J. E. Maddox

June 10, 1943

Nice long and newsy letters were received this week from two fellows we have not heard from previously - Walter Morris and J. E. MADDOX. Walters was bandmaster at Bunnell high until he was called into the army a few months ago. Maddox has not lived in Bunnell for a number of years although he registered here. Sounds funny but the best way we know how to identify him to some of you young fellows is to say that he was the husband of the former Miss Marie Moody.

The letter from MADDOX is equally as interesting as that from Morris. We were tempted to print both of them almost in their entirety, but space forbids. Maddox says he is getting along fine in the army and likes it. And in telling some of incidents of training, he sees the humorous side - especially that part concerning himself. He has been placed in a medical detachment but says “I don’t like it because there is not enough action - at present - and that is what I like a lot of. He relates that his branch “has priority over everything except the air corps and paratroops. As I am too old to join either, I hope I may get to at least drive a half-track when we get over there.”

November 18, 1943

An excellent letter this week from J. E. MADDOX, who has been at Camp Hood, Texas, for several months, but is now at O'Reilly General Hospital in Springfield, Mo. taking some special training. He relates many interesting incidents relating to training period and a number of them now bring a smile but when they happened it wasn't funny.

For instance, he relates: "one night a few of us fellows were having a friendly game of poker and while playing didn't pay any attention to the time. The light was supposed to be out at nine o'clock, and about nine thirty we had all received a fresh hand and was very interested in them when all of a sudden one of the boys says 'Hello Major.' Not thinking, I looked up and said 'Hi Sir.' Then we all froze. One of the boys who was not playing finally came to and says: 'Attention!' With the tent slanted over my head when I stood up so sudden like I almost scalped myself. The sergeant couldn't say a word but his Adam's apple was going up and down like a cork when a catfish is nibbling on it. The major says 'what's going on fellows.' I thought the sergeant would answer but he still couldn't say anything, After what seemed ages, I say 'Aw, we're just playing a little poker, sir - just 25 cents limit.' I could see if I said one more word he'd burst out laughing but he turned his head and started out and threw this comment over his shoulder: 'Them's pretty high stakes, ain't it boys?' When he joined the officer of the day and one of the company commanders outside he couldn't hold it any longer and all of them went away laughing like the devil."

Maddox adds: "I came near forgetting to tell you about another incident that, happened in Pensacola when I, was on my way out to Camp Hood. We had stopped over in Pensacola for a while and the Lt. who was bringing us out had me to take the boys down town for a little look at the place and when we got back one of the boys was missing. So Lt. Davis ordered me to go up to the depot and see if I could find him, So off I went.

I saw a Captain coming toward me but all I could see was his head. About ten feet away I gave the salute (Rookie). I noticed he was tugging with something, trying to return it and by the time I got within four feet of him I could' see he had two heavy suitcases in his hands. Not too smart, I say, 'As you were sir.' Of course, I didn’t know any better because I had only been in the army one week, but I thought he would die laughing, although he was trying to keep from it."

(Well, J. E., a guy does have a lot of fun along with the tough going in the outfit. Looking back 25 years, this writer today remembers more of the comical and happy events than the others. Anyway, one learns a tremendous amount through experience, eh? Good luck to you, and keep on advancing)

December 23, 1943

In addition, we got a nice letter from Pfc. J. E. MADDOX who now in a general hospital in Springfield, Mo., taking some additional specialized training in the medical corps. J. E. said he and Marie (the Mrs.) like Missouri much better than Texas. He also said "my school days will be over on January 3. If my outfit is not on maneuvers at that time, I may be able to get a furlough and come home. Sure would like to get home for while, too. Old Bunnell will look better than ever."

January 13, 1944

Pfc. J. E. MADDOX, who was stationed at North Camp Hood, Texas, but has been in Missouri to attend a special course at a hospital there arrived here this week to spend his furlough with Mrs. Maddox's mother. He was accompanied here by Mrs. Maddox. They reported a reunion of Flagler countians at Nashville, Tenn. last weekend. They were Sgt. Kenneth Hunter of Ft. Knox, Ky., Pfc and Mrs. MADDOX and Air Cadet and Mrs. Joe Smith.

February 24, 1944

We enjoyed a letter this week from Pfc. J. E. MADDOX and his wife, Marie, who are at Camp Hood, Texas. Marie said that she is living in "Hood Village, which is a trailer village just outside one of the camp gates." T. E. is assigned to the medical detachment and recently completed a specia1 course at O’Reilly Hospital in Missouri.

June 8, 1944

We received a letter and an interesting booklet from J. E. MADDOX, the booklet showing scenes in and around Camp Carson, Colo. J, E, said "I thought you might like to have something from one of the boys to read beside a letter, although I know most all of the letters you get are very interesting because they are from some who are in actual battle zones. Anyway, I am sending it and hope you will enjoy it. We were transferred out here from Camp Hood (Tex.) two weeks ago and our battalion was busted up. Most of the boys were assigned to infantry. The medical detachment is not yet assigned but we are attached to the ‘QM’ Bn at the present. What we will go into is still a mystery to us all. The camp is located six miles south of Colorado Springs and at the foot of Pike's Peak. It is beautiful country and Marie and I both like it very much. We have an apartment in Colorado Springs. It looks as if it will be a long time before we get home again as we wouldn't feel like taking a trip this far away from home. If we do get shipped closer, naturally, we will come home on the first furlough. Give everyone our best regards." (Thanks, J. E, for the booklet. We really enjoyed it.

August 31, 1944

J. E. MADDOX, who has been at Camp Carson, Colo., was here with Mrs. Maddox for a few days on furlough. He left yesterday for Camp Rucker, Alabama.

September 7, 1944

Cpl. J. E. MADDOX, recently transferred to Camp Rucker, Ala. is here on furlough.

November 16, 1944

Cpl. J. E. MADDOX of Camp Rucker, Ala., and A/C Joe Smith were here last weekend visiting friends and relatives.

February 8, 1945

Well, this week we have letters and other news about you fellows scattered all around. First a letter from Cpl. J. E. MADDOX:

"Hey! Left the States the morning of Dec. x x x and was on the high seas for x x x days. What a trip. Thank the Lord I didn't get seasick at all. Thanks to the training I got fishing off the pier over at the beach. Ha!

Surely hope The Tribune catches up with me as I haven't seen one since Dec. 14th.

Hope to run into Pete Barber and Jr. McKnight while I'm over here and if you would send me their address along with Gene's I surely would appreciate it.

Give Uncle George and all his folks my very best regards and tell him to keep a room for me when I get back - which I hope won't be long from now.

Am having a time trying to get this British money situation straightened out and, I suppose, you had the same trouble during the last War.? Give all the folks my regards and that I am looking forward to getting back to Bunnell as soon as I can."

(We will see that you get the addresses J. E. and we feel confident that by now you have, penny, pence, pound and crown doped out OK.)

March 22, 1945

Pfc. Leonard Moody, recently arrived in France, writes home that he has contacted J. E. MADDOX, also from Bunnell, since his arrival over there. Leonard and J. E. spent several weeks together in Camp Carson, Colorado, but J. E. went overseas first. They are about 40 miles apart, Leonard said.

March 29, 1945

A nice, long, typewritten V-Mail from Cpl. J. E. MADDOX, dated March 15, "Western Front." He writes, in part:

“I was glad to get The Tribunes and will be glad when all the rest of them catch up with me. The ones I have received were the issues of Dec. 14, Jan. 4 and 25.

I like to know where all the fellows are and any news they write from their areas. I have written Gene Barber, Pete Barber, Leonard Moody and Otis Hunter. Those are the only ones that I have addresses of. I expect to hear from them pretty soon now if they are not too busy. Surely would like to get up there with Gene as I know that there would be plenty of excitement.

We are supposed to stay here for quite some time and I think my Tribunes will be coming in regularly from now on and I certainly will be glad. Although I have not had the luck to stay in Bunnell any length of time, I feel and call it home just the same and am very interested in all the folks there and all the activity that goes on too. Surely wish I was there now to see all the folks I know and the ones I only know by sight, too. Will be glad when this is all over and we can all go home.

There used to be a Jerry plane that came over every night about bed time to see if he could locate some of us but he never had any luck. We called him 'Bed-check Charlie,' but for the last ten days he hasn't been coming over. Our boys have been doing a lot of night flying lately, so I am guessing he ran into one of them and they ended his bed checking career.

Give everyone my very best regards and tell them we all feel that it won't be long now until it is all over as far as Germany is concerned. We look forward to the invasion of Japan and I hope that I am there when it happens, although I won't be able to carry a gun.

The day has been very sunny and Germany has had plenty of visits by U. S. and British Bombers."

(J. E. we are glad you got those papers and hope you do get them regularly hereafter. As for being in on the invasion of Japan, it now seems as if you'll have to hurry the job in Germany. Yes, we know you would like to have a gun, but remember a Medic is a very valuable man and we know you are a Medic only because you were born too soon. Good luck and hope to see you soon.)