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ABiographyofFRANKJARVISMEYERJR.19202014BySteveMeyer DedicationThisBiographyisdedicatedtomyfatherforallhisloveandsupportovertheyears.Nowordscanconveyhowmuchhehasinfluencedmylifeandhelpedmeattainthegoalsanddesiresofmyheart.AcknowledgementsIwanttoacknowledgeandthankallthosewhohelpedmewiththisbiographyinparticularmybrotherMikewhoreadandproofedoveradozendrafts.Ialsowanttothankthesurvivorsofthe294thFieldArtilleryObservationBattalionespeciallySgt.RichardJunghansoftheBattalionsABatterywhoseimmenseknowledgeenlightenedmeandhelpedmefillinmanyoftheblanksrelatedtotheBattalionsWWIIexperience.SteveMeyerwww.frankjmeyerjr.comABiographyofFrankJarvisMeyerJr.Copyright2014byStephenP.MeyerAllrightsreserved.CertainDrawingsConvoyandASurveyPartyCopyright2014byPFCLewisBCollat294thFAOBThescanninguploadingcopyinganddistributionofthisbookviatheinternetorbyanyothermeanswithoutthepermissionofthecopyrightownersstatedaboveisillegal.RevisedDecember152014 1CaptainFrankJ.MeyerJr.ABiographyofFrankJarvisMeyerJr.BySteveMeyerFrankJarvisMeyerJr.wasHeadquartersCommanderofthe294thFieldArtilleryObservationBattalionassignedtothe15thand9thUSArmiesduringWorldWarII.AfterreturninghomefromthewarFrankandhiswifeVirginiaGinnyassembledaphotoalbumanddiarydocumentingindetailwhatwasundoubtedlyFranksgreatestadventure.DuringhisoverseasdeploymentFrankwrotehometoGinnyregularlywritingsome60lettersinall.EachletterwasnumberedandaseacharrivedsometimestwoormoreatatimeaswarmailoftenranGinnytranscribedthemintothealbum.AccompanyingtheseletterswerephotosFranktookmanyofwhichhedevelopedusingamobilelab.Unfortunatelynotuntildigitaltechnologyandtheinternetarrivedwasitfeasibletosharethealbumwiththemenhewenttowarwithmostofwhichhavesincepassedaway.Andsothealbumanditsstorymuchofitretoldherearealsodedicatedtothemtheirfamiliesandthosewhoremain.YearslateraschildrentheneighborhoodboysmybrotherandIdonnedourfathershelmetsbackpackscanteenbeltsandinsigniaandwithplasticpistolsandrifleswespentcountlessafternoonsrovingtheneighborhoodplayingwarincapableofpredictingtheimpactthewarsourfathersfoughtwouldhaveonourcountryandourfamilieslives.ThestorytoldhereandthelifeitchroniclesisagreatstoryasallstoriesofWWIIandthegreatestgenerationare. 2FrankJr.19201936and1938ThesonofaPrattCollegeengineerFrankJarvisJr.wasborninOklahomaCityonhismothersbirthday.HehadtwooldersistersMargilethahousewifemarriedasurgeonwhoparticipatedintheNormandyInvasionandraisedfourrambunctiousboysandMildredtheoldestwhoheldaleadershippositionintheRedCrossduringthewaranduntilherretirement.FrankattendedOklahomaCitysClassinHighSchoolandwasactiveintheBoyScoutsandthePresbyterianChurch.AsateenhespentaportionofeachsummerattendingandlaterworkingasacounseloratCampCunninghamtheYMCAcampnearTurnerFallsinOklahomasArbuckleMountainsandwherehesharpenedtheleadershipskillshedlearnedfromhisfather.Aftergraduatingfromhighschoolin1938heproudlyattendedPurdueUniversityinWestLafayetteIndiana.TherehenotonlyobtainedhisengineeringdegreebuthealsometandultimatelymarriedhiscollegesweetheartVirginiaGinnyElizabethWrightanativeofLafayette.VirginiaGinny1938 31928PackardDualCowlPhaetonFrankwasdarkskinnedandbeinganativeofOklahomaatthetimeoftenreferredtoasIndianTerritoryhiscollegefriendsandGinnynicknamedhimPawneethenameGinnyoftenwroteunderpicturesofhiminherphotoalbums.HeenjoyedtellingthestorythatGinnywasdatingafriendofhiswhoowneda1928Packard.In1941FrankpurchasedtheautomobilefromhisfriendandheclaimedGinnycamewiththecar.Sheclaimedshethoughtshewasdatingarichoilmanssonbutofcoursesheknewotherwise.Theyweremarriedfor57years.LikehisfatherFrankmajoredinelectricalengineering.WithwarloominginEuropeandtheUSrapidlystrengtheningitsmilitarymightFrankjoinedtheschoolsArmyROTCspendingthesummerpriortohissenioryeartrainingatFortKnoxKentucky.BythenHitlerswaragainstdemocracywasbeingwagedonfourcontinents.OnDecember71941JapanbombedPearlHarborandupongraduationthefollowingMayFrankwascommissionedasaSecondLieutenantintheUSArmyFieldArtilleryCorps. 4MarriedApril1942GraduationMay1942Ft.BraggMay1942FrankmarriedGinnyinApril1942andamonthlaterthetwograduatedfromPurdue.FromIndianathecoupletraveledtoOklahomaCitytovisitFranksfamilyandtheneasttotheirfirstarmypostatFt.BragginFayettevilleNorthCarolina.TheirstayatFt.BraggwasshortandinJulyFrankandGinnyweretransferredtotheArmyspremiereartillerytrainingpostFortSillinLawtonOklahomawhereFrankwassoonpromotedtoFirstLieutenant.Ft.SillAugust1942Ft.SillApril1943Ft.JacksonDecember1944InJanuary1944GinnybecamepregnantbutasfatewouldhaveitFrankwasunabletowitnesstheirfirstchildsbirthhavingbeenorderedtoFortJacksonSouthCarolina.Therehejoinedthenewlyactivated294thFieldArtilleryObservationBattalionasHeadquartersCommanderandbeganpreparingforoverseasdeployment.Ginnyreturnedtohermothers 5homeinLafayettetoawaitFranksreturnandinSeptemberwithhermotherandtwobrothersathersideshedeliveredtheirfirstchildMichaelFrankMeyer.SeparatedbythelogisticsofwarFrankdidnotexpecttoseehiswifeandsonbeforehisoverseasdepartureandsocontemplatingthepossibilitythathemightbekilledinactionFrankwrotethefollowingletterhometohisnewbornson.Hisletterisatestamenttohischaracterhisfaithandsenseofresponsibilitythewayhetreatedothershisupbringingandthewayheultimatelyraisedhischildrenandlivedhislife.LettertoFranksSonMikeSeptember171944 6LettertoFranksSonMikeSeptember171944September171944MySonWhenIwritethisletterIhaveneverseenyouorheardyourcry.Youwillneverrememberthisdayorperhapsthiswar.Yourfatherwasinthearmywhenyouwereborn.Yourfatherandmotherweremarriedduringthewarandaschancewouldhaveitcouldnotbetogetherwhenyouwereborn.Yourmotherwasnotalonehermotherandbrothersweretheretotryandtakeyourfathersplace.Thissoundsasthoughthingsweretoughonyourfatherandmotherduringthosetimes.Actuallytheywereluckierthanmanyothersyourfatherwasstilltraininganddidntexpecttohavetofightforsometimetocome.ItellyouthissothatyouwillknowwhyIwritethisletter.Mysonalwayslookafteryourmother.Sheisthebestsportinalltheworld.SheknewbetterthanIwhatitmeanttobringachildintothisworld.Thingswerenoteasyforherinfactshesufferedforyoufarmorethanmostoftheothermothersoftheworld.AveryoldphrasetakenfromtheBibleshouldbealwaysrememberedShewentdownintothevalleyoftheshadowofdeathforyou.Rememberyourmothersonandwatchoverherandkeepher.Asyougothroughlifeyouwillfindmanyplaceswhereyouthinkthatyouarehavingagoodtime.Goodtimesarenevernicetolookbackonwhentheyaretheexpenseofothers.Yourfatherwhenyoungwassomewhatofasmartkidandassuchthoughthecouldgetawaywithsomerathersmarttricksbutyoucantbeatwhatisgoodandright.Yourgreatestpleasureinlifecanbeeasilyobtainedbydoingforothers.Befriendlywithallyoumeetanddoyourbesttohelpthem.Youmayhaveyourowntroublesbutotherstroublesarejustasimportanttothem.Whenotherstrytohurtyousimplyforgetitanddothemafavortheywillbeashamedofthemselvesfortryingtohurtyou.Whateveryouchoosetodoinlifedoitwithyourwholeheartandallyourenergyifyourheartisnotinthejobgetsomethingelse.Whereyourheartisthereyouwillfindyourtreasures.StudytheBiblemyboyandyouwillfindawealthofadvice.Preythatyouwillrememberandheaditscounselandyourlifewillbefullandhappy.WhateveryourreligionmaybeyouwillnevergowrongbysittingdownaloneorquietlyandthinkingovertheteachingsoftheBible.Youmayneverachievegreatfameorwealthbutyourlifewillbecompleteandhappyifyoucanleavealittlehappinessforsomeoneelse.MaythegraceofourLordbewithyounowandforevermoreYourfatherFrank. 7FortunatelyluckintervenedandonOctober23accompaniedbyhermotherandfatherGinnyandMikeboardedatrainwithaprivatesuiteandbathandtraveled26hourstoFt.JacksonwhereGinnyandMikelivedwithFrankuntilhisdeparture.AftertwomonthsthetworeturnedtoLafayetteandonDecember27th1944the460manbattalionboardedatrooptrainforCampShanksinOrangetownNewYorkakaLastStopUSA.InroutetheunitstoppedatCampKilmerN.J.wheretheydrewfinaloverseasclothingandequipmentandreceivedtheirfinalmedicalexamsvaccinationsandshipembarkationinstructions.RailStationWeehawkenNJUSATBrazil1945OnNewYearsEvetheunittraveledanother30milesbytraintoWeehawkenNewJerseywheretheycrossedtheHudsonRivertoPier90andboardedtheconvertedluxurylinerSSBrazilnowpaintedbattleshipgreyandrenamedtheUSArmyTransportShipUSATBrazil.ThebattalioncelebratedtheNewYearaboardshipandonJanuary3asflagshiptheBraziljoinedaconvoyof57othershipsandsetsailforFrance.ConvoyDrawingbyPFCLewisBCollat294thFAOBViewfromtheUSATBrazilsfantailleavingNYJanuary31945 8LeHavreFrance1945ArmyEngineeredBeachLeHavreHarborTheBrazilarrivedatLeHavreFranceonJanuary151945buthadtoanchoroffshorebecausethecityanditsharborhadbeenobliteratedbyAlliedbombing.Thefollowingdaythebattaliontransferredbylandingcrafttoanarmyengineeredbeachandthenbytrucktheydrove50milestoCampLuckyStrikenearJanvilleonthenortherncoastofNormandy.ThelargestofthesocalledcigarettecampsLuckyStrikewasbuilttostagetroopsandequipmentinandoutofthevariouswarzones.Herethebattaliontrainedfor212monthsuntilMarch29whentheyreceivedtheirfirstmissionorderstoheadintoGermanterritoryandbegincombatoperations.CampLuckyStrikeJanvilleFrance 9ThroughApril18thebattalionestablishedmultipleartilleryobservationpositionswestoftheRhineRiver25milesnorthandsouthofDusseldorfGermany.Alongthislinethebattalionassistedthe1stand9thArmieswhoexecutedawellorganizedpincerattackencirclingandkillingover100000enemytroopsandcapturinganother325000inwhatbecameknownastheBattleoftheRuhrPocket.ThebattlenotonlymarkedtheendofGermanresistancealongitswesternEuropeanfrontbutitwasalsothecoupdegrasthatdestroyedGermanysprizedRuhrmilitaryindustrialcomplex.EncirclementoftheRuhrPocketApril1945byS.MeyerThetroopsbivouackedthroughApril23inthetownofGummersback15mileseastofCologne.Fromtherethebattaliondrove291milesnortheasttoBarskamplocatedontheElbeRiver40mileseastsoutheastofHamburgGermanyneartheBalticSea.Nowassignedtothe9thArmythroughMay2thebatteriesestablishedseveralpositionsalongtheElbeRiverwestnorthwestofBerlininsupportoftheBritishSecondArmywhoseobjectivewastosuppresstheGermanresistanceandsecurethenorthernplainstheBalticcoastandHamburgwhiletheRussiansouralliesduringthewarcontinuedtheirfinalattackonBerlinnowknownastheBattleofBerlin.The294thwitnessedmassivesurrendersasGermansoldiersfledwestintoBritishUShandstoavoidcapturebytheadvancingRussiansseekingretaliation. 10HitlercommittedsuicideonApril30andonMay2theRussianflagwassymbolicallyhoistedatoptheGermanReichstagtheoldparliamentbuildingthatmostbelievewassetonfirein1933byHitlersNaziregimeinitsquestforpower.HitlerdeniedhavinganythingtodowiththefireandwassubsequentlygivenpolicestatepowersleadingtotheriseofThirdReichandultimatelythestartofthewar.TheRussiansCaptureBerlinMay21945OnMay5thebattalionreceivednewsthatforthe294ththewarwasover.Duringthenext10dayswhiletheyawaitedorderstoheadhomethetroopsmadenumeroussightseeingexcursionsnorthtoKielontheBalticSeaandvisitedtheBritishcapturedWbbelinConcentrationCampinLudwigslustabout10milessoutheastofHagenowGermany.PassingthroughKielGermanyontheBalticSeaMay141945 11BrusselsMay1945294thHeadquartersSteinhagenGermanyMay1945GermanysurrenderedonMay8VEDayandonMay15the294thbegantheirjourneyhome.FromHagenowtheytraveledbackthewaytheycamestoppinginSteinhagenwheretheyenjoyed15daysofRR.SomeofthemenincludingCaptainMeyerdrovetoBrusselswheretheyvisitedseveralnightclubsandpurchasedgiftsfortheirgirlfriendsandfamiliesbackhome.294thTentCityNiddaGermanyJune1945OnMay30theunitarrivedinNiddaGermanywheretheycampedinpuptentsfor14daysandmadepreparationsfortheirtriphome.WhilethereonJune9censorshipwasliftedandthefolksbackhomewereadvisedofthebattalionsnextdestinationJapan.Thiswouldbebywayofthestateswherethetroopswouldenjoy30daysofrecuperationleavebeforereportingtoCampBowieinBrownwoodTexasforPacifictrainingandredeployment. 12ThebattalionarrivedbackatLuckyStrikeonJune15anxioustoreturnhometotheirlovedoneswhilecontemplatingtheirnewPacificassignment.FinallyonJune25theydrovethelast50milestotheportofLeHavrewheretheyhadfirstsetfootinNormandyboardedthefastfreightertheSSRobinSherwoodandsetsailforNewYork.CaptainMeyerReturningHomeThe294thweretheonlytroopsaboardtheRobinSherwoodandarrivedinNewYorktoajubilanthomecomingonJuly4th1945.TheRobinSherwoodwasthefirsttroopshiptoreturntothestatesfromthewar.AmericanCampaignEuropeanCampaignandWWIIVictoryMetalsAlthoughthe294thembarkedontheirEuropeantourneartheendofthewarfigurativelyspeakingitcanbesaidthatthebattalionsawthewholewarastheytraveledfromNormandytotheRussianfrontandtheBalticSea.ThebattalionparticipatedintheBattleoftheRuhrPocketthelaststrongholdonGermanysEuropeanfronttheywitnessedmassiveGermansurrendersvisitedaconcentrationcampandwerepresentatGermanysRussianfrontduringtheBattleofBerlinwhentheGermanssurrenderedonVEDay.OfficersCapBadgeCaptainsBars 13ASurveyPartyDrawingbyPFCLewisBCollat294thFAOBFortheirpartcapturedGermansoldiersoftenclaimedtobemostimpressednotbyAmericanarmororinfantrybutbytheAmericansartilleryitsaccuracyandtheswiftnessofitstargetacquisition.Usingthetechnologyofthedayconsistingofasliderulestransitssoundandflashobservationsoveraperiodof21daysthe294thsuccessfullylocated230enemygunandrocketinstallations.ExceptforminorinjuriestheentireBattalionreturnedhomeunharmed. 14AfterthebattaliondisembarkedinNewYorkthetroopsreturnedtoCampKilmerforachangeofclothingandgearandasteakdinner.Theywerethendisbursedbytrooptraintovariousreceptioncenterswheretheywouldbegintheirrecuperationleave.FrankwenttoCampAtterburynearEdinburghIndianaandfromtherehetookatraintoOklahomaCitywherehewasreunitedwithGinnyMikeandhisfamily.ThethreethentraveledtoLafayetteforanotherhomecomingwithGinnysfamily.After30daysofrecuperationleaveFrankreturnedtoEdinburghwhereheboardedanothertrainandheadedsouthagainonlythistimetoCampBowieinBrownwoodTexas.TherethebattalionwouldreassembleandbeganpreparingfortheirPacificdeploymentandtheJapaninvasion.HoweverwhiletravelingtoBowiethemenreceivednewsoftheJapanesesurrenderandonSeptember41945theirredeploymentorderswerecancelled.The294thwasdeactivatedonOctober26andonMay161946FrankwashonorablydischargedfromtheArmy.Hewas26yearsold.AfterhisdischargeFrankacceptedanappointmentasaCaptainintheUSArmyOfficersReserveCorpsbuthisfouryearappointmentexpiredwithouthisdivisionbeingactivated.AfterthewarthefamilymovedtoFtWayneIndianaandthentoTulsaOklahomawheretheirhomehasbeensince1949.In1954FrankandGinnyhadtwomorechildrentwinsStephenandStacey.StaceyandherhusbandScottBrownlatergaveFrankandGinnythreegrandchildrenLaurenPatrickandMichaelandMikeandhiswifeBrendagavethemthreestepgrandchildrenStephanieEllieandRick.MikeandhisFatherJanuary1946Mike1948 15TwinsStephenandStacey1954and1956MikeStaceyandSteve1979StaceyandDad1980TheMeyerFamily1965 16AftersettlinginTulsain1949FrankwenttoworkforPublicServiceCompanyofOklahomaPSOtheelectricutilitythatservedtheeasternhalfofOklahoma.HeretiredfromPSOin1985asaBoardMemberandthecompanysVicePresidentofCorporatePlanningandDirectorofResearchandDevelopment.CoincidentlyFranksfatherFrankSr.retiredasaBoardMemberandVicePresidentofOperationsfortheOklahomaGasandElectricCompanyOGEtheutilitythatservedtheotherhalfofOklahoma.Franksfatherdiedin1966.FrankMeyerPSOVicePresident1983InadditiontohiscollegedegreeFrankbecamearegisteredprofessionalengineerandultimatelyheldnearlyeveryhonortheengineeringprofessioncouldoffer.HewasalifememberoftheAmericanInstituteofElectricalEngineerstheInstituteofElectricalandElectronicsEngineersIEEEandboththeNationalandOklahomaSocietyofProfessionalEngineersOSPEforwhichhealsoservedasOSPEsChapterPresidentforaperiodoftime.Lt.MeyerandhisFatherFrankSr.December1943FrankSr.1946 17FrankalsoheldnumerouscommitteepositionswiththeEdisonElectricInstituteEEIandtheNationalAssociationofBusinessEconomists.HewasamemberoftheAmericanNuclearSocietyANSandforaperiodoftimeheservedasaDeputyDirectoroftheDOEEmergencyElectricPowerAdministration.AfterhisretirementFrankservedasPSOscompanyrepresentativefortheTulsaAreaUnitedWaysLoanedExecutiveProgramandin1990hewashonoredtobothorganizeandcochairtheworldwideInternationalScienceandEngineeringFairhostedthatyearinTulsa.VirginiaElizabethWright19401984and1943AlthoughagraduateofPurduewithadegreeinHomeEconomicsGinnysoughtnocareerandlikemanywomenofthegreatestgenerationGinnyappliedhereducationanddedicatedherselftomanagingahomeraisingandeducatingherchildren.GinnywasalsoanavidbridgeandMahjongplayerandservedonnumerouscharityandwomansauxiliaryboards.FrankandGinnylovedtofishandin1960theybecameavidboatersandlakers.ThetwoultimatelybuiltacabinonGrandLakeinnortheastOklahomawherethefamilyspenttheirsummerweekendsandholidaysfor39years.GrandLakeoftheCherokeesNortheastOklahoma1987 18ZihuantanejoMexico1988InadditiontoregularlyentertainingfriendsandrelativesFrankandGinnyalsolovedtotravel.TheytraveledfromcoasttocoastvisitingdozensofnationalparksandmonumentsinearlieryearswiththekidsintowtheywentonannualfamilyvacationstoColoradoGlacierNationalParktheGrandTetonsYellowstoneandthegulfcoast.TheyvisitedLasVegasYosemiteandtheGrandCanyontheytookacruiseandtheyregularlydrovetoBransonMissouriwithclosefriendstoenjoythemusicandentertainment.FrankandGinnysfavoritedestinationhoweverwasZihuantanejoMexico.AfterFrankretiredtheytraveledthereannuallywiththeirbestfriendstofishandplay.FrankJr.MikehisWifeBrendaandSteveAlaska2000FranksultimatedreamadventurewasAlaska.UnfortunatelyGinnyshealthinlateryearspreventedherfromtakingadventurousjourneyssoitwasntuntilGinnydiedin1999thatFrankfinallymadetwotripstoAlaskawithhischildrenandgrandchildren. 19InJuneof2011attheageof91Frankmovedtoanassistedlivingfacilitybutnotbeforecrackinghishipaweekbeforethemove.UptothispointFrankhadneversufferedabrokenboneoramajorinjuryorillness.Hewasallergictonothingandtooknomedications.Notsurprisinglyhequicklyrecoveredfromhisinjurybutalthoughheremainedstrongandalerttheinjuryhastenedthedeclineofhismotorandcognitiveskills.UndeterredFrankconsideredthissimplyanotherchallengebutnowafallriskheneededsupervision.Seatbeltsandbedrailswerenotallowedinassistedlivingfacilities.AndsoafterayearandahalfinNovember2012Frankhappilyreturnedtohishomeof50yearswherehethrivedunderthecareofhisfamilyandfriends.Helovedgettingoutofhouseandaftercataractsurgeryhereturnedtowatchinghisfavoritetelevisionshows.Hewascleverandfunnyandrarelymixeduphiswordsoransweredaquestionwrongly.WhenconfrontedwithatemporaryillnessoratriptotheemergencyroomhewouldoftendeclareImtoohardtofallapart.EpilogueNinetyfouryearsagoFranksmotherDellawroteinFranksbabybookOnSaturdayOctober231920wasbornababyboy.HisnamewasFrankJarvisMeyerJr.Heweighedaboutninepoundsandhadthehonorofbeingbornonhismothersbirthday.HehadtwosistersMildredandMargileth.MildredtheoldestlovedholdinghimandMargilethcriedbecauseshethoughtsomeonewouldtakehimaway.Atfiveweekshewassmilingateveryone 20hecameincontactwithandattenweekshelearnedtolaugh.Hewasticklishandlaughedhardathissistersfunnytricks.Helikedplayingontheporchandlovedtobeoutdoors.Althoughawigglerandhardtoholdhewasaverygoodbabyandateightmonthshecouldbothsayandwavegoodbyeverygracefully.UnfortunatelyaweekbeforeChristmasin1923Dellabecamesuddenlyillandnotrealizinghowdangerouslyillshewasshediedinhersleepjusttwodayslater.Frankwasonly3butblessedwithherloveandthenoblecharacterinstilledinhimbyhisfatherandlaterhisstepmotherRubyhesetanexampleforhisownchildrenandcarriedthesetraitswithhimthroughouthislife.LikemanyofhisgenerationFrankwasascoutandattendedchurchregularly.Heattendedagoodcollegeandreceivedadegree.Hetookthewarseriouslybutheconsidereditanadventureandrarelyspokeofitafteritwasover.Followinginhisfathersfootstepsheremainedareligiousmanandspentthenext68yearsfulfillinghisdreamssupportinghisfamilyandenjoyinglife.Myaffectionandadmirationformyfatherareimmeasurable.Hewastheidealfatherandfriend.HewasgenerousandgraciousineveryrespectandwithoutquestionhewasadoredbyeveryonewhoknewhimandIwillthinkabouthimeverydayfortherestofmylife.FrankonVeteransDayNovember2013 21MikeBrendaDadMichaelVirginiaStaceyLaurenSteveandPatrickChristmas1995