Jerry Epple 
Organization: Jerry Epple Companies
My ASTP History
epplej@earthlink.net

I received my basic training in an infantry replacement training unit at Camp Hood Texas starting in April, 1945. At the end of that program a sergeant in a weapons carrier came out to where we were bivouacked and told me to get my gear together and come with him. I was then taken to my barracks to collect the rest of my gear. It all fit in my barracks bag. I checked in my rifle and reported to company headquarters. I was given a sealed packet for delivery to my next post, and train tickets and instructions for reaching my destination, the University of Pennsylvania. I was taken to a train station, and proceeded onwards to Philadelphia. I went to the University, and was told where to check in. It turned out (to my surprise) to be a Japanese language program. I had entered grade school when I was five years old, so I graduated from high school long be fore I was eighteen, and subject to the draft. I was able to get two hurry-up semesters of college in before being drafted. I took Spanish both semesters and got good grades. I have always thought the Army gurus looked at my record and said "This guy can do languages, let's put him in a Japanese language program." After infantry basic training college seemed like heaven. I did reasonably well at it. The boys in the program all had an IQ of over 135. They we smart as hell. We lived in a University dormitory called "Mask and Wig". It was right across an alley from the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. A master sergeant was our liaison with Army duties. We had morning roll calls, marching drills, physical exercises, and mess calls. The classes included Japanese language, Japanese history, Japanese societal conditions, and Japanese culture. Some of the classes were at the Wharton School of Business, and my transcripts from U of P when I entered Engineering College at the University of Missouri after I got out of the Army included credits from both the Wharton school and the U of P. After several months of the language school I asked what was to be done with us after we got out of the program. After all, the war was over by that time, and I couldn't see that they needed any battlefield interpreters. I found out we were to receive a commission when we got out of the school, and would become officers in the CIC. I believe that was the Counter Intelligence Corps. That sounded okay, but I also learned we would be required to serve at least four years more in the Army, and then be on reserve status for several more years. I had no intention of making that commitment. If they had told us that up front I would have asked for a transfer right away, and saved the Army the expense of my language training. When I learned what was planned for me I told the unit commander I would not agree to be sworn in as an officer, and my language training ended. I was given a choice of three places to which I could transfer. I chose Headquarters Company of the First Army. I went to that unit at Fort Bragg. The unit was soon moved to Governor's Island at the tip of Manhattan in New York City. My ASTP experience was interesting, but it did not advance either the welfare of my country or myself. Nevertheless, I made some good friends at the language school. We were all infantrymen at heart. I have often wondered about what sort of lives they had later. If any of you read this, give me a message by e-mail.

John "Jerry"