Blocked

                   My father lied about his age (giving his birth year as 1921) to enlist in the U.S. Army serving in Troop E, 7th Calvary. His dates of service are from 18 Nov. 1940 to 14 Oct. 1945, although his Separation Qualification Record also lists prior service from 9 Dec. 1939 to 8 Oct. 1940. It also gives the following information:

1. He left school in 1938 (Ft. Worth, Texas) with three years of high school and received no diploma.
2. His civilian occupation was given as "Farm Hand General - worked on father's farm planting,     cultivating and harvesting crops. Drove tractor and team, milked cows, fed and tended livestock and poultry. Made farm machinery and building repairs."
3. Military occupations included: 3 1/4 mos. in *basic training (Pvt); 9 mos. Rifleman (Pfc); 34 mos. Heavy Machine Gunner (Pfc); 6 mos. Guard Patrolman (Pvt); 6 mos. Truck Driver, light (Pvt)
4. His military occupation upon discharge was described as: "Truck Driver, Light : Drove various trucks, hauling supplies, equipment and personnel. Drove over all types of roads and in all kinds of weather. Serviced own truck and made minor roadside repairs."
5. Army Serial Number: 20 822 591; Grade: Pfc
6. Place of separation: Separation Center, Camp Fannin, Tex.

*I have a return address from an envelope which looks like it was in his hand (printed)
Pvt F. V. Byther, Jr. 20822591
Co. 'A' 3rd Repl. Regt.
A.G.F.  R.D. #2
Fort Ord, Calif.

His Honorable Dischage mentions the following further information:

1. Earned Combat Infantryman Badge, 21 Oct. 1944.
2. Battles & Campaigns: Bismark-Archipelago, New Guinea, Southern Philippines (Liberation), Luzon, GO33, WD 45.
3. Decorations & Citations: American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart  GO 88 1st Cavalry Division 28 May 1945 with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.
4. Wounds Received in Action: AP 25 Feb 1945, 8 Mar 1945.
5. He received innoculations for Smallpox, Typhoid, Tetanus prior to departing for the Asian/Pacific area on 16 Aug. 1944. He arrived at his destination on 6 Sept. 1944. In December he was innoculated for Cholera.
6. Highest rank held: Corporal
7. Arrived back in the U.S. on 6 Sept. 1945.
8. Total length of continental service: 3 yrs., 9 mos, 21 days
9. Total length of foreign service: 1 yr., 1 mon., 6 days
10. Longevity for pay purposes: 5 yrs., 10 mos., 9 days. (note the 10 months of prior service mentioned)
11. Description: Blue eyes, Brown hair, 5" 8", 160 lbs.
12. Note that it gives his place of birth as Beachmont, Mass.

His Honorable Discharge from the Texas National Guard (23 May 1946) gives more information:

1. Troop E  7th Cavalry (inducted with Tr. B 124th Cav 18 Nov. 1940)
2. When enlisted, 19 5/6 years (false 1921 birth date); Occupation: Carpenter; Height: 5' 8 1/2 "
3. Remarks: Soldier held beyond date of expiration term of contract by reason of Executive Orders of the President. No time lost under AW-107. Medal: Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.
4. Character: Excellent. (Note that Brigadier General Arthur B. Knickerbocker, The Adjutant General of Texas, signed the order and hand wrote his own endorsement of "Excellent" next to the typewritten.)

From a Veteran's Administration letter dated 30 Jan. 1952 requesting disability compensation it lists service related injuries of fracture of tibia and fibula, malaria, as well as gunshot wounds to left heel and right hand.

Known places of residence (all in Fort Worth, Tarrant, Texas): 3330 Ave. K, (prior to marriage); 3508 Ave. L, (an upstairs apartment; home upon discharge from Army and address when Fred V. Byther III was born); 3319 Hampshire (Linda was born during this period), 3010 Rodeo Street (summer of 1949 until death)

After WWII, he began training as a plumber's aid for O. W. Blanke Plumbing Co. By the time Linda was born he was listed as a plumber. He was just beginning a partnership with his good friend, Johnny Hoffman, in their own plumbing business aimed to service the boom of residential building when he became so ill that he had to be hospitalized. The business disintegrated. At later periods when he was able to work he was employed as a salesman and demonstrator for the LoneStar Gos Co.