity. After e, mess you'd rush outside to, uh, immerso your utensils in D. solution of lye I'rator in a G. r. oan, garbage oan, then into ano'~her oD,n, then to another oan. If you wore a.mong the first to 11a.sh your utensils) you prooeeded and you I'Tere able to get through the last oan I'Thioh was a oan of rinse 1'1O,ter. Othendso you had lye water all the wa;y dOim through the four la.rge oans. lIater was provided from a large cianvas bag whioh was mmng underneath a mesquite tree. It had a spigot at the bottom where you oould pour the water out into your oanteen. (po.use) Camp Stanlo,y was noar Camp Bullus whioh ",as also a field arUllery dump. Doing a fiold ar'~illery outfit, ah, we had 110rses that pulled the old fHshion oaissons \'Thioh, ah, oarried,. ah, l!'ronoh 75 Horld \'far Ie military equipment. The regular Army men assi{jued to this cornmo,nd took particular delight in requiring National GUiJ.rdsmen to take their turn at riding tho horses, ah, quartened on 't,he post. Most 0' these horsefF. 1'101'0 'l'exas outlB,11S that oouldn,t be hrolwn by ra,nohers and oonsequently 1'Tero sold to the Army. Many Na~iono.l Guardsmon Were injured trying to ride these ldld an ocmtankorous mounts. Susan Thaoker! Uhen did they clie out or s'~op using them? Mr. 'l'aylor: Hell ah, I don I t suppose that the,> Army over stoppo(l using the Texas outhws unUl tho,y, ah stopped using horses period. Now, ;you lGlOl'T, artillory is 1n.J.'gcJly maohinizod. (I'llE-) regular Army men o.SSir;flGd to thi s command had very Ii t'tle regD.rd for National GU1l.rdsmEln and ah favori to, nh, expr~ sl3ion l'lOAJ, "I had ratlwJ.' bEl a dog in a nigger's baok yard 4 tlmn a Second Lieutenant in the National Guard." ~Ie 1'rere permi t:ted on weekends 'to visit San Antonio provided we stayed out of Spic to~m. Spic to~m was a Mexican section of San Antonio the,t he,d, ah, ~ridespread prosti tution. It is said -that one little boy used to be on the streets procuring for his mothel' and in an effort to sell his 1;ares he ~rould advertise the fact that his mo'ther was a In those days are now eleven. days. There virgin. ~nlioh apparently was supposed to make things more interesting for Ule servicemen. (pimse) A lot has changed since those early there used to be twelve General Orders. Susan Thacker: What are General Orders? Mr. Taylor: General Orders are orders that all military personnel must memorize e,nd must kno~r them b;y number. Such as, ah, the Faithful Fifth, ah, ~rhich says, "I'll speak to no ono exoept in line of du'ty." The twolth, ah, one of those that was, ah, eliminated 1ms "I 1,ill allow no one to commit an nuisance on or near my post. " Sinoe the personal habits of military improved -to the extent that men used what in civilian life we call restrooms in 'the Army 1m call latrines. Then they wore able to drop this one of those twelve General Orders. And as we mention a a moment: ago there are now only eleven General Orders. (pause) This period of time was during national prohibition. Of oourse bootlegging in Tex~s was widespread as it was many plaoes. Many times Col. Tompldns' orderly was arrested 1dth a load of illegal liquor. Some of it brought aoross the Mexican border nnd of course some of i'G made in the hills in wes-t Georgia. (Later he oorreoted himself and said he meant west Texas.) Col. Tompkins, ah, fancied himself as a band leader. He also fanoied himself as one 1'f!1O could hold his liquor. On, ah, many ocoasions when an offioers' danoe was played by our outfit he ~rould deoide that he wnnted to lead the band. Hhen 'the band But, ah, very or, ah, a growth 5 followed him, he ha.d enough sense to lenol'l that, ah, there ~Te.S something In'ong. And of course he Iwuld ShOll his displeasure. When the band didn't follow him he liould show his displeasure again. TIe was a diffioult person. He had ~ oontrary to most military traditions a sort of a beard underneath his chin. And one of his favorite expressions was "if you ever see a bush coming dOlm the road, salute it because I am right behind it." (He was imitating Col. Tompldns voice.) Susan '.ehacker: Beards were not allowed, were mustaohes? ~Ir. Taylor: Ahh, mustaohes have never been ruled oui;. very few men were allowed to wear ohin whiskers of hair or beard underneath the chin. Susan Thacker: Well, ah, how about your hair, was it shaved? Was your head shaved? 1.11'. Taylor, They didn't care too muoh about, ah, how short your hair was in those days as long as it was fairly presentable. Susan Thacker, Well, did you have basic "braining as they do now? !>lr. Taylor: Oh, we had close order drill if you mean basic training. Susan Thacker: . for six months... Mr. 'l'aylor: Ahh Susan Thacker: like 1.11'. Taylor: The National Guard of course met every Monday night for a so called drill. In our oase it was band practice. W11ile we practiced music, ah, playing music, while the other men, ah, 0.1though :.they were artillery men, marched up and dOlm and in 6 close order drill. Susan Thacker: Hell, which Here yonI' favorite tunes Hhen you were pla;yling? J;!r. 'l'a;)'lor , Oh the favorite, ah, the theme song of the artillery of course ,iaS the Artillery March. And, ah, I can't recall all the Hords nOH but they are not the same as those you find in song books. Susan Thacker: Hould you mind giving us some Ml'. 'raylor: Hith ,some ah HE schell He' 11 give the boshes 11011 \'Thile the caissons go rolling along. Ah, somothj.ng of that sor'~, It's been about, ah, forty some odd years and I hfwe forgotten.' Suss.n Thacker: Hell ah, this is to the Salnn tune though? Mr. TaJ,-lor: Oh, the music has not chan!';ed, All. '1'he words havo been cleaned up for publication purposes. Susan '.Uhacker: Nero there any other favorite songs? Mr. Taylor: Oh, ah, the men who were in command of the post and the Army regulars, mallY of whom had served in Horld \'Tar I, still loved to sing about tho French girls and Mademoiselle From Armentierres and Parlez-vous, mid all that sort of thing. (Mrs, Ta;)'lor ooughing in the background) Sus,m Thacker, Urn Mrs. 'l'aylor: ~Her oomwent is not distinguishable.) Suso.n Thacker: Mr. Taylol', hmr did you ah, hOl1 long did you live in Texas? 7 I'll', 'l'aylor: Nine years all told. About, ah) you rnontioned a fe,-, min moments a{-l,'o somothing' about, a,h, stories of! Mexioo and that sort of thing., I I d heard the expression Giingoes tmd. I HanttJd to know lihat it meant. And after cwking a number of poople this is tht) inform[ J;~ion tI18,t I got. In, ah, the 1'/'''1' for 'l'exD,s Indo[it'Jndenoe when, ah, 'l'exas was striving to beoome a Republio of' its oem, the, liIoxioans onr:ded a groen flag. (Mrs. Taylor ooughing in baokground) Hhon tho liIexiou,ns would. rotrmc.t the Amerioans ;/ould yell "~ho greon)" meaning tho green flag. 'l'hef would yell "the green goes over the hilt" An that the l\!exic:l.l1s heard \1ero green gaos) g'reon g00Sft rrhat tim0 on then) o.h J Texmls 1'/ere referred to be Mexioan" D,S Gringoos. (pause) I believo thB,'~ is spelled nOH Hh Gringo s or es. Susan Thaoker: 'l'hcre WHS a great deal of riv, rivalry between the MexiOans and Texans? Mr, Taylor: A'~ that time, oh yes, 0' oourSe that lms, ah during the tinlEJ of tho Alamo. And B,h, naturally since C3,mp Stanley lms down not too far r'omovod frolll the Alamo of oourse WU Hero regailed. by many storios OfJpooially from um ,.,h, soldiers from, ah, Fort Sa.m Houston who carno to visit sOliletimes on woekonds and to livo off our mess, Ahh. moss sorgeants in those day s lTd',. ob,lled "belly robbel's." 'l'hey wore offerod ah, or thoy were D,llobted. so 'l)uoh money by the govornrnt"n'h. I beliove it 1-TaS ~~ .21 n day to flOod each man. And of oours,) a,h, ~~ ; 21 a day even in thoso days didn't go 'too far, i:tnd some mess Stll'[:;O.9..nts woro able to mo,lco a Ii ttl" e:ldra mone,Y by outting the rations of their men, Oh, 1;<; had. ah) eggs Hi th corn s caroh mixed with oggs, ah, D-nd ah, oheag, ah, soy bolly 1rhioh '\'/0 00,11 baoon for breakfast 8 along 111 th, ah, sam" old Arbuoklos ooffee. I don t t suppose Arbuokles coffee has been geard of for years and I haven't 'I;hought of it for many years until this moment. Susan .Thaoker Hhat was it like? Mr. Taylor: Ah, it was good ooffee, ah, for that partioular time, I guess. '1'he roasting of it was not as sophistioated as the roasting of coffee today. Susan Thaoker: Did you oook out in the fields? Mr. Taylor. No, ah, we were ~uartored in ah, in some old ah, so oalled temporary lTorld War I barraoks. For all I Imow thoy may , still be in existenoe. You Imow some things that are oalled tempor.ary have a habit of becomin(l; permanent.in the Army. (pause) A vel'y fine thing is the faot that the Army is more humane now in that the Army now has summer uniforms as well as Q as ldnter uniforms. BU'I; those old W1>ld War I 11001 uniforms with the wool shirts and wool, ah, trousers and ah, some of the men had to wear 1'1001 lTrapped leggings. (l.lrs. Taylor coughing in the baokground) Ahd of oourse we used the old Sam BrOl-rtl military campaign hat that was used in World Hal' I. Field ArUllery oolors 'I;hen as now arc; red and llhi teo Susan Thaoker: Are there, is there any roason for rod and llhite? Mr. Taylor: I don't knOll the tl'adi'l;ion back of it. I don't know llhy. l~or all I Imow it may have even be, been changed by this time. I haven't checked on it reoently. You asked about, ah, something of Horld War II. In Horld Mar II I 1'18.10 an instruotor at Maxwell Field, Army-Airforee 9 Base at l<lontogomery, Alabama. As Offioer of the Day, ah oourse, we had to oheok all uni ts at Maxwell Field whioh inoludod the 4'hh Aviation Squadron whioh was a Negro squadron quartered, ah, and segregated at the edge of J.ImC1wll Field. They had a dr:Lll outfit that vTas rather unique. Ah, ahh, a drill sergeant that really worked his men very very hard. He dicln't use ordinary military nomenolature. \'lhen thoy would Pass 'n Heview instead of the usual oommand J1'yes Hight, he, vTould yell "Heoognize your boss." (Mr, Taylor imitates the litri.ll sergeant.) And then f01' the oommand of Exeoution, he would yell, "Do it)" (Mr. ~Daylor imitates tho drill serge3~nt,) And ah, when he Irould sa,y, "Do it," their eyeballs snapped of coursc to the right. It Iras a precision cutfit and ah those Negro soldiers took pride in their outfi t. Inoidently, the.v made famous a so"gwritten be a Tennile, Georgia Arn~ Negro, ah, whioh beoame a cadenco number and also a themo song for Chestcrfield oigarettos. (Lator he said that the song is also Imovm as Sound Off,) Susan Thacker: \'That was that? Mr. Taylor: Ah, if you don't mind, I'd ra.ther not try to quote it nor sing it but ah adul ts who ha:ve been adults for the la.st 20-25 years may reoall this very very popular song that oame out after just after Horld Har II was over. l\lilitary music in those days was just exactly as it, ah, vIaS labeled. It wa.s very very military. Cadenoe had to be from 128 to 132 steps per minute. Sousa m,n'ches of course had obtained prominence na'hional prominence as musician just and band leador just earlier than that. Susan Thaoker: 'rhis vias !forld liar II? 10 loll'. 'l'aylor: Ah, I am thinking now about... J; I am sorry... SUSE1,J1 Thacker, I, I amd sorry I di dn 't know. !<lr. Taylor: I had uandered bo,ok to tho National Guard days. Susa,n Thaoker: That's fine go ahead. Hr. Ta.\'lor: (pause~) ,You know 'Tithout notos it's diffioult to remember or to reoall on the spur of the moment things that might be of intorest. (pause) Of oourse thero's the perrenial joke about the man 'Tho wrote home to his mother that he'd been promotod that he'd been Qjade an orderly,he had been made a la,trine orderly. N01'T latrine is military for men's restroom. And of oourse his mo,ther WL\S under the mistaken impression tlwt he'd really been given an honor. Susan Thaoker: You were speD,Jr-ing of tlw musio. 1'101'0 'tho instruments used the sv,me as they are now? iiiI'; Taylor: Instrumentation then as now 1f<lS larguly ah brass 'n reods. Ah. Saxphones had no'~ ah, attained tho prominonoo that time that they have sinoe thd time. Inoidontly in World War II an attempt ,Tas made to modornize military musio but) ah, has not, did. no't get very far. Susan Thaoker: 1'Ihat about the tra,nsportation uni ts! l'Tere ,they 'the same'? Mr. 'Paylor: Ah, it's evident that you don't romClmber your history of 1'Iorld I'Tar I, ah, beoause baok in those days thex'e were few automobiles. He used some old white truoks. Of oourse, you mentioned 11 jeeps, ah, ah, jeeps hadn't been heard of. I am spealcLng n01f of the Old National Guard days. Ah, most everything was horso dl'mm. That's why horses figured so prominently in oavalry and field artillery. The weapons used, ah, 1;01'0 Colt 45 automatios, ah, whioh woro all developed in the Spanish Amerioan War, the war in the Phillipines beoause they had to have a side arm with enough shooking pO~ler to knool~ a man down. 38 Pistols of oourse would oould wound a man but he oould keep ooming after you. The rifles were, ah, old Kelly Springfield rifles used in World War I about a 30-30 oaliber. SusEm 'I'haoker: How wore thoy laded? Mr. Taylor: Ah, oh ah, there were not the automatic nor the semiautomatio lcLnd. Ah, a olip of sohells W'lS inserted in 'the rifle. As to, ah, aircrllft, ah, there were a few OX5 Curtiss Cllnuok Jennies, Hispanoes Spllds sort of plane made famous in the, ah, o01nio s'trips of today featuring the so oalled Hed Baron, Peanuts strip, I believe it is and so on. The old Curtiss Canuok Jennies were byplanes. One HispB~1o! I thicl~, had a Liber'ty engine it ah, a 12 oylinder Paokard as I reoall. They were used for spotting the Frenoh 75 field artillery pieoes that we fired baok in tb,ose days on this old range. As to the length of, ah, time spent at summer oamp, it was a 30 day onvolvement in thoso days. I understand now it has been out to two woeks as the basio training type of or possibly three, ah, I am not suro. Susan Thaoker: \lhat did you do during the 30 days? Mr, Taylor: Oh, ah, we ah. Susan Thn,oker: Or hOw did you spend i't'? 12 Mr. 'l'aylor I 1'le did what ever the Commanding Offioer uished, ah, or OOUl'se we had 'to play the banc1 p".rt of the seotion had to play formal gual'd mounts and those were really formal. Also, the lowering of the flag 'n the firing of the ah Frenoh 75's a't the lowering of 'the flag eaoh day. And then an offioers' danoe a't night, ah, so 'that the Comlilanding Offioer and his men oouiLd have sooial aotivi tic)s at a neighboring oountry olub. Susan Thaokor, 1'lho attended these sooial events? Nr. 'I'aylor, Ohly oomUlissioned offioerfJ and theil',ah, wives or their dates. In about 1925 a film oompany oame down and made the motion pioture Wings using government equipment, the reservation and also military porsonnel. Someone oomplained later on and this pioture was held up for about two or threo years before it was released to the pUblio., Later on some sound ~R\S added and it We\S re-released again then after sound film OBXfie out. (pause) Ah, thero were charges of government graft and a feu other things beoD.use mili tary pel'sonnel cmd equipment and also military time was used in private venture, As a, if you are interested Buddy Rogers l'faS in this pioture Wings and so was Gary Coopor, and so was Clara Bow and a few other people. Some of us on the post acted as extras and were given a little free time for that reason. Of course no military personnel l-ll'e paid for their servioes and this oreated quite a furror when i't was brought to the attention of Congress 'n this partioular motion picture Hings was held up. As a matter of fact it 1ms the first pic,ture that Gary Cooper >ras in. Of oourse Buddy Rogers was not a pilot, ah, ah, but he played the role of an Amerioan Aoe. Some of you may reoall that later on he married Mary Pickford. Inoidently 13 Buddy Rogers was also a band leader later on. (pause) I 1'dsh that ,Ie had more time, I wish that I had some notes. I wish I, ah, Icne1'T more specifically i'lhat you, you'.' i'ranted. Susan Thacker: Well, I certainly do appreciato your help and I, ah, I thank you very much. Mr. 'l'aylor: You are quite 1'leloome young ladY. 14 Military Songs and Cadenoe Calls as Sung by Mr. John H. Aldridge and Mr. John E. Thaoker Mr. John H. Aldridge is a native Atlantan. He is 24 yem's old. He oompletod 1)is military servioe in the Uni'bed States Reserve Marine Corps in June, 196~. He was stationed at Paris Island, South Carolina for his basio training. His advanoed infantry training was oompleted at Camp Lejune, North Carolina. He is employed by Fulton Na'bional Bank. He is presently attending Georgia State University. He lives at 1991Delowe Drive, S.H., Apartmont Jl, Atlanta, Georgia. He is an assooiate ef Mr. 'l'haeker. Mr. John E. Thacker is also a native Atlml-ban. ]-]e is 25 years old. ITe is my husband. In April, 1969, he completed his basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard I'Tood, Missouri. He is presently a member of tho Active United Sta-bes Army Reserves, 449th Field Depot, Atlanta, Georgia. His unit meets 0ne weekend per month and t1fO weeks activo duty per year. He is an officer vrith Fulton National Bank in Atlanta, Georgia. He 11111 complete his undergradue,te work e,t Georgie, State University this que,rter. )fe,ving heard Mr. Aldridge and Mr. Ths.cker speak of their milite,ry experienoes, I decided to intel~iew them. On Nov. 1, 1969 a-b 7,00 P.III., I interviewed them in our apartment. It is looe,ted in southwest Atlanta, e,t 2005 Alison Court, S.H., Apartment C-5, Atlan-ba, Georgia. They seemed norveus during the interview. They e,greed that the songs ple,yed e,n impertant role during the leng marches in basio training. They felt that the songs lessened the boredom and made it easier to keep in step during the very long marches. Everyone in the oompany partioipated in the singing. 'rhe oadence oalls were sung b.)r the drill instructor for 15 the purpose of keeping the oompany in step. Both the songs and oadenoe oalls Here passed orally from one group to the next group, primarily by the drill instruotors. The follo~ring material is quoted from the tape made during the, intorview. Mr. Aldridge: Is this, is it on? SUS[Jl1 Thaoker I I would appreoiate it if y'all would share these things from your past experienoes . (The tape reoorde:II did not piok up the first line of the following song:~Ulioh was'~in't no use in looldng baok~0 MD" .Thaoker I Jody's go'b yo Oadilao. 1~. Aldridge and Mr. Thaoker: Sound off 1, 2, hit it again 3, 4, Sound off 1, 2... 3, 4. 11r. Aldridge: Ain't no use in going home, Jody's got your girl and gone. Mr. Aldridge and Mr, Thaoker: Sound off 1, 2, hit it again 3, 4, Sound off 1, 2 3, 4. Mr. Thaoker: And l-rhen I get a three day pass, I'm gonna ~rhip old Jody's ass. Mr. Aldridge and I,lr. ThaokHr: Sound off 1, 2, hit it again 3, 4, Sound off 1, 2 3, 4. Mr. Aldridge: Ain't no USH in feeling blue, Jody's gettj.ng dreJ.fted too. 16 Mr. Aldridge and Mr. Thaokor: Sound off 1, 2, hit it again 3, 4, Sound off 1, 2 3, 4. Mr. Aldridge: That's it folks. IIIr. Thaokor: (laughing) Mr. Aldridge: This is an attempt at a drill instruotor's oadenoe oall: Ha hido, le-ep, hido lep, rito a lep, hido a lop, rito lep hido lep That's left right left. Turn it off. !.Ir. Aldridge: Is it ready? Susan Thaoke!l}; urn uh Mr. Aldridge: Another version of that is. oan't tell if I romember. let's see. Turn if off a seo. Susan 'l'haoker: No, it' sO. K. Mr. Aldridge: Hop 2, 3, hop a lep righta lep hodo lep righto lep hado lep That's left right left again. (laughing) Mr. Aldridge: Ready to go? Suse:!l 'l'he,oker: urn uh !ifr. Aldridge: O. K. (He is marohing while oounting.) Delayed oadonce oount 1 . , 2, . , 3.. , 4'0" 1., 2., ~., 4., 1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4. four I love th8 Marine Oorpl Mr. Thaoker: The prettiest girl, I ever saw, \'Tas sipping bourbon through a straw. And now and then, the stra1'T l'Tould slip, And spill some bourbon, upon hoI' lip. I pioked her up, I laid hal' dOlrll, Her long blond hair, fell on the ground. \'Te had a wedding, a formal one, Her father wor~ a white shot gun. And no" I goi; a mo'bher-in-lmT, And 14 lads, who 00.11 me paw. 17 18 .:, f,ELEASE ,~ By letting us collect your traditions--storie3, Dongs, music, sayings; riddles, or beliefs of earlier days--you have mac0. a valuable contribution to preserving and understanding Southern history, and especially the history and way of life of your Co\w~.unity. Because you have given unselfishly of your time to do this, the George: Folklore Archives, whose representatives are dedicated to preserving these ,raditions, wants to protect your rights to this material by guaranteei,)'; ti,.lc :Idi: 11111 not be used for unscrupulous commercial profits. By signing this 8h~et, you are giving us permission to use this material for educational purpoGes so that people who are interested can understand how life was in the old-timey days. Your material will probably not be printed or issued on a record, but if it is, and you don't want your name to be used, say so-owe respect your right to privacy. Thank you for the time you have an important'part of American life. that you want to send along to us so given to help us record a heritage that w If you remember any more old-timey things that it will always be preserved, write tOl Georgia Folklore Archives c/o Prof. John Burrison Department of English 33 Gilmer St., S.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Signed .~2tt/~ //-K'(/ ,IJn -------_._._......._---------------- For Ga. Fl. Archivesl _ \ *nELJ~A.SE* By letting us colleci; your tradi tioYJrJ-' stori(m, songs, music, sayings, riddles, or beliofs of ea.rlier days-- you lw.ve made a valuable oontribution to preservin{'; and understanding Southorn history, and especially the his'~ory and ,my of life of your community, Becaus," you ha-ve given unselfishly of your time to do this, the Georgia Folklore Archives whose representatives are dedioated to preserving these traditions, wants to proteot your rights to this lJw:~orLl be guaranteeing '~ha'~ it Hill not be used for unscrupulous commercial profits. By signing thifJ sheet, you are giving us permisfJion to use '~his matorial for educational purposes so that people who are intorestod oan understand how life 1-TaS in tho old-timey days, Your material ,rill probably not be printed or issued on a reoord but if it is. and you don"1; Hant youx' nalll(-' to be used, say SO--1'Te respect your ri,<;ht ~o privaoy. 'rhnnk you for tho time you have givon to holp us reoord a heri to.ge thut is an impor{;o.nt par'~ of American life. If you remomber any more old-tirney things thnt you want to send along to us so tlw.t it will a11rays bo preserved, wri to to: Georgia Folklore Archives 0/0 Prof. John Burrison Depa,rtrnent of lTInglish 33 Gilmor St., S.E. Atlvnta, Georgia 30303 Signed Addross For Ga. Fl, ArohivE;s, .. ._... _ Hi tnoss :_MCla:2J.d.':;,..J!!:1'J.f!II:.v.J.... . . _ Date I a1J-<!0~.e(/ ~, /9' h,,---,'l_'__ 20 *RELTIiASE7Co By letting us oolleot your tradi'~ions-stories, songs, music, sayings, riddles, or beliefs of earlier days--you have mC1de a valuable contribution to preserving and underste,nding Southern history, and especially the history and way of life of yOul' oOlmnuni'~y. Because you have given unselfishly of your time to do this, the Georgia Folkloro ArohivE)s whose rel,resentativos are dediocd;ed to proserving these traditions, wants to pl'otect your righ'~s to this material be g;uaranteeing that it will not be used for unsorupulous eonunercial profits. By signing this sheet; you are giving us permission to use '~his m,,__~erial for eduoa:0iona.l purposes so that :poople \'Tho arc' interested cem understand hmT life \'1O,S in the old-timey days, Your material will probably not be printed or issued on a rooord but if it is and you don I t l'1an'~ your name to be used _say so--we respeot YOU1' l'ight to privaoy. 'fhank you for the time Y;,9u have given to help us rooord a hori te,ge tIMt is lm important pa,rt of Amerioan life. If you relilember any mOl'o old-timey things thD,t you !'Tant to send alone: t.o us so thnt it will alwa~rs be presurved; wx-ito to: Georgia Folklore Arohives 0/0 Prof. John Burrison Dopartmen'~ of English 33 Gilmor St., S.n:. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 3i mod AddrG;3S For Ga. Fl. Arohives: Hi tness:_,\d/~~t?1J!(Jitzd~ "==--=- _ Date : ~_v;1""J.,;;:~.......L_r_l'LG'-'l'---- A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.