George Savary 1231&R recalls:

After about a week in the desert we started marches in the sand. We would sink in about to the ankles. I decided the best bet for me was to get behind someone who took steps the length of mine. We marched in the heat of the day for 50 minutes and had a ten minute break. Each of us had a canteen with about a quart of water. Orders were to take only one slug at each stop. There were others that drank more. Soon they would have an empty canteen, feel thirsty, and then try to get one of us to share. Of course,

we refused and it wasn't long until some units had men suffering from heat stroke. This caused the planners to change to night treks. We would go out a few miles in the morning and settle down. Each man had a partner and after digging a trench they'd use their shelter halves to make a tent. We would rest there the rest of the day, leaving our protective cover only for meals. The Company C.O., whose name I don't remember, decided I was a good walker and made me the messenger. During the day he would send oral messages to his subordinates that I would pass on. After the sun had set we would prepare for that night's march. We marched Indian file and were lucky to have some moonlight. Our leader would warn us of obstacles such as "cactus on the right."

On one of our marches we noticed those ahead were jumping at a certain point. We soon found out why when we heard the hiss of a rattlesnake that had

been roused from its slumber, so, we too, jumped. Fortunately, no one was bitten. The Army decided we should become more comfortable with our environment and invited a "desert rat," a person that lived in the desert to come with some rattlers. We were invited to pick them up and let them slither through our hands. I was the frightened one and opted not to participate. Lt.Col. Kleinmann, regimental XO, wasn't really anxious to handle a rattler, but felt his rank dictated he do so. He did a no-no and closed his hand around the body of the snake, a threatening move for the reptile, and was bitten. Fortunately the medics were there to take care of him.

The march usually ended at sunup and we were back in camp for breakfast. We'd sleep the rest of the day until about 1600 when we had a full inspection of uniform and weapons. After evening chow we were able to relax. Those who got a pass assembled to wait for a truck to take them to San Bernardino.

A few miles away from camp there was a range and several times a week we practiced our marksmanship. Sighting in the desert was different from Ft. Lewis. The background of sand made it much more difficult to hit the target. The officers were watching for the best shooters and I was not one of them. The idea was to see who might be sniper candidates.

Around June, our captain had been transferred to lead the Regimental Headquarters Company. He soon had me transferred and I became part of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon (I&R)

Headquarters Company had other units besides I&R. There was the Communications Platoon; a Transportation Section with jeeps and, of course, a kitchen unit with several cooks. There also was a postman and our company clerk who worked outside of our area.

I didn't get a chance to train with my new outfit as we got orders to go overseas. General Patton's army had taken care of the enemy in North Africa and they didn't need us there. At the time, though, we didn't know where we were going.

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