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Thomas
E. “Red” Gosser was born in Zanesville
Ohio.
His parents Thomas and Cora Gosser had twelve children in all. Sadly, one
passed away at birth. Red attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Akron
South
High School.
He enjoyed school and was a good student. His enjoyable childhood was spent
playing sports and peddling papers. He got married to his wife Helen on November 16, 1940.
Red
was 26 and married when drafted in to the military. He had never thought of
joining the military and had no pre-war experience. He was trained in many
places, like Camp Walters,
Texas
and was trained for Infantry and had no request on his job. He had experience
in the Civilian Concentration Camps during the depression which helped him in
the military. After basic training he went to Fort
Riley, Kansas
and Fort Ord,
California.
The war had been going on for three years when he joined and he felt proud,
but was not afraid. The rules were strict, the food was basic, the hours were
all day almost everyday. With the little free-time he had he went to the Post
Exchange. Everybody was nice to him while he was there.
They
were issued olive drab uniforms and stayed in the barracks. The weather in Texas
was full of rain, snow, sun, and sand storms. He traveled by ship out of California.
Red was on the ocean traveling for 40 days until they landed on Pari
Island
in the Marshall Islands.
It was his first time in a foreign country. He had no impression from what he
saw. Red was stationed in New
Guinea in the 32nd infantry
division. His tour of duty began in 1945 and he was never on the front lines.
Red was never in any combat but he saw 35 prisoners of war. There was never a
frightening experience during his tour of duty. Red drove a semi-trailer and
was about the only one that did. He enjoyed driving the truck. His commanding
officers were all very good at what they did. His unit was not in any battle
at any time.
They
lived in tents and it was hot and rainy. They were all friends. He contacted
one who lived in Massachusetts
but he died after the war. He never lost any friends in the war. When the
infantry left he was transferred to 78 Quarter Master. He was in the Philippines when
he received a phone call. He ignored it. The next day he got another call and
the officer said to him, Red if you don’t want to talk to your brother, fine
just tell him yourself. He found out his brother was located in the Philippines
his wife had told him that Red was stationed there also and he found his
brother. Red met lots of POWS and was in charge of some Japanese prisoners.
He was never told anything about the war until it ended. His favorite weapon
was the M1 Riffle Machine Gun. One of
the weapons he thought was the most interesting of the enemy was their
swords. The most impressive place he saw was Manila
after it was bombed and was all torn up.
His
favorite place was when he was stationed in New
Guinea. The people in the Philippines treated
them well. Red didn’t have much free time but when he did he wrote to his
wife and mother. He never attended a USO show.
Red
met General Macarthur when he had to make a trip to Manila.
Red never had any promotions, but he did get many medals like: The World War 2
Medal, Philippine
Campaign Medal, Philippine
Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He received the news the war was over while he was located in the Philippines.
There were plenty of exciting memories, like when he got his orders to return
home. He traveled on a troop ship.
He
had his family, wife, mother, and dad waiting for him when he returned. After
the war he did not remain in the military, and returned to his old employer
where he drove semi trucks. He has two children Jeff and Diane, and two
grandchildren, Amy and Tara. He was Secretary Treasurer his union. Red lived
in Cuyahoga Falls
and Akron,
Ohio
throughout his life. He belonged to the teamsters and his hobbies
include family reunions.
(Red
in his uniform during basic training.)
(Red
traveled to both of these two places-Manila and the Marshall
Islands.)
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