Veterans Day 2016

Nov. 9, 2016 5
By Eric Davis
www.LakeNewsOnline.com
VETERAN VOICES

World War II veteran considers

himself one of the lucky ones
World War Two veteran, 96-
year-old Max Bartley of Sunrise
Beach considers himself one of
the lucky ones despite serving in
the U.S. Army from September
1941 through November of 1945.
I was a handcuffed draftee, as
we called it. A friend of mine in
Linden, Mo. and I made a pact that
if one of us got drafted; the other
fellow would immediately step
forward. My buddy got his notice
September 9th of 41. I was ready
to volunteer when my draft notice
arrived September 11th, just two
days later.
Max Bartley had started jour-
neyman plumbing apprentice
training in Kansas City when war
threatened. That was quickly set
aside in favor of a draftees uniform
and a heavy equipment training
program at Fort Leonard Wood. I
was in engineer training, in all
sorts of motor vehicles, big trucks
and dozers. The 47th Engineers
based in Louisiana were assigned
Sunrise Beach veteran Max Bartley, pictured in 1941 and now,
was part of China-Burma-India Campaign of World War II. PRO-
VIDED/ERIC DAVIS
to an airport project in Oahu,
Hawaii. We built a runway ex-
pansion for the B-29 bombers that
were just coming into use.
The noise associated with the
heavy machinery cost Max the
hearing in his left ear and threat-
ened to send him back home on a
medical discharge. The discharge
was denied but I did get a weeks
furlough back in Missouri.
Next stop was Kunming, China,
a stop on the China-Burma-
India Campaign. The CBI Theater
was created to supply Nationalist
Chinese and British allies after
the fall of a route up from Burma
after the Burma Road fell to the
Japanese. American C-46s and C-
47s carried war material from In-
dia to China, flying over the Hi-
malayas. The flyers referred to this
as flying the Hump.
We built a four inch gasoline
pipeline from Kunming back down
through the Burma jungle into
Ledo, India. Our airplanes from
the 14th Army Air Force could fly
into China with war material but
needed refueling for the return
trip. We built the pipeline, pump-
ing stations and storage tanks
along the Ledo Road.
The road was later named the
Stillwell Road after U.S. Army
General Joseph Stillwell and Max,
now part of 779th Pipeline Com-
pany worked through the Burmese
communities of Shingbwiyang,
Myitkyina and Bhamo.
We never got into combat but
we did have the occasional Japan-
ese Army sniper. When one of
these fellows would turn up, wed
have to stay under cover while
troops cleared the threat. We nev-
er lost a man. I consider myself one
of the lucky ones.
Maxs folks had moved from
Linden to Sunrise Beach and Max
rejoined the family after the war.
He resumed his plumbing trade
and enjoyed 68 years of marriage.
The union produced two daughters
and a son who live in the Lake of
the Ozarks region.
Reflecting on the work in China
and Burma, Max recalled the dif-
ficult challenge he faced on the
pipeline project. We operated a
small bulldozer and excavator to do
the digging but we also had help
from Chinese. They sent their
young kids to carry soil and rocks.
It was astonishing to see little kids
with a bamboo pole over one
shoulder and a basket at each
end."
The retired Staff Sargent ad-
mitted, There are not too many of
us left, from the China-Burma-
India Campaign. Maxs son drives
him to Columbia for periodic vis-
its to the VA Hospital.
Id recommend the service to
any high school senior wondering
about a career. The discipline and
responsibility experience provides
an advantage to all who wear the
uniform and later in civilian life.

By Eric Davis

A veteran of the silent service

For enemies of the Unit- Our main assignment classified mission, Gato col- Seals, before there was a my dad was put ashore
ed States, the submarines of in those days was to snoop lided with Soviet submarine Seal program. Dad won and acted as a spotter for
Americas navy are a fright- on our primary opponent, K-19 in 200 feet of water. four purple heart medals our naval gunfire target-
ening adversary. Under wa- the Russian Navy. We The collision mangled the and the silver star for his ex- ing North Korean and Chi-
ter, unseen and deathly qui- would know when an Russians bow sonar and ploits as a UDT frogman. nese positions. On one oc-
et, the nuclear missile American task force was to peeled away the torpedo Joes son Steven served as casion he held out for three
boomers and their more leave port and we could tube covers. The K-19 a navy diver and partici- days, braving the returning
traditional companions, the suspect that a Russian sub sailed home for repairs pated in the TWA 800 dis- fire from a Chinese Army Joe Duncan. ERIC DAVIS
fast attack subs silently would fall in behind it. We while the GATO continued aster recovery mission. column. PHOTO
patrol the oceans of the would track the Russians without much damage. Joes younger bother Mart One of the more remark- We got the first film of
world, on guard, on watch but they rarely knew the GATO was not com- served in the navy in the able and now declassified their first cruise missile
and ready to respond to Black Cat, SSN 615, was pletely unscathed. Joe re- electronics field.. Joes missions involved a quiet launch and they never
threats against America. watching. calls seeing a 20-foot dent daughter Stephanie also approach to the Russian knew they had an Ameri-
One of the sailors from Before Joe Duncan came in the big subs nose when served in the navy along coast to check out and film
the Cold War era remem- aboard the Gato, the Russ- he first reported for duty. with Cadon, Joes nephew. the development of Russ- _______________________
bers his days aboard the ian Navy received a blunt Joe Duncan hails from a During the Korean War, ians cruise missile program. See DUNCAN, page 6
fast attack sub Gato from calling card from Gato. U.S. Navy family. His father
his enlistment in 1968 Moving cautiously through was a Navy Commander
through his last year in 75. the Barents Sea in a still and one of the first Navy
To Those Who Serve
God Bless Our Military And Have Served
165 Missouri Blvd. Ste. 3, Laurie, MO
(across from Laurie Healthmart Pharmacy) WE APPRECIATE
D. Bruce Gilbert, CPA YOUR DEDICATION
Certified Public Accountant TO OUR COUNTRY
Quickbooks Setup & Training
Income Tax Preparation & Planning DECO
Accounting & Payroll Services INSURANCE
Phone: 374-5040 AGENCY
bruce@lakeozarkcpa.com

You Protect Our Lives

Let Us Protect Yours
AUTO HOME LIFE BUSINESS
Thank You Veteran
Owned!
to all the men and women who fought
for our freedom!

Family Owned & Operated

New Retirement Facility
6230 Baydy Peak Road, Osage Beach, MO
508 N. Main St., Laurie
www.gardengateestates.com 573-207-0225
ESTATES 573-302-0380 www.DecoInsurance.com