D/395 vet says, Humphrey was right years ago
Hold on Col. Biggio, Bob Humphrey presented a true picture, not distorted and not by a few disgruntled privates from the ASTP program. We privates at first were not treated like we already had any basic training, nor had gotten our hands dirty or walked many a 10-mile hike. We were treated like we all were intellectual privileged individuals who were to be broken down to "know nothing" infantrymen.
Of course there was disappointment, but I don't believe there was per se, bitter conflict between ASTPers and their non-coms. Yes, we probably knew more about some military training than a few of the non-coms and officers, but we were ready and able to learn how to survive as infantrymen. Instead of some cigarette butt picking-up and nonsense punishments, they should have tried to teach the tactics of living as infantrymen
My memory is still good after 60 years and nobody promised me a rose garden.
Albert H. Davis D/395
11 Crambrook Rd.
New City NY 10956
