Simon Served In Northern Germany During the 1980s

By JIM PURCELL

John Simon is an Army veteran who served on active duty during the Cold War, from 1985 to 1988. He was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts but raised in Worcester, Massachusetts.

 

The M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle

  Like a lot of young people, John joined the Army right after high school. So, after he collected his diploma at Doherty Memorial High School, he went straight to the Army recruiter’s office.

   “I wanted to join the Army since I was kid,” John said.

   John’s first step in becoming a soldier brought him to the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he trained to be an infantryman and Bradley crewman. The Bradley was still new to soldiers, with the M2 and M3 entering service in 1981.

   Named for the late General Omar Bradley, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle included a crew of three: a commander, driver and gunner. Its weaponry included an M242, 25mm chain gun, a TOW anti-tank weapon and a 7.62mm, M240 machine gun. In addition, the Bradley could carry six fully equipped soldiers.

Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, in Garlstedt, FRG

   The Bradley replaced the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, which was basically an aluminum-armored rolling box equipped with an M2, .50-caliber machine gun. While the APC was replaced by the Bradley in infantry line units, they were still used by support units.

   “What I liked most about my job was driving the Bradley,” John said.

   He got a chance to join a unit that was equipped relatively early with the Bradley when he arrived to his first duty station, Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, in Garlstedt, Federal Republic of Germany; the home of the 2^nd Armored Division (Forward). Once there, he was assigned to Alpha Company, 4^th Battalion, 41^st Infantry Regiment.

41st Infantry Regiment Crest

   Clay Kaserne was named for the former European Commander Gen. Lucius D. Clay (1898-1978). Clay had served during World War II in Europe and stayed on after the German surrender, in 1945, to serve as deputy governor of Germany during the Allied Military Government that was in place immediately following the end of the war. 

   At the time, the Division (Forward) was comprised of three maneuver battalions: the 1^st Battalion, 41^st Infantry; the 4^th Battalion, 41^st Infantry; and the 2^nd Battalion, 66^th Armored Regiment, equipped with the still relatively new M1 tanks. Rounding out the Division (Forward) was the 4^th Battalion, 3^rd Field Artillery Regiment and a support battalion.

   The 2^nd Armored Division (Forward) was situated in Northern Germany, so when PFC Simon joined his unit in January, 1986 he got the opportunity to experience icy blasts off the North Sea firsthand.

   “I think the things the Army taught me were to trust your brothers and, if need be, be ready to kick ass,” John said.

Army Overseas Service Ribbon

   The battalion was in the field regularly, whether it was cold weather training in Denmark; gunnery or training evaluations in Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels, in Southern Germany; or taking part in REFORGER (Return Forces to Germany) exercises. Still, John made the time to enjoy Northern Germany’s night-life some, frequently clubbing in Bremerhaven. In fact, it was there that John met his future wife.

   During May, 1988, John’s battalion was rotated back to Fort Hood, in Texas, where it was placed in the 2^nd (St. Lo) Brigade of the 2^nd Armored Division (Main). The 4^th Battalion, 41^st Infantry Regiment was replaced in Garlstedt by the 3^rd Battalion, 66^th Armored Regiment.

   By the time he left the active Army, in October, 1988, John had earned a promotion to the rank of specialist and went on to serve an additional three years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

   Today, he recalls his time in the Army fondly and enjoys his memories of serving with the Iron Deuce in Europe and the United States.