Thought some of you might find this as interesting as I do.
My Great Uncle was from Houston and was in Company A ("Able Company") of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 101st Airborne Division.
7/29/42 – today I went and signed up for the U.S.A. Parachutes Inf.
8/3/42 – Swore into army today leaving for Ft. Sam Houston tonight. Joined Prcht. Troop’s
8/4/42 – arrived in Ft. Sam at seven this morning. Asined to Co. A until ship’ed out.
8/5/42 – Had K.P. today, it couldn’t be any rougher than this.
8/6/42 – Took some shots today you know those that have to come when you get in the army
8/7/42 – Left S.H. for camp Toomb’s today
8/8/42 – on the train today still traveling suppost to arrive tomorrow.
8/9/42 – came into camp Tocoa today and into the 506 prcht troops.
9/10/42 – Talked to Major about transfer. (No soap)
9/22/42 – Got our jump boots today
9/29/42 – Went up curieh today I fell out about half way up, had to march on to the top.
10/3/42 – Got a three day pass today going to Atlanta, Ga.
10/4/42 – Sunday had a good night last night, boy do these girls go for Prht Troopers. Went to the Fair.
10/11/42 – Jumped out of the tower this morning. Took my first plane ride this afternoon. Took a little dive, like it real well.
10/13/42 – Ran the mountain after dinner. Took fifty minutes to go up and back.
11/10/42 – Run Curahee this morning for a new Reg. record forty seven and a half minutes.
11/19/42 – Finished packing for the move to Fort Benning. We are through with thirteen weeks of training.
11/21/42 – Spent my first day at Ft. Benning. Start our four weeks of parcht school Monday. Sland, Hairson, Isler, Stringfelber, white
11/26/42 – Today is Thanksgiving had a good dinner. Turkey with all the trimmings.
12/14/42 – Today’s the day we made a jump from 12,000 ft. It was a lot of fun. I was the eleventh man out.
12/15/42 – Made another jump today from 1200 feet. I sweat this one out quite a bit.
12/17/42 – Made two jumps today. Hurt my ankle on my first jump high wind landed hard.
12/18/42 – went to get my ankle x-rayed, nothing broke
12/20/42 – Started on my furlough today caught a bus from Columbus to Birmingham, Alabama.
12/21/42 – Caught a train to New Orleans had to stand up most of the way. Had to lay over eight hours in N.O.
12/22/42 – Arrived in Houston about 10 o’clock. Walked in and surprised the family about one o’clock. Stayed at home tonight.
12/23/42 – Stayed with J.W. tonight. He leaves for the army Sat. Went out and drank up tonight.
12/24/42 – Corkey and I went to the Hut. Got in the crowd with Garland’s [my grandfether] folks, had a good time.
8/11/43 – Had a Div. parade of the 101st A/B. Gen Chapman, Gen Lee, and the Governor of N.C. was there.
2/6/43 - Got packed to move to Ala. Went to town with Pope.
2/22/43 – move to Hoffman, NC
2/25/43 – train to Ft. Mitchell
3/20/43 – greensboro, nc
5/18/43 – airport @ southern pines, sc
6/30/43 – Got paid today, Brown and I went to Morganfield and drank some beer and champain.
got in a scrap with the MP’s. Came back to camp at 12:00
7/2/43 – moved to TN
7/14/43 – trucks to bolinggreen, ky
7/16/43 – fourlough to Memphis, tn
7/17/43 – caught bus to Shreveport, La and caught a ride to Jasper, Tex got there at 2200. Stayed in the first bed for two months. Stayed with Dad. [Pipeliner]
7/18/43 – Road over the job with Dad today, stayed again tonight with him. Met a bunch of the pipe hand’s I usto know.
7/19/43 – Came to Houston today to see Mama and the rest of the family. Got in at 1300.
7/20/43 – Went to town with Garland [my grandfather], May Jean [my grandmother], Marie, Derrelene, Billy and Moma. Saw a show. Friendly Enemies.
7/21/43 – went out with Cecil, Polly and Derrene tonight. Had a pretty good time.
7/22/43 – Billy Jones, Cob Dickson, Raymond Brown and drank beer all afternoon and part of the night. Cob is a buck Sgt. Now.
7/23/43 – Had a party at the plantation. Kat, Dot, Cecil, Garland, Richard, Polly, Cob, Zoe, Marie, May Jean, Bill. Drank five qts. Rum.
7/24/43 – Today Reda came out to see us. She left at 1700. I then went to the Hut with Raymond and Cob. Met La Veda had a good time.
7/25/43 – Today at 0930 caught the train to Beaumont. Dad met me and I spent the night with him in Jasper.
7/26/43 – came back to Beaumont and caught the train back to camp at 1130. A boy from the second Bnt. was with me.
7/27/43 – Road last night and today changed trains at New Orleans and Montgomery.
7/28/43 – arrived in Fayettville N. C. at 1300 about twelve hrs late getting back from my furlough. Got on detail for the night.
8/15/43 – Today Brown, Grisso, Fell and I were in town. I got a letter from Rita today.
8/17/43 – Got a letter from La Veda Jean’s.
8/24/43 Tonight was the first time since we been in the army that I’ve worn civilian shoes. Went to the show with Brown.
Last entry 8/25/43. Next entry:
9/4/43 – Boarded the boat tonight stayed in the harbor tonight.
9/5/43 – Left N.Y. harbor today and the U.S.A. for parts unknown.
9/6/43 – Our second day out to sea, no trouble. We sleep on deck one night and in the hole the next.
9/7/43 – Our third day out, we eat two meals a day and they arnt worth a dam.
Lost diary after this entry.
11/2/43 – Today I write for the first time in 2 mo. Days this skip was made while my bag was lost with my diary. But now I am in England and will continue.
11/3/43 – During the skip Brown has hurt his back and got out of the paratrooper’s. I took his place as machine gunner.
11/5/43 – Left at 0900 today for London on a 48 hr pass. Got in London at 1200 noon with Sgt Newton drank Gin Scotch.
11/6/43 – Got up at 0900 stayed at Washington Club Red cross in Dondon, drank up again today. Got down among the Pickedilla conordoes tonight.
11/7/43 – Drank up in London today caught the train back for Swindon at 1600 got in at 1800.
11/8/43 – We are staying in Horse stables in Aldebourne England.
11/21/43 – Went to Winchester at noon went to the cathedral which is over a thousand years old, I also saw the museum.
11/22/43 – Begoness, Gisviden, Sgt. White and Lt. Brooks was on Chute Patrol
11/23/43 – Having trouble with the Negros in Weslfield restricted to camp.
11/25/43 – Since last Thanksgiving a lot has happened our dinner was not quite as good. I’m in Winchester England for this one.
11/26/43 - Went to town tonight and drank up. The Ninth Div moved into this camp. They are back from Africa and Sicily.
11/27/43 – Today we came back to Aldbourne. Vernon Thomas came by to see me tonight.
11/28/43 – Today Vernon and I are starting on a pass to Reading. We drank beer tonight.
11/29/43 – Vernon and I went to Bristol today. Drank beer went to a show. Stayed at the American Red Cross tonight.
12/10/43 – Went to a pub in Aldbourne tonight. Had on jump suit and lt. Spear’s caught me. He was O.D.
12/13/43 – 12th jump
12/24/43 – Worked KP again today. XMAS Eve drank two glasses of beer tonight. Stayed in Aldbourne.
1/26/44 – Today I’m having to turn in this diary to the co. I wonder if it will ever reach home.
The diary did reach home. But Sonny never did. Sonny was killed by a mortar round during the Battle of the Buldge in Noville, Belgium on 12.20.1944.
His name, CPL Ollie Barrington, Jr., will be listed in the Ravenville Memorial commemorating the initial attacks on Ravenoville village/Marmion Farm on D-Day & their subsequent defence until reinforced by infantry from Utah Beach on D+1.
UPDATE January 2014
The 70th Anniversary of D-Day approaches. On June 5, there will me a Memorial Ceremony in Ravenoville, France where Sonny fought on D-Day. They will be unveiling statues to be presented to veterans and veteran's families in honor of those men who liberated Ravenoville. Uncle Sonny's likeness will be on one of the statues. His younger brother, Bill, will be there to see it.
[This message has been edited by Jaydoug (edited 1/21/2014 6:56p).]
My Great Uncle was from Houston and was in Company A ("Able Company") of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 101st Airborne Division.
7/29/42 – today I went and signed up for the U.S.A. Parachutes Inf.
8/3/42 – Swore into army today leaving for Ft. Sam Houston tonight. Joined Prcht. Troop’s
8/4/42 – arrived in Ft. Sam at seven this morning. Asined to Co. A until ship’ed out.
8/5/42 – Had K.P. today, it couldn’t be any rougher than this.
8/6/42 – Took some shots today you know those that have to come when you get in the army
8/7/42 – Left S.H. for camp Toomb’s today
8/8/42 – on the train today still traveling suppost to arrive tomorrow.
8/9/42 – came into camp Tocoa today and into the 506 prcht troops.
9/10/42 – Talked to Major about transfer. (No soap)
9/22/42 – Got our jump boots today
9/29/42 – Went up curieh today I fell out about half way up, had to march on to the top.
10/3/42 – Got a three day pass today going to Atlanta, Ga.
10/4/42 – Sunday had a good night last night, boy do these girls go for Prht Troopers. Went to the Fair.
10/11/42 – Jumped out of the tower this morning. Took my first plane ride this afternoon. Took a little dive, like it real well.
10/13/42 – Ran the mountain after dinner. Took fifty minutes to go up and back.
11/10/42 – Run Curahee this morning for a new Reg. record forty seven and a half minutes.
11/19/42 – Finished packing for the move to Fort Benning. We are through with thirteen weeks of training.
11/21/42 – Spent my first day at Ft. Benning. Start our four weeks of parcht school Monday. Sland, Hairson, Isler, Stringfelber, white
11/26/42 – Today is Thanksgiving had a good dinner. Turkey with all the trimmings.
12/14/42 – Today’s the day we made a jump from 12,000 ft. It was a lot of fun. I was the eleventh man out.
12/15/42 – Made another jump today from 1200 feet. I sweat this one out quite a bit.
12/17/42 – Made two jumps today. Hurt my ankle on my first jump high wind landed hard.
12/18/42 – went to get my ankle x-rayed, nothing broke
12/20/42 – Started on my furlough today caught a bus from Columbus to Birmingham, Alabama.
12/21/42 – Caught a train to New Orleans had to stand up most of the way. Had to lay over eight hours in N.O.
12/22/42 – Arrived in Houston about 10 o’clock. Walked in and surprised the family about one o’clock. Stayed at home tonight.
12/23/42 – Stayed with J.W. tonight. He leaves for the army Sat. Went out and drank up tonight.
12/24/42 – Corkey and I went to the Hut. Got in the crowd with Garland’s [my grandfether] folks, had a good time.
8/11/43 – Had a Div. parade of the 101st A/B. Gen Chapman, Gen Lee, and the Governor of N.C. was there.
2/6/43 - Got packed to move to Ala. Went to town with Pope.
2/22/43 – move to Hoffman, NC
2/25/43 – train to Ft. Mitchell
3/20/43 – greensboro, nc
5/18/43 – airport @ southern pines, sc
6/30/43 – Got paid today, Brown and I went to Morganfield and drank some beer and champain.
got in a scrap with the MP’s. Came back to camp at 12:00
7/2/43 – moved to TN
7/14/43 – trucks to bolinggreen, ky
7/16/43 – fourlough to Memphis, tn
7/17/43 – caught bus to Shreveport, La and caught a ride to Jasper, Tex got there at 2200. Stayed in the first bed for two months. Stayed with Dad. [Pipeliner]
7/18/43 – Road over the job with Dad today, stayed again tonight with him. Met a bunch of the pipe hand’s I usto know.
7/19/43 – Came to Houston today to see Mama and the rest of the family. Got in at 1300.
7/20/43 – Went to town with Garland [my grandfather], May Jean [my grandmother], Marie, Derrelene, Billy and Moma. Saw a show. Friendly Enemies.
7/21/43 – went out with Cecil, Polly and Derrene tonight. Had a pretty good time.
7/22/43 – Billy Jones, Cob Dickson, Raymond Brown and drank beer all afternoon and part of the night. Cob is a buck Sgt. Now.
7/23/43 – Had a party at the plantation. Kat, Dot, Cecil, Garland, Richard, Polly, Cob, Zoe, Marie, May Jean, Bill. Drank five qts. Rum.
7/24/43 – Today Reda came out to see us. She left at 1700. I then went to the Hut with Raymond and Cob. Met La Veda had a good time.
7/25/43 – Today at 0930 caught the train to Beaumont. Dad met me and I spent the night with him in Jasper.
7/26/43 – came back to Beaumont and caught the train back to camp at 1130. A boy from the second Bnt. was with me.
7/27/43 – Road last night and today changed trains at New Orleans and Montgomery.
7/28/43 – arrived in Fayettville N. C. at 1300 about twelve hrs late getting back from my furlough. Got on detail for the night.
8/15/43 – Today Brown, Grisso, Fell and I were in town. I got a letter from Rita today.
8/17/43 – Got a letter from La Veda Jean’s.
8/24/43 Tonight was the first time since we been in the army that I’ve worn civilian shoes. Went to the show with Brown.
Last entry 8/25/43. Next entry:
9/4/43 – Boarded the boat tonight stayed in the harbor tonight.
9/5/43 – Left N.Y. harbor today and the U.S.A. for parts unknown.
9/6/43 – Our second day out to sea, no trouble. We sleep on deck one night and in the hole the next.
9/7/43 – Our third day out, we eat two meals a day and they arnt worth a dam.
Lost diary after this entry.
11/2/43 – Today I write for the first time in 2 mo. Days this skip was made while my bag was lost with my diary. But now I am in England and will continue.
11/3/43 – During the skip Brown has hurt his back and got out of the paratrooper’s. I took his place as machine gunner.
11/5/43 – Left at 0900 today for London on a 48 hr pass. Got in London at 1200 noon with Sgt Newton drank Gin Scotch.
11/6/43 – Got up at 0900 stayed at Washington Club Red cross in Dondon, drank up again today. Got down among the Pickedilla conordoes tonight.
11/7/43 – Drank up in London today caught the train back for Swindon at 1600 got in at 1800.
11/8/43 – We are staying in Horse stables in Aldebourne England.
11/21/43 – Went to Winchester at noon went to the cathedral which is over a thousand years old, I also saw the museum.
11/22/43 – Begoness, Gisviden, Sgt. White and Lt. Brooks was on Chute Patrol
11/23/43 – Having trouble with the Negros in Weslfield restricted to camp.
11/25/43 – Since last Thanksgiving a lot has happened our dinner was not quite as good. I’m in Winchester England for this one.
11/26/43 - Went to town tonight and drank up. The Ninth Div moved into this camp. They are back from Africa and Sicily.
11/27/43 – Today we came back to Aldbourne. Vernon Thomas came by to see me tonight.
11/28/43 – Today Vernon and I are starting on a pass to Reading. We drank beer tonight.
11/29/43 – Vernon and I went to Bristol today. Drank beer went to a show. Stayed at the American Red Cross tonight.
12/10/43 – Went to a pub in Aldbourne tonight. Had on jump suit and lt. Spear’s caught me. He was O.D.
12/13/43 – 12th jump
12/24/43 – Worked KP again today. XMAS Eve drank two glasses of beer tonight. Stayed in Aldbourne.
1/26/44 – Today I’m having to turn in this diary to the co. I wonder if it will ever reach home.
The diary did reach home. But Sonny never did. Sonny was killed by a mortar round during the Battle of the Buldge in Noville, Belgium on 12.20.1944.
His name, CPL Ollie Barrington, Jr., will be listed in the Ravenville Memorial commemorating the initial attacks on Ravenoville village/Marmion Farm on D-Day & their subsequent defence until reinforced by infantry from Utah Beach on D+1.
UPDATE January 2014
The 70th Anniversary of D-Day approaches. On June 5, there will me a Memorial Ceremony in Ravenoville, France where Sonny fought on D-Day. They will be unveiling statues to be presented to veterans and veteran's families in honor of those men who liberated Ravenoville. Uncle Sonny's likeness will be on one of the statues. His younger brother, Bill, will be there to see it.
[This message has been edited by Jaydoug (edited 1/21/2014 6:56p).]
