As one of the last WWII surviving veterans of Wheatland, Jack Dinnel is the subject of this article. Although health issues preclude him from being interviewed, his story has survived in a scant memoir he wrote in 2012. So here in Dinnel’s own words, is his story:
Thank you for this opportunity to share my military career with you.
It began in my senior year of high school in Marysville, Kansas. Our country had been attacked in 1941 and guys my age were all eager to do our part in the war effort that ensued. So I went to the recruiter, signed the application for the air force, and was told I would be called to serve within a couple of weeks.
At that time I had several months before graduation and wanted to participate in track in the spring, so I tore up the application and told them that I would not go before finishing my senior year which I did.
Six days after graduation, I was drafted into the army, put in charge of a bus load of other draftees and sent to Leavenworth, Kansas. The next day we were dispersed all over the United States; I was sent to Ft. Hood, Texas for basic training.
There we were assigned into our barracks and bunks and issued our military clothing. The next day we were separated into a detail and at that time, about seven of us guys were called out to go to another building. At that time we were not told what we would be doing but surprise! We were to carry a piano downstairs!
Then the Sergeant put us in formation and headed us back to the mess hall. On the way back, he asked me if I would like to be the guidon bearer, carrying the company flag whenever we marched. Wow! That was a great position because I had learned marching procedure in the boy scouts and P.E. classes at school, was now in good standing with the sergeant and didn’t have to peel potatoes or wash dishes.
During basic training we were trained to use rifles, hand grenades and had lots of exercise. Later in training they announced company events, including a track meet. I signed up for the high jump and broad jump; I received a medal for each of those.
After basic training, we were sent home on leave and at that time, the war in the Pacific ended. Returning to Ft. Hood, I was put in charge of a barracks, waiting to be shipped out to Germany. During that time, guys were coming and going to different destinations.
One night, after hours, the lights came on and a bunch of fellows started throwing mattresses on the floor and doing judo. Being in charge, I yelled “Knock it off!” Immediately my bed was surrounded with a group of drunk Hawaiians and my head was slammed into the pillow with a fist. Needless to say, I didn’t pursue the matter and checked in with the doctor the next day.
Shortly thereafter, I received my orders to board the train to New Jersey. Sitting with my bags in the depot, I noticed a serviceman writing in a diary. Since I also kept one, I introduced myself and we became friends. We boarded the train together and when the train stopped in Cleveland for what was to be a lengthy time, I took a walk to the rear of the train, not in any big hurry to get back to
my area.
When I returned to my seat, all my baggage was gone! I asked the porter where we were and he told me that the train was just now leaving the city. My whole group was gone! I told the porter I was supposed to be with them! The engineer slowed the train, I jumped off and ran for the depot as fast as I could. When I got in the depot, I fortunately found my companions and my new friend, Bill. He had carried all his things and mine to the depot for which I was so grateful!
Arriving in Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, we were placed in quarters before boarding the SS Howard Victory. The six days it took to Germany were most unpleasant. Sleeping was in bunks stacked four high and I got the top! The waves were huge which meant most of us were very seasick and meals which weren’t that good were hard to keep down! Fortunately, apples and oranges were available.
The second day on board, I was called to the ship’s newspaper and got to be a reporter for the rest of the trip. That was a blessing because the office was in the front of the ship and it didn’t sway as much.
When entering the English Channel, the sea was like glass. Our destination port was Le Havre, France. There we observed the bomb shattered and leveled buildings, sunken boats, and twisted masses of
steel railroads.
Meeting us on the dock were dirty, ragged French boys, begging for anything we had. The Red Cross was there with a bag of toiletries and donuts which were so welcome. I don’t drink coffee, but that sure tasted good! We were put up in tents the first night. Even with a pot bellied stove it was really cold sleeping on a cot.
The next day in Le Havre, we were loaded on railroad freight cars, 40 men to a car, with straw to sleep on. Our destination was a replacement depot in Amberg, Germany which was a quaint little town, but large enough to have a hospital just outside of town.
Because the war was over, the replacement depot was where soldiers wait while being sent back to the states and arriving soldiers were dispersed to various jobs. Back to my buddy Bill. He went to the dispensary and asked for a job. When he came back, he told me that his papers had been pulled and he would get to stay in the dispensary. I was excited and said, “Go back and tell them you have a friend who wants to be in the medics too!” I was called over and they accepted me as well.
In that capacity, I did general medical work, drove the ambulance, picking up people from the dispensary and taking them to the hospital or to wherever needed. This required using the Autobaun, which was Hitler’s type of Interstate. Going into Nurnberg, we saw the horrible devastation of war, once beautiful locations in the city were now rubble.
In May of 1946 the dispensary was closed and our group was transferred into the hospital. Near there was a track and field where I would practice javelin throwing and did some running. While there, I read in the GI newspaper about teams that were training for the GI Olympics in Berlin and went to find out who was coaching.
I asked my captain if I could get leave and go to the training camp. He approved and it was there I met Maj. Robert Simpson. He put me through the paces and was pleased with my performance. I received papers from him to transfer to the sports facility.
Maj. Simpson was putting together a group from the Third Army stationed everywhere in the European Theatre. They would make up a 40 man team to begin training for competition in the GI Olympics. Many of these had been champions in their high schools and colleges before entering the service. One teammate’s father had been in the 1936 Olympics where Hitler had refused to acknowledge an African American man named Jesse Owens as an outstanding athletic gold medallist.
In early August of 1946, we were trained and ready to fly to Berlin where 12 nations would enter the two-day Berlin Track Meet. You may have watched the Olympics on TV and observed the pageantry that accompanies this great event. Well, even back then it was awesome! The stadium was huge and all Germany was urged to attend. Large sections were set aside for German youths. There was no cost for the spectators.
I got 4th place in the javelin and the thrill of being a part of something so awesome is
unforgettable.
Upon returning to the USA after being discharged, within two weeks I went to Chadron State College. There I met with the coach. He told me I would be able to be involved in track, basketball and football. This I did for all four of my college years while obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts and coaching. I taught a year and a half at Chadron High School, then got my Master’s degree at Greeley. In 1984, I finished my career at Wheatland High School after 33 ½ years.
When I heard about the Senior Olympics being held in Greeley, I went to watch. While observing these seniors 50 years and older throwing the javelin, I remarked to my wife Lorna, “I can do that!” So, my son-in law ordered a javelin and I began practicing. Well, it had been 55 years since I had participated and you know what?It was a whole lot different! I was 80 at the time.
But I also entered the power walks, baseball and football throwing, shot put, and discus as events. In 2008, I qualified for the National Olympics and our daughter and husband, the one who ordered the javelin, took us to Stanford University in California in August of 2009 for a memorable participation with contestants from the United States and Canada. I didn’t medal there, but have collected 51 of these during the last six years. It has been a great experience because my family has been so supportive and cheered me on all
the way.
May I leave you with the challenge of diligently pursuing your God-given gifts for a fulfilling life.
