A glimpse into the past

The decision to enlist into the U.S. military is made by few Americans. The reasons that turns the decision into action vary – whether it’s wanting to travel, education opportunities or healthcare stability.

A young Harrold Helderman was among those who made that decision to enlist. While working long hours on a railroad with little pay, he knew it wasn’t the work he wanted to do for long.

“When I was driving spikes into those big ties I thought there must be a better way of life,” Helderman said.

In 1946, 17-year-old Helderman chose to enlist into the U.S. Army, requiring his mother to sign his enlistment paperwork.

Once he enlisted, Helderman went through 12 weeks of basic training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, learning military courtesies, discipline, chemical warfare, firing weapons, close quarters combat, first aid and much more.

“It was pretty tough – I remember one night somebody took someone else’s boots from under their bed and no one would admit taking them,” Helderman laughed as he reminisced. “We had to stand out on the parade field all night until someone admitted it.”

After basic training, he was moved to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, then transferred to Germany.

The journey lasted a total of nine days and nights with thousands of military personnel on one ship.

During the trip, Helderman’s ship was caught in a storm, rocking so much that he felt as though the ship was going straight down.

Despite the rough weather, he arrived safely in Augsburg, Germany on Oct 17, 1946, just two months before the Cessation of Hostilities of World War II was signed by President Harry Truman.

Upon arrival, Helderman immediately saw the effects of war.

“You couldn’t even drive down the streets when I first got over there,” said Helderman. “Everything was all bombed out. Especially in the big cities where the German army had their factories.”

After getting through the ruined streets, Helderman was later assigned to the 7708th War Crimes Group. While attached to the group, he was responsible for gathering German prisoners of war, and those accused of war crimes.

Helderman spent one year in Augsburg and was later reassigned to Munich, Germany. After three years in Germany, he was thankful for a safe tour.

Once his tour was over, Helderman was sent back home. Shortly after returning home, he signed his reenlisted paperwork and went straight back to Germany.

While back in Germany for the second time, Helderman worked at the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg where he supervised German POWs who were serving time on work release.

In 1952, Helderman was reassigned to Fort Myers, Virginia, near Arlington Cemetery, finishing the last three years of his enlistment and separating from the U.S. Army as a Sergeant.

“I don’t think you can make a wrong choice by [joining the military],” Helderman advised. “I think it would be a good choice and I think I turned out alright.”