Rick McBee's Writings
Explore the magic of new ideas and books to read as well as see what books I have written, my favorite photos, my opinions on may subjects, including Science, Africa, the Caribbean, the Civil War, my Book Reviews, and Much More!
Memories of Prinz Eugen Kaserne Duty 69-70
Memories of HHD 512th USA Arty GP in Gunzburg Germany: I was there from Dec. 1969 through Dec. 1970. The personnel office roster for that year at the Prinz Eugen Kaserne just outside of Gunzburg Germany was made up of CWO Leroy.C. Sweet, SGT Mendez, SP5 Richard McBee, SP4 Alan Lang, SP4 Pete Spera, SP4 Bruce Shoe and SP4 Robinson. See: http://armykaserne.com/us/prinz-eugen-kasernegunzburg/
I was assigned there when I came through Frankfurt after dropping out of Infantry OCS after the end of the fourth month (OC1 – 70: “OC One! Second to None” was our slogan. I decided I didn’t like the kind of guy I was turning into as a wielded sword man.). In the casual company in Frankfurt I got bored sitting around waiting to be assigned, so I walked into the personnel office and asked if they had any place in the medical corps that I could be assigned since my background was in Biology. They said no, but could I type. I said I knew where to put my fingers on the keys because I had one class in typing in High School, so they called up the Det. in Gunzburg and I got assigned as the new Officer Records Clerk for all the 512th SASCOM Detachments in early Dec., of 1969. See Gunzburg at : http://www.itcwebdesigns.com/tour_germany/guenzburg.htm
When I arrived in Gunzburg, in December, the fellow I was replacing, named Sp5 Larry Hicks, had almost the same history as me and he sold me his old (really old) VW and also talked to the land lady who had his apartment in the town of Gunzburg with his wife and they agreed to rent the place to me after he rotated out at the end of January. They put me in the barracks with a roommate, Gary Sauers who had also just arrived. Gary was a cool guy, but he liked to play the song “Nights in White Satin” – very popular then – almost drove me crazy he played it so much. The barracks were absolutely first class, having been old officer quarters for the Germans in WW2 and had been upgraded. Big rooms we actually had cleaning ladies (putzfraus) who came in and cleaned. Fabulous meals and on Sunday when the cooks didn’t work we got to go into the kitchen and make breakfast. That’s where I learned how to make omlettes. I stayed in the barracks until Jan. 24th when my wife arrived from her home in England (I having gotten married there in between the end of Infantry AIT and Infantry OCS in July. This I could do because I still had my Peace Corps Passport even though my orders said not to leave the continental US). We moved into the Lamb Hotel in Gunzburg for a week until Larry Hicks moved out. The first night in the hotel was the festival of Fashing, the night before Lent starts. The Germans had a giant party all night long and kept us awake, but it was good to be together again after so long apart.
In the personnel office I found that my typing was not up to snuff and I needed to go into the office after hours for two hours or so each night for that first month that I was there in order to keep my assignments up to date. By the end of that first January I had the system pretty well down. It’s amazing what motivation can do for a fellow. They signed me up for a correspondence course to upgrade my skills so I could be promoted to SP5 which was the roster level for my position. It took me about two months to complete everything and I was then promoted to SP5 and we had a big party out at one of the gasthauses where we passed around the half gallon of whiskey between drinking liters of beer. A lot of crossed eyes and staggers by the time we left. I got a couple of days leave in January before my wife came over and took a quick trip with one of the 510th Det clerk, SP4 Shinn down to Garmisch to go skiing. Fabulous place and a good Gauthous to stay in as well. Also went to a beer festival in Munich with some of the guys and just about got crushed by the masses of people moving from place to place.
After my wife arrived, she met up with the wife of another SP4 – Barry Smith, whose name was Julie. Jill and Julie and also the wife of SP4 Larry Mallete. They shopped together and kept each other sane while we were off doing our work each day. When they had an alert on the base, for some reason the jeep was supposed to come around through town and collect all of us who were married and haul us into base at whatever time so we could take off for the woods. For some reason they could never find my place, so I would arrive at 8AM ready to go to work to find that everyone was all suited up in helmets and had the trucks all loaded for the field and had been there since two in the morning. This happened three times while we were there and never once did anyone find me. Fortunately the Russians never decided to press the button.
After work every day we had R&R in the base canteen with the slot machines and a few beers. The worst duty was policing cigarette butts with supply SGT North shouting his head off while we casually strolled up and down the field occasionally picking up a butt left by the Lt’s. The rest of the time we were in our offices typing like mad trying to keep up with paperwork pre-computer era. On the days when Robbie had to put together all the rosters for the Dets., we all spent the entire day walking around one big table piled high with stacks of paper putting together the bundles that had to go out to everywhere in the world to let them know who we were, The most tedious job was completing the Officer Efficiency reports for the Colonel. I couldn’t make more than three errors on a page and the paper was non-erasable anyway so it was perfection …or… I ended up typing a number of things over. In fact the last part of the report had to fit exactly into a special rectangle. The amount of writing could generally only be gotten into the space by laboriously back spacing each letter to cram things together. That was when I sweated blood, getting in the last letters if I already had my quota of corrections.
Weekends my wife and I saw a fabulous number of castles, hiked in the German woods and met some people who were always helpful and friendly. One day I’ll go back and have another look at the area because it was probably as great a place to be stationed as one could wish for. I got an early out in Dec. 1970 to return to graduate school at Montana State on the GI Bill. Pretty lucky duty for a 2 year guy who started off in the Infantry, had orders for the Nam but got them changed because my brother was already in country. Fortunately he got out alive.
25 Comments on “Memories of Prinz Eugen Kaserne Duty 69-70”
Hope you enjoyed my Blog. I would like to hear from you
South Africa Book Group on Goodreads
.gr_grid_container { /* customize grid container div here. eg: width: 500px; */ } .gr_grid_book_container { /* customize book cover container div here */ float: left; width: 39px; height: 60px; padding: 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; }
1557 membersThis is a book club for all South Africans who love reading! We also have members from other coun...
Books we've read
View this group on Goodreads »
Share book reviews and ratings with South African Book Lovers, and even join a book club on Goodreads.
Rick McBee's Writings 
Rick,
Great memories.
I was also stationed at the 512 from 1969 to 1971 working in the S1 section in the message center.
I remember all of the names you mentioned.
Everyone had a “nick name” back then, mine being “Ollie”. I hung out with Dan “Tex” Wegman & golfed with Richard “Rex” Harrison from supply.
John Hardy
Cheyenne, WY
LikeLiked by 1 person
I worked in S-2 and replaced sp Shin
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rick,
Does anyone remember the name of the club in Gunzburg that had live bands?
John Hardy
512th Arty Group
April 1969 to March 1971
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it was the Traubenkeller. A big hall with sales of beer at one end and dancing and lots of Germans and Americans. A great place for the single guys to hang out and have fun and practice their German.
LikeLike
Rick,
The place I am thinking about looked like an old house, you walked up a flight of stairs and it was very dark inside.
The bar was in back, some tables, a small dance floor and small stage,
I don’t remember they served anything other then drinks.
John Hardy 512th Arty Group 69-71
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ollie, yes, I think you must have worked with one of the other S1 guys named Larry Mallett who I visited in Arkansas after the war. Wife’s name was Linda and she was a good friend of my wife Jill. I definitely remember Sgt. North in Supply, but don’t think I met Rex and Tex enough to remember them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ollie, that’s what I remember, not the original name. Same with Rex. Probably can conjure up Tex too, although similar monikers mix the old neurons anymore. Thanks for the call-back. Rick
LikeLike
I remember the name Pete Spera. If it is the same guy, he was from, I believe, the St. Petersburg Tampa area of Florida. Pete was in the first building on the right and I was a guard (they called us Custodial Agents) housed in the second building and there was a third building to the left of ours where the officers had offices. Most, or all, of them lived off base. We were US Army guys based on this German Kaserne.
I hung out with the other guards mostly. Bill Jackson from Houston, Freddie (Moon) Mullins from West Virginia, Pete Cavaretta (sp?) from Buffalo NY, and a guy named Gary Cooper who was straight from Vietnam and replaced Freddie as my roommate just before I was finished my service commitment and was released to go back to the States in March of 1971. My name is David Bagstad and I was from, oddly enough, Las Vegas, NV.
Speaking of the first barracks and Pete, there was another colorful character in that building who’s nickname was Gronk. We would go into his room in the evening and find him laying in bed with a half eaten chicken leg in his hand resting on his chest, fast asleep.
The Custodial Agents were tasked with guarding the warhead storage site about 3 miles West of the Kaserne. I had become a Senior Custodial Agent (SCA) in a Sargent slot but without the extra stripe. There were four of us and we would send the other guards out into the earth-covered bunker area and check the bunker doors after the day-shift left. The SCA on the day shift that week, would check the maintenance guys in to the facility to work on and practice arming the warheads. We guarded the warheads and the Germans guarded us in a double-fenced ring around the facility.
There were also two fellows, one from North Carolina and the other from Seattle, that also hung out with us. I apologize, to them, for not being able to recall their names right now. The fellow from Seattle went on a two week leave with Friddie and myself, in a Volkswagen that Friddie had bought, that took us up through Denmark, with a quick cruise on a fairy over to Sweden and than over to the Netherlands and down to Belgium and Luxembourg.
Another time, a bunch of use went on a day trip to see Neuschwanstein Caslte and, in “Dumb and Dumber” style, we took the correct road but in the wrong direction out of Munich and, ended up going North and thinking “these Alps are not all that impressive.” We finally realized what we had done and headed back the other way but, got to the castle just after it had closed for the day.
Richard, I also was levied twice to go to Nam but, my brother was there and I didn’t go. He was relatively safe in a basecamp with an electronics MO but I was 11Brovo.
John, I was also there from 1969 to 1971 (April and March respectively).
David Bagstad
Houston (Tomball), TX
LikeLiked by 1 person
David, Great to hear your comments on the 510th/512th USA Arty Gp. in Gunzberg. It was an important time in the Cold War with Russia and a duty that often get dismissed as “ho-hum,” but in fact kept the Russians from taking further advantage of the European nations and bullying them and their puppets into further concessions.
Looks like you landed on your feet after your time there. I’m now retired and managing to still enjoy life, family and friends. Have a happy Thanksgiving and New Year. Rick McBee
On Fri, Nov 20, 2015 at 3:54 PM, Rick McBee's Writings wrote:
>
LikeLike
Was stationed at the 510th (Triple Nickel) from 1972-1976. Was assigned to the Storage and Issue (S&I) Platoon as a Rough Terrain Forklift Operator (62M). Ed Curl, Paul Patterson, SFC Lawrence Williams Alex Jeal are the names I can recall now. After seeing how fast the Nuclear Weapons Tech’s were being promoted, I requested and received orders for Redstone Arsenal to attend 55G school. Twenty years sure went by fast…. Dave York CW2, Ret 911A
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dave, I think I remember you, definitely remember “Gronk” very friendly, but somewhat of a slob at times. The Pete I think had the last name of Cavenaugh. I guess both of us were in the lucky group who had brother’s end up in, and survive, “The Nam”, although my bro certainly was traumatized after two gigs as a combat medic with the marines up along the DMZ.
LikeLike
Dave, Thanks for your comments on the 510th. You probably ran into Barry Smith, one of my buddies, although those of us who were married and living off the Kaserne once our wives arrived tended to run around in town a lot more than the guys on base. I remember great housing left over from WW2 and great cooking facilities in the mess hall where on weekends we could just about walk in and cook whatever omelet or breakfast we desired as the cooks were off. Glad you got into the CWO ranks. I think the nuclear techs and WO’s like C.W. Sweet in personnel had it pretty well cinched up with status and position in the military. Best wishes in retirement. Rick
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed reading your blog, brought back lots of memories I had with the 512th
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brought back memories. I was at the 510th from 6/73 until 6/74. Love the
walk down restaurant in the center of town.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always have wanted to get back to Gunzburg. The little Gasthauses in the area were great, people friendly, and food Schmucklic (sp). I go to England about every other year for a hiking trip (Lake District,, Wales, Highland Way, South Coast Crossing) all run by a group called “Contours” which gives you the maps and moves your bag from one B&B to the next. I think they run some week-long walks in Germahy. May decide to do one while the old 11B20 legs still hold out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was 510th from Apr 1966 to Dec 1967. I was the last name called out in Ulm as to where I was being assigned. The Sgt. said I was F’ed going to the 510th in Gunzburg. Said it was in the “boonies,” nothing there, no PX and etc. Said not even our own vehicles and mail was picked daily in Ulm, everything was in Ulm he stated. Said a German (driver) jeep with an American will pick me up. Remember the ride and when we pulled into the Kaserne! I still laugh at the “Lifer.” Little did anyone know! Me and a couple guys still keep in touch and see one every year in Naples, FL in February and March. I tell people if the Army guaranteed me 20 years THERE I would have stayed. I got by in German and spoke Italian. At times it was like being in a 007 movie. The Lifers always said it was a dream place. I remember just about everyone when I was there. Very lucky being drafted! My buddy goes back and forth, married a girl from Gunzburg. I go back and forth to Italy but never went back. Was told everything is gone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Michael, A great note! I agree whoeheartedly! it was like the best kept secret base in all of Europe! Double or single rooms for the EM in the barracks which were cleaned by the Putz Fraus, only an occasional BS duty like having to pick up cigarette butts on the little oval central courtyard with the flagpole in the center, go to work, get your job done, keep a good attitude and don’t lose all your pay stuffing quarters in the “Fruit Match” slot machines in the tiny EM bar cum Yak room. Yes, I’d have stayed on there pretty much indefinitely because my wife could get back to England to see her parents and cousins and old girls from college and we lived in town not on the Kaserne. I might have even taken an extra year or so to stay with CW Leroy Sweet, who was our head of personnel and SSgt. Mendez for their gig in Vietnam in 1970-71 if I had known we were going to stay together and then get reassigned back to this hidden paradise.
LikeLike
Thanks Rick McBee for the blog page. Nice to read the comments. I spent my first 3 nights in Germany at the Prinz Eugen Kaserne in Günzburg. After being drafted in 1971, trained in Field Artillery, and NOT being sent to Vietnam, I was still counting my blessings when I arrived in Frankfurt on a very snowy February day. We took a shuttle bus to barracks somewhere in Neu-Ulm. Then and I and another guy waited for a late evening jeep ride to Günzburg. We were issued bedding and told not to leave the area until properly checked in the next morning. On the second day I managed a day pass to leave the kaserne and explore town. Is there a way to post pictures on your blog? Finally on the fourth day my CO named Captain Gielson arrived to pick me up and take us to 512th 2nd Arty Det. in Pfullendorf where I spent the next year. I had a very easy tour of duty that gave me a some survivor’s guilt when I read letters from a close friend in Vietnam. How fortunate was I? Tschüss
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lupe, Yep, a pretty good tour of duty. I understand the self guilt, but also know after all these years that so many things are just the luck of the draw when it comes to the military and a lot of other things in life. We performed a service for our country and took the risk and wone the lottery. I never got down to the Pfullendorf area. If you have a couple of pictures you want posted from Germany, you can send them to my gmaiul account: rmcbee.44@gmail.com with a description of what you rermeber and I will put them on, I think I have a few great shots from the Gunzburg area that I could put up as well. A beautiful part of Germany. Thansk for th e comments. Rick
LikeLike
thanks for the reply Richard. I emailed to you some photos of Gunzburg. Let me know if they’re usable. (or if they are too small) I spent nearly the entire year 1971 in Lawton Oklahoma and 1972 in Germany. Our main cold war duty was guarding weapons but I also got trained in Munich as an Audio Visual 16mm film projectionist. Then nuclear weapons school in Oberammergau. We traveled as much as we could afford to do. Being stationed so near Switzerland allowed us to travel there on weekends. I won free tickets to the Olympics in Munich and took two friends with. I recently converted many of my 1972 slides to digital. The second week I was in Pfullendorf they were having a Fasching parade that I took nice photos of and I’m currently working on a photobook that I intend to share with the library or Stadtbücherei. Photos taken in February 1972, exactly 50 years ago this year. 2 ta loo Lupe
LikeLike
Lupe, I put the photos out on my blog. We’ll see if maybe some other pic show up from that era. Thanks again, Rick Mcbee
On Sun, Jan 23, 2022 at 11:06 PM Rick McBee's Writings wrote:
>
LikeLike
…. was at what I remember being a West German army base in Gunzburg for about 10 days in 1974, most of the entire time confined inside a large room with a few other guys in a high secure building under observation while background checking was done for top secret clearances (with a couple ‘nights out on the town’ – and a nice friendly place for sure – only after clearances were done) before then going on from there for missile assignments based from Oberammergau and other attachments around Southern Bavaria associated with the US Army Garrison Artillery Kaserne in Garmisch …. found this blog while once again searching the net occasionally trying to find what base it was in Gunzburg I was at for those 10 days or so since I don’t exactly remember and sometimes every once in a while the past few years try to figure it out
LikeLike
and …. perhaps, of course, it might have been the US Army artillery base there in Gunzburg, especially since missiles are artillery and I was in a military installation in Gunzburg for a TSC processing ‘routine’ – and though I remember it now as seeming like it was a West German base, it perhaps could have been a US army base – and as said, since I was confined indoors for most of the entire time for the 10 days or so that I was there, and then basically just kind’a drunk and having fun around the town for the last 2 nights after the the clearances were secured .. ha Ha! …. I simply just don’t know what the base was and stumbled across this blog trying to find out – and now wonder if perhaps it may have been the Prinz Eugene Kaserne – or if there were any other bases in the town, something I still haven’t been able to determine exactly yet while occasionally surfing the net a bit trying to figure it out
LikeLike
JD,
The only military base in Gunzburg was the German base Prinz Eugen Kaserne.
The 512th Artillery Group and the 510th Ordnance Company were both based there.
I was stationed there in 1969 to 1971.
John Hardy Lynnwood WA
LikeLike
JD,
The only military base in Gunzburg was the German base Prinz Eugen Kaserne.
The 512th Artillery Group and the 510th Ordnance Company were both based there.
I was stationed there in 1969 to 1971.
John Hardy Lynnwood WA
LikeLike