February 14, 1940 G. D. VanBenschoten, The European Theater

In 1991 and 1992 the Interlaken Historical Society newsletters had a series of articles written by men and women of the community who had served in World War II. Throughout the year I will be using these to share the memories of the people involved and their experiences. Please note: The articles are presented without revisions to the originals.

       I was inducted into the service at Saratoga Springs, N.Y. on February 14, 1940 and sent to Camp Upton, N.J. for assignment.

The first week we were lined up for duty at Camp Upton, the sergeant asked for volunteers who could drive. (I had heard that drivers had an easier life in the service.) I volunteered and was given the duty to drive a wheel barrow, moving coal from a large pile to the tents on base. My first and last volunteer act.

       Within two weeks, I was transferred to the 29th Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia. After basic training, I was permanently assigned to the 29th and promoted to battalion company clerk for Company L, at the rank of Staff Sergeant. The men of the 29th were assigned to the Officers Candidate School to be used for training cadres in field operations.

       When war was declared and our unit was scheduled for an over-seas assignment, I applied for O.C.S. Too late!

       Our company left Fort Benning for an assignment in Iceland. There I was put in charge of a supply depot just outside of Reykjavik. In the city of Reykjavik, we heated by hot volcanic water that ran through the streets in gutters. Most all homes had a greenhouse, also heated by volcanic water.

       Weather was very changeable in Iceland: cold, snowy, rainy and windy. One time it had snowed for several days and wind-blown snow had completely covered our quonset huts. As a result, we had had no mail call for several days. Mail call is very important in the service. So another fellow and I decided to ski over the mountain to the main base to pick up the mail-~an overnight trip. The weather changed to rain and we came back to camp with the mail, but carrying our skis on our shoulders. It had rained so hard and temperature rose so that there was not enough snow to ski back. We really got a big hand when we arrived at camp.

    We left Iceland for England on an English fishing boat: round bottom, hammocks, rough seas, and raw fish 'n chips. Sick, sick, sick.

       We arrived in Romney, England where I worked in a marshalling area, getting ready for the invasion. At night the flak from the anti-aircraft guns was so heavy that, when it fell, it would cut holes in our tents. First taste of war.

       During this period I received a Certificate of Merit. The certificate stated:

Interlaken Historical Society Collection
Veterans' Photos 2006 display

“Given in recognition of conspicuously meritorious and outstanding performance of military duty while engaged in the duty as Sergeant Major of Marshalling Area C which aided in accomplishing the successful invasion of the continent of Europe.”

Signed by C. A. Bagby, Colonel, 29th Infantry

       Soon after the invasion, I found myself in France, then Belgium, Germany, and Czechoslovakia.

Click here to read the rest of Mr. VanBenschoten's article on his war service.

Mr. Van, as many of us called him, served the school and the community for many years. He was involved with the Community Garden on Main Street and Main Street beautification in general. He died at home on November 18, 2014, age 95, and is buried at Lake View Cemetery.

You are welcome to share memories or comments in the section below.

Dewitt’s Diary 1937-1940

Sunday, February 14, 1937 A sudden change for colder. Temperature 40 dropping fast. Rain changing to snow. Another heavy snow squall tonight. Temperature 25 tonight.

Monday February 14, 1938 I caught a coon which raided my hen house up in the woods this morning. Todles (cat) died after being in trap. Found her over by Tom B barn.

Tuesday, February 14, 1938 Willard R & wife went to Farmers Week at Ithaca with us today. Very mild and a fine day.

Wednesday, February 14, 1940 No school and eight inches of snow this morning. Snowing hard all day. I think there is a good 15 inches at noon and still snowing heavy at 1 o’clock. Drew up some water. The snow is coming out of the northeast. Snowing hard yet tonight. Elmira reports 19 inches of snow.