By: Alex

1/4/06

^ During the war ^ ^ Now ^

Thomas Rhodes was born in Akron, Ohio and also grew up there. His mom worked for selective service (draft board), while his dad owned an insurance business. He also had three brothers.

Thomas went to grade school at St. Sebastian’s, high school at Buchtel, and college at The University of Akron. He liked school and was a good student. When Thomas had some free time, he liked to play basketball, play baseball and especially liked to fish.

On March 1, 1943, Thomas was drafted in the military. He was 18 years old when he was drafted and was very nervous and scared. The war had already started in 1941, a year before he was drafted. Thomas never thought he would be serving in the military before. He received his basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, but did not receive advanced training. He did not request a job, and they assigned him to the Communications Dept., so he heard a lot about the war going on. His friends during this time were mostly from high school, who were drafted along with him. Thomas thought the food was good, and they ate full meals. The rules were very strict. He didn’t have any assigned hours, just when he was needed, which was all the time. While on pass, Thomas liked to socialize with his friends. They wore U.S. Army uniforms. They slept in tents or barracks. The weather was real lousy, but also decent.

Thomas traveled to different places by train, but didn’t land in any war zone. He was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Fort Hood, Texas and Camp Shelby, Louisiana. His tour began on March 1, 1943. Some of the time he thought he would not survive.

The unit was named Battalion. It was five companies of 150 people each. His job duties included operating radios and training new recruits. Thomas was about 3,000 miles from the front lines. He did not hear or see the enemy. The most interesting and exciting experience was all the traveling within the U.S. Thomas didn’t really have any frightening experiences, but the most exhausting experience thing was the maneuvers.

He was especially good at operating the radios, but he wasn’t so good at Morris code. It was difficult to learn. Sometimes he would have to change jobs, or do a job he wasn’t trained for. He didn’t like traveling far because it got exhausting. All of his commanding officers were very good, but also strict. The part of his job he especially enjoyed was making friends.

Thomas had 5 or 6 best friends, and he has contacted some since he was discharged. He did not lose any either. One lived in Barberton and some were from Cleveland. He did meet some POWs. The most impressive allied weapon he saw was the Atomic Bomb. The most impressive enemy weapon he saw was the German rifle. Fort Knox, Kentucky was the most impressive and favorite place he saw because of all the technology.

Thomas had contact with other civilians, and they treated him good. He had free time and got to go home once a year for 60 days. He got to meet General Eisenhower, former president, future at the time. Thomas also got to see a USO show. They had entertainers but no one famous. He regularly wrote to his family and friends at home and to each other in the service. When his tour ended, he was relieved. The highest rank he received was Technical Sergeant. He received medals for Good Conduct, a World War II Service Medal, and an American Theater Medal. Thomas did have pictures of himself in the service, but they can’t be found. After 3 years of serving, his family welcomed him home.

The war ended before Thomas was discharged. When he returned home, he worked for Goodyear, his dad’s insurance business, O’Neil’s, TJ Max, and Sears. The highlight of his post military experience was when he got married.

Right after Thomas was discharged, he got his first job at Goodyear. He met his spouse by both of them working for his dad’s insurance business. He got married in 1960 at 37 years old. They had one daughter and have two grandchildren. Thomas had lived in Akron, but now lives in Cuyahoga Falls. He belongs to the American Legion organization. His hobbies included: he used to build model airplanes and go fishing in Canada.

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