In , when I was a junior in Greenwood High School, word was sent around to all male students who expected to be drafted in the near future that a group from the federal government would be giving some tests to those interested in a college program. I was one of about eight or nine who took the test. Later, I received a card stating that I had met the initial qualification for the program. To be considered for the college program it was necessary to score a minimum of points.
The following summer of , I received my greetings from the President of the U. After being processed uniforms issued, medical shots, more aptitude tests I was sent to a brand new army camp at Tyler TX, called Camp Fannin. Camp Fannin was named after Col. James W. Fannin, a Texas hero in the war for Texas independence from Mexico. We ASTP candidates Army Specialized Training Program were told that before we could be considered for the college program we had to take a basic training course.
This one would be a rigorous week infantry basic training course. Charles C. Love was from Waynesboro. Charlie was later to become an MD and Louie would go back to LSU and get an engineering degree after the war was over.
We were all 18 years old and fresh out of high school. It was Aug. The entire company was composed of ASTP candidates.
There were two or three other similar companies. We were assigned bunks in the barracks by alphabetical order. Most of the trainees were from northern states. There were very few of us southerners. I took an immediate liking to just about everybody in the company with the possible exception of the cadre those in charge of the training. They knew we would be going off to college at the end of the week training cycle and treated us with undisguised contempt and scorn. On a number of occasions our CO, 1st Lt.
