Introduction
Vernon Eugene Chadwick was an uncle I only knew through letters he wrote while serving in the army during World War II. Growing up, I knew him as Eugene. Eugene was not often talked about, however his presence always seemed to be near.
Eugene was born on Sunday September 21, 1924 at 9:30 p.m. in his home. It was a warm rainy day. His parents were Lloyd and Mary Ward Chadwick. Grandma and Grandpa Ward were present at his birth. Eugene was raised on the family farm. He had one brother, Delmas. He grew up attending Mace United Methodist Church in Mace, Indiana. Here he participated in special programs, and was taught the importance of good character. His family was close, and family values were very important.
When growing up Eugene loved working on the farm. In fact, I am sure he would have made a career in farming after the war. He helped his father Lloyd, Grandfather Charles, and brother Delmas raise grain, chickens, sheep, hogs, and cattle. His mother Mary sold eggs to help make ends meet on the farm. Eugene participated in 4-H and Jr. Leaders in Montgomery County. During this time he showed hogs. Eugene liked fishing with his father in the big winding Walnut Creek when all of the daily chores were caught up. In the early spring Eugene and his family liked to hunt mushrooms in the peaceful wooded acres located on the Chadwick farm in New Ross, Indiana. This extraordinary family tradition has been passed down throughout the years, and the Chadwick family is still spending time together hunting mushrooms every early spring in the peaceful wooded acres of the Chadwick farm.
Eugene enjoyed his teen years. He joined the New Ross High School basketball team. It is noted that he had to sit out of one game because he forgot to take his basketball shoes to the game. Eugene really enjoyed playing basketball. He practiced every night after school. He spent many nights in Crawfordsville, Indiana viewing movies at the Strand Theater. Eugene graduated from New Ross High School on Wednesday April 22, 1942 at 8:00 p.m. It appears that Eugene made the most of everything he did and was an easy person to get along with.
On December 7, 1941 Japan forced the United States into WWII by attacking the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was at this time President Roosevelt asked Congress to increase the armed forces numbers and a draft was developed. Eugene became part of this draft.
Early in the morning on Thursday April 1, 1943 Eugene passed his health physical for the United States Army. Eugene had one week to prepare. Thursday April 8, 1943 he got his hair cut and left for the United States Army at 4:00 p.m. It was a pretty spring day and Eugene was nineteen years of age. His first destination was Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. Eugene had never been away from the family farm much. He really enjoyed seeing the scenery. Eugene was not very fond of army life, but he knew that he had to make the best of it. He quickly took advantage of what the army had to offer. Saturday April 10, 1943 Eugene left Ft. Benjamin Harrison at 2:00 p.m. for a destination, his mother calls, “Unknown to all.”
Eugene’s devastated mother was just beside herself. She waited anxiously as did the rest of the family to hear that Eugene
