B u l l e t i n C o v e r J a n - J u l y 1 9 8 5 : B o b P r y o r s e r v e d a s P r e s i d e n t o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n 1 9 8 5 - 1 9 8 6 . H i s w i f e P e g g y P r y o r s e r v e d a s t h e W o m e n ’ s A u x i l i a r y P r e s i d e n t d u r i n g t h e s a m e t e r m .

A P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e 2 n d A r m o r e d D i v i s i o n A s s o c i a t i o n I s s u e # 2 , D e c e m b e r , 2 0 1 2

R o b e r t C . P r y o rR o b e r t C . P r y o r1 9 2 0 - 2 0 1 2

HELL ON WHEELS Bulletin page 10December 2012

Normandy, Irvin found a phone and called Berlin

using the German he had learned in school. He

got a secretary’s number and asked to speak to

Adolf Hitler himself, according to Guy McLeod,

David McLeod’s father.

“He asked, ‘What’s the weather like in Berlin?’

”McLeod said. “Well, tell the Fuhrer it’s going to

be raining bullets and bombs before long.”

Irvin wrote a memoir, The Point of the Arrow,

recounting his military exploits in Europe; his

service earned him a Silver Star for bravery, and

he was twice awarded the Purple Heart.

He traveled back to Europe several times for

anniversary gatherings of the D-Day invasion, his

friends said.

“He was a real war hero,” Guy McLeod said.

“He may have been eccentric, but he really did all

those things in the war.”

McLeod said Irvin was never much of a planner,

but always acted on a desire to help others and to

involve those around him in his life. After Irvin

finished his book, he campaigned to take copies

to American troops deployed overseas, McLeod

said.

“He went around trying to raise money to go to

Iraq to give copies to the soldiers because he

thought his book would raise morale,” McLeod

said. “He’s been that way all his life.”

His second wife, Shirley Irvin, said they were

married in March 2009 after a long friendship in

which they exchanged books and had many

discussions about Scripture over lunch.

“The Lord turned my heart to him,” she said.

“I’m glad, because we were able to get him

diagnosed.”

Irvin said her husband’s eccentricities became

more odd and problematic in the past two years,

and he was ultimately diagnosed with

Alzheimer’s disease.

She said the McLeod family stepped in to help

care for him in the final stages of life, when he

had little money or resources.

One of the last things Willis Irvin did on his own

was make a trip to the Netherlands in September

2009 for the anniversary of the liberation of

Maastricht, one of the cities freed from Nazi rule

by the 2nd Armored Division.“We tried everything to stop him, but he

wouldn’t listen,” his wife said. “He had to go, and

he did.”

According to an article from a Dutch

newspaper, Irvin suddenly appeared

unannounced one day at the mayor’s office in

Maastricht, much to the puzzlement of everyone

there.

Undeterred by his lack of appointment, Irvin

asked to see the mayor and regaled those who

cared to listen with tales from World War II and

showed them his book, which he hoped the

mayor would like to translate and publish in

Europe.

According to the newspaper, Irvin eventually

got to speak with the mayor, who arranged for

him to stay another night in a nice hotel and

ensured that the old veteran made his flight back

to Georgia.

“He came back with this newspaper with his

picture in it and everything,” Shirley Irvin said.

“They really treated him like a hero.”

NOTE FROM THE EDITORby JACK SLATTERY

WW ITHIN the span of the last 12-24 months, we’ve said farewell to

many of our 2nd Armored Division brethren - names such as Dan

Pournaras, John McLaughlin, Arnold Shirley, Randall Steady, Al Welch,

Bud Bressler, Ed Sammons and Paul Hicks are just a few. Some served quietly

in the background as supportive members, others were more visible sharing

the harrowing tales of their days in the service, while others were regular

attendees of our reunions getting involved and active to help make our

Association prosper and thrive. Bob Pryor was certainly one of those who made

a difference. So for this issue, we dedicate our cover to the memory of Bob who

served in the 92nd AFA of the 2nd Armored Division during WWII. To echo

Don Evans’ sentiments on page 8, the 2nd Armored Division Association

benefitted from Bob’s many talents, skills and all the great work he contributed

to advancing its cause. Bob was certainly a pillar within our Association and

wore many hats as he organized reunions, served as a Bulletin editor,

Secretary-Treasurer, Chairman, board member and Historian. As noted on our

cover, Bob also served as President 1985 through 1986 following an earlier term

as the Association President in 1977. Bob served his country, the 2nd Armored Division Association, his community and our God, and all our lives were

brighter having him in it. My biggest regret is that I did not have the pleasure

and honor of being acquainted with Bob a lot sooner. And I’m sure there were

still a few more stories to be shared, yet missed, as he and his delightful wife

Peggy and I traveled to the next reunion. “Hell on Wheels” Bob!

Similar to our last Bulletin, this issue is also full of stories and articles from

newspaper sources or letters plus the occasional oral history or interview.

Likewise, sprinkled among the many entries are accounts from some of our

contributing members like Peter Burland who shares a light-hearted tale of the

Division’s satisfying and thirst-quenching reward when it captured a German

brewery at Wolfenbuttel and the benefits of some

American ingenuity that brought it back to life.

And another similarly upbeat story comes from

Harold Heikkinen on pages 38-42 who shares with

us his memories and photos of Elvis Presley who

entered the Army just 20 days after him, trained in

the 2nd Armored at Fort Hood and crossed the

Atlantic together aboard the same ship when assigned overseas for active duty

in Germany with the 3rd Armored in 1958.

Finally, my apologies on the long overdue arrival of your December 2012

issue of the “Hell on Wheels” Bulletin. It takes a lot to produce our Bulletin,

wedging it in between other deadlines and a later than usual reunion all

contribute to its delayed arrival.

Please be mindful of the fact that our Bulletin depends on you to keep it alive

and thriving by sending in your stories and accounts from your time while

serving your country. It matters not if you have memories to share from a

“shooting war”, a “cold war” or even a “forgotten war”, we need your entries.

Jack Slattery - Hell On Wheels Editor

December 2012 page 38HELL ON WHEELS Bulletin

2nd AD vet’s photos and stories provideglimpse of Elvis’ days in the 2nd Armored

TT HIS is a documentation of my Army Years 1958-60, including

fellow soldiers Elvis Presley and his band member, Charlie

Hodge.

Forty years ago* I was in the U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division at Fort

Hood, Texas and transported by troop train and the USS General Randall to

the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. Elvis Presley was a fellow soldier

during that journey.

I kept a travel log during my two years in the Army and took numerous

photographs. These travel notes and photographs appear in this document.

We departed Fort Hood, Texas on September 20, 1958 by troop train to

the Brooklyn Army Terminal (aka Brooklyn Navy Yard) in New York City.

There were four separate troop trains, each taking a separate route to the

Brooklyn Army Terminal. Elvis Presley was on the same train as me, in a

forward coach. I took photographs of the train through the train windows

as we passed through the Appalachian Mountains.

Our troop train arrived in the afternoon of September 22, 1958, at the

Brooklyn Army Terminal and we immediately began boarding the USS

General Randall. I got on the ship before Elvis and occupied a spot to

watch and photograph Elvis boarding the ship. There was a press

interview and a touching farewell to his fans, then two blasts from the

ship’s horn and we were sailing.

I have more photographs on “crossing the Atlantic Ocean” in my green

photograph book but did not include them in this journal because Elvis was

not in the photos.

I was at the front right of the ship’s day room for a variety show held on

September 30, 1958. Elvis played the piano while someone else sang his

songs. Many of the persons appearing in the background of the Elvis

photos at the variety show, including myself, appear in the CCA Band

photo. I took photographs and received autographs after the show. I am

still in possession of four Elvis Presley signatures. I exchanged photographs

with fellow soldiers who also took photographs on the USS General

Randall. My photos in this report are marked with a red “H” in the bottom

corners.

The USS General Randall docked at Bremerhaven, Germany on October 1,

1958. Elvis got off the ship before I did and boarded a train to Grafenwehr. I

took photos from the deck of the USS General Randall of Elvis on the dock

and the crowd.

On October 1, 1958 I traveled by night to Wildfleckon, the former SS

Troop barracks, for Field Training Exercises (FTX). On 13th we traveled

from Wildfleckon to Kirchgeons via Fulda, Gersfeld, Lauterback and Alsfeld.

From November 2 to December 2 our unit was on an FTX at Grafenwehr.

In December 1958 I was recruited to play trumpet in the newly, formed

CCA Band.

On March 26,

1959, I was transferred

from the CCA Band back

to my original outfit.

Charlie Hodge, who

became Elvis’ lead guitar

player and singer, took

my place in the CCA

Band Charlie Hodge

played guitar in Red

Foley’s Band prior to

being inducted into the

Army. He was a

comedian in basic

training, always joking

and telling stories.

To make this document

on our army years more complete I have included other articles and photos

of interest that I have collected over the years.

*Mr. Heikkinen wrote this introduction in September of 1998

Harold H. Heikkinen (EIB). Entered the Army on March 4, 1958 and served in the 2nd Armored Division at Ft Hood, TX. He transferred to the 3rd Armored Division, CCA, 46th Infantry on September 27, 1958. He was discharged from active duty on February 26, 1960.

by HAROLD H. HEIKKINEN

HQ Co. & 1st Recon Squadron, 15th Cavalry

....The 2006 news article was a telephone interview with the reporter from the DMG (Daily Mining Gazette). They get things screwed up sometimes and make up their own stories.

I played a trumpet in the CCA Band for 5 months during the winter of

1958-1959. I still had to go on the Field Exercises at Grafenwher and

Wildflecken. We did not have much time for ourselves since we had to play

in the Band on weekends. I was happy to get out of the Band. Charlie

Hodge, Elvis’ lead guitar player and singer took my place in the Band. I never

played trumpet in Elvis Band or the Variety Show on the USS Randall. The

DMG reporter just made that up.

Presley’s platoon sergeant while the singer was a member of Company A,

37th Armor, was Sgt. lst Class William C. Farley. Farley recalls that he “had a

lot of trouble” while Presley was in his platoon, but quickly adds, “It wasn’t

his fault. It was caused by people who came to see him.” Eventually

reporters and cameramen were barred from Fort Hood. EP’s induction into

the Army was a circus. They even photographed EP in his underwear -

showing all.

ELVIS like any other Soldier was impossible. He lived off post at Fort Hood,

All material is the copyrighted property of the author Harrold Heikkinen - 2nd Armored Division Assoc. and approved for use by Elvis Australia www.elvis.com.au

December 2012

EE LVIS Presley’s stint in the U.S. Army

has come to mark the end of the first

wave of American rock n’ roll, as well as

the most vital part of his music career.

But for Harold Heikkinen, it was a time he’ll

never forget.

The Atlantic Mine resident, then serving in

Germany, played alongside in the Combat

Command A band for five months in late 1958

and early 1959, including variety shows aboard

the U.S.S. Randall with Presley.

Photographs he took during those concerts are

now on display at Dee Stadium in Houghton as

part of the yearly Copper Country Photo Exhibit.

Heikkinen, who joined the Army one week

before Presley did, first met him in Ft. Hood,

Texas.

The two also rode the same train to the

Brooklyn Army Terminal, and from there, rode

aboard the U.S.S. Randall.

There, Heikkinen played trumpet in jam

sessions, while Charlie Hodge, who would go on

to be a longtime associate of Presley’s, played

guitar and sang. Presley, breaking from his

showbiz routine, stuck to piano.

“He was really an excellent piano player,”

Heikkinen said.

Though he was in the Army, Presley was never

just an ordinary soldier, Heikkinen said.

“Wherever he was, there was a lot of electricity

in the room,” he said. “He was very charismatic.”

After arrival, Presley headed

to Friedburg with the 3rd

Armored Division.

As in America, people flocked

to Elvis wherever he went

—especially the girls. He

remembered being in line at a

PX store when the girls behind

the counter caught wind of

Presley’s presence outside.

“We could have walked off

with everything they had,”

Heikkinen said. “They were all

outside, hoping to catch a

glimpse of Elvis.”

As Heikkinen recalls, Presley

flouted military conventions,

getting written up three times

for delinquency. Infractions

included driving his Cadillac

onto his base during basic training.

During his acquaintance with Presley,

Heikkinen also obtained several autographs, the

value of which he said ranges from $1,000 to

$12,000.

The autographs will only be available to the

public during times when the booth is watched.

Heikkinen also plans to display photos of

numerous other entertainers who performed for

the servicemen, including Bob Hope, Johnny Cash

and Neil Sedaka. Other items include a letter from

the Green Bay Packers offering a $110-per-game

contract to University of Michigan standout

Gerald Ford (which he declined).

Heikkinen had already been part of last year’s

events with photos of Atlantic Mine. But his past

as a member of Elvis’s band had come as a shock

to Ralph Raffaelli, director of the exhibit.

“We didn’t know he was in possession of all

this information,” he said.

The exhibit is one of many at the Dee this year.

Other booths cover the German prisoner of war

camp in Sidnaw, (Michigan), the history of

professional hockey in Keweenaw and Wilbert

Juntilla, a Calumet High School graduate whose

aerial exploits against the Germans in WWII

earned him the nickname the "Flying Finn."

From Daily Mining Gazette

Saturday/Sunday

June 3/4, 2006

by GARRETT NEESE,

DMG Writer

HOUGHTON —

Elvis is seen playing the piano during a variety show on board the U.S.S Randall en route to Germany shortly after Presley's induction into the U.S. Army. Harold Heikkinen of Atlantic Mine, who accompanied Presley on trumpet, is presenting numerous pieces of Elvis-related memorabilia from the trip as part of the History and Photo Fair at the Dee Stadium, including this picture.

had a private compartment on the Pullman car on the train going to the

Brooklyn Army Terminal, New York, NY. On the USS Randall he had a private

room in the Officer's Quarters. Same on the Train from Bremerhaven,

Germany to Grafenwher. He lived off post in Bad Neuhiem when he was at

the Ray Barrack just south of Kirchgoens where I was stationed. Every time I

saw him in the Field, he was driving officers around. He did stay in the

Barracks at Wildfecken and Grafenwher "just like any other Soldier."

I made comments in the captions on the photos "1958 Army TX" CD. He

moved up in rank driving that jeep and officers around. I was a car

commander with an Expert Infantryman Badge and was a PFC for the last 6

months in Germany. I replaced a sergeant who was commander of the same

jeep before me.

There are all kinds of short stories about my 18 months overseas. The

pictures will tell some of the stories.....

Elvis has entered the buildingLocal man shares photos of time in the King’s band

page 39Newsletter of the 2nd Armored Division Association

September 22, 1958 - Elvis Presley autograph obtained while sailing aboard the U.S.S Randall departing from New York to Germany.

All material is the copyrighted property of the author Harold Heikkinen - 2nd Armored Division Assoc. and approved for use by Elvis Australia www.elvis.com.au

December 2012 page 40HELL ON WHEELS Bulletin

March 24: At 6:35 in the morning, Elvis reports to the offices of Memphis’ Local Draft Board 86, accompanied by his parents and longtime friend Lamar Fike, then is bused with twelve other new recruits to Kennedy Veterans Memorial Hospital. There, he is inducted into the US Army, a Private with serial number 53 310 761. Dozens of photographers and reporters attend.

March 25: Reporting to Ft. Chaffee, AK by bus, Elvis’ famous hair is shorn off by an Army barber. The media follows close behind. The pop icon is assigned to Second Medium Tank Battalion, Second Armored Division, the “Hell On Wheels” division once led by General George S. Patton. Elvis, however, receives an assignment as a jeep driver. Within days, Colonel Tom Parker receives 5,000 pieces of mail addressed to the singer at Fort Chaffee.

March 29: Elvis arrives for boot camp at Ft. Hood, TX. He is stationed there for six months, and insists on performing KP and guard duty like any other soldier. With a bank account larger than most soldiers, he is able to afford his own housing. His family arrives and moves into an off-base trailer.

June 10: On his first weekend furlough, the singer manages to complete his recording contract for the year. This Nashville session will be his last until 1960. Meanwhile, Gladys collapses on the floor of her home and, on the urging of husband Vernon, goes to Memphis for tests.

June 14: Gladys is diagnosed with hepatitis and hospitalized at Memphis’ Methodist Hospital. Elvis reluctantly returns to Ft. Hood for advanced tank training and is promoted to Corporal. The rest of his family moves into a four-bedroom house located at 906 Oak Hill Drive in nearby Killeen.

August 11: Elvis receives word that his beloved mother, Gladys, has been hospitalized with acute hepatitis.

August 12: Elvis is granted emergency “compassionate” leave and travels to Memphis’ memorial hospital to be by his mother’s side. He stays with her for the next two days, then returns to Graceland to rest.

August 14: At approximately 3:00 am, Gladys Presley dies at age 46 from a heart attack brought on by her hepatitis. Elvis is called immediately and rushes to her bedside, wailing loudly and praying over her lifeless body. Elvis refuses an autopsy. Gladys’ body is transported to Graceland and lies in state there for two days, with her son simply staring at her, until Vernon insists she be buried.

August 15: Services for Gladys are held at the Memphis Funeral Home. Rev. James Hamill presides while gospel favorites the Blackwood Brothers perform her two favorite hymns, “Rock of Ages” and “Precious Memories.” Elvis is reported to have been inconsolable, crying, “Everything I have is gone!” and insisting that his mother is not dead but merely sleeping. Later that day, her body is laid to rest at nearby Forest Hill Cemetery. Numb with grief, Elvis would carry her nightgown around for weeks afterward.

August 25: Elvis reports back to Ft. Hood and is reassigned to the Third Armored “Spearhead” Division, now as a tank driver. However, the hearing damage caused by the ammo soon forces a swift change in duty.

September 22: Presley is promoted to Private First Class and assigned to service in Germany, reporting to New York to board the troop ship USS General Randall. A press conference is held to mark the occasion, and a military band plays both “Tutti Frutti” (which Elvis had indeed recorded) and “Hound Dog.”

October 1: Elvis arrives in Bremerhaven, West Germany and is startled to discover 2,000 screaming German fans waiting there for him. He will be stationed in the town of Friedburg for the next year and a half; on the spur of the moment, Elvis invites his family and friends to move into a two-story, four-bedroom residence in the nearby town of Bad Nauhiem. A press conference is held, after which Elvis is left alone to continue grieving.

Elvis Presley Timeline: 1958

May 5, 1958 Left: Pvt. Daryl G. Jestila field strips his M1 while Harold

Heikkinen soaks his feet in his steel helmet.

September 1958 - Ft. Hood, TX, Harold Heikkinen in the field washing up from his steel helmet.

May 1958, Elvis is seen here in the center while training at Ft. Hood, TX

An assortment of photos of Elvis from the yearbook of the 2nd Medium Tank Bn. 37th Armor .

March 1958 - Elvis receiving his famous haircut upon induction at Ft. Chaffee.

March 28 - Elvis Being outfitted with all his

military gear at Ft. Chaffee, Ark.

Harold Heikkinen

1st Recon Squadron, 15th Cavalry

Elvis Presley

2nd MTB, 37th Armor

All material is the copyrighted property of the author Harold Heikkinen - 2nd Armored Division Assoc. and approved for use by Elvis Australia www.elvis.com.au

December 2012 page 41

Harold Heikkinen and Elvis Presley departed for Germany aboard the USS George Randall leaving out of the Brooklyn Army Terminal in New York City on September 22, 1958. They passed through the English Channel on September 28-29 and arrived in Germany on Oct. 1, 1958.

September 22, 1958 - Elvis Presley signing autographs after the USS Randall headed out to sea. Harold Heikkinen took pictures of Elvis during the voyage with a Brownie Hawkeye Kodak Camera and flash bulbs that came in an egg like carton. When he ran out of bulbs, that was the end of the flash photos. There were very few troops with cameras onboard so these ocean crossing photos are very rare.

Elvis autographed the back of Harold Heikkinen’s Jeffers High School graduation photo taken January 28, 1956. Elvis got a kick out of the hair, which was the style he had at that date. Harold still has the original autographs in his possession.

September 22-30, 1958, Harold Heikkinen onboard the USS General Randall traveling to Germany.

September 30, 1958. A “Variety Show” in the ship’s Day Room. Elvis played the piano while someone else sang his songs, Joe Williams on the drums. Photos by Harold Heikkinen.

On September 22, 1958, Troops from the Elvis train began boarding the USS George Randall. Harold Heikkinen boarded the ship before Elvis. The first photo shows Elvis (above the “C” in CORPS), with the duffle bag on his left shoulder. The next photo shows Elvis being steadied by the producer), with the duffle bag on his right shoulder. Elvis boarded the ship 8 times for the cameras of “News of the Day” and the duffle bag was not even his own. Photos by Harold Heikkinen.

Newsletter of the 2nd Armored Division Association

On board the USS Randall - Elvis in the Day Room of the ship. During the voyage to Bremerhaven, Germany, Elvis acted as producer and director of a live revue staged for the benefit of the troops. While not actually singing, he did play piano and guitar during the auditions and as backing some of the acts. Among those Elvis auditioned and eventually accepted for the show, was Charlie Hodge who was later to join Elvis’ entourage.

All material is the copyrighted property of the author Harold Heikkinen - 2nd Armored Division Assoc. and approved for use by Elvis Australia www.elvis.com.au

All material is the copyrighted property of the author Harold Heikkinen - 2nd Armored Division Assoc. and approved for use by Elvis Australia www.elvis.com.au

December 2012 page 42HELL ON WHEELS Bulletin

September 30, 1958 onboard the USS Randall after the “Variety Show”. Elvis signing autographs for William Erlandson, Iron Mountain, WI and Harold Heikkinen of Atlantic Mine, Michigan. Photos by Harold Heikkinen.

Charlie Hodge (left) and Elvis Presley trying his hand at the accordion onboard the USS Randall.

On January 20, 1960, Elvis Presley was promoted to Sgt. & placed in command of a three-man reconnaissance team. Harold Heikkinen received his EIB on 9/11/59 and held the same position as a PFC.

September 30, 1958. A “Variety Show” in the ship’s Day Room. Elvis played the piano while someone else sang his songs, Joe Williams on the drums. Photos by Harold Heikkinen.

September 30, 1958 onboard the USS Randall. Elvis Presley playing the piano and Joe Williams on the drums. In the background is Donald Motteshead (camera and flash), and Harold Heikkinen. Williams, Motteshead and Heikkinen were in the CCA Band, 3rd Armored Division, Kirchgeons, Germany.

When the USS Randall docked in Bremerhaven, Germany, hundreds of people lined the docks to welcome the King of Rock-n-Roll to their homeland. A 16-year-old boy named Karl Heinz was encouraged by reporters to run up to Elvis and ask him for an autograph. Heinz complied, pushing a piece of paper in front of Elvis. Elvis was holding a large duffel bag on his right shoulder with his right hand. As he tried to sign the paper with his left hand, the bag slipped off his shoulder and he lost his balance. Elvis never signed the paper and Heinz walked away embarrassed that Elvis had almost fallen because of him. He cursed the reporters who put him up to it and he would always be known as the kid who almost made Elvis fall.

2nd Armored Division Association MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL

DUES: � $25 - Yearly � Overseas $45 -Yearly� Lifetime Membership

� $350.00 to age 60 � $250.00 age 61-70 � $150.00 age 71 and over

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________________________State:__________________________________________ ZIP____________________________

Telephone Number:____________________________ Unit:__________________________Date Served:__________________________To___________________

E-mail address (optional):_________________________________________________________Wife’s Name:____________________________________________

Make check payable to: 2nd Armored Division AssociationMail to: Richard G. Smith (Secty.-Treas) 100 Water St. Naugatuck, CT 06770-4106

December 2012 page 44HELL ON WHEELS Bulletin

www.2ndarmoreddivision.org