Thuerk, Ervin D. - U.S. Army Technician 4th Grade (Sgt)

ervin_thuerk.jpgI entered the Army on 19 April 1944 at Fort Sheridan, IL at the age of 18. My basic training was at Camp Maxey, in Paris, Texas from April 25th to November of 1944. After basic training, I was transferred to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey for shipment overseas. I departed from New York on 9 December 1944 aboard the S.S. Dominion Monarch for the European Theatre of Operations arriving in Southampton, England on 22 December 1944 and was shipped to France, Belgium, and Germany.

I trained and served in the 125th Evacuation Hospital, semi-mobile as a medical and surgical technician serving 18 months overseas during the war and in the army of occupation in Germany.

I returned to the United State from Bremerhaven, Germany to New York via the Liberty Ship, S.S. Alhambra on 8th June 1946. I then shipped back to Fort Sheridan, IL where I received my honorable discharge on the 13th of June 1946. With a crisp new uniform, the medals we earned and $100.00 mustering out pay. Free again.

Decorations and citations received include: Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle-Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Bar, Victory Medal and 3 overseas service bars.

My 26 months of service were important to me as it allowed me to become a mature person, serve my country in time of need, and gain many experiences which have influenced the rest of my life.

During my service overseas, I witnessed many injured soldiers, some with trench foot and frozen limbs, due to the extremely cold winter in Europe along with shrapnel wounds and battle fatigue resulting in psychological problems. It was not a pretty sight. The most disturbing event was the release of prisoners at Dachau, Germany prison camp. This will always remain in my memory and it troubles me to hear that some people comment that this event never occurred.

To this day, I have never regretted the time spent in the service of my country. It was a true learning experience with a very maturing effect on my life.

Submitted by:
Ervin D. Thuerk

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2 Comments to “Thuerk, Ervin D. - U.S. Army Technician 4th Grade (Sgt)”

  1. Willard C Cole Says:
    September 27th, 2009 at 6:51 pm

    Thanks for the nice article, Thurk. I stumbled upon it while surfing for what I might find concerning the 125th Evacuation Hospital semi-mobile.

    I was born and reared in Buena Vista,Tennessee and at the age of 18 entered the Army at Camp Shelby, Mississippi on 14 Apr 1944. From there I was assigned to the 125th Evacuation Hospital semi-mobile and received basic training along with Ervin D. Thuerk at Camp Maxey, Texas. I was discharged with the rank of Tec 4 (Sgt) at Camp Atterbury,Indiana on 13 June 1946. Thurk and I were together throughout our Army time.

    Thanks for the nice article, Thurk. I stumbled upon it while surfing for what I might find concerning the 125th Evacuation Hospital semi-mobile.

    Your friend,
    Willard C. Cole

  2. Karen Williams Says:
    January 31st, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    Dear Sir;
    My grandfather, Alton Lee Smith of Memphis Tn also served in the 25th Evacuation Hospital. It looks like he was in France of November 1945; were you involved in the Battle of the Bulge. My grandfather was one of the finest, graceful men I’ve ever known. Perhaps you may remembeer him, or can give me a little information to pass along to my 11 yr old son.
    Thank you so very much.
    Karen L. Williams

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