When the world went to war in 1939, ordinary men and women were called to lead extraordinary lives.  Lawrence “Larry” Truman Spencer grew up in the city of Elmira, New York living with his parents Frank and Nellie.  After the war, he returned to Elmira and passed away there on February 21, 2012. [1] But, two things point to the adventures he had during the Second World War and the impact they had on his life.  First, the part of his obituary that read, “He proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps.” [2] Second, he left a diary of his service in a booklet, “My Life in the Service.”

On the surface, Corporal Spencer’s service appears pretty standard fare.  The Star-Gazette noted in their April 30, 1943 issue that Lawrence T. Spencer was among 22 local men sent to the Binghamton Induction Center by Selective Service Board 504. [3]

Larry describes his early days of service in an entry under the section, “Places I Have Been” as:

Entered Service April 23, 1943

April 30, 1943 reported for duty at Fort Niagra, NY

Transferred for basic training to Keesler Field June 10, 1943, Biloxi, Mississippi

Transferred to Scott Field, Bellevue, Illinois, training as Radio operator in air combat crew.  Arrived August 28, 1943 [4]

Reported in the March 6, 1944 Star-Gazette, Larry Spencer had been promoted to Private First Class, he was awarded the “Sharpshooter Medal” (likely the U.S. Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge – Sharpshooter) at Drew Field, Florida. [5]  This early skill in marksmanship would serve him well in his later years, as he served as an instructor with the Cowanesque Valley Rod & Gun Club teaching youth hunter safety. [6]

Assigned to the 552^nd Signal Aircraft Warning (SAW) Battalion, Private First Class Spencer would be promoted to Corporal at either Drew Field or once the unit was transferred Fourth Air Force at March Air Base, California.  SAW Battalions were early radar warning units, equipped with state of the art radars, radios and telephone equipment, they would communicate directly with Air Corps aircraft in a predecessor role to modern Air Traffic Control.  The 552^nd SAW BN would be deactivated after the war. [7]  In the “Citations, Awards and Decorations” section of the diary is glued a single Army Good Conduct Medal ribbon.  Based on his service, Corporal Spencer was also entitled to and awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. [8]

The hardships of military service bonds service members in friendships that will last a lifetime.  Many times, despite years apart, military friends reunite and pick up the friendship where it left off.  Larry wrote the names and addresses of 44 such friends he met in service, and some of them also wrote remembrances in the diary. [9]

“Best of Luck Always” – Henry J. Herschel, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

“As you slide down the bannister of life, remember me as a splinter in your career.” – Tech Sgt Homer J. Ingram, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

“See you in Elmira, N.Y. after the war” – Richard H. Craft, Nelson, Pennsylvania

“Buddy & Buddy
“We argue like hell
“But mean no harm
“We work together, but
“That’s to keep warm!

“He is a pal, I will never forget
“We may have trouble,
“but we never fret!
“We get along surprisingly good although,
No other Pals could.” – Frank “Happy” Williams, Washington, D.C. and Detroit, Michigan

“Wish you luck on a discharge soon.”  — Raymond J. Riddell, New Orleans, Louisiana

“In the little woods
“Carved on a tree
“Are two little words
“Remember Me” – Corporal William Robert Folie, Signal Corps, U.S. Army

“This is something that you can remember.  While I was writing this you filled my pipe and lit it for me.  This was done at March Field, Cal.” – Private First Class W. “Buck” Sanders, Air Corps

“It will be easy enough to remember me without my signature just think of the lousiest outfit that you were in all through your army career.” – Sergeant Francis “Frank” T. Carey, U.S. Army

“If I was you I would get out of the Army and still out unless you was to make a Army Career.” – Private First Class William D. Devante, U.S. Army

“Here is to March Field, May we never return after we get out.  For I know about how you like army life.” – Cyrus W. Stewart

The friends of Larry Spencer came from places like:

Stankville, Mississippi
Tillamook, Oregon
Fairfield, Iowa
Ellendale, North Dakota
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Galveston, Texas
Durham, North Carolina
Woodland, Alabama
Mankato, Minnesota

Unlike modern times, where only 1 percent of the population serves in the military; the scope and scale of the Second World War had an ability to unite the nation like no other shared experience since.

Stay tuned for Part 2 – The Women and Part 3 – The Crash as we continue to explore Larry Spencer’s adventures in the Air Corps!

SOURCES:

1.)  Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

2.)  “Obituary, Spencer, Lawrence T. of Pine City, NY.”  Star-Gazette.  Elmira, NY.  February 23, 2021.  Pg. 4

3.)  “3 Services Accept 22 Men of Board 504.”  Star-Gazette.  Elmira, NY.  April 30, 1943.  Pg. 3

4.)  Spencer, Larry T.  Diary, “My Life in the Service.”

5.)  “Men Serving with U.S. Armed Forces.”  Star-Gazette.  Elmira, NY.  March 6, 1944.  Pg. 3

6.)  “Sports Today.”  Star-Gazette.  Elmira, NY.  May 6, 1975. Pg. 28.

7.)  Army Units 501 – 561.  http://www.mobileradar.org/army_units_501_561.html  Accessed February 14, 2020.

8.)  Spencer, Larry T.  Diary, “My Life in the Service.”

9.)  Ibid.