My heroes of the 140th Infantry

I have known this most of my life, but as I get older I discover

it even more so. I also learn on a daily basis that it is truly

"a small world after all."

As you know, my office with Dexter Realty and now my little

gift shop are both located in the "old Worley building" on

Walnut Street. Well, Dad had told me several years ago that

he spent his last couple nights in this building before being

sent off to war. Isn't it ironic that I now work in the same building

that he spent time in as a young soldier? I sometimes get chills

of delight and comfort and I feel so close to him.

I wasn't aware until recently that this building was the national

guard armory at that time. Often times I sit in my office and

imagine a group of young soldiers upstairs, one of them my future

father, laughing and cutting up, yet with unspoken fear in their hearts

of what they were about to face in the near future.

Dad had told me he left from this building to go to Little Rock, but

I had never spoken with anyone in detail who was with Dad at that

time until recently.

I spent some time talking with Leo Tibbs and Clyde Vaughn Sr. about

the time they spent with Dad. They both remembered staying in this

old building as young soldiers. They, along with Dad were in the

140th infantry and left from here and went to Little Rock and from there

to California where they eventually were shipped out to different parts

of the world to perform their duties in World War II.

Leo was, I think he called it "first cook." He kept our boys well fed and

later as owner of the renowned Hickory House restaurant, he kept a lot

of us well fed. Remember the pies? Oh, by the way, I worked for Leo

my senior year as hostess at the Hickory House. Thanks Leo for the

opportunity and thanks even more for being a good friend to my precious

dad during a sad time.

I grew up hearing Dad talk about Clyde Vaughn Sr. saving his life in the

Pacific while they were in California. Dad said he got caught in a riptide

and Clyde pulled him out, therefore, according to Dad, saving his life. I

suppose that incident is why Dad always told us kids to "learn to swim

before you go in the water."

I talked with Clyde and he verified this was his job as a life guard. Jesus

knew Mom and us kids would need this most precious man for husband and

father. So, thank you Clyde for helping make this happen.

Another neat thing is that these three men returned to Dexter and had children

who were friends and school mates. Clyde Jr. and I graduated together.

I must insert here that Jesus saved Dad several times for us during that terrible

war. I don't know much about most of them.

I know Dad was in Germany and told the story of walking and climbing a hill

all day. Just as they reached the top he was shot. He spent the next three

months in a hospital. Upon his release he was put on a ship to be sent home.

While on the ship it was torpedoed by an enemy. This torpedo landed right

by Dad's bed. It was a "dud." Miracle? I think yes.

Dad came home in a body cast and that's the way he was when he and Mom met.

They fell in love and were married for sixty years.

I'm sure there are more of you heros who were in the 140th infantry from Dexter

during that time. I would love to know who you are.

Oh yeah. Dad's in Heaven now "waitin' on a woman." (song and video by

Brad Paisley and Andy Griffeth.)

I'm sure you know by now my heros for this column are the men of the 140th infantry

of Dexter during World War II.

See ya next time somewhere in a "korner."

kdover28@gmail.com or 573-820-2404